Elemene induces cell apoptosis via inhibiting glutathione synthesis in lung adenocarcinoma.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The rhizome of Curcuma wenyujin Y.H. Chen & C. Ling, also known as Wen-E-Zhu, has been used for cancer treatment since ancient times, with roots dating back to the Song Dynasty. Elemene (EE), a sesquiterpene extract with potent anticancer properties, is extracted from Wen-E-Zhu, with ß-elemene (BE) being its main active compound, along with trace amounts of ß-caryophyllene (BC), γ-elemene and δ-elemene isomers. EE has demonstrated broad-spectrum anti-cancer effects and is commonly used in clinical treatments for various types of malignant cancers, including lung cancer. Studies have shown that EE can arrest the cell cycle, inhibit cancer cell proliferation, and induce apoptosis and autophagy. However, the exact mechanism of its anti-lung cancer activity remains unclear and requires further research and investigation. AIM OF THE STUDY: In this study, the possible mechanism of EE and its main active components, BE and BC, against lung adenocarcinoma was investigated by using A549 and PC9 cell lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subcutaneous tumor model of nude mice was constructed to evaluate the efficacy of EE in vivo, then the in vitro half-inhibitory concentration (IC50) of EE and its main active components, BE and BC, on A549 and PC9 cells at different concentrations were determined by CCK-8. Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis and cycle of A549 and PC9 cells treated with different concentrations of BE and BC for 24 h. Non-targeted metabolomics analysis was performed on A549 cells to explore potential target pathways, which were subsequently verified through kit detection and western blot analysis. RESULTS: Injection of EE in A549 tumor-bearing mice effectively suppressed cancer growth in vivo. The IC50 of EE and its main active components, BE and BC, was around 60 µg/mL. Flow cytometry analysis showed that BE and BC blocked the G2/M and S phases of lung adenocarcinoma cells and induced apoptosis, leading to a significant reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Results from non-targeted metabolomics analysis indicated that the glutathione metabolism pathway in A549 cells was altered after treatment with the active components. Kit detection revealed a decrease in glutathione (GSH) levels and an increase in the levels of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and reactive oxygen (ROS). Supplementation of GSH reduced the inhibitory activity of the active components on lung cancer and also decreased the ROS content of cells. Analysis of glutathione synthesis-related proteins showed a decrease in the expression of glutaminase, cystine/glutamate reverse transporter (SLC7A11), and glutathione synthase (GS), while the expression of glutamate cysteine ligase modified subunit (GCLM) was increased. In the apoptosis-related pathway, Bax protein and cleaved caspase-9/caspase-9 ratio were up-regulated and Bcl-2 protein was down-regulated. CONCLUSIONS: EE, BE, and BC showed significant inhibitory effects on the growth of lung adenocarcinoma cells, and the mechanism of action was linked to the glutathione system. By down-regulating the expression of proteins related to GSH synthesis, EE and its main active components BE and BC disrupted the cellular redox system and thereby promoted cell apoptosis.

New eudesmane sesquiterpenoids from Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and their inhibitory activities against SREBPs / 中国中药杂志

Three sesquiterpenoids were isolated and purified from the 95% ethanol extract of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma by column chromatography on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS, and high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). Their chemical structures were identified on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and physiochemical properties as(7Z)-8β,13-diacetoxy-eudesma-4(15),7(11)-diene(1), 7-oxo-7,8-secoeudesma-4(15),11-dien-8-oic acid(2), and guai-10(14)-en-11-ol(3). Compounds 1 and 2 are new compounds and compound 3 was obtained from Compositae family for the first time. Compounds 1, 2, and 3 showed weak inhibitory activities against sterol regulatory element-binding proteins(SREBPs).

Bioactivity-guided discovery of quality control markers in rhizomes of Curcuma wenyujin based on spectrum-effect relationship against human lung cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Due to the diversity of the ingredients, the complexity of the mechanism of action, the uncertainty of the effective ingredients, coupled with the multiple species and multiple growing areas, the quality control (QC) of Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) is challenging. Discovering and identifying effective compounds from the complex extracts of TCMs and then establishing a scientific QC method is the key to the holistic QC of TCMs. PURPOSE: To develop an anti-lung-cancer-guided spectrum-effect relationship approach for the discovery of QC markers of the rhizome of Curcuma wenyujin (WEZ) and establish a bioactive compounds-based holistic QC method. METHODS: The chemical profiling of the volatile oil (WVO) from 42 batches of WEZ collected from different growing areas was performed by GC-MS. The anti-lung cancer activity of different WVO samples was determined by CCK-8 assay against human lung cancer cells (A549). The apoptosis and cell cycle analysis under different concentrations of WVO were detected by flow cytometry. SIMCA-P software was used to perform multivariate statistical analysis on the chemical composition of different WVO samples and to find the different components. Active compounds were screened using a PLSR model of the spectrum-effect relationship. Bioactive compounds-based fingerprint and quantification of the leading bioactive compounds were developed by GC-MS and GC-FID, respectively. RESULTS: Seventy-eight compounds were detected in WVO and 54 were successfully identified. The multivariate statistical analysis uncovered that WVO components and the anti-A549 activity of WVO at the concentration of 60 nl/ml differ greatly according to the origin of the plant. The WVO at the concentration of 60 nl/ml (IC50) increased A549 cells apoptosis significantly with late and early apoptosis of 15.61% and 7.80%, and the number of cells in the G2/M phase were also increased significantly under this concentration. The spectrum-effect relationship analysis revealed that 44 compounds were positively correlated with their activities, and the result was verified by A549 cell viability assay. Sixteen positively correlated compounds were further selected as QC markers according to their relative amount > 0.5% and anticancer activity. Finally, the 16 QC markers-based GC-MS fingerprint was established to holistically control the quality of WEZ, and a GC-FID method was developed for the quantification of leading bioactive compounds, ß-elemene and ß-caryophyllene. CONCLUSION: Based on an anti-lung-cancer-guided spectrum-effect relationship approach, the bioactive compounds-based holistic QC method was successfully developed for WEZ, which could provide a valuable reference for the QC of TCMs.

A combination index and glycoproteomics-based approach revealed synergistic anticancer effects of curcuminoids of turmeric against prostate cancer PC3 cells.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Herbal medicines (HMs) often exert integration effects, including synergistic, additive and antagonistic effects, in such ways that they act on multiple targets and multiple pathways on account of their multiple components. Turmeric, made from the rhizome of Curcuma longa L., is a well-known HM prescribed in the polyherbal formulas for cancer treatment in traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). However, neither the multiple anticancer compounds of turmeric nor the integration effects of these components are fully known. AIM OF THE STUDY: This work aims to develop a systematic approach to reveal the integration effect mechanisms of multiple anticancer compounds in turmeric against prostate cancer PC3 cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Combination index and omics technologies were applied to profile the integration effect mechanisms of bioactive compounds in proportions naturally found in turmeric. PC3 cell line (a prostate cancer cell line) fishing and high resolution mass spectrometry were employed to screen and identify the anticancer compounds from turmeric. The combinations which contain different cell-bound compounds in natural proportions were prepared for further evaluation of anti-cancer activity by using cell viability assays, and assessment of cell apoptosis and cell cycle analysis. Combination index analysis was applied to study the integration effects of the anticancer compounds in their natural proportions. Finally, quantitative glycoproteomics/proteomics and Western blot were implemented to reveal the potential synergistic effect mechanisms of the anticancer compounds based on their natural proportions in turmeric. RESULTS: Three curcuminoids (curcumin, CUR; demethoxycurcumin, DMC; bisdemethoxycurcumin, BDMC) in turmeric were discovered and shown to possess significant synergistic anticancer activities. Combination index analysis revealed an additive effect of CUR combined with DMC or BDMC and a slight synergistic effect of DMC combined with BDMC in natural proportions in turmeric, while a combination of all three curcuminoids (CUR, DMC and BDMC) at a ratio of 1:1:1 yielded superior synergistic effects. Interestingly, the presence of BDMC and DMC are essential for synergistic effect. Glycoproteomics and proteomics demonstrated that different curcuminoids regulate various protein pathways, such as ribosome, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, biosynthesis of amino acids, and combination of CUR + DMC + BDMC showed the most powerful effects on down-regulation of protein expression. CONCLUSIONS: Our analytical approach provides a systematic understanding of the holistic activity and integration effects of the anti-cancer compounds in turmeric and three curcuminoids of turmeric showed a synergistic effect on PC3 cells.

[UPLC quantitative fingerprint research on Gardeniae Fructus based on chemical pattern recognition technology].

Twenty-six batches of Gardeniae Fructus from different producing area were collected for the development of the fingerprint, and the main components of Gardeniae Fructus were identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The producing areas of Gardeniae Fructus were distinguished by chemical pattern recognition technology, and the index components of Gardeniae Fructus were quantitated. An UPLC wavelength switching method was adopted, and the separation was carried out on a Waters Acquity UPLC HASS C_(18)(2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.7 µm) column using the mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.5% formic acid water for gradient elution. Principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) were used for the data ana-lysis. The results showed that the similarity of 26 batches of Gardeniae Fructus was more than 0.89, and ten common peaks were defined. Sixteen compounds including monoterpenes, iridoids and diterpenoids were identified by reference identification, literature comparison and high-resolution mass spectrometry data analysis. The distinguishment of origin of Gardeniae Fructus was realized by PCA and OPLS-DA analysis, and two quality differential markers were screened as geniposide and crocin Ⅰ. The contents of crocin Ⅰ, crocin Ⅱ and geniposide in Gardeniae Fructus from different places were different. These results will provide reference for the geographical origin traceability of Gardeniae Fructus.

The discovery, design and synthesis of potent agonists of adenylyl cyclase type 2 by virtual screening combining biological evaluation.

Adenylate cyclases (ACs), play a critical role in the conversion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) into the second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Studies have indicated that adenylyl cyclase type 2 (AC2) is potential drug target for many diseases, however, up to now, there is no AC2-selective agonist reported. In this research, docking-based virtual screening with the combination of cell-based biological assays have been performed for discovering novel potent and selective AC2 agonists. Virtual screening disclosed a novel hit compound 8 as an AC2 agonist with EC50 value of 8.10 µM on recombinant human hAC2 + HEK293 cells. The SAR (structure activity relationship) based on the derivatives of compound 8 was further explored on recombinant AC2 cells and compound 73 was found to be the most active agonist with the EC50 of 90 nM, which is 160-fold more potent than the reported agonist Forskolin and could selectively activate AC2 to inhibit the expression of Interleukin-6. The discovery of a new class of AC2-selective agonists would provide a novel chemical probe to study the physiological function of AC2.

Discovery and validation of peptide biomarkers for discrimination of Dendrobium species by label-free proteomics and chemometrics.

The stems of Dendrobium officinale, a well-known and expensive food material and herbal medicine in Asia, has recently suffered adulterants and counterfeits by using lower-price confusing Dendrobium species such as D. devonianum or D. transparens in the herbal market. However, robust methods that could authenticate D. officinale from its confusing species effectively are still lacking, especially for the dried samples. This study committed to discover specific peptides biomarkers for the authentication of D. officinale from the other two Dendrobium species using label-free proteomics by nanoLC LTQ Orbitrap mass spectrometry. Multivariate statistical analysis was applied to visualize the difference between the three Dendrobium species. As a result, 29 peptides among a total of 343 measurable peptides were selected to be potential biomarkers for the classification of these Dendrobium species. The validation of the representative peptide biomarkers was carried out by the synthesized peptides and 3 peptide biomarkers were found significant for the authentication of D. officinale. Further analysis showed that peptide ALGLELDLSER may also be a biomarker for the discrimination of the D. officinale originated from different geographical regions.

Structure characteristics and quality control of Liuwei Dihuang Concentrated Pill from different manufacturers / 中国中药杂志

In this paper, we aim to control and evaluate the quality of Liuwei Dihuang Concentrated Pill by using the model of fingerprint technique and "component structure" theory. Agilent 5 TC-C_(18) column(4.6 mm×250 mm,5 μm) was used, with 0.1% formic acid solution-acetonitrile as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL·min~(-1). The column temperature was 30 ℃, with detection wavelength of 242 nm and the sample volume of 10 μL. The characteristic fingerprint of Liuwei Dihuang Concentrated Pill was established by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) for its quality control. Seventeen common peaks were identified, and the similarity was 0.550-0.997 in 29 batches of samples, indicating that the quality difference among batches of Liuwei Dihuang Concentrated Pills was significant. The structural characteristics of the Moutan Cortex components in Liuwei Dihuang Concentrated Pills were characterized. On this basis, combined with the structural characteristics of genuine components of Moutan Cortex, the structural characteristics of components in Liuwei Dihuang Concentrated Pills were further analyzed. The results showed that there were significant differences in the contents and quantity ratios of 9 representative components(components) of Moutan Cortex in Liuwei Dihuang Concentrated Pills from different manufacturers, indicating internal quality differences among different batches of products. The fingerprint technique and the "component structure" theory established by the above research provide an analytical method and a research foundation for the quality evaluation of Liuwei Dihuang Concentrated Pills.

Structural characteristics of pharmacodynamical components in genuine Moutan Cortex / 中国中药杂志

Guided by the theory of "component structure", we analyzed the structural characteristics of pharmacodynamical components in genuine Moutan Cortex. The compositions of organic small molecules were determined by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) for 20 batches of genuine Moutan Cortex and 12 batches of non-genuine Moutan Cortex. By means of similarity analysis, clustering analysis(CA), principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), the elements in structural characteristics of the pharmacodynamical components were extracted as follows: terpene glycosides components(oxidized paeoniflorin, paeoniflorin,galloyl paeoniflorin, benzoyloxy paeoniflorinand benzoyl paeoniflorin), tannin components(1,3,6-tri-O-galloside acyl glucose, pentagalloyl glucose), and phenolic acid components(methyl gallate, paeonol). The contents and quantity ratios of terpene glycoside component, tannin component and phenolic acid components in genuine Moutan Cortex were determined as 14.1, 12.5, 21.7 mg·g~(-1), 1.00∶0.89∶1.54. The contents and quantity ratios of the oxidized paeoniflorin, paeoniflorin and benzoylpaeoniflorin in the terpene glycoside components were characteristic and determined as 2.05, 7.05, 3.30 mg·g~(-1), 1.00∶3.44∶1.61. The unique structural characteristics of genuine Moutan Cortex provide scientific basis for the formulation of quality standards.

Identification of flavonoids 3-hydroxylase from Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn and its application in enhanced production of taxifolin / 生物工程学报

(2S)-taxifolin is an important flavonoid that has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidation effects. It is widely used in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. Flavone 3-hydroxylase (F3H) can catalyze the synthesis of (2S)-taxifolin and other 3-hydroxylated flavonoids from (2S)-eriodictyol. Due to the low catalytic efficiency of F3H, the titer of many 3-hydroxyflavones, such as taxifolin, synthesized by microbial method is relatively low. In this study, a SmF3H was identified from the transcriptome of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. The results of fermentation showed that SmF3H can catalyze the flavone 3-hydroxylation reaction, and its catalytic efficiency was significantly higher than that of commonly used SlF3H from Solanum lycopersicum. Six promoters with different transcription strength were selected to optimize the synthesis pathway from the flavonoid precursor (2S)-naringenin to (2S)-taxifolin. The results showed that the highest titer of (2S)-taxifolin (695.90 mg/L in shake flask) could be obtained when the P(GAL7) promoter was used to control the expression of SmF3H. The titer of (2S)-taxifolin was further improved to 3.54 g/L in a 5-L fermenter, which is the highest titer according to current available literatures.

Separable Microneedles for Synergistic Chemo-Photothermal Therapy against Superficial Skin Tumors.

It is extremely important to develop a minimally invasive and efficient approach for treatment of superficial skin tumors (SSTs). In this work, a near-infrared (NIR)-triggered transdermal therapeutic system based on two-stage separable microneedles (MNs) has been proposed for synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy against SSTs. Lauric acid and polycaprolactone as phase-change materials have been used to prepare the arrowheads of the two-stage separable MNs in which an anticancer drug (doxorubicin, DOX) and photothermal agent (indocyanine green, ICG) were embedded. The arrowheads are capped on the dissolvable support bases that consisted of poly(vinyl alcohol)/polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVA/PVP). After inserting into skin tissue, the PVA/PVP support bases can be dissolved quickly owing to the absorption of the interstitial fluid, leading the arrowheads to be left in the skin tissue. Under NIR irradiation, the arrowheads embedded in the skin can be ablated because of the photothermal conversion of the ICG, resulting in liberation and penetration of the DOX from the MNs into the tumor tissue. A mouse model of melanoma tumor has been established to evaluate the synergistic effect of two-stage separable MN phototherapy and chemotherapy in the treatment of skin cancer.

Clinical Efficacy of Modified Zhenwutang Combined with Zhengji Technique on Cold-dampness Arthralgia Syndrome Caused by Knee Osteoarthritis at Episode / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To study the clinical efficacy of modified Zhenwutang combined with Zhengji technique on cold-dampness arthralgia syndrome caused by knee osteoarthritis (KOA) at episode and the effect on inflammatory factors of joint fluid. Method: One hundred and forty-eight patients were randomly divided into control group and observation group by random number table. Patients in control group got celecoxib capsules, 0.2 g/time, 1 time/day, and Zhengji technique with lumbar positioning oblique pulling and finger pressing for 12 times, 1 time for every two days, 3 times/week. Patients in observation group got modified Zhenwutang, 1 dose/day, and the same Zhengji technique. The course of treatment was 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis index (WOMAC), pain and swelling, index of severity of osteoarthritis (ISOA), local signs of knee joint and cold-dampness obstruction syndrome were scored, and the score of quality of life were discussed by arthritis impact measurement scale 2 (AIMS2-SF). And levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-17, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were detected. Result: The clinical efficacy in observation group was better than that in control group (Z=2.131, PPPβ, IL-17, TNF-α, SP and CGRP were higher than those in control group (PConclusion: Modified Zhenwutang combined with Zhengji technique can relieve clinical symptoms of patients with cold-dampness arthralgia syndrome caused by knee osteoarthritis (KOA) at episode, ameliorate joint function to improve patients' quality of life, reduce the expression of proinflammatory factors and neuropeptides in synovial fluid, so as to inhibit the inflammatory response and controlling clinical symptoms.

An LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of nine steroidal saponins from Paris polyphylla var. in rat plasma and its application to pharmacokinetic study.

Paris polyphylla var is an herbal plant herb widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The purpose of this study is to develop an Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS) method to quantify the major components (i.e., nine saponins) from P. polyphylla in plasma samples. A UItra BiPh column (100×2.1mm, 5µm) was used with acetonitrile/0.1% formic acid in water as mobile phases. The analytes were quantified using a Waters XEVO TQ mass spectrometer via multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) with positive scan mode. A protein precipitation method was used to extract the analytes from rat plasma. The inter/intra-day precision, accuracy, recovery, matrix effect, and stability were evaluated per the FDA guidance. The method showed linearity in the concentration ranges of 2.4-1250ng/mL. The intra-day and inter-day precisions (RSD) of these analytes at three different levels were less than 15.0%. The extraction recoveries of these analytes were from 83.8% to 109.4% and the matrix effects ranged from 87.4% to 105.4%. The stabilities of these compounds in plasma were evaluated by analyzing three different concentrations following storage at 25°C for 6h, and -80°C for 30days. All the samples displayed less than 15.0% variations. The validated method was successfully used to a pharmacokinetic (PK) study using Sprague Dawley (SD) rats with intravenous (i.v.) and oral (p.o.) administration of P. polyphylla extract. The applications revealed that this method can be used to analyze major steroidal saponins from P. polyphylla in biological samples.

Clinical Observation of Acupuncture plus Paroxetine for Depression Due to Liver-qi Stagnation / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus Paroxetine in treating depression due to liver-qi stagnation, for seeking a more effective treatment for this disease.Method Sixty patients with depression due to liver-qi stagnation were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by acupuncture plus Paroxetine, while the control group was by Paroxetine alone, successively for 8 weeks. Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Chinese medicine syndrome and sign score, and central neurotransmitters were observed before and after the treatment, for evaluating the therapeutic efficacy.Result The total effective rate was 96.6% in the treatment group versus 71.4% in the control group, and the treatment group was superior to the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture plus Paroxetine is an effective method in treating depression due to liver-qi stagnation.

HPLC fingerprint of glycyrrhizea radix et rhizoma praeparata cum melle / 中国中药杂志

The chromatographic fingerprint was established by eluting with the mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and 0.2% formic acid water on an Agilent TC-C18 (2) column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm). Six chromatographic peaks were identified by HPLC-MS/MS method. Ten batches of Glycyrrhizea Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata Cum Melle were determined, and the similarity was arranged from 0.72 to 0.99. Good precision, stability and repeatability were obtained, and this study provides a reference for the quality control of Glycyrrhizea Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata Cum Melle.

Clinical observation on acupressure at Jiaji points for irritable bowel syndrome / 中国针灸

<p><b>UNLABELLED</b>To evaluate clinical efficacy of acupressure at Jiaji points for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and explore its pathogenesis and treatment law.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty outpatient cases of IBS from 2010 to 2012 were selected and randomly divided into an acupressure group and a medication group, 30 cases in each one. The acupressure at Jiaji points was applied in the acupressure group while pinaverium bromide tablet was orally prescribed in the medication group. The bowel symptom scale (BSS) was adapted to sore symptoms before and after the treatment, the improvement rate was adopted and results were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The difference of BSS score in two groups after the treatment had statistical significance (both P<0.01). The efficacy in the acupressure group was superior to that in the medication group, which had significant difference (P<0.01). The improvement rate was 90.0% (27/ 30) in the acupressure group, which was better than 50.0% (15/30) in the medication group (P<0.01). The location of abdominal pain in IBS was lower abdomen while treatment location was from 11th thoracic vertebra to 1st lumbar vertebra.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The acupressure at Jiaji points could balance yin and yang in spine to quickly relive symptoms of IBS. The attack of IBS has some relationship with thoracic and lumbar vertebras.</p>

HPLC fingerprint of Liuwei Dihuang condensed pills / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish HPLC fingerprints of Liuwei Dihuang condensed pills.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Dikma Diamonsil C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) was adopted, with acetonitrile (containing 0.05% phosphoric) -water (containing 0.05% phosphoric) as the mobile phase. The column temperature was set at 40 degrees C, and the flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1). The detection wavelength was 276 nm (0-10 min), 236 nm (10-40 min) and 276 nm (40-60 min). The sample size was 20 microL. Chromatographic peaks were identified by Q-TOF-MS-IDA-MS/MS method.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Good precision, stability and repeatability were proved. Q-TOF-MS-IDA-MS/ MS method was adopted for qualitative determination of eighteen chromatographic peaks. Ten batches of Liuwei Dihuang condensed pills were determined with the method, and their similarities were above 0. 96.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The study lays a foundation for the overall quality evaluation of Liuwei Dihuang condensed pills.</p>

CT manifestations of patients with swine-origin influenza A H1N1 QI / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To explore the manifestations of chest multi-slice spiral CT in patients with initial infection of swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus (S-OIV). Methods The chest multi-slices spirals CT images of 19 firstly diagnosed patients with swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) in our institution were retrospectively studied. CT manifestations were evaluated by three experienced radiologists. Location, appearance of lung abnormalities, abnormal distribution, pleural effusion and others (pericadiaum, lymphadenopathy and pleural thickening) were observed and quantitatively analyzed. The correlation of ground-glass and consolidation CT scores with the fever time was studied. Results The abnormal CT findings were observed bilaterally in 18 of 19 subjects including ground-glass (n= 3), consolidation (n=3 ), consolidation accompanied with ground-glass (n=12). Most of these lesions were distributed diffusively (n=14) while the others located in the middle and low lobes (n= 4). Unilateral (n=3) or bilateral (n=2) pleural effusion were observed. Lymphadenopathy (n=2), effusion of pericadium (n=1), pleural thickening (n=1) and cardiac enlargement (n=2) were also found in patients with H1N1. CT scores of ground-glass were 4. 25(n=2),3.75 (n=1),2.25(n=1),1.75(n=1),1.00(n=6),0.75(n=2), 0.50(n=2),0(n=4).CT scores of consolidation were4.25(n=1),4.00(n=1),3.75 (n=1), 2.75(n=1),1.25(n=3),1.00(n=2),0.75(n=2),0.50(n=1),0.25(n=3),0(n=4). CT scores of ground-glass were significantly correlated with the fever time (r= 0.776, P < 0.01), CT scores of consolidation had no correlation with the fever time(r=0.322,P > 0.01). Conclusions The most common CT findings in patients with S-OIV infection are diffuse distribution of bilateral ground-glass opacities with or without associated focal or multifocal areas of consolidation. The increasing of ground-glass's range could be the marker of progression of H1N1 pulmonary infection at initial stage.

The serum homocysteine levels and dynamic changes in patients with different etiologic macrocytic anemia / 中国综合临床

Objective To examine the serum homocysteine,folic acid and Vitamin B12 levels in macrocytic anemia patients and observe their dynamic changes following therapy. Methods Homocysteine,folic acid and Vita-min B12 were analyzed by electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay. Complete blood cell count was analyzed by opti-cal method and resistance method. Results The homocysteine is significantly higher in nutritional megaloblastic a-nemia[ (71.26±27.84)μmoL/L ] than in drug-induced megaloblastic anemia[(11.44±5.06)μmol/L],in myel-odysplastic syndrome[ (9.51±4.13)μmol/L] and in the normal control group[(8.74±5.42)μmoL/L] (P<0.01). After treated with low-dosage folic acid and Vitamin B12,the patients with megaloblastic anemia presented slow declining but eventually normal homocysteine levels,compared with those received high-dosages. Conclusion Homocysteine can be used for differential diagnosis of macrocytic anemia. The duration of remaining of abnormal ho-mecysteine levels is related to the dosage of folic acid and Vitamin B12.