[Application of Chinese medicine quality constant in grades evaluation of Moutan Cortex].

There are more and more literature reports about the application of Chinese medicine quality constant in the grading evaluation of Chinese medicine decoction pieces. Chinese medicine quality constant has particularly prominent advantages in comprehensive quantification,so it has become a new method and mode for grading Chinese medicine decoction pieces,highly recognized by the academic circle. In order to determine the effect of Chinese medicine quality constant,a method of grades evaluation for Moutan cortex was established in this paper. 15 batches of samples were collected from Chinese herbal slices enterprises to determine the external morphological indexes and inner quality indexes,calculate the Chinese medicine quality constant of Moutan cortex,and divide them into different grades. The results revealed that the range of the relative quality constant of these samples was from 0. 016 to 0. 060,with percentage quality constant from 27. 4 to 100. 0. If these samples were divided into three grades: the quality constant of the first grade should be ≥0. 048 or the percentage quality constant ≥80. 0; the quality constant of the second grade should be <0. 048 but ≥0. 030 or percentage quality constant <80. 0 and ≥50. 0; the quality constant of the third grade should be <0. 030 or the percentage quality constant <50. 0. This research indicated that Chinese quality constant can objectively divide grades of Moutan cortex decoction pieces,providing reference for formulating grades standards. It was also verified from the results that traditional quality evaluation of Moutan cortex was consistent with quality constant,and the connotation of percentage quality constant was elaborated as well. At the same time,it is suggested to establish a third-party Chinese medicine slices rating agency as soon as possible,which is to unify the terminology and provide rating services for the market.

[Novel double heterozygous mutations on Met306Val and Thr181Asn related to a hereditary coagulation factor VII deficiency].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the genetic defect of coagulation factor VII in a Chinese family with hereditary FVII deficiency. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from the proband of hereditary FVII deficiency, female, aged 15, 4 members of her family, and 100 healthy persons. Genomic DNA was isolated. All the exons and exon-intron boundaries of FVII gene were amplified by PCR, then the PCR products were sequenced by direct sequencing. Restrictive endonuclease analysis was performed in all of the family members and the 100 healthy donors to exclude gene polymorphism. Biostructural analysis of the mutated FVII was completed by molecular modeling. RESULTS: Double heterozygous mutations in the proband were identified: A-->G mutation at position 10833 and C-->A mutation at position 9643, resulting in Met306Val and Thr181Asn substitution respectively. Heterozygosity for Met306Val was confirmed in the proband's mother and her elder sister; heterozygosity for Thr181Asn was confirmed in the proband's father. It was found by computer simulated molecular model that the Met306Val replacement, which was located on the surface of the FVII molecule, might cause steric hindrance and change the configuration and function of FVII protein. CONCLUSION: Double heterozygous mutations for Met306Val and Thr181Asn in FVII gene have been found in a proband with hereditary FVII deficiency. The Met306Val substitution in FVII gene is a novel mutation in hereditary FVII deficiency. The heterozygous mutation of FVII gene may change the configuration of FVII protein and result in FVII dysfunction.