OBJECTIVETo establish an HPLC fingerprint to evaluate the quality of Polygalae Radix, root xylem, and those collected in different growth ages or harvest time.

METHODSeparation was performed at 30 °C on a Kromasil C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 μm); the mobile phases was acetonitrile and 0.05% H3PO4 water in the gradient elution; the flow rate was set at 1.0 mL · min(-1) and the detection wavelength at 314 nm; the quality discriminant analyses were accomplished by means of similarity analysis, cluster analysis, principal component analysis and neural network model.

RESULTIn 26 batches of Polygalae Radix, 24 batches fingerprint similarities were above 0.8. In 5 different growth or harvest time batches, 4 batches were above 0.8; in 8 batches root xylem samples, the similarities were all above 0.875. The similarity analysis was in accord with the quality discriminant analysis of cluster analysis, principal component analysis and neural network model.

CONCLUSIONFingerprint combined with chemical pattern recognition technique can effectively evaluate the quality of Polygalae Radix. The active substance species are all similar in cultivated, wild, different growth or harvest time Polygalae Radix and polygala root xylem, but the chromatography peak areas are different. The effective material contents are similar between wild and cultivated Polygalae Radix, but each chromatographic peak area of the root xylem is much smaller than that of Polygalae Radix. The chemical substance accumulation mainly depends on harvest month, but little growth time in Polygalae Radix.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; classification ; Polygala ; chemistry ; classification ; Quality Control

Objective To study the effects of rehabilitation(RT)on cardiac function in cerebral infarct (CIF)patients with cardiac insufficiency(CIS).Methods Fifty-nine CIF patients with CIS were randomly divid- ed into a treatment group(T group,n=29)and a control group(n=30),and all patients were treated with routine pharmacotherapy for 2 months.In addition,RT was administrated in the T group at the same time.The grading of the New York Heart Association(NYHA)and the changes in cardiac function associated index were observed in both groups before and after treatment.Results Compared with the control group,NYHA grades,left ventricle ejection fraction(LVEF),the levels of brain natriuretic peptide(BNP)in the blood plasma,and the 6min walking range of the T group patients were all significantly improved after treatment(P＜0.05).Conclusion RT can improve car- diac function in CIF patients with CIS.

Objective To observe the effects of Wendan decoction (WD) on depression-like behavior in a rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD) and explore the related mechanism.Methods Rodent model of PD was established by unilaterally lesioning medial forebrain bundle with 6-hydrodopamine.After intragastric administration with WD,the rats's behavior changes were detected by the open field test,sucrose preference test and forced swimming test;the contents of monoamine neurotransmitters in the rat brain were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.Results Compared with those of sham-operated rats,the horizontal and vertical activities of the PD model rats decreased significantly,and sucrose consumption decreased significantly,but immobility time during forced swimming was significantly prolonged.The contents of dopamine (DA),5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NA) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and DA in the striatum decreased significantly.After administration of WD for 2 weeks,the immobility time of the PD model rats was significantly decreased,sucrose consumption increased significantly;DA,5-HT and NA levels in the mPFC increased significantly.Conclusion WD improves the depression-like behavior in PD model rats,and the mechanisms may involve the regulation of monoamine neurotransmitters in mPFC.

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of Modified Banxia Houpu Decoction (MBHD) in treating heroin abusers with protracted abstinence syndrome.

METHODSOne hundred and eighty-seven heroin abusers were randomly divided into three groups, the 58 patients in the control group, 62 in the treated group A and 67 in the treated group B. All were detoxified with lofexidine hydrochloride (LFX) tablet for 12 days. MBHD was given to the two treated groups, the medication started from the beginning of detoxification in the group B, and from the end of detoxification in group A for 60 days. To the control group, an imitate preparation was given. The observation was carried out 10 days after withdrawal of medication, and the protracted abstinence related symptoms were observed and scored. And the condition of re-abusing in patients were investigated through urinary examination one year later.

RESULTSThe heroin abusers' protracted abstinence symptom score in the treated group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.01), and comparison of the scores between the two treated groups also showed significant difference (A < B, P < 0.01). The 1-year re-abusing rate in treated group B was significantly lower than that in the control group and in the treated group A (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMBHD could improve the heroin abusers' protracted abstinence symptoms after detoxification. In spite of the complexity of various factors, to effectively control the early stage abstinence symptoms and median stage protracted abstinence symptoms is one of the effective measures to prevent drug re-abusing.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Clonidine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Heroin Dependence ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Narcotic Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome ; drug therapy

Endotoxemia ; metabolism ; pathology ; HMGB1 Protein ; Humans ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology

The effects of different physical and chemical factors on hairy root growth and flavonoids production were studied in suspension culture of Saussurea medusa hairy root in 1/2 MS medium. The results showed that the following culture conditions, nitrogen concentratiaon (involved NH4+ and NO3-), 30 mmol/L; the ratio of ammonium to nitrate, 5:25; the combination of 2% sucrose and 3% glucose; 0.5 mg/L GA3; 0.5 mg/L IBA; initial pH 5.8; light cycle, 18 h/d (3500lx); temperature, 24 degrees C; shaker revolutions per minute, 100 r/min, were favourable to hairy root growth and flavonoids production. Under the above culture conditions, up to 12.8 g/L (DW) of hairy root and 1922 mg/L of flavonoids were obtained after 21 days of culture. The content of total flavonoids in hairy root was 15%, which was about 25 times as that in the wild plantlet.
Culture Media ; Flavonoids ; biosynthesis ; Plant Roots ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Saussurea ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Temperature ; Tissue Culture Techniques

OBJECTIVECoronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the most common causes of death in the world. Some studies suggested that CHD begins in childhood. Obesity and dyslipidemia are important risk factors of coronary heart disease. Apolipoprotein (apo)E gene associated with dyslipidemia and coronary heart disease. The present study was designed to investigate the expression status of apoE gene in peripheral blood monocyte and association of apoE gene expression with lipids in children with obesity.

METHODSAmong 32 children with obesity and 32 healthy children without obesity or overweight, ApoE gene expressions were determined by competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in peripheral blood monocyte. The concentrations of plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), apoA I, apoB(100) and apoE were measured.

RESULTSExpression of apoE gene was detected in peripheral blood monocyte. Expression of apoE gene was significantly reduced in children with obesity as compared with control group (0.29 +/- 0.14 moles/mole GAPDH mRNA vs. 0.36 +/- 0.10 moles/mole GAPDH mRNA, t = 2.15, P < 0.05). The more severe was the degree of obesity, the more significantly reduced the expression of apoE gene; the degree of obesity was negatively correlated with the levels of expression of apoE gene (correlation coefficient = -0.40, P < 0.05). Compared with control group, the levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and apoB(100) were higher, and those of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, apoA I and apoE were lower in children with obesity [(1.68 +/- 0.50) mmol/L vs. (0.99 +/- 0.54) mmol/L, (4.47 +/- 0.91) mmol/L vs. (3.33 +/- 0.90) mmol/L, (2.23 +/- 0.71) mmol/L vs. (1.13 +/- 0.96) mmol/L, (94.48 +/- 9.97) mg/dl vs. (83.81 +/- 15.64) mg/dl, (1.47 +/- 0.39) mmol/L vs. (1.73 +/- 0.36) mmol/L, (112.71 +/- 27.86) mg/dl vs. (134.80 +/- 45.36) mg/dl, (24.50 +/- 10.92) mg/L vs.(35.07 +/- 9.79) mg/L, respectively, P < 0.05]. ApoE gene expression was associated with plasma lipids metabolism in children with obesity. The quantity of apoE gene expression was inversely associated with low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, positively correlated with apoE (correlation coefficient = -0.33, 0.35, respectively, P < 0.05). The quantity of apoE gene expression was not associated with total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), apoA I, and apoB(100) (correlation coefficient = -0.19, -0.11, 0.16, 0.09, 0.18, 0.22, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONExpression of apoE gene was significantly reduced in peripheral blood monocyte in children with obesity. The quantity of apoE gene expression was associated with degree of obesity and abnormality of blood lipids.

Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; Child ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Gene Expression ; genetics ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Male ; Obesity ; blood ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Triglycerides ; blood

OBJECTIVETuberculosis remains a severe public health issue, and the Beijing family of mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) is widespread in East Asia, especially in some areas in China, like Beijing and Tianjin. This study aimed at determining the mutation patterns of drug-resistant Beijing strains of M. tuberculosis isolated from Tianjin, China.

METHODSA total of 822 M. tuberculosis isolates were screened for drug resistance by an absolute concentration method and the genotype was identified by PCR. 169 drug-resistant isolates of the Beijing family were analyzed for the potential mutations in the rpoB, katG, inhA promoter region and in rpsL, rrs and embB genes, which are associated with resistance to rifampin (RFP), isoniazid (INH), streptomycin (SM) and ethambutol (EMB) respectively by PCR and DNA sequencing.

RESULTSFifty-eight out of 63 RFP-resistant isolates were found to carry the mutations within the 81-bp RFP resistance determining region (RRDR) of the rpoB gene and the most frequent mutations occurred at codon 531 (44.4%), 526 (28.6%), and 516 (7.9%) respectively. 16 mutation patterns affecting 12 different codons around the RRDR of rpoB were found. Of 116 INH-resistant isolates, 56 (48.3%) had the mutation of katG 315 (AGC-->ACC) (Ser-->Thr), 3 (2.6%) carried S315N (AGC-->AAC) and 27 (16.0%) had the mutation of inhA-15A-->T. 84 out of 122 SM-resistant isolates (68.9%) displayed mutations at the codons 43 or 88 with AAG-->AGG (Lys-->Arg) of the rpsL gene and 22 (18.0%) with the mutations at positions 513A-->C, 516C-->T or 905 A-->G in the rrs gene. Of 34 EMB-resistant isolates, 6 had mutation with M306V (ATG-->GTG), 3 with M306I (ATG-->ATT), 1 with M306I (ATG-->ATA), 1 with D328Y (GAT-->TAT), 1 with V348L (GTC-->CTC), and 1 with G406S (GGC-->AGC) in the embB gene.

CONCLUSIONThese novel findings extended our understanding of resistance-related mutations in the Beijing strains of M. tuberculosis and may provide a scientific basis for development of new strategies for diagnosis and control of tuberculosis in China and other countries where Beijing strains are prevalent.

Base Sequence ; China ; DNA Primers ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

The present study investigated the influence of the methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid elicitors on the formation of phenylethanoid glycosides (PeG) in the suspension cultures of Cistanche deserticola. The results showed that methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid enhanced greatly the accumulation of PeG and echinacoside (Echin), but their optimum elicitation dosage and addition time were different. The yields of PeG and Echin were significantly increased in the presence of 5 micromol/L methyl jasmonate on day 14 (up to 2.59-fold and 3.82-fold, respectively), whereas treated with 50 micromol/L salicylic acid on day 28, the maximum content of them were, respectively, 2.71 and 3.16-fold higher than the untreated cell cultures.
Acetates ; pharmacology ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cistanche ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Culture Media ; Cyclopentanes ; pharmacology ; Glycosides ; biosynthesis ; Oxylipins ; pharmacology ; Phenylethyl Alcohol ; metabolism ; Salicylic Acid ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical results of proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) combined with zoledronic acid injection in the treatment of osteoporotic intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly.

METHODS60 elderly patients with osteoporotic intertrochanteric fractures were diagnosed using a dual energy X-ray bone density instrument. Patients were randomly divided into treatment or control groups (30 cases in each group). Patients in both groups were treated by closed/open reduction and internal fixation using PFNA. In the treatment group, patients received one zoledronic phosphonic acid injection of 5 mg/100 ml via intravenous drip, in addition to 600 mg of Caltrate D (qd) and 0.25 mg of alpha ossification alcohol (qd). The control group received 600 mg of Caltrate D (qd) and 0.25 mg of alpha ossification alcohol (qd). The oral drugs were administered for 12 months. Bone pain relief was observed, and changes in the bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar and health-side hip were recorded. Clinical results were evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Harris joint function score, and Osteo- porosis Quality of Life Scale (OQOLS).

RESULTSCompared with the control group, bone pain symptoms were significantly alleviated (p < 0.05) in the treatment group. In the treatment and control groups, both between-group and within-group differences in BMD were significantly increased in L1e4, femoral neck and trochanter (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the two groups in regard to the involved hip or the total rate of improvement at the end of the follow-up period, although cases in the treatment group had higher OQOLS scores than those of the controls (p = 0.04). Cases in the treatment group healed more quickly than those in the control group [(13 ± 3.2) weeks vs (15 ± 4.6) weeks, p = 0.02]. During the follow-up period, cases in the treatment group had no new fractures, whereas 2 new cases of hip fracture and 2 cases of distal radial fractures were observed among the controls.

CONCLUSIONZoledronic acid injection combined with PFNA is a favorable treatment option for the elderly patients with osteoporotic intertrochanteric fracture. It can effectively relieve bone pain, increase bone density, improve quality of life, reduce the occurrence of new fractures and promote fracture healing.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Density ; Bone Nails ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Diphosphonates ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Hip Fractures ; psychology ; therapy ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; administration & dosage ; Injections ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; psychology ; therapy ; Quality of Life