In this study, CM-5 spectrophotometer and Heracles NEO ultra-fast gas-phase electronic nose were used to analyze the changes in color and odor of vinegar-processed Cyperi Rhizoma(VPCR) pieces. Various analysis methods such as DFA and partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA) were combined to identify different processing degrees and quantify the end point of processing. The results showed that with the increase in vinegar processing, the brightness parameter L~* of VPCR pieces decreased gradua-lly, while the red-green value a~* and yellow-blue value b~* initially increased and reached their maximum at 8 min of processing, followed by a gradual decrease. A discriminant model based on the color parameters L~*, a~*, and b~* was established(with a discrimination accuracy of 98.5%), which effectively differentiated different degrees of VPCR pieces. Using the electronic nose, 26 odor components were identified from VPCR samples at different degrees of vinegar processing. DFA and PLS-DA models were established for different degrees of VPCR pieces. The results showed that the 8-min processed samples were significantly distinct from other samples. Based on variable importance in projection(VIP) value greater than 1, 10 odor components, including 3-methylfuran, 2-methylbuty-raldehyde, 2-methylpropionic acid, furfural, and α-pinene, were selected as odor markers for differentiating the degrees of vinegar processing in VPCR. By combining the changes in color and the characteristic odor components, the optimal processing time for VPCR was determined to be 8 min. This study provided a scientific basis for the standardization of vinegar processing techniques for VPCR and the improvement of its quality standards and also offered new methods and ideas for the rapid identification and quality control of the end point of processing for other traditional Chinese medicine.
Acetic Acid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis* ; Rhizome/chemistry* ; Quality Control ; Electronics

Aim To investigate the role of mechano- sensitive ion channel Piezol in regulating electrical re-modeling of atrial myocytes induced by hypertension and to further explore the potential mechanisms.Methods Spontaneously hypertensive rats ( SHR ) aged 30 - 32 weeks treated with or without valsartan (30 mg • kg 1 • d 1 ) were used.Wistar rats were used as control.Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of Piezol , Src and Cavl.2 in atrial appendages of rats and in atrial myocytes ( HL-1 cells) exposed to different levels of high hydrostatic pressure (20 and 40 mmHg) , Piezol inhibitor (GsmTx4) and agonist ( Yodal ) in vitro.Whole-cell patch clamp technique was employed to detect L-tvpe calcium current (ICa, ) and action potential duration ( APD) of atrial myocytes.Results Compared with Wistar rats in control group, the protein expressions of Piezol and Src significantly increased and the expression of Cavl.2 decreased in SHR group (P < 0.05 ), while the a- bove changes could he reversed in SHR treated with valsartan( P < 0.05 ) .Meanwhile, higher hydrostatic pressure (40 mniHg) could increase the expressions of Piezol and Src in HL-1 cells( P <0.05) and decrease the protein expression of Cavl.2 (P <0.05 ) , accompanied by a shortened APD and a decreased ICa,.GsmTx4 could significantly reverse the above changes.In addition, Piezol agonist Yodal could simulate electrical remodeling and related signal molecule changes in atrial myocytes induced by the high hydrostatic pressure.Conclusions Mechanosensitive ion channel Piezol participates in electrical remodeling induced by hypertension via activating Src kinase signaling pathway and then leading to the decrease of ICa ,.

Aim To explore the role of cotranscriptional activator p300 in regulating the electrical remodeling of atrial myocytes in aging mouse, which resulted in atrial fibrillation. Methods The left atrial appendage tissues of 5 , 13 and 18monthold C57BL/6 mice were collected respectively. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of p300, L type calcium channel (Cavl. 2) and aging related protein p53/p21. Acute enzymatic hydrolysis was used to isolate single atrial myocytes, and the wholecell patchclamp technique was used to detect the Ltype calcium current (I

Aim To observe the effects of sacubitril/valsartan (Sac/Val, LCZ696) on atrial remodeling and atrial fibrillation (AF) susceptibility in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Methods Twenty-four 7-week-old male SHR were randomly divided into SHR group, SHR + Val group (30 mg · kg

Objective: To investigate whether inflammatory factor tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is involved in the electrical remodeling of cardiomyocytes by regulating ultra-rapid delayed rectifier K(+) current (I(kur)) and the role of Src kinase. Methods: H9c2 cells, embryonic cardiomyocytes of rat, were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) and atrium-derived HL-1 cells were cultured in Claycomb medium. Both H9c2 and HL-1 cells were cultured at 37 ℃ with 5% CO(2). Cells cultured in normal conditions without additional treatment served as control group. Experimental groups were treated with different concentration of TNF-α (25 or 50 or 100 ng/ml) for 24 hours. To study whether Src specific inhibitor PP1 could abrogate the effect of TNF-α, cells were pre-treated with 10 μmol/L PP1 for 1 hour, followed by TNF-α (100 ng/ml) for 24 hours. Western blot and the whole cell patch clamp technique were used to detect the protein expression of Kv1.5 and Src and I(kur) in each group. Results: (1) In H9c2 cells, high concentration of TNF-α treatment (100 ng/ml) significantly reduced the Kv1.5 protein expression compared with control group and TNF-α 25 ng/ml group (both P<0.05). Compared with control group, the expression of p-Src protein was higher in 25 ng/ml, 50 ng/ml, 100 ng/ml TNF-α group (all P<0.05), but there was no statistical difference in the expression of Src protein among groups (P>0.05). In addition, the current density of I(kur) was decreased in 50 ng/ml, 100 ng/ml TNF-α group (both P<0.05). Furthermore, the expression of Kv1.5 protein and the current density of I(kur) were increased in PP1+TNF-α group compared with TNF-α 100 ng/ml group (both P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in the expression of Kv1.5 protein and the current density of I(kur) between the control group and PP1+TNF-α group (both P>0.05). (2) In atrium-derived HL-1 cells, the expression of Kv1.5 protein was reduced in 100 ng/ml TNF-α group compared with control group and TNF-α 25 ng/ml group (both P<0.01). In addition, the expression of p-Src protein was increased in TNF-α 100 ng/ml group compared with control group (P<0.05), but there was no statistical difference in the protein expression of Src among groups (P>0.05). The expression of Kv1.5 protein was increased in PP1+TNF-α group compared with TNF-α 100 ng/ml group (P<0.05). Conclusion: TNF-α is involved in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation, probably via decreasing I(kur) current density in atrium-derived myocytes through the activation of Src kinase.
Animals ; Down-Regulation ; Heart Atria ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; Rats ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; src-Family Kinases

INTRODUCTIONHepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation has been reported in B-cell lymphoma patients with resolved hepatitis B (hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg]-negative and hepatitis B core antibody [HBcAb]-positive). This study aimed to assess HBV reactivation and hepatitis occurrence in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients with resolved hepatitis B receiving rituximab-containing chemotherapy compared with HBsAg-negative/HBcAb-negative patients to identify risk factors for HBV reactivation and hepatitis occurrence and to analyze whether HBV reactivation and hepatitis affect the survival of DLBCL patients with resolved hepatitis B.

METHODSWe reviewed the clinical data of 278 patients with DLBCL treated with rituximab-containing therapy between January 2004 and May 2008 at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, China. Predictive factors for HBV reactivation, hepatitis development, and survival were examined by univariate analysis using the chi-square or Fisher's exact test and by multivariate analysis using the Cox regression model.

RESULTSAmong the 278 patients, 165 were HBsAg-negative. Among these 165 patients, 6 (10.9%) of 55 HBcAb-positive (resolved HBV infection) patients experienced HBV reactivation compared with none (0%) of 110 HBcAb-negative patients (P = 0.001). Patients with resolved hepatitis B had a higher hepatitis occurrence rate than HBsAg-negative/HBcAb-negative patients (21.8% vs. 8.2%, P = 0.013). HBcAb positivity and elevated baseline alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were independent risk factors for hepatitis. Among the 55 patients with resolved hepatitis B, patients with elevated baseline serum ALT or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were more likely to develop hepatitis than those with normal serum ALT or AST levels (P = 0.037, P = 0.005, respectively). An elevated baseline AST level was an independent risk factor for hepatitis in these patients. Six patients with HBV reactivation recovered after immediate antiviral therapy, and chemotherapy was continued. HBcAb positivity, HBV reactivation, or hepatitis did not negatively affect the survival of DLBCL patients.

CONCLUSIONSDLBCL patients with resolved hepatitis B may have a higher risk of developing HBV reactivation and hepatitis than HBsAg-negative/HBcAb-negative patients. Close monitoring and prompt antiviral therapy are required in these patients.

China ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; Mortality ; Prognosis ; Risk Factors ; Rituximab ; Virus Activation

OBJECTIVETo study the inhibitory and inductive effect of matrine (MA) on human colorectal cancer HT29 cells.

METHODSMTT assay was used to determine the cell growth inhibitory rate in vitro . Changes of cell cycle and the apoptosis of HT29 cells before and after MA treatment were observed using flow cytometry and electron microscope.

RESULTSMTT showed that 2-32 mg/mL MA inhibited the proliferation of HT29 cells (P < 0.05) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Cells treated by 4, 8, and 16 mg/mL MA at G0/G1 phase were obviously higher than those in the negative control group (P < 0.05), indicating that the cell cycle was arrested at G0/G1 phase. Morphological apoptosis of HT29 cells could be seen under transmission electron microscope.

CONCLUSIONMA inhibited the proliferation of HT29 cells, and its mechanism might be associated with stagnation at G0/G1 phase and inducing apoptosis of HT29 cells.

Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; HT29 Cells ; Humans ; Quinolizines ; pharmacology

The amino acid sequence of the fusion protein FP3 was measured by two types of LC-MS/MS and its primary structure was confirmed. After reduction and alkylation, the protein was digested with trypsin and glycosyl groups in glycopeptide were removed by PNGase F. The mixed peptides were separated by LC, then Q-TOF and Ion trap tandem mass spectrometry were used to measure b, y fragment ions of each peptide to analyze the amino acid sequence of fusion protein FP3. Seventy-six percent of full amino acid sequence of the fusion protein FP3 was measured by LC-ESI-Q-TOF with the remaining 24% completed by LC-ESI-Trap. As LC-MS and tandem mass spectrometry are rapid, sensitive, accurate to measure the protein amino acid sequence, they are important approach to structure analysis and identification of recombinant protein.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Peptide Mapping ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; antagonists & inhibitors ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possible differences in antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli isolated from different samples in children.

METHODSSix hundred and twenty-nine samples from urine, sputum, blood and secretion were collected from June 2004 to May 2009 for bacterial identification by VITEK-32 automatic system and antimicrobial susceptibility tests by Kirby-Bauer method. The drug resistance rate of Escherichia coli isolated from different samples was compared.

RESULTSTwo hundred and sixty strains of Escherichia coli were isolated , and 108 of which were from urine , 64 from sputum, 54 from secretion and 23 from blood. ESBLs were detected in 96 (36.9%) of the 260 isolates, AmpC enzymes in 32 (12.3%), and ESBLs+AmpC in 8 (3.1%). The ESBLs positive rate of Escherichia coli isolates from sputum was significantly higher than that from other samples (P<0.05). The antimicrobial resistance rate of Escherichia coli strains from different samples to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ticarcillin/clavulanic acid, piperacillin, cefotaxime, cefuroxime, cefepime, gentamicin, cotrimoxazole, and nitrofurantoin was different. The resistance rate of the strains from sputum samples was higher than that from the other samples (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSEscherichia coli isolated from different samples have different antimicrobial resistance rates in children, so the selection of antibiotics for infections confirmed by bacterial cultures from different samples should based on drug sensitivity results.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Escherichia coli ; drug effects ; enzymology ; isolation & purification ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; beta-Lactamases ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo verify the electric synchronism, mechanic synchronism and hemodynamics of selective site pacing.

METHODSPacing in the right ventricular cardiac apex (RVA), the right ventricular His bundle region (His), and the septum of right ventricular high-positioned outflow tract (RVOT), CO and CI were recorded. The electrical synchronism was assessed by observing the width and shape in a 12-lead surface ECG. The mechanical synchronism was estimated by using the VVI (vector velocity imaging) technology of the Acuson Sequia 512.

RESULTSThe results showed that CO and CI were lower while pacing in RVA, but they were not significant different (P>0.05). The QRS width: (124 +/- 5.3) ms while pacing in His, (144 +/- 7.1) ms while pacing in RVOT and (156 +/- 8.6) ms while pacing in RVA. The QRS width while pacing in His and in RVOT were narrower than in RVA and there were significant differences (P<0.01). Vector velocity imaging showed that mechanical synchronism was better while pacing in RVOT than that in RVA.

CONCLUSIONPacing in RVOT seems better than pacing in traditional RVA, and the operation was no more difficult than the traditional operation.

Adult ; Aged ; Bundle of His ; physiopathology ; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial ; methods ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Heart Ventricles ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pacemaker, Artificial