Construction of a Winter Wheat Comprehensive Growth Monitoring Index Based on a Fuzzy Degree Comprehensive Evaluation Model of Multispectral UAV Data.

Realizing real-time and rapid monitoring of crop growth is crucial for providing an objective basis for agricultural production. To enhance the accuracy and comprehensiveness of monitoring winter wheat growth, comprehensive growth indicators are constructed using measurements of above-ground biomass, leaf chlorophyll content and water content of winter wheat taken on the ground. This construction is achieved through the utilization of the entropy weight method (EWM) and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE) model. Additionally, a correlation analysis is performed with the selected vegetation indexes (VIs). Then, using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) multispectral orthophotos to construct VIs and extract texture features (TFs), the aim is to explore the potential of combining the two as input variables to improve the accuracy of estimating the comprehensive growth indicators of winter wheat. Finally, we develop comprehensive growth indicator inversion models based on four machine learning algorithms: random forest (RF); partial least squares (PLS); extreme learning machine (ELM); and particle swarm optimization extreme learning machine (PSO-ELM), and the optimal model is selected by comparing the accuracy evaluation indexes of the model. The results show that: (1) The correlation among the comprehensive growth indicators (CGIs) constructed by EWM (CGIewm) and FCE (CGIfce) and VIs are all improved to different degrees compared with the single indicators, among which the correlation between CGIfce and most of the VIs is larger. (2) The inclusion of TFs has a positive impact on the performance of the comprehensive growth indicator inversion model. Specifically, the inversion model based on ELM exhibits the most significant improvement in accuracy. The coefficient of determination (R2) values of ELM-CGIewm and ELM- CGIfce increased by 20.83% and 20.37%, respectively. (3) The CGIfce inversion model constructed by VIs and TFs as input variables and based on the ELM algorithm is the best inversion model (ELM-CGIfce), with R2 reaching 0.65. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is used to optimize the ELM-CGIfce (PSO-ELM-CGIfce), and the precision is significantly improved compared with that before optimization, with R2 reaching 0.84. The results of the study can provide a favorable reference for regional winter wheat growth monitoring.

Differentiating root and rhizome of panax notoginseng based on precursor ion scanning and multi heart-cutting two-dimensional liquid chromatography.

Owing to increasing demand for Panax notoginseng-based medicines and health products, establishing a fast, simple, and reliable assay to analyze the chemical differences between its root and rhizome is important. Although previous studies showed that the chemical and biological differences between the root and rhizome of P. notoginseng seem to be small, efforts should be taken to investigate such differences to ensure the safety and efficacy of the products. This work describes a holistic approach that combines characteristic fingerprinting using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry parent ion scanning with charged aerosol detection and targeted separation by online heart-cutting two-dimensional liquid chromatography, to identify and evaluate characteristic markers allowing differentiation of the root and rhizome. A total of five potential markers chikusetsusaponin L5 , ginsenoside Rb2 , stipuleanoside R2, malonyl-ginsenoside Rb1 , and malonyl-ginsenoside Rd, were identified and confirmed by comparing chromatographic retention time, the accurate mass of molecular weight, and the fragments of secondary MS with the available reference materials. The results showed that all five markers were 2.8-7 times higher in content in the rhizome than in the root.

Ginsenoside Contents in Ginseng: Quality by Design-Coupled Two-Dimensional Liquid Chromatography Technique.

Red ginseng and white ginseng, with different chemical constituents, exhibit different antioxidative, anticancer, antiasthmatic and immunomodulatory properties. The aim of this study was to determine the amount of ginsenoside contents (Rg1, Re, Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd and Ro) in red and white ginseng. A rapid and comprehensive method was developed using the quality-by-design (QbD) and heart-cutting two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) techniques. The temperature (25°C), mobile phase constituent (0.1%H3PO4), flow rate (0.35 mL/min) and concentrations of the final (45%) and initial (19.5%) organic solvents were optimized to efficient chromatography-based isolation method. The gradient program was optimized by QbD Fusion AE system. A selective column (Thermo Acclaim RSLC Polar Advantage II 2.2 µm, 100 × 2.1 mm) was used for the studies. The ginsenoside Rb1, Rc and Ro exhibiting poor separation resolution were separated using the heart-cutting 2D-LC technique. The average Rb1, Rb2 and Rc contents in red ginseng were significantly higher than the average Rb1, Rb2 and Rc contents in white ginseng. Ginsenoside Ro can be potentially used as a marker to evaluate the qualities of white and red ginseng. This comprehensive and rapid method can be potentially used to screen the quality of the markers in the future.

Spatial Navigation Is Impaired in Elderly Patients With Cerebral Small Vessel Disease.

Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) refers to a heterogeneous group of pathological processes that result from damage to the small penetrating vessels in the brain. Spatial navigation, one of the most fundamental behaviors, has lately attracted considerable clinical interest. This study aimed to determine whether spatial navigation performance is impaired in elderly SVD patients. In total, 18 elderly patients with severe SVD, 40 elderly patients with non-severe SVD, and 41 age-matched healthy volunteers were classified according to the Fazekas scale. Spatial navigation was evaluated by Amunet (a computer-based analogy of Morris water maze software), and a mini-mental scale evaluation (MMSE), animal category verbal fluency test (VFT), clock drawing test (CDT), and trail making test (TMT) -B were also applied. Compared to healthy controls, severe SVD, rather than non-severe SVD patients, exhibited significantly worse performance on "allocentric + egocentric" (41.74 ± 29.10 vs. 31.50 ± 16.47 vs. 29.21 ± 19.03; p = 0.031). Furthermore, the different abilities of spatial navigation among groups reached a statistical level on allocentric subtests (46.93 ± 31.27 vs. 43.69 ± 23.95 vs. 28.56 ± 16.38; p = 0.003), but not on egocentric subtest (56.16 ± 39.85 vs. 56.00 ± 28.81 vs. 43.06 ± 25.07; p = 0.105). The linear regression analysis revealed that allocentric navigation deficit was significantly correlated with TMT-B (p = 0.000, standardized ß = 0.342) and VFT (p = 0.016, standardized ß = -0.873) performance in elderly SVD patients. These results elucidated that spatial navigation ability could be a manifestation of cognitive deficits in elderly patients with SVD.

Digital Handwriting Analysis of Characters in Chinese Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

An increasing amount of evidence shows that cognitive deficits and movement dysfunctions are not separated. Patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) can manifest fine motor disorders of the upper extremities. Handwriting is a complex and unique human activity involving both motor and cognitive coordination. Researchers from western countries have discovered that patients with MCI have abnormal handwriting features. However, no relevant studies have been conducted in the Chinese population. Owing to the cross-culture phenomenon of handwriting, the aim of this study is to find new handwriting tasks to demonstrate the differences in handwriting features between elderly patients with MCI and age-matched healthy individuals.

Phytochemical analysis of Panax species: a review.

Panax species have gained numerous attentions because of their various biological effects on cardiovascular, kidney, reproductive diseases known for a long time. Recently, advanced analytical methods including thin layer chromatography, high-performance thin layer chromatography, gas chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with tandem ultraviolet, diode array detector, evaporative light scattering detector, and mass detector, two-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography, high speed counter-current chromatography, high speed centrifugal partition chromatography, micellar electrokinetic chromatography, high-performance anion-exchange chromatography, ambient ionization mass spectrometry, molecularly imprinted polymer, enzyme immunoassay, 1H-NMR, and infrared spectroscopy have been used to identify and evaluate chemical constituents in Panax species. Moreover, Soxhlet extraction, heat reflux extraction, ultrasonic extraction, solid phase extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, enzyme-assisted extraction, acceleration solvent extraction, matrix solid phase dispersion extraction, and pulsed electric field are discussed. In this review, a total of 219 articles published from 1980 to 2018 are investigated. Panax species including P. notoginseng, P. quinquefolius, sand P. ginseng in the raw and processed forms from different parts, geographical origins, and growing times are studied. Furthermore, the potential biomarkers are screened through the previous articles. It is expected that the review can provide a fundamental for further studies.

[Establishment of measurement threshold and comparison of results for detection of Treponema pallidum specific antibody by Siemens ADVIACentaur XP chemiluminescent immunoanalyzer].

To investigate the detection threshold of Treponema pallidum specific antibody method by chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) in Siemens ADVIA Centaur XP for Syphilis serological test, and compare with the results derived from CMIA, TP-WB and TPPA method. The result can serve as reference for the application of CLIA. In total 30 887 samples screened by Treponema pallidum specific antibody method were collected by Abbott architect i2000 CMIA from July 2018 to July 2019 in Yanda Hospital of Hebei Province. We selected 153 patients with the ratio of sample absorbance to critical value (S/CO) of 1-9 by CMIA screening of Treponema pallidum specific antibody as the research objects. The reverse sequence of syphilis serological detection was adopted, and TP-WB and TPPA were used as the confirmation methods respectively. MedCalc software was used to analyze the results of ROC curve, and the cut-off value was obtained. Chi square test was used to test the difference significance of counting data. The detection results of Treponema pallidum specific antibody in the same batch of serum samples were unequal by different methods. There was no significant difference between CLIA method and TPPA method, but significant difference between CLIA method with TP-WB method and CMIA method was found. TPPA test results and TP-WB test results were taken as gold standards, ROC curve analysis showed that the best diagnostic cutoff value of CLIA method was 4.01 and 16.06, respectively, and the area under the curve was 0.961 and 0.838. The suggested cutoff value of CLIA method is quite different when using different syphilis serological test methods as the gold standard, Therefore, when the S/CO value determined by CLIA is between 1.00 to 16.06, TP-WB method should be recommended as the first choice in laboratory serological test for recheck and confirmation to avoid clinical misdiagnosis.

[Fingerprinting analysis of non-saponins from water-soluble part and determination of dencichine from Panax notoginseng, P. ginseng and P. quinquefolium based on liquid chromatography coupled with charged aerosol detection].

This work describes the holistic fingerprinting method based on liquid chromatography coupled with charged aerosol detection(CAD) to profile non-saponin from water-soluble parts and determination of dencichine in Panax ginseng(PG), P. quinquefolium(PQ) and P. notoginseng(PNG). Sample extraction was carried out by water with ultra sonication for 30 min, which was eluted by Retain PEP for further analysis. The analysis was performed on a Hypercarb of porous graphitized carbon(3.0 mm×150 mm, 3 µm) column with acetonitrile and 0.1% perfluoropentanoic acid as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.8 mL·min~(-1). Temperature of evaporator and nitrogen pressure for CAD were set at 50 ℃and 60.1 psi(1 psi≈6.895 kPa), respectively. As a result, dencichine and other polar components had a good performance on resolution and retention. The correlation coefficient(R~2) of dencichine was 0.998 2 in the concentration from 0.019 2 to 0.48 µg·mL~(-1). Limit of quantitation calculated by signal to noise of 10 was 7.4 ng·mL~(-1), and the recovery ranged from 95.52% to 102.7%. Chemical profile of the water-soluble part from PG, PQ and PNG was similar holistically, while the relative content for dencichine and other partial components varied significantly. The proposed method was used for characteristic of chemical profiling for non-saponin from water-soluble part, and determination of dencichine in PG, PQ and PNG.

Novel FKS1 and FKS2 modifications in a high-level echinocandin resistant clinical isolate of Candida glabrata.

Echinocandin resistance in Candida glabrata poses a serious clinical challenge. The underlying resistance mechanism of a pan-echinocandin-resistant C. glabrata isolate (strain L74) was investigated in this study. FKS mutants carrying specific mutations found in L74 were reconstructed by the Alt-R CRISPR-Cas9 system (Fks1 WT/Fks2-E655K, strain CRISPR 31) and site-directed mutagenesis (strain fks1Δ/Fks2-E655K). Sequence analysis of strain L74 revealed a premature stop codon W508stop in FKS1 and an E655K mutation preceding the hotspot 1 region in FKS2. Introduction of the Fks2-E655K mutation in ATCC 2001 (strain CRISPR 31) conferred a modest reduction in susceptibility. However, the same FKS2 mutation in the fks1Δ background (strain fks1Δ/Fks2-E655K) resulted in high levels of resistance to echinocandins. Glucan synthase isolated from L74 was dramatically less sensitive to micafungin (MCF) relative to ATCC 2001. Both FKS1/FKS2 transcript ratios and Fks1/Fks2 protein ratios were significantly lower in L74 and fks1Δ/Fks2-E655K compared to ATCC 2001 and CRISPR 31 (P <0.05). Mice challenged with CRISPR 31 and fks1Δ/Fks2-E655K mutants failed to respond to MCF. In conclusion, the high-level of echinocandin resistance in the clinical isolate of C. glabrata L74 was concluded to result from the combination of null function of Fks1 and the point mutation E655K in Fks2.

Determination of tropane alkaloids by heart cutting reversed phase - Strong cation exchange two dimensional liquid chromatography.

Current Chinese Pharmacopoeia (ChP) standards apply liquid extraction combined with one dimensional liquid chromatography (1DLC) method for determining alkaloids in herbal medicines. The complex pretreatments lead to a low analytical efficiency and possible component loss. In this study, a heart cutting reversed phase - strong cation exchange two dimensional liquid chromatography (RP - SCX 2DLC) approach was optimized for simultaneously quantifying tropane alkaloids (anisodine, scopolamine and hyoscyamine) in herbal medicines and herbal medicine tablets without further treatment of the filtered extract. The chromatographic conditions were systematically optimized in terms of column type, mobile phase composition and flow rate. To improve peak capacity and obtain symmetric peak shape of alkaloids, a polar group embedded C18 column combined with chaotropic salts was used in the first dimension. To remove the disturbance of non-alkaloids, achieve unique selectivity and acquire symmetric peak shape of alkaloids, an SCX column combined with phosphate buffer was used in the second dimension. Method validation was performed in terms of linearity, precision (0.54-0.82%), recovery (94.1-105.2%), limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of the three analytes varied between 0.067-0.115mgL-1 and 0.195-0.268mgL-1, respectively. The method demonstrated superiority over 1DLC method in respect of resolution (less alkaloid co-eluted), sample preparation (no pretreatment procedure) and transfer rate (minimum component loss). The optimized RP - SCX 2DLC approach was subsequently applied to quantify target alkaloids in five herbal medicines and herbal medicine tablets from three different manufactures. The results demonstrated that the developed heart cutting RP - SCX 2DLC approach represented a new, strategically significant methodology for the quality evaluation of tropane alkaloid in related herbal medicines that involve complex chemical matrix.

[A highly sensitive high performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection method for the determination of five phenolic compounds from Salvia miltiorrhiza].

The determination of antioxidants continues to be interested, since the oxidative damage is thought to be one of the main mechanisms involved in nearly all chronic renal pathologies. A highly sensitive high performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD) method was developed for evaluating the antioxidant properties of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Dan Shen). The method was optimized with respect to selectivity and sensitivity. Chromatographic conditions, including mobile phase pH value, buffer concentration, buffer type, organic solvent type, gradient profile and flow rate, were systematically investigated. Low pH value (2.8), low buffer concentration (20 mmol/L NaH2PO4), a shallow water-acetonitrile gradient, and a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min were the determined optimal conditions for the quantitative analysis of aimed five antioxidants from 14 batches of Dan Shen samples. The described method provided a good recovery (>95%), a very wide linear range (up to 104 for all analytes), a good precision (RSDs<4.01%), and a high sensitivity (LOQ of caffeic acid, 1.5 µ g/L). Compared with UV detection, the described ECD method was also more effective for evaluating the antioxidant properties of Dan Shen, as it provided highly selective detection of electro-active antioxidants.

Adipokine CTRP6 improves PPARγ activation to alleviate angiotensin II-induced hypertension and vascular endothelial dysfunction in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Angiotensin II (AngII) is the most important component of angiotensin, which has been regarded as a major contributor to the incidence of hypertension and vascular endothelial dysfunction. The adipocytokine C1q/TNF-related protein 6 (CTRP6) was recently reported to have multiple protective effects on cardiac and cardiovascular function. However, the exact role of CTRP6 in the progression of AngII induced hypertension and vascular endothelial function remains unclear. Here, we showed that serum CTRP6 content was significantly downregulated in SHRs, accompanied by a marked increase in arterial systolic pressure and serum AngII, CRP and ET-1 content. Then, pcDNA3.1-mediated CTRP6 delivery or CTRP6 siRNA was injected into SHRs. CTRP6 overexpression caused a significant decrease in AngII expression and AngII-mediated hypertension and vascular endothelial inflammation. In contrast, CTRP6 knockdown had the opposite effect to CTRP6 overexpression. Moreover, we found that CTRP6 positively regulated the activation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway and the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), a recently proven negative regulator of AngII, in the brain and vascular endothelium of SHRs. Finally, CTRP6 was overexpressed in endothelial cells, and caused a significant increase in PPARγ activation and suppression in AngII-mediated vascular endothelial dysfunction and apoptosis. The effect of that could be rescued by the ERK inhibitor PD98059. In contrast, silencing CTRP6 suppressed PPARγ activation and exacerbated AngII-mediated vascular endothelial dysfunction and apoptosis. In conclusion, CTRP6 improves PPARγ activation and alleviates AngII-induced hypertension and vascular endothelial dysfunction.

[Simultaneous determination of vitamins A, D3 and E in infant formula and adult nutritions by online two-dimensional liquid chromatography].

A rapid method for the simultaneous determination of vitamins A, D3 and E in infant formula and adult nutritions has been developed using online two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC). First of all, C8 and polar embedded C18 columns were chosen as the first and second dimensional column respectively according to hydrophobic-subtraction model, which constituted excellent orthogonal separation system. The detection wavelengths were set at 263 nm for vitamin D3, 296 nm for vitamin E and 325 nm for vitamin A. The purification of vitamin D3 and quantifications of vitamins A and E were completed simultaneously in the first dimensional separation using the left pump of Dual Gradient LC (DGLC) with methanol, acetonitrile and water as mobile phases. The heart-cutting time window of vitamin D3 was confirmed according to the retention time of vitamin D3 in the first dimensional separation. The elute from the first dimensional column (1-D column) which contained vitamin D3 was collected by a 500 µL sample loop and then taken into the second dimensional column (2-D column) by the right pump of DGLC with methanol, acetonitrile and water as mobile phases. The quantification of vitamin D3 was performed in the second dimensional separation with vitamin D2 as internal standard. At last, this method was applied for the analysis of the three vitamins in milk powder, cheese and yogurt. The injected sample solution with no further purification was pre-treated by hot-saponification using 1. 25 kg/L KOH solution and extracted by petroleum ether solvent. The recoveries of vitamin D3 spiked in all samples were 75.50%-85.00%. There was no statistically significant difference for the results between this method and standard method through t-test. The results indicate that vitamins A, D3 and E in infant formula and adult fortified dairy can be determined rapidly and accurately with this method.

Simultaneous quantitation of five Panax notoginseng saponins by multi heart-cutting two-dimensional liquid chromatography: Method development and application to the quality control of eight Notoginseng containing Chinese patent medicines.

Current China Pharmacopoeia (ChP) standards employ diversified and case-dependent assay methods to evaluate the quality of different Chinese patent medicines (CPMs) that contain Panax notoginseng as the monarch drug. These conventional, HPLC-based approaches, utilizing a complex sample preparation procedure, can easily result in low analytical efficiency and possible component loss. Here, a "monomethod-heterotrait matrix" (MHM) strategy is proposed, that is, developing a universal multi heart-cutting two-dimensional liquid chromatography (MHC-2D-LC) approach that facilitates the simultaneous quantitation of five P. notoginseng saponins (noto-R1, Re, Rg1, Rb1, and Rd) in eight different CPMs. The MHC-2D-LC system was constructed on a dual-gradient liquid chromatography instrument equipped with a Poroshell SB C18 column and a Zorbax SB-Aq column for respective (1)D and (2)D separation. Method validation was performed in terms of specificity, linearity (r(2) and F-test), intra-/inter-day precision (0.4-7.9%), stability (1.2-3.9%), and recovery (90.2-108.7%), and the LODs and LOQs (loaded masses) of the five analytes varied between 4.0-11.0ng and 6.0-33.0ng, respectively. The validated MHC-2D-LC approach was subsequently applied to quantify the five saponins in thirty batches of different CPMs. The method demonstrated superiority over the current ChP assay methods in respect of specificity (avoiding co-elution), resolution (Rs>1.5), sample preparation (easy-to-implement ultrasonic extraction without repeated re-extraction), and transfer rate (minimum component loss). This is the first application of an MHC-2D-LC method for the quantitative assessment of the constituents of CPMs. The MHM approach represents a new, strategically significant methodology for the quality control of CPMs that involve complex chemical matrix.

The anti-atherogenic effects of berberine on foam cell formation are mediated through the upregulation of sirtuin 1.

Berberine (BBR) is a botanical alkaloid that has been reported to have effects in cardiovascular diseases; however, the mechanisms involved are not yet fully understood. In the present study, the protective effects of BBR were evaluated, and the underlying molecular mechanisms were investigated. The effects of a combination of atorvastatin and BBR on foam cell formation were also investigated. THP-1-derived macrophages were pre-treated with BBR (5, 10 and 20 mg/l) for 2 h prior to the addition of oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL; 50 mg/l). Small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and the adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibitor, compound C, were used to investigate the mechanisms through which BBR exerts its effects. To determine the effect of a combination of atorvastatin and BBR, the macrophages were treated with atorvastatin and BBR separately or jointly for 2 h, and then treated with ox-LDL (50 mg/l) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 10 µM) for 12 h. Oil Red O staining was used to detect foam cell formation. Lipid amounts were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Gene and protein expression was evaluated by RT-qPCR, western blot analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) carried out separately or jointly. The results from Oil Red O staining and HPLC revealed that BBR effectively suppressed foam cell formation and lipid and cholesterol accumulation. Furthermore, BBR upregulated the expression of SIRT1 and AMPK and downregulated the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ). Pre-treatment of the cells with SIRT1-siRNA or compound C attenuated the anti-atherosclerotic effects of BBR. The results obtained in the present study demonstrate that the combination of atorvastatin and BBR is more effective in inhibiting foam cell formation than using atorvastatin alone. These data suggest that BBR suppresses foam cell formation by activating the AMPK-SIRT1-PPAR-γ pathway and diminishing the uptake of ox-LDL. Combination therapy with BBR and atorvastatin was more effective in preventing atherosclerotic processes than atorvastatin alone.

Berberine combined with atorvastatin downregulates LOX­1 expression through the ET­1 receptor in monocyte/macrophages.

Studies have shown that the oxidative modification of low­density lipoprotein (oxLDL) plays a major role in atherogenesis. Lectin­like oxidized low­density lipoprotein receptor­1 (LOX­1) mediated the transport of oxLDL into macrophages, which promoted foam cell formation. Targeting LOX­1 may therefore be a promising approach to inhibit atherosclerosis. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of berberine combined with atorvastatin on LOX­1 and explore the underlying molecular mechanism involved. Expression of LOX­1 in monocyte­derived macrophages (MDMs) exposed to berberine (0, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 nM) and atorvastatin (100 nM) were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot analysis. Results showed that the expression of LOX­1 was decreased in a dose­dependent manner. Additionally, knockdown of the endothelin­1 (ET­1) receptor significantly blocked the inhibitory effect of berberine on LOX­1 expression. Body weight (BW), liver weight (LW) and kidney weight (KW) in the model rats were markedly increased at concentrations of berberine ≥1 µmol/kg, while heart weight (HW) and spleen weight (SW) remained constant among all groups. Berberine combined with atorvastatin also decreased serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low­density lipoprotein­cholesterol (LDL­C) levels in the rat model as well as inflammation and oxidative stress. Furthermore, plasma ET­1 levels and LOX­1 expression were decreased by berberine combined with atorvastatin treatment, and the inhibitory effect on LOX­1 was impeded by an ET­1 receptor antagonist. The results demonstrated that berberine combined with atorvastatin downregulates LOX­1 expression through ET­1 receptors in monocyte/macrophages in vitro and in vivo.

[Rapid determination of four components in Guizhi Fuling capsule with online two-dimensional liquid chromatography].

To establish the online two-dimensional liquid chromatography by using double gradient liquid chromatography system and UV detector, in order to simultaneously determine the content of paeoniflorin, paenol, amygdaloside and cinnamic acid. A pump of the two-dimensional liquid chromatography was adopted as the one-dimensional separation pump. C18 (3.0 mm x 150 mm, 3 microm) was used as the analytical column, with acetonitrile as the organic phase and 0.08% phosphoric acid + 0.08% triethylamine as the aqueous phase for gradient elution at the flow rate of 0.5 mL x min(-1). Another pump of the two-dimensional liquid chromatography was adopted as the two-dimensional separation pump. PAII C18 was used as the analytical column, with acetonitrile as the organic phase and 20 mmol, pH 3.0 monopotassium phosphate as the aqueous phase for gradient elution at the flow rate of 0.8 mL x min(-1). The detection wavelengths were set at 218, 230, 275 nm by using wavelength time-switching program. The linearity range of paeoniflorin, amygdaloside, paeonol and cinnamic acid were 5.55-222 (r = 0.999 7), 6.6-264 (r = 0.999 8), 3.3-132 (r = 0.999 5) and 0.315-12.6 mg x L(-1) (r = 0.999 7), respectively. The average recoveries of the four components were between 96.12% and 103.9%. The experiment proved that this method was so rapid and accurate in determination results that it could be used for evaluating drug quality.

[Extraction, isolation and purification for ginkgolide B].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a simple extraction, isolation and purification method for ginkgolide B from ginkgo leaf. METHOD: The optimum conditions of extraction, isolation and purification were studied by taking the transfer rate of ginkgolide B as index. RESULT: Ginkgo leaf was extracted with 70% ethanol for three times, the extracts were concentrated to remove ethanol and diluted by water till the crude drug density reached 0.1 g x mL(-1). The dilution was adsorbed with HPD-450 macroporous resin. The impurities were eluted with 20% ethanol and ginkgolide B was eluted with 80% ethanol. Then the 80% ethanol eluant was concentrated and crystallized. Finally the crude crystals were recrystallized with isopropanol. The purity of the ginkgolide B recrystallization was 95%. CONCLUSION: The process was stable and easy to operate, which was suited to industrialized production.

Leiyemudanosides A-C, three new bidesmosidic triterpenoid saponins from the roots of Caulophyllum robustum.

Three new oleanane bidesmosidic triterpenoid saponins, named leiyemudanosides A-C (1-3) were isolated from the roots of Caulophyllum robustum Maxim. Their structures were established by chemical and detailed spectroscopic analysis as 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-caulophyllogenin-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (1), 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-caulophyllogenin-28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (2), and 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-echinocystic acid-28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (3), respectively.