OBJECTIVE To explore the self precipitation source of Erhuang powder, determine the content of related components and its efficacy on HeLa cells. METHODS Bifurcation study to identify the main compatibility of precipitating. The self precipitation, supernatant and extract of Erhuang powder were analyzed by UHPLC-Q-Exactive MS. The main compounds in Coptidis Rhizoma and Catechu, catechin, epicatechin, epicberberine, coptisine, berberine and palmatine were selected as controls. A analysis method of UHPLC for self precipitation, supernatant and extract of Erhuang powder was established and the related components were quantitatively determined. The effects of self precipitation, supernatant and extract on HeLa cells were evaluated by MTT method and flow cytometry. RESULTS A slight flocculation precipitate appeared when the decoction of Erhuang powder was mixed in pairs, while a large amount of flocculation appeared when the decoction of Coptidis Rhizoma and Catechu water was mixed. The self precipitation, supernatant and extract samples contained 39 compounds, which were mainly alkaloids and phenolic acids. The contents of catechin and berberine in the 6 index components were mostly, which accounted for 73.56% of the total content of the index components in self precipitation and 61.89% of the total content of the index components in extract. Inhibition effect on HeLa cells: extract ≈ self precipitation > supernatant, and inducing apoptosis: self precipitate ≈ extract, supernatant had no apoptosis-inducing effect. CONCLUSION Coptidis Rhizoma-Catechu is the main compatible formula for precipitation formation. The self precipitation and extracts of Erhuang powder are mainly alkaloids and phenolic acids, among which berberine and catechin are high in content and can be used as representative components. The effect of self-precipitation and extract on HeLa cells was better than that of supernatant. This basically indicates that the self precipitation components and pharmacological effects of Erhuang powder are similar to those of the extract.

Seed quality plays an important role in the agricultural and animal husbandry production, the effective utilization of genetic resources, the conservation of biodiversity and the restoration and reconstruction of plant communities. Seed aging is a common physiological phenomenon during storage. It is a natural irreversible process that occurs and develops along with the extension of seed storage time. It is not only related to the growth, yield and quality of seed and seedling establishment, but also has an important effect on the conservation, utilization and development of plant germplasm resources. The physiological mechanisms of seed aging are complex and diverse. Most studies focus on conventional physiological characterization, while systematic and comprehensive in-depth studies are lacking. Here we review the recent advances in understanding the physiology of seed aging process, including the methods of seed aging, the effect of aging on seed germination, and the physiological and molecular mechanisms of seed aging. The change of multiple physiological parameters, including seed vigor, electrical conductivity, malondialdehyde content and storage material in the seed, antioxidant enzyme activity and mitochondrial structure, were summarized. Moreover, insights into the mechanism of seed aging from the aspects of transcriptome, proteome and aging related gene function were summarized. This study may facilitate the research of seed biology and the conservation and utilization of germplasm resources.
Germination ; Plants ; Proteome ; Seedlings ; Seeds/genetics*

Breast cancer brain metastases (BCBMs) are one of the most difficult malignancies to treat due to the intracranial location and multifocal growth. Chemotherapy and molecular targeted therapy are extremely ineffective for BCBMs due to the inept brain accumulation because of the formidable blood‒brain barrier (BBB). Accumulation studies prove that low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) is promising target for BBB transcytosis. However, as the primary clearance receptor for amyloid beta and tissue plasminogen activator, LRP1 at abluminal side of BBB can clear LRP1-targeting therapeutics. Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP1) is highly enriched in metastatic niche to promote growth of BCBMs. Herein, it is reported that nanoparticles (NPs-K-s-A) tethered with MMP1-sensitive fusion peptide containing HER2-targeting K and LRP1-targeting angiopep-2 (A), can surmount the BBB and escape LRP1-mediated clearance in metastatic niche. NPs-K-s-A revealed infinitely superior brain accumulation to angiopep-2-decorated NPs-A in BCBMs bearing mice, while comparable brain accumulation in normal mice. The delivered doxorubicin and lapatinib synergistically inhibit BCBMs growth and prolongs survival of mice bearing BCBMs. Due to the efficient BBB penetration, special and remarkable clearance escape, and facilitated therapeutic outcome, the fusion peptide-based drug delivery strategy may serve as a potential approach for clinical management of BCBMs.

The importance of gut microbes to human health has gradually attracted attention. With the use of animal models, it has been revealed that maternal microbes during pregnancy could influence their children's health outcomes through shaping their microbial composition and regulating the development of their metabolic and immune system. However, the physiological mechanism of the human body is more complex and is affected by the interaction of multiple factors. The research results obtained from animal models are often inconsistent with human studies. At present, the influence of maternal intestinal microbes during pregnancy on the microbial colonization in their offspring and on a series of children's health outcomes is still unclear. Establishing a sub-cohort to detect the microbiome of the women across pregnancy and of their offspring, and further to integrate with variety of environmental and behavioral exposures can better provide reliable support for the research on the mechanism of children's health and diseases. This paper briefly introduces the research objectives, content, progress, strength and limitations of the sub-cohort study.

Objective To investigate the effect of sarcopenia on the skeletal muscle and cardiac function in elderly patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).Methods Sixty patients with CHF and sarcopenia and 60 sex and age-matched CHF patients without sarcopenia were enrolled from September 2014 to December 2015.The skeletal mass was evaluated by fat-free mass index (FFMI) and muscle function was evaluated by gait speed (GS),hand strength (HS) and the simple physical performance battery (SPPB).The cardiac function was accessed by a 6-min walk distance (6-MWD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).Furthermore,the serum inflammation cytokines IL-6,TNF-α,and skeletal muscle biomarker C 1q were measured.Results The CHF patients with sarcopenia had lower values for skeletal muscle mass:FFMI [(17.68±0.74) vs.(18.34±0.54)kg/m2,F=33.696,P＜0.05] and lower muscle function:HS [(17.26±4.20)vs.(28.85±6.43)kg,F=136.54,P＜0.05],GS [(0.65±0.11) vs.(0.90±0.10)m/s,F=-12.922,P＜0.05],SPPB [(6.45±2.07) vs.(7.65± 1.76),t=-3.452,P＜0.05].And the cardiac function decreased significantly in patients with sarcopenia:6-MWD [(253.76 ± 72.62) vs.(340.91 ± 55.78)m,F=54.350,P＜0.05],LVEF [(39.12 ± 7.02)vs.(43.83±5.81)％,t=16.060,P＜0.05].Serum IL-6/TNF-α/C1q levels were significantly elevated:IL-6[(14.12± 1.40) vs.(13.46±1.06) ng/L,F=8.513,P＜0.05],TNF-α [(443.43±28.06) vs.(299.37±21.53)ng/L,t=31.556,P＜0.05],C1q[(578.92±23.63) vs.(504.1 1±41.77)ng/L,F=145.78,P＜0.05].Conclusion The CHF patients with sarcopenia present less skeletal muscle mass,poorer skeletal function and reduced cardiac function,and higher inflammation levels.

Objective To study the effect of rhBNP on serum chemerin and IL-37 levels in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients undergoing emergency PCI.Methods Eighty AMI patients who underwent emergency PCI were randomly divided into cortrol group (n =40) and rhBNP treatment group (n=40).The patients in control group were treated with conventional drugs and those in rhBNP treatment group were treated with intravenous rhBNP.Their serum chemerin and IL-37 levels were measured by ELISA.Their LVEDD and LVEF were compared.Results The serum level of chemerin was significantly lower while that of IL-37 was significantly higher in two groups at 72 h and on day 7 after PCI than before PCI (P＜0.05).The serum level of chemerin was significantly lower while that of IL-37 was significantly higher in rhBNP group than in control group at 72 h and on day 7 after PCI (P＜0.05).The LVEDD was significantly shorter while the LVEF was significantly higher in two groups on day 7 and month 1 after PCI than before PCI (P＜0.05).The LVEDD was significantly shorter in rhBNP group than in control group on day 7 and month 1 after PCI (P＜0.05).Conclusion rhBNP can effectively reduce the serum chemerin level,increase the serum IL-37 level,and improve the cardiac function in AMI patients following emergency PCI.The effect of rhBNP is better than that of conventional drugs in AMI patients after emergency PCI.

Objective To analyze the clinical distribution and antimicrobial resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) so as to guide the reasonable clinical use of antibiotics .Methods The results of drug susceptibility testing of PA strains isolated from pa‐tients in the Hongqiao Hospital from Jan .2010 to Dec .2013 and distribution of specimens were retrospectively analyzed .The WHO‐NET5 .5 software was used for data statistic analysis .Results A total of 752 PA strains were isolated and were most isolated from sputum(accounted for 86 .8% ) ,followed with secretions(accounted for 5 .7% ) .The drug resistance rates of PA to imipenem ,mero‐penem and cefoperazone‐sulbactam were 1 .6% ,2 .9% and 1 .9% ,respectively ;while the drug resistance rates to ciprofloxacin ,levo‐floxacin ,amikacin ,gentamicin ,tobramycin ,cefepime and piperacillin‐tazobactam were 11 .3% ,12 .5% ,14 .0% ,16 .5% ,15 .0% , 11 .6% and 14 .1% ,respectively ;the drug resistance rates to other antibiotics were higher than 20 .0% .The drug resistance rate to sulfamethoxazole‐trimethoprim was the highest(81 .4% ) .Conclusion PA may mainly induce respiratory tract infections ,and the drug resistance rates of PA to the commonly used antibiotics are relatively low .The clinicians should reasonably use antibiotics so as to reduce the resistant strains .

Objective:To evaluate the clinical therapeutic effect and mechanism of recombinant human brain natri-uretic peptide (rhBNP,Xinhuosu)in patients with acute heart failure (AHF).Methods:A total of 90 AHF patients were randomly and equally divided into rhBNP group (received intravenous injection of rhBNP based on routine treatment for 3d)and routine treatment group.Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF),levels of serum high sen-sitive C reactive protein (hsCRP)and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)were measured and compared between two groups before and after treatment.Results:Compared with before treatment,after treatment,LVEF signifi-cantly rose,levels of hsCRP and MMP-9 significantly reduced in both groups,P <0.05 or <0.01;compared with routine treatment group after treatment,there was significant rise in LVEF [(41.4±12.8)% vs.(51.3±13.9)%], and significant reductions in levels of hsCRP [(8.63±3.57)mg/L vs.(6.67±3.97)mg/L]and MMP-9 [(17.89 ±4.75)mg/L vs.(14.64±4.89)mg/L]in rhBNP group,P <0.05 or <0.01. Conclusion:The rhBNP possesses significant therapeutic effect on acute heart failure,and its mechanism may be related with reducing hsCRP and MMP-9 levels.

Objective To investigate the clinical and imaging features in patients with vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) through a comparative study in patients with ischemic stroke with or without VBD.Methods The patients with acute cerebral infarction were divided into either a VBD group or a non-VBD group according to magnetic resonance angiography.The VBD group was further divided into an anterior circulation infarction subgroup and a posterior circulation infarction subgroup.The cardiovascular risk factors,the diameter of basiar artery (BA),bifurcation height,and horizontal displacement were compared in all groups.Results A total of 269 patients with acute cerebral infarction were included,28 had VBD,accounting for 10.41％ of the patients with acute cerebral infarction during the same period.The proportion of male patients (78.6％ vs.66.8％ ;x2 =4.392,P =0.036),age (70.38 ± 10.58 years vs.62.86 ± 12.20 years; t =2.870,P =0.009),and the proportion of hypertension (89.3％ vs.47.7％ ; x2 =17.367,P =0.000) in the VBD group were significantly higher than those in the non-VBD group.The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the advanced age (odds ratio [OR] 1.248,95％ confidence interval [CI] 1.137-1.371; P=0.000),hyperglycemia (OR 1.599,95％ CI 1.181-2.164; P =0.002),hypertension (OR 1.251,95％ CI 1.020-1.534; P =0.032) and increased triglyceride level (OR 1.876,95％ CT 1.021-3.445; P =0.043) were the independent risk factors for VBD,while female gender (OR 0.133,95％ CI 0.024-0.735; P =0.021) was the independent protective factor for VBD.Of the 28 cerebral infarction patients with VBD,9 had anterior circulation infarction and 19 had posterior circulation infarction.There were significant differences in BA diameter ([5.40 ± 0.49] cm vs.[6.00 ± 0.77] cm; t =2.046,P =0.041),and the proportions of high score in bifurcation height (x2 =6.768,P =0.037) and horizontal displacement (x2 =5.241,P =0.042) between the 2 groups (all P ＜0.05).The multivafiate logistic regression analysis showed that the BA bifurcation height was an independent risk factor for posterior circulation infarction (OR 1.347,95％ CI 1.069-2.457; P =0.038) in patients with VBD.Conclusions VBD accounted for 10.41％ of the patients with acute cerebral infarction during the same period.Advanced age,hyperglycemia,hypertension and increased triglyceride level were the independent risk factors for VBD.Female gender was the independent protective factors for VBD,and the BA bifurcation height was an independent risk factor for VBD occurring posterior circulation infarction.