AIM To improve the quality standard for Guanxin Shengmai Pills.METHODS TLC was adopted in the qualitative identification of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma,the analysis was performed on a silica G thin layer plate,along with the low layer solution of chloroform-methanol-water(13 : 7 : 2)stood at below 10℃ as a mobile phase,and 10％sulfuric acid ethanol solution as a derivatization reagent.HPLC was applied to determining the contents of ginsenoside Rg1,ginsenoside Re,ginsenoside Rb1 and ginsenoside Rd,the analysis was performed on a 20℃ thermostatic Thermo Accucore-C18 column(4.6 mm×150 mm,2.6 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of acetonitrile-water flowing at 0.8 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and the detection wavelength was set at 203 nm.RESULTS The clear TLC bands present without negative interference.Four constituents showed good linear relationships within their own ranges(R2≥0.999 9),whose average recoveries were 91.21％-106.86％with the RSDs of 0.68％-1.43％.CONCLUSION This specific and reproducible method can provide a reference for the quality control of Guanxin Shengmai Pills.

Objectives: This study aimed to present the Asia-Pacific consensus on long-term and sequential therapy for osteoporosis, offering evidence-based recommendations for the effective management of this chronic condition.The primary focus is on achieving optimal fracture prevention through a comprehensive, individualized approach. Methods: A panel of experts convened to develop consensus statements by synthesizing the current literature and leveraging clinical expertise. The review encompassed long-term anti-osteoporosis medication goals, first-line treatments for individuals at very high fracture risk, and the strategic integration of anabolic and anti resorptive agents in sequential therapy approaches. Results: The panelists reached a consensus on 12 statements. Key recommendations included advocating for anabolic agents as the first-line treatment for individuals at very high fracture risk and transitioning to anti resorptive agents following the completion of anabolic therapy. Anabolic therapy remains an option for in dividuals experiencing new fractures or persistent high fracture risk despite antiresorptive treatment. In cases of inadequate response, the consensus recommended considering a switch to more potent medications. The consensus also addressed the management of medication-related complications, proposing alternatives instead of discontinuation of treatment. Conclusions This consensus provides a comprehensive, cost-effective strategy for fracture prevention with an emphasis on shared decision-making and the incorporation of country-specific case management systems, such as fracture liaison services. It serves as a valuable guide for healthcare professionals in the Asia-Pacific region, contributing to the ongoing evolution of osteoporosis management.

Sophorae Flavescentis Radix is the dried root of Sophora flavescens Ait. and Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma is the dried root and rhizome of Sophora tonkinensis Gagnep. The two drugs are both from the same genus Sophora, having similar and different compositions and efficacies, however, their differences are not fully demonstrated in current standard. In this study, the high-performance thin-layer chromatography with multi-dimensional and multi-level features combined with electric spray mass spectrometry (HPTLC-ESI-MS) was used to discover and identify the characteristic zones in extracts of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma, after optimizing the preparation method of the test solution and chromatographic parameters. As a result, 17 main characteristic zones were found on HPTLC chromatograms of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma, among them, besides 3 known chemicals, another 12 unknown components were identified by HPTLC-ESI-MS, they are 1 alkaloid and 11 flavonoids. The identification results were verified by the reference standards partially and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra after guided-isolation. Finally, a unified HPTLC specific identification method with different markers was established to identify Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma simultaneously. Thanks to abundant chemical information provided when using diverse polarity mobile phases and derivatization reagents, the HPTLC technology offers a convenient strategy for discovery, quality evaluation, and identification of target chemicals when connecting with mass spectrometry.

Background and Objectives: Pathophysiological changes of right ventricle (RV) after repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) are coupled with a highly compliant low-pressure pulmonary artery (PA) system. This study aimed to determine whether pulmonary vascular function was associated with RV parameters and exercise capacity, and its impact on RV remodeling after pulmonary valve replacement. Methods: In a total of 48 patients over 18 years of age with repaired TOF, pulmonary arterial elastance (Ea), RV volume data, and RV-PA coupling ratio were calculated and analyzed in relation to exercise capacity. Results: Patients with a low Ea showed a more severe pulmonary regurgitation volume index, greater RV end-diastolic volume index, and greater effective RV stroke volume (p=0.039, p=0.013, and p=0.011, respectively). Patients with a high Ea had lower exercise capacity than those with a low Ea (peak oxygen consumption [peak VO2 ] rate: 25.8±7.7 vs. 34.3±5.5 mL/kg/min, respectively, p=0.003), while peak VO2 was inversely correlated with Ea and mean PA pressure (p=0.004 and p=0.004, respectively). In the univariate analysis, a higher preoperative RV end-diastolic volume index and RV end-systolic volume index, left ventricular end-systolic volume index, and higher RV-PA coupling ratio were risk factors for suboptimal outcomes. Preoperative RV volume and RV-PA coupling ratio reflecting the adaptive PA system response are important factors in optimal postoperative results. Conclusions We found that PA vascular dysfunction, presenting as elevated Ea in TOF, may contribute to exercise intolerance. However, Ea was inversely correlated with pulmonary regurgitation (PR) severity, which may prevent PR, RV dilatation, and left ventricular dilatation in the absence of significant pulmonary stenosis.

Saponins and sterones are two main characteristic components in Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix. In order to control the quality of Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix more effectively, a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was established by using double external standards calibration method (DESCM) for simultaneous determination of the contents of achyranthoside C, achyranthoside D, β-ecdysterone, 25R-inokosterone and 25S-inokosterone in Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix. Chromatographic separation was achieved on an Agilent Poroshell 120 EC-C18 (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 2.7 µm) using 0.1% phosphoric acid in water and 0.1% phosphoric acid in acetonitrile as mobile phase. The flow rate was 0.8 mL·min^-1 and the column temperature was set as 35 ℃, the injection volume was 5 μL and the total analytical time was 30 min. β-Ecdysterone was used as the reference to calculate the relative correction factors (RCF) and relative retention time (RRT) of 25R-inokosterone and 25S-inokosterone, achyranthoside D was used for achyranthoside C. The RCFs of 25R-inokosterone, 25S-inokosterone, and achyranthoside C were 1.116, 1.056, and 0.888 1, respectively. The double external standards calibration method (DESCM) and external standard method (ESM) were used to calculate the contents of five ingredients in Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix samples from different sources and the variation between the results was within acceptable limits (RE ≤ 5%). The results showed that the contents of two saponins and three sterones of Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix were 0.597%-1.916% and 0.044%-0.150% respectively. The total content of saponins was about 10 times that of sterones. In conclusion, the established DESCM allowed simultaneous determination of five ingredients (achyranthoside C, achyranthoside D, β-ecdysterone, 25R-inokosterone, and 25S-inokosterone) in Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, providing a scientific and feasible overall quality evaluation method for Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix.

The traditionally used oriental herbal medicine Moutan Cortex Radicis [MCR; Paeonia Suffruticosa Andrews (Paeoniaceae)] exerts anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, and analgesic effects. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of differently fractioned MCR extracts in a 6-hydroxydopamine (OHDA)-induced Parkinson's disease model and neuro-blastoma B65 cells. Ethanol-extracted MCR was fractionated by n-hexane, butanol, and distilled water. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were treated first with 20 μg of 6-OHDA, followed by three MCR extract fractions (100 or 200 mg·kg) for 14 consecutive days. In the behavioral rotation experiment, the MCR extract-treated groups showed significantly decreased number of net turns compared with the 6-OHDA control group. The three fractions also significantly inhibited the reduction in tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cells in the substantia nigra pars compacta following 6-OHDA neurotoxicity. Western blotting analysis revealed significantly reduced tyrosine hydroxylase expression in the substantia nigra pars compacta in the 6-OHDA-treated group, which was significantly inhibited by the n-hexane or distilled water fractions of MCR. B65 cells were exposed to the extract fractions for 24 h prior to addition of 6-OHDA for 30 min; treatment with n-hexane or distilled water fractions of MCR reduced apoptotic cell death induced by 6-OHDA neurotoxicity and inhibited nitric oxide production and neuronal nitric oxide synthase expression. These results showed that n-hexane- and distilled water-fractioned MCR extracts inhibited 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity by suppressing nitric oxide production and neuronal nitric oxide synthase activity, suggesting that MCR extracts could serve as a novel candidate treatment for the patients with Parkinson's disease.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Antiparkinson Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Cell Death ; drug effects ; Cell Line ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Neurons ; pathology ; Nitric Oxide ; analysis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I ; biosynthesis ; Oxidopamine ; toxicity ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Parkinsonian Disorders ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Plants, Medicinal ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Substantia Nigra ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; genetics ; metabolism

A sesquiterpene was purified from Artemisia iwayomogi methanolic extract during the course of searching anti-inflammatory principle from medicinal plants. A sesquiterpene identified as armefolin inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) and attenuated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein level in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 cells. Armefolin also down-regulated mRNA expressions of iNOS and pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 in LPS-activated macrophages. Moreover, armefolin suppressed the degradation of inhibitory-κBα (I-κBα) in LPS-activated macrophages. These data suggest that armefolin from A. iwayomogi can suppress the LPS-induced production of NO and the expression of iNOS gene through inhibiting the degradation of I-κBα. Taken together, armefolin from A. iwayomogi might be a candidate as promising anti-inflammatory agent.
Artemisia* ; Cytokines ; Interleukin-6 ; Macrophages ; Methanol ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II* ; Plants, Medicinal ; RAW 264.7 Cells* ; RNA, Messenger

Talniflumate is a phthalidyl ester of niflumic acid, which has potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects and is widely used to treat inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis. To screen the possible genetic factors affecting the pharmacokinetics (PK) of talniflumate, 23 male Korean volunteers were enrolled from two separate bioequivalence studies. All subjects received 740 mg (two tablets) talniflumate in a standard 2×2 cross-over model in a randomized order. For the genetic study, PK parameters of the reference drug were used. We used Illumina Human610Quad v1.0 DNA Analysis BeadChip for whole genome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis and whole genome genotyping data were processed by linear regression analysis for PK parameters. Whole genome analysis revealed 1498 significant SNPs (P < 0.0001) for Cmax, 65 significant SNPs (P < 0.0001) for T(max), and 1491 significant SNPs (P < 0.0001) for AUC(inf). For clinical pharmacological purposes, we selected SNPs from drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters, and analyzed the PK parameters of various genotypes. Two SNPs (rs11165069 from ABCA4 (p=0.00002); rs17847036 from CYP2C9 (p=0.000001)) showed significant associations with talniflumate C(max). In the T(max) group, two SNPs (rs3787555 from CYP24A1 (p=0.00035); rs2275034 from ABCA4 (p=0.000587)) showed significant associations with talniflumate T(max). In the AUC(inf) group, two SNPs (rs11165069 from ABCA4 (p=0.00002); rs12461006 from SLC1A6 (p=0.00008)) exhibited significant associations with talniflumate absorption. These results show that genetic factors could affect the PK parameters, and provide information that may be used in the development of personalized talniflumate therapy.
Absorption ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9 ; DNA ; Genome ; Genotype ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Male ; Mass Screening* ; Niflumic Acid ; Pharmacogenetics ; Pharmacokinetics* ; Polymorphism, Genetic* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Therapeutic Equivalency ; Vitamin D3 24-Hydroxylase ; Volunteers

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the role of Korean women nurses in the independence movement and to examine their activities during the Japanese occupation from 1910 to 1945. METHODS: Nurses studied were women nurses referred to as Ganhowon, Ganhobu, Gyeonseupganhobu, Sanpa, and Josanbu at that time. Five participants such as descendents or relatives of nurses who participated in independence movements, were selected for interview to provide oral historical materials. An historical research approach was used and all of the data were analyzed according to period, region, and pattern of the independence movement. RESULTS: Throughout the historical literature and oral historical materials, it was found that from 1914 to 1945, thirty-eight women nurses actively participated in various types of independence activities such as mass hurrah demonstrations, raise the spirit of war, red cross activities, enlightenment movement and armed struggle to encourage the public to stand up against Japanese imperialism locally and abroad. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that women nurses, as enlightened women, endeavored to solve social issues with their autonomous volition, and these action can serve as meaningful evidence for enhancing the social status of nurses.
Arm ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Female ; History of Nursing ; Humans ; Occupations* ; Qualitative Research ; Red Cross ; Volition

NM23 is a family of structurally and functionally conserved proteins known as nucleoside diphosphate kinases (NDPK). There is abundant mRNA expression of NM23-H1, NM23-H2, or a read through transcript (NM23-LV) in the primary sites of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although the NM23-H1 protein is implicated as a metastasis suppressor, the role of NM23-H2 appears to be less understood. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine whether NM23-H2 is associated with hepatocarcinogenesis. The level of NM23-H2 expression in tumor tissues and the surrounding matrix appeared to be independent of etiology and tumor differentiation. Its subcellular localization was confined to mainly the cytoplasm and to a lesser extent in the nucleus. Ectopic expression of NM23-H2 in NIH3T3 fibroblasts and HLK3 hepatocytes showed a transformed morphology, enhanced focus formation, and allowed anchorage-independent growth. Finally, NIH3T3 fibroblasts and HLK3 hepatocytes stably expressing NM23-H2 produced tumors in athymic mice and showed c-Myc over-expression. In addition, NF-kappaB and cyclin D1 expression were also increased by NM23-H2. Lentiviral delivery of NM23-H2 shRNA inhibited tumor growth of xenotransplanted tumors produced from HLK3 cells stably expressing NM23-H2. Collectively, these results indicate that NM23-H2 may be pro-oncogenic in hepatocarcinogenesis.
Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/*enzymology/genetics/pathology ; Cell Line ; Cell Line, Tumor ; *Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Liver/*enzymology/metabolism/pathology ; Liver Neoplasms/*enzymology/genetics/pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; NIH 3T3 Cells ; NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases/*genetics/metabolism