Objective: For the adulteration phenomenon of Farfarae Flos, the chemical composition of the flower buds and the rachis, rhizome, and the roots were compared, to provide the basis for the quality control of Farfarae Flos. Methods: The content of tussilagone was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) according to the Chinese Pharmacopeia. The HPLC based fingerprint was also generated, and the similarity and the relative contents of the common peaks between the flower buds and adulteration parts were calculated. The pearson correlation between the relative content of the major compounds and the flower buds ratio, as well as principal component analysis and clustering analysis were also performed. Results: The content of tussilagone and the peak areas of 13 common peaks in the HPLC fingerprint were significantly higher than those in the rachis, rhizome, and the roots, and positively correlated with the flower buds ratio. The results of the principal component analysis and clustering analysis showed that the flower buds showed distinct separation with those adulteration parts. In addition, the compounds within the caffeoyl quinic acids and flavonoids showed positive correlations with each other, and the correlations were also observed between different kinds of components. Conclusion: The major compounds of Farfarae Flos were mainly present in the flower buds, and the quality of Farfarae Flos will be greatly affected when there are more impurities such as pedicel, taproot and rhizome in the crude drugs. Currently, there is no impurity in the Chinese pharmacopeia for Farfarae Flos, and the limit of the impurities should be added to guarantee the quality of Farfarae Flos.

Objective: To predict the targets of the main ingredients in Naozhenning Granule and explore its molecular mechanism of multi-components, multi-targets, and multi-pathways. Methods: Reverse molecular docking (DRAR-CPI) and CooLGeN database were used to predict and screen the targets of Naozhenning Granule; GO enrichment was performed in ClueGO of Cytoscape; KEGG pathway analysis was conducted in DAVID database; The herbs-ingredients-targets-pathways-disease network was constructed in the Cytoscape software. Results: A total of 33 candidate compounds were screened out, and a total of 34 potential targets were revealed for Naozhenning Granule, such as MAPK1, CASP3, and GSK3B. The results of GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis indicated that Naozhenning Granule was involved in a series of biological process, such as reactive oxygen species biosynthetic process and positive regulation of smooth muscle cell proliferation as well as some signaling pathways, including PI3K/Akt, MAPK, JAK/STAT, and mTOR. The herbs-ingredients-targets-pathways-disease network suggested that the mechanism of Naozhenning Granule was involved with the regulation of oxidative stress, inhibiting the inflammatory response and the apoptosis of neural cells, regulation of the formation of H2S and the activity of PLG, improving the cognitive function and post traumatic depression. Conclusion: The study suggested that the molecular mechanism of Naozhenning Granule was related with the multi-components, multi-targets, and multi-pathways, which provided a scientific basis for further elucidation of the active ingredients and pharmacological action of Naozhenning Granule.

Objective To study the antigenicity of human thyrotropin receptor(hTSHR)amino terminus (amino acid 29～280)and its association with Graves' disease.Methods Total thyroid RNA was prepared from human normal thyroid tissue.RNA was then reversely transcripted and cDNA was subjected to PCR amplification.PCR product was cloned into pcDNA3.1 and the recombinant plasmid was named pcDNA3.1/hTSHR188～940bp. Balb/c mice were immunized with peDNA3.1/hTSHR188～940bp. The levels of serum thyroxin,anti-TSHR antibody(TRAb)and thyroid stimulating antibody(TSAb)were measured,and the pathological changes of thyroid tissue were also observed.Results A 753 bp fragment encoding hTSHR ectodomain amino end was obtained after PCR amplification.Confirmed by Hind Ⅲ restriction enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing,pcDNA3.1/hTSHR188～940bphad been constructed successfully,with the correct sequence and direction of hTSHR188～940bp.In the Balb/c mice treated with pcDNA3.1/hTSHR188～940bp,elevated TRAb in week 6(0.148±0.018)were observed compared with those at week o(0.106±0.006,P＜0.01),and kept a higher level till week 10(0.134±0.011,P＜0.01).T4 and TSAb index values were significantly increased in week 10.Serum T4 concentration increased from(41.02±7.97)μg/L in week 0 to(62.20±12.77)μg/L in week 10(P＜0.01);TSAb index values rose from 0.864±0.076 at week 0 to 1.392±0.615(P＜0.01).Thyroid pathological examination showed that proliferated thyroid follicular epithelial cells and foll icular eapacity increased.Inflammatory cells were occasionally found.Conclusions There are antigen epitopes in hTSHR ectodomain amino acid 29～280,which can stimulate the production of TSAb.And the latter induces hyperthyroidism and Graves' disease like manifestations.It suggests that hTSHR ectodomain amino acid 29～280 is closely associated with Graves' disease,and maybe one of important etiological factors leading to the disease.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of different drying methods on the major compounds in Farfarae Flos(FF). METHODS: The content of moisture and tussilagone were determined, and the common peaks in the HPLC fingerprint were calculated and subjected to the principal component analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that the moisture content was the highest when the FF was dried in the shade, and the drying method showed little effect on the content of tussilagone. The results of the principal component analysis showed that the FF dried in the shade was different from those of FF being dried under heat. The relative content of major compounds were the highest for the FF dried in the shade. In addition, the caffeoyl quinic acids and flavonoids were greatly affected after heating, however the heat drying showed little effect on the sesquiterpenoids. Among the different drying temperature, 55 ℃ showed smallest effect on the main components in the FF. CONCLUSION: The components in FF can be protected when drying in the shade, which reveals the scientific basis for the traditional experience of drying. However, in order to facilitate the drying process on a large scale, and minimizing the effect of drying on the compounds in the FF, drying temperature of 55 ℃ is recommended.

Objective To investigate the effect of arsenic trioxide(As_2 O_3)nanoparticles on rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro in comparison with normal form As_2 03.Methods The rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells were cultured in vitro.Nano and normal forms of As_2O_3 with drug concentrations of 3?mol/L were added into the cells.Cell proliferation curve was drawn according to the light absorption values of MTT test.Flow cytometry was applied to observe the apoptosis.DNA was extracted and underwent electrophoresis.Results Cell proliferation treated with the 3?mol/L concentration of As_2O_3 was inhibited. Cell growth was inhibited markedly with increased treatment time,and the inhibition effect of nano drug form seemed stronger than that of normal form.MTT light absorption values of cells treated at 24,48 and 72 h showed statistically significant difference(H=10.934,15.039,15.539,P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the intervention effect of thalidomide on paraquat-induced acute lung injury in mice and its mechanism.

METHODSMale ICR mice were randomly allocated to negative control group (n = 30), thalidomide control group (n = 30), paraquat poisoning group (n = 30), 50 mg/kg thalidomide treatment group (n = 30), 100 mg/kg thalidomide treatment group (n = 30), and 150 mg/kg thalidomide treatment group (n = 30). The negative control group was intraperitoneally injected with the same volume of saline; the thalidomide control group was intraperitoneally injected with thalidomide (150 mg/kg); the paraquat poisoning group was intraperitoneally injected with diluted paraquat solution (22 mg/kg); each thalidomide treatment group was intraperitoneally injected with the same volume of paraquat solution (22 mg/kg) and was injected with thalidomide (50, 100, or 150 mg/kg) 1 h later. All mice were anesthetized and sacrificed at 1, 3, or 7 d after paraquat poisoning, and their lung tissue was collected. The levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 in lung tissue were measured by double-antibody sandwich ELISA; the mRNA expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) was measured by RT-PCR; the protein expression of nuclear NF-kgr;B p65 was measured by Western blot. The pathological changes of lung tissue were observed under light microscope; the wet/dry ratio of the lung was calculated.

RESULTSCompared with the negative control group, the paraquat poisoning group had significantly increased levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB mRNA, and nuclear NF-κB p65 and wet/dry ratio of the lung (P < 0.05). Compared with the paraquat poisoning group, the thalidomide treatment groups had significantly decreased levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB mRNA, and nuclear NF-κB p65 and wet/dry ratios of the lung (P < 0.05), and the 150 mg/kg thalidomide treatment group showed the most significant decrease in the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB mRNA, and nuclear NF-κB p65. The observation of pathological changes showed that the paraquat poisoning group had the most marked lung tissue damage at 3 d after poisoning, and the lung tissue damage was lessened in the thalidomide treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONThalidomide can reduce paraquat-induced acute lung injury and lung edema. The mechanism may include inhibition of NF-κB activation and expression and downregulation of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6.

Acute Lung Injury ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Animals ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; NF-kappa B p50 Subunit ; metabolism ; Paraquat ; poisoning ; Thalidomide ; pharmacology ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism

Objective To observe the changing rules of the voltage-current characteristics and blood flow perfusion of Sanyinjiao (SP6) at different time points of a menstrual cycle in healthy female subjects, and provide evidence for acupoint specificity.Method Fifty-one healthy college students were observed for the voltage-current characteristics and blood flow of Sanyinjiao and its control point before, during and after menstruation.Result The increasing volt-ampere area, decreasing volt-ampere area and inertial area of left Sanyinjiao were significantly smaller than those of the control point during and at the end of menstruation (P<0.05), and the inertial area of right Sanyinjiao was significantly smaller than that of the control point during menstruation (P<0.05); during non-menstruation period and at the end of menstruation, the blood flow perfusion of bilateral Sanyinjiao was significantly larger than that of the control point (P<0.05), and the blood flow of left Sanyinjiao was significantly larger than that of the control point (P<0.05) during menstruation period; the blood flow perfusion of right Sanyinjiao showed a significant negative correlation with the increasing volt-ampere area and inertial area (P<0.05).Conclusion Acupoint can sensitively reflect the qi-blood change of human body, and the rich blood flow in acupoint area should be a crucial reason causing the low resistance.

Objective To explore the effect of encouraging nursing on the compliance and biphasic positive airway pressure (BiPAP) mechanical ventilation therapy of patients.Methods Totals of 68 cases with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and type Ⅱ respiratory failure between June 2008 and June 2011,according to ventilator treatment time sequence,were randomly divided into the control group and observation group,each group with 34 cases.The control group received the routine ventilation treatment,health education and psychological nursing before ventilation treatment,while the observation group patients,on the basic of this,before and during treatment,received constant encouraging nursing.And the arterial blood gas analysis of all cases in the third days was conducted,and PaO2,PaCO2,pH value and compliance were observed and compared between two groups.Results After encouraging nursing,the compliance rate was 82.4％ in the observation group,and that was 41.2％ in control group,and the difference was statistically significant (x2 =4.533,P ＜ 0.01 ).After intervention,PaO2,PaCO2,pH value of all patients were improved,especially significantly improved in the observation group,the difference was statistically significant ( t =2.353,4.261,5.130,respectively;P＜0.05).Conclusions Encouraging nursing can significantly improve patients' compliance of using BiPAP ventilator and improve the treatment effect.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the potential association between factor VIII inhibitor development and polymorphisms of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-308 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein-4 gene in Chinese Han patients with hemophilia A (HA).

METHODSThe single base change polymorphism in TNF-α and CTLA-4 gene was analyzed in 140 Chinese Han patients with hemophilia A who have been treated with plasma-derived FVIII concentrates and 108 normal controls by using PCR-restrictive fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). All of the HA patients' plasma samples were measured by modified-Nijmegen assay simultaneously.

RESULTSIn HA patients, G/G genotype, G/A genotype and A/A genotype were detected in 118 (84.3%), 18 (12.8%) and 4 cases (2.9%) respectively; C/C genotype, C/T genotype and T/T genotype were detected in 108 (77.2%), 30 (21.4%) and 2 cases (1.4%) respectively. The difference in the genotype frequencies between HA patients and controls was nonsignificant (P > 0.05). Patients who were carriers of homozygotes for A allele had a higher risk of inhibitor development compared with those who were not (OR = 7.519, 95% CI = 3.168 - 17.844). Severe HA patients who were carriers of homozygotes for A allele had a higher risk of inhibitor development compared with those who were not (OR = 8.163, 95% CI = 2.521 - 26.434). There was no statistical difference in the risk of inhibitor development between the patients who were carriers or not (OR = 1.586, 95% CI = 0.729 - 3.450).

CONCLUSIONTNF-α-308 gene polymorphism is significantly associated with inhibitor development in Chinese Han patients with severe hemophilia A. TNF-α gene may be a useful marker and potential modulator of the immune response to replacement therapy for hemophilia A patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; CTLA-4 Antigen ; genetics ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Genotype ; Hemophilia A ; genetics ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDThe placement of an enteral feeding tube is the foundation for providing enteral nutrition. But due to the anatomic complexity of the stomach and the duodenum, to a certain degree, there are some technical difficulties in the placement of postpyloric feeding tube, especially in critically ill patients. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of placing nasoenteral feeding tube with a transnasal ultrathin endoscope.

METHODSTotally 49 patients, involving 46 (93.9%) being American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA-PS) grade III (n = 3) and grade IV (n = 43), in whom a nasoenteral feeding tube was placed with a transnasal ultrathin endoscope by using over-the-wire technique. The related clinic information during the procedure including success rate, time required, complications and monitoring results of vital signs was analyzed.

RESULTSThe tube was placed at or beyond the Treitz's ligament in all of the 49 cases and the total tube-placement success rate was 100% including the one-time tube-placement success rate 95.9%. The tube placement was successful in 46 (93.9%) cases by transnasal method and 3 (6.1%) cases by transoral method. In the 47 cases whose one-time tube-placement success was obtained, the average procedure time was (6.2 +/- 5.6) minutes. For the 3 patients the endoscope inserted transorally due to the failure of transnasal insertion, the total procedure time was (12.3 +/- 2.1) minutes. In the period of nasoenteral tube placement, the average systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR) and average pulse oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) did not show any significant change. Apart from 3 patients in whom nausea occurred in the procedure and 2 nasal bleeding, no any other acute complications arose.

CONCLUSIONThe method of placing nasoenteral feeding tube with the transnasal ultrathin endoscope is not only efficient, time-saving, technically simple, and painless to patients, but also safe especially in critically ill patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Critical Illness ; Endoscopes ; Enteral Nutrition ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Intubation, Gastrointestinal ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Vital Signs