OBJECTIVETo study the influence of different drying methods on the quality of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus and thus provide useful reference for its proper drying methods.

METHODSchisandrae Chinensis Fructus was processed by eight drying methods including vacuum freeze drying, natural drying in the shade, drying in the sun, oven drying and vacuum drying under different temperature. The contents of the functional ingredients includes chisandrin, gomisin D, gomisin J, schisandrol B, angeloylgomisin H, angeloylgomisin Q, gomisin G, schisantherin A, deoxyschisandrin, schisandrin B, schisandrin C, 5-HMF, total aids and total sugars. The main components change after drying were analyzed by HPLC, ultraviolet spectrophotometry and potentiometric titration. Principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out by SPSS software to evaluate the quality of different processed products from Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus.

RESULTAll these results are in accordance with the requirements of Chinese Pharmacopoeia published in 2010, the contents of schisandrin and total eleven lignans were the highest using vacuum drying, and 5-HMF were the lower, oven drying made little difference but with lower schisandrin and higher 5-HMF as the heat increased.

CONCLUSIONDifferent drying methods have significant influence on the quality of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus. Oven drying under 5°C should be adopted to substitute drying in the sun according to the China Pharmacopoeia published in 2010 for Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus by comprehensive analysis of the cost, content and practicality.

OBJECTIVEAn UPLC method was developed to evaluate the quality of Paeoniae Radix by simultaneously determining four components, paeoniflorin, albiflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and paeonol in Paeoniae Radix Alba decoction pieces.

METHODThe UPLC chromatographic column was ACQUITY UPLC® HSS T3. The mobile phase was acetonitrile-0.05% phosphoric acid water with gradient elution. The column temperature was 30 °C and detection wavelength was 230 nm with a flow rate of 0.4 mL · min(-1). A linear model was obtained through principal component analysis (PCA), and PCA scores were used to evaluate the quality of Radix Paeoniae Alba decoction pieces comprehensively.

RESULTPaeoniflorin, albiflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and paeonol could be well separated from other components, and the results of specificity, precision, repeatability, linearity, recovery rate and stability reached the standards, respectively. The content of paeoniflorin in 9 batches of Paeoniae Radix Alba decoction pieces was below the standard given by Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 edition). Using the comprehensive scoring method with principal component analysis, the results showed that the samples from Zhejiang province have better quality than those from Anhui and Shandong provinces.

CONCLUSIONThe method established in this study can effectively determine the content of paeoniflorin, albiflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and paeonol, which could be used for quality control of Paeoniae Radix Alba.

To ensure the stability of chemistry components and the convenience of operation, ultrasound method was chosen to study in this investigation. As the total common peaks area in chromatograms was set to be evaluation index, the influence on the technology caused by extraction time, ethanol concentration and liquid-to-solid ratio was studied by using single factor methodology, and the extraction technology of Paeoniae Radix Alba was optimized by using response surface methodology. The results showed that the extracting results were most affected by ethanol concentration; liquid-to-solid ratio came the second and extraction time thirdly. The optimum ultrasonic-assisted extraction conditions were as follow: the ultrasonic extraction time was 20.06 min, the ethanol concentration in solvent was 72.04%, and the liquid-to-solid ratio was 53.38 mL · g(-1), the predicted value of total common peaks area was 2.1608 x 10(8). Under the extraction conditions after optimization, the total common peaks area was 2.1422 x 10(8), and the relative deviation between the measured and predicted value was 0.86%, so the optimized extraction technology for Paeoniae Radix Alba is suitable and feasible. Besides, for the purpose of extracting more sufficiently and completely, the optimized extraction technology had more advantages than the extraction method recorded in the monogragh of Paeoniae Radix Alba in Chinese Pharmacopoeia, which will come true the assessment and utilization comprehensively.
Paeonia ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

After studying the discipline of chemical components distribution in peony root, it was found that the content distribution of albiflorin, paeoniflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and paeonol was inhomogeneous in different parts of peony root, as same as in different roots belonging to a same plant. Therefore, in order to minimize the effects of different qualities of materials on experimental result, the content changing percentages of four chemical components was chosen as indicators to study processing method of Paeoniae Radix Alba. The processing technique of Paeoniae Radix Alba was put peony roots in the boiled water for at most ten minutes, and cut them into 2-3 mm slices after peeling the root bark, finally dry them in a oven under 55 degrees C, which was similar to the traditional processing method used in Bozhou. And the peeling, boiling and drying methods would affect the contents of albiflorin, paeoniflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and paeonol on several levels.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry

To explore the safety and efficacy of left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion under the guidance of local anesthesia and modified transseptal puncture technology by coronary sinus assisted positioning in patients with nonvavular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Methods: A total of 16 NVAF patients received local anesthesia and percutaneous LAmbre or Amplatzer cardiac plug occluder implantation. There were 12 males and the patients mean age was at (71.0±6.0) years with CHA2DS2-VASc score at (4.1±1.5); all patients had walfarin contradiction or with walfarin related side effect. Transseptal puncture was conducted by coronary sinus catheter as the anatomic location marker. Results: All 16 patients finished transseptal puncture and no relevant complication occurred. 15/16 (93.8%) patients had successful LAA occlusion, 1 patient was abandoned because of LAA anatomic structure variation. The mean operative time was (65.0±23.0) min and the mean X-ray exposure time was (12.0±3.0) min. The mean diameter of occluder was (32.5±6.0)mm. Conclusion: LAA occlusion was safe and effective with local anesthesia and modified transseptal puncture technology by coronary sinus assisted positioning in relevant patients.

Objective To explore the significance of nuclear factor-?B(NF-?B)activation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC)during acute Kawasaki disease(KD).Methods Peripheral blood was collected from children with acute KD(n=30)and healthy age-matched children(n=20).PBMC were cultured in vitro and divided into 3 groups:naturally cultured blank control group,protein kinase C(PKC)activator stimulated phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate(PMA)group and PMA plus NF-?B inhibitor treated PMA plus pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate(PDTC)group.Percentages of NF-?B activation were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results Under natural culturing,the percentage of cells with activated NF-?B was significantly higher in acute KD blank control group than that in healthy blank control group.The percentage of cells with activated NF-?B was significantly higher in acute KD PMA group than that in acute KD blank group and that in normal control PMA group,respectively(Pa0.05).Conclusions NF-?B activation in PBMC during acute KD is markedly increased,which suggests that NF-?B activation plays an important role in the formation of vasulitis and CAL in this disease.NF-?B activation in PBMCs in children with KD is regulated by the PKC signaling pathway and PDTC obviously inhibits the activation of NF-?B.J Appl Clin Pediatr,2009,24(1):35-37

Objective: To explore the safety and efficacy of left atrial (LA) endocardial vagal denervation catheter ablation for treating the patients with refractory vasovagal syncope (VVS).
Methods: A total of 57 consecutive refractory VVS patients with severe symptom and positive response to head-up tilt test (HUT) were enrolled. There were 22 male at the mean age of (43 ± 13) years. The patients had no response or couldn’t tolerate routine treatment. LA model was re-established by three-dimensional mapping system, 10 patients received high-frequency stimulation technique for ganglionated plexi (GP) ablation and 47 received regional catheter ablation at 5 anatomic sites of GP for LA endocardial vagal denervation treatment. In-operative vagal response including hypotension, sinus bradycardia or asystole were observed, the endpoint of ablation was abolition of evoked vagal relfexes. Periodical follow-up was conducted to record the syncope recurrence and to re-examine ECG and HUT in all patients.
Results: There were 52/57(91.2%) patients had positive vagal response by radiofrequency application and reached the endpoint of ablation; 4 patients couldn’t receive obvious evoked vagal relfexes. During (36 ± 22) months follow-up period, there were 52 (91.2%) cases without syncope recurrence, 11 cases still having palpitation, amaurosis and dizziness as the precursors of syncope while the symptoms were much better then they were before. No complication occurred.
Conclusion: LA endocardial vagal denervation catheter ablation is a safe and effective method for treating the patients with refractory VVS, it may also effectively prevent VVS recurrence.

Objective To study the effect of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with sublethal temperature on the production of liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) and on the expression of LCSCs-related transcriptional factors.Methods Mouse hepl-6 hepatoma cell line and clinical samples of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were used to test the expressions of LCSCs-related markers and transcriptional factors.Results Different temperatures were used to stimulate Hep1-6 cells,and it was proved that the temperature of 45℃ was a sublethal temperature that could not induce cell death.Flow cytometry testing showed that treatment with 45℃ could obviously increase CD13+,CD44+,CD90 and CD133+ Hep1-6 cells,suggesting that treatment with 45℃ could increase the production of above mentioned types of LCSCs in hep1-6 cells.Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay indicated that the temperature of 45℃could cause significant increase in CD13,CD90 and CD133 mRNA.In all 5 HCC patients,CD13 mRNA in the recurrent HCC lesions was remarkably increased,CD133 mRNA was increased in 4 patients with recurrent HCC,and CD90 mRNA was increased in only one patient with recurrent HCC.Flow cytometry testing revealed that CD13+ LCSCs were strikingly increased in 4 recurrent HCC patients,while CD133+LCSC was increased in only one patient,suggesting that more close correlation existed between the increase of CD13+ LCSCs and the temperature of 45℃.RT-qPCR assay showed that in 4 recurrent HCC patients with increased CD13+ LCSC,the Sox2 and Stat2 among 13 LCSCs-related transcriptional factors were obviously increased.Flow cytometry testing showed that 45℃ treatment also increased the expression of Sox2 and Stat1 mRNA in Hep1-6 cells.Finally,Sox2 and Stat1 could be knockdown by siRNAs,indicating that both Sox2 and Stat1 transcriptional factors were involved in 45℃-induced production of CD13+ LCSCs in Hep1-6 cells.Conclusion In RFA therapy,the use of sublethal temperature of 45℃ can increase CD13+LCSCs,which is related to the promotion of Sox2 and Stat1 expression.The results of this study can be used for reference in the research of liver cancer recurrence.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of active cycle of breathing techniques (ACBT) on respiratory muscle training in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery.Methods:A quasi-experimental trial was performed. Patients were allocated to the control group or intervention group according to their time of admission. Patients who were admitted to hospital from January 2019 to April 2019 were assigned to the control group and patients admitted from May 2019 to October 2019 were allocated to the intervention group. The control group ( n=84) received routine perioperative care, and the intervention group ( n=82) received ACBT in addition to routine perioperative care. Patients in both groups were trained 3 to 5 times a day throughout their stay in the hospital. The primary outcome measure was maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), peak of expiratory flow (PEF), forced vital capacity (FVC). Other outcomes included the postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC), days of postoperative hospital stay. Results:The MIP, PEF, FVC value of the control group 3 days after extubation were (64.77±9.80) cmH 2O (1 cmH 2O=0.098 kPa), (139.52±23.74) L/min, (1.07±0.20) L, the intervention group were (69.89±10.92) cmH 2O, (150.37±28.65) L/min, (1.15±0.22)L, the differences between the two groups were statistically significant ( t values were -3.177,-2.657,-2.409, P <0.05). The MIP, PEF, FVC value of the control group 5 days after extubation were (71.13±8.64) cmH 2O, (270.48±44.36) L/min, (2.02±0.29) L, the intervention group were (74.72±12.48) cmH 2O, (287.07±58.61) L/min, (2.21±0.35) L, the differences between the two groups were statistically significant ( t values were -2.161,-2.060,-3.605, P <0.05). The days of postoperative hospital stay of control group and intervention group were (8.15±0.98) and (7.80±1.23) d, there were significant differences ( t value was 2.021, P <0.05). Conclusions:ACBT is an effective and economical pulmonary rehabilitation method, it has effect on Respiratory Muscle Training in Patients Undergoing CABG surgery.

In this paper, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy fingerprint analysis of Marsdenia tenacissima samples was used to develop a reliable method of tracing the geographical origins. Forty-eight samples from four provinces of China were analyzed by FTIR. We analyzed and characterized the fingerprints in both the full spectrum peaks and characteristic peaks, then the principal component analysis and the cluster analysis were carried out. The results of fingerprint analysis, correlation analysis, principal component analysis and cluster analysis can identify the geographic origins correctly, which verified and supplemented each other; the identification results and the actual location showed a high degree of consistency, namely the lower the space distance, the greater the similarity of different samples. These results revealed the obvious superiority and practical value in comparison to the more tedious and time-consuming wet chemistry method normally used. Using appropriate metrology methods can trace the geographical source correctly. The M. tenacissima materials from the region of Maguan should be considered as genuine medicinal materials taking into account the good quality.
China ; Cluster Analysis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; classification ; standards ; Geography ; Marsdenia ; chemistry ; classification ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Principal Component Analysis ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; methods