Analysis and evaluation of bioactive constituents from different parts of Epimedium brevicornum / 中国中药杂志

A comprehensive analytical method based on ultra-fast liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole/linear ion trap tandem mass spectrometry(UFLC-QTRAP-MS/MS) was established for simultaneous determination of the content of 45 bioactive constituents including flavonoids, alkaloids, amino acids, phenolic acids, and nucleosides in Epimedium brevicornum. The multiple bioactive constituents in leaves, petioles, stems and rhizomes of E. brevicornum were analyzed. The gradient elution was performed at 30 ℃ in an XBridge~® C_(18) column(4.6 mm×100 mm, 3.5 μm) with 0.4% formic acid aqueous solution-acetonitrile as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.8 mL·min~(-1). Single factor experiment and response surface methodology were employed to optimize the extraction conditions. Multivariate statistical analyses including systematic cluster analysis(SCA), principal component analysis(PCA), partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA), and one-way analysis of variance(One-way ANOVA) were carried out to classify the samples from different parts and identify different constituents. Grey relation analysis(GRA) and entropy weight-TOPSIS analysis were performed to build a multi-index comprehensive evaluation model for different parts of E. brevicornum. The results showed that there was a good relationship between the mass concentrations of 45 constituents and the corresponding peak areas, with the correlation coefficients(r) not less than 0.999 0. The precision, repeatability, and stability of the established method were good for all the target constituents in this study, with the relative standard deviations(RSDs) less than 5.0%(0.62%-4.9%) and the average recovery of 94.51%-105.7%. The above results indicated that the bioactive constituents varied in different parts of E. brevicornum, and the overall quality followed the trend of leaves > petioles > rhizomes > stems. This study verified the rationality of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition) stipulating that the medicinal part of E. brevicornum is the leaf. Moreover, our study indicated that the rhizome had the potential for medicinal development. The established method was accurate and reliable, which can be used to comprehensive evaluate and control the quality of E. brevicornum. This study provides data reference for clarifying the medicinal parts and rationally utilizing the resources of E. brevicornum.

Thoughts of omics research on quality formation in Dao-di herbs / 中国中药杂志

Dao-di herbs have been recognized as "quality models" with a firmly stable status. The formation of Dao-di herbs quality is involved from the genetic inheritance on the molecular level to the metabolic phenotype of final products, and the full material-based biosynthetic pathway remains unknown. In recent years, an increasing variety of omics technologies has provided new methods and ideas for the analysis of complex life systems and are suitable for explanation of quality formation in Dao-di herbs as well. In order to alleviate the scarcity of natural resources and offer scientific guidance of transplanting varieties, achievements of omics in the aspects of Dao-di herbs from genetics to phenotyping, the biosynthetic pathway of secondary metabolites, the interaction with human body and the new methods of quality evaluation have been summarized. It will be a fundamental work for protection and utilization of Chinese medicine resources.

Correlation analysis of fetal middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity, cardiothoracic ratio and crown-rump length in early pregnancy / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the pattern of variations in middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCA PSV) and cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) during early pregnancy, establish their reference ranges and explore their correlation with the crown-rump length (CRL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 522 pregnant women with normal findings in antenatal examinations underwent routine color Doppler ultrasound examination to collect the data of MCA PSV, CTR and CRL. The reference ranges of MCA PSV and CTR for different CRL levels were established, and the correlation of MCA PSV and CTR with CRL was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>During the first trimester, MCA PSV and CRL showed a moderate positive correlation with a correlation coefficient of 0.426 (P<0.001), while CTR and CRL showed no significant correlation (0.168, P<0.001). The reference range of MCA PSV was 14.35 (14.08-14.62) cm/s and that of CTR was 0.34 (0.33-0.34) during early pregnancy.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Color Doppler ultrasound is a safe and feasible modality to assess fetal MCA PSV and CTR for detecting fetal growth abnormalities in early pregnancy. The established reference ranges of MCA PSV and CTR offer a clinical theoretical basis for detecting α-thalassemia in early pregnancy.</p>

Correlation of fetal chromosomal abnormalities to prenatal ultrasound features / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the correlation between fetal chromosomal abnormalities and the characteristic features of prenatal ultrasound findings.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 510 cases were underwent chromosome examination by amniotic fluid or cord blood analysis to identify fetal chromosomal abnormalities. The correlation between the abnormalities and the characteristics of the prenatal ultrasound findings was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fifty-three cases of abnormal karyotypes were detected with a positivity rate of 10.2%. Of these cases, 32 cases had chromosome number abnormalities, including 15 with 21-trisomy, 11 with 18-trisomy, 2 with 13-trisomy, 2 with 45, XO monomer and 2 with 92, XXXX tetraploid. Chromosome structural abnormalities were found in 21 cases, including 4 with translocation, 3 with insertion, 6 with inversion, 4 with deletion and 4 with derivation. Prenatal ultrasound showed obvious structural abnormalities in 22 cases (41.5%), structural malformation with ultrasonographic soft markers in 18 cases (34.0%), and separate ultrasonographic soft markers in 8 cases (15.1%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Prenatal ultrasound fetal abnormalities and chromosome abnormalities are closely related. Prenatal ultrasound of fetal chromosomal abnormalities usually presents with a variety of significant structural abnormalities. A greater number of malformations is associated with a greater risk of chromosomal abnormalities and increased occurrence of ultrasonographic soft markers.</p>

Ultrasonic study of deep-vein diameter and blood flow spectrum changes in full-term pregnant women / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the changes in lower limb deep vein diameters, blood flow velocity and blood biochemistry in full-term pregnant women for early diagnosis and treatment of prothrombotic state.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty-eight full-term pregnant women at high risk of thrombosis (Group A), 61 healthy full-term pregnant women (Group B), and 42 healthy non-pregnant women (Group C) underwent high-resolution color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) for examining the deep veins of the lower limbs. The hematological indexes such as D-D, PLT, HGB, HCT, TT, APTT, PT, and FbgC were also observed in these 3 groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to Group B, the women in group A showed significantly increased diameters of the common femoral veins (CFV) and left superficial femoral vein (SFV), HCT and DD, but with significantly decreased peak blood flow in the bilateral popliteal veins (POPV) (P<0.01) and increased left POPV diameter (P=0.034). Compared to those in group C, the diameters of the bilateral CFVs, SFVs, POPV, and posterior tibial veins (PTVs) were significantly increased, but the peak blood flow in the bilateral CFVs and POPVs were significantly reduced in groups A and B; the PLT, HGB, HCT, DD, TT, APTT, PT, and FbgC also showed significant changes in groups A and B (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The full-term pregnant women are at higher risk of prothrombotic state than non-pregnant women, and the full-term pregnant women with the high risk factors for thrombosis are more likely to have prothrombotic state than healthy full-term pregnant women. CDU examination of the lower limb deep veins can be of value in the diagnosis of prothrombotic state.</p>

Lower limb deep vein ultrasonography and blood biochemistry in women after full-term delivery / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the postpartum changes in lower limb deep vein ultrasonography and blood biochemistry in women 2-5 days after full-term delivery.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 212 women at high risk of thrombosis underwent high-resolution color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) of the lower limb deep veins 2-5 days after full-term delivery (Group A). Sixty-one healthy women 2-5 days after full-term delivery (Group B) and 42 healthy non-pregnant women (Group C) were recruited as the controls. The hematological indexes including the D-dimers (D-D), platelet (PLT), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), thrombin time (TT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT) and fibrinogen (Fbg) were also determined in these 3 groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to Group B, the women in group A showed significantly increased diameters and D-D value of the common femoral veins (FV), common superficial femoral veins (SFV) and common popliteal veins (POV) (P<0.01), with decreased peak blood flow in the bilateral POVs (P<0.05). Compared to those in Groups C, the diameters of the bilateral FVs, SFVs, POVs, and posterior tibial veins (PTVs) were significantly increased, but the peak blood flow in the bilateral FVs, SFVs, and POVs were significantly reduced in groups A and B; the PLT, HGB, HCT, DD, TT, APTT, PT, and Fbg also showed significant changes in groups A and B (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The women 2-5 days after full-term delivery are at high risk of prethrombotic state in comparison with non-pregnant women, and the presence of high-risk factors for thrombosis increases the likeliness of prothrombotic state in these postpartum women. CDU examination of the lower limb deep veins can be of value in the diagnosis of prethrombotic state.</p>

Clinical study of Osaka formula and improved multiparameter ultrasonic measurement for fetal weight estimation / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the factors affecting the accuracy of Osaka formula multiparameter ultrasound-based fetal mass estimation, thereby establishing new formulas to improve the accuracy of the estimation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective review was conducted among 519 healthy women with singleton pregnancy. Three days before the delivery (between 37 and 42 weeks' gestation), ultrasonic measurement of the fetal weight and other indices of the fetus was routinely performed. Correlation and multiple linear stepwise regression analysis were used to correct the 3 equations, which, along with Osaka University formula, were used to predict another 219 fetuses' birth weight. The coincidence rate of the predicted value and with the actual birth weight, and the absolute error and relative error were compared between the equations.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The fetal abdominal area (AA) and abdominal circumference (AC) showed the most conspicuous influence on the estimated fetal birth weight, and fetal humerus length (HL) was more sensitive than femur length (FL) for the estimation. Three new regression equations were established, among which the equation 2 (fetal birth weight=1082.859+4.116xAAxHL) showed the best accuracy in clinical prediction.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>AA,AC and HL are more sensitive indices for estimation of the fetal birth weight, and the equation 2 established in this study still awaits further verification for its clinical value.</p>