The fruit of Lycium ruthenicum is a common folk medicine in China. Now it is popular for its antioxidative effect and other medical functions. The adulterants of the herb confuse consumers. In order to identify a new adulterant of L. ruthenicum, a research was performed based on NCBI Nucleotide Database ITS Sequence, combined analysis of the origin and morphology of the adulterant to traceable varieties. Total genomic DNA was isolated from the materials, and nuclear DNA ITS sequences were amplified and sequenced; DNA fragments were collated and matched by using ContingExpress. Similarity identification of BLAST analysis was performed. Besides, the distribution of plant origin and morphology were considered to further identification and verification. Families and genera were identified by molecular identification method. The adulterant was identified as plant belonging to Berberis. Origin analysis narrowed the range of sample identification. Seven different kinds of plants in Berberis were potential sources of the sample. Adulterants variety was traced by morphological analysis. The united molecular identification-origin-morphology research proves to be a preceding way to medical herbs traceability with time-saving and economic advantages and the results showed the new adulterant of L. ruthenicum was B. kaschgarica. The main differences between B. kaschgarica and L. ruthenicum are as follows: in terms of the traits, the surface of B. kaschgarica is smooth and crispy, and that of L. ruthenicum is shrinkage, solid and hard. In microscopic characteristics, epicarp cells of B. aschgarica thickening like a string of beads, stone cells as the rectangle, and the stone cell walls of L. ruthenicum is wavy, obvious grain layer. In molecular sequences, the length of ITS sequence of B. kaschgarica is 606 bp, L. ruthenicum is 654 bp, the similarity of the two sequences is 53.32%.
Berberis ; classification ; cytology ; genetics ; China ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; DNA, Plant ; chemistry ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; chemistry ; genetics ; Drug Contamination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; standards ; Lycium ; classification ; cytology ; genetics ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phylogeny ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Species Specificity

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents in the medicative part of Sorbaria sorbifolia.

METHODBy means of silica gel re-chromatography and thin layer chromatography, chemical constituents from the CHCl3 and EtOAc extract of the medicative part of S. sorbifolia were studied and their structures were identified by their physical-chemical constants, spectral analysis and comparison with the authorized samples.

RESULTSEight compounds were obtained and identified as follows: noreugenin (I), wogonin (II), 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-3-methoxyflavone (III), protocatechuic acid (IV), benzoic acid (V), p-hydroxy benzoic acid (VI), emodin (VII) and daucosterol (VIII).

CONCLUSIONAll of the compounds were isolated from this genus for the first time.

Flavanones ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Flavonols ; Hydroxybenzoates ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Components, Aerial ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quercetin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Rosaceae ; chemistry

Objective To analysis the relationship between HBV BCP A1762T/G1764A double mutation with acute on chronic liver failure(ACLF).Methods HBV BCP A1762T/G1764A double mutation was detected in 166 HBV chronic infection patients by nested PCR and direct DNA sequencing.The mutation rate was compared among the patients with different disease course.Results Among 166 patients,45 patients,45 patients,49 patients and 27 patients were diagnosed as chronic hepatitis B(CHB),liver cirrhosis(LC),ACLF and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),respectively.A1762T/G1764A double mutation rate was 40.0%(18/45),84.4%(38/45),73.5%(36/49)and 92.6%(25/27) respectively in different groups.However,A1762T/G1764A double mutation rate has no difference between ACLF based on CHB and LC(P=0.502)and between patients with HBeAg positive and negative(P=0.735).HBV DNA level (log) of patients with A1762T/G1764A double mutation was 5.68±1.36,lower than but having no significant statistic difference compared to patients without the double mutation(6.14±1.81,P=0.075).Conclusion A1762T/G1764A double mutation has a close relationship with the progress of HBV-infection diseases,but is not specific to patients with ACLF.And patients with BCP double mutation have similar HBV DNA levels and HBeAg status with patients without the double mutation.

OBJECTIVETo study in vitro dissolution rate of geniposide in Huangqin Qingfei dispersible tablet.

METHODA reversed-phase HPLC method was developed for determination of geniposide. In vitro dissolution rates were compared between Huangqin Qingfei dispersible tablet and conventional tablet in the dissolution medium of pH 1.0, 2.85, 4.5, 6.8, and 8.0 accordingly. Zero-class model, single-index model, logarithm normal school model, and Weibull distributing model were used to simulate the dissolution curve.

RESULTThe dissolution rate of two tablets is not affected by pH so much, and they can dissolve within 5 to 10 minutes. Weibull distributing model is the best simulation for in vitro dissolution. Comparing with conventional tablet, dispersible tablet dissolve quickly and completely.

CONCLUSIONThe in vitro dissolution rate of geniposide in Huangqin Qingfei dispersible tablet conforms to Weibull distributing model. The dispersible tablet is able to release rapidly.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Gardenia ; chemistry ; Iridoids ; analysis ; Kinetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Pyrans ; analysis ; Scutellaria ; chemistry ; Solubility ; Tablets ; chemistry ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the blood lead level in children aged 0-6 years in urban areas of China.

METHODSFourteen cities were selected as sites under surveillance. A total of 44 045 peripheral blood specimens were collected from 2004 to 2006, during which 15 727, 14 737, and 13 584 specimens were tested in 2004, 2005, and 2006, respectively. Tungsten atomizer absorption spectrophotometer was employed to determine blood lead level.

RESULTSThe geometric mean blood lead level in the tested children was 47.10 microg/L with 10.10% > or = 100 microg/L, 46.17 microg/L with 7.78% > or = 100 microg/L, and 47.03 microg/L with 7.30% > or = 100 microg/L in 2004, 2005, and 2006, respectively. The blood lead levels seemed to tend to rise in parallel with the increase of age of the children and were higher in boys (48.84 microg/L, 47.56 microg/L, and 47.78 microg/L in the 3 respective years) than in girls (45.00 microg/L, 44.53 microg/L, and 46.13 microg/L).

CONCLUSIONThe blood lead levels in children in cities of China are lower than those in previous national studies, but higher than those in developed countries. Childhood lead poisoning remains a public health problem in China.

Age Distribution ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cities ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Lead ; blood ; Lead Poisoning ; blood ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Male ; Population Surveillance ; Sex Characteristics

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Compound Zhajin Granule (CZG) on Toll-like re-ceptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway in high-fructose corn syrup induced NASH mice.

METHODSThirty 6-week-old male C3H mice were divided into the high fat and high fructose (HFHFr) group (n = 20) and the control group (n = 10) according to body weight. Mice in the HFHFr group ate high fat diet and drank 20% fructose water, while those in the control group ate common diet and drank common water. After 8 weeks mice in the HFHFr group were divided into two group according to body weight, the HFHFr group and the CZG group, 10 in each group. Mice in the CZG group were fed with high fat forage and 20% fructose water, and administered with 50 mL/kg 12. 8% CZG (prepared by hawthorn, Radix Curcumae, Alisma Orientale, Fritillaria Thunbergii, Silybum Marianum, peach seed in the ratio of 3:1.5:1.5:2:1.5:2:1) by gastrogavage. Mice in the HFHFr group were fed in the same way and daily administered with equal volume of distilled water by gastrogavage. Sixteen weeks later all mice were sacrificed. Body weight, liver wet weight, liver function, and lipid metabolism were detected. Pathological changes of liver tissues were assessed by HE staining, oil red O staining, and Masson staining. Expressions of TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were detected using immunohistochemical staining and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR.

RESULTSBody weight, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were obviously lower in the CZG group than in the HFHFr group (P < 0.05); oil red O stained area and density were decreased more in the CZG group than in the control group. HE staining showed ballooning inflammation was reduced more in the CZG group than in the HFHFr group. Masson staining was negative. Positive rates of TLR4 and MyD88 and mRNA expressions were significantly lower in the CZG group than in the HFHFr group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCZG could significantly inhibit TLR4 signaling pathway of liver in NASH mice.

Alanine Transaminase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; metabolism ; Diet, High-Fat ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fructose ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Inflammation ; Lipid Metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C3H ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 ; metabolism ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; drug therapy ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Chemotaxis is the response ability of motile cells to chemicals gradients in environment and the migration toward higher concentration of chemoattractant or lower concentration of repellent. This mechanism is a basic nature of microorganisms to adapt to the environmental changes. The research of microbial chemotaxis is of great significance in utilizing bacteria to solve environment problems, control the pathogen infection, and develop microbial industrial projects. Microfluidic devices can realize qualitatively and quantitatively detect of bacterial chemotaxis. In comparison with traditional detect methods, microfluidic assay has an accurate control over bacterial microenvironment, with a higher sensitivity. In the past few years, bacterial chemotaxis study based on microfluidic assay was developed rapidly. In this paper, the microfluidic chemotaxis detectors that appeared in recent years were introduced from the aspect of chip structure, working principle and their applications. Finally, we provided insights into the challenges of bacterial chemotaxis and provided future perspectives.

Objective To investigate the value of endoscopy combined with laparoscopy in the treatment of colorectal polyps and polyp canceration.Methods Different combinations of endoscopic and laparoscopic procedures were employed and the clinical efficacies were compared.Results From January 2004 to September 2006,46 cases with colorectal polyp were treated with endoscopy combined with laparoscopy.Among them,5 cases(10.87%)underwent laparoscopic-assisted endoscopic polypectomy,30(65.22%)endoscopic-assisted laparoscopic resection,6(13.04%)synchronously endoscopic and laparoscopic resection.Five cases were performed further operation after endoscopic polypectomy.According to the pathological findings,21(45.7%)were proved to be polyp canceration,among which 6 were advanced carcinoma,and 3 were found metastasis to the lymph nodes.Among the 41 cases of laparoscopic resection,there was no conversion to an open surgery.Anastomotic leakage was found in 2 cases and anastomotic bleeding in 1.In the 5 cases of laparoscopic-assisted endoscopic polypectomy,no complication was observed.During the period of follow-up(1 to 21 months),no recurrence was detected.Conclusion Endoscopy combined with laparoscopy extends the safety and indications of endoscopic polypectomy,and is minimally invasive to the patients.It is an ideal procedure in the treatment of colorectal polyps and poly carceration.

Objective To investigate the need and utilization for health services in patients with allergic rhinitis in Qingdao area.Methods An investigation was conducted by the method of combining multi-stage sampling and cluster sampling.SPSS 13.0 software was used to analyse the data.Results Among Two thousand and four hundred questionnaires,two thousand and fifty-two questionnaires were available.The effective rate was 85.5％.The total two-week prevalence in male was 6.5％,while that in female was 6.2％.There was no significant difference between male and female( x2 =0.103,P ＞ 0.05 ).The total ratio of those who visited doctors was 1.7％.The ratio of those who visited doctors in the first two weeks was 26.7％ ( 35/131 ).49.0％ of non-users of health service thought it was unnecessary to consult a doctor because of mild symptoms.In the investigation about the allergic rhinitis,60.2％ patients (1235/2052) confessed that they heard of allergic rhinitis,30.0％ patients (616/2052) thought of allergic rhinitis was common cold.Conclusions The number of patients treated for allergic rhinitis was less than its prevalence.The primary reason for low attendance was that the majority of patients with mild symptoms thought it was no need to see a doctor.In order to improve the residents' health services utilization,medical education for allergic rhinitis is necessary.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A large number of studies have shown that function constipation (FC) has an extremely high incidence of mental and psychological disorders. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) was applied to the treatment of psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression. We explored the effects of CES combined with biofeedback therapy (BFT) on the psychological state, clinical symptoms, and anorectal function in patients with FC. METHODS: A total of 74 patients with FC were randomly divided into 2 groups. The control group received BFT. CES combined with BFT was carried out in the experiment group. All patients were assessed using the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS), and Wexner constipation score at baseline and the end of each course. Anorectal manometry and balloon expulsion tests were performed before and after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, the participants in the experiment group had significantly lower score SAS, SDS, and Wexner constipation scores than the control group (all P < 0.05). The number of successful expulsion in the experiment group was larger than the control group (P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: CES combined with BFT was effective in improving the psychological status of anxiety, depression, and bowel symptoms in patients with FC.
Anxiety ; Biofeedback, Psychology* ; Constipation* ; Depression ; Electric Stimulation Therapy* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Manometry ; Treatment Outcome