The aim of this paper is to apply Raman spectroscopy technique to develop rapid quantitative models for five kinds of Traditional Chinese Medicine containing CaCO3. In the experiment, Raman spectras of 67 batch of sample including Otolithum Sciaenae, Galaxeae Os, Ophicalcitum, Calcite, Stalactite and their mixture which had different content of CaCO3 were collected, and the quantitative models were established by using an improved siPLS to optimize the characteristic spectral bands and using the CaCO3 contents which were measured by EDTA titration method as references. Compared with the results by EDTA titration, the established quantitative model for CaCO, content showed a prediction result that the average relative deviation of the prediction results is 2. 71% and the average recovery rate was 100.46%, when the content is between 0.465 4-0.999 7, and when the characteristic spectral bands of 1 290-1 280, 730-714, 700-690, 660-650, 465-460, 455-445, 405-385 cm(-1) had been optimized. The result also showed that the model using Raman spectroscopy and based on an improved siPLS can get a rapid determination for contents of 5 kinds of Traditional Chinese Medicine containing CaCO3.
Calcium Carbonate ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Models, Statistical ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Spectrum Analysis, Raman ; methods

The aim of this paper is to clarify the mineral origin of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Yangqishi and Yinqishi and guide identification of the both, by X-ray diffraction (XRD) Fourier patterns. Morphological identification and conventional physical and chemical analysis wee used to identify 22 batches of Yangqishi and Yinqishi. It used XRD Fourier patterns which has been collected from sample powders to analyze phase composition. It has been found experimentally that the mineral origin of Yinqishi is Talc schist and the mineral origin of Yangqishi is tremolite and actinolite. The results also showed that the method using XRD can get not only an accurate but also rapid identification of Yangqishi and Yinqishi. There are many differences in medicinal properties, efficacy, indications and composition of Yangqishi and Yinqishi, so be careful not to mix them up.
Asbestos, Amphibole ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; X-Ray Diffraction

Adolescent ; Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dystonic Disorders ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male

The aim of this paper is to apply near infrared spectroscopy techniques to construct a rapid identification method for 8 kinds of mineral Chinese Medicines containing carbonates. The qualitative model using clustering analysis method in OPUS software can identify accurately 8 kinds of carbonate-containing mineral Chinese medicines. The near-infrared quantitative model was established by using partial least squares method (PLS) for 7 mineral Chinese Medicines in which main component is calcium carbonate. Compared with the results by EDTA titration, the established quantitative analysis model for calcium carbonate content showed a good prediction result that when the content is between 47.61% -99.17%, the average relative deviation of the prediction result is 0.24% and the average recovery rate was 100.3%. The results also showed that the model using near infrared spectroscopy can get not only a rapid identification of the 8 mineral Chinese medicines containing carbonates, but also an accurate and reliabe content determination of calcium carbonate for the 7 mineral Chinese medicines which contain the component.
Carbonates ; analysis ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Minerals ; chemistry ; Software ; Spectrophotometry, Infrared ; methods ; Time Factors

Objective To determine the incidence and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants.Methods Fundus examinations were performed by RetCam Ⅱ ophthalmoscopy on 2185 premature infants (birth weight ≤ 2000 g or gestational age≤34 weeks)admitted into the neonatal intensive care unit of Beijing Bayi Children's Hospital from January 1st 2009 to December 31st 2010.According to the results,all infants were divided into ROP group and nonRO P group.Two-sample t test and Logistic regression analysis were used to investigate the risk factors of ROP.Results Among 2185 premature infants,287 (13.1 ％) cases were diagnosed with RO P.According to International Classification of RO P,34 cases (11.9 ％) were in zone Ⅰ,147 cases (51.2％) in zone Ⅱ,and 106 cases(36.9％) in zone Ⅲ.And there were 117 cases (40.8％) with stage 1 lesion,142 cases (49.5％) with stage 2 lesion,28 cases (9.7％) with stage 3 lesion,and no stage 4 or 5 lesion was identified.Thirty-six cases (12.5 ％) were accompanied by additional diseases.Logistic analysis showed that small gestational age (OR=0.859,95％CI:0.770-0.958,P=0.006),low birth weight (OR=0.729,95％CI:0.6340.838,P=0.000),long duration of oxygen supplement (OR=2.221,95％CI:1.904-2.592,P=0.000),assistant ventilation (OR=3.104,95％CI:2.0964.956,P=0.000),apnea (OR=1.767,95％CI:1.103 2.831,P=0.018) and=anemia (OR=2.242,95％CI:1.641-3.604,P=0.000) were independent risk factors of ROP.Conclusions The incidence of ROP in premature infants is high.Small gestational age and low birth weight,long duration of oxygen supplement,assistant ventilation,apnea and anemia are risk factors of ROP.Preventive measures should be taken against these factors.

Background Our previous study showed that curcumin suppresses the proliferation of human lens epithelial cells (LECs) in vitro and has an influence on the signal transduction of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosinc monophosphate (cGMP).Actually,the regulation for biological behavior of LECs in vivo is complex.Objective This study was to investigate the changes of signal transduction of protein kinase (PK) in inhibition of curcumin on human LECs proliferation.Methods HLE-B3 was cultured and then divided into the blank control group,recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor (rhbFGF) group and rhbFGF+ curcumin group.rhbFGF of 10 ng/ml was added in the medium in the rhbFGF group,and 20 mg/L curcumin was added into rhbFGF-induced cell medium for 24 hours in the rhbFGF+ curcumin group.The expression rates of PKA,PKC,PKG and calmodulin (CaM) in the cells were assayed using flow cytometry.Results The expression rates of PKA protein were (46.847± 1.673) ％,(33.250 ± 2.242) ％ and (71.645 ±2.432) ％ in the blank control group,rhbFGF group and the rhbFGF+ curcumin group,respectively,and the expression rate of PKA protein was significantly reduced in the rhbFGF group compared with the blank control group (t =11.904,P＜0.01),but the expression rate of PKA protein in the rhbFGF+ curcumin group was significnatly higher than that in the rhbFGF group (t=28.430,P＜0.01).In the blank control group,rhbFGF group and the rhbFGF+ curcumin group,the expression rates of PKC protein in the cells were (35.575± 1.937) ％,(50.652±2.068) ％ and (27.662t4.481) ％,those of PKG protein were (63.838±0.486) ％,(86.562 ± 1.325) ％ and (40.733 ± 2.175) ％,while those of CaM protein were (67.408± 1.391)％,(83.887±3.499)％ and (53.785 ± 1.942)％,the expression rates of PKC,PKG and CaM were significantly lower in the rhbFGF group in comparison with the blank control group (all at P＜0.01),and those in the rhbFGF+ curcumin group were significantly declined in comparison with the rhbFGF group (all at P＜0.01).Conclusions Suppression of curcumin on HLE-B3 proliferation probably is associated with the up-regulation of PKA expression and down-regulation of PKC,PKG and CaM expression in the cells.

Objective To suppress the proliferation of lens epithelial cells (LECs) is a primary goal in prevention of after cataract. Recent study demonstrated an effective inhibition of elemene(Ele) on tumor cells. Present study was to investigate the effects of Ele on proliferation and cell cycle of human LECs B3 (HLE-B3). Methods Recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor(rhbFGF) was utilized to induce proliferation of HLE-B3. Proliferative HLE-B3 was incubated with 80 mg/L Ele in CO_2 incubator for 24 hours. Then the inhibitory effects of Ele on proliferation of HLE-B3 was evaluated by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT). The effect of Ele on HLE-B3 morphology was observed under the optical microscope. The effect of Ele on HLE-B3 cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometer(FCM). Results MTT test showed that the optical density (OD) value of rhbFGF group was remarkably higher than that of control group(0. 599 0 ± 0. 053 1 versus 0. 409 1 ± 0. 042 2) (P ＜ 0. 01), and that of Ele group(0. 450 0 ±0. 061 4) was obviously declined in comparison to rhbFGF group(P ＜0. 01) . The inhibitory rate of Ele was 24.90 %. In proliferation group, the number of HLE-B3 was increased with the normal cell structure and abundant cytoplasm under the optical microscope. However, in Ele group, the number of HLE-B3 was evidently decreased with less cytoplasm, undistinguished cell structure, condensed and aggregated nucleuses. The result of flow cytometer showed that the percentage of HLE-B3 in G_1 phase in rhbFGF group was 42. 062% ± 1. 270% and that in control group was 46. 422% ±3. 765% with a significant difference(P ＜ 0. 05). HLE-B3 in G_1 phase in Ele group (60. 665% ±2.069%) was evidently increased in comparison with rhbFGF group (P ＜ 0. 01). HLE-B3 in S phase in rhbFGF group compared with control group was increased (51.647% ±1.123% versus 31.842% ± 2. 798%) (P ＜ 0. 01), but that in S phase in Ele group(30. 222% ±3.429%) was lower than rhbFGF group (P ＜ 0. 01). HLE-B3 in G_2 phase in rhbFGF group was decreased in comparison with control group (6. 288% ± 0. 966% versus 21. 735% ± 3. 806%, P ＜ 0. 01), and that in G_2 phase in Ele group (9. 112% ± 1. 659%) compared with proliferation group was increased (P ＜ 0. 01). Conclusion Ele could alter the cell cycle of HLE-B3 and effectively inhibit the HLE-B3 proliferation induced by rhbFGF. Ele may be a reliable and effective drug for prevention and treatment of after cataract.

BACKGROUNDNon-valvular atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke; however, the appropriate intensity of anticoagulation therapy for Chinese patients has not been determined. The purpose of this study was to compare the safety and the efficacy of standard-intensity warfarin therapy, low-intensity warfarin therapy, and aspirin therapy for the prevention of ischemic events in Chinese patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

METHODSA total of 786 patients from 75 Chinese hospitals were enrolled in this study and randomized into three therapy groups: standard-intensity warfarin (international normalized ratio (INR) 2.1 to 2.5) group, low-intensity warfarin (INR 1.6 to 2.0) group and aspirin (200 mg per day) group. All patients were evaluated by physicians at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 24 months after randomization to obtain a patient questionnaire, physical examination and related laboratory tests.

RESULTSThe annual event rates of ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA) or systemic thromboembolism were 2.6%, 3.1% and 6.9% in the standard-intensity warfarin, low-intensity warfarin and aspirin groups, respectively (P = 0.027). Thromboembolic event rates in both warfarin groups were significantly lower than that in the aspirin group (P = 0.018, P = 0.044), and there was no significant difference between the two warfarin groups. Severe hemorrhagic events occurred in 15 patients, 7 (2.6%) in the standard-intensity warfarin group, 7 (2.4%) in the low-intensity warfarin group and 1 (0.4%) in the aspirin group. The severe hemorrhagic event rates in the warfarin groups were higher than that in the aspirin group, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.101). The mild hemorrhagic and total hemorrhagic event rates in the warfarin groups (whether in the standard-intensity warfarin group or low-intensity warfarin group) were much higher than that in the aspirin group with the annual event rates of total hemorrhages of 10.2%, 7.6% and 2.2%, respectively, in the 3 groups (P = 0.001). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in all cause mortality among the three study groups.

CONCLUSIONIn Chinese patients with NVAF, the warfarin therapy (INR 1.6 - 2.5) for the prevention of thromboembolic events was superior to aspirin.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anticoagulants ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Aspirin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Atrial Fibrillation ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Warfarin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use

Glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) can catalyze the decarboxylation of glutamate into γ-aminobutyrate (GABA) and is the only enzyme of GABA biosynthesis. Improving GAD activity and thermostability will be helpful for the highly efficient biosynthesis of GABA. According to the Ramachandran plot information of GAD 1407 three-dimensional structure from Lactobacillus brevis CGMCC No. 1306, we identified the unstable site K413 as the mutation target, constructed the mutant GAD by site-directed mutagenesis and measured the thermostability and activity of the wide type and mutant GAD. Mutant K413A led to a remarkably slower inactivation rate, and its half-life at 50 °C reached 105 min which was 2.1-fold higher than the wild type GAD1407. Moreover, mutant K413I exhibited 1.6-fold higher activity in comparison with the wide type GAD1407, although it had little improvement in thermostability of GAD. Ramachandran plot can be considered as a potential approach to increase GAD thermostability and activity.
Glutamate Decarboxylase ; metabolism ; Half-Life ; Industrial Microbiology ; Lactobacillus brevis ; enzymology ; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed ; Mutation ; Temperature

Objective To investigate whether elevated pre-procedural C-reactive protein (CRP) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations may be relevant to early outcome in patients undergoing PCI.Method 100 consecutive patients undergoing pereutaneuous coronary intervention (PCI) were included in our study.Peripheral blood samples for CRP and IL-6 testing were withdrawn before PCI.Acute vascular complications resulted from PCI were determined by subsequently coronary angiography.The early coronary events during hospitalization were clinically followed.Results Thirty patients developed acute vessel occlusion,and another one developed subacute coronary thrombosis at 2 days after PCI.Increased levels of CRP correlated well with the occurrence of vascular complications as regards the significant difference existing amongⅠvsⅢandⅠvsⅣquartile groups,P