AIM: To develop an HPLC method for analyzing the contents of paeoniflorin,baicalin,palmatine hydrochloride and berberine hydrochloride in Kuntai Capsules(Praeparata Radix Rehmannial,Rhizoma Coptidis,Radix Paeoniae,Radix Scutellariae,Colla Asini corii,Poria).METHODS: Four compounds were determirned with an Agilent ZORBAX SB C18 column(4.6 mm ? 250 mm,5 ?m).Acetonitrile-0.4% phosphoric acid was used as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min.The mobile phase was in linear gradient elution.The detection wavelength was 230 nm.RESULTS: The linear ranges were within 0.016 58-0.331 6 ?g(r = 0.999 9) for paeoniflorin,0.059 80-1.196 0 ?g(r = 0.999 9)for baicalin,0.012 91-0.258 2 ?g(r = 0.999 9)for palmatine hydrochloride,0.041 98-0.839 6 ?g(r = 0.999 9) for berberine hydrochloride.The average recoveries (n = 6) were 98.91% (RSD = 1.29% ),99.20% (RSD = 0.92% ),97.86% (RSD = 0.89% ),98.63% (RSD = 0.62% ),respectively.CONCLUSION: The method is simple,reliable,sensitive and can be applied to having controls over the preparation.

Objective To analyse the clinical effect and mechanism of hirudin in the treatment of patients with lower limb venous thrombosis after fracture.Methods 56 patients who were diagnosed with lower limb venous thrombosis after fracture in our hospital were collected.All patients were randomly divided into experimental group (n:28) and control group (n:28).12h after fracture operation, patients in control group were treated with subcutaneous injection of low molecular weight heparin calcium, patients in experimental group were treated with Maixuekang capsule ( hirudin) orally on the basis of control group.Before and after the treatment, the plasma levels of thrombin antithrombin complex ( TAT) , thrombin activated fiber soluble inhibitor (TAFI), D-Dimer (D-D), fibrinogen (FIB), thrombin time (TT), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and clinical effect were detected in all patients.Results After treatment, the total effective rate of experimental group ( 92.86%) was significantly higher than that of the control group ( 71.43%) ( P<0.05 );compared with control group, the plasma levels of TAT, TAFI were lower in the experimental group (P<0.05); the plasma levels of D-D, FIB were lower in the experimental group (P<0.05); the plasma levels of TT,PT,APTT were higher in the experimental group ( P<0.05 ) .Conclusion The hirudin could inhibit thrombin activation and coagulation function in fracture patients with lower limb venous thrombosis, decrease the plasma D-D and FIB levels for improving blood hypercoagulable state and preventing thrombosis,thus improve the clinical efficacy.

Objective To explore the posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD) symptoms, coping styles and security sense of witnessed college students. Methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 800 freshmen and sophomores students from a medical university in Guangzhou. The participants were asked to fill posttraumatic stress disorder self-rating scale (PTSD-SS) ,simplified coping style questionnaire(SCSQ) and security questionnaire(SQ). Results 155 college students had witnessed injury and the ratio was 20.5% ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Compared to the students who hadn't witnessed experience, the witnessed college students had less security( 50.78± 5.63 vs 52.01 ± 5.19 ), less active coping styles ( 34.94 ± 5.42 vs 35.88 ± 5.45 ) and less sense of control (25.07 ±4.25 vs 26.11 ±3.71 ) ,and they had got a higher score in PTSD symptoms and negative coping styles.Apart from the interpersonal sense of security,the other differences were significant between the two groups ( P＜0.05 ); the scores of PTSD symptoms had significant correlation with the total and subscales of coping styles and sense of control (P ＜ 0.01 or P ＜ 0.05 ). Conclusion The witnessed college students have severer PTSD symptoms and less security,and tend to take negative coping styles.

Objective To explore whether the patients aged over 65 years with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) are able to tolerate continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)while compared with patients aged less than 65 years.And to investigate the factors that affect compliance to CPAP in OSAHS patients.Methods A total of 147 OSAHS patients diagnosed with overnight polysomnography (PSG) were divided into two groups:≥65 years old group (n=46),<65 years old group (n = 101 ).Clinical data and PSG parameters were included in a computerized database.The pressure level of CPAP,the duration of respirator use were followed up.Results Compared with <65 years old group,there were higher prevalences of COPD (16% vs.4%,P=0.02),cardiovascular disease (23% vs.10%,P=0.04),apnea (43% vs.26%,P=0.03),regular alcohol consumption (61% vs.38%,P=0.007) and lower incidence of snoring (31% vs.54%,P= 0.03),shorter total sleeping time (378 min vs.423 min,P=0.001),longer wake after sleep onset periods (162 min vs.115 min,P=0.004),lower sleep efficiency (69% vs.77%,P<0.001),higher percentage of stage 1 sleep (29% vs.20%,P=0.001),lower percentage of stage 3-4 sleep (6% vs.9%,P=0.016) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (12% vs.15%,P=0.001) in ≥65 years old group.The percentages of acceptance to CPAP at 3 months,6 months,1 year,2 years and 3 years were 91%,89%,84%,82% and 82% respectively in ≥65 years old group,and were 92%,86%,81%,72% and 67% in <65 years old group.Average use time of CPAP were (5.1±1.5) h/night in ≥65 years old group,and were (3.9±1.2) h/night in <65 years old group (P=0.022).By analysis of multivariate logistic regression,a high pressure CPAP was associated with higher objective CPAP compliance in OSAHS patients.Conclusions Compliance to CPAP in older OSAHS patients is not decreased when compared to younger adults.A high CPAP pressure is the only significant independent predictor of better CPAP compliance.

Objective To analyze the clinical feature of the patients with anti -N -methyl -D -aspartate receptor (NMDAR)encephalitis and feature of brain MRI and electroencephalogram (EEG)in children.Methods We reviewed the clinical manifestations,brain MRI and EEG features of 10 patients who were diagnosed anti -NMDAR encephalitis.Results Of the 10 patients,3 cases were male and 7 cases were female.The age was ranged from 13 months to 14 years (6 years and 11 months on average).No tumor was found in those patients.Main symp-toms included seizure in 9 cases,psychiatric symptoms in 10 cases,consciousness disturbance in 4 cases,involuntary movements in 8 cases,autonomic nerve instability in 5 cases,and sleep disorders in 10 cases.7 patients of MRI exami-nation were normal,2 patients revealed abnormal signal of temporal lobe,frontal,and parietal cortex.One patient revealed brain atrophy.All patients had abnormal EEG with diffusive slow waves,and some with focal spikes or sharp waves,left side abnormal more than right side.Conclusion Anti -NMDAR encephalitis can be found in children, even young boys may be affected.They have a lower incidence of tumors.Its predominant clinical features are psychi-atrics symptoms,seizures,involuntary movements and consciousness alteration.EEG was considered more significant than brain MRI.

OBJECTIVE:To study the effect of natural emulsifier acacia senegal on in vivo and in vitro performance of chloro-genic acid self-microemulsion. METHODS:Chlorogenic acid self-microemulsion containing acacia senegal(new chlorogenic acid self-microemulsion)was prepared by using acacia senegal to gradually replace polysorbate 80 in chlorogenic acid self-microemul-sion containing nonionic emulsifier (traditional chlorogenic acid self-microemulsion). The appearance,morphology,particle size,conductivity,pH value,stability,in vitro release and intestinal absorption kinetics of the 2 kinds self-microemulsions were evaluated. RESULTS:50％of polysorbate 80 was replaced by acacia senegal in new chlorogenic acid self-microemulsion. The tradi-tional and new chlorogenic acid self-microemulsions had clear appearance,and approximately spherical drops. Particle sizes were (24.53 ± 3.03),(35.51 ± 5.91) nm;dectrical conductivities were (195.6 ± 0.3),(189.5 ± 0.4)μs/cm;and pH were 3.87 ± 0.02, 4.08 ± 0.03 (n=3),respectively. Compared with traditional chlorogenic acid self-microemulsion,the absorption rate constant,ef-fective permeability coefficient and absorption amount of the new one in duodenum,jejunum,ileum were increased a little (P>0.05);the above indexes in colon were obviously decreased (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:The new chlorogenic acid self-micro-emulsion can maintain the performance of traditional one,and increase absorption of chlorogenic acid in small intestine.

ObjectiveTo investigate the significance of hearing screening combined with gene screening for neonates with high-risk of hearing impairment.MethodsNeonates admitted to the Neonatal Department of Guangdong Women and Children Hospital between July 2013 and June 2014 were enrolled in this study. They were divided into high-risk group (with high-risk for hearing impairment) (n=3 129), and control group (n=5 106). Neonate hearing screening was carried out using otoacoustic emission and automated auditory brainstem response. Blood samples were collected using a standard protocol for detecting the mutations of four common deafness genes, includingGJB2,GJB3,SLC26A4 and mitochondrial 12s rRNA.Chi-square test was used to compare the differences of the pass rate of hearing screening and positive rate of gene mutations between the two groups.ResultsThe rates of failure on otoacoustic emission, automated auditory brainstem response or both in the high-risk group were 11.92% (373/3 129), 10.32% (323/3 129) and 4.83% (151/3 129), respectively, higher than those in the control group [5.03%(257/5 106), 6.56%(335/5 106) and 2.02% (103/5 106)] (χ2=130.265, 37.354 and 51.196, allP=0.000). In the high-risk group, the overall positive rate of gene mutations was 5.63% (176/3 129), and theGJB2 andSLC26A4 gene mutation rates were 3.04% (95/3 129) and 2.40% (75/3 129)], all higher than the control group [3.15% (161/5 106), 2.04% (104/5 106) and 1.06% (54/5106)] (χ2=30.301, 8.216 and 22.517, allP<0.01). But the mitochondria 12S rRNA gene andGJB3 gene mutation rates were the same in high-risk group and control group [0.19% (6/3 129) vs 0.06% (3/5 106); 0.03% (1/3 129) vs 0.00%(0/5 106), bothP>0.05]. The rates of failure on otoacoustic emission and automated auditory brainstem response of the neonates with deafness gene mutations were 9.50% (32/337) and 10.39% (35/337), respectively, higher than the neonates without [1.14% (90/7 898) and 1.29% (102/7 898)] (χ2=154.621 and 163.399, both P=0.000).ConclusionCombined hearing screening is of clinical significance for neonates with high-risk of hearing impairment.

Objective To evaluate the performance of D-dimer in the differential diagnosis between acute aortic dissection (AAD)with elevated troponin-I(TNI)and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients with acute chest pain diseases with elevated TNI.Methods The data of the 547 patients complaining acute chest pain who were diagnosed as acute myocardial infarction by thoracic and abdominal aorta CTA examination from January 2013 to September 2015 were analyzed.The comparison of data of D-dimer mass concentration and the general clinical information between 44 patients diagnosed as AAD with elevated TNI and without other underlying diseases which could cause increase in D-dimer mass concentration(AAD with elevated TNI group) and 50 patients diagnosed as acute myocardial infarction confirmed by using coronary angiography(AMI group) were carried out.Results Compared with AMI group,in the AAD with elevated TNI group,the type of Stanford A was 38 cases, accounting for 86.4%;the proportion of the patients with a history of hypertension was higher, and the average age was younger;the D-dimer mass concentration levels and the positive ratio of the D-dimer test were much higher[11.27 μg/mL(3.95,20)μg/mL vs.0.28 μg/mL(0.22,0.40)μg/mL,P<0.01;100%vs.14%,P<0.01.The area under the ROC curve to diagnosis of the AAD with elevated TNI was 0.997,and the optimal diagnostic threshold was 1.095 μg/mL.When the D-dimer mass concentration level was 1.095 μg/mL,the sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value(PPV),negative predictive value(NPV),positive likelihood ratio(PLR),negative likelihood ratio(NLR)were 97.7%,98%,97.7%,98%,48.86,and 0.02,respctively.When the D-dimer mass concentration level was 0.5 μg/mL,which meant the D-dimer test was positive,the sensitivity,specificity,PPV,NPV,PLR,NLR were 100%,86%,86.3%,100%,7.14,and 1.16,respctively.Conclusion D-dimer is helpful to the differential diagnosis between the AAD with elevated TNI and the AMI in acute chest pain patients with elevated TNI.

Kinetic model analysis is a useful tool for understanding the regulation and control of cellular metabolism and thus offering a guideline for rational design of high efficiency cell factory. Based on previously published models and experimental measurement of enzyme kinetics data, we developed a kinetic model for the threonine biosynthesis pathway in Escherichia coli. This model integrates the central pathways that produce precursors, ATP and reducing power with the threonine biosynthesis pathway from aspartate. In contrast to the previous models, we considered the energy and reducing power balance rather than artificially set their concentrations. Metabolic control analysis of the model showed that enzymes PTS, G6PDH, HDH etc. have great flux control coefficients on the threonine biosynthesis flux. This indicates higher threonine synthesis flux could be achieved by overexpressing these enzymes.
Escherichia coli ; metabolism ; Industrial Microbiology ; Kinetics ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways ; Models, Biological ; Threonine ; biosynthesis

Objective To investigate the clinical effect and safety of EEG biofeedback therapy combined with mirtazapine in the treatment of depressive disorder.Methods 124 patients with depressive disorder were selected and randomly divided into the observation group and the control group,62 cases in each group.The control group was given mirtazapine treatment,while the observation group was given EEG biofeedback therapy combined with mirtazapine.All the two groups were treated for 8 weeks.Before and 2,4,8 weeks after treatment,the clinical effects in the two groups were evaluated by Hamilton depression scale (HAMD),Montgomerie depression rating scale (MADRS) and the clinical global impression scale (CGI).The side effects scale(TESS) assessment was used to assess the side effects.And the serum norepinephrine (NE),5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) levels were measured before and 8 weeks after treatment.Results The total effective rate of the observation group was 87.5％,which was significantly higher than 66.1％ in the control group (x2 =7.213,P ＜ 0.05).In the two groups,2,4,8 weeks after treatment,the HAMD scores were significantly lower than those before treatment (t =9.391,19.349,26.349,5.026,12.610,19.518,all P ＜ 0.05),the M ADRS scores were significantly lower than those before treatment (t =8.646,22.190,33.101,4.986,13.185,25.959,all P ＜ 0.05),and the CGI scores were significantly lower than those before treatment(t =17.471,29.482,42.256,13.136,28.358,35.661,all P ＜ 0.05).In the observation group,after treatment for 2,4,8 weeks,the HAMD scores were significantly lower than those in the control group(t =4.093,4.537,5.655,all P ＜ 0.05),and the MADRS scores were significantly lower than those in the control group (t =3.622,9.740,7.490,all P ＜ 0.05),while the CGI scores were significantly lower than those in the control group(t =8.608,11.024,12.598,all P ＜ 0.05).After treatment,the levels of 5-HT,NE and DA were (148.5 ± 4.9) ng/mL,(60.6 ± 4.2) ng/L and (78.0 ± 4.1) ng/L in the observation group,which were significantly higher than before treatment [(79.8 ± 4.3) ng/mL,(30.3 ± 4.0) ng/L and (43.5 ± 4.0) ng/L,t =82.977,41.134,46.837,all P ＜ 0.05].In the control group after treatment,the levels of 5-HT,NE and DA were (125.4 ± 4.1) ng/mL,(40.2 ± 4.0)ng/L and (50.3 ± 4.3)nig/L,which were significantly higher than those before treatment [(79.2 ± 3.9)ng/mL,(30.5 ±4.1)ng/L and (43.2 ±3.6)ng/L,t =64.287,13.334,9.969,all P ＜0.05],but which those in the observation group increased more significantly (t =28.469,27.695,36.286,all P ＜ 0.05).4 weeks and 8 weeks after treatment,the TESS scores in the observation group were (3.0 ± 1.0) points and (4.3 ± 1.2) points,which in the control group were (2.8 ± 1.2) points and (4.1 ± 1.3) points,there were no significant differences in terms of TESS scores (t =1.150,0.846,all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion EEG biofeedback therapy combined with mirtazapine in the treatment of depression is better,the adverse reactions is not significantly increased,and it also has higher clinical safety compared with mirtazapine alone.