Objective To investigate the relative molecular weight of polysaccharides in Bletilla striata by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionizatior/time-of-flight mass (MALDI-TOF-MS). Methods 2, 5-Dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) as a matrix was used. By drop drying at room temperature the proportion of the matrix and polysaccharide sample was 1.5∶1. Baseline mode and laser intensity at 1 500-2 500 units were carried out. Results The relative molecular weights of polysaccharides in B. striata were 6?104-3?105, whose distribution rang was wide. Conclusion The relative molecular weights of polysaccharides in B. striata are obtained by MALDI-TOF-MS technique in the proportion of DHB-polysaccharides in B. striata 1.5∶1, which is valuable for the preparation and good quality by the direct drop drying method.

BACKGROUNDChronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can affect multiple organ systems and cause a variety of extrahepatic manifestations (EMs). We sought to assess the constituent ratio of EMs in Chinese patients with chronic HCV infection and identify the clinical and biological factors associated with EM.

METHODSThe medical records of 297 patients with chronic HCV infection were analyzed and demographic and epidemiological information was collected. The diagnosis of chronic HCV infection was based on positive anti-HCV combined with a positive HCV-RNA or at least two times of elevated aminotransferases attributable to HCV infection. Patients with HBV and/or HIV coinfection, autoimmune hepatitis, and history of alcohol abuse were excluded.

RESULTSSixty-two percent (184/297) of the patients had at least one EM, including fatigue (29.4%), type 2 diabetes mellitus (28.2%), renal involvement (12.5%), lymphadenopathy (9.6%), fever (9.4%), thyroid dysfunction (8.1%), and arthralgia (7.4%). Neuropathy, sicca syndrome, B-cell lymphoma, Raynaud's phenomenon, and lichen planus were rare. The mean age of patients with EM was older compared with those without EM.

CONCLUSIONSEMs were common in Chinese patients with chronic HCV infection, particularly fatigue, type 2 diabetes, renal impairment, lymphadenophy, fever, and thyroid dysfunction. Older age was associated with EMs.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; China ; Cryoglobulinemia ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Fatigue ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Female ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; complications ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Lymphatic Diseases ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thrombocytopenia ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Young Adult