AIM: To determine the content of(+)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin and berberine hydrochloride in Wangying Capsule(Rhizoma Picrorhizae,Rhizoma Coptidis,Catechu,etc.). METHODS: A RP-HPLC method was established.The chromatographic column was Diamonsil-C_(18).The mobile phase was 0.04 mol/L citric acid-N,N-dimethylformamide-tetrahydrofuran(40∶8∶2) for determining(+)-catechin and(-)-epicatechin with the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min,and the detection wavelength of 280 nm.The mobile phase was acetonitrile-water(52∶48)(including 0.34% potassium dihydrogen phosphate and 0.17% sodium dodecyl sulfate) for determining berberine hydrochloride with the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min,and the detection wavelength of 265 nm. RESULTS: The average recoveries for(+)-catechin and(-)-epicatechin and berberine hydrochloride were 100.9% and 99.9% and 97.0%,precision of the method were 2.52% and 2.53% and 2.70%(RSD,n=6),respectively. CONCLUSION: The method can be used for quantitative determination of the preparation.

Objective Using the contents of naphthaquinine and shikonin as the indices,the influences of ultrasonic extraction and soxhlet extraction on the active constituents in Arnebia euchroma(Royle)Johnst.were studied.Methods An orthogonal design was applied.Naphthaquinine content was determined by spectrophotometry and shikonin content by HPLC.The extraction rate of the two extracting methods was compared to optimize the process condition.Results By using the two extracting methods,particle size had an obvious effect on the extraction rate of naphthaquinine(the bigger particle,the higher extraction rate),but had no effect on the extraction rate of shikonin;the solvent of ethanol showed different effects on the extraction rate of active constituents by using the two extraction methods,the extraction rate being higher by ultrasonic extraction while lower by soxhlet extraction.Conclusion Ultrasonic extraction is efficient,and with energy and time saving in extracting active constituents of Arnebia euchroma(Royle)Johnst.,which is superior to soxhlet extraction.

Neurological disorders comprise a variety of complex diseases in the central nervous system, which can be roughly classified as neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders. The basic and translational research of neurological disorders has been hindered by the difficulty in accessing the pathological center (i.e., the brain) in live patients. The rapid advancement of sequencing and array technologies has made it possible to investigate the disease mechanism and biomarkers from a systems perspective. In this review, recent progresses in the discovery of novel risk genes, treatment targets and peripheral biomarkers employing genomic technologies will be dis-cussed. Our major focus will be on two of the most heavily investigated neurological disorders, namely Alzheimer’s disease and autism spectrum disorder.

With the rapid development of sequencing technologies towards higher throughput andlower cost, sequence data are generated at an unprecedentedly explosive rate. To provide an efficientand easy-to-use platform for managing huge sequence data, here we present Genome Sequence Archive (GSA; http://bigd.big.ac.cn/gsa or http://gsa.big.ac.cn), a data repository for archiving rawsequence data. In compliance with data standards and structures of the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration (INSDC), GSA adopts four data objects (BioProject, Bio Sample,Experiment, and Run) for data organization, accepts raw sequence reads produced by a variety of sequencing platforms, stores both sequence reads and metadata submitted from all over the world,and makes all these data publicly available to worldwide scientific communities. In the era of bigdata, GSA is not only an important complement to existing INSDC members by alleviating theincreasing burdens of handling sequence data deluge, but also takes the significant responsibilityfor global big data archive and provides free unrestricted access to all publicly available data insupport of research activities throughout the world.

Objective To evaluate the effects of maternal exposure to sevoflurane for anesthesia or surgery on social interaction behaviors in offspring mice. Methods Fifteen pregnant C57BL∕6 mice on ges-tational day 18 were assigned into 3 groups(n=5 each)using a random number table: control group (group C), sevoflurane anesthesia group(group Sevo)and surgery group(group Surg). Group C inhaled 100% oxygen for 2 h in group C. Group Sevo inhaled 3% sevoflurane in oxygen for 2 h. In group Surg, 3%sevoflurane in oxygen was inhaled for 2 h and exploratory laparotomy was performed. At juvenile age(on 30th day after births)and in early adulthood(on 60th day after births), the offspring mice underwent so-cial interaction tests using the three-chambered sociability paradigm, including sociability and preference for social novelty. Results During 1st testing phase: there was no significant difference in time spent in ex-ploring the chamber on the left and right sides or in sniffing directed at the empty wire cage on the left and right sides among the three groups(P>005). During 2nd testing phase: time spent in exploring the cham-ber containing stranger-1 mouse in the wire cage and in sniffing directed at the wire cage containing stranger-1 mouse was significantly prolonged at juvenile age and in early adulthood in three groups when compared with the empty wire cage(P<005). During 3rd testing phase: compared with stranger-1 mouse, time spent in exploring the chamber containing stranger-2 mouse at juvenile age and in sniffing directed at the wire cage containing stranger-2 mouse at juvenile age and in early adulthood was significantly prolonged in group C, time spent in exploring the chamber containing stranger-2 mouse and in sniffing directed at the wire cage containing stranger-2 mouse was significantly prolonged in early adulthood in group Sevo, and time spent in sniffing directed at the wire cage containing stranger-2 mouse was significantly prolonged in early adulthood in group Surg(P<005). Conclusion Maternal exposure to sevoflurane for anesthesia or surgery induces social interaction deficits in the offspring mice in which lower levels of preference for social novelty are detected, especially at juvenile age.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between p38mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) signaling pathway and calcium over-loading during oxygen-glucose deprivation and restoration (OGD/R) in cardiomyocytes of rats.Methods Cardiomyocytes obtained from Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 1-3 days,were cultured and divided into 3 groups (n =27 each) using a random number table method:control group (group C),group OGD/R and p38MAPK inhibitor SB203580 group (group SB).The cells were subjected to OGD for 6 h followed by restoration of O2-glucose supply for 2 h.Ceils were incubated for 1 h with 10 μmol/L SB203580 in group SB.At 2 h of restoration of O2-glucose supply,cell morphology was observed under an inverted microscope,cell viability was measured by the CCK-8 method,the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the supernatant was determined by 2,4-dinitrobenzene chromogenic method,intracellular calcium concentration was determined by flow cytometry,and the expression of phosphorylated p38MAPK (p-p38MAPK) and p38MAPK was detected using Western blot.The LDH release rate and p-p38MAPK/p38MAPK ratio were calculated.Results Compared with group C,the LDH release rate,intracellular calcium concentration and p-p38MAPK/p38MAPK were significantly increased,and the cell viability was markedly decreased in group OGD/R and group SB (P＜0.05).Compared with OGD/R group,the LDH release rate,intracellular calcium concentration and p-p38MAPK/p38MAPK ratio were significantly decreased,the cell viability was increased (P＜0.05),the cell morphology was nearly normal,and the number of cells was increased in group SB.Conclusion p38MAPK signaling pathway can mediate calcium overload after being activated and is involved in the pathophysiological mechanism of OGD/R in cardiomyocytes of rats.

In this short review, we have presented a brief overview on major web resources relevant to stem cell research. To facilitate more efficient use of these resources, we have provided a pre-liminary rating based on our own user experience of the overall quality for each resource. We plan to update the information on an annual basis.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains to be a grand challenge for the international commu-nity despite over a century of exploration. A key factor likely accounting for such a situation is the vast heterogeneity in the disease etiology, which involves very complex and divergent pathways. Therefore, intervention strategies shall be tailored for subgroups of AD patients. Both demographic and in-depth information is needed for patient stratification. The demographic information includes primarily APOE genotype, age, gender, education, environmental exposure, life style, and medical history, whereas in-depth information stems from genome sequencing, brain imaging, peripheral biomarkers, and even functional assays on neurons derived from patient-specific induced pluripo-tent cells (iPSCs). Comprehensive information collection, better understanding of the disease mech-anisms, and diversified strategies of drug development would help with more effective intervention in the foreseeable future.

Objective To explore the role of computer-aided design and manufacturing technology (CAD/CAM technology) in the repair of mandibular defects using the fibular osteomyocutaneous free flap.Methods Eight patients with a portion of mandible defect due to various reasons were subjected to preoperative CT scan,obtaining CT data of the mandible and the fibular bone to be transplanted.The original and the reconstructed skull model,as well as the mandible and fibula osteotomy guide plates,was printed using CAD/CAM technology.The titanium plates were preformed using the reconstructed skull model,and the operation was performed with the help of guide plates and a preformed titanium plate.The patients were followed up for 6 to 24 months to evaluate the operation effect.Results Two in 8 cases had flap necrosis caused by immune rejection of the implant,and one case had flap necrosis due to poor postoperative blood glucose control.The other 5 patients healed at the primary site and the fibular myocutaneous flap survived well.There were no serious complications in the donor and recepient site.The patients' satisfaction was high.Conclusions The reconstruction of mandible with the aid of CAD/CAM technique has the advantages of accelerating the operation process,shortening the operation time,improving the accuracy of mandibular amputation and fibular shaping,promotlng postoperative function and morphology recovery.