Objective: To optimize the purification technology of saponins in steamed Panax notoginseng with macroporous resin. Methods: The main factors affecting the purification process were screened by failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA). The purification method with macroporous resin was optimized by central combination design-response surface method (CCD-RSM) based on the recovery and purity of saponins. In this experiment, the concentration of sample solution, loading volume, washing volume, ethanol concentration, and ethanol elution volume were used to investigate the purification of saponins in steamed P. notoginseng. Results: The optimized purification process with macroporous resin was as follows: maximum recovery (82.81%) and purity (77.24%) of saponins were obtained with the concentration of saponin solution of 11.22 mg/mL, loading volume of 4.97 BV, washing volume of 2 BV, ethanol concentration of 70%, and ethanol elution volume of 3.31 BV. Conclusion: The optimized purification process based on FMEA and CCD-RSM is convenient and stable, with high recovery and purity of saponins, which has a certain practical value.

Objective To investigate the correlation of Bax and apoptosis in enterocytes of neonatal rats with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).Methods Forty-eight neonatal rats (1 day) were randomly divided into control group (n =24) and NEC model group (n =24) by use of odd and even.The rats in control group were maternal breast-fed.The rats in NEC model group were separated from their mothers.To be given formula feeding,cold exposure after hypoxic-reoxygenation treatment.The intestinal tissue located at the boundary of ileum and caecum of two groups were gained on the 24 h,48 h and 72 h with which that all rats were sacrificed by cutting neck.Section of intestinal tissue were stained with immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of Bax and were stained with TdT mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) to evaluate the apoptosis in each group.Results The integrate optical density (IOD) value of expression of Bax in the NEC model group began to increase on the 24 h [(1 005.06-± 11.96) IOD] and reached the summit on the 72 h [(3 340.66 ±68.72)] compared with the control group[(666.55 ± 15.77)IOD].A few of TUNEL positive cells began to increase with time dependence.A lot of TUNEL positive cells could be found in NEC model group on the 24 h [(15.04 ± 0.24) ％],and the apoptotic index reached the peak on the 72 h [(35.65 ±0.61) ％] compared with the control group[(4.73 ±0.04) ％,P ＜0.01]-There was a significantly positive correlation between the cell apoptosis and the ratio change of Bax in NEC model group (r =0.94,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion There is a significantly positive correlation between the cell apoptosis and the ratio change of Bax in enterocytes of neonatal rats with NEC.The cell apoptosis in enterocytes of neonatal rats with NEC maybe be induced by Bax.

Carrier Proteins ; Humans ; Nutrition Surveys ; Nutritional Status ; Population Surveillance ; Xenopus Proteins

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify the clinical characteristics and potential mechanisms relevant to pathological proteins in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients who experience fatigue. METHODS: PD patients (n=102) were evaluated using a fatigue severity scale and scales for motor and nonmotor symptoms. The levels of three pathological proteins-α-synuclein oligomer, β-amyloid (Aβ)(1-42), and tau-were measured in 102 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from these PD patients. Linear regression analyses were performed between fatigue score and the CSF levels of the above-listed pathological proteins in PD patients. RESULTS: The frequency of fatigue in the PD patients was 62.75%. The fatigue group had worse motor symptoms and anxiety, depression, and autonomic dysfunction. The CSF level of α-synuclein oligomer was higher and that of Aβ1-42 was lower in the fatigue group than in the non-fatigue group. In multiple linear regression analyses, fatigue severity was significantly and positively correlated with the α-synuclein oligomer level in the CSF of PD patients, after adjusting for confounders. CONCLUSIONS: PD patients experience a high frequency of fatigue. PD patients with fatigue have worse motor and part nonmotor symptoms. Fatigue in PD patients is associated with an increased α-synuclein oligomer level in the CSF.
Anxiety ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Depression ; Fatigue* ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Parkinson Disease* ; Weights and Measures

Objective To investigate the clinical features of Parkinson disease (PD)with constipation.Methods From October 2013 to August 2015,a total of 204 PD patients were consecutively recruited from the Departments of Geriatrics and Neurology,Beijing Tiantan Hospital,Capital Medical University,and were evaluated by Rome Ⅲ diagnostic criteria for functional constipation and other related scales of motor symptoms(MS)and non-motor symptoms(NMS),the activity of daily living(ADL)and quality of life.Results Overall,131 of 204(64.2％)PD patients with constipation were assigned to the PD-C group and 73 of 204 (35.8％)PD patients without constipation were assigned to the PD-NC group.In the PD-C group,38 of 131(29％)PD patients had constipation before motor symptoms occurred.The mean age and age of onset in the PD-C group were significantly older than those in the PD-NC group (64.13 ± 9.67 vs.58.35 ± 11.37;60.07 ± 10.46 vs.55.10±12.97;F=2.287,4.948;t=3.827,-2.788;P＜0.01 for both).Meanwhile,compared with the PD-NC group,the PD-C group was associated with dramatically longer disease duration (2.25,range:1.00-5.00 vs.2.00,range:1.00-3.13;Z =-2.254;P ＜ 0.05),increased scores of the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Ⅲ (26.00 scores,range:18.00 37.50 vs.19.00,range:12.50-31.00;Z =-2.349,P ＜ 0.05),more advanced stages on the Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) scale (2.00 stage,range:1.50-2.50 vs.1.50,range:1.00-2.50;Z=-2.334,P＜0.05),higher total numbers of NMS(11.00,range:6.00-15.00 vs.6.00,range:3.00-11.00;Z=-3.715,P＜0.05),and higher numbers of NMS occurring before and after MS(before,2.00,range:0.00-4.00 vs.1.00,range:0.00-2.00;after,8.00,range:3.00-14.00 vs.5.00,range:2.00-9.50;Z =-2.612,-2.630,respectively;P＜0.05 for both).Additionally,there were significant differences between the groups in the scores of the Hamilton depression scale (HAMD),the Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA),the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI),the scales for outcomes in Parkinson disease-autonomic (SCOPA-AUT),the Fatigue severity scale (FSS),the Apathy scale,the Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA)scale,the UPDRS Ⅱ and ADL Scale,and the PDQL-39 (all P＜0.05).Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that age,SCOPA-AUT,HAMA and HAMD were risk factors for PD-C(OR=1.091,1.107,1.10 and 1.080;P＜0.05 for all).Conclusions PD patients have a high incidence of constipation,and more than a quarter of patients have constipation before MS occurs.Meanwhile,PD patients with constipation are usually associated with old age and late age of onset,long disease duration,severe MS,frequent and severe NMS,bad cognition,emotional state and sleep,severe fatigue,and apathy.Moreover,advanced age,autonomic dysfunction,anxiety and depression increase the risk of PD with constipation.Constipation has a serious negative impact on the activity of daily living and quality of life in PD patients.

OBJECTIVETo accurately calculate the protein requirements in Chinese young adults using the indicator amino acid oxidation technique.

METHODSNine women and ten men received a restricted daily level of protein intake (0.75, 0.82, 0.89, 0.97, and 1.05 g/kg), along with L-[1-13C]-leucine. Subjects' protein requirement was determined by a biphasic linear regression crossover analysis of F13CO2 data. In doing so, a breakpoint at the minimal rate of appearance of 13CO2 expiration specific to each level of dietary protein was identified. This trial was registered with the Chinese clinical trial registry as ChiCTR-ONC-11001407.

RESULTSThe Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) and the Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) of protein for healthy Chinese young adults were determined to be 0.87 and 0.98 g/(kg•d), respectively, based on the indicator amino acid oxidation technique.

CONCLUSIONThe EAR and RNI of mixed protein are 5% and 16% that are lower than the current proposed EAR and RNI (0.92 and 1.16 g/(kg•d), respectively), as determined by the nitrogen balance method. The respective EAR and RNI recommendations of 0.87 and 0.98 g/(kg•d) of mixed protein are estimated to be reasonable and suitable for Chinese young adults.

Adult ; Amino Acids ; metabolism ; Body Composition ; Body Weight ; Breath Tests ; Carbon Dioxide ; analysis ; Dietary Proteins ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nutritional Requirements ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Bile duct injury (BDI), which may occur during cholecystectomy procedures and living-donor liver transplantation, leads to life-altering complications and significantly increased mortality and morbidity. Tissue engineering, as an emerging method, has shown great potential to treat BDI. Here, we aimed to explore the application of small intestinal submucosa (SIS) matrix composites with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) to treat BDI in a rabbit model. METHODS: Rabbit-derived BMSCs were used as seed cells. Porcine SIS was used as the support material. Five centimetres of the common bile duct was dissected, and 1/3–1/2 of the anterior wall diameter was transversely incised to construct the rabbit BDI model. Then, SIS materials without/with BMSCs were inserted into the common bile duct of the BDI rabbits. After 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks of implantation, the common bile duct was removed. Haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to assess pathological alterations in the common bile duct, while immunohistochemical staining and western blotting were used to detect expression of the epithelial cell markers CK19 and E-cadherin. Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate BMSC growth. RESULTS: Compared with BMSCs alone, SIS-attached BMSCs had increased growth. HE staining showed that the injured bile duct healed well and that the complex gradually degraded as the time from implantation increased. Immunohistochemical staining and western blotting showed that compared with the control group, the in vivo complex group had significantly elevated expression levels of CK19 and E-cadherin. CONCLUSION BMSC implantation into SIS could improve BDI in rabbits, which might have clinical value for BDI treatment.

BACKGROUND: Bile duct injury (BDI), which may occur during cholecystectomy procedures and living-donor liver transplantation, leads to life-altering complications and significantly increased mortality and morbidity. Tissue engineering, as an emerging method, has shown great potential to treat BDI. Here, we aimed to explore the application of small intestinal submucosa (SIS) matrix composites with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) to treat BDI in a rabbit model. METHODS: Rabbit-derived BMSCs were used as seed cells. Porcine SIS was used as the support material. Five centimetres of the common bile duct was dissected, and 1/3–1/2 of the anterior wall diameter was transversely incised to construct the rabbit BDI model. Then, SIS materials without/with BMSCs were inserted into the common bile duct of the BDI rabbits. After 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks of implantation, the common bile duct was removed. Haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to assess pathological alterations in the common bile duct, while immunohistochemical staining and western blotting were used to detect expression of the epithelial cell markers CK19 and E-cadherin. Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate BMSC growth. RESULTS: Compared with BMSCs alone, SIS-attached BMSCs had increased growth. HE staining showed that the injured bile duct healed well and that the complex gradually degraded as the time from implantation increased. Immunohistochemical staining and western blotting showed that compared with the control group, the in vivo complex group had significantly elevated expression levels of CK19 and E-cadherin. CONCLUSION BMSC implantation into SIS could improve BDI in rabbits, which might have clinical value for BDI treatment.

Due to the multi-component and multi-target features of Chinese medicinal materials (CMMs),multiple active components could be more reasonably represent the quality of CMMs compared with the single-component QC mode. However,it is still difficult to apply the multi-component QC mode because of the instability, high cost and inaccessibility of reference substances of CMMs. Saponins are glycosides with aglycones of triterpene or spirostane and widely distributed in plants. Saponins are also the major active constituents of many CMMs,with multi-effects of inhibiting tumors,regulating the immune system,inhibiting virus,preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases. Therefore,rational and effective control of the quality of CMMs containing saponins is of great significance for ensuring the clinical safety and efficacy of such CMMs and related products. The quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker (QAMS) can use only one reference substance to achieve the simultaneous monitoring of multiple components in CMMs,and make up the weaknesses of multi-component QC mode, and has been well developed and validated in the QC and evaluation of CMMs for more than ten years since it was put forward. And now it has been widely used in the QC of CMMs containing saponins. Based on the investigation of QAMS theory and literatures in the past decade,studies on the QC of CMMs and related preparations containing triterpenoid saponins and steroidal saponins by QAMS were summarized and discussed systematically. In addition,some possible problems were analyzed and interpreted,in order to provide reliable basis for more QC of CMMs and reference for the continuous use and in-depth development of this method in the research of CMMs.