italic>Acanthopanax senticosus is one of the genuine regional herb in Northeast China. In this study, we identified the germplasm resources of commercial A. senticosus samples based on atpI and atpB_rbcL according to the previous chloroplast genome sequencing results, and determinated the content of syringin by HPLC to evaluated the quality of commercial samples. A total of 80 A. senticosus samples were collected from 47 cities in 24 provinces. DNA was extracted to amplify the products of atpI and atpB_rbcL by PCR. The results showed that 7 haplotypes (H2, H5, H8, H10, H12, H14, H23) were formed by the combined analysis of the two gene fragments. H2 from Yichun in Heilongjiang, Shangzhi in Harbin, Suihua in Heilongjiang, Fushun in Liaoning, Benxi in Liaoning, Changbai in Jilin and Jingyu in Jilin were the dominant genotype, representing 58.75% of the total samples. H14 and H23 were the unique haplotypes of the producing area. It is speculated that the commercial A. senticosus samples with haplotypes of H14 and H23 are from Raohe, Shuangyashan, Heilongjiang and Mingshui, Suihua, Heilongjiang, respectively. HPLC analysis indicated that the content of syringin in 73.96% of the samples met the Pharmacopoeia standards. There was a significant difference in the content of syringin among the samples, ranging from 0.003 7% to 0.524 5%, with a difference of 0.520 8%, indicating that the quality of the samples in the market of A. senticosus was uneven. However, there were no significant differences in the contents of syringin in the commercial A. senticosus among different haplotypes. The content of syringin in the haplotype H23 in the market sample is relatively high, so it may be a germplasm with better quality. This study researched the germplasm resources and medicinal materials quality of commercial A. senticosus samples and will help guide the commercial circulation, reasonable medication of A. senticosus, and the screening of excellent germplasm.

Objective: To explore current vitamin D status and influential factors of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among children under 7 years of age in 11 provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities of China. Methods: According to the "province-city-hospital" sampling technical route, a total of 1 531 healthy children under 7 years of age were sampled from 11 provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities in China by the cluster random sampling method from November 2020 to November 2021. The demographic information, family conditions, behavior and living habits and feeding behaviors were collected using unified questionnaire. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D(25(OH)D) levels were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Serum 25(OH)D<30 nmol/L was considered deficient and 30-50 nmol/L was considered insufficient. With 25(OH)D≤50 nmol/L as the dependent variable, multivariate Logistic regression was applied to analyze the association between vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency and potential influential factors. Results: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among children under 7 years of age in 11 provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities of China was 14.0% (215/1 531), 3.8% (25/664) and 21.9% (190/867) in 0-<3 and 3-<7 of age years, respectively. Compared to children aged 0-<3 years, children aged 3-<7 years had a 2.6-fold increased risk of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency (OR=3.60, 95%CI 1.93-6.72, P<0.001). Frequent sunlight exposure (OR=0.46, 95%CI 0.29-0.73, P=0.001), vitamin D supplementation (sometimes, OR=0.33, 95%CI 0.21-0.51, P<0.001; daily, OR=0.20, 95%CI 0.11-0.36, P<0.001) and infant formula intake(4-7 times per weeks, OR=0.43, 95%CI 0.28-0.68, P<0.001) were protective factors for vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are common among children under 7 years of age in 11 provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities of China, which is affected by age, sunlight exposure, vitamin D supplementation and infant formula intake.
Child ; China/epidemiology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Vitamin D ; Vitamin D Deficiency/epidemiology* ; Vitamins

Objective: To establish the norms and clinical application standards of mass spectrometry method to measure vitamin D in capillary blood. Methods: Following the "Province-City-Hospital" sampling procedure, a cross-sectional sample of 1 655 healthy children under 7 years of age were recruited from 12 provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities in China from November 2020 to December 2021. Both venous and capillary blood samples from the same individual were collected, for which serum 25(OH)D levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method. Pearson correlation analysis and linear regression analysis were used to detect the correlation and determine a correction algorithm. The agreement was analyzed using Bland-Altman plot and Kappa statistic. The sensitivity and specificity were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve method. Results: Venous and capillary 25(OH)D levels of 1 655 healthy children under 7 years of age were 74.25 (59.50, 92.00) and 68.75 (54.44, 86.25) nmol/L, respectively, showed a significant difference(Z=22.14, P<0.001) as well as a highly significant correlation between venous and capillary 25(OH)D levels(r=0.95, P<0.001). Linear regression analysis was then performed to determine the correction algorithm: lg(corrected capillary 25(OH)D)=0.13+0.95×lg(capillary 25(OH)D)(R²=0.90,P<0.001). The deviation between venous and corrected capillary 25(OH)D levels was (0.50±17.50) nmol/L, a difference value that did not reach statistical significance (P>0.05). The cut-off values of capillary blood 25(OH)D values 30.00, 50.00, 75.00 nmol/L corresponding to venous blood 25(OH)D values were 26.59, 45.56, and 69.84 nmol/L, respectively. Good consistency was observed between venous and corrected capillary 25(OH)D levels in clinical diagnosis (Kappa value 0.68-0.81). Corrected capillary 25(OH)D showed a high clinically predictive value (area under curve 0.97-0.99,sensitivity 0.72-0.92,specificity 0.89-0.99). Conclusion: The standardized capillary HPLC-MS/MS method can be used to detect 25(OH)D levels in children clinically.
Child ; Humans ; Vitamin D ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Vitamins ; Reference Standards

Humans ; Genetic Markers ; Family ; DNA Fingerprinting ; Microsatellite Repeats/genetics*

Altitude ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Endothelial Progenitor Cells ; Glycated Hemoglobin A ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antiproliferative activity of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. (SM) on the castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) cell line DU-145, in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Prostate cancer cell line (DU-145) and normal prostate cell line (RWPE-1) were treated with SM at different concentrations (3.125, 12.5, 25 and 50 μg/mL) to investigate the antiproliferative effects. DNA laddering analysis was performed to investigate the apoptosis of DU-145 cells. Molecular mechanism was investigated by Western blot analysis of p53, Bcl-2, prostate specific antigen (PSA), and androgen receptor (AR). Six-week-old male BALB/c nude mice were randomly divided into normal control group (n=101) and treated group (n=101) which administered 500 mg/kg SM for 2 weeks. Tumor volumes were measured. RESULTS: Treatment with SM resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in cell number of DU-145 cells in comparison with RWPE-1. DNA laddering analysis indicated the apoptosis of DU-145 cells. Treatment with SM increased the expression of p53 and reduced the expression of Bcl-2 proteins. The levels of PSA were considerably reduced in SM-treated group compared to the controls, and a decrease in AR expression was observed when cells were treated with SM in the same pattern as a reduction in PSA. In the tumour xenograft study, SM given once a day for 2 weeks significantly inhibited tumour growth. CONCLUSION SM might contribute to the anticancer actions such as induction of apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation of prostate cancer cells.

Purpose To analyze the effects of full length and N-terminal fragment of serum response factor (SRF-Full and SRF-N) on TGF-β1-induced differentiation in c-Kit + cardiac stem cells (CSC).Methods Rat SRF-Full and SRF-N (1-254 aa) coding sequences were obtained from cDNA library and cloned into the linearized lentviral vector GV358 (Ubi-MCS3FLAG-SV40-EGFP-IRES-puromycin) to generate the recombinant vectors,and then positive clones were selected and sequenced after transducing the competent cells with recombinant vectors.The recombinant lentvirus were packaged through transfecting the HEK293T cells with SRF-Full,SRF-N overexpressing plasmids and viral packaging plasmids.Neonatal SD rat cKit + CSCs were isolated via magnetic activated cell sorting,and TGF-β1-induced differentiation in SRF-Full and SRF-N overexpression virus-infected CSCs was assessed by quantitative PCR.Results SRF-Full and SRF-N coding sequences were successfully obtained and properly cloned into the linearized GV358.The positive clones were selected and further confirmed by sequencing.With the help of packaging plasmids,the SRFFull and SRF-N overexpressing plasmids-transfected HEK293T cells successfully produced the lentiviral particles with the titer of 2 × 108 TU/mL,and the SRF-Full-Flag and SRF-N-Flag fusion protein were detected by Western blot in virus-infected HEK293T cells.Addition of TGF-β1 significantly induced upregulated mRNAs in cardiomyocyte markers (Nkx2.5,Gata4,cTnI) and smooth muscle cell marker (SM22α) but not the epithelia cell marker (vWF) in CSCs.Overexpression of SRF-Full facilitated TGF-β1-triggered cardiomyocyte differentiation.However,SRF-N exerted anti-differentiation effects in TGF-β1-treated cells.Conclusion The SRF-Full and SRF-N overexpressing recombinant lentiviral vectors are successfully constructed.SRF-Full facilitates while SRF-N suppresses TGF-β1-induced cardiomyocyte differentiation in c-Kit + CSCs.

OBJECTIVETo summarize and analyze the compatibility laws for acupoint selection of acupuncture in treating diabetic gastroparasis (DGP) in modern literatures of clinical researches.

METHODSRetrieved were literatures related to treating DGP by acupuncture or acupuncture combined other therapies from PubMed, CNKI, and WF from 1982 to 2014. Analyzed were frequency of acupoint use, meridians selected acupoints belonged to, regions selected, association laws of selected compatible acupoints.

RESULTSRetrieved were 35 with compatibility frequencies more than 15 listed as follows: compatibility frequency of Zusanli (ST36) and Zhongwan (CV12) was 33 (94.29%); compatibility frequency of Zusanli (ST36) and Neiguan (PC6) was 23 (65.71%), compatibility frequency of Zhongwan (CV12) and Neiguan (PC6) was 22 (62.86%), compatibility frequency of Zusanli (ST36), Zhongwan (CV12), and Neiguan (PC6) was 22 (62.86%); compatibility frequency of Zusanli (ST36) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) was 16 (45.71%); compatibility frequency of Zhongwan (CV12) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) was 16 (45.71%); compatibility frequency of Zusanli (ST36), Zhongwan (CV12), and Sanyinjiao (SP6) was 15 (42.86%). Meridians selected acupoints belonged to were sequenced as Foot Yangming Stomach channel, Ren channel, Foot Taiyang Bladder channel, and so on. Acupoints selected were mainly in lower limbs, chest and abdomen, waist and back. The compatibility of Zusanli (ST36) and Zhongwan (CV12) was the most often used with the highest frequency.

CONCLUSIONSThe compatibility laws for acupoint selection of acupuncture in treating DGP were mainly dominated as upper-lower selection, three regions selection, local selection, anterior-posterior selection. The compatibility laws for acupoint selection of acupuncture along meridians were mainly dominated as the convergence points and exterior-interior meridian points.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Diabetes Complications ; drug therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Meridians ; Stomach ; physiopathology ; Stomach Diseases ; drug therapy

Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway was mutated in about 90% of the sporadic and hereditary colorectal cancers. The abnormally activated beta-catenin increases the cancer cell proliferation, differentiation and metastasis through increasing the expression of its oncogenic target genes. In this study, we identified an inhibitor of beta-catenin dependent Wnt pathway from rhizomes of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidzumi (Compositae). The active compound was purified by activity-guided purification and the structure was identified as 2,8-dimethyl-6-hydroxy-2-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-2H-chromene (atractylochromene, AC). AC suppressed beta-catenin/T-cell factor transcriptional activity of HEK-293 reporter cells when they were stimulated by Wnt3a or inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta. AC down-regulated the nuclear level of beta-catenin through the suppression of galectin-3 mediated nuclear translocation of beta-catenin in SW-480 colon cancer cells. Furthermore, AC inhibits proliferation of colon cancer cell. Taken together, AC from A. macrocephala might be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of human colon cancer.
Atractylodes ; beta Catenin ; Cell Proliferation ; Colonic Neoplasms* ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Galectin 3 ; Glycogen Synthase ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Rhizome ; Wnt Signaling Pathway

The experience of "Zhenjing Anshen" acupuncture method originally created by professor WANG Fuchun for treatment of insomnia was introduced in this paper. From aspects of insomnia pathogenesis, theoretical foundation, characteristics of acupoint selection, needing methods, needing time, etc., the experience of Professor WANG Fuchun for treatment of insomnia was explained. The "Zhenjing Anshen" acupuncture method proposed, for the first time, "new three layers" method of acupoint selection, including Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Shenmen (HT 7), Sanyinjiao (SP 6). This method presents the principles of acupoint selection along meridian, acupoint selection based on essence-qi-spirit, harmony of yin and yang. The acupuncture manipulation is emphasized, and treating time (the period of the day from 3 pm to 5 pm) is focused on; acupoint selection is simple but essential, and acupoint combination is scientific, which receives notable therapeutic effect in clinic.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Humans ; Meridians ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; therapy