Objective To supply the basic research material for the optimal collecting time of Herba Andrographis. Methods A RP - HPLC method was used for the determination of Andrographolide and 14 - Deoxy - 11, 12 - didehy-droandrographolide from the stems and leaves of Herba Andrographis (cultured under GAP) in various growing periods on a Lichrospher RP - C18 (4. 6 mm? 250 mm, 5?m) column. The mobile phase was methanol - water (60:40), and the detection wavelength were set at 226 nm and 254 nm respectively. Results In different growing periods , contents of Andrographolide and 14 - Deoxy-11, 12 - didehydroandrographolide were higher in the sample collected in August and September. And for the same batch of sample, the contents in leaves are higher than those in the stems. Conclusion The phenophase from staminal time to pre - flowering period is the optimal collecting time for this herbal medicine, and leaves as medical part will be better than other parts.

Objective To retrospectively analyze echocardiography findings and left hearst function in patients with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) after transcatheter closure. Methods 28 patients admitted between January 2012 and December 2012 in our hospital for PDA transcatheter closure were included. Assessment of cardiac structure, hemodynamics and cardiac function parameters during preoperation and in postoperation 3 days, 1 month and 6 months were studied. Results Statistical significant difference was found at 3 days, 1 month and 6 months postoperation when compared with pre-operation in terms of left atrial diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end systolic diameter and other doppler measurements ( all P < 0. 05 ) . Six-minute walk test ( 6MWT) tolerance improved when compared to preoperation level (P < 0. 05). Better improvement in LVEF and LVES was observed in patients age ≤14 years old when compared to patients > 14 years old after operation ( P < 0. 05 ) . Conclusions Transcatheter closure of PDA can improve cardiac function and correct early hemodynamic abnormalities patients in younger age group show more benefit from the procedure.

The trinity of physique-qi-spirit is a view of life in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） that integrates both theoretical interpretation and technical operation. Its connotation includes two aspects， the three elements of physique， qi， and spirit composing human life， and these three elements exist as an inseparable unity. Based on the concept of the trinity of physique-qi-spirit， this article explores three key points from the technical operation level， defining "qi" as an intangible， non-physical substance； briefly analyzing the mechanism of the trinity of physique-qi-spirit from the perspective of qi theory； and discussing the state of life optimization achieved through their integration. Understanding the connotation of the trinity of physique-qi-spirit from a technical operation level helps to maximize its unique advantages in self-health management.

OBJECTIVETo assess the association of a disintegrin and metallo-proteinase with thrombospondin type 1 motifs (ADAMTS-1) gene polymorphism and ischemic stroke caused by large artery atherosclerosis (LAA).

METHODSIn total 767 patients and 506 controls were recruited. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs416905 (T/C) and rs402007 (G/C) of the ADAMTS-1 gene were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing.

RESULTSFrequencies of the rs402007 GC+CC genotype and the C allele were significantly different between the two groups (68.84% vs. 60.67%, χ2=9.012, P=0.003, OR=1.432; 45.24% vs. 38.54%, χ2=11.208, P=0.001, OR=1.318). Binary logistic regression has confirmed that the above difference was significant (P=0.001, OR=1.521, 95%CI: 1.183-1.955). The frequencies of TC+CC and GC+CC genotypes were similar between the two groups, and so was it with the C allele. The two SNPs had been in complete linkage disequilibrium (D'=1.0, r2=1.0).

CONCLUSIONThe rs416905 and rs402007 polymorphisms of the ADAMTS-1 gene may be associated with ischemic stroke caused by LAA. The C allele of the rs402007 locus may be a susceptibility factor for this subtype of stroke.

ADAM Proteins ; genetics ; ADAMTS1 Protein ; Aged ; Alleles ; Atherosclerosis ; complications ; Base Sequence ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Brain Ischemia ; complications ; Fasting ; blood ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Risk Factors ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Smoking ; Stroke ; blood ; etiology ; genetics