Astragalus polysaccharide has been widely used in food and medicinal industry owing to its health-promoting properties. In order to characterize better the relationship among molecular weight, structure-activity and activities, a simple method was used different concentration of ethanol including 30% (PW30), 50% (PW50), 70% (PW70), 75% (PW75), 80% (PW80) and 90% (PW90) to precipitate Astragalus polysaccharides into different molecular weight. As a result, PW90 showed smooth surface and the strongest antioxidant activity among these six fractions (P < 0.05). In conclusion, graded ethanol precipitation was a simple method to separate Astragalus polysaccharides into different molecular weight with different antioxidant activity fractions.
Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; Chemical Precipitation ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; chemistry ; pharmacology

It has been shown that mitochondria not only control their own Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]), but also exert an influence over Ca(2+) signaling of the entire cell, including the endoplasmic reticulum or the sarcoplasmic reticulum, the plasma membrane, and the nucleus. That is to say, mitochondria couple cellular metabolic state with Ca(2+) transport processes. This review focuses on the ways in which the mitochondrial Ca(2+) handling system provides integrity and modulation for the cell to cope with the complex actions throughout its life cycle, enumerates some indeterminate aspects about it, and finally, prospects directions of future research.
Biological Transport ; Calcium Signaling ; Cell Membrane ; physiology ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; physiology ; Mitochondria ; physiology ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the frequency and type of PHEX gene mutations in children with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH), the possible presence of mutational hot spots, and the relationship between genotype and clinical phenotype.

METHODSClinical data of 10 children with XLH was retrospectively reviewed. The relationship between gene mutation type and severity of XLH was evaluated.

RESULTSPHEX gene mutations were detected in all 10 children with XLH, including 6 cases of missense mutation, 2 cases of splice site mutation, 1 case of frameshift mutation, and 1 case of nonsense mutation. Two new mutations, c.2048T>C and IVS14+1delAG, were found. The type of PHEX gene mutation was not associated with the degree of short stature and leg deformity (P=0.571 and 0.467), and the mutation site was also not associated with the degree of short stature and leg deformity (P=0.400 and 1.000).

CONCLUSIONSMissense mutation is the most common type of PHEX gene mutation in children with XLH, and c.2048T>C and IVS14+1delAG are two new PHEX gene mutations. The type and site of PHEX gene mutation are not associated with the severity of XLH.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Familial Hypophosphatemic Rickets ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mutation ; PHEX Phosphate Regulating Neutral Endopeptidase ; genetics ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical manifestations, bone X-ray findings and genetic analysis results of three short-limb inherited short stature diseases: achondroplasia (ACH), hypochondroplasia (HCH) and pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH).

METHODSThe clinical manifestations, bone X-ray findings, and genetic analysis results of 10 children with genetically confirmed short-limb inherited short stature diseases, including 4 cases of ACH 3 cases of HCH, and 3 cases of PSACH, were analyzed.

RESULTSThe 10 patients had a mean body height of -3.69±1.79 SD, a mean sitting height/standing height ratio of 0.65±0.03, and a mean finger spacing/body height ratio of 0.93±0.04. Four ACH cases and 3 PSACH cases showed typical bone X-ray findings; one HCH case showed a smaller sciatic notch, and another HCH case showed no widening of interpedicular distance. G380R mutation in FGFR3 gene was detected in 3 of 4 ACH cases, and Y278C mutation in the other ACH case, N540K mutation in FGFR3 gene was detected in 3 HCH cases, and heterozygous mutations in COMP gene were detected in 3 PSACH cases.

CONCLUSIONSChildren with ACH and PSACH have severer short stature and skeletal deformities than children with HCH, who have mild, atypical clinical manifestations. Bone X-ray and genetic analysis are helpful for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the three diseases. The mutational hotspots in two genes are involved in the three diseases, which is conducive to clinical genetic diagnosis.

Achondroplasia ; diagnostic imaging ; genetics ; Bone and Bones ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Dwarfism ; diagnostic imaging ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Limb Deformities, Congenital ; diagnostic imaging ; genetics ; Lordosis ; diagnostic imaging ; genetics ; Male ; Mutation ; Radiography ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3 ; genetics

Objective: To observe the blood perfusion volume variation pattern in the body surface microcirculation at the Yuan-Primary and the Xi-Cleft points during the menstrual cycle in female college students with moderate constitution under normal physiological state of the uterus; to explore the specific laws of the body surface microcirculation at the Yuan-Primary and Xi-Cleft points in response to the uterine qi and blood changes under normal physiological conditions, and to provide the experimental basis for the specificity of acupoints reflecting the uterine function. Methods: Forty-three healthy and moderate constitution female college students with regular menstrual cycles, without dysmenorrhea and not yet giving birth were recruited. Bilateral Yuan-Primary points [Taichong (LR 3), Taibai (SP 3) and Taixi (KI 3)] and Xi-Cleft points [Zhongdu (LR 6), Diji (SP 8) and Shuiquan (KI 5)], belonging to the three yin meridians of foot and adjacent to the spinal cord segment of the uterus, were selected as the detection acupoints; the crossing point of the three yin meridians of foot [Sanyinjiao (SP 6)], the uterus-related meridian acupoint [Xuehai (SP 10)], the uterus-non-related meridian acupoint [Xuanzhong (GB 39)], and the non-meridian non-acupoint point were selected as the control points. The laser speckle blood flow imaging technique was used to monitor the blood perfusion volume in skin microcirculation at the above points at the menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, and luteal phases of the subjects. Results: The blood perfusion volume in the body surface microcirculation at the right Zhongdu (LR 6) at the ovulatory phase was higher than that at the menstrual, follicular and luteal phases (all P<0.05); there was no significant difference in the microcirculation blood perfusion volume at the other points among different phases (all P>0.05). Conclusion: The blood perfusion volume in the body surface microcirculation at Zhongdu (LR 6), the Xi-Cleft point of the Liver Meridian, shows a specific response to qi and blood changes in the uterus of women with moderate constitution.

Objective:To provide more options for preoperative localization diagnosis in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), the diagnostic efficacy of parathyroid 4-dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT) in patients with PHPT was evaluated.Methods:This was a single-center retrospective study including 57 patients with surgical proved PHPT. All of the patients underwent 4D-CT, 99Tc m -sestamibi parathyroid imaging (MIBI), and ultrasonography (US) preoperatively. The reference standard for correct localization was based on operation reports and pathology confirmation. The patients were grouped according to the preoperative serum calcium levels, tumor diameter, or ectopic lesions (yes/no), respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and area under the curve (AUC) of 4D-CT, MIBI and US, alone or in combination, were analyzed in total and each subgroup patients. Results:Fifty-seven patients (39 women, 18 men; mean age of 56.5 years) were evaluated, including four cases with multi-gland disease and thirteen cases with ectopic parathyroid lesions. In all the patients, similar diagnostic efficacy was found in 4D-CT (AUC: 0.943) and MIBI (AUC: 0.927), both of which were higher than that of US (AUC: 0.847) ( P = 0.01 for 4D-CT vs. US; P = 0.04 for MIBI vs. US). In a subset analysis for ectopic quadrants, the diagnostic efficacy of 4D-CT was significantly higher than that of MIBI ( P = 0.04) or US ( P = 0.01), with the sensitivity of 100%, 69.2%, and 61.5%, and AUC of 0.989, 0.846, and 0.808 for 4D-CT, MIBI and US, respectively. Conclusions:4D-CT has similar diagnostic efficacy for preoperative localization to MIBI in patients with PHPT, and it is superior to MIBI and US in identifying the ectopic parathyroid gland. 4D-CT can be recommended as an alternative preoperative localization method, especially when parathyroid lesions could not be precisely located by US and MIBI.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Air Pollutants ; adverse effects ; Beijing ; epidemiology ; Eczema ; chemically induced ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Outpatients ; statistics & numerical data ; Particulate Matter ; adverse effects ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of needle-knife on the chondrocyte apoptosis of knee joint in rabbits with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) based on the CircSERPINE2-miR-1271-5P-E26 specific transformation-related gene (ERG) axis, and to explore the mechanism of needle-knife for KOA. METHODS: Thirty-six New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a needle-knife group and a sham needle-knife group, 9 rabbits in each group. The rabbits in the model group, the needle-knife group and the sham needle-knife group were treated with modified Videman method to prepare KOA model. After successful modeling, the rabbits in the needle-knife group were treated with needle-knife at cord adhesion and nodules near quadriceps femoris tendon and internal and external collateral ligament on the affected knee joint; the rabbits in the sham needle-knife group were treated with sham needle-knife baside the needle insertion point of the needle-knife group (needle-knife was only inserted, without any operation). The treatment was given once a week, 3 times in total. The Lequesne MG behavioral score was used to evaluate the knee joint damage in each group before and after intervention. After intervention, HE staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the cartilage tissue morphology and ultrastructure of chondrocytes in the knee joint in each group; TUNEL method was used to detect the level of chondrocyte apoptosis in the knee joint; real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of CircSERPINE2, miR-1271-5P and ERG mRNA in knee cartilage tissue in each group. RESULTS: After intervention, compared with the normal group, the Lequesne MG behavioral score in the model group was increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group and the sham needle-knife group, the Lequesne MG behavioral score in the needle-knife group was decreased (P<0.01). In the model group and the sham needle-knife group, the number of chondrocytes and organelles was decreased, the cell nucleus was shrunk, mitochondria was swelling or disappeared; in the needle-knife group, the number of chondrocytes and organelles was increased, the cell nucleus was not obviously shrunk and the mitochondria was not obviously swelling. Compared with the normal group, the level of chondrocyte apoptosis in the model group was increased (P<0.01); compared with the model group and the sham needle-knife group, the level of chondrocyte apoptosis in the needle-knife group was decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, the expression of CircSERPINE2 and ERG mRNA in the model group was decreased (P<0.01), and the expression of miR-1271-5P mRNA was increased (P<0.01); compared with the model group and the sham needle-knife group, the expression of CircSERPINE2 and ERG mRNA in the needle-knife group was increased (P<0.01), and the expression of miR-1271-5P mRNA was decreased (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Needle-knife could reduce the knee joint damage and chondrocyte apoptosis in KOA rabbits, which may be related to up-regulating the expression of CircSERPINE2 and ERG mRNA, and inhibiting the expression of miR-1271-5P mRNA.
Rabbits ; Animals ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/metabolism* ; Chondrocytes/metabolism* ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Apoptosis ; MicroRNAs/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of different treatment frequency of auricular bloodletting combined with auricular point sticking for acne vulgaris. METHODS: A total of 90 patients with acne vulgaris were randomized into a treatment group 1 (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off), a treatment group 2 (30 cases, 4 cases dropped off) and a treatment group 3 (30 cases, 5 cases dropped off). Combination therapy of auricular bloodletting and auricular point sticking at Fei (CO₁₄), Shenmen (TF₄), Neifenmi (CO₁₈) and Shenshangxian (TG₂p) were given once a week, twice a week and 3 times a week in the treatment group 1, the treatment group 2 and the treatment group 3 respectively, 4 weeks were as one course and totally 3 courses were required in the 3 groups. Before treatment and after 1, 2, 3 courses of treatment, the scores of global acne grading system (GAGS), skin lesion and quality of life-acne (QoL-Acne) were observed, the clinical efficacy was evaluated after 3 courses of treatment and the recurrence rate was evaluated in follow-up of 1 month after treatment in the 3 groups. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the scores of GAGS and skin lesion were decreased at each time point in the 3 groups (P<0.05), the QoL-Acne scores were increased after 1 course of treatment in the treatment group 3 and after 2, 3 courses of treatment in the 3 groups (P<0.05). There were no statistical differences in scores of GAGS, skin lesion and QoL-Acne among the 3 groups (P>0.05). There were no statistical differences in effective rate and recurrence rate among the 3 groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Different frequency of auricular bloodletting combined with auricular point sticking have similar efficacy in treating acne vulgaris, all can improve the skin lesion and quality of life in patients with acne vulgaris, and have a cumulative effect and good long-term curative effect.
Acne Vulgaris/therapy* ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture, Ear ; Bloodletting ; Humans ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: Compare and analyze the results of the domestic Lanyi AH600 glycated hemoglobin analyzer and other different detection systems to understand the comparability of the detection results of different detectors, and establish the best cut point of Lanyi AH600 determination of haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in the diagnosis of diabetes. Methods: Multi center cohort study was adopted. The clinical laboratory departments of 18 medical institutions independently collected test samples from their respective hospitals from March to April 2022, and independently completed comparative analysis of the evaluated instrument (Lanyi AH600) and the reference instrument HbA1c. The reference instruments include four different brands of glycosylated hemoglobin meters, including Arkray, Bio-Rad, DOSOH, and Huizhong. Scatter plot was used to calculate the correlation between the results of different detection systems, and the regression equation was calculated. The consistency analysis between the results of different detection systems was evaluated by Bland Altman method. Consistency judgment principles: (1) When the 95% limits of agreement (95% LoA) of the measurement difference was within 0.4% HbA1c and the measurement score was≥80 points, the comparison consistency was good; (2) When the measurement difference of 95% LoA exceeded 0.4% HbA1c, and the measurement score was≥80 points, the comparison consistency was relatively good; (3) The measurement score was less than 80 points, the comparison consistency was poor. The difference between the results of different detection systems was tested by paired sample T test or Wilcoxon paired sign rank sum test; The best cut-off point of diabetes was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Results: The correlation coefficient R² of results between Lanyi AH600 and the reference instrument in 16 hospitals is≥0.99; The Bland Altman consistency analysis showed that the difference of 95% LoA in Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital in Jiangsu Province (reference instrument: Arkray HA8180) was -0.486%-0.325%, and the measurement score was 94.6 points (473/500); The difference of 95% LoA in the Tibetan Traditional Medical Hospital of TAR (reference instrument: Bio-Rad Variant II) was -0.727%-0.612%, and the measurement score was 89.8 points; The difference of 95% LoA in the People's Hospital of Chongqing Liang Jiang New Area (reference instrument: Huizhong MQ-2000PT) was -0.231%-0.461%, and the measurement score was 96.6 points; The difference of 95% LoA in the Taihe Hospital of traditional Chinese Medicine in Anhui Province (reference instrument: Huizhong MQ-2000PT) was -0.469%-0.479%, and the measurement score was 91.9 points. The other 14 hospitals, Lanyi AH600, were compared with 4 reference instrument brands, the difference of 95% LoA was less than 0.4% HbA1c, and the scores were all greater than 95 points. The results of paired sample T test or Wilcoxon paired sign rank sum test showed that there was no statistically significant difference between Lanyi AH600 and the reference instrument Arkray HA8180 (Z=1.665,P=0.096), with no statistical difference. The mean difference between the measured values of the two instruments was 0.004%. The comparison data of Lanyi AH600 and the reference instrument of all other institutions had significant differences (all P<0.001), however, it was necessary to consider whether it was within the clinical acceptable range in combination with the results of the Bland-Altman consistency analysis. The ROC curve of HbA1c detected by Lanyi AH600 in 985 patients with diabetes and 3 423 patients with non-diabetes was analyzed, the area under curve (AUC) was 0.877, the standard error was 0.007, and the 95% confidence interval 95%CI was (0.864, 0.891), which was statistically significant (P<0.001). The maximum value of Youden index was 0.634, and the corresponding HbA1c cut point was 6.235%. The sensitivity and specificity of diabetes diagnosis were 76.2% and 87.2%, respectively. Conclusion: Among the hospitals and instruments currently included in this study, among these four hospitals included Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital in Jiangsu Province (reference instrument: Arkray HA8180), Tibetan Traditional Medical Hospital of TAR (reference instrument: Bio-Rad Variant Ⅱ), the People's Hospital of Chongqing Liang Jiang New Area (reference instrument: Huizhong MQ-2000PT), and the Taihe Hospital of traditional Chinese Medicine in Anhui Province (reference instrument: Huizhong MQ-2000PT), the comparison between Lanyi AH600 and the reference instruments showed relatively good consistency, while the other 14 hospitals involved four different brands of reference instruments: Arkray, Bio-Rad, DOSOH, and Huizhong, Lanyi AH600 had good consistency with its comparison. The best cut point of the domestic Lanyi AH600 for detecting HbA1c in the diagnosis of diabetes is 6.235%.
Pregnancy ; Child ; Humans ; Female ; Glycated Hemoglobin ; Cohort Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus/diagnosis* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; ROC Curve