[Identification and visual analysis of ginsenosides in multi-steamed roots of Panax quinquefolium based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and MALDI-MSI].

This study aims to investigate the component variations and spatial distribution of ginsenosides in Panax quinquefolium roots during repeated steaming and drying. Ultra performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was employed to identify the ginsenosides in the root extract. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging(MALDI-MSI) was employed to visualize the spatial distribution and spatiotemporal changes of prototype ginsenosides and metabolites in P. quinquefolium roots. The UPLC results showed that 90 ginsenosides were identified during the steaming process of the roots, and polar ginsenosides were converted into low polar or non-polar ginsenosides. The content of prototype ginsenosides decreased, while that of rare ginsenosides increased, which included 20(S/R)-ginsenoside Rg_3, 20(S/R)-ginsenoside Rh_2, and ginsenosides Rk_1, Rg_5, Rs_5, and Rs_4. MALDI-MSI results showed that ginsenosides were mainly distributed in the epidermis and phloem. As the steaming times increased, ginsenosides were transported to the xylem and medulla. This study provides fundamental information for revealing the changes of biological activity and pharmacological effect of P. quinquefolium roots that are caused by repeated steaming and drying and gives a reference for expanding the application scope of this herbal medicine.

Effects of tail docking and/or teeth clipping on behavior, lesions, and physiological indicators of sows and their piglets.

To evaluate effects of tail docking and/or teeth clipping on sows and their piglets, a total of 24 sows and their 302 piglets at 3 days of age were randomly allocated to one of four treatments: teeth clipping and tail docking (TCTD), teeth clipping (TC), tail docking (TD), or intact teeth and tail (Intact). Behavior of piglets and sows, lesions on the body and tail of piglets and sows' teats were inspected. Heart rates of processed piglets were increased (p < .01) during the procedures. Teeth clipping decreased body surface temperature (p < .01) of piglets during and after the procedures but tail docking did not (p > .01). Processed piglets spent more (p < .05) time lying alone and playing/fighting than sham-processed piglets. Tail docked piglets spent less (p < .01) time standing than tail sham-docked piglets. Intact teeth increased (p < .05) the avoidance behaviors of sows. Teeth clipping decreased (p < .05) the lesion scores on the anterior, middle, and posterior teats. Taken together, piglet teeth clipping had more impact on sows and their piglets than tail docking did in the lactation period based on our findings.

Efficacy and Safety of Premixed Human Insulin Combined with Sulfonylureas in Type 2 Diabetic Patients Previously Poorly Controlled with Insulin.

INTRODUCTION: Some type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients treated with premixed insulin alone or in combination with oral glucose-lowering agents (without sulfonylureas) cannot reach the required glucose targets. Clinical studies have demonstrated that diabetes patients treated with sulfonylureas achieve stable glycemic control, with a low hypoglycemic rate. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of therapy with the combination of premixed insulin and sulfonylureas. METHODS: A total of 120 patients with T2DM who were unable to achieve glycemic control on premixed human insulin were randomized into four groups, namely, a control group (premixed human insulin only) and three groups receiving combination therapy with premixed human insulin and one of the following sulfonylureas: gliclazide sustained release tablets [Diamicron], glipizide extended release tablets [Glucotrol XL], and glimepiride medium-to-long-acting tablets [Amaryl], with 30 patients in each group. Hemoglobin A1c, blood glucose, and adverse events were assessed at baseline and at the end of the 12-week treatment period. RESULTS: After treatment for 12 weeks, HbA1c, fasting glucose, and 2-h postprandial glucose levels in the four groups were significantly decreased when compared with baseline (P < 0.05). However, there was no difference between the four groups at the end of the study. In the control group, the daily insulin dose had been significantly increased at the end of the follow-up when compared with baseline (P < 0.05), while there were no significant changes in premixed insulin dose in the three combination therapy groups. There were no significant differences in adverse events among the four groups. CONCLUSION: Insulin combined with sulfonylureas could improve glycemic control without increasing daily insulin dose and adverse events. Based on our results, we consider the combination of premixed insulin and sulfonylureas to be effective and safe for the treatment of T2DM. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered as ChiCTR-TRC-14004751. Trial Registration Date: 5 June 2014.

[Flow-injection chemiluminescence determination of trace copper on-line separation and enrichment by ion imprinted polymer].

In the present study, Cu(II)-imprinted polymer was prepared and used as an effective method for separation and enrichment of Cu (II) ion in samples. An on-line preconcentration and extraction flow-injection system using solid phase extraction (SPE) column packed with prepared ion imprinted polymer (IIP) was set up. The column was eluted with a mixture of ethanol and H2 SO4 after preconcentration. A sensitive and simple chemiluminescence (CL) method using flow-injection has been developed for the determination of copper. The method is based on the fact that traces of Cu(II) exert a catalytic action on the oxidation between morin by KMnO4 solution. After optimizing the different experimental parameters, a calibration graph was obtained over the concentration range of 0 to 10 microg x mL(-1) for Cu(II) and r = 0.996 8. The detection limit is 0.001 2 microg x mL(-1). The recoveries are between 95% and 105% and the standard relative deviations (RSD) are less than 3% at 4.0 microg x mL(-1) (n = 9) level was obtained. The new chemiluminescence determination for copper has been established. The method can be satisfactorily applied to the determination of copper in sample.

[Study on the determinations of Ni, Fe, Mo, Mn and B in Ti/TiC composite material by atomic emission spectrometry].

The present paper describes the determination of trace Ni, Fe, Mo, Mn and B in Ti/TiC composite material using carbon powder, calcium carbonate, cupric oxide and beryllium oxide-as buffer by atomic emission spectrometry (ASE). Be 298.61 nm was selected as internal standard line. Sample separation and chemistry treatment were not requirel. The sample was directly loaded into ordinary electrode. The method is simple, rapid and accurate. The requirement of determination, and factors of influence were studied. A new method has developed for the determination of Ni, Fe, Mo, Mn and B. The analysis lines of Ni, Fe, Mo, Mn and B are 300.36, 248.33, 315.82, 260.57 and 249.68 nm respectively. The internal standard line of Be is 298.61 nm. The linear ranges of the determination of Ni, Fe, Mo, Mn and B are 0.003%-0.30%, 0.001%-0.20%, 0.003%-0.30%, 0.001%-0.20%, 0.001%-0.20% respectively. The detection limits of Ni, Fe, Mo, Mn and B are 0.003%; 0.001%, 0.003%, 0.001% and 0.001% respectively. The ranges of the recovery of Ni, Fe, Mo, Mn and B are 95.80%-104.8%, and the standard relative deviations (RSD) are less than 5.0% (n = 9). The method has been applied to the determination of Ni, Fe, Mo, Mn and B with satisfactory results.

[Effect of total saponins of Rubus parviflolius (TSRP) on change of hydrated amount and blood-brain barrier in rats during focal cerebral ischemic/reperfusion].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of total saponins of Rubus parviflolius (TSRP) on brain edema and blood brain barrier in rats. METHOD: The model of local cerebral ischemia was established in rats by reversible inserting a nylon thread into the anterior cerebral artery through the internal carotid artery brain hydrated amount and content change of Evan' s blue (EB) in cortex subjected to 2h middle cererbral artery occlusion (MACO) followed by 6 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h reperfusion and effect of TSRP. penetrability of blood brain-barrier (BBB) the index includes brain hydrated amount and penetrability of blood brain-barrier BBB. RESULT: Com- pared with I/R group. Both brain hydrated amount and the EB content decreased significantly in TSRP groups on the 6 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h of reperfusion after 2 hour of cerebral ischemia induced by MACO model. CONCLUSION: TSRP could decrease brain hydrated amount and markedly lower permeability of blood-brain barrier subjected to 2 h MACO followed by 24 h reperfusion, and this may be a mechanism of TSRP alleviating brain edema during I/R.

[Atomic emission spectrometry determination of Au, Pt and Pd after separation and enrichment by hyperbranched polymer].

The present paper shows that the trace amount of gold, platinum and palladium in hydrochloric acid solution can be concentrated by hyperbranched polymer. The new reagent has a rapid adsorption rate and big concentrating capacity. The determination of trace Au, Pt and Pd in sample using carbon powder and strontium carbonate as buffer was carried out by atomic emission spectrometry(AES). Zirconium was selected as internal standard line. The sample was directly loaded into ordinary electrode. The method is simple, rapid and accurate. The condition of determination, and factors of influence were studied. The analysis line of Au, Pt and Pd is 312.3, 306.5 and 311.4 nm respectively. The internal standard line of Zr is 310.7 nm. The linear range of the determination of Au, Pt and Pd is 0-0. 20%, 0-0. 40% and 0-0. 20% respectively. The detection limit of Au, Pt and Pd is 0.010%, 0.0030% and 0.0030% respectively. The method has been applied to the determination of Au, Pt and Pd with satisfactory results.

[The preotective effects of total glycosides Rubus parviflolius on cerebral ischemic in rat].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the protective effects of total glycosides Rubus parviflolius (TGRP) on local cerebral ischemic. METHOD: The local cerebral ischemia in rat was made by middle cerebral artery occlusion(MACO). The infraction weight was determined by TTC stain. SOD, MDA, GSH and apoptotis were determined with different method respectively. RESULT: TGRP 20, 10 mg x kg(-1) ig markedly improved the abnormal nervous symptoms, incredsed the SOD, GSH activity and reduced contentes of MDA in brain of MACO rat, TGRP 20 mg x kg(-1) ig significantly decreased the numbers of apoptotic cells in ischemic cortex. CONCLUSION: TGRP has protective effects against cerebral infraction, and its mechanism may be related to anti-apoptotis and free radical.

[Determination of ten trace rare earth elements in the sample by atomic emission spectrometry].

This paper describes the determination of trace La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Yb and Lu in the sample, using carbon powder, potassium sulfate, barium sulfate, strontium sulfate, and scandium chloride as buffer, by atomic emission spectrometry (AES). Scandium was selected as internal standard line. Sample separation and chemical treatment were not required. The sample was directly loaded into ordinary electrode. The method is simple, rapid and accurate. The determination requirement and influence factors were studied. A new method was developed for the determination of ten rare earth elements, for which the detection limit is smaller than 0.030%, and the range of the recovery is 94%-105%. The results of these elements in standard sample are in agreement with certified values, and the RSD is smaller than 5% (n = 9). The method has been applied to the determination of ten rare earth elements with satisfactory results.

[Determination of trace zirconium and hafniumin sample by atomic emission spectrometry].

This paper describes the determination of trace Zr and Hf in the sample using carbon powder and titanium oxide as the buffer by Atomic Emission Spectrometry (AES). Titanium was selected for the internal standard line. Sample separation and chemical treatment were not required. The sample was directly loaded into an ordinary electrode. The method is simple, rapid and accurate. The conditions for the determination, and the factors of influence have been studied. A new method has been developed for the determination of zirconium and hafnium. The analytical lines of Zr and Hf were 327.3 and 286.6 nm respectively. The internal standard line of Ti was 308.8 nm. The linear range of the determination of Zr and Hf was 0-0.50% and 0-0.25% respectively. The detection limit of Zr and Hf was 0.0010% and 0.010% respectively. The range of the recovery of zirconium and hafnium was 96.67%-105.0%. The results for these elements in standard sample are in agreement with certified values with a precision of 3.61% RSD for Zr (n = 9), and 4.82% RSD for Hf (n = 9). The method has been applied to the determination of Zr and Hf with satisfactory results.

[Determination of trace niobium and tantalum in rock sample by atomic emission spectrometry].

This paper describes the determination of trace Nb and Ta in sample using carbon powder and hafnium oxide as buffer by atomic emission spectrometry (AES). Hafnium has been selected as internal standard, since it has scinilar evaporation curve as those of Nb and Ta. Samples can be analyzed without chemical pretreatment. The sample was directly loaded onto the ordinary electrode. The method is simple, rapid and accurate. The range of determination for Nb and Ta are 0%-0.25% and 0%-0.125% respectively, and the detection limits are found to be 0.003% and 0.001%, respectively. Satisfactory results are obtained.