Objective To investigate the effects of red ginseng saponin components A and B on 15 neurochemicals in rat plasma. Methods Saponin components A and B were prepared from red ginseng total saponin by macroporous adsorption resin. The composition and contents of saponin components A and B were detected using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS method. A total of 15 kinds of neurochemical substances such as dopamine (DA), adrenaline (E), norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-hydroxytryptamine), tyrosine (Tyr), glycine (Gly), glutamic acid (Glu), glutamine (Gln), aspartic acid (Asp), taurine (Tau), serine (Ser), tryptophan (Try), acetylcholine (Ach), and histamine (His) were measured by high performance liquid chromatography- mass spectrometry (UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS). Results By analyzing the intrinsic relationship between saponin composition and amount of neurochemicals, it was found that components A and B had significant differences in saponin composition, and the larger polar saponins were mainly concentrated in component A. The polar of saponin contained in B is relatively small. The levels of Ach, Tau, Glu, Gln, Asp, Tyr, E, NE, and DA in rat plasma of each dose group were increased, and the plasma levels of Gly, His, 5-HT, Ser, HIAA, and Try were significantly increased and positively correlated with the dose, suggesting that the larger polar saponins could increase the excitatory neurochemical content and the smaller saponin fraction inhibitory neurochemicals. Conclusion Red ginseng has a moderating effect on the content of central nervous system. The content of smaller polar saponins is related to the maintenance of brain activity, improvement of memory function, prevention of brain fatigue, maintenance of awakening and nervous system of anti-aging, while the larger polar saponin fraction is associated with the regulation of psychiatric rhythm, reduction of stress response and improvement of sleeping.

Objective To investigate the neural proliferation , differentiation and apoptosis of the developing spinal cord of the mouse and to discuss the mechanism of spinal cord ’ s development .Methods 5-Bromodeoxyuridine ( BrdU) assay was used to mark the proliferative neural stem cells , and the immunofluorescent stainings ( DCX, NeuN and Caspase8) were carried out to visualize the newborn neurons , mature cells and apoptotic cells in the spinal cord with 173 mice arrange from E18 to P90.Results BrdU positive neural stem cells appeared evenly in the spinal cord at early days . With age increasing , the neural stem cells differentiated into neuroglial cells and neurons .The newborn neurons in the subventricular zone migrated toward the intermediate zone ( putative gray matter ) and differentiated into mature neurons gradually .With neurons ’ concentrating towards the center , the gray matter formed an “H” shape .In the meantime , with neural differentiation , some apoptotic neurons appeared among the newborn neurons and mature neurons . Double immunostaining showed that most apoptotic neurons were newborn neurons , suggesting the neuroapoptosis more likely occurred in newborn neurons .The statistical data showed that the number of DCX , NeuN and Caspase-8 positive cells reduced with age increasing , suggesting neural differentiation and neuroapoptosis decreased during spinal cord ’ s development .Conclusion Neural proliferation , neural differentiation and neuroapoptosis occur in developing spinal cord . They work together to regulate the formation and development of the spinal cord .

Objective To formed ranoscale ultrasound contrast agents loading PFOB by selfassembly of amphiphilic block copolymer for ultrasonic imaging in vivo and in vitro.Methods The biodegradable copolymer-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly (D, L-lactic acid) (PEG-PDLLA) self-assembled to form PFOB-loaded nanomicelle and nanovesicle with different PFOB concentration by solvent volatilization.The configuration and particle-sizing of resulting nanoparticles was determined,and their ultrasonic imaging in vitro and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography on subcutaneous tissue by focal injection in vivo were observed.Results In transmission electron microscope images, these micelles and vesicles appeared uniformly spherical with smooth surface.All the size distributions were narrow and mean diameters were from 404.3 to 475.8 nm using laser particle-sizing analyzer.In vitro and in vivo experiment showed that,the higher PFOB concentration, the more remarkable effect of ultrasound imaging.Especially, nanovesilces'ultrasonography effect was much better than nanomicelles' under same conditions.Conclusions PFOB-loaded nano-micelles and nano-vesicles prepared by solvent volatilization and self-assembly of PEG-PDLLA can obviously enhance ultrasound contrast and nanovesicle behaves better than nano-micelle.

Objective To study the prevalence of food intolerance and to explore its related factors among adult health check-up receivers.Methods A total of 863 adults who took physical examinations in our hospital from April to October 2011 were enrolled in this investigation.Height,body weight and blood pressure were measured,and serum IgG level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results The total positive rate of food intolerance was 73％,and the leading intolerance items were crab (40.1％ ),egg (29.8％ ),cod fish ( 21.6％ ),milk ( 20.0％ ) and soybean ( 14.4％ ).Females showed significantly higher prevalence of food intolerance than males.Various positive rate of milk or soybean intolerance was found in different age groups.No correlations of serum specific IgG with body mass index and systolic or diastolic blood pressure were observed.In logistic regression analysis,the odds ratio of food intolerance of women was 1.67 ( 95 ％ confidence interval 1.190 to 2.607 ).ConclusionsThe prevalence rate of food intolerance was high.The risk for food intolerance was significantly increased in women.Specific IgG antibody detection may help to early prevent and diagnose food intolerance-related diseases.

In this study, UPLC-MS/MS was adopted to determine the contents of five ephedrine alkaloids (Norephedrine, Norpseudoephedrine, Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine, Methylephedrine) in plasma and urine in rats after the combined administration of Ephedrae Herba-Gypsum Fibrosum and calculate relevant pharmacokinetic parameters, in order to discuss the effect of the combined administration of Ephedrae Herba-Gypsum Fibrosum on plasma pharmacokinetics and urinary excretion characteristics. According to the results, after being combined with Gypsum, the five ephedrine alkaloids showed similar pharmacokinetic changes, such as shortened t(max), accelerated absorption rate, but reduced AUC(0-t) and V(z)/F, which may be related to the increase in urine excretion. Besides, Gypsum was added to enhance C(max) of Pseudoephedrine and prolong MRT(0-t) of Methylephedrine, so as to enhance the anti-asthmatic effect of Ephedrae Herba and resist the toxic effect of Norephedrine and Ephedrine. This study proved the scientific compatibility of Ephedrae Herba-Gypsum Fibrosum and provided a reference for studies on the prescription compatibility regularity and relevant practices.
Alkaloids ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; urine ; Animals ; Calcium Sulfate ; pharmacokinetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacokinetics ; Ephedra ; chemistry ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Urine ; chemistry

Magnetic susceptibility is an intrinsic physical quantity which describes the relationship between material magnetization and applied external magnetic field. Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) is an MRI technology which can quantify the buck magnetic susceptibility of tissue in vivo. It is particularly effective at elucidating anatomy with paramagnetic or diamagnetic components. QSM technology is a method for solving the ill-pose problem of unconventional de-convolution of the measured tissue magnetic field with the unit magnetic dipole field to obtain the susceptibility source map. Many multi orientation scan based QSM and clinically acceptable single orientation QSM methods have been proposed to solve this ill-posed problem. In this paper, the QSM concept is introduced and the various QSM methods are systematically categorized and discussed. The aim of this paper is to summarize the current research progress of QSM, popularize the knowledge of QSM and promote the improvements and the rational application of QSM in clinical field.
Humans ; Magnetic Fields ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; trends ; Magnetics

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at Huantiao (GB 30) and Weizhong (BL 40) on thigmesthesia, gait function, and expression levels of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) in rabbits with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation (LIDH). Methods: Forty healthy New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into a blank control group, a model group, an EA at acupoint group and an EA at non-acupoint group, with 10 rabbits in each group. The LIDH pathological model of rabbit was established using the self-made LIDH model maker. The thigmesthesia and gait function of rabbits were recorded by Siegal method. The serum IgG and IgM expression levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: EA at Huantiao (GB 30) and Weizhong (BL 40) could improve the clinical symptoms of thigmesthesia and gait function, and inhibit the expressions of serum IgG and IgM in the LIDH rabbits, which were significantly different compared with those in the model group and EA at non-acupoint group. Conclusion: EA at Huantiao (GB 30) and Weizhong (BL 40) can improve the clinical symptoms of LIDH rabbits, which is associated with inhibition of the serum IgG and IgM expressions and reduction of the immunoinflammatory factor release. This may be one of the mechanisms of EA at Huantiao (GB 30) and Weizhong (BL 40) in the treatment of LIDH.

Objective To execute experimental study injection rate and volumetric error and to explore their correlations with sizes of injectors and extension tube,so as to lay a foundation for the quality control of the injection pump.Methods Simulation experiment was carried out with involving in 10,20 and 50 ml of injectors and 80 and 120 cm extension tubes,and 6 kinds of connection systems were formed with auxiliary appliances.The injection rate and flow reading of the flow meter were obtained and then compared with the set values,and the correlations were proved between sizes of auxiliary appliances and the precision of injection dose and rate.Results In case other conditions kept the same,the injector with larger capacity behaved better in controlling injection rate and dose,and the shorter extension tube gained advantages over the longer one in regulating the precision for injection and injection dose.Conclusion The experiment contributes to the selection of auxiliary appliances and the enhancement of quality control,and the further research provides references for process design and materials selection of the injector.

Objective To explore the nutritional status and determinants among rural stranded children under 7 years of age. Methods The group of stranded children (n=7585) and the children for control (n=7557) were identified by multi-stage stratified cluster sampling. The ascertainment methods mainly included questionnaire, anthropometric measurements and laboratory examination. Results In this study, there were three groups, including the group of stranded children whose single parent left home to look for better job somewhere, the group of stranded children whose parent both left home and the third group serving as control. Prevalent rates on the following items were: stunting -- 14.9%, 17.9% and 16.3%, underweight -- 7.2%, 8.3% and 7.6%, wasting -- 3.1%, 3.4% and 3.3% and anemia -- 18.9%, 20.6%, 18.7% respectively. The prevalent rate of stunting in the group of children with both parents away from home was significantly higher than that those with only one parent did. The prevalence rate of anemia in the group with both parents away from home was significantly higher than that in the control group. Based on multivariate non-conditional logistic regression analysis, the determinants of stunting among the stranded children were: age, with low birth weight, living alone, being the only child in the family, mother's education level, frequency of eating breakfast and snacks every week, motives of caretakers and the relationship between children and the caretakers. The determinants of underweight among those stranded children were: age of child, with low birth weight, the frequency of eating snacks every week, motives of the caretakers and having rickets. Conclusion The nutritional status among rural stranded children was relatively poor, especially in those whose parents were both away from home, which calls for urgent improvement.

Objective To investigate the predictors of long-term remission of type 2 diabetes induced by short-term intensive insulin treatment.Methods Fifty-four cases of diabetes mellitus with the duration of illness less than 5 years received an intensive insulin treatment for 2 weeks.The standard meal test and intravenous glucose tolerance test were performed at the baseline and 24 h after treatment completion respectively.Long-term remission meant that the diabetic patients should maintain the target glyeaemic control without any hypoglyeaemie agent within one year.Results The remission rate was 57.4% (31/54) overall,and even reached to 80.6% (29/36) in patients with the duration of illness less than 6 months,whereas,the remission rate was only 11.1% (2/18) in those with the duration of illness more than 12 months.In another view,the remission rate was significantly higher in the patients with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level of less than 7 mmol/L (78.8%,26/ 33) 24 h after intensive treatment than those with FPG level of more than 7 mmol/L (23.8%,5/21,P