[Optimization of processing technology of braised Rehmanniae Radix based on multiple indexes and response surface technology and correlation between components and color].

This study aims to explore the key factors influencing the processing of braised Rehmanniae Radix, optimize the processing, and determine the correlation between the components in different processed products and chroma values, which is expected to add quantitative indexes for the processing of braised Rehmanniae Radix and better control the processing. The weights of the indexes catalpol, rehmannioside D, verbascoside, isoacteoside, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, reducing sugar, and appearance were calculated based on analytic hierarchy process(AHP) in combination with coefficient of variation, and the overall desirability(OD) was obtained. Box-Behnken design was used to explore the optimal amount of water added, time for soaking with rice wine, and steaming time in the processing of braised Rehmanniae Radix. Colorimeter was employed to determine the chroma of 17 samples and raw samples, and SPSS, Prism, and other software to investigate the correlation between the components in braised Rehmanniae Radix and the chroma values. The results showed that each factor influenced the processing, and the influence followed the order of steaming time>amount of water added>time for soaking with rice wine. The optimal processing process is as below: A total of 100 g medicinal material was added with 7 times of water, followed by soaking with rice wine for 5 h and steaming in a pot for 6 h. The correlation analysis suggested the extremely significantly positive correlation between L~* and content of catalpol, between a~* and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural content, and between b~* and catalpol content, and the extremely significantly negative correlation between L~* and the content of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and reducing sugar, and between b~* and the content of 5-hydroxymethylfural and reducing sugar. In this experiment, response surface methodology was used to optimize the processing technology of braised Rehmanniae Radix and the optimized process was rational and feasible. The content of chemical components in braised Rehmanniae Radix was significantly correlated with the chroma. This study provided a new method for the quality evaluation of braised Rehmanniae Radix.

Trace Albumin in the Urine Dipstick Test is Associated with Coronary Artery Calcification in Korean Adults.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Albuminuria is a risk factor for coronary artery calcification (CAC) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although the urine dipstick test is widely used to screen albuminuria, little is known about the association between low-grade urine dipstick albumin and CAC. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the trace of urine dipstick albumin and CAC in Korean adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed 45,006 participants without previous CVD, who underwent coronary computed tomography and urine dipstick test from 2012 to 2014 as part of a health examination program in Korea. CAC was defined as coronary artery calcium score > 100. Participants were divided into 3 groups based on urine dipstick albumin results as follows: negative (-), trace (±), and positive (+1 to +4). RESULTS: The numbers of participants with CAC were 800 (2.0%), 111 (2.8%), and 33 (4.9%) for the negative, trace, and positive groups respectively. Based on multivariate analysis, albuminuria determined with urine dipstick test was associated with CAC after adjustment for various cardiovascular risk factors. Compared with the negative group, the OR for CAC was 1.62 (1.08-2.42) in the positive group and 1.34 (1.07-1.66) in the trace group. CONCLUSION: Even a trace level of albumin in the urine dipstick test was associated with subclinical CAC in Korean adults. Low-grade dipstick albuminuria should not be overlooked.