Objective The dynamic accumulation trend of secondary metabolite in cultivated Spatholobus suberectus Dunn at different growth time was studied to provide scientific basis for confirming its reasonable harvesting time. Methods Ethanol-soluble extractives were measured by the method recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia ( A) Appendix XA ( 2010 edition). The content of total flavonoids was tested by ultraviolet spectrophotometer. The contents of protocatechuic acid, catechin, and epicatechin in Spatholobus suberectus Dunn were determined by high performance liquid chromatography ( HPLC). Results The contents of ethanol-soluble extractives, total flavonoids and the major components such as protocatechui cacid, catechin and epicatechin in Spatholobus suberectus Dunn showed increasing trend with the prolongation of growth time. The changes of contents of alcohol-soluble extract, total flavonoids and epicatechin in samples collecting at different months in one year showed a parabolic trend, and the contents reached the peak values from July to September. Catechin content kept increasing continually. The content of ethanol -soluble extractives of Spatholobus suberectus Dunn aged 4-6 years met the requirements of the current edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia when harvested from July to September. Conclusion It is preliminarily recommended that Spatholobus suberectus Dunn cultivated for more than 7 years is suitable for harvesting, but the optimal harvest period and the harvest month still need to be further studied.

Objective To explore the seed protein extraction method for Amomum villosum Lour., so as to lay the foundation for the study of differential proteomics of Amomum villosum Lour. during seed dormancy and germination. Methods We used the four kinds of commonly-used protein extraction methods for the experiment, including Tris-HCl extraction method, trichloroacetic acid (TCA) /acetone precipitation method, direct lysis buffer method and improved Tris-saturated phenol method. The obtained proteins were quantified, and then were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulphate- polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) . Results The protein yield was the highest when using direct lysis buffer method, which was mainly composed of small molecule protein. The protein yield was the lowest using Tris/HCl method, characterized by the diffused stripes in SDS-PAGE spectra. The protein yield was moderate using TCA/acetone method and improved Tris-saturated phenol method, and the obtained protein by the TCA/acetone method had less stripes in SDS-PAGE spectra than that by Tris-saturated phenol method, and was characterized by macromolecular protein. Conclusion The combination of direct lysis buffer extraction method and improved Tris-saturated phenol method may provide reference for seed protein extraction method of two-dimensional electrophoresis for Amomum villosum Lour..

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of matrine on inflammation by regulating Th1/Th2 bal-ance in asthmatic rats and the underlying mechanism related to SOCS3.Methods Ovalbumin-sensitized rats were established as asthma model, Animals randomly divided into four groups, as follows: control ( without any treatment) , model group, treatment group A ( low-dose matrine treated asthma rats ) and treatment group B ( high-dose matrine treated asthma rats) .The eosinophil counting, goblet cells percentage, inflammatory cell in-filtration in rat lung were analyzed and scored by morphological examination .IL-4 and IFN-γlevel in BALF were determined by ELISA and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio was further calculated.Furthermore, the expression of SOCS3 in mRNA and protein level were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively.Results Eosinophil count and percentage, goblet cell percentage and inflammatory cell infiltration score were significantly lower than that in treatment group A and B as compare to model group ( P<0.05 ) .The group A exhibited a lower IFN-γlevel and a higher IL-4 level ( P<0.05 ) .IFN-γlevel in treatment group A and B were higher while IL-4 level were lower as compare to model group.Meanwhile, SOCS3 mRNA level in rat lung tissue was elevated in model group.Ma-trine treatment decreased SOCS3 expression in group A and B .Similar trend was found in SOCS3 protein level. Conclusions Matrine may exhibit antiinflammatory effect by inhibiting SOCS3 expression and correcting Th1/Th2 balance in asthmatic rats.

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To screen out a suitable lead for monitoring the ambulatory electrocardiogram ( ECG) in un-restrained toad, and to investigate its practicability.METHODS:After subcutaneously implanting the electrodes in toads under anaesthesia, the ambulatory ECG of 5 leads were monitored with BL-420S data acquisition and analysis system, and the leads which could well express the waveform in ECG were screened out.The recovery process of the toads from the arti-ficial hibernation within 6 h, the day-to-day stability of the heart rate ( HR) and the heart rate variability ( HRV) in 5 suc-cessive days of hibernation, and the HR and HRV after freeze-thawing process were monitored to determine its practicabili-ty.RESULTS:Two out of 5 leads showed better ECG waveforms.Compared with 6 h post hibernation, lowered HR at 0 h and 1 h was observed, and the standard deviation of normal R-R intervals ( SDNN) was significantly increased ( P<0.05 or P<0.01), but the HR and SDNN from 2 to 5 h showed no significant difference, suggesting that the cardiac function reached the steady state after 2 h recovery.The HR at 2 h and 4 h on day 4 and day 5 decreased significantly compared with that on day 1 (P<0.05 or P<0.01), followed with a significant increase in SDNN (P<0.05 or P<0.01), sugges-ting that the ECG remained stable within 3 d.The HR increased, while SDNN decreased significantly at 1 h and 12 h post-thawing compared with that at pre-freeze (P<0.05), indicating the damaged cardiac function after freeze-thawing process. CONCLUSION:The method of subcutaneously implanting electrodes is suitable for effectively monitoring the ambulatory ECG in toads.

Objective To investigate the effect of Buzhong Yiqi Decoction for allergic rhinitis(AR)with spleen -qi de-ficiency in guinea pigs.Methods AR guinea -pig model was established by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin for general sensitization and then by nasal drip of ovalbumin for local sensitization.Spleen -qi deficiency mod el was induced by gastric infusion of cold -maceration extract of Radix et Rhizoma Rhei.Fifty -four guinea pigs were randoml y allocated to four groups:AR group(Group A),AR model with spleen -qi deficiency group(Group B),AR model with spleen -qi deficiency treated by Buzhong Yiqi group(Group C)and blank control group(Group D).Nasal symptoms were observed.The number of eosinophils(EOS )in nasal secretion was detected by sm ear cytologic examination and the number of EOS and mastocyte in nasal mucosa was exa mined by pathological section.Results Before local sensitization,nasal s ymp-toms such as nose scratching,sneezing and nasal discharge in Group A,Gro up B and Group C were severer than those in Group D and were improved in Group C in the late stage.Positive rate of EOS i n nasal secretion and nasal mucosa of Group C and Group D was lower than that in Group A and Group B and the differen ce was insignificant between Group C and Group D.The number of mastocyte i n Group C was lower than that in Group A and Group B.Conclusion Buzhong Yiqi Decoction can relieve nasal symptom s in AR Guinea pigs with spleen -qi deficiency by counteracting the infiltration of EOS and the increase of nastocytes in nasal mucosa.

Objective: To explore the value of combined detection of serum cystatin C (CysC), urinary β2-microglobulin (β2-MG), and liver type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) in early diagnosis of acute renal injury after cardiac surgery. Methods: 126 patients undergoing cardiac surgery in our hospital from April 2015 to August 2016 were selected as the subjects, according to the occurrence of acute renal injury after operation, 48 cases were divided into acute renal injury (AKI) group and 78 cases into non-acute renal injury (non AKI) group, the levels of serum CysC, urine β2-MG, and L-FABP were detected in the two groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the effects of serum CysC, urine β2-MG, L-FABP in the early diagnosis of acute renal injury after cardiac surgery. Results: The incidence of AKI after cardiac surgery was 38.10% (48/126); the serum CysC level in group AKI was significantly higher than that in non AKI group (P<0.05); the levels of urine β2-MG and L-FABP were significantly higher than those in non AKI group (P<0.05); the area under curve (AUC) of serum CysC for AKI diagnosis after cardiac surgery was 0.874 (P<0.05), with diagnostic sensitivity 85.7%, and specificity 76.5%; the AUC area of urinary β2-MG for AKI diagnosis after cardiac surgery was 0.754 (P<0.05), with diagnostic sensitivity 92.9%, and specificity 73.5%, respectively; the AUC area of urinary L-FABP for AKI diagnosis after cardiac surgery was 0.834 (P<0.05), with diagnostic sensitivity 92.9%, and specificity 74.1%. The AUC area of combined diagnosis of the three was 0.914 (P<0.05), with the diagnostic sensitivity 92.1%, and specificity 82.4%. Conclusions Serum Cys C, urine β 2-MG and L-FABP levels were significantly increased in patients with AKI. The diagnosis of the three alone has a certain reference value, which is lower than the combined diagnosis. The combined diagnosis of the three can provide an important reference for screening acute renal injury after heart surgery.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors, severity of symptoms, acute exacerbations, and pulmonary function in women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods:A total of 4 204 COPD patients, including 533 female COPD patients and 3 671 male COPD patients, were investigated from January 2017 to December 2019 in Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Hunan Prevention and Treatment Institute for Occupational Disease, affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical College and Guilin Second People's hospital. The risk factors, severity of symptoms, risk of acute exacerbation and clinical characteristics of pulmonary function in patients with COPD were comprehensively analyzed.Results:There was no statistical difference in age between male and female COPD patients ( P>0.05). There were statistically significant differences in smoking history, occupational exposure history and biofuel exposure history ( P<0.001), among which smoking history and occupational exposure history were significantly higher in males than in females ( P<0.001), and exposure history of biofuels was significantly higher in females than in males ( P<0.001). The COPD assessment test (CAT) score of male and female patients was statistically different ( P<0.05), and the mean CAT score of female patients was higher than that of male patients. The modified medical research council dyspnea scale (mMRC) grading results of male and female patients were statistically different ( P<0.05), and the mMRC grading of female patients was higher than that of male patients. There was no statistical difference in the risk of acute exacerbation between male and female patients ( P>0.05). There were statistically significant differences between male and female patients in first second exertional volume as a percentage of predicted value (FEV 1%) and forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity (FEV 1/FVC) mean value ( P<0.001), and FEV 1% predicted value and FEV 1/FVC of female patients were better than that of male patients. Conclusions:The risk factors, symptom severity and pulmonary function of female patients with COPD are different from those of male patients, providing reference for the individualized treatment of female patients with COPD.

Vitamins are organic substances that are essential for the maintenance of life activities. Generally, vitamins need to be obtained from the diet or from some synthetic source as the body cannot synthesize vitamins, or the amounts of the synthesized vitamins are insufficient. At present, vitamins are widely used in medicine, food additives, feed additives, cosmetics and other fields, and the global demand for vitamins is constantly growing. Vitamins can be produced from chemical or microbial synthesis. Chemical synthesis usually requires harsh reaction conditions, produces serious wastes, and creates great potential safety hazard. In contrast, microbial synthesis of vitamins is greener, safer, and requires much less energy input. This review summarizes the advances in metabolic engineering for vitamins production in the past 30 years, with a focus on production of water-soluble vitamins (vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12 and vitamin C precursors) and lipid-soluble vitamins (vitamin A, precursors of vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin K). Moreover, the bottlenecks for fermentative production of vitamins are discussed, and future perspectives for developing next generation vitamins producing strains using synthetic biotechnology are prospected.
Biotechnology ; Metabolic Engineering ; Vitamin A ; Vitamin K ; Vitamins/analysis*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the short-term effectiveness of transverse antecubital incision in the treatment of failed closed reduction of Gartland type Ⅲ supracondylar humeral fractures (SHFs) in children. METHODS: Between July 2020 and April 2022, 20 children with Gartland type Ⅲ SHFs who failed in closed reduction were treated with internal and external condylar crossing Kirschner wire fixation through transverse antecubital incision. There were 9 boys and 11 girls with an average age of 3.1 years (range, 1.1-6.0 years). The causes of injuries were fall in 12 cases and fall from height in 8 cases. The time from admission to operation ranged from 7 to 18 hours, with an average of 12.4 hours. The healing of the incision and the occurrence of complications such as nerve injury and cubitus varus were observed after operation; the elbow flexion and extension range of motion after removing the gypsum, after removing the Kirschner wire, and at last follow-up were recorded and compared, as well as the elbow flexion and extension and forearm rotation range of motion at last follow-up between healthy and affected sides; the Baumann angle was measured on the X-ray film, and the fracture healing was observed. At last follow-up, the effectiveness was evaluated according to the Flynn elbow function evaluation criteria. RESULTS: All incisions healed by first intention, and there was no skin necrosis, scar contracture, ulnar nerve injury, and cubitus varus. Postoperative pain occurred in the radial-dorsal thumb in 2 cases. The gypsum was removed and elbow flexion and extension exercises were started at 2-4 weeks (mean, 2.7 weeks) after operation, and the Kirschner wire was removed at 4-5 weeks (mean, 4.3 weeks). All the 20 patients were followed up 6-16 months, with an average of 12.4 months. The fracture healing time was 4-5 weeks, with an average of 4.5 weeks, and there was no complication such as delayed healing and myositis ossificans. The flexion and extension range of motion of the elbow joint gradually improved after operation, and there were significant differences between the time after removing the gypsum, after removing the Kirschner wire, and at last follow-up ( P<0.017). There was no significant difference in the flexion and extension of the elbow joint and the forearm rotation range of motion between the healthy and affected sides at last follow-up ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in Baumann angle between the time of immediate after operation, after removing the Kirschner wire, and at last follow-up ( P>0.05). According to Flynn elbow function evaluation standard, 16 cases were excellent and 4 cases were good, the excellent and good rate was 100%. CONCLUSION The treatment of Gartland type Ⅲ SHFs in children with failed closed reduction by internal and external condylar crossing Kirschner wire fixation through transverse antecubital incision has the advantages of complete soft tissue hinge behind the fracture for easy reduction and wire fixation, small incision, less complications, fast fracture healing, early functional recovery, reliable reduction and fixation, and can obtain satisfactory results.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Calcium Sulfate ; Humerus ; Humeral Fractures/surgery* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Bone Wires ; Fracture Healing ; Treatment Outcome ; Range of Motion, Articular

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of cases of novel coronavirus pneumonia and a preliminary study to explore the relationship between different clinical classification and liver damage. Methods: Consecutively confirmed novel coronavirus infection cases admitted to seven designated hospitals during January 23, 2020 to February 8, 2020 were included. Clinical classification (mild, moderate, severe, and critical) was carried out according to the diagnosis and treatment program of novel coronavirus pneumonia (Trial Fifth Edition) issued by the National Health Commission. The research data were analyzed using SPSS19.0 statistical software. Quantitative data were expressed as median (interquartile range), and qualitative data were expressed as frequency and rate. Results: 32 confirmed cases that met the inclusion criteria were included. 28 cases were of mild or moderate type (87.50%), and four cases (12.50%) of severe or critical type. Four cases (12.5%) were combined with one underlying disease (bronchial asthma, coronary heart disease, malignant tumor, chronic kidney disease), and one case (3.13%) was simultaneously combined with high blood pressure and malignant tumor. The results of laboratory examination showed that the alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin (ALB), and total bilirubin (TBil) for entire cohort were 26.98 (16.88 ~ 46.09) U/L and 24.75 (18.71 ~ 31.79) U/L, 39.00 (36.20 ~ 44.20) g/L and 16.40 (11.34- ~ 21.15) mmol/L, respectively. ALT, AST, ALB and TBil of the mild or moderate subgroups were 22.75 (16.31- ~ 37.25) U/L, 23.63 (18.71 ~ 26.50) U/L, 39.70 (36.50 ~ 46.10) g/L, and 15.95 (11.34 ~ 20.83) mmol/L, respectively. ALT, AST, ALB and TBil of the severe or critical subgroups were 60.25 (40.88 ~ 68.90) U/L, 37.00 (20.88 ~ 64.45) U/L, 35.75 (28.68 ~ 42.00) g/L, and 20.50 (11.28 ~ 25.00) mmol/L, respectively. Conclusion The results of this multicenter retrospective study suggests that novel coronavirus pneumonia combined with liver damage is more likely to be caused by adverse drug reactions and systemic inflammation in severe patients receiving medical treatment. Therefore, liver function monitoring and evaluation should be strengthened during the treatment of such patients.