Objective To establish a rapid determination of sodium valprate in plasma by capillary zone electrophoresis.Method Plasma was acidized by 1 mol/L HCl, VPA was extracted into organic phase (n-Hexane), then re-extracted into aqueous phase (0.05 mmol/L NaOH solution including 15% Ethanol). Capillary clone was 75 ?m(id)?37 cm. Electrolyte consisted of 15 mmol/L sodium salicylate, 0.5 mmol/L CTAB and 15% Ethanol (pH 5.7).Separating voltage was 20 kV, detection wave was 214 nm, temperature was 20℃,injection time was 5 s by press in negative.Result The linear ranger of concentration for standard drug was between 25~200 ?g/ml (r=0.999),the limit of detection was 0.35 ?g/ml, the average recovery of VPA was 87.4%,the average inter-day and intar-day CV were less than 4% and 6%. Conclusion This method is simple, rapid, reliable and correct, for determination of VPA in plasma.

Iridoid glycosides (mainly geniposide) and crocetin derivatives (crocins) are the two major active constituents in Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. In the present study, geniposide, crocins, crocin-1 and crocetin were separated from gardenia chromatographically. Then, mice were orally administrated with geniposide (400 mg/kg b.w.), crocins (400 mg/kg b.w.), crocin-1 (400 mg/kg b.w.) and crocetin (140 mg/kg b.w.) once daily for 7 days with CCl4. Hepatoprotective properties were evaluated by biochemical parameters: Administration of geniposide, crocins, crocin-1and crocetin significantly lowered serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in CCl4-treated mice. The reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) activities were also increased by geniposide, crocins, crocin-1 and crocetin. Histopathological examination of livers showed that these components reduced deformability, irregular arrangement and rupture of hepatocyte in CCl4-treated mice. These biochemical results and liver histopathological assessment demonstrated that geniposide, crocetin derivatives and crocetin show comparative beneficial effects on CCl4-induced liver damage via induction of antioxidant defense. Therefore, contents of geniposide and crocetin derivatives should be both considered for hepatoprotective efficacy of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis.
Alanine Transaminase ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Gardenia ; Glutathione ; Hepatocytes ; Iridoid Glycosides ; Liver* ; Mice* ; Rupture

Objective:To explore the relationship of serum interleukin (IL) -9 and platelet-activating factor (PAF) levels with serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, disease severity and disease course in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) .Methods:A total of 60 patients with active CSU were collected from Department of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from March 2018 to March 2019 (active CSU group), and divided into mild group, moderate group and severe group according to 7-day urticaria activity score (UAS7). After 28-day standard antihistamine therapy, the patients whose condition became stable were included in the stable CSU group. During the same period, 30 health examinees were included in the healthy control group. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from the subjects in each group, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect serum levels of IL-9 and PAF, and immunoturbidimetric assay to detect the serum total IgE level. Correlations of serum IL-9 and PAF levels with serum total IgE levels, UAS7 scores and disease courses were analyzed in patients with CSU. One-way analysis of variance was used for comparisons among multiple groups, least significant difference- t test for multiple comparisons, and Pearson correlation analysis for correlation analysis. Results:Totally, 28 males and 32 females were included in the active CSU group, their age ranged from 11 to 68 years (34.68 ± 8.62 years), and the disease duration ranged from 2 months to 7 years (1.42 ± 0.41 years). In the healthy control group, 14 were males and 16 were females, and their age ranged from 10 to 70 years (35.06 ± 7.89 years). According to UAS7, 12, 26, and 22 patients were diagnosed with mild, moderate and severe CSU respectively, and 22 were included in the stable CSU group after standard treatment. The levels of serum IL-9, PAF and total IgE significantly differed among the active CSU group, stable CSU group and healthy control group (IL-9: 144.34 ± 23.19 vs. 109.25 ± 20.77 vs. 107.23 ± 19.23 pg/ml; PAF: 362.45 ± 51.45 vs. 223.18 ± 32.46 vs. 221.23 ± 28.38 pg/ml; total IgE: 168.12 ± 32.48 vs. 24.04 ± 7.04 vs. 21.76 ± 5.95 IU/ml; F = 38.80, 148.38, 499.12, respectively, all P < 0.001), and were significantly higher in the active CSU group than in the stable CSU group and healthy control group (all P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference between the stable CSU group and healthy control group (all P > 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the serum IL-9 and PAF levels were positively correlated with serum total IgE levels and UAS7 scores (all P < 0.05), but not correlated with the disease course (both P > 0.05) . Conclusion:Serum IL-9 and PAF levels in patients with active CSU were markedly elevated along with the increase in disease severity, and closely correlated with serum total IgE levels.

Objective:To explore the correlation between serum levels of interleukin-9 (IL-9), platelet activating factor (PAF), total immunoglobulin E (IgE), interferon γ (IFN-γ), and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU).Methods:Sixty CSU active phase patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from March 2018 to March 2019 were selected and included in the CSU active phase group. Based on the 7-day Urticaria Activity Score (UAS7), they were divided into three groups: 15 mild group, 25 moderate group, and 20 severe group; And 19 patients who entered the quiescent phase of the disease after 28 days of standardized antihistamine treatment were included in the CSU quiescent phase group. Another 30 healthy subjects who participated in the physical examination at the same time at our hospital′s physical examination center were selected to be included in the healthy control group. 5 ml of fasting elbow vein blood was collected from CSU active and stationary patients, as well as healthy subjects. The serum levels of IL-9, PAF, total IgE, IFN-γ, and IL-4 were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pearson correlation test was used to analyze the correlation between serum IL-9, PAF levels and total IgE, IFN-γ, and IL-4 levels in CSU active patients.Results:The serum levels of IL-9, PAF, total IgE, and IL-4 in the CSU active phase group were higher than those in the CSU stationary phase group and healthy control group (all P<0.05), and the serum IFN-γ levels were lower than those in the CSU stationary phase group and healthy control group (all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the levels of the above indicators between the healthy control group and the CSU stationary group (all P>0.05). The serum levels of IL-9, PAF, total IgE, and IL-4 in the severe group were significantly higher than those in the mild and moderate groups (all P<0.05), and the serum IFN-γ levels were significantly lower than those in the mild and moderate groups (all P<0.05); The serum levels of IL-9, PAF, total IgE, and IL-4 in the moderate group were significantly higher than those in the mild group (all P<0.05), and the serum IFN-γ levels were significantly lower than those in the mild group ( P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum IL-9 and PAF levels were positively correlated with serum total IgE and IL-4 levels in CSU active phase patients (IL-9: r=0.726, 0.870, PAF: r=0.788, 0.795, all P<0.01), and negatively correlated with serum IFN-γ levels (IL-9: r=-0.831, PAF: r=-0.816, all P<0.01). Conclusions:The serum levels of IL-9 and PAF in patients with active CSU are elevated and correlated with total IgE, IFN-γ, and IL-4 levels, suggesting that IL-9 and PAF may be related to the occurrence and development of CSU.

ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) of upper limbs, and sensory and motor functions in stroke patients in different stages. MethodsFrom June, 2021 to October, 2023, 177 stroke patients in Shijiazhuang People's Hospital were diveded into acute stage group (within 14 days, n = 25), early recovery group (14 days to one month, n = 110) and middle to late recovery group (one to six months, n = 42) according to the duration of the disease. General information of the patients was recorded; SEP examination was performed, and N20 lantency and amplitude were recorded. Monofilament touch and two-point discrimination sensation of the patient's hands were tested using the monofilament and two-point discrimination tools, respectively; and motor function was assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities (FMA-UE). The correlation between SEP, and the sensory and motor scores in each group was analyzed. ResultsThere was no significant difference in the monofilament tactile and two-point discrimination scores among the three groups (P > 0.05). SEP was not correlated with sensory and motor functions in the acute stage group (P > 0.05); in the early recovery group, N20 latency was negatively correlated with monofilament tactile sensation (r = -0.267, P = 0.005) and positively correlated with two-point discrimination sensation (r = 0.220, P = 0.021), and N20 amplitude was positively correlated with monofilament tactile sensation (r = 0.328, P < 0.001) and FMA-UE score (r = 0.418, P < 0.001), and negatively correlated with two-point discrimination (r = -0.405, P < 0.001); in the middle to late recovery group, the N20 latency was negatively correlated with FMA-UE score (r = -0.313, P = 0.044), and N20 amplitude was positively correlated with monofilament tactile sensation (r = 0.598, P < 0.001) and FMA-UE score (r = 0.393, P = 0.010), and negatively correlated with two-point discrimination (r = -0.591, P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analyses showed that the score of monofilament tactile sensation was negatively correlated with N20 latency (β = -0.510, P = 0.046), and the FMA-UE score was positively correlated with N20 amplitude (β = 0.313, P = 0.026) in the middle to late recovery group; in the early recovery group, the two-point discriminative sensation score was negatively correlated with N20 amplitude (β = -0.270, P = 0.039). ConclusionThe correlation between SEP and sensory and motor functions becomes more significant with the prolongation of disease.

BACKGROUND: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a psychological disorder, which is characterized by the misunderstanding of body image, food restriction, and low body weight. An increasing number of studies have reported that the pathophysiological mechanism of AN might be associated with the dysbiosis of gut microbiota. The purpose of our study was to explore the features of gut microbiota in patients with AN, hoping to provide valuable information on its pathogenesis and treatment. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, from August 2020 to June 2021, patients with AN who were admitted into Peking University Third Hospital and Peking University Sixth Hospital ( n   =  30) were recruited as the AN group, and healthy controls (HC) were recruited from a middle school and a university in Beijing ( n   =  30). Demographic data, Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) scores of the two groups, and length of stay of the AN group were recorded. Microbial diversity analysis of gut microbiota in stool samples from the two groups was analyzed by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing. RESULTS: The weight (AN vs. HC, [39.31 ± 7.90] kg vs. [56.47 ± 8.88] kg, P  < 0.001) and body mass index (BMI, AN vs. HC, [14.92 ± 2.54] kg/m 2vs. [20.89 ± 2.14] kg/m 2 , P  < 0.001) of patients with AN were statistically significantly lower than those of HC, and HAMD scores in AN group were statistically significantly higher than those of HC. For alpha diversity, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups; for beta diversity, the two groups differed obviously regarding community composition. Compared to HC, the proportion of Lachnospiraceae in patients with AN was statistically significantly higher (AN vs. HC, 40.50% vs. 31.21%, Z  = -1.981, P  = 0.048), while that of Ruminococcaceae was lower (AN vs. HC, 12.17% vs. 19.15%, Z  = -2.728, P  = 0.007); the proportion of Faecalibacterium (AN vs. HC, 3.97% vs. 9.40%, Z  = -3.638, P  < 0.001) and Subdoligranulum (AN vs. HC, 4.60% vs. 7.02%, Z  = -2.369, P  = 0.018) were statistically significantly lower, while that of Eubacterium_hallii_group was significantly higher (AN vs. HC, 7.63% vs. 3.43%, Z  = -2.115, P  = 0.035). Linear discriminant effect (LEfSe) analysis (LDA score >3.5) showed that o_Lachnospirales, f_Lachnospiraceae, and g_Eubacterium_hallii_group (o, f and g represents order, family and genus respectively) were enriched in patients with AN. Microbial function of nutrient transport and metabolism in AN group were more abundant ( P  > 0.05). In AN group, weight and BMI were significantly negatively correlated with the abundance of Bacteroidota and Bacteroides , while positively correlated with Subdoligranulum . BMI was significantly positively correlated with Firmicutes; HAMD scores were significantly negatively correlated with Faecalibacterium. CONCLUSIONS The composition of gut microbiota in patients with AN was different from that of healthy people. Clinical indicators have correlations with the abundance of gut microbiota in patients with AN.
Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology* ; Anorexia Nervosa ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dysbiosis/microbiology* ; Body Mass Index ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics* ; Feces/microbiology*

Humans ; Staphylococcus lugdunensis/genetics* ; Peptides, Cyclic ; Chromosomes ; Operon/genetics* ; Staphylococcal Infections/genetics* ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents