Objective To investigate temporal expression of estrogen receptor (ER) in myocardium at non-infarct zone after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in rats. Methods 120 healthy, male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group, left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusion group and sham operation group with 8 rats in each group. The murine AMI-model was established by LAD ligation after anesthetization, and the rats in both LAD occlusion group and sham operation group were sacrificed at 2h, 4h, 8h, 12h, 1d, 2d, 4d, and 9d after occlusion. Myocardial samples were collected. H.E and ER immunohistochemical staining were performed. The results were quantitatively evaluated by image analysis system. The data were statistically analyzed with SPSS for Windows. Results ER expression in non-ischemic cardiomyocytes after LAD occlusion became more prominent with extension of LAD occlusion period. There was no significant difference within 12h after AMI, while ER expression was enhanced significantly 24h after ischemia. The enhancement were more evident from 4 to 9 days. Conclusion The results suggested that protective role may be initiated in response to acute ischemia in cardiac cells at non-infarct zone by increased ER expression after LAD occlusion in rats.

A new method to revel RFLPs is presented. The human genomic DNAwas purified by saturatedNaCl solution and the pAW101 probe labelled with digoxigenin-dUTP. The relationships of RFLPsand genetic patterns of PGM1 (phosphoglucomutase),EsD (esterase D),GLO1 (glyoxalase)and ACP(acid phosphatase ) between the fillal generation and parental generation were detected in 15 families(among them 11 cases were aborted fetuses). The probability of paternity (w)was caculated accor-ding to Essen - Moller's formula, each w vlua was over 99. 73 %, reached the standard of incladingpaternity. An effective,rapid, and non-toxic RFLPs technique was established, which is easy to man-age in common lab oratories.

We report a case of fetal akinesia deformation sequence (FADS), which was prenatally suspected on ultrasound and confirmed by whole exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing after mid-term termination. Prenatal ultrasonography revealed multiple abnormalities in a fetus at 21 +4 weeks of gestation, consisting of fixed posture of limbs, narrow thorax, markedly shrunken gastric vacuole, and thickened nuchal fold. After genetic counseling, the pregnancy was terminated, and the appearance of the fetus was consistent with the ultrasound findings. Whole exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing of the fetal tissue verified a compound heterozygous variation of the RAPSN gene--c.149_153delins AGATGGGCCGCTACAAGGAGATGG (p.V50Efs*114) and c.227T>C (p.L76P), which were inherited from the father and mother, respectively, ultimately confirming the diagnosis of FADS.

Liver transplantation is a conventional treatment for terminal stage liver diseases. However, several complications still hinder the survival rate. Intestinal barrier destruction is widely observed among patients receiving liver transplant and suffering from ischemia-reperfusion or rejection injuries because of the relationship between the intestine and the liver, both in anatomy and function. Importantly, the resulting alteration of gut microbiota aggravates graft dysfunctions during the process. This article reviews the research progress for gut microbial alterations and liver transplantation. Especially, this work also evaluates research on the management of gut microbial alteration and the prediction of possible injuries utilizing microbial alteration during liver transplantation. In addition, we propose possible directions for research on gut microbial alteration during liver transplantation and offer a hypothesis on the utilization of microbial alteration in liver transplantation. The aim is not only to predict perioperative injuries but also to function as a method of treatment or even inhibit the rejection of liver transplantation.
Animals ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Graft Rejection ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Intestinal Mucosa ; physiopathology ; ultrastructure ; Liver Transplantation ; Rats ; Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVE：To establish a method for th e content determination of 7 kinds of triterpenoids in Poria cocos ，and to compare the differences of the above components in P. cocos from different habitats ，so as to provide reference for the quality control of P. cocos . METHODS ：Using 36 batches of P. cocos from different habitats as samples ，HPLC method was used for content determination of dehydrotomorphic acid ， polyporhinic acid C ， 3-epidehydrotomorphic acid ， 3-O-acetyl-16 α-hydroxy-hydrogenolysaccharic acid ，dehydrotomorphic acid ，pachymic acid and dehydrotrametenolic acid. The column was performed on Thermo Acclaim 120 C18 with mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-phosphoric acid water （gradient elution ）at the flow rate of 1 mL/min. The detection wavelength was set at 210 nm. The column temperature was 30 ℃，and the injection volume was 20 μL. SPSS 21.0 statistical software was used for cluster analysis of 36 batches of P. cocos from different habitats. RESULTS ： The linearity of 7 triterpenoids was good in the range of their mass concentration （all r≥0.999 0）；average recoveries were 96.74％-104.04％（RSD＝0.54％-1.55％，n＝6）. RSDs of precision ，and reproducibility stability （24 h）tests were all lower than 3.0％（n＝6）. RSD of durability test was lower than 5.0％（n＝2）. There were some differences in the single content of 7 indicator components among samples from different habitats ，but the total content difference was not obvious （the total content of most samples was in the range of 1.3-1.9 mg/g）. After cluster analysis ，36 batches of sample were clustered into 5 categories，i.e. S 27 was clustered into class Ⅰ；S30 and S 34 were clustered into class Ⅱ；S2，S8 and S 9 were clustered into class Ⅲ；S10，S11，S12 and S 14 were clustered into class Ⅳ；and the remaining 26 batches of samples were clustered into class Ⅴ. CONCLUSIONS ：The method is simple ，and has good precision ，repeatability and durability. It can be used for the simultaneous determination of above 7 components in P. cocos . There has no significant difference in the quality of P. cocos from different habitats. The content of P. cocos in most producing areas is uniform in content and stable in quality ，only a few of them are different. Δ 基金项目 ：国家重点研发计划中医药现代化研究重点专项

OBJECTIVE：Compare the difference of total protein content of Poria cocos from different producing areas. METHODs：Using bovine serum albumin （BSA） as control ，0.4 mol/L sodium hydroxide solution as exctraction solution ， Coomassie brilliant blue G- 250 as chromogenic reagent ，visible spectrophotometry at 595 nm was used to determine the contents of total protein of P. cocos ；cluster analysis was used to classify 34 batches（S1-S34）of P. cocos from different producing areas. RESULTS：The linear range of BSA was 1.45-17.40 μ g/mL （r＝0.999 6）. RSDs of precision ，stability （20 min） and reproducibility tests were all lower than 3％；recoveries were 100.14％-104.26％（RSD＝1.43％，n＝9）. The contents of total protein in 34 batches of P. cocos from different producing areas were 0.388 4％-1.129 7％. The results of cluster analysis showed that among 34 batches of P. cocos ，the total protein content of P. cocos produced in Yingshan county of Hubei province （S2，S3） was higher than 1％，clustered into one category ；the total protein contents of P. cocos produced in Hubei ，Yunnan，Anhui and Hunan（S1，S5-S10，S12，S13，S16，S17，S19-S21，S23-S25，S28，S30，S31）were 0.653 5％-0.946 1％，clustered into one categony，and the remaining batch content were 0.388 4％-0.601 2％，clustered into one category. CONCLUSIONS ：Established method is suitable for the content determination of total protein content of P. cocos . The protein content of P. cocos from Yingshan county of Hubei province is the highest ，followed by Yunnan and Anhui in 34 batches of P. cocos from different producing areas.

OBJECTIVE：To study “Qi-invigorating”effect and its possible mechanism of total saponins of Astragalus membranaceus on rats with Qi-deficiency ，and to provide reference for elucidating the material basis of “Qi-invigorating”effect of A. membranaceus . METHODS ：Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group ，model group ，positive control group [Buzhong yiqi pills ，4.5 g/（kg·d）]，A. membranaceus total saponins high-dose and low-dose groups [ 252，28 g/（kg·d），by the amount of total saponins] according to body weight ，with 8 rats in each group. Except for normal group ，the model of Qi-deficiency was made in other groups by the method of “diet disorder+fatigue ”. At the same time ，administration groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically ，and normal group and model group were given constant volume of water，once a day ，for consecutive 21 days. After last administration ，the general situation of rats was observed ；the body weight ，spleen index and thymus index of rats were detected ；weight-bearing swimming time was recorded ；the levels of spleen T lymphocyte subsets CD 3 and CD 4，the levels of ATP and ADP in liver tissue ，serum levels of ALB ，RBC and HBG in blood as well as the serum levels of SOD，MDA，lactate，LDH，CK，IL-2，IL-12 and TNF-α were all detected. RESULTS：Compared with normal group ，body weight，thymus index ，spleen index ，weight-bearing swimming time ，the level of spleen T lymphocyte subsets CD 3，ATP，ADP， ALB，IL-2 and IL- 12 were decreased or shortened significantly in model group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. The levels of MDA ， lactate，CK and TNF-α were increased significantly （P＜ 0.05）. Compared with model group ，body weight ，spleen index，weight-bearing swimming time ，the level of spleen T lymphocyte subsets CD 3 and the levels of ATP ，ADP，ALB， RBC and IL- 2 were increased significantly or prolonged（P＜0.05）；while the levels of MDA ，lactate，CK and TNF-α were decreased significantly in A. membranaceus total saponins high-dose group（P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）.Weight-bearing swimming time ，the levels of ATP ，ADP and IL- 2 in A. membranaceus total saponins low-dose group were increased significantly or prolonged （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01），while the levels of MDA ，lactate，CK and TNF-α were decreased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with positive control group ，spleen index ，spleen T lymphocyte subsets CD 3，weight-bearing swimming time and ATP level of A. membranaceus total saponins high-dose group were increased significantly or prolonged （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01），while MDA levels of A. membranaceus total saponins high-dose and low-dose groups were decreased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS ：A. membranaceus total saponins can reduce the body ’s accumulation of blood lactic acid ，the activity of CK ，the level of lipid peroxide and regulate immunity to tonify Qi ，delay fatigue and improve exercise ability.

Poria is an important medicine for inducing diuresis to drain dampness from the middle energizer. However, the specific effective components and the potential mechanism of Poria remain largely unknown. To identify the effective components and the mechanism of Poria water extract (PWE) to treat dampness stagnancy due to spleen deficiency syndrome (DSSD), a rat model of DSSD was established through weight-loaded forced swimming, intragastric ice-water stimulation, humid living environment, and alternate-day fasting for 21 days. After 14 days of treatment with PWE, the results indicated that PWE increased fecal moisture percentage, urine output, D-xylose level and weight; amylase, albumin, and total protein levels; and the swimming time of rats with DSSD to different extents. Eleven highly related components were screened out using the spectrum-effect relationship and LC-MS. Mechanistic studies revealed that PWE significantly increased the expression of serum motilin (MTL), gastrin (GAS), ADCY5/6, p-PKAα/β/γ cat, and phosphorylated cAMP-response element binding protein in the stomach, and AQP3 expression in the colon. Moreover, it decreased the levels of serum ADH, the expression of AQP3 and AQP4 in the stomach, AQP1 and AQP3 in the duodenum, and AQP4 in the colon. PWE induced diuresis to drain dampness in rats with DSSD. Eleven main effective components were identified in PWE. They exerted therapeutic effect by regulating the AC-cAMP-AQP signaling pathway in the stomach, MTL and GAS levels in the serum, AQP1 and AQP3 expression in the duodenum, and AQP3 and AQP4 expression in the colon.
Animals ; Rats ; Poria ; Spleen ; Albumins ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein

Sjögren's syndrome （SS）， a disorder of immune system， is one of the dominant diseases treated by traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. China Association of Chinese Medicine organized experts in the field of TCM and western medicine rheumatology and pharmacology to discuss the advantages and optimal regimens of TCM for the treatment of SS. The experts generally agreed on the low early diagnosis rate of SS and the lack of targeted therapeutic drugs. In addition， autoimmune abnormality is the key factor in the occurrence of SS and deficiency of both Qi and Yin is the core pathogenesis. SS has unique tongue manifestations， which is expected to allow for the early diagnosis and treatment with integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine. TCM has advantages in treating SS in terms of alleviating clinical symptoms and systemic involvement， individualized treatment， relieving sleep and mood disorders， preventing the occurrence in the early stage， and enhancing the effectiveness and reducing toxicity in the treatment by integrated TCM and western medicine. In general， TCM has advantages in different stages of SS. Internal and external use of TCM， acupuncture， and acupotome are all available options. The optimal regimens should be determined on the basis of pattern identification， stage of disease， and the advantages of TCM. Clinical characteristics and biomarkers of SS should be studied to classify patients， so as to design precision evidence-based TCM regimens for SS. On the basis of unique tongue manifestations of SS， models for early diagnosis and poor prognosis identification of SS should also be established to achieve early prevention and treatment and to improve the prognosis. In the future， we should vigorously carry out high-quality evidence-based medical research on the treatment of SS by TCM and integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine and develop relevant guidelines to optimize and standardize current diagnosis and treatment， thereby laying a basis for clarifying and explaining the advantages of TCM in treating SS.

OBJECTIVE：To establis h the UPLC fingerprint of Poria co cos aqueous extract ，and to investigate its relationship with sedative and hypnotic effect. METHODS ：Ten batches of P. cocos from different areas were extracted with water to obtain the aqueous extract. UPLC method was adopted. The determination was performed on Waters HSS-C 18 column with mobile phase consisted of 0.1％ phosphoric acid solution-acetonitrile-methanol （gradient elution ） at the flow rate of 0.4-0.2 mL/min. The detection wavelengths were set at 210 and 242 nm. The column temperature was 40 ℃，and sample size was 2 μL. The fingerprints of 10 batches of P. cocos aqueous extracts were established by using the Similarity Evaluation System of TCM Fingerprint （2012A version），and the common peaks were identified. The sedative and hypnotic effects of 10 batches of P. cocos aqueous extracts from different areas under the synergistic action of pentobarbital sodium were investigated by taking the sleeping rate ，sleep latency and sleep duration of mice as the single efficacy index. After data transformation of single efficacy index and total efficacy （single indexes calculated by analytic hierarchy process ），grey correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between the common peaks in fingerprint of P. cocos aqueous extract and the single efficacy index and total efficacy. RESULTS ：There were 24 common peaks in 10 batches of aqueous extract of P. cocos ， and 11 components were identified ， i.e. 16 α-hydroxydehydrotrametenolic acid （peak 6），16α-hydroxytrametendic acid （peak 7），poricoic acid B （peak 9），dehydrotumulosic acid（peak 10），poricoic acid A （peak 12），polyporenic acid C （peak 15），3-O-acetyl-16α-hydroxydehydrotrametenolic acid （peak 17），dehydropachymic acid （peak 20），pachymic acid （peak 21），dehydrotrametenolic acid （peak 22），dehydroeburicoic acid （peak 24）. Grey correlation analysis showed ，the correlation between 24 peaks and sleep duration was greater than 0.6（0.611 5- 0.811 8）；the correlation between 24 peaks and sleep latency was greater than 0.6（0.605 9-0.790 4），except for peaks 14，24 and 2；the correlation of 24 peaks between sleeping rate was greater than 0.6（0.606 4-0.721 6），except for peaks 23，19，17 and 5； the correlation of 24 peaks between total efficacy was greater than 0.6（0.619 0-0.781 2），except for peaks 2，5，19. The top 10 chromatographic peaks related to the total efficacy were peak 15（polyporenic acid C ），peak 16，peak 8，peak 11，peak 12 （poricoic acid A ）， peak 1， peak 7 （16 α-hydroxytrametendicacid）， peak 3， peak 9 （poricoic acid B ） and peak 20 （dehydropachymic acid ）. CONCLUSIONS ：UPLC fingerprint of P. cocos aqueous extract was established and 11 components were identified. Ten components such as polyporus acid C are closely related to the total efficacy of sedation and hypnosis ，which preliminarily reveal the material basis of the sedative and hypnotic effect of P. cocos .