To analysis the differences between Tripterygium wilfordii and T. hypoglaucum, specimens of their leaves were collected from five production regions and analyzed by ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). The data were analyzed by multivariate statistical method, such as hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal signal correction partial least square discrimination (OPLS-DA). Potential markers with VIP values above 5.0 and corresponding r values above 0.85, were selected and further tested by combining mann-Whitney nonparametric. Those with P < 0.001 and AUC = 1 were confirmed as metabolite markers to discriminate them from each other. Results revealed that the two species were obviously different in their leaf metabolites. Based on their mass spectra, 23 potential metabolite markers were identified to distinguish T. wilfordii from T. hypoglaucum.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Tripterygium ; chemistry ; classification ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the neurodevelopmental outcomes and its risk factors of very low birth weight infant (VLBWI) and extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWI).Methods Data of 85 VLBWI and ELBWI hospitalized in Children's Hospital of Fudan University from October 2005 to November 2009 who had finished infant development test of Baley Scales of Infant Development Ⅱ (Bayley Ⅱ) for neurological development at corrected gestational age between 18 to 42 months were retrospectively reviewed.Twelve infants who accepted treatment in other hospital over 10 days were excluded; the rest 73 infants were divided into normal (neurodevelopment) group or abnormal group according to the definition of neurodevelopmental impairment reported by National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Neonatal Network.Potential risk factors of neurodevelopmental impairment were analyzed with Logistic stepwise regression.Results The mean gestational age of 73 infants was (30.4±2.3) weeks; among which 13 were smaller than 28 weeks,42 between 28 and 32 weeks,and 18 older than 32 weeks.The mean birth weight was (1208.0±208.5) g; among which 15 (20.6％) ＜1000 g,and 58 (79.4％) were between 1000 g and 1500 g.Four babies (5.5％) were diagnosed as movement retardation,and neurodevelopmental impairment occurred in 16 cases (21.9 ％),psychomotor developmental index ＜70 occurred in 6 cases (8.2％,one case complicating with cerebral palsy); mental developmental index ＜70 occurred in 2 cases (2.7％); both psychomotor developmental index and mental developmental index ＜70 occurred in 7 cases (9.6 ％,two cases complicating with cerebral palsy),and one case (1.4 ％) was cerebral palsy only.Blind in either eyes and hearing impairment requiring deaf-aid were not found in any of the 73 babies.Logistic stepwise regression showed that use of mechanical ventilation was related to neurodevelopmental impairment (OR =6.183,95％ CI:1.664-22.983,P =0.003).Psychomotor developmental index of infants who needed mechanical ventilation (77.5±15.1) was lower than that of infants did not need (87.3±15.1)(t=2.646,P=0.010).Conclusions VLBWI and ELBWI are in high risk of neurodevelopmental impairment,especially those who need mechanical ventilation.

OBJECTIVETo make full use of the plant resources of Panax notoginseng, nutritional compositions and mineral elements were analyzed in aerial part of P. notoginseng from different areas in Yunnan.

METHODUsing the national standard method, water, ash, crude fat, crude fiber, crude protein and mineral elements were determined in aerial part of P. notoginseng from different growing areas.

RESULTResults showed that there were higher contents of crude fiber and crude protein, and lower content of crude fat in the stems and flowers of P. notoginseng. Meanwhile, a large number of mineral elements were determined in two locations of P. notoginseng, and the contents of Zn, Fe, Mn, Ca and Mg were obvious higher among these mineral elements.

CONCLUSIONThis study showed that the stems and flowers of P. notoginseng were nutritious and suggested that the aerial part may be utilized as new resources foods.

Flowers ; chemistry ; Nutritive Value ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Trace Elements ; analysis

Sanqi (Panax notoginseng) is a valuable unique herb, and is also one of the very fast developed varieties of traditional Chinese medicines in recent years with increasing role in traditional Chinese medicine industry. This paper summarized the main experience, industry development and present situation, pointed out the main problems existing in the industry development. On this basis, we put forward the targets and measures for the development of the Sanqi industry in to provide decision-making reference for the sustainable development of the Sanqi industry in China.
China ; Drug Industry ; economics ; trends ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; economics ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; economics ; trends ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo analyze the variation of serum insulin levels in critically ill children and investigate the underlying mechanism and clinical significance to provide the basis for treatment.

METHODTotally 332 critically ill children admitted in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of Hunan Children's Hospital from Nov., 2011 to April, 2012 were studied. The high insulin group (n = 332) was defined as insulin levels within 24 h > 11.1 mU/L and was divided into 2 groups: mildly elevated group (n = 194): 11.10 - 33.30 mU/L, increased three times group (n = 138): > 33.3 mU/L. Insulin, C-peptide and blood glucose were measured within 24 hours after admission, on day 3 and 7. Other results of inflammatory markers, lactate, cardiac enzymes, amylase, pancreatic ultrasound, hepatic and renal function as well as indicators related to severity and prognosis were recorded after admission.

RESULTThe peak of insulin level was seen on day 1, then presented a downward trend and reached the normal level on day 7. The peaks of blood glucose and C-peptide level were seen on day 1 then declined, the levels on day 7 were still slightly higher than normal level. The insulin level on admission (41.47 ± 30.85) mU/L were positively correlated with lactic acid (2.29 ± 1.81) mmol/L and procalcitonin level (5.08 ± 6.70) ng/ml (r = 0.370, P = 0.000; r = 0.168, P = 0.002) (P < 0.01). The insulin level on admission in children with 1 organ failure (41.24 ± 22.60) mU/L or 2 or multiple organ failure (48.98 ± 22.17) mU/L was higher than that in children with non-organ failure (34.11 ± 29.84) mU/L (U = 1621.001, P = 0.000;U = 1300.000, P = 0.000) (P < 0.01). The insulin level on admission in death group (52.99 ± 32.34) mU/L was higher than that in survival group (32.85 ± 24.10) mU/L (U = 1585.000, P = 0.000) (P < 0.01). Ten cases in death group were complicated with pancreatic damage and the average insulin level on admission was (65.29 ± 50.53) mU/L.

CONCLUSIONThe high insulin level was correlated with the degree of inflammatory response, ischemia and hypoxia. The high insulin level in critically ill children was relevant to the pancreatic damage, the severity of the disease, organ dysfunction, and evaluation of prognosis.

Adolescent ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; C-Peptide ; blood ; Calcitonin ; blood ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Critical Illness ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Insulin ; blood ; Intensive Care Units, Pediatric ; Male ; Multiple Organ Failure ; blood ; mortality ; Pancreas ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Protein Precursors ; blood ; Survival

OBJECTIVETo explore the trend of influenza epidemics, predominate strains of the virus in Tianjin city and to analyze the economic impact of vaccine-based interventions for the prevention and control of influenza.

METHODSData on epidemiological studies and on virus surveillance was gathered. Monte Carlo mathematical simulation modelwas used for data analyses.

RESULTSFrom 29, December, 2003 to 2, January, 2005, the proportion of influenza-like infection cases was accounted for 8.93% of the total number of patients from the outpatient departments of 4 general hospitals in Tianjin. The proportion reached its peak from November to February and it was accounted for 9.39% in epidemic period, which was significantly different from that in the non-epidemic period (u = 15.53, P< 0.05). There was 56 strains of influenza virus isolated in which 45 were indentified as A(H3N2) and 11 as B with a total positive rate as 13.21%. Predominant strain was found bing type A(H3N2). The positive rate was 15.41% in the epidemic period, which was significantly different from that in the non-epidemic period (u = 2.519, P < 0.05). The cost per visit ranged from 475.93 to 581.69 Yuan (RMB) with an average cost of 528.81 Yuan. When the attack rate increased to 30 percent, the positive mean net returns would have been 24 million Yuan among the 0-19 age group.

CONCLUSIONInfluenza did not seem to be prevalent in Tianjin from 29, December, 2003 to 2, January, 2005. The main type of influenza was type A(H3N2). It is necessary to pay attention to the all-year round surveillance program due to the transformation of influenza type A and the slight increase of incidence in summer.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Health Care Costs ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype ; physiology ; Influenza B virus ; physiology ; Influenza, Human ; economics ; epidemiology ; immunology ; virology ; Middle Aged ; Population Surveillance ; Seasons ; Viral Vaccines ; immunology

Objective To study the relationship between peripheral blood hemoglobin (HB) and blood pres- sure.Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis in 1153 subjects aged 29-83 years.Waist circumfer- ence,HB,blood pressure,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL- C),triglycerides (TG),total cholesterol (TC) were determined.Results ①With the increasing of blood pres- sure,HB had a clearly increasing trend (HB,normotensive:137.5?14.7 vs prehypertension:143.4?14.4 vs hy- pertension:144.3?13.8 g/L,P

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of RNA interference (RNAi) targeting E6AP on the proliferation and apoptosis of HeLa cells.

METHODSHeLa cells were cultured and divided into 3 groups: blank control group, cells transfected with nonsense siRNA (small interference RNA), and cells transfected with specific E6AP siRNA. The expressions of E6AP mRNA and protein were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot before and after the transfection respectively. Cell proliferation was determined by methylthiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT). The cell apoptosis index was assessed by flow cytometry.

RESULTSUpon treatment with E6AP siRNA for 24, 48 and 72 h, the expression level of E6AP mRNA decreased 33%, 72% and 70% than siRNA treated group. The protein expression levels in 48 h and 72 h E6AP siRNA groups decreased 38%, 59% comparing with those of the nonsense siRNA treated group (P < 0.05). The proliferative capacity of cells transfectd with E6AP siRNA was significantly lower than blank control group (F = 101.38, P < 0.05) and siRNA treated group (F = 38.64, P < 0.05). The apoptosis index of HeLa cells treated with E6AP siRNA was significantly higher than that of the nonsense siRNA (F = 41.48, P < 0.05) and the blank control group (F = 86.36, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSiRNA targeting can effectively suppress the expression levels of E6AP mRNA, corresponding with a proliferation inhibition and an enhanced apoptosis of HeLa cells.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; genetics ; Gene Silencing ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo analyze the safety and efficacy of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody in treatment of severe pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (PSLE).

METHODThe diagnosis of PSLE was made according to the criteria for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus revised by the American College of Rheumatology in 1997. Severe cases with PSLE was selected by the following criteria: age ≤ 16 years, number of important organs involved > 1, SLEDAI score > 10 points and poor response to conventional immunosuppressive treatment. These patients received 2 doses of 375 mg/m(2) rituximab (RTX), 2 weeks apart. Clinical, laboratory findings and drug side effects were recorded at RTX initiation, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3, 6 and 12 months after infusion.

RESULTA total of 20 patients. Male to female ratio was 1:3, were enrolled. They were 5-16 years old. The course of disease was (3.0 ± 2.5) years (range: 1 month-7 years), patients were followed up for 12 - 36 months [median: (27.0 ± 7.8) months]. Delirium and cognitive disorders were significantly improved in 10 cases of lupus encephalopathy after 1 month. Lupus nephritis in children were eased slowly, 14/15 patients with lupus nephritis were improved after 2-3 months. Four cases of lupus pneumonia were significantly improved within 1 month. Decreased blood cells counts were relieved at 1 month in 16/18 cases. Cellular immune function was assessed 2 weeks after application of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody; we found B-cell clearance in 19 patients (95%). B lymphocyte count of 18 patients (90%) was restored within one year. SLEDAI score was reduced obviously. Dose of corticosteroid ranged from (45.0 ± 4.7) mg/m(2) before drug use to (12.0 ± 2.7) mg/m(2) 12 months later (P < 0.001). After the drug use, 5 patients had pneumonia within 6 months; 2 cases who suffered from aspergillus pneumonia and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia respectively were severe. They accepted mechanical ventilation and anti-inflammatory support after being transferred to the intensive care unit, and their conditions improved at last. No death occurred. In 2 patients the disease recurred with B-cell recovery after 15 months and 18 months. Administration of another cycle of rituximab resulted in remission again in one case but not in the other.

CONCLUSIONAnti-CD20 monoclonal antibody is effective and safe in treatment of severe PSLE. But severe infections may occur in some cases. Focusing on prevention and early treatment can reduce the probability of adverse reactions.

Adolescent ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; B-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; immunology ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cyclophosphamide ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glucocorticoids ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunologic Factors ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; complications ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Lupus Nephritis ; etiology ; pathology ; Male ; Pneumonia ; etiology ; pathology ; Prednisolone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Rituximab ; Severity of Illness Index ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo review the updated research on neuroprotection in glaucoma, and summarize the potential agents investigated so far.

DATA SOURCESThe data in this review were collected from PubMed and Google Scholar databases published in English up to September 2012, with keywords including glaucoma, neuroprotection, and retinal ganglion cells, both alone and in combination. Publications from the past ten years were selected, but important older articles were not excluded.

STUDY SELECTIONArticles about neuroprotection in glaucoma were selected and reviewed, and those that are cited in articles identified by this search strategy and judged relevant to this review were also included.

RESULTSAlthough lowering the intraocular pressure is the only therapy approved as being effective in the treatment of glaucoma, increasing numbers of studies have discovered various mechanisms of retinal ganglion cells death in the glaucoma and relevant neuroprotective strategies. These strategies target neurotrophic factor deprivation, excitotoxic damage, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, activation of intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic signals, ischemia, and protein misfolding. Exploring the mechanism of axonal transport failure, synaptic dysfunction, the glial system in glaucoma, and stem cell used in glaucoma constitute promising research areas of the future.

CONCLUSIONSNeuroprotective strategies continue to be refined, and future deep investment in researching the pathogenesis of glaucoma may provide novel and practical neuroprotection tactics. Establishing a system to assess the effects of neuroprotection treatments may further facilitate this research.

Apoptosis ; Axonal Transport ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; physiology ; Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor ; physiology ; Glaucoma ; etiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Mitochondria ; physiology ; Neuroprotective Agents ; therapeutic use ; Oxidative Stress ; Protein Folding ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; physiology ; Retinal Ganglion Cells ; physiology