Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Endotoxemia ; blood ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors ; blood ; Lipopolysaccharides ; blood ; Phytotherapy ; Shock, Septic ; blood ; drug therapy ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo study the in vitro antibacterial activity of cefdinir against clinical isolates of respiratory tract pathogens in Children.

METHODSMIC values of cefdinir against 380 strains were determined with E-test method and compared with those of cefaclor.

RESULTSAll penicillin-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae (PSSP) strains were also susceptible to cefdinir and cefaclor. Both cefdinir and cefaclor were not active against penicillin-resistant SP (PRSP). Against penicillin-intermediate SP (PISP) the susceptibility rates of cefdinir and cefaclor were 70.1% and 57.4%, respectively. The activity of cefdinir and cefaclor against beta-lactamases negative Hemophilus influenzae (HI) was excellent, but the susceptibility rates of cefdinir and cefaclor against beta-lactamases positive HI were 85.0% and 70.0%, respectively with MIC(90) of 1.5 mg/L vs. 256.0 mg/L. Cefdinir presented higher activities and lower MIC values than cefaclor against Moraxella catarrhalis (MC), Group A streptococcus (GAS), methicillin susceptible staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), and extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) or Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pn). Both cefdinir and cefaclor were not susceptible to ESBLs positive E. coli and K. pn.

CONCLUSIONSCefdinir exhibits excellent activity against PSSP, PISP, HI, as well as MC, GAS, MSSA and ESBLs negative E. coli or K. pn.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Bacteria ; drug effects ; Cephalosporins ; pharmacology ; Child ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Respiratory System ; microbiology

OBJECTIVEIn this study, five heavy metals contamination of soil and different parts of Panax notoginseng in the plantation area was investigated. Analysis of heavy metals correlation between the planting soil and P. notoginseng; and the absorption and accumulation characteristics and translocation of soil heavy metals by P. notoginseng plants was revealed.

METHODThrough field investigation and laboratory analytical methods, analysis of China's 30 different soil P. notoginseng origin and content of heavy metals in five different parts of the P. notoginseng plant content of heavy metals.

RESULTThe results revealed that the soil heavy metals should not be neglected in the plantation area Referring to the national soil quality standards (GB15608-1995), the excessive degree of soil heavy metals pollution showed Hg > As > Cd > Cr in the plantation area, and Pb content of soil was in the scope of the standard. Refer to 'Green Industry Standards for Import and Export of Medical Plants and Preparations', the excessive degree of heavy metals content of P. notoginseng plants showed As > Pb > Cr > Cd, and Hg content of plants was in the scope of the standard. Concentrations of five heavy metals of underground parts of P. notoginseng plants are higher than aboveground, and heavy metals elements are more concentrated in the root, followed by the rhizome of P. notoginseng plants. Heavy metal accumulation characteristics of the different parts of the P. notoginseng of the overall performance is the root > the rhizome > the root tuber > leaves > stems. From the point of view BCF value analysis of various parts of the P. notoginseng plants to absorb heavy metals in soil, BCF values of all samples were less than 1, description P. notoginseng not belong Hyperaccumulator. From the view of transportation and related analysis of the soil-P. notoginseng systems, the rhizome of P. notoginseng and the content of As and Cr in soil was significantly correlated, the root of P. notoginseng and the content of Cd in soil was significantly correlated, and no significant correlation between the other indicators. Through the analysis of transportation transfer coefficient showed: Pb, As and Cr are not easy to transport aboveground part from the underground, but Cd and Hg are relatively easy to transport stems from rhizome, the migration of five heavy metals in the aerial part is relatively strong, and heavy metal of stems is easily transported to the leaves.

CONCLUSIONP. notoginseng does not belong to the enrichment of heavy metals in crops, especially for Hg in soil with strong patience. In survey area, the content of heavy metals of P. notoginseng's planting soil is relatively high, and the heavy metals As, Pb, Cr, Cd of P. notoginseng also exist heavy metals exceeded problems. Due to the presence of heavy metals in crops internal absorption and translocation of special laws, accumulation of heavy metals varied significantly in different parts of P. notoginseng. The overall, the performance for the heavy metal content of the underground parts is more than aboveground, it explain heavy metals of P. notoginseng plants is still the main source of the soiL Therefore, the key to control of planting area soil environmental quality and reduce exogenous harmful substances secondary pollution of soil in the cultivation process are to study and solve the heavy metals pollution problem of P. notoginseng.

Adsorption ; China ; Laboratories ; Metals, Heavy ; analysis ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; Soil ; chemistry ; Soil Pollutants ; analysis

Sweetpotato starch thermal properties and its noodle quality were analyzed using a rapid predictive method based on near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). This method was established based on a total of 93 sweetpotato genotypes with diverse genetic background. Starch samples were scanned by NIRS and analyzed for quality properties by reference methods. Results of statistical modelling indicated that NIRS was reasonably accurate in predicting gelatinization onset temperature (T(o)) (standard error of prediction SEP=2.014 degrees C, coefficient of determination RSQ=0.85), gelatinization peak temperature (T(p)) (SEP=1.371 degrees C, RSQ=0.89), gelatinization temperature range (T(r)) (SEP=2.234 degrees C, RSQ=0.86), and cooling resistance (CR) (SEP=0.528, RSQ=0.89). Gelatinization completion temperature (T(c)), enthalpy of gelatinization (DeltaH), cooling loss (CL) and swelling degree (SWD), were modelled less well with RSQ between 0.63 and 0.84. The present results suggested that the NIRS based method was sufficiently accurate and practical for routine analysis of sweetpotato starch and its noodle quality.
Food Technology ; methods ; Ipomoea batatas ; chemistry ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; methods ; Starch ; chemistry

Modern drying technology was used to explore suitable drying process to provide scientific basis for improving drying processing methods of Scrophulariae Radix. Controlled temperature and humidity drying, vacuum drying apparatus, microwave vacuum drying apparatus, short infrared drying device were used to gain samples for analyzing. The character appearance, concentration of main components and power consumption indicators were chosen for preliminary judging. Six major components, including iridoids and phenylpropanoids were analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS method. The contents of polysaccharides were determined by UV-visible spectrophotometry. The character appearance with controlled temperature and humidity drying and short infrared drying meet the pharmacopoeia standard (Ch. p, edition 2015), while samples with vacuum and microwave vacuum drying apparatus didn't. Compared to fresh sample, concentrations of harpagide, harpagoside, aucubin and catalpol were lower in the dried samples. Angoroside-C showed no significant change before and after drying. Concentration of acteoside increased after drying. Samples with controlled temperature (70 degrees C) and humidity (15% - 10%) drying had high content and short drying time. The better drying process of Scrophulariae Radix was controlled temperature and humidity drying. The method will provide the reference for the drying technology standard of roots medicine.
Desiccation ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Scrophularia ; chemistry

As an important part of Chinese medicinal materials, uncommon-territorial herbs are also the most complex parts in the herbal medicine markets. Through years of investigation on the key markets of Chinese herbal medicine, the meaning of uncommon-territorial herbs, their historical evolution, origin and characteristics were clarified in this paper, and some countermeasures were put forward for its development.
Biological Evolution ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; history ; Herbal Medicine ; history ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; History, Ancient ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; history ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy and safety of Yigu capsule (YGC, a Chinese herbal compound preparation) in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) and to explore its possible mechanism.

METHODSThe clinical study was conducted adopting prospective, randomized, double blinded method for 6 months with placebo and positive controls. Two hundred and ten PMO patients with confirmed diagnosis were divided into the YGC group, the osteocalcin group and the placebo group, they were treated with YGC, osteocalcin capsule and placebo capsule, respectively. The symptoms, as new fracture and ostealgia, bone mineral density (BMD) of the 2nd to the 4th lumbar vertebrae (L24) and upper segment of femur, blood and urinary indexes for bone metabolism, sex hormone level and adverse reaction were observed.

RESULTSIn the YGC group, the total effective rate was 95.50%, no new fracture occurred, which was significantly better than that in the other two groups (P < 0.05). The increase of BMD was 9.83% in L2-4, 4.09% in femoral neck, 4.60% in Wards triangle, 3.00% in greater trochanter, which were better than those in the placebo group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). As compared with the placebo group, in the YGC group, levels of urinary oxyproline hydroxyproline/creatinine, urinary calcium/creatinine were lower, serum and bone alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, estradiol, and estradiol/testosterone were higher, but with no difference in level of testosterone. In the observation period, no abnormal findings in blood and urine routine examination as well as in liver and renal function were found. Mild, transient gastro-intestinal response occurred in individual patients but it didn't affect the treatment.

CONCLUSIONYGC could treat PMO effectively, it could obviously increase the BMD of lumbar vertebrae and hip, elevate the alleviating rate of ostealgia and incessant motion time, without new compressive fracture of vertebrae, and without any related adverse reaction. YGC could not only promote the formation, but also inhibit the absorption of bone, and increase the sex hormone level, therefore, it is a pure Chinese herbal compound preparation that worths further deep research and development.

Absorptiometry, Photon ; Bone Density ; Capsules ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Phytotherapy ; Prospective Studies ; Testosterone ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study the inhibition effect of CyclinD1 specific small interfering RNA(siRNA) on CyclinD1 gene expression in human keloid fibroblast, investigating the effect of CyclinD1 specific siRNA (siRNA-CyclinD1) on the cell cycle, multiplication and apoptosis.

METHODSAccording to the principle of siRNA design, siRNA-CyclinD1 was designed and the keloid fibroblast were transfected. RT-PCR was used to examine CyclinD1 mRNA expression. Flow cytometry was used to examine cell cycle. The apoptotic rate was analyzed by using Annexin V-FITC/PI kit. The DNA gragmentation were measured by DNA ladder analysis.

RESULTSAfter transfection, the expression of CyclinD1 mRNA decreased remarkably. Twenty-four, forty-eight and seventy-two hours after transfection, the radio of G1 stage cell was (59.80 +/- 3.06)%, (66.01 +/- 4.03)% and (67.43 +/- 5.35)%, all significantly higher than in the control group (54.50 +/- 5.35)%; the radio of S stage cell was (18.40 +/- 1.42)%, (17.21 +/- 1.76)% and (11.07 +/- 1.00)%, significantly lower than in the control group (22.33 +/- 1.49)%; the proportion of the cells in G1 stage increased and those in the S stage decreased in the keloid fibroblast transfected with siRNA-CyclinD1. The apoptotic rate of the siRNA-CyclinD1 group was (7.82 +/- 0.45)%, (15.71 +/- 1.06)%, (18.32 +/- 1.08)%, all significantly higher than in the control group (0.68 +/- 0.12)%, and the DNA gragmentation can be seen remarkably.

CONCLUSIONSChemically synthesized siRNA- CyclinD1 effectively inhibits. The expression of CyclinD1 in keloid fibroblast thus arresting the cell cycle at G1 stage and enhancing cell apoptosis. Our study provided a preliminary results in seaching of a RNAi therapy of keloid.

Apoptosis ; genetics ; Cells, Cultured ; Cyclin D1 ; genetics ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Keloid ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the improvement of Kangshuai Yizhi Formula I ( I, KYF I) on: the learning and memory dysfunction in mice, and on the mechanism of the hippocampal cholinergic system and the nervous system of monoamine which are closely related to learning and memory function.

METHODSMice: in the low-, middle-, and high-dose KYF I groups were given low-, middle-, and high-dose KYF, respectively, by gastrogavage for 35 successive days. Animals in the control group and the model group were treated with distilled water. The acute learning and memory dysfunction model was established by injection of scopolamine from day 31, and Morris water maze was used to assess the behavior performance of scopolamine-induced model mice for five days. The activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), choline acetyl transferase (ChaT) and the content of monoamine neurotransmitters in hippocampus were measured. The activity of monoamine oxidase (MAO) in hippocampus and serum was also detected.

RESULTS(1) Compared with the control group, the: mean escape latency was shortened, and the frequency across the platform and the staying time at the platform area on the 5th day were decreased in the model group by Morris water maze test. The activities of AChE and MAO were increased, and the ChaT activity and monoamine neurotransmitter content were decreased as well. (2) The escape latency for 4 days in the low-, middle-, and high-dose KYF I groups was significantly shortened than that in the model group, with the shortest latency in the high-dose KYF I group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The frequency across the platform was significantly increased and the staying time at the platform was significantly prolonged in the middle- and high-dose KYF I groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). (3) As compared with the model group, the activity of ChaT and the content of monoamine neurotransmitters in the hippocampus were significantly increased, and the activities of AchE and MAO were significantly decreased in the hippocampus in the high-dose KYF I group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSHigh-dose KYF I can significantly improve the learning and memory dysfunction: induced by scopolamine in mice. Its mechanism may be related to improving the central cholinergic system and regulating the hippocampal monoamine neurotransmitters.

Acetylcholinesterase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Choline O-Acetyltransferase ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Learning ; drug effects ; Male ; Memory Disorders ; blood ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; physiopathology ; Mice ; Monoamine Oxidase ; blood ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; metabolism ; Reaction Time ; Scopolamine Hydrobromide ; toxicity ; Time Factors

BACKGROUNDThe classic glycine receptor (GlyR) in the central nervous system is a ligand-gated membrane-spanning ion channel. Recent studies have provided evidence for the existence of GlyR in endothelial cells, renal proximal tubular cells and most leukocytes. In contrast, no evidence for GlyR in myocardial cells has been found so far. Our recent researches have showed that glycine could protect myocardial cells from the damage induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Further studies suggest that myocardial cells could contain GlyR or binding site of glycine.

METHODSIn isolated rat heart damaged by LPS, the myocardial monophasic action potential (MAP), the heart rate (HR), the myocardial tension and the activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from the coronary effluent were determined. The concentration of intracellular free calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) was measured in cardiomyocytes injured by LPS and by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R), which excludes the possibility that reduced calcium influx because of LPS neutralized by glycine. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the GlyR in myocardial tissue. GlyR and its subunit in the purified cultured cardiomyocytes were identified by Western blotting.

RESULTSAlthough significant improvement in the MAP/MAPD(20), HR, and reduction in LDH release were observed in glycine + LPS hearts, myocardial tension did not recover. Further studies demonstrated that glycine could prevent rat mycordial cells from LPS and hypoxia/reoxygenation injury (no endotoxin) by attenuating calcium influx. Immunohistochemistry exhibited a positive green-fluorescence signaling along the cardiac muscle fibers. Western blotting shows that the purified cultured cardiomyocytes express GlyR beta subunit, but GlyR alpha1 subunit could not be detected.

CONCLUSIONSThe results suggest that glycine receptor is expressed in cardiomyocytes and participates in cytoprotection from LPS and hypoxia/reoxygenation injury. Glycine could directly activate GlyR on the cardiomyocytes and prevent calcium influx into the cardiomyocytes.

Animals ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Blotting, Western ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cytoprotection ; Glycine ; pharmacology ; Heart ; drug effects ; physiology ; Heart Rate ; drug effects ; Immunohistochemistry ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; secretion ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Glycine ; analysis ; physiology