Extending the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): The GRADE-TCM.

AIM: To extend and form the "Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation in Traditional Chinese Medicine" (GRADE-TCM). METHODS: Methodologies were systematically reviewed and analyzed concerning evidence-based TCM guidelines worldwide. A survey questionnaire was developed based on the literature review and open-end expert interviews. Then, we performed expert consensus, discussion meeting, opinion collection, external examination, and the GRADE-TCM was formed eventually. RESULTS: 265 Chinese and English TCM guidelines were included and analyzed. Five experts completed the open-end interviews. Ten methodological entries were summarized, screened and selected. One round of consensus was conducted, including a total of 22 experts and 220 valid questionnaire entries, concerning 1) selection of the GRADE, 2) GRADE-TCM upgrading criteria, 3) GRADE-TCM evaluation standard, 4) principles of consensus and recommendation, and 5) presentation of the GRADE-TCM and recommendation. Finally, consensus was reached on the above 10 entries, and the results were of high importance (with voting percentages ranging from 50 % to 81.82 % for "very important" rating) and strong reliability (with the Cr ranging from 0.93 to 0.99). Expert discussion meeting (with 40 experts), opinion collection (in two online platforms) and external examination (with 14 third-party experts) were conducted, and the GRADE-TCM was established eventually. CONCLUSION: GRADE-TCM provides a new extended evidence-based evaluation standard for TCM guidelines. In GRADE-TCM, international evidence-based norms, characteristics of TCM intervention, and inheritance of TCM culture were combined organically and followed. This is helpful for localization of the GRADE in TCM and internationalization of TCM guidelines.

Abnormal sleep features in adolescent MDD and its potential in diagnosis and prediction of early efficacy.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have shown that abnormal sleep architectures are the important indicator for diagnosing MDD and predicting the efficacy of antidepressants. However, few studies have focused specifically on adolescents. OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between abnormal sleep features, including PSG parameters and scale evaluation, and the onset of adolescent MDD, as well as early SSRIs efficacy. METHODS: 102 adolescent MDD patients (age 12 to 19-year-old) and 41 similarly age-marched controls were recruited. Demographic data, the HAMD24 and the PSQI scale assessment scores were collected at baseline, latter two were also collected at follow-up. Part of the participants underwent a minimum 7-d medication-free period, and two consecutive night polysomnography. In the follow-up study, MDD patients were treated with standardized SSRIs. Treatment response was assessed every two weeks. RESULTS: MDD subjects' parental marital status, REM-sleep latency, N2, N2%, N3, REM-sleep duration, REM % showed significant differences at baseline. REM-sleep latency showed significant prediction of the onset of MDD. The HAMD24 and PSQI scale assessment scores decreased over time in the follow-up study. Specifically, the sleep disorder factor score of HAMD24, the scores of PSQI sleep latency, sleep disorder, sleep efficiency and total score showed significantly differences between responder and non-responder groups. PSQI baseline moderate group showed significant prediction of the early efficacy of SSRIs. CONCLUSION: Abnormal sleep PSG parameters and self-evaluation could be predictors for the adolescent MDD onset and early SSRIs efficacy.

[Effects of density on growth and gene transcription characteristics of Rehmannia glutinosa].

The present study analyzed the effects of planting density on the development, quality, and gene transcription characte-ristics of Rehmannia glutinosa using 85-5 and J9 as materials with three planting densities of 5 000, 25 000, and 50 000 plants/Mu(1 Mu≈667 m~2). The agronomic characteristics of leaves and tuberous roots, the content of catalpol and acteoside, and the changes of gene expression were determined. The results showed that the leaf size, the diameter of tuberous root, leaf biomass, tuberous root number, and tuberous root biomass per plant at low density were significantly higher than those of medium and high densities. The content of catalpol and acteoside in leaves was higher at high density. The content of catalpol in tuberous roots was higher at low density, and the change trend was similar to that in leaves, while the content of acteoside in tuberous roots was higher at high density. Transcriptome analysis found that about 1/2 of the expansin genes could change regularly in response to density treatment, which was rela-ted to the development of tuberous roots. The change trend of the gene expression of multiple catalytic enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of catalpol and acteoside was consistent with that of their content, which was presumedly involved in the accumulation and regulation of density-responsive medicinal components. Based on the analysis of the development, medicinal components, and gene expression characteristics of R. glutinosa at different densities, this study is expected to provide an important basis for regulating the quality and yield of medicinal materials of R. glutinosa by managing the planting density.

[Effect and mechanism of moxibustion on oxidative stress injury in rats with Parkinson's disease by activating Nrf2/ARE pathway].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of moxibustion on oxidative stress injury of nigrostriatal system in rats with Parkinson's disease (PD) based on nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway, and to explore its mechanism. METHODS: A total of 48 SD rats were randomized into a blank group, a sham-operation group, a model group and a moxibustion group, 12 rats in each group. Unilateral two-point injection with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) was adopted in the model group and the moxibustion group to establish the PD model; the operation manipulation in the sham-operation group was the same as the model group and the moxibustion group, and the same volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solutions was given by unilateral two-point injection. Moxibustion was adopted at "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Sishencong" (EX-HN 1) in the moxibustion group for 20 min, once a day, 6 times a week for 6 weeks. No intervention was given in the other 3 groups. Morphology of right mesencephalon substantia nigra was observed by HE staining, the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in right mesencephalon substantia nigra was detected by immunohistochemistry method, the expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in corpus striatum was detected by colorimetry method, and the expression of Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) proteins was detected by Western blot in the 4 groups. RESULTS: Clear tissue structure and complete dopaminergic neurons of right mesencephalon substantia nigra were observed in the blank group and the sham-operation group; unclear tissue structure, decreased and swelling dopaminergic neurons were observed in the model group; compared with the model group, more neurons were observed and the swelling of cyton was reduced in the moxibustion group. Compared with the sham-operation group, the expression of TH in right mesencephalon substantia nigra was decreased in the model group (P<0.01); compared with the model group, the expression of TH in right mesencephalon substantia nigra was increased in the moxibustion group (P<0.05). Compared with the sham-operation group, the expression of ROS, MDA was increased (P<0.01), the expression of GSH, GSH-Px, Nrf2 and HO-1 was decreased in the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05); compared with the model group, the expression of ROS, MDA was decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), the expression of GSH, GSH-Px, Nrf2 and HO-1 was increased in the moxibustion group (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Moxibustion can alleviate oxidative stress injury of nigrostriatal system in rats with Parkinson's disease by activating the Nrf2/ARE pathway, and protect the dopamine neurons.

Comparison of cyanobacterial communities in temperate deserts: A cue for artificial inoculation of biological soil crusts.

The topsoil cyanobacteria in biological soil crusts (BSCs) play a vital role in stabilizing soil surface of disturbed habitats in water and nutrient-poor ecosystems. Currently, artificial inoculation of BSCs is considered as an effective approach to restore habitats and accelerate ecosystem regeneration. Understanding the character of cyanobacterial communities is the necessary prerequisite to explore the artificial inoculation of BSCs. For this reason, cyanobacterial communities in BSCs were compared between two mid-latitute temperate deserts with distinct precipitation patterns. The results showed that Oscillatoriales and Nostocales dominated crusts in the Tengger desert with majority of rainfall in summer and early autumn while Oscillatoriales dominated crusts in the Kyzyl kum desert with more rainfall in winter and early spring. Moreover, filamentous Microcoleus vaginatus overwhelmingly dominated all the crusts in both deserts with Mastigocladopsis sp. and Chroococcidiopsis spp. as the dominant heterocystous cyanobacteria. Of note, genus Wilmottia kept a relative stable and high abundance in both deserts. The top two abundantly shared cyanobacteria (> 1% of total sequences) were M. vaginatus and Mastigocladopsis sp. in both deserts, while 16 genera with significant variances were found between the two deserts (P <0.05). Total variations of cyanobacterial communities across the deserts were largely explained by a combination of biotic factors (microbial biomass C and N) and abiotic factors (soil pH, soil water content, soil water holding capacity, and soil available potassium). Compared to better-developed crusts, cyanobacterial abundance was higher in cyanobacterial crusts. BSC type and/or geographic location significantly affected cyanobacterial Shannon diversity without significantly influencing species richness. Our data suggest that the basic and major groups (e.g. M. vaginatus, Wilmottia spp., Mastigocladopsis sp., and Chroococcidiopsis spp.), and the abundantly shared phylotypes which showed significant difference in cyanobacterial communities between deserts, should be focused on to further explore the artificial inoculation of BSCs in temperate drylands.

[Comparative observation of acupoint thread-embedding and acupuncture therapy of Shugan Tiaoshen for insomnia of liver depression and qi stagnation].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of Shugan Tiaoshen (soothing the liver and regulating mind) acupoint thread-embedding therapy and Shugan Tiaoshen acupuncture therapy for insomnia of liver depression and qi stagnation. METHODS: A total of 68 patients with insomnia of liver depression and qi stagnation were randomly divided into an acupoint embedding group (34 cases) and an acupuncture group (34 cases). Two groups were respectively treated with acupoint thread-embedding and acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Shenmen (HT 7), Neiguan (PC 6), Taichong (LR 3), Ganshu (BL 18) and Xinshu (BL 15). The treatment in the acupoint embedding group was given once a week, and in the acupuncture group was given once every other day for 6 weeks. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS), TCM syndrome scores before and after treatment and medical expenses were compared between the two groups, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated. RESULTS: After treatment, the PSQI total scores, each sub-item score and SAS and SDS scores of the two groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05); the sleep quality, time during fall asleep, sleep time, sleep efficiency, daytime dysfunction scores and PSQI total score in the acupoint embedding group after treatment were lower than those in the acupuncture group (P<0.05). After treatment, except for constipation and yellowish urine, the sub-item scores and total scores of TCM syndromes in the two groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05); the sleep disturbance score of the acupoint embedding group was lower than that of the acupuncture group (P<0.05). The medical expenses in the acupoint embedding group was lower than that in the acupuncture group (P<0.05). The total effective rate of the acupoint embedding group was 85.3% (29/34), and the acupuncture group was 82.4% (28/34), there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Shugan Tiaoshen acupoint thread-embedding therapy and Shugan Tiaoshen acupuncture therapy both have significant curative effect on insomnia of liver depression and qi stagnation, but acupoint thread-embedding therapy is better than acupuncture therapy in improving sleep quality and reducing medical expenses.

[Molecular cloning and expression analysis of iridoid synthase genes from Rehmannia glutinosa].

Iridoid synthase( IS),the key enzyme in the natural biosynthesis of vegetal iridoids,catalyzes the irreversible cyclization of 10-oxogeranial to epi-iridodial. In this study,we screened the Rehmannia glutinosa transcriptome data by BLASTn with Catharanthus roseus CrIS cDNA,and found four c DNA fragments with length of 1 527,1 743,1 425,1 718 bp,named RgIS1,RgIS2,RgIS3 and RgIS4,respectively. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the four iridoid synthase genes encoding proteins with 389-392 amino acid residues,protein molecular weights were between 44. 30-44. 74 k Da,and theoretical isoelectric points were between 5. 30 and 5. 87. Subcellular localization predictions showed that the four iridoid synthase were distributed in the cytoplasm. Structure analysis revealed that R. glutinosa iridoid synthases contain six conserved short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase( SDR) motifs,and their 3 D models were composed typical dinucleotide-binding " Rossmann" folds covered by helical C-terminal extensions. Using the amino acid sequences of four R. glutinosa iridoid synthases,phylogenetic analysis was performed,the result indicated that RgIS3,CrIS and Olea europaea OeIS were grouped together,the other R. glutinosa iridoid synthases and fifteen proteins in other plants had close relationship. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR revealed that RgIS1 and RgIS3 highly expressed in unfold leaves,however,RgIS2 and RgIS4 highly expressed in stems and tuberous roots,respectively. RgIS3 showed higher expression levels in non-radial striations( nRS) of the two cultivars,and RgIS1 and RgIS2 had higher expression levels in nRS of QH,while RgIS4 had less expression levels in nRS of QH1. RgIS1,RgIS2 and RgIS3 were up-regulated by Me JA treatment,although the time and degree of response differed. Our findings are helpful to reveal molecular function of R. glutinosa iridoid synthases and provide a clue for studing the molecular mechanism of iridoid biosynthesis.

The association study of CLOCK gene polymorphisms with antidepressant effect in Chinese with major depressive disorder.

AIM: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common psychiatric disorder with a complicated pathogenesis and genetic predisposition. The objective of this article is to explore the relationship between the four SNPs of circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK) gene (rs11932595, rs12504300, rs3805148, rs534654) and the efficacy of antidepressants. Materials & methods: This study enrolled a total of 600 patients, who met the DSM-V diagnostic criteria for MDD. All subjects were treated with single selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The HAMD17 and adverse reaction scale (TESS/UKU) were used to assess the efficacy of antidepressants and adverse effects. The PCR and DNA sequencing analysis were used to genotype loci of CLOCK gene. RESULTS: The antidepressants efficacy of subjects with rs11932595 AA genotype was significantly higher than those with GG+GA genotypes (p = 0.035). But this p-value was not significant after false discovery rate (FDR) adjustment. CONCLUSION: The variant of CLOCK gene may be associated with the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in Chinese Han MDD patients.

Hydrological response of biological soil crusts to global warming: A ten-year simulative study.

Biological soil crusts across the desert regions play a key role in regional ecological security and ecological health. They are vital biotic components of desert ecosystems that maintain soil stability, fix carbon and nitrogen, influence the establishment of vascular plants, and serve as habitats for a large number of arthropods and microorganisms, as well as influencing soil hydrological processes. Changes in temperature and precipitation are expected to influence the functioning of desert ecosystems by altering biotic components such as the species composition of biological soil crusts. However, it remains unclear how these important components will respond to the prolonged warming and reduced precipitation that is predicted to occur with climate change. To evaluate how the hydrological properties of these biological soil crusts respond to these alterations, we used open-top chambers over a 10-year period to simulate warming and reduced precipitation. Infiltration, dew entrapment, and evaporation were measured as surrogates of the hydrological functioning of biological soil crusts. It was found that the ongoing warming coupled with reduced precipitation will more strongly affect moss in crustal communities than lichens and cyanobacteria, which will lead to a direct alteration of the hydrological performance of biological soil crusts. Reductions in moss abundance, surface cover, and biomass resulted in a change in structure and function of crustal communities, decreased dew entrapment, and increased infiltration and evaporation of biological soil crusts in desert ecosystems, which further impacted on the desert soil water balance.

Targeting redox vulnerability of cancer cells by prooxidative intervention of a glutathione-activated Cu(II) pro-ionophore: Hitting three birds with one stone.

Altered redox homeostasis including higher levels of copper, reduced glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cancer cells than in normal cells illustrates their redox vulnerability, and has opened a window for developing prooxidative anticancer agents (PAAs) to hit this status. However, how to design PAAs with high selectivity in killing cancer cells over normal cells remains a challenge. Herein we designed a 3-hydroxyflavone-inspired copper pro-ionophore (PHF) as a potent PAA based on the GSH-mediated conversion of 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonates to enols. Mechanistic investigation reveals that it is capable of exploiting increased levels of GSH in cancer cells to in situ release an active ionophore, 3-hydroxyflavone, inducing redox imbalance (copper accumulation, GSH depletion and ROS generation) and achieving highly selective killing of cancer cells upon specific transport of small amounts of Cu(II). To the best of our knowledge, it is the first example of Cu(II) pro-ionophore type of PAA which hits (changes) the three birds (abnormal copper, GSH and ROS levels in cancer cells) with one stone (PHF) in terms of its ability to induce preferentially redox imbalance of cancer cells by copper accumulation, GSH depletion and ROS generation.

Rapid development of cyanobacterial crust in the field for combating desertification.

Desertification is currently a major concern, and vast regions have already been devastated in the arid zones of many countries. Combined application of cyanobacteria with soil fixing chemicals is a novel method of restoring desertified areas. Three cyanobacteria, Nostoc sp. Vaucher ex Bornet & Flahault, Phormidium sp. Kützing ex Gomont and Scytonema arcangeli Bornet ex Flahault were isolated and tested in this study. Tacki-SprayTM (TKS7), which consists of bio-polysaccharides and tackifiers, was used as a soil fixing agent. In addition, superabsorbent polymer (SAP) was applied to the soil as a water-holding material and nutrient supplement. Application of cyanobacteria with superabsorbent polymer and TKS7 (CST) remarkably improved macro-aggregate stability against water and erodibility against wind after 12 months of inoculation when compared to the control soil. The mean weight diameter and threshold friction velocity of the CST treated soil were found to be 75% and 88% of those of the approximately 20-year-old natural cyanobacterial crust (N-BSC), respectively, while these values were 68% and 73% of those of the N-BSC soil after a single treatment of cyanobacteria alone (CY). Interestingly, biological activities of CST were similar to those of CY. Total carbohydrate contents, cyanobacterial biomass, microbial biomass, soil respiration, carbon fixation and effective quantum yield of CST treated soil were enhanced by 50-100% of the N-BSC, while those of control soil were negligible. Our results suggest that combined application of cyanobacteria with soil fixing chemicals can rapidly develop cyanobacterial crust formation in the field within 12 months. The physical properties and biological activities of the inoculated cyanobacterial crust were stable during the study period. The novel method presented herein serves as another approach for combating desertification in arid regions.

Experimental and Theoretical Study on Terahertz Spectra for Regenerated Cellulose.

In this work, regenerated cellulose films were prepared with an iced dissolution method, while the physical morphologies and crystal types of the products were systematically characterized with scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared(FTIR), while X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The results demonstrate that the as-prepared continuous and uniform films are indeed cellulose Ⅱ, whose morphology and crystal type are significantly different from those of the degreased cotton. Moreover, Terahertz time domain system (THz-TDS) and FTIR were employed to measure the THz spectra of the regenerated cellulose films. Accordingly, the THz characteristic peaks for the regenerated cellulose films are experimentally identified for the first time. In addition, the increase of the THz transmittance with the decrease of the wavenumber is attributed to the existence of amorphous components in the regenerated cellulose films. Although the shapes of Far-IR spectra in the range of 100～700 cm-1 are similar, the absorption peaks of the regenerated cellulose films move to lower wavenumbers (blue shift) compared with those of the degreased cotton. Based on this, we developed a new approach to distinguish the allomorphism of cellulose Ⅱ and cellulose Iß by Far-IR. Particularly, geometry optimization and IR calculation for the crystal structure of cellulose Ⅱ have been successfully processed by Density Functional Theory (DFT) using periodic boundary condition via CASTEP package. The calculated absorption peak positions are in good agreement with those experimentally measured. Consequently, the THz characteristic peaks of the regenerated cellulose films have been systematically and successfully assigned. Theoretical calculations reveal that the peaks at 42 and 54 cm-1 are assigned to the lattice vibration modes coupled with translational mode and rotational mode, respectively. Moreover, the absorption peaks in the range of 68～238 cm-1 are related with the torsion vibration of ­CH2OH group and deformation vibration of C­H bond and O­H bond, while those in the range of 351～583 cm-1 are assigned to the skeletal vibration of C­O­C bond and pyranoid ring, and those at 611 and 670 cm-1 are originated from the out-of-plane bending vibration of O­H bond. Each absorption peak is involved in more than single vibration mode. The THz spectra presented in this work, together with the theoretical simulations, indicate that the THz responses of regenerated cellulose are closely associated with both its chemical constituents and molecular structure. These results will be helpful not only for better understanding the relations between the molecular structure of the regenerated cellulose and its THz spectrum, but also for providing valuable information for future studies on the physical mechanisms of THz responses of other partially-crystalline polymers and organic biological macromolecules.

Gross rainfall amount and maximum rainfall intensity in 60-minute influence on interception loss of shrubs: a 10-year observation in the Tengger Desert.

In water-limited regions, rainfall interception is influenced by rainfall properties and crown characteristics. Rainfall properties, aside from gross rainfall amount and duration (GR and RD), maximum rainfall intensity and rainless gap (RG), within rain events may heavily affect throughfall and interception by plants. From 2004 to 2014 (except for 2007), individual shrubs of Caragana korshinskii and Artemisia ordosica were selected to measure throughfall during 210 rain events. Various rainfall properties were auto-measured and crown characteristics, i.e., height, branch and leaf area index, crown area and volume of two shrubs were also measured. The relative interceptions of C. korshinskii and A. ordosica were 29.1% and 17.1%, respectively. Rainfall properties have more contributions than crown characteristics to throughfall and interception of shrubs. Throughfall and interception of shrubs can be explained by GR, RI60 (maximum rainfall intensities during 60 min), RD and RG in deceasing importance. However, relative throughfall and interception of two shrubs have different responses to rainfall properties and crown characteristics, those of C. korshinskii were closely related to rainfall properties, while those of A. ordosica were more dependent on crown characteristics. We highlight long-term monitoring is very necessary to determine the relationships between throughfall and interception with crown characteristics.

Molecular Ecology of nifH Genes and Transcripts Along a Chronosequence in Revegetated Areas of the Tengger Desert.

The colonization and succession of diazotrophs are essential for the development of organic soil layers in desert. We examined the succession of diazotrophs in the well-established revegetated areas representing a chronosequence of 0 year (control), 22 years (restored artificially since 1981), 57 years (restored artificially since 1956), and more than 100 years (restored naturally) to determine the community assembly and active expression of diazotrophs. The pyrosequencing data revealed that Alphaproteobacteria-like diazotrophs predominated in the topsoil of our mobile dune site, while cyanobacterial diazotrophs predominated in the revegetated sites. The cyanobacterial diazotrophs were primarily composed of the heterocystous genera Anabaena, Calothrix, Cylindrospermum, Nodularia, Nostoc, Trichormus, and Mastigocladus. Almost all the nifH sequences belonged to the Cyanobacteria phylum (all the relative abundance values >99.1 %) at transcript level and all the active cyanobacterial diazotrophs distributed in the families Nostocaceae and Rivulariaceae. The most dominant active cyanobacterial genus was Cylindrospermum in all the samples. The rank abundance and community analyses demonstrated that most of the diazotrophic diversity originated from the "rare" species, and all the DNA-based diazotrophic libraries were richer and more diverse than their RNA-based counterparts in the revegetated sites. Significant differences in the diazotrophic community and their active population composition were observed among the four research sites. Samples from the 1981-revegetating site (predominated by cyanobacterial crusts) showed the highest nitrogenase activity, followed by samples from the naturally revegetating site (predominated by lichen crusts), the 1956-revegetating site (predominated by moss crusts), and the mobile dune site (without crusts). Collectively, our data highlight the importance of nitrogen fixation by the primary successional desert topsoil and suggest that the N2-fixing cyanobacteria are the key diazotrophs to the nitrogen budget and the development of topsoil in desert, which is critical for the succession of the degraded terrestrial ecosystems.

[Response of biocrust-soil system respiration to winter low temperature and simulated warming]. / 生物结皮-土壤呼吸对冬季低温及模拟增温的响应.

To study the effects of low temperature and simulated warming on respiration of biocrust-soil systems, intact soil columns covered by two dominant types of biocrusts (moss and algae-lichen crusts), were collected in a natural vegetation area in the southeast fringe of the Tengger Desert. Automated soil respiration system (Li-8150) was used to measure respiration rates in biocrust-soil systems under warming (by placing them in an open top chamber) and non-warming treatments in winter (from November 2015 to January 2016). During the whole observation period, soil respiration rates covered by moss crusts were significantly higher than those covered by algae-lichen crusts, which were -0.052 to 0.418 and -0.032 to 0.493 µmol·m-2·s-1, respectively. The respiration rates of the two types of biocrust-soil systems showed significant positive linear correlations with soil temperature and volumetric soil water content at 5 cm depth. Through speeding-up the evaporation rates of soil moisture, imitated warming in winter impeded respiration rates of the two biocrust-soil systems. During the whole observation period, the cumulative carbon (C) release by moss crust-soil system (9.90 g C·m-2) was dramatically higher than that of algae-lichen crust-soil system (7.00 g C·m-2). The cumulative C release by the biocrust-soil systems in this region in winter was 7.40 g C·m-2, thus comprising an important part of annual C budget in the desert ecosystems.

Exploration on feasibility of introducing bioassay method into quality evaluation of Chinese herbal medicines by studying on the correlation between antioxidant activity of Prunella vulgaris and its total phenolic acids content for example / 中国中药杂志

This paper aims to investigate the correlation between the antioxidant activity of Prunella vulgaris and its total phenolic acids content by measuring the antioxidant activity of different sources and different organs of P. vulgaris and the total contents of protocatechuic acid, protocatechuic aldehyde, caffeic acid, salviaflaside and rosmarinic acid in these samples. Using the 50% methanol extract of P. vulgaris samples as the research object, DPPH method and HPLC method were used respectively to determine the antioxidant activities and the total contents of the above-mentioned five analytes in P. vulgaris samples. 0.5 mL of 50% methanol extract of P. vulgaris reacts with 0.1 mmol•L⁻¹ DPPH ethanol solution for 60 min, then the absorbance of the reaction solution was measured at 517 nm, scavenging rate and IC₅₀ values were calculated by the absorbance and the sample concentration for evaluating the antioxidant activity. HPLC analysis was made on a C₁₈ Epic column, with acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid aqueous solution as mobile phase (gradient elution), and the detection wavelength was set at 280 nm. The correlation between the antioxidant capacity of different habitats and different organs of P. vulgaris and the total contents of five kinds of phenolic acids was analyzed by partial least squares method. The reaction dose-response range of 50% methanol extract of P. vulgaris with 0.1 mmol•L⁻¹ DPPH ethanol solution was 0.300-1.65 g•L⁻¹. When the quantities of potocatechuic acid, protocatechuic aldehyde, caffeic acid, salviaflaside and rosmarinic acid were respectively in 0.007 84-0.980, 0.011 5-1.44, 0.008 64-1.08, 0.080 0-1.00 and 0.079 8-0.998 μg range, their quantities were in good linear relationship with the corresponding peak areas. The average recovery of 5 components were 97.76%, 96.88%, 100.3%, 102.1%, 104.5%, with RSD of 1.8%, 1.6%, 1.7%, 1.6% and 1.7%, respectively. In a certain range of crude drug quantity, the antioxidant activity of each organ of P. vulgaris and total phenolic acids content inside has a good linear correlation. Therefore, in certain quality range of crude drug, DPPH bioassay combined with HPLC content determination can be used for the quality control of P. vulgaris, as is a new method for the quality control of P. vulgaris.

Quantitative analysis of nine ginsenosides in red ginseng using QAMS method based on high-resolution and reference chromatography of red ginseng / 中国中药杂志

Using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography, nine ginsenosides were simultaneously separated on an UltimateC₁₈ column with high-resolution and high purity of each chromatographic peak. Adopting the QAMS quality evaluation model for traditional Chinese medicines, ginsenoside Rb₁ was used as the internal reference substance, and the relative correction factors (RCFs) and the relative retention values (RTRs) of ginsenosides Rg₁, Re, Rf, Rb₁, Rc, Rb₂, Rb₃, Rd and 20 (S)-ginsenoside Rg₃ to ginsenoside Rb₁ were calculated individually. Through a series of methodology evaluations, and positioned by the red ginseng reference chromatograph and RTVs, nine ginsenosides in red ginseng were simultaneously assayed only by quantitative determined ginsenoside Rb₁.

Study on UPLC fingerprint of red ginseng based on good separation and good purity of chromatographic peaks / 中国中药杂志

This study is to establish the UPLC fingerprint of red ginseng. The separation was performed on a Waters Acquity BEH C₁₈ column (2.1 mm × 50 mm,1.7 μm), with the mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and water for gradient elution. The detection wavelength was set at 203 nm. The UPLC fingerprint of red ginseng was established by using sample chromatography of 22 different purchase areas and 26 common peaks were found. Compared with the reference substances, 11 of the common peaks were identified as ginsenosides Rg₁, ginsenoside Re, ginsenoside Rf, ginsenoside Rh₁, ginsenoside Rg₂, ginsenoside Rb₁, 20(S)-ginsenoside F₁, ginsenoside Rb₂, ginsenoside Rb3, 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg₃ and 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg₃, respectively. It is worth noting that 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg₃ and 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg₃ are the characteristic ingredients of red ginseng, and they could be used not only for distinguishing red ginseng and ginseng, but also for process controlling of the preparation of red ginseng. The similarity was analyzed with' Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of Chinese Materia Medica, and the similarity of 18 batches samples is up to 0.9. Compared to the literature methods, the method is simple, time-saving,specific for the separation of ginsenosides from red ginseng. So, this method could be used for the species identification and quality control of ginseng, red ginseng and American ginseng, and it will alsoprovide a theoretical basis of raising quality standards of the above mentioned Chinese herb medicines.

Integrative research of QAMS model used in assay of flavonoids in Epimedii Folium, its processed products and finished Chinese medicines / 中国中药杂志

Through a series of methodology investigations, we established a new method for simultaneous analysis of epimedins A, B, C, icariin and baohuoside I in Epimedii Folium by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Meanwhile, using Icariin as an internal reference substance to establish the relative correct factors and relative retention values of Epimedins A, B, C and Baohuoside I to Icariin, then using the quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker (QAMS) model, the five analytes can be quantitatively determined in Epimedii Folium and its processed products as well as Kanggu Zengsheng capsule only by measuring the content of icariin in the corresponding samples. All these analysis are completed in the same chromatorgraphic conditions. This paper played the part of demonstration role in the popularization and application of QAMS method established in a single herb to the proprietary Chinese medicines containing this herb.

[Effects of nitrogen addition on soil physico-chemical properties and enzyme activities in desertified steppe].

To investigate the impacts of nitrogen (N) enrichment on soil physico-chemical property and soil enzyme activities in desert ecosystems, a field experiment by adding N at 0, 1.75, 3.5, 7, or 14 g N x m(-2) a(-1) was conducted in a temperate desert steppe in the southeastern fringe of the Tengger Desert. The results showed that N addition led to accumulations of total N, NO(3-)-N, NH(4+)-N, and available N in the upper soil (0-10 cm) and subsoil (10-20 cm), however, reductions in soil pH were observed, causing soil acidification to some extent. N addition pronouncedly inhibited soil enzyme activities, which were different among N addition levels, soil depths, and years, respectively. Soil enzyme activities were significantly correlated with the soil N level, soil pH, and soil moisture content, respectively.