Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) with its fast and nondestructive advantages can be qualified for the real-time quantitative analysis. This paper demonstrates that NIRS combined with partial least squares (PLS) regression can be used as a rapid analytical method to simultaneously quantify L-glutamic acid (L-Glu) andγ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in a biotransformation process and to guide the optimization of production conditions when the merits of NIRS are combined with response surface methodology. The high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) reference analysis was performed by the o-phthaldialdehyde pre-column derivatization. NIRS measurements of two batches of 141 samples were firstly analyzed by PLS with several spectral pre-processing methods. Compared with those of the HPLC reference analysis, the resulting determination coefficients (R2), root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) and residual predictive deviation (RPD) of the external validation for the L-Glu concentration were 99.5%, 1.62 g/L, and 11.3, respectively. For the GABA concentration, R2, RMSEP, and RPD were 99.8%, 4.00 g/L, and 16.4, re-spectively. This NIRS model was then used to optimize the biotransformation process through a Box-Behnken experimental design. Under the optimal conditions without pH adjustment, 200 g/L L-Glu could be catalyzed by 7148 U/L glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) to GABA, reaching 99%conversion at the fifth hour. NIRS analysis provided timely information on the conversion from L-Glu to GABA. The results suggest that the NIRS model can not only be used for the routine profiling of enzymatic conversion, providing a simple and effective method of monitoring the biotransformation process of GABA, but also be considered to be an optimal tool to guide the optimization of production conditions.

Objective:To evaluate the measurement uncertainty in the determination of dexamethasone in cosmetics by ultra per-formance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Methods: The uncertainty caused by various factors in the whole determination process was analyzed,including weighing,standard solution preparation,calibration fitting,extraction and de-termination. Results:The combined uncertainty in the determination of dexamethasone in cosmetics was 0.75 μg·g-1and the ex-panded uncertainty was 1.5 μg·g-1. The content of dexamethasone in cosmetics was(20.4 ± 1.5) μg·g-1(k=2,confidence inter-val p=95%). Conclusion:The uncertainty of the method is mainly caused by standard solution preparation and calibration fitting.

ObjectiveTo explore the ideal minimally invasive surgical method for degenerative lumbar spine stenosis.MethodsFrom March 2008 to August 2010,73 cases with lumbar spinal stenosis underwent minimal invasive surgery were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into different groups by clinical features,imaging manifestations,and concurrent diseases.The minimal invasive surgical methods were chosen according to the classification.Operation time,intra-operative bleeding,and complications were recorded.The lumbar function was evaluated by Oswestry disability index (ODI),and the clinical results were assessed by JOA pre- and postoperatively.ResultsMinimal invasive surgery was completed in all cases,which included 25 cases with bilateral decompression and 48 cases with unilateral approach for bilateral decompression.Twenty-three cases used interbody fusion and percutaneous pedicle screw fixation after decompression.Intraoperative blood loss and operation time were related to surgical methods.One case was complicated with dural tear.Cage was inserted into upper vertebral body during interbody fusion in 1case with osteoporosis,removed the cage and implanted bone fusion.Incisions of 3 cases were poor healing after surgery.The average follow up time was 13 months(range,10-35).JOA score and ODI before surgery were 9.2±5.1 and 62.3％±18.5％ respectively; while 6 months after surgery,JOA score and ODI were 23.5±7.2 and 18.4％±6.4％ respectively.JOA score and ODI showed statistically significant improvements after operation(P＜0.01).Twenty-two cases got solid fusion at the final follow-up.ConclusionTreatment of lumbar spinal stenosis by minimal invasive surgery has satisfactory surgical outcomes,but the proper minimal invasive strategy should be chosen according to specific patients,surgeons and hospitals.

AIM: To study the effect of growth hormone (GH) and vitamin E (Vit.E) combined in the treatment of endometrial thinning. METHODS: Twenty female SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group, model group, GH group and treatment group, with 5 rats in each group. Control group was routinely fed; Rats in model group, GH group and treatment group were injected intrauterine with 95%ethanol during estrus stage to construct a thin endometrial model. Six to eight hours after operation, rats in model group were injected intrauterine with 0.2 mL normal saline, rats in GH group and treatment group were injected with the same amount of GH, and the treatment group was given intragastric treatment of 60 mg/kg Vit.E. The rats were sacrificed 3 estrus cycles (about 2 weeks) after the operation. HE staining was performed on the uterine tissue to identify the model, and the levels of Cytokeratin 19 and Vimentin in the endometrium were detected by immunohistochemical color. RESULTS: The endometrial thickness of the model group was significantly thinner than that of the model group, and the endometrial thickness of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group, but the endometrial thickness of the GH group was slightly lower than that of the control group. The expression levels of keratin and vimentin in model group were lower than those in GH group, control group and treatment group, and the differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Endometrial-related proliferation indexes were significantly increased after GH and vitamin E treatment, and GH and vitamin E could effectively promote the proliferation of endometrial cells.

Objective: Due to the complicated compounds and the synergistic effect of multi-compounds, the quality control and assessment of Chinese materia medica (CMM) encounters a great challenge about how to identify the key compounds, which are directly correlated with its efficacy and safety. On the guidance of study on quality marker (Q-Marker), identification of Q-Markers was performed from Hedan Tablet (HDT) by the aid of the “spider-web” mode and hepatotoxicity evaluation derived from our previous researches and literatures. Methods: By the established ultra performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detector (UPLC-PDA) method, online UPLC-DPPH· and offline antioxidant assay, 21 candidate compounds of HDT were systematically investigated and comprehensively evaluated by the “spider-web” mode for them properties of Q-Marker based on “content-stability-activity”. In addition, the Q-Markers related with hepatotoxicity based on our previous researches and literatures were identified. Results: Salvianolic acid B (SaB), quercetin-3-O-glucuronide (Qug), isoquercitrin (IQ) and hyperoside (Hyp) were adopted as the preferable Q-Markers of HDT according to the shaded area (A) of tested compounds in “spider-web” mode. Psoralen (Ps), isopsoralen (IP), psoralenoside (PO) and isopsoralenoside (IPO) were also strongly recommended as Q-Markers closely related with safety by considering hepatotoxicity of the accumulated Ps and IP and conversion between glycoside (PO and IPO) and aglycone (Ps and IP). Conclusion: This study provided scientific evidence for quality control and assessment of HDT, and also provided a meaningful reference for application of Q-Markers in CMM.

To screen the available tomato pollution-safe cultivar varieties and reduce the potential food safety risks in Cd-polluted areas, the differences of Cd accumulation in different tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) varieties in southern China were studied by soil culture and hydroponic experiments. Firstly, the high and low accumulation varieties were selected from 25 tomato varieties under 2.94 mg/kg Cd stress by soil culture test, and then the responses of high and low accumulation tomato varieties to Cd stress were determined by hydroponic experiments. The results of soil culture test show that under 2.94 mg/kg Cd stress, there were significant differences in plant height, total biomass and yield among 25 tomato cultivars, and the Cd contents of fruits of all 25 tomato cultivars exceeded the highest limit value (0.05 mg/kg) of CAC (Codex alimentarius commission). Through cluster analysis, 7, 4 and 14 varieties accumulating relatively high, medium, and low concentrations of Cd in the fruits were screened, among which the highest, the lowest, and the average Cd contents in the fruits were 3.06 mg/kg DW, 1.47 mg/kg DW, and 2.21 mg/kg DW, respectively. The results of hydroponic experiment show that under the same concentration of Cd stress, Qiantangxuri F1, a high Cd accumulating variety, absorbed Cd faster, accumulated more Cd, used shorter oxidative stress response time and had stronger tolerance to Cd than Zhefen 3053, a low Cd accumulating variety. The typical high and low Cd accumulating varieties can provide a reference for agricultural production in heavy metal polluted areas and the development of molecular-assisted breeding methods of PSC. At present, cultivating low Cd accumulating PSC varieties and dynamic monitoring of Cd contents in tomato fruits are feasible methods in medium and light Cd-polluted areas.
Antioxidants ; Cadmium/toxicity* ; China ; Lycopersicon esculentum ; Plant Breeding ; Plant Roots/chemistry* ; Soil Pollutants/toxicity*