Prunellae Spica is the dried spica of Prunella vulgaris belonging to Labiatae and it is widely used in pharmaceutical and general health fields. As a traditional Chinese medicine cultivated on a large scale, it produces a large amount of non-medicinal parts, which are discarded because they are not effectively used. To analyze the chemical constituents in the different samples from spica, seed, stem, and leaf of P. vulgaris, and explore the application value and development prospect of these parts, this study used ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-tandem quadrupoles time of flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) to detect chemical constituents in different parts of P. vulgaris. As a result, 117 compounds were detected. Among them, 87 compounds were identified, including 32 phenolic acids, 8 flavonoids, and 45 triterpenoid saponins. Some new triterpenoid saponins containing the sugar chain with 4-6 sugar units were found. Further, multivariate statistical analysis was conducted on BPI chromatographic peaks of multiple batches of different parts, and the results showed that spica had the most abundant chemical constituents, including salviaflaside and linolenic acid highly contained in the seed and phenolic acids, flavonoids, and triterpenoid saponins in the stem and leaf. In general, the constituents in the spica were composed of those in the seed, stem, and leaf. UPLC was used to determine the content of 6 phenolic acids(danshensu, protocatechuic acid, protocatechuic aldehyde, caffeic acid, salviaflaside, and rosmarinic acid) in different parts. The content of other phenolic acids in the seed was generally lower than that in the spica except that of salviaflaside. The content of salviaflaside in the spica was higher than that in the stem and leaf, but the content of other phenolic acids in the spica was not significantly different from that in the stem. The content of protocatechuic aldehyde and caffeic acid in the spica was lower than that in the leaf. DPPH free radical scavenging method was used to detect the antioxidant activity of four parts, and there was no significant difference in the antioxidant activity between the spica and the stem and leaf, but that was significantly higher than the seed. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of these parts was correlated with the content of total phenolic acids. Based on the above findings, the stem and leaf of P. vulgaris have potential application value. Considering the traditional medication rule, it is feasible to use the whole plant as a medicine. Alternatively, salviaflaside, occurring in the seed, can be used as a marker compound for the quality evaluation of Prunellae Spica, if only using spica as the medicinal part of P. vulgaris, as described in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition).
Antioxidants/chemistry* ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Prunella/chemistry* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Caffeic Acids ; Flavonoids/analysis* ; Triterpenes/analysis* ; Saponins ; Sugars

Objective: The relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and glycemic indices, including plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour postload glucose (2h-PG), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), remains inconclusive. We aimed to explore the associations between glycemic indices and SUA levels in the general Chinese population. Methods: The current study was a cross-sectional analysis using the first follow-up survey data from The China Cardiometabolic Disease and Cancer Cohort Study. A total of 105,922 community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 40 years underwent the oral glucose tolerance test and uric acid assessment. The nonlinear relationships between glycemic indices and SUA levels were explored using generalized additive models. Results: A total of 30,941 men and 62,361 women were eligible for the current analysis. Generalized additive models verified the inverted U-shaped association between glycemic indices and SUA levels, but with different inflection points in men and women. The thresholds for FPG, 2h-PG, and HbA1c for men and women were 6.5/8.0 mmol/L, 11.0/14.0 mmol/L, and 6.1/6.5, respectively (SUA levels increased with increasing glycemic indices before the inflection points and then eventually decreased with further increases in the glycemic indices). Conclusion An inverted U-shaped association was observed between major glycemic indices and uric acid levels in both sexes, while the inflection points were reached earlier in men than in women.
Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Blood Glucose/analysis* ; China/epidemiology* ; Cohort Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus/blood* ; Female ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Glycated Hemoglobin A/analysis* ; Glycemic Index ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Uric Acid/blood*

Blakeslea trispora is a natural source of carotenoids, including β-carotene and lycopene, which have industrial applications. Therefore, classical selective breeding techniques have been applied to generate strains with increased productivity, and microencapsulated β-carotene preparation has been used in food industry (Li et al., 2019). In B. trispora, lycopene is synthesized via the mevalonate pathway (Venkateshwaran et al., 2015). Lycopene cyclase, which is one of the key enzymes in this pathway, is a bifunctional enzyme that can catalyze the cyclization of lycopene to produce β-carotene and exhibit phytoene synthase activity (He et al., 2017).
Citric Acid Cycle ; Fermentation ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Lycopene/metabolism* ; Mucorales/metabolism* ; Nicotine/pharmacology* ; beta Carotene/biosynthesis*

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to determine whether coronary atherosclerotic plaque composition is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in Chinese adults. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis in 549 subjects without previous diagnosis or clinical symptoms of CVD in a community cohort of middle-aged Chinese adults. The participants underwent coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography for the evaluation of the presence and composition of coronary plaques. CVD risk was evaluated by the Framingham risk score (FRS) and the 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk score. RESULTS: Among the 549 participants, 267 (48.6%) had no coronary plaques, 201 (36.6%) had noncalcified coronary plaques, and 81 (14.8%) had calcified or mixed coronary plaques. The measures of CVD risk including FRS and ASCVD risk score and the likelihood of having elevated FRS significantly increased across the groups of participants without coronary plaques, with noncalcified coronary plaques, and with calcified or mixed coronary plaques. However, only calcified or mixed coronary plaques were significantly associated with an elevated ASCVD risk score [odds ratio (OR) 2.41; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09-5.32] compared with no coronary plaques, whereas no significant association was found for noncalcified coronary plaques and elevated ASCVD risk score (OR 1.25; 95% CI 0.71-2.21) after multivariable adjustment. CONCLUSION Calcified or mixed coronary plaques might be more associated with an elevated likelihood of having CVD than noncalcified coronary plaques.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; epidemiology ; Computed Tomography Angiography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; diagnostic imaging ; epidemiology ; Risk Factors

β-Carotene is one of the most abundant natural pigments in foods; however, usage of β-carotene is limited because of its instability. Microencapsulation techniques are usually applied to protect microencapsulated β-carotene from oxidization. In this study, β-carotene was microencapsulated using different drying processes: spray-drying, spray freeze-drying, coating, and spray granulation. The properties of morphology, particle size, water content, thermal characteristic, and chemical stability have been explored and compared. Scanning electron microscopy measurements showed that the coated powder had a dense surface surrounded by starch and suggested that the coating process gave a microencapsulated powder with the smallest bulk density and the best compressibility among the prepared powders. The chemical stabilities of microcapsules were evaluated during six months of storage at different temperatures. The coated powder had the highest mass fraction of β-carotene, which indicated that the coating process was superior to the three other drying processes.
Drug Compounding/methods* ; Drug Stability ; Freeze Drying ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; beta Carotene/chemistry*

As a part of the project for the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2015 edition), the quality standard of Sophora flavescens root extract was investigated and established. According to the methods described in the Appendix of Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 edition), the water and ash inspections were carried out. The marker components trifolirhizin, sophoraflavanone G, oxymatrine and oxysophocarpine in the samples were identified by qualitative TLC. The determination of oxymatrine, matrine, oxysophocarpine and sophocarpine was conducted by HPLC and the total flavonoids were measured by ultraviolet spectrophotometry, using sophoraflavanone G as reference substance. The results indicated the spots on the plate were clear with good resolution and the contents of oxymatrine, matrine, oxysophocarpine and sophocarpine in the 13 batches of the samples were 3.87% - 11.1%, 0.970% - 4.33%, 1.30% - 2.59% and 0.260% - 1.14%, respectively. The total flavoids in the 13 batches of the samples were 3.88% - 7.93%. In the study, the validated methods were reproducible and the established quality standard was feasible, which could be used for the quality control of S. flavescens root extract and related preparations.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Sophora ; chemistry

BACKGROUNDHigh anatomic location, fragility, and generous blood supply of the spleen makes laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) difficult to master, and few patients need splenectomy for benign disorders. The aim of this research was to assess operative outcomes and hematological results of a large series of patients treated with LS for chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and to determine which clinical variables predict favorable hematological outcome.

METHODSLS was successfully performed for 154 patients with chronic ITP from September 1999 to April 2009 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. Operative outcomes were assessed retrospectively. Long-term follow-up data were obtained from outpatient medical records and phone interviews. Clinical and laboratory variables (including gender, age, disease duration before surgery, previous response to steroids, preoperative platelet count, and postoperative peak platelet count) were evaluated by univariate analysis to identify potential predictors of hematological outcome. Multivariate Logistic regression model was used to determine independent predictors of hematological outcome.

RESULTSOne patient died from subphrenic abscess and postoperative sepsis. The overall major morbidity rate was 8.4%. None of the patients required a second surgery for complications. Of the 127 patients available for a mean follow-up of 43.6 months (range 9 - 114 months), the overall initial response (i.e., at two months after LS) and long-term response to LS were achieved in 89.0% and 80.3%, respectively. Five patients (3.9%) developed pneumonia 3 - 35 months after LS. Univariate analysis showed a significant difference in mean age between responders (29.1 years) and nonresponders (38.8 years; P < 0.05). Patients who responded to steroid therapy had better hematological outcome than those who did not respond (P < 0.05). Compared to nonresponders, responders to LS had a significantly higher postoperative peak platelet count (404 × 10(9)/L versus 213 × 10(9)/L, P < 0.001). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis identified postoperative peak platelet count as the only independent predictor of favorable response to LS (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSLS is a safe and effective treatment for chronic ITP. Postoperative peak platelet count may serve as a major predictor of long-term response.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; surgery ; Spleen ; surgery ; Splenectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyse the epidemiological distribution of dermatitis patients in hospital and provide basis for studying the basic conditions and the prevention of dermatitis especially TCE-induced dermatitis in Baoan District of Shenzhen City.

METHODSAll dermatitis patients in hospital in Baoan District from 1992 to 2006 were descriptively analysed.

RESULTSThere were 645 dermatitis patients in hospital in Baoan District. The total number of patients is tended to rise in recent years. The main age group of 16 approximately years old, followed by 26 approximately years old, the majority are workers. The clinical diagnosis are allergic dermatitis, drug-induced dermatitis, TCE-induced dermatitis. Compared with other dermatitis, women are more than men in TCE-induced dermatitis (P < 0.05). The risk of hepatic dysfunction in TCE-induced dermatitis was significantly greater than other dermatitis (P < 0.05). It is mainly distributed in electronic, metal, electroplating industry.

CONCLUSIONThe TCE-induced dermatitis was one of the main occupational hazards in Baoan district. To strengthen self-protection awareness of workers, pay more attention to early work observed and occupational screening in key industries and trades workers, reduce opportunities for occupational exposure, all above can effectively reduce the occurrence of TCE-induced dermatitis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Dermatitis ; epidemiology ; Dermatitis, Contact ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Trichloroethylene ; toxicity ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEProbe the effects of rhGH on severe degree burned patients' blood sugar in different age of years.

METHODSElected 210 patients hospitalized in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College from January 2005 to December 2008, who were burned in 48 h, older than 18 years, ever had no diabetes and tumor history and placidly pull through shock stage. Among the patients there were 132 males and 78 females. The age was from 18 to 65 years old, average (40.7 +/- 7.2) years old. The extent of burn were form TBSA 25% to TBSA 86%, average TBSA (40.4 +/- 12.5)%. The depths of burn were from superficial second degree to third degree. All of the total divided into A (18 - 44 years old) and B (> 45 years old)groups. Each group had 105 patients. Two groups were randomly divided into A(1), A(2), A(0) and B(1), B(2), B(0) groups. Each group had 35 patients. The A(1) and B(1) groups were used 0.15 U/(kg.d) growth hormone (Somatropin, S19990021), A(2) and B(2) groups were used 0.2 U/(kg.d) growth hormone, A(0) and B(0) groups were used NS as control. Observed and analyzed the change of blood sugar and insulin amount used in 210 patients.

RESULTSOf all the patients in 6 groups, there were 190 patients finished the experimentation in four weeks. The insulin amount of A(1), A(2), A(0) groups used were (2123.3 +/- 152.3), (2885.6 +/- 148.5), (724.1 +/- 31.1) U, B(1), B(2), B(0) group were (2715.1 +/- 95.3), (3652.2 +/- 198.1), (801.8 +/- 22.2) U. The consequence showed that the number need insulin to control blood sugar in B group was more than A group, as well as using 0.2 U/(kg.d) does to 0.15 U/(kg.d) does, and using growth hormone to no using(P < 0.01). The time that blood sugar of A(1), A(2), B(1), B(2) group recovered to normal range without using insulin were (5.11 +/- 0.82), (4.93 +/- 0.89), (5.2 +/- 0.65), (5.13 +/- 1.02) d (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe blood sugar's alteration has positive correlation with the age of years and the does of rhGH. As long as normative using rhGH it doesn't induce diabetes.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Blood Glucose ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Burns ; blood ; drug therapy ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Human Growth Hormone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of DDP-resistance in gastric cancer cell line SGC7901/DDP mediated by phosphate(p)-JNK.

METHODSThe p-JNK expression was blocked by the JNK inhibitor SP600125. The drug sensitivity was detected by MTT. Cell apoptosis rate was measured by flow cytometry. The expression of p-JNK and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) was examined by Western blot. The expression of both proteins were detected in a tissue microarray containing 168 spots of cancer tissue and 27 spots of normal gastric tissue by SP immunohistochemistry. Pearson method was used to analyze the correlation between p-JNK and P-gp.

RESULTSThe drug sensitivity and cell apoptosis rate significantly increased (P<0.01), and the protein expression levels of p-JNK and P-glycoprotein were down-regulated after the inhibition of p-JNK by SP600125 in both SGC7901(p-JNK: 1.17+/-0.03 vs 0.38+/-0.071, P-gp: 0.21+/-0.01 vs 0.06+/-0.01) and SGC7901/DDP (p-JNK: 2.56+/-0.14 vs 1.02+/-0.12, P-gp: 0.77+/-0.05 vs 0.52+/-0.06 )cells(all P<0.01). The protein expression rates of p-JNK and P-glycoprotein were 45.8% and 51.8% respectively in gastric cancer tissue, which were significantly higher than those in normal gastric tissue 7.4% and 18.5% (P<0.01). The correlation of protein expression of p-JNK and P-gp was positive (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONJNK anti-apoptosis pathway with the regulation of P-gp expression plays an important role in the DDP-resistance of gastric cancer, which may be a novel target for reversing multidrug resistance.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cisplatin ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism