ObjectiveTo explore the effect of different drying conditions on the appearance and intrinsic quality indicators of Pinelliae Rhizoma for screening suitable drying conditions， so as to provide reference for its standardized production and quality evaluation. MethodsDifferent dried samples of Pinelliae Rhizoma were prepared by lime-assisted sweating method and intermittent drying method. Visual analysis was employed to measure the color brightness values（L^*） of the surface， cross-section and powder of the samples， texture analyzer was used to determine the hardness of the samples under different drying conditions. The total starch content was calculated by measuring the contents of amylose and amylopectin in the samples with ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. High performance liquid chromatography（HPLC） was used to determine the contents of seven nucleoside components（uracil， hypoxanthine， uridine， inosine， guanosine， β-thymidine and adenosine） in the samples. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to explore the correlation between the external characteristics and intrinsic indicators of the different dried samples. Principal component analysis（PCA） was used to comprehensively rank the data of various indicators， and partial least squares-discriminant analysis（PLS-DA） was used to screen differential components with variable importance in the projection（VIP） value>1. Furthermore， the difference between the optimal drying condition for Pinelliae Rhizoma and the traditional sun-drying method was explored by independent samples t-test. ResultsWith the increase of temperature， the color of the intermittently dried samples gradually deepened， while their hardness gradually decreased. Concurrently， the contents of extract， total starch， uridine and adenosine exhibited an upward trend， whereas the contents of uracil， hypoxanthine and inosine displayed a downward trajectory. Compared with the intermittent drying group， the content of extract in the samples subjected to lime-assisted sweating increased. With the increase of lime dose， the hardness and the total content of nucleoside components in the samples showed a downward trend， while the total starch content showed an upward trend. Correlation analysis showed that the comprehensive score of L^* was negatively correlated with the contents of uracil， hypoxanthine and inosine， and positively correlated with the contents of uridine， guanosine and adenosine. Hardness was negatively correlated with adenosine content， and positively correlated with the contents of inosine， uracil and hypoxanthine. Through comprehensive consideration and comprehensive score of principal components， the method of 5% lime-mixed sweating for 6 days emerged as the top-ranking approach. Except for the extract， the results of independent samples t-test showed that there was no significant difference between the 5% lime-mixed sweating for 6 days and the traditional sun-drying in terms of other content indicators. ConclusionThe whiteness and firmness of Pinelliae Rhizoma exhibit significant correlations with its chemical composition， while uridine， uracil， guanosine， adenosine and inosine are the key constituents responsible for the quality difference of Pinelliae Rhizoma under different drying conditions. The lime-assisted sweating method optimized in this study can be proposed as a viable alternative to the traditional sun-drying method. This method not only ensures the quality of the medicinal material but also effectively reduces the drying time and prevents mold contamination， which provides a valuable reference for the standardization of drying conditions and the establishment of quality evaluation criteria for Pinelliae Rhizoma.

Background Although current evidence suggests a link between outdoor air pollution and depressive symptoms, the effect of solid fuel use (a significant indoor air pollutant) on depressive symptoms in China's rural middle-aged and elderly population remains poorly understood. Objective To explore the association between solid fuel use for cooking and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and elderly people in rural areas of China, and to provide a basis for the prevention and control of depressive symptoms among residents in rural areas. Methods Data were obtained from the 2020 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), depressive symptoms were assessed using 8-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and cooking fuel type was self-reported. Subsequently, two-level binary unconditional logistic regression models were fitted to assess the impact of solid fuel use for cooking on depressive symptoms. Results A total of 7991 participants aged 45 years and older [mean age (58.52±9.18) years] were included in the study, with a mean CES-D score of 6.07±4.48 and a mean positive depressive symptoms rate of 34% (40.54% in the solid fuel group and 30.81% in the clean fuel group, χ²=74.40, P<0.001). After controlling for potential confounding covariates, rural middle-aged and elderly residents in the solid fuel group had a higher risk of reporting depressive symptoms than those in the clean fuel group (OR=1.36, 95%CI: 1.20-1.54), an association that was unaffected by participant characteristics and was positive across age and gender groups. Conclusion There is a positive association between solid fuel use for cooking and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and elderly people in rural areas of China. It is recommended that rural areas promote the upgrading of stoves through the installation of ventilation equipment or the switch from solid cooking fuel to clean fuel. This approach is directed toward reducing exposure to household air pollution, alleviating the prevalence of depression among middle-aged and elderly residents in vast rural areas, and enhancing their mental health.

【Objective】 To evaluate and analyze the impact of COVID-19 epidemic on inventory of red blood cells (RBCs)in local and municipal blood stations in China, and to provide reference for the management of public health emergencies. 【Methods】 Relevant data from 2018 to 2021 were collected, and the differences in the volume of qualified RBCs, the usage efficiency of inventory RBCs, the average daily distribution of RBCs,the blood distribution rate of RBCs prepared by 400 mL whole blood, the difference in the average storage days of RBCs at the time of distribution, the average daily inventory of RBCs and the time of the average daily inventory of RBCs to maintain the distribution in 24 local and municipal blood stations in China during the COVID-19 epidemic and non-epidemic periods were retrospectively analyzed. 【Results】 Compared with non-epidemic periods, the volume of qualified RBCs [(117 525.979 ±52 203.175)U] and the average daily distribution of RBCs [( 156. 468 ± 70. 186) U ] increased significantly, but the usage efficiency of inventory RBCs decreased(97.24%±0.51%) significantly (P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the blood distribution rate of RBCs prepared by 400 mL whole blood(73.88%±20.30%), the average storage days of RBCs distribution(13.040 ±3.486), the average daily stock quantity of RBCs[(2 280.542 ±1 446.538) U ] and the time of the average daily inventory of RBCs to maintain the distribution[(15.062 ±7.453) d] (P>0.5). 【Conclusion】 During the COVID-19 epidemic, the inventory management of RBCs operated well, the overall inventory remained relatively stable, the stock composition and storage period showed no significant change.

The evaluation of germplasm resources is the prerequisite for the development, utilization, and conservation of Chinese medicinal resources. The selection of excellent germplasm is the key to the breeding and orderly production of Pinellia ternata. In this study, 21 germplasm materials of P. ternata from major production areas in China were collected and analyzed for population diversity after phenotypic preliminary screening. The results have revealed that the P. ternata population has abundant phenotypic variation, and the phenotypic changes could be divided into five phenotypes in terms of organ trait variation. Further analysis of variation in 20 quantitative traits of the population revealed that the coefficient of variation for adenosine content(339.05%) was the largest, while the coefficient of variation for the underground plant height(16.35%) was the smallest. Correlation analysis showed that there was a strong correlation among various traits, with 52 pairs of traits showing highly significant correlation(P<0.01) and 19 pairs of traits showing a significant correlation(P<0.05). The 21 germplasms in the test could be classified into three major clusters by cluster analysis, with Cluster Ⅱ having the highest number and content of nucleosides, making it suitable for the selection and breeding of P. ternata varieties with high content of nucleosides. The yield in Cluster Ⅲ was higher than that in other groups, making it suitable for the selection and breeding of P. ternata varieties with a high yield. All trait indicators could be simplified into five principal component factors through principal component analysis, and the cumulative contribution rate was up to 86.04%. Further, comprehensive analysis using membership function and stepwise regression analysis identified nine traits, such as plant height, main leaf length, and underground plant height as characteristic indicators for the comprehensive evaluation of germplasm resources of P. ternata. BX007, BX008, and BX005 were identified as germplasms with both high yield and high uridine content, with BX007 having the highest uridine content of 479.51 μg·g~(-1). It belonged to the germplasm of P. ternata with double bulbils and could be cultivated as a potential good variety. Based on the phenotypic classification of P. ternata, systematic resource evaluation was carried out in this study, which could lay a foundation for the excavation of genetic resources and the breeding of new varieties of P. ternata.
Plants, Medicinal ; Pinellia/genetics* ; Plant Breeding ; Phenotype ; Uridine

Aim To investigate the effect of nitidine chloride (NC) on the apoptosis of cervical cancer cells and its mechanism. Methods Cervical cancer cell lines HeLa and SiHa were selected as subjects. The cytotoxicity of NC and its inhibitory effect on cell growth were detected by CCK-8 assay and clone formation assay. The effect of NC on the apoptosis of cervical cancer cells was detected by TUNEL assay, and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins was detected by Western blot. The effects of NC on the interaction between p53 and E6AP protein, the level of p53 ubiquitination modification and the stability of p53 protein in cervical cancer cells were analyzed by immunoprecipi-tation assay, ubiquitination assay and Western blot assay. Results NC could significantly inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of cervical cancer cells. NC could inhibit the interaction between tumor suppressor protein p53 and E6AP in cervical cancer cells, reduce the level of p53 ubiquitination modification, delay the degradation of p53 and increase the expression level of p53 protein. Conclusions NC can inhibit the ubiquitination and degradation of p53, improve the expression level of p53 protein, restore its tumor suppressor function, and thus play an anti -cervical cancer role.

As an important complementary form of decoction pieces of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM）， TCM dispensing granules has the advantages of being free of decoction， easy to take， easy to carry and easy to be dispensed， which greatly improves the capacity of emergency services of TCM and is more in line with the needs of modern society. With the end of the pilot project of TCM dispensing granules， the market has been fully liberalized， the competition has been intensified， and it is in the transition period of switching between the new standard and the old one， and there are some problems such as the shortage of varieties， the change of specifications and the difference of quality， and the production enterprises are facing new opportunities and challenges. Based on this， the authors intend to systematically sort out the policies and regulations， enterprise layout and standard formulation since the pilot of TCM dispensing granules. In view of the problems in the post-pilot stage and from the perspective of survival and development of enterprises， it is suggested that enterprises should establish a quality control system for the whole industry chain of TCM dispensing granules to reduce process costs and increase enterprise competitiveness， further increase the investment in scientific research， overcome the key technical problems of difficult varieties， actively and orderly promote the research of national standards， in order to ensure the integrity of clinical formula varieties， and establish and improve the efficacy evaluation mechanism of TCM dispensing granules， build a consistency evaluation system between TCM dispensing granules and decoction pieces. Government departments should strengthen the guidance， fully mobilize the enthusiasm of scientific research institutions， enterprises and hospitals， and explore the establishment of "government-industry-study-research-application" mode to promote the development of TCM dispensing granule industry.

OBJECTIVE To improve th e quality standard for Gerbera piloselloides. METHODS The properties of G. piloselloides were observed and microscopic identification was conducted for powder. The moisture ，total ash ，acid-insoluble ash and ethanol-soluble extract were detected according to the method stated in 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia （part Ⅳ）. The contents of nodakenin，luteolin-7-O-β-D-lutinoside，luteoloside，apigenin-7-O-β-D-lutinoside，apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and marmesin were determined by high performance liquid chromatography method. RESULTS G. piloselloides were shrunken ，densely covered with thick white cotton wool ，with many fibrous roots ；the surface was taupe or gray-brown ；its texture was brittle and easy to break ；the cross section was yellow-white ，and there was an obvious small wooden heart in the center. Its powder was tan ， and non-glandular hairs ，stone cells ，calcium oxalate cubes ，ducts，fibers could be seen unde r microscope. The measured values of moisture，total ash ，acid-insoluble ash and alcohol-soluble extract ， for 15 batches of samples were 8.63％-11.34％，10.39％-14.93％， 3.29％-6.37％ and 9.03％-15.02％，respectively；average values were 10.01％，12.26％，4.61％，12.36％. The linear ranges of nodakenin，luteolin-7-O-β-D-rutinoside，luteoloside，apigenin- 7-O-β-D-lutinoside，apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and marmesin we re 3.87-154.88，1.64-65.41，1.60-64.00，1.92-76.96， 1.27-50.93，0.40-15.89 μg/mL，respectively（r≥0.999 1）. RSDs of precision ，stability（24 h）and repeatability tests were all less than 3％. The average recoveries were 101.88％，100.89％，102.64％，95.75％，96.71％ and 103.48％，respectively；RSDs were 0.55％，0.43％，0.34％，0.49％，0.47％ and 0.37％，respectively（n＝6）；the contents of above 6 components were 0.152 7-0.852 2， 0.084 5-0.669 7，0.136 7-0.961 0，0.126 0-1.193 2，0.128 8-1.102 2，0.046 9-0.678 0 mg/g. CONCLUSIONS The established method can be used for the quality control of G. piloselloides . It is preliminarily proposed that the moisture in G. piloselloides is not more than 12.0％；the total ash is not more than 15.0％，the acid-insoluble ash is not more than 6.0％，the alcohol-soluble extract is not less than 9.0％；the contents of luteoloside and apigenin- 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside are not less than 0.016％.

【Objective】 To understand the current situation of blood components distribution in domestic prefecture-level blood stations through analyzing the components distribution data of 24 prefecture-level blood stations in China. 【Methods】 The data of components distribution of 24 blood stations from 2017 to 2020 as well as the data of blood deployment of 24 blood stations from 2019 to 2020 were collected and analyzed. 【Results】 From 2017 to 2020, positive annual growth in red blood cells, plasma and cryoprecipitate was observed in 22, 19 and 15 out of the 24 blood stations, and the annual growth median rate of above three components was 5.24%, 3.80% and 3.25%, respectively. Among the 24 prefecture-level blood stations, 23 carried out the preparation of cryoprecipitate. 【Conclusion】 The distribution of red blood cells, cryoprecipitate and plasma in prefecture-level blood stations is increasing year by year. However, there is a overstock of plasma, and most blood stations need blood employment.

【Objective】 To study the annual financial expenditure in blood stations with different scales, and to establish the regression equation between blood collection units and total expenditure. 【Methods】 The annual total expenditure, the per capita cost of serving population, as well as the collection units of whole blood and apheresis platelet of 24 blood stations were collected. The financial expenditure required for collecting 10 000U blood was calculated.The statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS statistical software. 【Results】 From 2017 to 2020, the total annual financial expenditure of 24 blood stations showed an upward trend. The total expenditure among blood stations was different. The per capita cost of servicing population in the areas where the 24 blood stations were located had been increasing year by year. The 24 blood stations were divided into two grades according to the blood collection volume as 50 000 U, and the relationship equation between the blood collection volume and the annual total expenditure had been established. After testing, each equation was effective(P<0.05); There was no difference in the financial expenditure required for collecting 10 000U blood among blood stations with different scales. 【Conclusion】 From 2017 to 2020, the blood stations with an annual collection volume more than 50 000 U demonstrated a higher financial expenditure and the per capita cost of serving population than those <50 000 U. The blood collection volume of blood stations is significantly correlated with the annual total expenditure and the per capita cost of serving population.

OBJECTIVE To establish a method for simultaneous determi nation of six components in Melastoma dodecandrum and investigate its correlation with antioxidant activity. METHODS Ultra high-performance liquid chromatography （UPLC）method was adopted. The contents of gallic acid ，protocatechuic acid ，isovitexin，rutin and ellagic acid in 23 batches of M. dodecandrum were determined by quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker （QAMS）method，using vitexin as the internal reference. Then 1，1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl（DPPH）free radical method ，2，2′-azino-bis（3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid ） diammonium salt （ABTS）method and ferric ion reduction/antioxidant power （FRAP）method were applied to determine the antioxidant activity of 23 batches of M. dodecandrum . Grey correlation analysis and bivariate correlation analysis were used to evaluate the correlation between six components and antioxidant activity. RESULTS The content of vitexin were 0.021％-0.182％. The contents of gallic acid ，protocatechuic acid ，isovitexin，rutin and ellagic acid by QAMS method were 0.008％-0.042％， 0.003％-0.023％，0.071％-0.283％，0.013％-0.140％ and 0.006％-0.021％，respectively. Compared with the results of external standard method ，P was greater than 0.05. Grey correlation analysis showed that the grey correlation coefficients between the contents of six components an d antioxidant activity was 0.727 6- 0.866 9. Bivariate correlation analysis showed that the contents of vitexin ，isovitexin and rutin were positively correlated with antioxidant activity （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01），the content of gallic acid and protocatechuic acid were negatively correlated with antioxidant activity （P＜0.05）. There was no significant correlation between ellagic acid and antioxidant activity.CONCLUSIONS QAMS method is successfully established for the simultaneous determination of six components in M. dodecandrum. The six components in M. dodecandrum are highly correlated with antioxidant activity.