Mechanism of Xianglian Pills in improving dyslipidemia in obese mice induced by high-fat diet based on network pharmacology and intestinal flora / 中国中药杂志

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Xianglian Pills(XLP) on lipid metabolism in obese mice and explore the underlying mechanism based on network pharmacology and intestinal flora. Firstly, network pharmacology was used to predict the possible effect of XLP on obesity. Secondly, an obese mouse model induced by a high-fat diet was established to observe changes in mouse body weight, adiposity index, liver and adipose tissue pathology. Lipid profiles, liver and kidney function markers, insulin content, and the expression of recombinant uncoupling protein 1(UCP-1) and PR structural domain protein 16(PRDM16) were measured. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology was used to analyze the changes in the intestinal flora. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis showed that XLP mainly played a role in improving obesity by regulating lipolysis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and insulin resistance. The results of animal experiments showed that XLP significantly reduced body weight, adiposity, blood lipid levels, and serum insulin levels in obese mice, while enhancing the expression of UCP-1 and PRDM16 in adipose tissue without causing damage to the liver or kidneys. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing results showed that XLP decreased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes(F/B) ratio at the phylum level, increased the relative abundance of Akkermansia and Bacteroides at the family and genus levels, and reduced the abundance of Allobaculum. Therefore, XLP can effectively improve lipid metabolism disorders in high-fat diet-induced obese mice, and the mechanism is related to the improvement of brown adipose function, the browning of white fat, the accelerated lipid metabolism, and the improvement of intestinal flora. However, its effect on promoting the conversion of white adipose to brown adipose still needs to be further studied.

Chemical constituents of cyclic peptides from fibrous roots of Pseudostellaria heterophylla / 中国中药杂志

Four cyclic peptides were isolated from the 75% ethanol extract of the fibrous roots of Pseudostellaria heterophylla by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, and semi-preparative HPLC. Through mass spectrometry, NMR and other methods, they were identified as pseudostellarin L(1), heterophyllin B(2), pseudostellarin B(3), and pseudostellarin C(4). Among them, compound 1 was a new cyclic peptide, and compounds 2-4 were isolated from the fibrous roots of P. heterophylla for the first time. None of these compounds displayed cytotoxic activities against MCF-7, A549, HCT-116, and SGC-7901 cells.

Oral Chinese Patent Medicines for Breast Cancer：A Scoping Review of Clinical Evidence / 中国实验方剂学杂志

To clarify the research progress and existing problems in the clinical research on oral Chinese patent medicine in the treatment of breast cancer. National drug catalogs and databases were searched for oral Chinese patent medicines against breast cancer. Chinese and English databases were searched for clinical trials on oral Chinese patent medicines in the treatment of breast cancer. The main functions，drug composition，literature basic characteristics，intervention measures， and outcome indicators of Chinese patent medicines were comprehensively analyzed and evaluated by a scoping review based on visual charts. In 68 Chinese patent medicines included，53% of them were potent in activating blood， resolving stasis， tonifying the kidney， and strengthening the spleen. In terms of frequency， the top drugs were Ligustri Lucidi Fructus， Astragali Radix， Moutan Cortex， Poria， and Olibanum，indicating the importance of the therapeutic principles of activating blood， resolving stasis， tonifying the kidney， and strengthening the spleen for breast cancer treatment. In 161 included clinical trials，70.71% of the intervention measures were Chinese patent medicine combined with chemotherapy. Literature studies mainly reported Xihuang pills and Huaier granules，which may be related to the combination of chemotherapy and the inclusion in the medical insurance. The outcome evaluation was mainly based on immune indexes，tumor markers，Karnofsky score，safety report and objective response rate，while the survival time and characteristic outcome indicators of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） were insufficient. The application and research on oral Chinese patent medicine in the treatment of breast cancer have advanced in recent years，but most of the clinical research evidence is not robust，and the evaluation of outcome indicators is not standardized，which needs to be improved.

HPLC Fingerprint Analysis and Multi-component Determination of Substance Benchmark of Yiweitang / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To establish high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） fingerprint and multi-component determination for the substance benchmark of Yiweitang， and to evaluate its quality in combination with chemical pattern recognition method. Method:Fifteen batches of substance benchmark of Yiweitang were prepared， the "Chinese medicine chromatographic fingerprint similarity evaluation system" （2012 edition） was used to calculate similarity. Cluster analysis， principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis were employed to handle the common peaks for evaluating the quality difference among 15 batches of the substance benchmark. The contents of catalpol， verbascoside and methylophiopogonanone A were determined with mobile phase system of acetonitrile-phosphoric acid solution at detection wavelengths of 210 nm and 334 nm. Result:There were 22 common peaks in HPLC fingerprint of the substance benchmark， among them， peaks 1， 9， 12， 14-17， 19 and 20 belonged to Rehmanniae Radix， peaks 3， 4， 6， 7 and 21 belonged to Glehniae Radix， peaks 5 and 22 belonged to Ophiopogonis Radix， peaks 2 and 18 belonged to Polygonati Odorati Rhiaoma， peak 8 was the common peak of Ophiopogonis Radix and Rehmanniae Radix， peak 10 was shared by Ophiopogonis Radix， Polygonati Odorati Rhiaoma<italic> </italic>and<italic> </italic>Rehmanniae Radix， peak 11 was the common peak of these four herbs， and peak 13 was shared by Polygonati Odorati Rhiaoma and Rehmanniae Radix. The similarities between HPLC fingerprints of 15 batches of the substance benchmark and the control fingerprint were all >0.90， the samples could be divided into four categories by three chemical pattern recognition methods. Quantitative analysis showed that the contents of catalpol， verbascoside and methylophiopogonanone A among 15 batches of samples ranged from 0.37% to 1.14%， 0.002% to 0.054% and 0.016% to 0.079%， respectively. Conclusion:The established fingerprint and determination for the substance benchmark of Yiweitang have good separation and high accuracy， which reflect the overall chemical composition characteristics of Yiweitang， and can provide experimental basis for the further development and quality control of the compound preparations of this famous classical formula.

Effect of Serum from Kidney Yang Deficiency Rats on Expression of β-catenin/OPG/RANKL in OB-OC Co-culture System and Regulatory of Icariin / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the effect of serum of kidney Yang deficiency rats on the expression of β-catenin，osteoprotegerin(OPG) and nuclear transcription factor-κB receptor activator ligand (RANKL) in the co-culture system and regulatory of icariin on it， and to explore the possible mechanism of inducing osteoporosis.Method:The 16 male SD rats were randomly divided into blank group and model group， 8 rats in each group. 10 mL·kg-1 adenine was administrated to stomach to establish kidney yang deficiency model. Serum was separated and extracted after the model was established successfully. Isolation and culture of osteoblast（OB） and osteoclast（OC） in vitro， OB was observed and identified by alkaline phosphatase（ALP），alizarin red and Giemsa staining， OC was identified by tartrate resistant acid phosphatase（TRAP） staining， OB-OC co-culture system was established in transwell cell， icariin group（100 μmol·L-1）， blank group， icariin（100 μmol·L-1） + serum group， serum group and Dickkopf1（DKK-1） drug（100 μg·L-1） were set up in group ， 2 days after intervention of co-culture system， OC was counted， ALP and TRAP in supernatant were detected by microplate enzyme labeling， and the expression of OPG，β-catenin and RANKL in each group was detected by Western blot.Result:Compared with blank group， the ALP activity，β-catenin and OPG protein expression in serum group were significant reduction （P<0.05）， while the OC quantity， TRAP activity and RANKL protein expression were marked increase （P<0.05）. Compared with serum group， ALP activity of icariin group decreased significantly （P<0.01）， Compared with icariin group， ALP activity and OPG protein expression decreased （P<0.05）， trap activity and RANKL expression increased （P <0.05） in icariin + serum group.Conclusion:The serum of kidney Yang deficiency rats can induce the occurrence of osteoporosis， and the mechanism of action may be through inhibition of ALP activity， down regulating the expression of β-catenin and OPG protein， increasing the activity of TRAP and the expression of RANKL protein.

Recent advances in biosynthesis of forskolin / 中国中药杂志

Forskolin is a complex labdane plant diterpenoid, which has been used in the treatment of a variety of diseases based on its activity as an activator of adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) cyclase. Natural forskolin exists only in the cork layer of the root of Coleus forskohlii. Due to the complexity of the extraction and chemical synthesis processes, the yield and purity of forskolin cannot meet commercial requirements. In recent years, with the rapid development of synthetic biology and the analysis and interpretation of many diterpene biosynthetic pathways, a new approach has been provided for the green production of forskolin. In this paper, the structure, activity, biosynthetic pathway and the heterologous biosynthesis of forskolin were reviewed. The problems and solutions in the heterologous biosynthesis of forskolin were also discussed and summarized, which will provide references for the construction of high-yielding forskolin engineering strains.

Imaging diagnosis of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors / 中国实用外科杂志

Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms(pNENs)are a group of tumors that originate from stem cells and have neuroendocrine markers and are capable of producing biologically active amines and/or polypeptide hormones with significant heterogeneity.With advances in endoscopic and imaging techniques and improved diagnostic levels,the detection rate of the pNENs has increased.But at present,there is still easy to be misdiagnosed and missed because of insufficient understanding of the pNENs.Therefore,early diagnosis which by understanding the imaging features and using the effective imaging methods has great significance for improving prognosis.

Atrophic nodular cutaneous amyloidosis*

Abstract: Primary cutaneous amyloidosis is limited to the skin without involving any other tissue. Nodular amyloidosis is rare, and atrophic nodular cutaneous amyloidosis is even rarer. We describe the fourth case of atrophic nodular cutaneous amyloidosis by searching PubMed databases. A 52-year-old female presented to our hospital with a 2-year history of orange papules and nodules without subjective symptom on her right abdomen. Review of systems was negative. Atrophic nodular amyloidosis may progress to primary systemic disease in up to 7% of cases. Because our patient had no systemic involvement, she was diagnosed with atrophic nodular cutaneous amyloidosis based on characteristic symptoms and histopathologic examination. Routine follow-up for this patient is necessary to detect any potential disease progression.

Low triiodothyronine syndrome can predict poor prognosis in peritoneal dialysis patients / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective· To investigate the prevalence of low triiodothyronine syndrome (LT3S) in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and to evaluate the predictive value of long-term prognosis. Methods · From Jan. 2009 to Dec. 2015, all patients who started PD for 3 months were enrolled. According to thyroid hormone levels, there were classified into LT3S group (218 cases) and normal T3group (259 cases). The association between FT3and mortality in PD patients was estimated using Cox risk regression model. Results · Compared to the patients in normal T3group, patients with LT3S had lower hemoglobin[(97.90±23.71)g/L vs(105.54±22.94)g/L],adjusted serum calcium[(2.06±0.35)mmol/L vs(2.17±0.27)mmol/L](all P<0.01).Patients with LT3S had higher BNP{[311.00(134.59,776.00)pg/mL]vs[159.00(58.28,378.75)pg/mL]},hrCRP{[2.85(0.95,6.81)mg/L]vs[1.34(0.54,3.32)mg/L]}and serum total cholesterol[(3.18±1.29)mmol/L vs(2.76±0.93)mmol/L]than that in patients with normal T3group(all P<0.01).LVMI of LT3S group [(154.16±58.15)g/m2] vs (125.24±42.67)g/m2] was much higher than that of normal T3group (P<0.01). Cox risk regression model indicated that FT3 was significantly associated with all-cause mortality(HR 0.51,95% CI 0.41-0.63;P<0.01)and cardiovascular mortality(HR 0.60,95% CI 0.45-0.81;P<0.01). Conclusion·LT3S is common in PD patients.Lower FT3was an independent risk factor of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in PD patients.

Analysis of Steroid Hormone by Low Temperature Plasma Mass Spectrometry / 分析化学

A device to produce low temperature plasma ( LTP) was designed and constructed to serve as the ion source of a high resolution mass spectrometry, and was applied to qualitatively analyze the steroid samples. In comparison with conventional electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, low temperature plasma mass spectrometry ( LTP-MS) had some advantages such as simple sample pretreatment and less interference. Mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry were used to characterize the steroid samples in this research, and it was found that the structural stability of each steroid sample was presented in its mass spectrum, while in the tandem mass spectra there were more fragments of H2 O lost. And then the fragmentation process of typical steroid samples in collision induced dissociation ( CID ) was discussed based on theoretical calculation. In addition, by comparing tandem mass spectrometry and the fragmentation process, a pair of isomers of testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone could be distinguished successfully.

Design and application of medical equipment maintenance management system / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To involve informatized measures into medical equipment maintenance to enhance their clinical quality and safety.Methods A medical equipment maintenance management system was developed with C/S and B/S to establish the architecture,PowerBuilder language for programming and SQL Server 2008 database for data storage and inquiry.Results 2-a clinical trial proved the system had high stability,which facilitated maintenance application as well as inquiry and statistical analysis on maintenance records through network.Concinsion The system realizes informatized medical equipment maintenance management and promotes medical equipment maintenance management.

Effect of mifepristone on ciliary beat frequency and estrogen and progesterone receptor expression levels in human fallopian tubes / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective · To investigate ciliary beat frequency (CBF), and estrogen and progesterone receptor expression levels of human fallopian tubes after mifepristone treating in vitro. Methods · Human fallopian tube mucosa explants (n=25) were treated with different concentrations of mifepristone (0.1,1 and 10 μmol/L) or progesterone (10 μmol/L) separately, or both mifepristone and progesterone. After 24 h of treatment, CBF was measured. Quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to research the expression of estrogen receptor-α (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PR) of human fallopian tubes after mifepristone treating. The ultrastructure of epithelial cells of fallopian tube after mifepristone (10 μmol/L) treating were observed with transmission electron microscopy. Results · The CBF at the concentrations of 0.1, 1 and 10 μmol/L was not affected by mifepristone (P=0.728,P=0.405 and P=0.941). The CBF decreased markedly in the group of 10 μmol/L progesterone compared to control group (P=0.000). Mifepristone (0.1,1 and 10 μmol/L) dose dependently antagonized the progesterone-induced CBF decrease (P=0.484, P=0.000 and P=0.000). Mifepristone upregulated the expression levels of ERα and PR in the fallopian tubes, but the ultrastructure of the cilia had no significant change. Conclusion · Mifepristone acts as progesterone antagonist in the human fallopian tube, which may explain the tubal contraceptive mechanism when used as an emergency contraceptive.

Design and application of medical equipment maintenance management system / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To involve informatized measures into medical equipment maintenance to enhance their clinical quality and safety.Methods A medical equipment maintenance management system was developed with C/S and B/S to establish the architecture,PowerBuilder language for programming and SQL Server 2008 database for data storage and inquiry.Results 2-a clinical trial proved the system had high stability,which facilitated maintenance application as well as inquiry and statistical analysis on maintenance records through network.Concinsion The system realizes informatized medical equipment maintenance management and promotes medical equipment maintenance management.

Effect of mifepristone on ciliary beat frequency and estrogen and progesterone receptor expression levels in human fallopian tubes / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective · To investigate ciliary beat frequency (CBF), and estrogen and progesterone receptor expression levels of human fallopian tubes after mifepristone treating in vitro. Methods · Human fallopian tube mucosa explants (n=25) were treated with different concentrations of mifepristone (0.1,1 and 10 μmol/L) or progesterone (10 μmol/L) separately, or both mifepristone and progesterone. After 24 h of treatment, CBF was measured. Quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to research the expression of estrogen receptor-α (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PR) of human fallopian tubes after mifepristone treating. The ultrastructure of epithelial cells of fallopian tube after mifepristone (10 μmol/L) treating were observed with transmission electron microscopy. Results · The CBF at the concentrations of 0.1, 1 and 10 μmol/L was not affected by mifepristone (P=0.728,P=0.405 and P=0.941). The CBF decreased markedly in the group of 10 μmol/L progesterone compared to control group (P=0.000). Mifepristone (0.1,1 and 10 μmol/L) dose dependently antagonized the progesterone-induced CBF decrease (P=0.484, P=0.000 and P=0.000). Mifepristone upregulated the expression levels of ERα and PR in the fallopian tubes, but the ultrastructure of the cilia had no significant change. Conclusion · Mifepristone acts as progesterone antagonist in the human fallopian tube, which may explain the tubal contraceptive mechanism when used as an emergency contraceptive.

Study on screening antitumor active fractions and chemical components in active fractions from root of Anaycclus pyrethrum / 中国中药杂志

Components that systematic separated from the root of Anaycclus pyrethrum were identified, in order to lay a foundation for future study of the root of A. pyrethrum. The CCK-8 assay showed that dichloromethane fraction exhibited the highest degree of cytotoxicity than others. Ten monomeric components were obtained from dichloromethane fraction and ethyl acetate fraction extracted from the root of A. pyrethrum, including 7 N-alkylamides, one coumarin and two flavonoid glycosides. They were identified as tetradeca-2E,4E,8E-trienoic acid 4-hydroxyphenylethylamide(1), deca-2E,4E-dienoicacid isobutylamide(2), undeca-2E,4E-diene-8,10-diynoic acid phenylethylamide(3), tetradeca-2E,4E-dienoic acid 4-hydroxyphenylethylamide(4), tetradeca-2E,4E-diene-8,10-diynoic acid isobutylamide(5), deca-2E,4E- dienoic acid 4-hydroxyphenylethylamide(6), dodeca-2E,4E-dienoic acid 4-hydroxy -phenyl-ethylamide(7), isoscopoletin(8), quercetin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(9), isorhamnetin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(10). Among them, compound 1 was identified as a new compound, Compounds 2-4, 8-10 were isolated from this herb for the first time.

A study on toxic effects of sodium salicylate on rat cochlear spiral ganglion neurons: dopamine receptors mediate expressions of NMDA and GABAreceptors / 生理学报

The aim of the present study was to observe whether dopamine receptor (DR) was involved in the effects of sodium salicylate (SS) on the expressions of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in rat cochlear spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). Forty-eight hours after primary culture of rat SGNs, immunofluorescence technique was applied to detect expressions of DR1 and DR2, the two subtypes of dopamine receptors. Western blot was performed to assess NMDA receptor NR1 subunit and GABAreceptor subunit α2 (GABRα2) protein expressions in the SGNs after the treatments of SS alone or in combination with DR antagonists. The results demonstrated that: (1) The DR1 and DR2 were expressed in the bodies and axons of the SGN; (2) After the treatment with SS, the surface protein expressions of GABRα2 and NR1 were decreased by 44.69% and 21.57%, respectively, while the total protein expressions showed no significant changes; (3) Neither SS + SCH23390 (DR1 antagonist) group nor SS + Eticlopride (DR2 antagonist) group showed significant differences in GABRα2 and NR1 surface protein expressions compared with the control group. These results suggest that SS regulates the surface GABAand NMDA receptors trafficking on SGN, and the mechanism may involve DR mediation.

One new truxillic amide compound from Abrus mollis leaves / 药学学报

The butanol extract part was extracted and isolated with water, alcohol and different organic solvents from Abrus mollis leaves. 6 compounds were isolated and purified using various column chromatographies and identified with the spectral techniques such as UV, MS, TLC, HPLC and NMR. The structures of 6 compounds were trigonelline (1), praline (2), alanine anhydride (3), (Z)-N-(4-hydroxycinnamoyl)tyrosine (4), (E)-N-(4-hydroxycinnamoyl)tyrosine (5), and abrusamide C (6). Compound 6 is a new compound, and compounds 1-4 were isolated from the plant for the first time.

Interactions between dopamine receptor and NMDA/type A γ-aminobutyric acid receptors / 生理学报

Type A γ-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABAAR) and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) are the major inhibitory and excitatory receptors in the central nervous system, respectively. Co-expression of the receptors in the synapse may lead to functional influence between receptors, namely receptor interaction. The interactions between GABAAR and NMDAR can be either positive or negative. However, the mechanisms of interaction between the two receptors remain poorly understood, and potential mechanisms include (1) through a second messenger; (2) by receptors trafficking; (3) by direct interaction; (4) by a third receptor-mediation. Dopamine is the most abundant catecholamine neurotransmitter in the brain, and its receptors, dopamine receptors (DR) can activate multiple signaling pathways. Earlier studies on the interaction between DR and GABAAR/NMDAR have shown some underlying mechanisms, suggesting that DR could mediate the interaction between GABAAR and NMDAR. This paper summarized some recent progresses in the studies of the interaction between DR and NMDAR/GABAAR, providing a further understanding on the interaction between NMDAR and GABAAR mediated by DR.

Preliminary processing, processing and usage of Dendrobii Caulis in history / 中国中药杂志

On account of the dense cuticles of the fresh stem and the light, hard and pliable texture of the dried stem, Dendrobii Caulis is difficult to dry or pulverize. So, it is very important to the ancient doctors that Dendrobii Caulis should be properly treated and applied to keep or evoke its medicinal effects. The current textual research results about the preliminary processing, processing and usage methods of Dendrobii Caulis showed that: (1) In history the clinical use of fresh or processed Dendrobii Caulis as teas and tinctures were very common. (2) Its roots and rhizomes would be removed before using. (3) Some ancillary approaches were applied to shorten drying times, such as rinsing with boiling mulberry-ash soup, washing or soaking with liquor, mixing with rice pulp and then basking, etc. (4) According to the ancients knowledge, the sufficient pulverization, by means of slicing, rasping, hitting or pestling techniques, was necessary for Dendrobii Caulis to take its effects. (5) The heat processing methods for Dendrobii Caulis included stir-baking, stir-frying, steaming, decocting and stewing techniques, usually with liquor as an auxiliary material. Among above mentioned, steaming by pretreating with liquor was most commonly used, and this scheme was colorfully drawn in Bu Yi Lei Gong Pao Zhi Bian Lan (Ming Dynasty, 1591 CE) ; moreover, decocting in advance or long-time simmering so as to prepare paste products were recommended in the Qing Dynasty. (6) Some different processing programs involving stir-baking with grit, air-tightly baking with ondol (Kangs), fumigating with sulfur, which appeared in modern times and brought attractive outward appearance of the drug, went against ancients original intentions of ensuring drug efficacy.

Advance in studies on effective components in wheat bran and their pharmacological activities / 中国中药杂志

Wheat bran, as the testa of wheat, has a long history of medication. Modern studies have discovered that wheat bran contains dietary fiber, phenolic compounds, proteins, vitamins, minerals and many other compounds, and boasts wide pharmacological activities such as blood glucose reduction, hypertension reduction, lipid reduction, anti-oxidation, anti-bacteria, anti-inflammatory, antivirus, prevention of colon cancer and mutations, immunomodulation and adsorption of heavy metals. With great development and utilization values, wheat bran has long attracted wide attention from Chinese and foreign scholars. The paper summarizes the latest advance in domestic and foreign studies on effective components in wheat bran and their pharmacological effect, and gives a brief introduction of the limiting factors in the comprehensive development and utilization of wheat bran, in order to provide new preference for the development and utilization of abundant wheat bran resources in China.