OBJECTIVETo study the influence of different drying methods on the quality of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus and thus provide useful reference for its proper drying methods.

METHODSchisandrae Chinensis Fructus was processed by eight drying methods including vacuum freeze drying, natural drying in the shade, drying in the sun, oven drying and vacuum drying under different temperature. The contents of the functional ingredients includes chisandrin, gomisin D, gomisin J, schisandrol B, angeloylgomisin H, angeloylgomisin Q, gomisin G, schisantherin A, deoxyschisandrin, schisandrin B, schisandrin C, 5-HMF, total aids and total sugars. The main components change after drying were analyzed by HPLC, ultraviolet spectrophotometry and potentiometric titration. Principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out by SPSS software to evaluate the quality of different processed products from Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus.

RESULTAll these results are in accordance with the requirements of Chinese Pharmacopoeia published in 2010, the contents of schisandrin and total eleven lignans were the highest using vacuum drying, and 5-HMF were the lower, oven drying made little difference but with lower schisandrin and higher 5-HMF as the heat increased.

CONCLUSIONDifferent drying methods have significant influence on the quality of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus. Oven drying under 5°C should be adopted to substitute drying in the sun according to the China Pharmacopoeia published in 2010 for Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus by comprehensive analysis of the cost, content and practicality.

Desiccation ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Schisandra ; chemistry ; Temperature

Viewing from some TCM concepts and basic characteristics of health, assimilating the operationalization concerning thinking and procedure of modern scientific research, the pilot form of Health Scale of TCM--initial health scale of TCM (iHSTCM) based upon TCM theory was developed. From November 2002 to January 2003, the domain, facets and items of HSTCM were finally established by analyzing the data from a survey of 652 persons in Guangzhou City using iHSTCM. In conclusion, the HSTCM has its theoretical ratio-nality and is applicable. It could be further applied in TCM clinical practice.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Health ; Health Promotion ; methods ; standards ; Health Status Indicators ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; standards ; Middle Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires

With an objective to provide an experimental basis for scientific officinal of Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus, this research uses UPLC-TQ/MS method to analyze 7 different kinds of lignan in 70 batches of Schisandra sphenantherae Fructus samples from 9 regions. The results showed that in the area south of Qinling mountains, Schisandrae sphenantherae Fructus from Zhashui county and Shanyang county of Shangluo mainly contained schisantherin A and deoxyschizandrin. However, Schisandrae sphenantherae Fructus from Mei county of Baoji, Shiquan county and Ningshan county of Ankang, and Lueyang county of Hanzhong, mainly contained anwuligan. Samples from Ningshan county also consists relatively high level of deoxyschizandrin. In the central area of Qinling mountains and the Daba mountains, Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus from Nanzheng county of Hanzhong mainly contained schisanhenol and deoxyschizandrin. In conclusion, the kinds and level of lignan differ significantly in Schisandrae sphenantherae Fructus produced in different regions. In practical application, Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus produced in different regions should be distinguished and differently applied based on their main effective components corresponding to different diseases, which can lead to the best clinical use.
China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Lignans ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Schisandra ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of different fertilization, measure of breeding seedling, breeding and sowing density on seedlings of Psoralea corylifolia.

METHODThe combination of field sowing and indoor test was applied.

RESULTAll agricultural measures showed positive effect on the growth and development of seedling of P. corylifolia.

CONCLUSIONThe suitable sewing time should be the first and second ten days in March. The suitable sowing density is 150 kg x hm(-2). The combined of application of organic manure and chemical fertilizer is better than using one of them alone.

Agriculture ; methods ; standards ; Animals ; Breeding ; Fertilizers ; Manure ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Psoralea ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Quality Control ; Seasons ; Seedlings ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development

Objective To explore the relationship between wild rodent plague and human in wild rodent plague foci of the northwestern area in Yunnan to probe the possible transmission mechanism of wild rodent plague to human. Methods Data of component ratio of rodents and fleas was collected in different areas from 1985 - 1995. Activities and habits of residents regarding the way they keep cats and dogs and parasitic fleas and free fleas indoor were investigated, the dog serum was collected for detecting F1 antibody. Results Eothenomys miletus were main rodents in farmland and shrub, accounting for 48.00% (4753/9902) and 54.50% (4282/7857), Apodemus chevrieri were main rodents in garden, being 50.47% (1332/2639). The component ratio of Neopsylla specialis specialis was 13.31%(229/1720), 12.31%(1678/13 739) and 10.87%(957/8802) respectively in garden, farmland and shrub, higher than in indoor. The component ratio of Frantcpsylla spodix was 39.88% (686/1720), the highest in garden. Thirty-two per cent (32/100) of residents kept cats,in which 63% (20/32) with cat fleas, 68% (68/100) of villages kept dogs, in which 76%(52/68) with fleas. Eighteen parasitic fleas were caught from 43 dogs with a flea index of 0.119 and a rate for fleas of 11.63%, 7 pulex were collected from 17 indoor. Forty-three blood serum samples were obtained from dogs, among which 3 were positive blood serum. Conclusions Residents touch affected animals or media in different situations. The possibility of transmission for wild rodent plague to human exists in loci in a chain of wild rodent plague → fleas or predation → homebred animal plague (cats or dogs) →touching or respiratory → human.

BACKGROUNDThe association between vulnerability of plaque assessed with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and plasma levels of fibrinolytic biomarkers was determined in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, few data are available on the relationship between the levels of tissue type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and virtual histological intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS) signs of plaque instability.

METHODSEighty-nine patients with ACS were enrolled in the study. Blood was collected to measure t-PA levels by liquid phase bead flow cytometry. Eighty-nine nonbifurcate lesions (identified by coronary angiography and ECG) were investigated using IVUS before catheterization. IVUS radiofrequency data obtained with a 20 MHz catheter were analyzed with IVUS virtual histological software. The areas of plaque and media were calculated and lesions were classified into two groups: VH-IVUS derived thin cap fibroatheroma (VH-TCFA) and non-VH-TCFA plaque.

RESULTSPlasma t-PA level in the patients with TCFA was significantly lower than that with non-TCFA ((1489+/-715) pg/ml vs (2163+/-1004) pg/ml). Decreased plasma levels of t-PA were associated with plaque vulnerability. Plasma levels of t-PA correlated negatively with plaque plus media and necrotic core in plaque in patients with ACS.

CONCLUSIONSt-PA is an independent risk factor and a powerful predictor of vulnerable plaques. Decreased levels of t-PA may reflect instability of atherosclerotic plaques and might therefore serve as noninvasive determinants of those at high risk for consequent adverse events.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; blood ; pathology ; Aged ; Coronary Artery Disease ; pathology ; Coronary Vessels ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator ; blood ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

OBJECTIVETo determine the genetic relationship of three species of official Rheum in molecular level.

METHODTwelve samples from three species of official Rheum were employed to be analyzed by the approach of sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP). Systematic relationships were constructed based on the UPGMA method by TREECONW software.

RESULTA total of 272 bands were scored and 199 bands of them were polymorphic, which were up to 73.2% polymorphic ratio. Genetic similarity coefficient was changed from 0.578 4 to 0.941 6. The results indicated that there was abundant genetic diversity among the tested materials. The clustering analysis revealed that the results between SRAP marker and the traditional morphological characteristics was almost the same.

CONCLUSIONSRAP marker is suitable for variety identification and genetic relationship research in official Rheum.

Cluster Analysis ; Genetic Variation ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Rheum ; classification ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the methods of surgical treatment and the prognosis of acute embolism of the upper extremity.

METHODSBalloon catheter embolectomy through the brachial artery was performed in 18 patients with acute embolism of the upper extremity.

RESULTSBoth the pulse of the radial and ulnar artery could be palpated in 8 patients, either the pulse of the radial or ulner artery could be palpated in 9 patients. The temperature of the upper extremity was increased in the patient whose embolectomy was performed in the 6th day after onset of the illness. Three patients died postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONSEmbolectomy through the brachial artery is an effective method to treat acute embolism of the upper extremity. Elderly and heart and pulmonary diseases are the high risk factors for postoperative death.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cause of Death ; Child ; Embolism ; etiology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Upper Extremity ; blood supply

OBJECTIVETo analyze the recent results of CAS performed by vascular surgeons to treat extracranial carotid occlusive disease (ECOD) retrospectively in a single medical center.

METHODSForty-eight carotid arteries underwent CAS. Procedures were transfemoral. The postoperative follow-up was separated to 2 periods (30 d). The mortality and all kinds of complications were analyzed.

RESULTS91.7% of them were men; 8.3% were women; mean age was (70.6 +/- 5.9) years. Preoperative asymptomatic cases were 37.5%; symptomatic cases were 62.5%. Mean internal carotid artery diameter stenosis was (71.2 +/- 14.8)%. 43.8% patients had single preoperative risk factors; two or more of these risk factors were present in 47.9%. In 33.3% cases the contralateral carotid artery had 50% or greater stenosis or was completely occluded. Technical success was achieved in 100%. There were no death, no major or minor stroke but 4.2% TIA. Carotid sinus compression syndrome occurred in 18.8% of patients. At follow-up > 30 days, there had been 4.2% instances of in-stent recurrent stenosis great than 50%, noted by color doppler ultrasound scanning. No stent deformity happened.

CONCLUSIONCAS can be preformed safely enough in patients with ECOD at high CEA risk, with lower perioperative morbidity and mortality.

Aged ; Angioplasty ; adverse effects ; methods ; Arterial Occlusive Diseases ; surgery ; Carotid Arteries ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo provide basic information for epidemiological research of gastrointestinal (GI) malignant tumors.

METHODSData of GI cancer diagnosed in 15 hospitals of Heilongjiang province between January 1998 and December 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. The data mainly involved the age of onset, initial symptoms, pathological types, clinical staging and types of surgical procedure.

RESULTSGastric cancer was the most common type (45.8%) among the 33,540 GI cancer cases, then were rectal cancer (27.3%) and colon cancer (26.8%). Right colon cancer cases were more common than the left ones (1.3:1.0), particularly in people over 80 (2.1:1.0). Only 1.3% of colorectal cancer could be found in age under 30 years old. In patients aged 50 to 70, advanced gastric cancer accounted for 70.6%, advanced colon cancer 73.4% and advanced rectal cancer 72.4%. Well-moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma in early gastric cancer was 49.7%, early colon cancer 77.3% and rectal cancer 83.2%. Patients undergone radical excision in early gastric cancer accounted for 69.1%, advanced gastric cancer 79.9%, left colon cancer 91.9%, right colon cancer 83.9% and in rectal cancer for 88.3%.

CONCLUSIONSPeople aged 50 to 70 tend to get GI cancer in Heilongjiang province. Gastric cancer is the most common GI cancer. Radical excision is the main choice of therapy.

Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Colonic Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rectal Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Distribution ; Stomach Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; pathology