Comparative Analysis of Lonicera japonica Flower from Different Harvesting Periods Based on UV Fingerprint and Chemometrics / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the quality variation of Lonicera japonica flower from different harvesting periods by ultraviolet visible（UV-Vis） fingerprint combined with chemometrics. MethodTwenty-five L. japonica flower samples from five harvesting periods， including young bud stage，green bud stage，white bud stage，silver and golden flower stages， were collected， with five samples for each stage. UV-Vis fingerprints of L. japonica flower from different harvesting periods were established in the context of the optimum extraction method based on the single factor experiment. The results showed that the absorption values at 209，216，226，250，280，303，318， and 350 nm were significantly different. Moreover，after data pretreatment and normalization，multivariate statistical analyses， such as principal component analysis （PCA），partial least squares discriminant analysis （PLS-DA），and orthogonal PLS-DA （OPLS-DA）were performed by SIMCA-P+ to establish the quality variation model of L. japonicas flower from harvesting periods. ResultAs revealed by PCA and PLS-DA， L. japonicas flower samples from five harvesting periods were clustered separately and closely in a harvesting time-dependent manner， suggesting that the content of components contained in samples from different harvesting periods was highly distinct and correlated with harvesting periods. The pairwise comparison of OPLS-DA indicated that triterpenoids or volatile oils were the main components causing the changes from the young bud stage to the green bud stage，and the content of them decreased. The main components from the green bud stage to the white bud stage were triterpenoids （or iridoids），volatile oils，phenolic acids， or flavonoids，and the content of them decreased， which was consistent with the HPLC result of chlorogenic acid. From the white bud stage to the silver flower stage， the main components were iridoids （increasing in content） and triterpenoids （or volatile oils） （decreasing in content）. The main altered components from the silver flower stage to the golden flower stage were triterpenoids （or volatile oils） whose content increased. ConclusionThis method is simple and feasible， which can provide references for the quality control of Chinese medicine.

Effect and Mechanism of Prunellae Spica on Metabolic Syndrome in Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveMetabolic syndrome is the inherent phenotype of many diseases， which seriously endangers the cardio-cerebrovascular system. Prunellae Spica can regulate lipid metabolism disorder in high-fat mice and inhibit the metabolic disorder of liver injury. This study analyzed the effect of Prunellae Spica on metabolic syndrome and its mechanism， and it is of great significance to find potential safe drugs from natural products. MethodIn this study， the metabolic syndrome model was induced by fructose. The metabolomics method based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MS） was used to explore the effect and mechanism of Prunellae Spica on rats with metabolic syndrome. ResultPharmacological results showed that Prunellae Spica significantly reduced the body weight， blood lipid level and lipid peroxidation level and inhibited the release of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in rats with metabolic syndrome. Thus， Prunellae Spica protected the liver and maintained its normal functions. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed that metabolites in the serum of rats with metabolic syndrome changed significantly， which was improved after Prunellae Spica treatment. Compared with the metabolites in normal group， 11 differential metabolic markers were found in rats with metabolic syndrome. Compared with model group， Prunellae Spica group had 8 significantly different metabolic markers， among which phosphate， pyruvic acid and succinic acid were common markers. Pathway analysis indicated that the regulatory effect of Prunellae Spica was mainly related to citrate cycle， glycolysis and gluconeogenesis， serine/threonine and glycine metabolic pathways. ConclusionPrunellae Spica can be used as a potential natural source for the treatment of metabolic syndrome. It can regulate the metabolic disorder in metabolic syndrome via energy and amino acid metabolism.

Gut microbiota dysbiosis in preeclampsia patients in the second and third trimesters / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious complication that affects maternal and perinatal outcomes. However, the mechanisms have not been fully explained. This study was designed to analyze longitudinal gut microbiota alterations in pregnant women with and without PE in the second (T2) and third trimesters (T3).@*METHODS@#In this nested case-control study, which was conducted at Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, fecal samples from 25 PE patients (25 fecal samples obtained in T2 and 15 fecal samples obtained in T3) and 25 matched healthy controls (25 fecal samples obtained in T2 and 22 fecal samples obtained in T3) were collected, and the microbiota were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The diversity and composition of the microbiota of PE cases and controls were compared.@*RESULTS@#No significant differences in diversity were found between the PE and control groups (P > 0.05). In the control group, from T2 to T3, the relative abundances of Proteobacteria (median [Q1, Q3]: 2.25% [1.24%, 3.30%] vs. 0.64% [0.20%, 1.20%], Z = -3.880, P < 0.05), and Tenericutes (median [Q1, Q3]: 0.12% [0.03%, 3.10%] vs. 0.03% [0.02%, 0.17%], Z = -2.369, P < 0.05) decreased significantly. In the PE group, the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes in T2 was lower than in T3 (median [Q1, Q3]: 18.16% [12.99%, 30.46%] vs. 31.09% [19.89%, 46.06%], Z = -2.417, P < 0.05). In T2, the relative abundances of mircrobiota showed no significant differences between the PE group and the control group. However, in T3, the relative abundance of Firmicutes was significantly lower in the PE group than in the control group (mean ± standard deviation: 60.62% ± 15.17% vs. 75.57% ± 11.53%, t = -3.405, P < 0.05). The relative abundances of Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Enterobacteriaceae were significantly higher in the PE group than in the control group (median [Q1, Q3]: 31.09% [19.89%, 46.06%] vs. 18.24% [12.90%, 32.04%], Z = -2.537, P < 0.05; 1.52% [1.05%, 2.61%] vs. 0.64% [0.20%, 1.20%], Z = -3.310, P < 0.05; 0.75% [0.20%, 1.00%] vs. 0.01% [0.004%, 0.023%], Z = -4.152, P < 0.05). Linear discriminant analysis combined effect size measurements analysis showed that the relative abundances of the phylum Bacteroidetes, class Bacteroidia and order Bacteroidales were increased in the PE group, while those of the phylum Firmicutes, the class Clostridia, the order Clostridiales, and the genus unidentified Lachnospiraceae were decreased in the PE group; and these differences were identified as taxonomic biomarkers of PE in T3.@*CONCLUSION@#From T2 to T3, there was an obvious alteration in the gut microbiota. The gut microbiota of PE patients in T3 was significantly different from that of the control group.

Accumulation and Toxicity of Mercury in Zhuhong Ointment in Rats with Damaged Skin Model / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To study the accumulation of mercury in liver, kidney and brain of rats and its toxicity on liver and kidney after 4 weeks of administration of different doses of Zhuhong ointment, in order to provide data reference for the safe clinical use of Zhuhong ointment. Method: Forty-four Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:control group, normal-dose group (1.875 mg·kg-1), medium-dose group (37.5 mg·kg-1), and high-dose group (75 mg·kg-1). After transdermal administration for consecutive 4 weeks, the mercury content in the urine, blood, liver, kidney and brain of the rats was measured. In addition, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine (SCr), urine β2-miSCroglobulin (β2-BMG) and urine N-acetyl-beta-D glucosidase (NAG) contents were measured, and pathological morphology changes of liver and kidney were observed. Result:Compared with the control group, the levels of blood mercury and urine mercury in Zhuhong ointment groups showed significant increases after administration for 4 weeks(PPPPPPConclusion:Zhuhong ointment is not toxic at the normal dose, but long-term use can lead to the accumulation of mercury in liver, kidney and bra, which causes liver and kidney toxicity. This study did not find a more sensitive indicator of liver and kidney toxicity than liver and kidney pathology. However, because the rising levels of urinary mercury and blood mercury may predict toxicity, the relationship between mercury exposure and toxicity could be further studied. This study provides a reference for the rational use and toxicity monitoring of Zhuhong ointment.

Toxicity of mineral Chinese medicines containing mercury element / 中国中药杂志

Mineral Chinese medicine is the distinctive part of the Chinese traditional medicine. The mineral Chinese medicines containing mercury elements such as cinnabaris, calomelas and hydrargyri oxydum rubrum are widely applied in the clinical conditions because of their efficacy of sedative, sterilization, removing necrotic tissue and promoting granulation. However, the rationality and security of clinical application are questioned because of the toxic effect caused by mercury compounds. This paper would summarize the efficacy of the mineral Chinese medicines containing mercury element, as well as their hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, embryotoxicity, and neurotoxicity effect and mechanisms. Improper usage or high dose of the mineral Chinese medicines containing mercury element would cause acute hepatotoxicity. Cinnabaris, calomelas and hydrargyri oxydum rubrum may lead to chronic hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, embryotoxicity and neurotoxicity when they were applied externally to the skin for long-term use. In addition to the accumulation of mercury elements in the tissues and organs, the species and forms of mercury compounds absorbed into the body in different ways, should be also studied in order to understand the toxicity of the mineral Chinese medicines containing mercury element. Meanwhile the dose and period of treatment shall be also considered in order to provide the references for rational and safe clinical application of the mineral Chinese medicines containing mercury element.

Distribution of chemical compounds of Fufang Xueshuantong capsule in eyes and kidney of beagle dogs / 中国中药杂志

Diabetic retinopathy(DR) and diabetic nephropathy(DN) are the most common complications of diabetes, and the main causes of death and disability of diabetes. Clinical reports showed that Fufang Xueshuantong capsule(FXT) had effective curative effect on DR and DN, but there was no report on the distribution of chemical compounds of FXT in beagle dog eyes and kidneys. In this study, FXT was given by gavage administration in Beagle dogs for 3 days, and then their eyeballs and kidneys were taken. The chemical compounds in beagle dog eyes and kidneys were detected by HPLC LTQ-Orbitrap technology. Furthermore, by comparing with the data from retrieving literature and references, the chemical compounds were identified by the accurate mass, retention time (tR), and MS/MS. Fourteen and 19 types of notoginsenosides were respectively identified in eyeballs and kidneys in this study, and these results could lay foundation for clarifying the effective ingredients of FXT in treatment of DR and DN.

Contraceptive knowledge, attitudes and behavior about sexuality among college students in Beijing, China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Sexual and reproductive health among adolescents have become increasingly important and aroused international concerns. In this study, we investigate sexual knowledge, attitudes, sexual behaviors, the unwanted pregnancy and the abortion rate and to explore related determinants among college students in Beijing.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study is based on a cross-sectional survey of college students' knowledge, attitudes and behavior. Multistage cluster sampling was used to select subjects in Beijing. The self-questionnaire designed by our research group including general information, knowledge, attitude and behavior about sexuality was used to collect information. A total of 2003 questionnaires were collected from June to July 2010.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The data showed that most of the college students lacked knowledge about reproductive health. Only 17.9% of the respondents knew the appropriate time of abortion. Data also showed that the respondents had high-risk attitude about sex, 58.7% could accept premarital sex, and 29.7% had negative attitude towards contraception. Moreover, sexual activity of the respondents was active. Data showed that 18.5% of the respondents had had sexual activities. Significantly more boys than girls had sex (χ(2) = 73.374, P < 0.001). Among the boys and girls who reported sexual history, 43.1% of the boys had impregnated girlfriend and 49.3% of the girls among those people who have sex had unwanted pregnancies. Logistic regression analysis showed that the variables the gender (OR = 3.12, 95%CI: 2.39 - 4.11), grade (OR = 1.78, 95%CI: 1.40 - 2.26), specialty (OR = 1.35, 95%CI: 1.12 - 1.74), family situation (OR = 1.66, 95%CI: 1.15 - 2.38), score of knowledge (OR = 0.74, 95%CI: 0.58 - 0.95) and attitude to sex activity (OR = 0.09, 95%CI: 0.04 - 0.22) had a significant effect on having sexual behavior.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>College students lack knowledge and methods to avoid risky sexual behaviors in Beijing. College students have high-risk sexual attitude and behaviors. Therefore, suitable and effective sex health measures to protect college students would be strongly recommended.</p>

Research on the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome and nocturnal laryngopharyngeal reflux / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and nocturnal laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), and discuss the possible mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Nineteen OSAHS patients had PSG, nocturnal pH and intraesophageal pressure monitoring simultaneously. The sleep stage, body position and pressure change were recorded during every reflux event The relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and LPR was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among 19 OSAHS patients, 6 cases were found to have LPR, and 63 reflux events were recorded. There was a negative relationship between the severity of OSAHS and nocturnal mean laryngopharyngeal pH value, but relationship between OSA and reflux events is not statistically significant. The intraesophageal pressure (t = 3.211, P = 0. 007) and upper esophageal sphincter (UES) pressure (t = 2.234, P = 0.046) were statistically different between the patients with and without LPR. There was a positive relationship between the mean value of intraesophageal pressure and the whole night mean laryngopharyngeal pH value (r = 0.592, P = 0.033).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There was significant relationship between severity of OSAHS and nocturnal laryngopharyngeal pH value. OSAHS patients are more likely to have esophageal reflux which could increase LPR, Compared with OSAHS patients without LPR, UES pressure during the night decreased significantly in those cases with LPR, it suggested this could be another mechanism of LPR.</p>

Clinical value of 24-hour pH monitoring in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux disease / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the diagnostic values of 24-hour pH monitoring in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty patients with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux were enrolled into this study. Twenty five patients had 24-hour pH monitoring, antacid treatment with omeprazole was given in study group with pathologic reflux. The remaining 25 patients as control group only had the same antacid treatment. All the patients had 3 months follow up, and treatment effect was evaluated according to clinical manifestation improvement. After 3 month treatment followed up, it was defined as inefficacy treatment if the clinical manifestation score decrease was equal or less than 4, defined as efficacy if the score decrease was more than 4.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Seventeen of 25 patients had pathologic reflux, positive rate was 68.0%. The mean times of total acid reflux was 35.71 +/- 41.70 (x +/- s), the mean total reflux time was (35.71 +/- 33.19) min, the mean total reflux index (reflux times per hour) was (1.53 +/- 1.73)/h, the mean reflux time was (1.12 +/- 0.91) min. Before antacid treatment, the mean clinical manifestation score was 14. 88 +/- 4.11 in study group and 13.00 +/- 4.17 in control group. There was no significant difference between the two groups (t = 1.444, P > 0.05). The validity of study group was 82.4% (14/17), Among the control group, two cases were out of followed, and the validity of remained patients was 52. 2% (12/23). The mean decreased score of clinical manifestation in study group was 7.47 +/- 3.18 and 3.96 +/- 4.25 in control group. There was significant difference between the two groups (t = 2. 864, P = 0.007).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The dual-probe 24-hour pH monitoring is considered the gold standard for diagnosis of LPRD and it is essential in patients who have laryngopharyngeal complaints and is capable to improve the effect of antacid treatment significantly. It's worthy of clinical application.</p>

Preliminary Discussion on the Structure of a Novel Housefly Pupae Lectin / 中国生物工程杂志

In order to provide plenty of information about the relationship between its structure and function,the structure of a novel housefly pupae D-galactose binding lectin with the molecular weight 55kDa and immune acitivity was analyzed preliminarily.In the first place,oligosaccharide chain was confirmed to be existed in this kind of novel housefly pupae lectin by the method of gel staining,and then its structure was analyzed with the help of protein sequencing instrument,spectrophotometer color contrast,?-elimination reaction,infrared spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy.This kind lectin was a global-shaped monomer with the diameter 75 nm or so and the protein and oligosaccharide content 97.36% and 2.1% respectively.Peptide chain and oligosaccharide chain was linked by O-glycoside bond with the N-terminal blocked and the sugar ring alpinum type.All above was the reliable theory for further analysis of structure.