Objective:To dry fresh Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma using different drying conditions; To investigate the effects of different drying conditions on the drying characteristics and medicinal quality of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma.Methods:With moisture, powder color, extract, total polysaccharide and ginsenoside contents of Rg 1, Re, Rf, Rb 1, Rc, Rb 2 and Rd as indexes, the drying characteristics of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma were studied based on Weibull function model, and the quality of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma after drying was evaluated by entropy weight-TOPSIS model. Results:The drying method for Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma from its origin can be achieved by controlling the relative humidity of the drying medium to 50%, drying at 70 ℃ for 24 h, and then reducing the drying temperature to 60 ℃ until the moisture content was below 12.0%. This method could achieve high drying efficiency and produce high-quality Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma.Conclusions:The drying process of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma is a falling rate process controlled by internal moisture diffusion. The drying rate of fresh Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma is affected by temperature and humidity. There is a certain correlation between the color of powder and the content of moisture, alcohol-soluble extractives and ginsenosides.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and offer diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for adult-onset idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism(AIHH).Methods:Clinical, laboratory, and imaging data, as well as follow-up information, of three male patients diagnosed with AIHH at the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism of Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, were systematically reviewed and analyzed.Results:All three patients were male, with a median age of 39 years(range, 22 to 40). Two patients reported symptoms of enlarged breasts and reduced sexual function, while one case solely reported a decline in sexual function. Physical examination showed that the median length of the penis was 6 cm(range, 5 to 6 cm), and the bilateral testicular volume was 7.96 mL(4.70-8.82 mL). Basal hormone levels at the time of initial visit to our hospital as follows: the median testosterone level was 0.32 ng/mL(0.24-2.96 ng/mL), median follicle stimulating hormone(FSH) level was 0.56 mIU/mL(0.1-0.75 mIU/mL), and the median luteinizing hormone(LH) level was 0.69 mIU/mL(0.1-1.03 mIU/mL). The levels of other hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary gland were normal. Hypothalamic-pituitary magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) showed that 1 patient had a pituitary microadenoma. Three patients were treated with pulsatile GnRH or gonadotropins, one of which had hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal(HPG) axis function reversal after GnRH pulse pump therapy and lasted for 1 year, but then still had irreversible reduction.Conclusion:AIHH is marked by adult-onset disease and idiopathic hypogonadism. Enhancing fertility remains a critical requirement for these patients. Pulsatile GnRH treatment or gonadotropin therapy, as viable treatments, exhibit therapeutic effects, albeit with occasional fluctuations. Therefore, the emphasis lies in the timely consideration of fertility preservation.

Urine is produced from the urinary system, and urinary cell-free DNA (cfDNA) carries genomic DNA directly secreted from urinary system.Urine samples are non-invasive, unlimited in quantity and easy to obtain, making urinary cfDNA a promising biomarker for urologic diseases.This article reviews the progress of clinical application of urinary cfDNA in urologic diseases.

Objective To analyze radiation induced alterations of vitronectin and collagen expressions in fibroblasts at different times post-irradiation,so as to evaluate the potential to apply vitronectin as a biomarker of radiation-induced lung fibrosis.Methods The human fibroblast cells WI-38 and IMR-90 were irradiated with 137Cs γ-rays at doses of 0 (control),4,6,8,10 and 12 Gy,respectively.The cells and its supernatant were collected at 6,12,24,36,48 and 60 h post-irradiation.The expressions of vitronectin and collagen Ⅰ and Ⅲ were analyzed by Western blot,PCR and ELISA.Results After irradiation,the expressions of vitronectin and collagen Ⅰ and Ⅲ were positively correlated (r=0.40-0.79,P＜0.05) and were all significantly higher than that in control group (t =3.04-25.45,P ＜0.05) and reached the highest expression levels at 48 h after 8-10 Gy of irradiation (t =2.92-18.86,P ＜ 0.05).Analyses of Real-time PCR and ELISA assay showed that expressions of vitronectin mRNA and its protein level in the cell lysis were significantly increased by radiation (F =27.09-42.62,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The expressions of vitronectin in cellular supernatant and its mRNA may be a potential biomarker of radiation-induced fibrosis,and 48 h after 8 Gy irradiation may be an optimum condition of measurement.