Efficacy and safety of herbal medicines intervention for cachexia associated with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

As a worldwide public health issue, cancer-induced cachexia can result in decreasing physical function and survival rate. However, the therapeutic effects of conventional approaches, including pharmacotherapy, exercise and nutritional intervention, are far from satisfactory. Herbal medicines (HMs), especially Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), are reported to effectively treat cachexia for centuries. The inclusion criteria of all participants in this study pointed to the diagnosis of cachexia, the trial group used herbal medicine (HM) in complementary and alternative medicine, etc. Twelve databases, including EMbase, PubMed, Web of science, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINAHL, CINAHLPlus, PsycINFO, AMED, China Biology Medicine disc (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang and Chongqing VIP (CQVIP) were retrieved from inception to March 28, 2022. We conducted the meta-analysis utilizing RevMan 5.3. A trial sequential analysis (TSA) was conducted to assess the adequacy of the sample size for the outcomes. We have registered the protocol and the registration number was CRD42022336446. A total of 66 studies were included, containing 3654 patients diagnosed with cancer cachexia, of which 1833 patients were assigned to the trial group and 1821 patients were treated in the control group. Outcomes cover the primary indicator KPS (RR = 1.84, 95%CI = [1.61, 2.09], p < 0.00001), and other outcomes including adverse events rate (RR = 0.37, 95%CI = [0.23, 0.58], p < 0.0001), albumin (MD = 2.14, 95%CI = [1.56, 2.71], p < 0.00001), haemoglobin (MD = 4.88, 95%CI = [3.26, 6.50], p < 0.00001), TCM syndrome effect (MD = 1.47, 95%CI = [1.31, 1.65], p < 0.00001), effect of weight (RR = 1.62, 95%CI = [1.34, 1.95], p < 0.00001), effect of appetite (RR = 1.23, 95%CI = [1.13, 1.34], p < 0.00001), FAACT (RR = 7.81, 95%CI = [6.12, 9.50], p < 0.00001), PG-SGA (MD = -2.16, 95%CI = [-2.65, -1.67], p < 0.00001) and QOL (MD = 5.76, 95%CI = [4.04, 7.48], p < 0.00001), suggesting that HMs or HMs combined with conventional treatment have an ameliorating effect on cachexia in each respect. Subgroup analysis showed that the five HMs with the best effect on improving KPS and their optimal doses were Coicis Semen (Yiyiren) in 10 g group, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chenpi) in 15 g group, Dioscoreae Rhizoma (Shanyao) in 10 g group, Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong) in 10 g group and Ginseng Radix Et Rhizoma (Renshen) in 20 g group. In addition, there were HM combinations of levels 2-6. Egger's test showed publication bias for five outcomes. HMs have a significant effect on improving cancer cachexia on FAACT, TCM syndrome, KPS, QOL, appetite, nutritional status (evaluated by PG-SGA scale), weight, levels of albumin and haemoglobin. And the Adverse events rate is less than that of Western Medicine. The herbs with the best curative effect and their optimal dose were Dioscoreae R. (10 g), Citri R.P. (15 g), Coicis S. (10 g), Ophiopogonis R. (10 g) and Ginseng R.E.R. (20 g). Due to the quality of included studies is not high, further high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of HM.

γ-Linolenic acid in maternal milk drives cardiac metabolic maturation.

Birth presents a metabolic challenge to cardiomyocytes as they reshape fuel preference from glucose to fatty acids for postnatal energy production1,2. This adaptation is triggered in part by post-partum environmental changes3, but the molecules orchestrating cardiomyocyte maturation remain unknown. Here we show that this transition is coordinated by maternally supplied γ-linolenic acid (GLA), an 18:3 omega-6 fatty acid enriched in the maternal milk. GLA binds and activates retinoid X receptors4 (RXRs), ligand-regulated transcription factors that are expressed in cardiomyocytes from embryonic stages. Multifaceted genome-wide analysis revealed that the lack of RXR in embryonic cardiomyocytes caused an aberrant chromatin landscape that prevented the induction of an RXR-dependent gene expression signature controlling mitochondrial fatty acid homeostasis. The ensuing defective metabolic transition featured blunted mitochondrial lipid-derived energy production and enhanced glucose consumption, leading to perinatal cardiac dysfunction and death. Finally, GLA supplementation induced RXR-dependent expression of the mitochondrial fatty acid homeostasis signature in cardiomyocytes, both in vitro and in vivo. Thus, our study identifies the GLA-RXR axis as a key transcriptional regulatory mechanism underlying the maternal control of perinatal cardiac metabolism.

The Optimization of Extraction Process, Antioxidant, Whitening and Antibacterial Effects of Fengdan Peony Flavonoids.

Flavonoids have important biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant and whitening, which is a potential functional food raw material. However, the biological activity of Fengdan peony flavonoid is not particularly clear. Therefore, in this study, the peony flavonoid was extracted from Fengdan peony seed meal, and the antioxidant, antibacterial and whitening activities of the peony flavonoid were explored. The optimal extraction conditions were methanol concentration of 90%, solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:35 g:mL, temperature of 55 °C and time of 80 min; under these conditions, the yield of Fengdan peony flavonoid could reach 1.205 ± 0.019% (the ratio of the dry mass of rutin to the dry mass of peony seed meal). The clearance of Fengdan peony total flavonoids to 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical, hydroxyl radical and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) free radical could reach 75%, 70% and 97%, respectively. Fengdan peony flavonoid could inhibit the growth of the Gram-positive bacteria. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of Fengdan peony flavonoid on S. aureus, B. anthracis, B. subtilis and C. perfringens were 0.0293 mg/mL, 0.1172 mg/mL, 0.2344 mg/mL and 7.500 mg/mL, respectively. The inhibition rate of Fengdan peony flavonoid on tyrosinase was 8.53-81.08%. This study intensely illustrated that the antioxidant, whitening and antibacterial activity of Fengdan peony total flavonoids were significant. Fengdan peony total flavonoids have a great possibility of being used as functional food materials.

The gut microbiome in human health and disease-Where are we and where are we going? A bibliometric analysis.

Background: There are trillions of microbiota in our intestinal tract, and they play a significant role in health and disease via interacting with the host in metabolic, immune, neural, and endocrine pathways. Over the past decades, numerous studies have been published in the field of gut microbiome and disease. Although there are narrative reviews of gut microbiome and certain diseases, the whole field is lack of systematic and quantitative analysis. Therefore, we outline research status of the gut microbiome and disease, and present insights into developments and characteristics of this field to provide a holistic grasp and future research directions. Methods: An advanced search was carried out in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC), basing on the term "gut microbiome" and its synonyms. The current status and developing trends of this scientific domain were evaluated by bibliometric methodology. CiteSpace was used to perform collaboration network analysis, co-citation analysis and citation burst detection. Results: A total of 29,870 articles and 13,311 reviews were retrieved from the database, which involve 42,900 keywords, 176 countries/regions, 19,065 institutions, 147,225 authors and 4,251 journals. The gut microbiome and disease research is active and has received increasing attention. Co-cited reference analysis revealed the landmark articles in the field. The United States had the largest number of publications and close cooperation with other countries. The current research mainly focuses on gastrointestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), while extra-intestinal diseases are also rising, such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease. Omics technologies, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and metabolites linked to mechanism would be more concerned in the future. Conclusion: The gut microbiome and disease has been a booming field of research, and the trend is expected to continue. Overall, this research field shows a multitude of challenges and great opportunities.

[Discussion on traditional Chinese medicine properties of Myrtus communis leaves based on literature analysis and Chinese medicine theory].

Myrtus communis is a traditional medicinal aromatic plant in the Mediterranean. At present, the plant has been introduced and cultivated in the southern part of China, and it is mostly used for ornamental or cosmetic purposes. Based on literature analysis and the theory of Chinese medicine, we discussed the medicinal parts and properties of M. communis in this paper to provide a theoretical basis for exploring the medicinal value of M. communis and its compatibility with traditional Chinese medicines. Literatures were searched from Web of Science(core collection), PubMed, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang by using the set conditions as key words. Then the obtained literatures were screened and classified. Finally, a total of 376 articles were included, consisting of 44 reviews, 54 germplasm resources, 78 chemical researches, 48 studies on application, extraction, or quality, 18 human trials, 132 pharmacological studies, and 2 safety studies. Based on literature analysis and theories of Chinese medicine, the leaves of M. communis were finally selected as the medicinal part of Chinese medicine, and the traditional Chinese medicine properties of M. communis leaves were deduced as pungent, bitter, and cool. The channel tropisms of M. communis leaves included lung, liver, and large intestine, with functions of detoxifying, resolving a mass, and insecticide. It was used for mouth sores, vaginal itching, hemorrhoids and warts, etc.; appropriate amount shall be applied for external use, and the decoction form shall be used for washing the affected parts; 3-12 g equivalent product shall be used in decoction, and this herb shall be put into the decoction in a later stage. The clarification of the medicinal parts of M. communis, and the determination of the Chinese medicine properties of M. communis leaves would lay a theoretical foundation for its compatibility and application with Chinese medicines, and can do more contribution to the medical and healthcare industry in our country.

[Research progress and discussion on traditional Chinese medicine properties of Kaempferia parviflora].

Kaempferiae Parviflorae Rhizoma is the dried rhizome of Kaempferia parviflora in Zingiberaceae. It is originated and widely distributed in Thailand and other tropical and subtropical regions, where it has been used as food and medicine for thousands of years. K. parviflora is also planted in Yunnan and other places of China, but its traditional Chinese medicine properties are not clear, which greatly limits its compatibility with traditional Chinese medicines. In this article, the English and Chinese literatures of K. parviflora were searched from Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP databases for research and analysis. The medicinal properties of K. parviflora were preliminarily discussed based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine under the guidance of clinical application and research literatures. The traditional Chinese medicine properties of K. parviflora were inferred as follows: flat, acrid, sweet. The channel tropisms of K. parviflora included kidney, spleen, stomach, and liver. The function of K. parviflora included tonifying kidney to strengthen essence, tonifying Qi and invigorating spleen, soothing liver and relieving depression. K. parviflora was clinically applied for the diseases such as syndrome of kidney essence deficiency, sex apathy, deficiency of spleen Qi, lassitude and asthenia, a weary spirit, obesity, diabetes, liver Qi stagnation, depression, and restless. The equivalent of dry power is 1.5 g·d~(-1) and the equivalent of decoction is 1.5-6 g·d~(-1). The determination of traditional Chinese medicine properties of K. parviflora has indeed laid a theoretical foundation for its application in the field of traditional Chinese medicine and enriched traditional Chinese medicine resources.

A novel sample-preparation method for the generic and rapid determination of pesticides and mycotoxins in tea by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A rapid, simple, and generic analytical method for the simultaneous determination of 140 undesirable low-weight pesticides and mycotoxins from different chemical classes in black tea was developed. The method involved swelling the sample in ammonium acetate buffer, extraction with acetonitrile-dimethyl sulfoxide, cleanup by dual dispersive solid-phase extraction (D-SPE) with the assistance of low-temperature centrifugation, and analysis by ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry using multiple reaction monitoring mode. The interferences in the extract were eliminated by the combination of dual d-SPE using only C18 sorbent and anhydrous magnesium sulfate, which maintained the chromatographic column under the ideal condition for a long time and enabled satisfactory recoveries of hydrophobic and hydrophilic analytes simultaneously. Matrix-matched calibration curves were obtained for most target compounds with linear regression coefficients above 0.9900. The limits of quantification (LOQs) ranged within 0.5-10.0 µg/kg, which were usually sufficient to verify the compliance of products with legal tolerances. Satisfactory recoveries of 64.5%-138.1% were obtained in black ta samples with the relative standard deviation (RSD) values between 1.8 and 25.9%. The inter-day precision ranged within 2.2%-24.9%. For over 90% of the analytes, the recoveries were between 70% and 120%, with RSD values below 15.0%. The application of this method in routine monitoring programs can drastically reduce effort and time.

Melanin-loaded biocompatible photosensitive nanoparticles for controlled drug release in combined photothermal-chemotherapy guided by photoacoustic/ultrasound dual-modality imaging.

Combined photothermal-chemotherapy guided by multimodal imaging is a promising strategy for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Multifunctional nanoparticles, such as those comprising organic and inorganic compounds, have been extensively investigated for combined photothermal-chemotherapy; however, their application is still limited by their potential long-term toxicity and lack of contrast properties. To solve these problems, in this study, a new type of multifunctional nanoparticle for combined photothermal-chemotherapy guided by dual-modality imaging was prepared with endogenous melanin by multistep emulsification to enhance tumor ablation. The nanoparticles were coated with poly(lactide-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and loaded with paclitaxel (PTX), encapsulated melanin and perfluoropentane (PFP). The materials in the nanoparticles were endogenous, ensuring high stability, biocompatibility, and biosafety. Nanoparticles irradiated with a laser, which induced their phase transformation into microbubbles, exhibited high photothermal conversion efficiency, thereby achieving photoacoustic (PA)/ultrasound (US) dual-modality imaging to determine tumor location, boundary, and size and to monitor drug distribution. Furthermore, optical droplet vaporization (ODV) of the nanoparticles could trigger the release of PTX; thus, these nanoparticles are a useful drug carrier. In vivo and in vitro experiments revealed that a strong synergistic antitumor effect was achieved by combining the photothermal properties of the nanoparticles with a chemotherapy drug. Importantly, the cavitation, thermoelastic expansion, and sonoporation caused by the phase transformation of the nanoparticles could directly damage the tumors. These processes also promoted the release, penetration and absorption of the drug, further enhancing the effect of combined photothermal-chemotherapy on tumor suppression. Therefore, the multifunctional nanoparticles prepared in this study provide a new strategy of using endogenous materials for controlled near-infrared (NIR)-responsive drug release and combined photothermal-chemotherapy guided by multimodal imaging.

Elucidation of the Mechanisms of Long-Distance mRNA Movement in a Nicotiana benthamiana/Tomato Heterograft System.

Recent heterograft analyses showed that large-scale messenger RNA (mRNA) movement takes place in the phloem, but the number of mobile transcripts reported varies widely. However, our knowledge of the mechanisms underlying large-scale mRNA movement remains limited. In this study, using a Nicotiana benthamiana/tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) heterograft system and a transgenic approach involving potato (Solanum tuberosum), we found that: (1) the overall mRNA abundance in the leaf is not a good indicator of transcript mobility to the root; (2) increasing the expression levels of nonmobile mRNAs in the companion cells does not promote their mobility; (3) mobile mRNAs undergo degradation during their movement; and (4) some mRNAs arriving in roots move back to shoots. These results indicate that mRNA movement has both regulated and unregulated components. The cellular origins of mobile mRNAs may differ between herbaceous and woody species. Taken together, these findings suggest that the long-distance movement of mRNAs is a complex process and that elucidating the physiological roles associated with this movement is challenging but remains an important task for future research.

Antioxidant Activity and Hepatoprotective Potential of Quercetin 7-Rhamnoside In Vitro and In Vivo.

Hypericum japonicum is traditionally used as a folk medicine to treat cholestasis and hepatitis. Quercetin 7-rhamnoside (Q7R) is one of the main flavonoid components of Hypericum japonicum and has been rarely studied. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective potential of Q7R. In the in vitro experiments, DPPH, ABTS and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays were first performed to assess the antioxidant properties of Q7R, and then a H2O2-induced oxidative damage cellular model was used to determine the cytoprotective and antioxidant properties of Q7R in human liver L-02 cells. In the in vivo experiment, the hepatoprotective activity of Q7R was evaluated by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage model in mice. The results of the three in vitro assays (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP) demonstrated that Q7R significantly exhibited antioxidant activity. The cell experiment results showed that Q7R possessed cytoprotective and antioxidant effects on H2O2-treated L-02 cells. In the in vivo experiments, Q7R suppressed the up-regulation of serum activities of ALT, AST, LDH and triglyceride (TG) levels with dose-dependency. Q7R down-regulated the production of MDA and increased the hepatic GSH content and antioxidant enzymes CAT activities. Hepatic morphological analysis was also performed to confirm the biochemical changes. In summary, these results suggested that Q7R could be considered as a potential source of natural antioxidants, and may become a promising candidate for the treatment of liver injury in the future.

[Effects of electroacupuncture at "Changqiang" (GV 1) on expression of nerve growth factor and brain derived neurotrophic factor in rats after acute spinal cord injury].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at"Changqiang"(GV 1) on expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in rats after acute spinal cord injury (ASCI), and to explore the mechanism of EA at"Changqiang"(GV 1) on ASCI. METHODS: Twenty-four adult female SD rats were randomly divided into an EA group, a model group and a sham operation group, 8 rats in each one. The rats in the sham operation group were treated with laminectomy to expose the spinal cord without any strike. The rats in the model group and EA group were treated with modified Allen's method to establish ASCI model. After model was established, the rats in the EA group were treated with EA at"Changqiang"(GV 1), once a day for continuous 7 days. The rats in the sham operation group and model group were treated with immobilization, once a day, without any other interventions. The basso beattie bresnahan (BBB) was evaluated 1, 3, 5, 7 days after operation. 7 days after operation, the rats were sacrificed with perfusion and the spinal cord was embedded with paraffin. The morphological changes of spinal cord and neuron were observed by Nissl's staining method; the expressions of NGF and BDNF were detected by immune fluorescence method. RESULTS: 3 days, 5 days and 7 days after operation, the BBB scores in the EA group were higher than those in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The Nissl's staining indicated the gray matter of spinal cord was butterfly-shaped with complete structure and clear boundaries between the gray and white matter; the tabby-shaped Nissl bodies were observed in cytoplasm. There were incomplete gray nucleus, big and saturate local stasis plaque. Compared with the model group, the smallerarea of blood stasis, less severity of neuron edema, better morphology of neuron and no vacuole change were observed in the EA group. The immune fluorescence results indicated the expressions of NGF and BDNF in the model group and EA group were higher than those in the sham operation group (all P<0.01); the expressions of NGF and BDNF in the EA group were higher than those in the model group (both P<0.01). CONCLUSION: EA at"Changqiang"(GV 1) could improve the expression of NGF and BDNF and increase the score of BBB in rats with ASCI, which is beneficial to the repair of ASCI.

[Effects of pricking and cupping combined with rehabilitation training on elbow flexion spasticity of upper limb after stroke and its IEMG value].

OBJECTIVE: Based on rehabilitation training, to observe the clinical effect difference between pricking combined with cupping and western medication for elbow flexion spasticity of upper limb of stroke patients. METHODS: Sixty patients were randomly assigned by SPSS software random number generator into a comprehension group and a western medication group, 30 cases in each one. Rehabilitation was used in the two groups. Pricking and cupping were applied at the affected abdominal center of biceps brachii muscle on Tuesday and Friday continuously for 4 weeks in the comprehensive group. Baclofen was prescribed orally continuously for 4 weeks, once 10 mg and 3 times a day in the western medication group. The indexes were observed before and after 4-week treatment as well as at immediate treatment, immediately after the first treatment in the comprehension group and 24 h after treatment in the western medication group, including the affected elbow joint activity, modified Ashworth scale (MAS), simple Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), integrated electromyogram (IEMG) of the affected biceps brachii and triceps brachii. The clinical effects were evaluated. RESULTS: After treatment, the elbow joint activity in the two groups was improved compared with that before treatment (both P ＜0.05), with better result in the comprehension group (P ＜0.05). There was no statistical significance for MAS and FMA scores at immediate treatment between the two groups (both P ＞0.05). After treatment, the MAS score decreased and the FMA score increased in the two groups (both P＜0.05), with better results in the comprehension group (both P ＜0.05). At immediate treatment and after treatment, biceps brachii IEMG decreased in the two groups (all P ＜0.05). The biceps brachii IEMG in the comprehension group at the immediate treatment was higher and that after treatment was lower compared with those in the western medication group (both P ＜0.05). The triceps brachii IEMG at immediate treatment was not statistically different from that before treatment in the comprehension group (P ＞0.05) and that in the western medication group decreased (P＜0.05). After treatment, the triceps brachii IEMG increased in the two groups (both P ＜0.05), with higher IEMG in the comprehension group (P ＜0.05). The total effective rate was 83.3% (25/30) in the comprehensive group, which was higher than 60.0% (18/30) in the western medication group (P ＜0.05). . CONCLUSION: Pricking and cupping combined with rehabilitation training can reduce the IEMG of the biceps brachii muscle in patients with stroke, and improve the spasticity and motor function.

Qualitative analysis of flavors and fragrances added to tea by using GC-MS.

A precise identification method was developed to identify the flavors and fragrances added to tea matrix artificially using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry and gas chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The proposed method was based on the corresponding "three-column retention indices, two exact mass numbers, one mass spectrum matching degree" database of 40 kinds of common flavors and fragrances. The intraday and the interday relative standard deviation of the retention indices were less than 0.048 and 0.093%, respectively. The accuracy of exact mass was between 0.15 and 6.22 ppm. And the validation of the created database was performed by analyzing the tea samples. Thus, the proposed method is suitable for the precise identification of the flavors and fragrances added to tea matrix artificially without standard substances as a reference.

Full-scale treatment of landfill leachate by using the mechanical vapor recompression combined with coagulation pretreatment.

Landfill leachate contains high concentrations of organic compounds and ammonium, and the presence of heavy metal ions, which normally requires expensive and complex treatment processes. In this study, full-scale experiments were implemented to evaluate the feasibility of mechanical vapor recompression (MVR) treating leachate. Results revealed that despite the drastic changes of influent pollutant concentrations, MVR system possessed the ability to reduce most of the pollutants and guarantee the effluent in compliance with the discharge limits of Chinese Standard. Fouling analyses revealed that the main components in the fouling were crystalline (Mg0.06Ca0.94)(CO3), combining with humus and silicon compounds. A fouling cleaning method was developed with the adding sequence of first sulphamic acid and then NaOH, which could remove 88.62% fouling. Although fouling was inevitable for MVR treating leachate, coagulation pretreatment removed large amounts of COD, BOD5, total nitrogen, ammonium and total phosphorus, with the respective means of 68.4%, 69.4%, 81.0%, 84.1% and 81.4%, and thereafter reduced the treatment cost 27.4% from 47.06 RMB (6.92 US dollars)/m3 to 34.15 RMB (5.02 US dollars)/m3. These outcomes provided that in addition to the combination method of biological removal process with membrane technology, MVR process was another feasible solution for leachate treatment.

A new method to evaluate the dose-effect relationship of a TCM formula Gegen Qinlian Decoction: "Focus" mode of integrated biomarkers.

It is difficult to accurately evaluate the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which leads to the uncertainty and complexity of dose-effect analysis. In this study we established the "Focus" mode of biomarkers to characterize the dose-effect relationship of Gegen Qinlian Decoction (GQD), a TCM formula for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (2-DM). A rat model of 2-DM was established through high fat diet feeding combined with low-dose STZ injection. Rats with 2-DM were administered high, middle or low doses (6.785, 4.071, 1.357 mg·kg-1·d-1, respectively) of GQD extract for 60 d. Metformin (300 mg·kg-1·d-1) was taken as the positive control. Blood samples were collected to assess serum biochemical indexes and metabolic profiling. After "Focus" analysis, the biochemical index triglycerides (TG) and insulin sensitivity (ISI) were identified as focused integrated biomarkers (FIBs), while arachidonic acid and docosatetraenoic acid were the metabolic FIBs. Dose-effect relationship curves of GQD were built based on these types of FIBs. Furthermore, the two dose-effect relationship curves showed similar trends with the middle dosage displaying the greatest efficacy, suggesting that insulin function and arachidonic acid metabolism played important roles in 2-DM and the responses to GQD. The metabolic FIB docosatetraenoic should be further explored for understanding its involvement in the process of 2-DM occurrence and the treatment. This "Focus" mode provides a novel strategy to evaluate the dose-effect relationship of a TCM. The system and concepts established here may also be applicable for assessing the dose-effect relationships of Western medicines.

Determination of gardenia yellow colorants in soft drink, pastry, instant noodles with ultrasound-assisted extraction by high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrum.

A novel, rapid and simple analytical method was developed for the quantitative determination of crocin, crocetin and geniposide in soft drink, pastry and instant noodles. The solid samples were relatively homogenized into powders and fragments. The gardenia yellow colorants were successively extracted with methanol using ultrasound-assisted extraction. The analytes were quantitatively measured in the extracts by liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. High correlation coefficients (r(2)>0.995) of crocin, crocetin and geniposide were obtained within their linear ranges respectively (50-1000ng/mL, 50-1000ng/mL, 15-240ng/mL) by external standard method. The limits of detection (LODs) were 0.02µg/g for crocin, 0.01µg/g for crocetin and 0.002µg/g for geniposide. And the limits of quantitation (LOQs) were in the ranges of 0.05-0.45µg/g for crocin, and in the ranges of 0.042-0.32µg/g for crocetin, and in the ranges of 0.02-0.15µg/g for geniposide in soft drink, pastry and instant noodles samples. The average recoveries of crocin, crocetin and geniposide ranged from 81.3% to 117.6% in soft drink, pastry and instant noodles. The intra- and inter-day precisions were respectively in the range of 1.3-4.8% and 1.7-11.8% in soft drink, pastry and instant noodle. The developed methods were successfully validated and applied to the soft drink, pastry, and instant noodles collected from the located market in Beijing from China. Crocin, crocetin and geniposide were detected in the collected samples. The average concentrations ranged from 0.84 to 4.20mg/g for crocin, and from 0.62 to 3.11mg/g for crocetin, and from 0.18 to 0.79mg/g for gardenia in various food samples. The method can provide evidences for government to determine gardenia yellow pigments and geniposide in food.

Wide-Scope Screening of Illegal Adulterants in Dietary and Herbal Supplements via Rapid Polarity-Switching and Multistage Accurate Mass Confirmation Using an LC-IT/TOF Hybrid Instrument.

A new analytical strategy was developed that integrates a generic sample preparation into a liquid chromatography-multistage ion trap/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-IT(MS(n))/TOF), allowing for large-scale screening and qualitative confirmation of wide-scope illegal adulterants in different food matrices. Samples were pretreated by a fast single-tube multifunction extraction for accurate multistage mass measurement on the hybrid LC-IT/TOF system. A qualitative validation performed for over 500 analyte-matrix pairs showed the method can reduce most of the matrix effects and achieve a lower limit of confirmation at 0.1 mg/kg for 73% of the target compounds. A unique combination of dual-polarity detection, retention time, isotopic profile, and accurate MS(n) spectra enables more comprehensive and precise confirmation, based on the multiparameter matching by automated library searching against the user-created database. Finally, the applicability of this LC-IT(MS(n))/TOF-based screening procedure for discriminating coeluting isobars, identifying nontarget adulterants, and even tentatively elucidating unexpected species in real samples is demonstrated.

[Determination of six phthalate acid esters in camellia oil by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry coupled with solid-phase extraction using single-walled carbon nanotubes as adsorbent].

An analytical method based on solid-phase extraction with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) as adsorbent was developed for the simultaneous determination of six phthalate acid esters (PAEs) in camellia oil by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The samples were diluted by hexane and then cleaned up with a glass SWCNTs solid phase extraction (SPE) column. The PAEs were measured by GC-MS in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode, using external standard method for quantitative analysis. The important factors affecting extraction efficiency, such as the dilution volume of hexane, the type of adsorbent material, the dosage of SWCNTs, the volume of wash solution, the type and volume of elution solution were optimized. The optimal conditions were as follows: the dilution volume of hexane was 5 mL, the dosage of SWCNTs was 0.6 g, the wash solution was 20 mL hexane, and the elution solution was 5 mL toluene. The six PAEs had a good linear range from 0.05 mg/L to 1.0 mg/L, with the correlation coefficients (r) all above 0.999 9. The average recoveries of the six targets in spiked camellia oil (from 0.05 mg/kg to 1.0 mg/kg) ranged from 86.4% to 111.7% with the relative standard deviations (RSDs) from 4.2% to 10.4%. The developed method is accurate, quick and suitable for the determination of the six PAEs in camellia oil.

[A study of recompression treatment schedule for treating type I decompression illness with medical hyperbaric chamber pressurized].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapic effects of the recompression treatment schedule D2 (breathing 100% oxygen at 0.12 MPa gauge pressure) on the type I decompression illness (DCI) by hyperbaric chamber pressurized with air. METHODS: The recompression treatment schedule D2 was from the decompression treatment tables of in Germany BGI690. Seven cases on work site group (work site group) and five cases in hospital (hospital group) were treated using recompression treatment. All cases suffered from type I DCI after normal decompression procedures from working in compressed air in tunnel construction. These patients were treated with basic schedule D2 or extended schedule D2 according to the symptoms of the cases responded to recompression therapy. RESULTS: In the work site group, the pains of joints, arms and legs were released quickly, the therapic effects appeared at (8.1 +/- 8.1) min, the cases were cured with a recompression therapy of basic schedule D2, the total mean time of treatment was (150 +/- 0.0) min. In the hospital group, the pains of joints, arms and legs disappeared slowly, the therapic effects appeared at (115.0 +/- 60.0) min, the cases were cured with a recompression therapy of extended schedule D2, the total mean time of treatment was (270.0 +/- 0.0) min, which was significantly longer than that in the work site group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The treatment pressure is 0.12 MPa(gauge pressure) in schedule D2 with medical hyperbaric chamber pressurized with air,which can be used for treatment of type I DCI, the curative effects in the work site group are better than those in the hospital group.

Simultaneous determination of yohimbine, sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil in dietary supplements using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A simple and sensitive method was developed for determination of illegal adulterants (yohimbine, sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil) in dietary supplements by HPLC-MS/MS. The separation was achieved on a C(18) column with the mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and 0.1% acetic acid aqueous solution with a gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. The analytes were quantified and identified by two characteristic transitions using the multiple-reaction monitoring mode. The recoveries of the analytes ranged from 77.5 to 109.3% with the RSD less than 8.1% (n=6). The method has been successfully applied to screen illegal adulterations of natural dietary supplements.