Licorice has long been regarded as one of the most popular herbs, with a very wide clinical application range. Whether being used alone or as an ingredient in prescription, it has an important role which cannot be ignored. However, the efficacy and chemical constituents of licorice will change after honey-processing. Therefore, it is necessary to find quality markers before and after honey-processing to lay the foundation for a comprehensive evaluation of the differences between raw and processed licorice pieces. HPLC-DAD was employed to establish fingerprints of raw and processed licorice. Multivariate statistical analysis methods including principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discrimination analysis(OPLS-DA) were applied to screen out the differential components before and after processing of licorice. Based on network pharmacology, the targets and pathways corresponding to the differential components were analyzed with databases such as Swiss Target Prediction and Metascape, and the "component-target-pathway" diagram was constructed with Cytoscape 3.6.0 software to predict the potential quality markers. A total of 17 common peaks were successfully identified in the established fingerprint, and seven differential components were selected as potential quality markers(licoricesaponin G2, glycyrrhizic acid, liquiritigenin, liquiritin, isoliquiritin, liquiritin apioside and isoliquiritigenin). The HPLC fingerprint method proposed in this study was efficient and feasible. The above seven differential chemical components screened out as potential quality markers of licorice can help to improve and promote the overall quality. These researches offer more sufficient theoretical basis for scientific application of licorice and its corresponding products.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Glycyrrhiza ; Glycyrrhizic Acid/analysis* ; Honey/analysis*

The aim of this paper was to investigate the mechanism of the active peptide DP17 of Eupolyphaga steleophaga in the treatment of hyperlipidemia rats. HPLC and MADIL-TOF/TOF-MS were used for the amino acid sequence analysis and solid-phase synthesis on the active peptide of E. steleophaga which were obtained by biomimetic enzymatic hydrolysis, separation and purification. The hyperlipidemia model was established by feeding with high-fat diet.Twenty days later, the rats in the blank group and the model group were given the saline and the rats in remaining groups were given the corresponding drugs by oral administration. After administration for 4 weeks, the levels of triglyceride(TG), total cholesterol(TC) and low density lipoprotein(LDL) in serum, the levels of TG, TC, adenosine monophosphate(AMP), adenosine triphosphate(ATP) in liver tissues and TG in feces were detected, respectively. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes of liver tissues. The Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR method was used to detect the expression of acetyl coa carboxylase(ACC) and hydroxymethylglutaryl-coa reductase(HMGCR) mRNA in liver tissues. The expression of mammalian target of rapamycin(mTORC1) protein and adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK) in liver tissues were detected by Western blot. The analysis showed that the amino acid sequence of active peptide from E. steleophaga was DAVPGAGPAGCHPGAGP(DP17). The results of pharmacological experiments showed that after oral administration of DP17 in rats, the levels of TG, TC and LDL in serum as well as TG and TC levels in liver tissues were significantly decreased(P<0.05), while the levels of AMP, ATP in liver tissues and TG content in feces were significantly increased(P<0.05); the liver steatosis of rats was significantly relieved; the expression of ACC, HMGCR mRNA and mTORC1 protein in liver tissues were significantly reduced, while the expression of AMPK phosphorylated protein was significantly increased(P<0.05). DP17, the active peptide of E. steleophag can significantly reduce lipid accumulation in liver tissues, and it may play a role in reducing blood lipids by regulating the energy metabolism balance in the body and activating AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.
Animals ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects* ; Hyperlipidemias/genetics* ; Lipids ; Liver ; Peptides ; Rats ; Triglycerides

Objective To analyze the status of quality indicators(QI) on specimen acceptability and establish preliminary qual ity specification.Methods Web based External Quality Assessment system was used to collect data of laboratories partici pated in "Medical quality control indicators in clinical laboratory" from 2015 to 2017,including once in 2015 and 2017 and twice in 2016.Rate and sigma scales were used to evaluate incorrect sample type,incorrect sample container,incorrect fill level and anticoagulant sample clotted.The 25th percentile (P25) and 75th percentile (P75) of the distribution of each QI were employed to establish the high,medium and low specification.Results 5 346,7 593,5 950 and 6 874 laboratories sub mitted the survey results respectively.The P50 of biochemistry (except incorrect fill level),immunology and microbiology reach to 6σ.The P50 of clinical laboratory is 4 to 6σ except for incorrect sample container.There is no significant change of the continuous survey results.Based on results in 2017 to establish the quality specification,the P25 and P75 of the four QIs is 0 and 0.084 4 ％,0 and 0.047 6 ％,0 and 0.114 2 ％,0 and 0.078 4 ％,respectively.Conclusion According to the results of the survey,most laboratories had a faire performance in biochemistry,immunology and microbiology,and clinical laboratory needs to be strengthened.Laboratories should strengthen the laboratory information system construction to ensure the actual and reliable data collection,and make a long time monitoring to achieve a better quality.

Objective To evaluate the success rate,vascular patency time and their influencing factors of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in treating swollen hand syndrome in hemodialysis patients.Methods The clinical data of 16 hemodialysis patients with swollen hand syndrome,who were admitted to authors' hospital during the period from May 2015 to March 2017 to receive PTA,were retrospectively analyzed.The technical success rate,the follow-up primary vascular patency time and primary patency rate were calculated,and the factors influencing technical success rate and vascular patency time were analyzed.Results Venography with DSA revealed that a total of 16 segments of venous stenosis or occlusion were found in 16 patients,including 6 stenotic lesions and 10 occlusive lesions.Successful PTA was obtained in 14 patients,including one patient whose angiography performed immediately after PTA with balloon dilatation showed that the stenosis was still over 50％,and stent implantation had to be carried out.The technical success rate was 87.5％,in 2 patients PTA failed as the guide wire could not pass through the long segment of vascular occlusion.The 14 patients were followed up for 3-24 months,and the median patency time was 10.5 months.The 3-,6-and 12-month primary patency rates were 71.4％ (10/14),57.1％ (8/14) and 42.9％ (6/14) respectively.Univariate analysis indicated that the length of occlusive segment and the balloon pressure required for angioplasty were the potential factors that affected the postoperative vascular patency time.Conclusion For the treatment of swollen hand syndrome in hemodialysis patients,PTA is safe and effective,although long-term vascular patency rate needs to be further improved.

Objective To summarize the clinical features of extraorbital inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) of the head and neck.Methods Fourteen cases of extraorbital IMT treated in recent 20 years were analyzed retrospectively.Results Of the 14 patients,9 cases with limited lesion in maxilla (n =5),mandible (n =2) or neck (n =2) underwent local resection,and no recurrences were found after 1.5 to 20.0 years; 3 cases diagnosed as maxillary IMT involved in orbit,hard palate or pterygopalatine fossa received conservative therapy (prednisone,prednisone plus radiotherapy or prednisone plus chemotherapy),and no disease progression was found after 6,9 or 2 years respectively; and 1 case diagnosed as maxillary IMT involved in orbit and pterygopalatine fossa was confirmed with cervical metastases after two operations and died of brain invasion within 17 months.One patient with localized lesion around the common carotid artery was treated with prednisone and had no disease progression with a 2-year follow-up.Conelusions Extraorbital IMT of the head and neck is a rare clinical entity.Pathology examination is required for final diagnosis.Corticosteroid administration may be a choice of treatments,and radical resection should be taken selectively for limited lesions.

Background Nd: YAG laser posterior capsulotomy is an important way for after cataract.Usually the patient will use glucocorticoid eye drops to treat the anterior chamber inflammation after operation,but there is potential risk of elevating intraocular pressure (IOP).Objective This study was to compare the clinical effectiveness and safety of loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension,tobramycin+ dexamethasone eye drops and fluorometholone eye drops following Nd: YAG laser posterior capsulotomy.Methods A randomized-controlled clinical trail was performed.One hundrcd and seventy-onc cycs of 127 paticnts who received Nd: YAG laser posterior capsulotomy for after cataract were randomly divided into four groups.Loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension,fluorometholone eye drops,tobramycin+dexamethasone eye drops and systane eye drops was topically administered respectively in the four groups after laser posterior capsulotomy and 6 times per day for 5 days.IOP was measured with Goldmann tomometer 1 hour before operation and 1 hour,1 day,3 days and 7 days after operation.The ocular anterior segment inflammatory response was examined under the slit lamp and scored based on the Peizeng criteria.Written informed consent was obtained from each patient before any relevant medical procedure.Results The IOP was (18.2 ±4.7),(20.1 ±5.7),(18.7±5.5),(19.0 ±4.1),(19.5 ±3.5) mmHg in various time points in the loteprednol etabonate group; (18.7 ±5.3),(20.9±5.7),(21.3±4.5),(21.0±4.9),(22.5±6.5) mmHg in the fluorometholone eye drops group ; (17.9± 6.3),(20.3 ± 6.1),(23.0 ± 3.7),(24.7 ± 4.9),(24.5 ± 6.5) mmHg in the tobramycin +dexamethasone group and(18.4±6.3),(20.7±3.7),(22.7±6.5),(19.6±4.8),(18.5±3.5) mmHg in the systane group,showing a significant difference among the 4 groups (Fgroup =3.876,P =0.023).With the time lapse,the IOP was gradually reduced in the loteprednol etabonate group and systane group,but that in the fluorometholone group and tobramycin+dexamethasone group was elevated,showing a significant difference among them (Ftime =3.801,P =0.031).No any ocular and systemic adverse effect was found in various groups.The percentage of grade 1 and 2 of aqueous inflammatory cells was lower in the loteprednol etabonate group and tobramycin+dexamethasone group than the fluorometholone group and fluorometholone group and systane group(H =8.276,P =0.012).The percentage of Ⅰgrade of aqueous flare was 8％ in the loteprednol etabonate group,22％ in the fluorometholone group,18％ in the tobramycin+dexamethasone group and 30％ in the systane group,with a significant difference among them (H=9.305,P=0.000).Conclusions The use of corticosteroid eye drops can relieve the inflammatory response of ocular anterior chamber after Nd: YAG laser posterior capsulotomy.Loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension has a better anti-inflammatory effect and less influence on IOP.

Objective To observe the level of reduced glutathione(GSH) and oxidized glutathione(GSSG)in a mouse bone cell line MC3T3-E1 cells exposed to fluoride.Methods MTT method was used to detect cell viability of M C3T3-E1 cells exposed to varying concentrations and periods of fluoride [F-concentration:0(control),0.5,1.0,2.0,4.0,8.0,12.0,20.0 mg/L; F-periods:1,2,4 and 10 days].The Xevo TQ MS was employed to test the levels of GSH,GSSG and glutamine (Gln).Results The MC3T3-E1 cell viability was significantly higher in the 2 mg/L group(0.57 ± 0.05) 1 day after the exposure compared to the respective control(0.49 ± 0.03,P ＜0.01); conversely,cell viability was markedly lower in the 8 mg/L(0.49 ± 0.07) and 12 mg/L(0.47 ± 0.09)groups 4 days after the exposure in comparison to the control(0.63 ± 0.06,P ＜ 0.05 or P ＜ 0.01).The cell viability in the 8 mg/L group(1.52 ± 0.29) 10 days after the exposure was significantly higher than that in the control group (0.86 ± 0.23,P ＜ 0.01),however,the value in the 20.0 mg/L group (0.54 ± 0.07) was significantly lower(P ＜0.01).The level of cell GSH decreased significantly in the 20 mg/L groups 2 days[(13.92 ± 4.63)μmol/L]and 10 days [(0.53 ± 0.30)μmol/L]after exposure compared to the respective comtrols [(26.42 ± 3.67),(24.85 ± 5.68)μmol/L,all P ＜ 0.01].The level of cell GSSG markedly increased in the 2 mg/L group 2 days [(1.12 ± 0.62)μ mol/L]and the 8 mg/L group 4 days [(2.13 ± 0.62)μ mol/L]after exposure compared to the controls[(0.55 ± 0.22),(1.46 ± 0.46)μmol/L,all P ＜ 0.05].The similar change was observed in the 8 mg/L group[(2.97 ± 1.30)μmol/L] 10 days after exposure compared to the control [(1.35 ± 0.50)μmol/L,P ＜ 0.05].The level of Glndecreased significantly in the 2 mg/L group[ (62.80 ± 17.4l)μ mol/L] 4 days and in the 8 and 20 mg/L groups 10 days[ (122.26 ± 19.51), (19.38 ± 8.11)μmol/L] after exposure compared to the controls [ (83.28 ±14.32), ( 147.15± 16.95) μmol/L , all P ＜ 0.05 or P ＜ 0.01 ]. Conclusions Fluoride exposure can significantly promote the changes of GSH, GSSG and Gln levels in the osteoblast, thus affecting the intracellular redox equilibrium.

Objective To observe the protein and gene expression of immunoglobulin binding protein (BiP) in the femur of fluoride-treated rats, and preliminarily study the possible role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in the pathogenesis of skeletal fluorosis. Methods Sixty Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups according to body weight, n =15. The control and low-calcium groups were fed with normal diet(0.79％ calcium) and low-calcium diet(0.063％ calcium), respectively, and both drank tap water(fluoride concentrations ＜ 1 mg/L). High-fluoride and coexpesure to low-calcium groups were fed with conventional feed (0.79％ calcium) and low-calcium diet (0.063％ calcium), respectively, and both drank tap water containing sodium fluoride (sodium fluoride concentration of 221 mg/L). During experimental period, rats were measured body weight once a week with a stand diet and water available ad libitum. The experiment lasted for 12 weeks. The immunohistochemical and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) techniques were used to detect the protein and gene expression of BiP in the femur of fluoride-treated rats and control subjects. Results The bone mineral contents of high fluoride, lowcalcium and coexposure groups[(0.131 ± 0019), (0.097 ± 0.011 ), (0.083 ± 0.007)g/cm] were lower than those of the control group[(0.159 ± 0.029)g/cm, all P ＜ 0.05]; the bone mineral density of low calcium and coexpesure to fluoride group[(0.243 ± 0.018), (0.223 ± 0.022)g/cm2] was lower than that of the control group[(0.296 ± 0.046)g/cm2, all P ＜ 0.05]. The immunohistochemical staining showed that the anti-BiP antibody positive osteoblasts were significantly increased in the low calcium diet and coexposure to fluoride groups than that in the control, and coexposure to fluoride elevated the positive cells than that in only low calcium diet group. The mRNA expression of osteopontin(OPN) and osteocalcin(OCN) in coexposure to fluoride with low-calcium group(1.36 ± 0.20, 1.31 ±0.11 ) was higher than that of the control groups (0.82 ± 0.16, 0.85 ± 0.15, all P ＜ 0.05) ; moreover, OPN expression significantly increased in this group than that of the only high fluoride group (0.97 ± 0.29, P ＜ 0.05). The mRNA expression of BiP in the low calcium and coposure to fluoride group (1.38 ± 0.24,1.35 ± 0.12) was significantly higher than that of the control group ( 1.14 ± 0.06, all P ＜ 0.05 ). Conclusions Higher fluoride or coexposure to low calcium diet stimulates the gene and protein expression in rat femur BiP, indicating that varying degrees of endoplasmic reticulum stress is likely involved in the pathogenesis of rat skeletal fluorosis.

Objective To investigate the status quo of smoking cessation and analyze factors influencing smoking cessation in cigarette smoking patients with coronary artery disease(CAD).Method A total of 350 smoking patients with CAD was surveyed by questionnaire,logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze factors influencing smoking cessation.Results Incidence of smoking cessation was 57.1%(200/350)in this cohort.Patients were divided into two groups,the elderlv(>65 years old,n=111)and the young group(≤65 years old,n=239).The smoking cessation rate in the elderlv group is significantly higher than in the young group(71.2%vs.50.6%,P<0.001).Aged patients and patients with high cultural level are easier to give up smoking.Logistic analysis showed that age≤65 years old (OR=2.336,P=0.004),low cultural level(OR=1.310,P=0.028),PCI(OR=0.261.P<0.001).coronary artery bypass graft(OR=0.107,P=0.004),total family income>4000 RMB/month (OR=1.828,P=0.003)are risk factors for failed smoking cessation.There are 76 patients smoking again in current smokers,most due to lack of self-control(76.3%).Compared to the elderly group,there is a higher proportion of smoking again due to the need of daily communication and work in the young group.Conclusions We still need to raise the awareness of smoking cessation for smoking patients with CAD.Following factors should be focused for tobacco control in CAD patients:younger age,lower cuItural level,not treated with PCI or CABG,patients with smoking family members.higher body mass index and higher total family income.

Objective To observe the exercise single photon emission computed tomograpby (SPECT)myocardial perfusion imaging of patients with myocardial bridge and assess the association between myocardial ischemia and extent of myocardial systolic compression.Methods Seventeen patients with myocardial bridge diagnosed by coronary angiogram were included and underwent exercise SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging.Results Abnormal SPECT perfusion imaging was evidenced in 12 out of 17 patients with myocardial bridge(2 out of 6 patients with systolic compression induced stenosis＜50%,3 out of 4 patients with systolic compression induced stenosis between 50%-75%and 7 out of 7 patients with the systolic compression induced stenosis between 75%-100%).Conclusion Exercise stress SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging could detect myocardial ischemia in patients with myocardial bridge and abnormal perfusion is positively related to the extent of systolic compression induced stenosis.