Objective:To observe the expression of connective tissue growth factor(CTGF) and its receptor-low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP), and the relevant signaling pathway for the regulation by long-term high glucose exposure in cultured podocytes. Methods:The effects of high glucose on the expression of CTGF and its receptor LRP were analyzed by western blotting. The activation of mitogen activated protein kinase ( MAPKS )signaling pathway by high glucose was also examined. Results: Basal levels of CTGF were observed in cultured mouse podocytes, the levels of CTGF protein were increased by high glucose medium groups on the 2nd day, reached the peak on the 4th day(P0.05).The levels of CTGF expression in normal glucose and mannitol glucose groups did not change markly. High glucose medium induced phosphorylation of ERK_ 1/2 at as early as minute 30, reached the peak at hour 6; maintained the activity at hours 12 and 24, and declined to the basal level at hour 48. However, phosphorylation of ERK_ 1/2 was not detected in normal glucose and mannitol glucose groups. Blockade of phosphorylation of ERK_ 1/2 with PD98059, a specific ERK_ 1/2 activation inhibitior, did decrease the high glucose-triggered expression of CTGF protein in 4 days. High glucose had no effect on the expression of LRP protein at each time point. Conclusion: Acute high glucose (2-4 days)stimulated the expression of CTGF protein via ERK_ 1/2-dependent signaling pathway in cultured podocytes, while cultured in high glucose for 6-8 days, the podocytes did not increase its CTGF level. Long-term high glucose had no effect on the expression of LRP in podocytes.

The present study was designed to develop and validate a sensitive and reliable ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF/MS) method to separate and identify the chemical constituents of Qixue Shuangbu Tincture (QXSBT), a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription. Under the optimized UPLC and QTOF/MS conditions, 56 components in QXSBT, including chalcones, triterpenoids, protopanaxatriol, flavones and flavanones were identified and tentatively characterized within a running time of 42 min. The components were identified by comparing the retention times, accurate mass, and mass spectrometric fragmentation characteristic ions, and matching empirical molecular formula with that of the published compounds. In conclusion, the established UPLC-QTOF/MS method was reliable for a rapid identification of complicated components in the TCM prescriptions.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; methods

Objective:To analyze the short-term therapeutic efficacy of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy for patients with subacromial impingement syndrome.Methods:A total of 106 patients diagnosed as having subacromial impingement syndrome between October 2017 and April 2019 were randomized into a radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) group of 36, an exercise rehabilitation group of 35 and a conventional therapy group of 35. In addition to family exercise therapy, the rESWT group underwent 2000 to 2500 shots of extracorporeal shock wave therapy at 10 Hz and a pressure of 1.5-2.5 bar, once a week for four consecutive weeks. The exercise group was given range of motion exercises, joint control training and tendon movement training for 45 minutes, three times a week for four consecutive weeks. The conventional therapy group was treated with a laser apparatus and low-frequency electrotherapy, once a day, three times a week. Constant-Murle scores (CMSs) and the short form health survey (SF-36) were used to evaluate the clinical efficacy before and after 1 month of treatment.Results:Before the treatment there were no significant differences among the 3 groups in any of the measurements. After one month of treatment the average CMS pain score and total score of the exercise rehabilitation group were significantly better than the conventional therapy group′s averages. Moreover, the average body pain score, daily life ability, range of motion, muscle strength and total score of the rESWT group were all significantly better than the exercise and conventional therapy groups′ averages. In the SF-36 the average physical function, bodily pain, general health, and mental health scores of the rESWT groups were also significantly better than the other 2 groups′ averages.Conclusions:Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy is superior to exercise therapy and conventional therapy for patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. It can restore shoulder joint function and improve the quality of life in one month.

Chinese medicine processing is the main feature that distinguishes traditional Chinese medicine from natural medicine and plant medicine, and is the main feature in clinical medication of traditional Chinese medicine. The research of Chinese medicine processing technology is an important link to realize standardization and standardization of Chinese herbal pieces, with urgent need to attract high attention. At present, there are still many problems in the research of processing technology of Chinese herbal pieces, mainly including inconsistent processing technology, large differences in process technology parameters, and unstable production technology of Chinese herbal pieces, resulting in uncontrollable quality of Chinese herbal pieces and affecting the clinical efficacy of Chinese medicine. This paper focused on the establishment of a unified standard processing technology, and put forward the countermeasures for the processing technology of Chinese medicine based on a comprehensive analysis of the current situations of the processing technology of Chinese herbal pieces, with significance for guiding the establishment of a standardized processing technology of Chinese medicine.

AIM: To develop a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and ultraviolet (UV) detector method for the acid-alkaline simultaneous determination of ten bioactive compounds, and analyze the effect of compatible medicinal plants on the concentration of components in Dahuang Fuzi Tang (DFT). METHOD: The chromatographic separation was performed on a Hypersil BDS C18 analytical column by gradient elution with acetonitrile and formate buffer (containing 0.15% formic acid, V/V) at 25 °C with a flow rate of 1.0 mL·min(-1) and UV detection at 280 nm. Four of the ten compounds in DFT were identified and their MS fragments were elucidated by HPLC-ESI-MS, and the contents of the six compounds were determined by HPLC-UV. RESULTS: All calibration curves showed good linear regression (r(2) ≥ 0.9990). The limits of detection and limits of quantification were 0.021-0.155 -g·mL(-1) and 0.076-0.520 -g·mL(-1), respectively. Overall precision RSD (intra-day and inter-day) were less than 2.96%, and the average recoveries were 98.35%-101.45%, with RSD ranging from 1.54% to 3.01% for the analytes. CONCLUSION The developed method can be applied for the quality control and provide analytical evidence on the chemical basis and combinational principles of DFT.
Aconitum ; chemistry ; Asarum ; chemistry ; Calibration ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Limit of Detection ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results ; Rheum ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; methods ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet ; methods