In-Plane Chemical Ordering (Mo2/3 R1/3 )2 AlB2 (R = Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Lu) i-MAB Phases and their Two-Dimensional Derivatives (MBene): Synthesis, Structure, Magnetic, and Supercapacitor Performance.

A family of hexagonal in-plane chemical ordering (Mo2/3 R1/3 )2 AlB2 (R = Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Lu) i-MAB phases are synthesized with R-3m hexagonal structure. The i-MAB phases with R = Tb to Tm are considered to have a nonlinear ferromagnetic-like coupling magnetic ground state with gradually weakened magnetocrystalline anisotropy due to variant R-R distances and 4f electrons. Their 2D derivatives (2D-MBene) with rare-earth (R) atom vacancies are obtained by chemical etching. The delamination solvent, surface functional terminations, and chemical bond of 2D-MBene can be modified by one-step nitridation in environment-friendly nitrogen instead of ammonia. A phase conversion is caused by nitridation at 973 K from 2D-MBene to Mo2 N, leading to the optimized specific capacitance of 229 F g-1 . Besides exploring more rare-earth-containing laminated boride systems, this work also demonstrates the promising application of their 2D derivatives with R vacancies in supercapacitors.

A diagnostic model of idiopathic central precocious puberty based on transrectal pelvic ultrasound and basal gonadotropin levels.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a diagnostic model of idiopathic central precocious puberty on the basis of transrectal pelvic ultrasound and basal gonadotropin. METHODS: A total of 669 girls with Tanner breast development stage II were enrolled in this study from January 2015 to December 2018. The participants were divided into the ICPP group and the premature thelarche group. We analyzed various variables, including age at initial diagnosis, basal luteinizing hormone levels, the long diameter of the uterus, the transverse diameter of the uterus, the anterior-posterior diameter of the uterus, the volume of the uterus, maximum ovarian diameter, average ovarian volume, maximum ovarian volume, number of follicles (≥4 mm), maximum follicular diameter, endometrial thickness, and vaginal wall thickness. RESULTS: The following diagnostic model was established: Y=-14.123 + 0.630 × age at initial diagnosis + 1.119 × transverse diameter of the uterus + 1.278 × anterior-posterior diameter of the uterus + 0.637 × average ovarian volume + 1.316 × maximum ovarian diameter + 0.146 ×number of follicles ≥4 mm + 2.925 × endometrial thickness + 0.559 × basal luteinizing hormone value. The area under curve was 0.922, sensitivity was 84.9%, and specificity was 86.2%. CONCLUSION: Basal LH levels and transrectal pelvic ultrasound should be applied together to improve the accuracy of diagnosis in ICPP.

Preliminary study on the mechanism of anaphylactoid reaction induced by natural product germacrone / 药学学报

The Chinese medicine injections prepared by the natural products containing sesquiterpenoids caused various adverse reactions in clinical use, among which skin allergic reactions are the most common. However, whether the reason of allergic reaction was related to the three isoprene units contained in the sesquiterpenoids is not clear, so the evaluation of drug safety has important guiding significance. The sesquiterpenoids are small molecular substances, and they are not antigens or haptens. They may induce anaphylaxis reactions by acting mast cells directly. Current research confirmed that Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor-X2 (MRGPRX2) which is a 7-transmembrane G protein coupled receptor on mast cells was a key target mediated allergic reactions induced by many small molecular drugs. Unlike IgE-mediated allergic reactions, pseudo-allergic reaction is related to dosage and dosing rate, and occurs in the first exposure to the sensitizer. In this paper, a series of experiments in vitro found that not all sesquiterpenoids caused anaphylactoid reactions. Ginsenoside Re, ginsenoside Rb1 and germacrone were selected as representative of sesquiterpenoids for calcium imaging assay. The data confirmed that only germacrone activated calcium mobilization through MRGPRX2, causing an increase in intracellular calcium ion concentration in mast cells. Furthermore, the release rate of β-hexosaminidase and the release amount of histamine analysis confirmed that germacrone induced mast cells degranulation directly. Knockdown of MRGPRX2 expression by siRNA and competitive binding experiments against ciprofloxacin were used to prove the target of germacrone was MRGPRX2. The results indicated that germacrone could activate mast cells directly to induce anaphylactoid reaction via MRGPRX2, which might be the reason of skin allergic reactions caused by injections containing germacrone.

Acupuncture price in forty-one metropolitan regions in the United States: An out-of-pocket cost analysis based on OkCopay.com / 中西医结合学报

Few studies have focused on the cost of acupuncture treatments although acupuncture has become popular in the United States (U.S.). The purpose of the current study was to examine the out-of-pocket costs incurred from acupuncture services based on an online website, OkCopay.com. We examined descriptive statistics (range, median and 20% intervals) for the cost of acupuncture "first-time visits" and "follow-up visits" in 41 metropolitan regions in the U.S. The acupuncture prices of 723 clinics throughout 39 metropolitan regions were included, except for Birmingham, Alabama and Detroit, Michigan as there was no online data available at the time of the study for these two regions. The cost range for a first-time acupuncture visit was $15-400; the highest median was $150 in Charleston, South Carolina, while the lowest was $45 in St. Louis, Missouri. The top 10 cities for the highest median were: Baltimore, Washington, D.C., New York, San Francisco, San Jose, Boston, Atlanta, Seattle, Portland and Indianapolis, with the median $120, while the median for all 723 clinics was $112. For the follow-up visits, the cost range was $15-300; the highest median was $108 in Charleston, South Carolina, and the lowest $40 in Miami, Florida. The 10 cities with highest median follow-up acupuncture visit costs were: New York, Baltimore, New Orleans, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Boston and Atlanta, with the median $85, while for all 723 clinics the median price was $80. The estimation of the average gross annual income of each acupuncturist from the regions studied was $95,760, while the total annual cost of patients seeking acupuncture services in the U.S. was about $3.5 billion in 2018.

Effectiveness of two different acupuncture strategies in patients with vulvodynia: Study protocol for a pilot pragmatic controlled trial / 中西医结合学报

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Vulvodynia, or vulvar pain, is a common condition in women; however, there are few evidence-based clinical trials evaluating nonpharmacological therapies for this condition. Acupuncture is one complementary and integrative medicine therapy used by some patients with vulvodynia. This study evaluates two different acupuncture strategies for the treatment of vulvodynia and aims to evaluate whether either of the acupuncture protocols reduces vulvar pain, pain duration or pain with intercourse. The study also examines how long the effect of acupuncture lasts in women with vulvodynia.</p><p><b>METHODS/DESIGN</b>The study is designed as a randomized controlled trial, focused on two acupuncture protocols. Fifty-one patients who have had vulvodynia for more than 3 months will be recruited. Among them, 34 patients will be randomized into Groups 1a and 1b; those who are unwilling to receive acupuncture will be recruited into the standard care group (Group 2). Patients in Group 1a will have acupuncture focused on the points in the pudendal nerve distribution area, while patients in Group 1b will receive acupuncture focused on traditional (distal) meridian points. Patients in Group 2 will receive routine conventional treatments, such as using pain medications, local injections and physical therapies or other nonsurgical procedures. Acupuncture will last 45 min per session, once or twice a week for 6 weeks. The primary outcome measurement will be objective pain intensity, using the cotton swab test. The secondary outcome measurement will be subjective patient self-reported pain intensity, which will be conducted before cotton swab test. Pain intensities will be measured by an 11-point Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Pain duration and pain score during intercourse are recorded. Local muscle tension, tenderness and trigger points (Ashi points) are also recorded. All measurements will be recorded at baseline (before the treatment), at the end of each week during treatment and at the end of the 6 weeks. Follow-up will be done 6 weeks following the last treatment.</p><p><b>DISCUSSION</b>Results of this trial will provide preliminary data on whether acupuncture provides better outcomes than nonacupuncture treatments, i.e., standard care, and whether acupuncture focused on the points in pudendal nerve distribution, near the pain area, has better results than traditional acupuncture focused on distal meridian points for vulvodynia.</p><p><b>TRIAL REGISTRATION</b>Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03481621. Register: March 29, 2018.</p>

Isolation and determination of four potential antimicrobial components from Pseudomonas aeruginosa extracts.

Background:Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause disease and also can be isolated from the skin of healthy people. Additionally, it exhibits certain antimicrobial effects against other microorganisms.Methods: We collected 60 strains of P. aeruginosa and screened their antimicrobial effects against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) using the filter paper-disk method, the cross-streaking method and the co-culture method and then evaluated the antimicrobial activity of the chloroform-isolated S. aureus extracts against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA, Gram-positive cocci), vancomycin intermediate-resistant S. aureus (VISA, Gram-positive cocci), Corynebacterium spp. (CS, Gram-positive bacilli), Acinetobacter baumannii (AB, Gram-negative bacilli), Moraxella catarrhalis (MC, Gram-negative diplococcus), Candida albicans (CA, fungi), Candida tropicalis (CT, fungi), Candida glabrata (CG, fungi) and Candida parapsilosis (CP, fungi). Results: The PA06 and PA46 strains have strong antimicrobial effects. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that the major components of PA06 and PA46 that exhibit antimicrobial activity are functionally similar to phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA) and pyocyanin. Preparative HPLC was performed to separate and isolate the 4 major potential antimicrobial components: PA06ER10, PA06ER16, PA06ER23 and PA06ER31. Further, the molecular masses of PA06ER10 (260.1), PA06ER16 (274.1), PA06ER23 (286.1) and PA06ER31 (318.2) were determined by electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry. Conclusion:P. aeruginosa can produce small molecules with potential antimicrobial activities against MRSA, VISA, CS, MC, CA, CT, CG and CP but not against AB.

Treatment with 17ß-Estradiol Reduced Body Weight and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in a High-Fat Diet-Induced Animal Model of Obesity.

Estrogen receptor α (ERα) and estrogen receptor ß (ERß) play important roles in cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. Recently, these estrogen receptors were reconsidered as an important treatment target of obesity leading to CVD. In this study, 17ß-estradiol (17ß-E) replacement therapy applied to high-fat diet-induced obese C57B male mice and ovariectomized (OVX) rats were evaluated, and the protective effects against high-fat diet-induced obesity were assessed in C57B mouse hearts. The results showed that 17ß-E treatment activated both ERα and ERß, and ERß levels increased in a dose-dependent manner in high-fat diet C57B mouse cardiomyocytes following 17ß-E treatment. Notably, an almost 16% reduction in body weight was observed in the 17ß-E-treated (12 µg/kg/day for 60 days) high-fat diet-induced obese C57B male mice. These results suggested that 17ß-E supplements may reduce CVD risk due to obesity.

Environmental tobacco smoke increases autophagic effects but decreases longevity associated with Sirt-1 protein expression in young C57BL mice hearts.

Recently, a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that nearly 90% of U.S. adult smokers began smoking at the age of 18. This demonstrates that the exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) of youngsters today is changing from passive smoking to active smoking (direct inhalation of tobacco). In the current study, an investigation of ETS exposure in young C57BL mice was conducted. After 6 weeks of ETS exposure, the Sirt-1 protein level was decreased and cardiac autophagy was increased in C57BL mice. Furthermore, the IGF2R cardiac hypertrophy signaling pathway was also triggered, although cardiac apoptosis and hypertrophy were not induced. Youngsters' desire to look more mature is one of the psychological factors that impacts smoking amongst young people. Our results suggest that though ETS exposure might cause cardiac autophagy amongst youngsters, the loss of the longevity Sirt-1 protein and the increase in IGF2R cardiac hypertrophy signaling could still promote heart diseases that are age-specific.

Experimental Study on the Characteristics of Chemiluminescence in Coal Water Slurry Diffusion Flames Based on Hot Oxygen Burner Technology.

Most published works focused on the characteristics of chemiluminescence in homogeneous flames, but the research about radiation spectrum in heterogeneous flames was still limited. In this paper, improved hot oxygen burner (HOB) technology is applied to ignite coal water slurry (CWS) directly in the open space, for stable combustion. Radiation spectrum and two-dimensional OH* chemiluminescence in methane and CWS diffusion flames are measured by a fiber optic spectrometer and a high-spatial-resolution UV imaging system. The results show that OH* (309.12 nm), CH* (431.42 nm) and C2* (463.52~563.43 nm) radicals exist in both methane and CWS diffusion flame, but Na* (589.45 nm), Li* (670.88 nm), K* (766.91, 770.06 nm), H* (816.04, 819.99 nm) radiation spectrum line and continuous black-body radiation have been detected only in the CWS flame. These differences can be used to characterize the combustion or gasification of CWS and distinguish whether CWS is ignited or not. In addition, the injection of CWS into methane flame leads to a significant reduction in OH* and an increase in C2* and CH* radiation intensity. This is because a lot of heat is absorbed in the processes of CWS combustion reactions. Then the generation of CH is inhibited, and the production of OH* is reduced. The increase of C2* and CH* is due to simple substance carbon produce more after injecting CWS. Besides, axial OH* radiation intensity increases at first then decreases, and the position of peak intensity is closer to outlet of hot oxygen burner compared with methane flames. Radial OH* radiation distribution is bimodal in methane flame because reactions take place in the thin layer where methane and oxygen meet. However, in CWS flame, radial OH* radiation distribution is always unimodal since CWS diffuses fiercely and mixes with oxygen sufficiently. As the ratio of oxygen atom to carbon atom ([O/C]e) increases, the reaction region of OH* radicals becomes larger in methane and CWS flame. This indicates that increasing oxygen can promote reactions and benefit OH* radicals' generation. Moreover, with the increase of CWS flow, reaction center is closer to burner outlet, OH* distribution range and peak intensity decrease obviously, CH*, C2*, Na*, Li*, K*, H* and black-body radiation intensities markedly rise. And these characteristics can reflect the changes of operation loads.

Expression of miRNA-21 in colonic mucosa and peripheral blood CD4+ T cells of 49 patients with active inflammatory bowel disease / 中华消化杂志

Objective To investigate the role and significance of miRNA-21 in the pathogenesis and development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).Methods The expressions of microRNA-21 (miRNA-21) in colonic mucosa and peripheral blood CD4+T cells were analyzed by fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 26 patients with active Crohn's disease (CD), 23 patients with active ulcerative colitis (UC) and 19 healthy controls.The relative expression amount of miRNA-21 in colonic mucosal and peripheral blood CD4+ T cells in 11 patients with CD was compared before and after infliximab (IFX) treatment, and its correlation with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α was analyzed.t-test was performed for comparison between groups.The correlation between miRNA-21 expression in peripheral blood CD4+ T cells and serum TNF-α was analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis.Results The expression of miRNA-21 in colonic mucosa of CD patients and UC patients was 4.720 ± 0.397 and 4.993±-0.415, respectively, which were both higher than that of healthy control group (1.101±-0.284),and the differences were statistically significant (t =7.657 and 8.356, both P＜0.01).The expression of miRNA-21 in peripheral blood CD4+ T cells of CD patients and UC patients was 3.254 ± 0.323 and 3.450±0.311, which were both higher than that of healthy control group (0.891 ±0.220), and the differences were statistically significant (t=6.007 and 7.098, both P＜0.01).After 12 weeks of IFX treatment, simple endoscopic score for Crohn's disease (SES-CD) of CD patients was 8.019 ± 0.349,which was lower than that before treatment (21.502 ± 1.185), and the difference was statistically significant (t=10.910, P＜0.01).The serum TNF-α level was 61.570±6.252, which was lower than that before treatment (173.500 ± 12.670), and the difference was statistically significant (t=7.926, P＜0.01).The results of correlation analysis indicated that serum TNF-α level was positively correlated with miRNA-21 expression in peripheral blood CD4+ T cells (r =0.780 4, P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions The increasing of miRNA-21 expression in IBD was closely correlated with the serum TNF-α level and severity of inflammation.miRNA-21 might be a new target for IBD treatment.

Professor Qiu Mao-Liang's theory of "three benefits" of acupuncture for diseases of digestive system / 中国针灸

Professor QIU Mao-Iiang is a famous Chinese physician of acupuncture and Chinese medicine in modern time and is one of representative figure of Chengijang acupuncture schools. The theory of "three benefits" of acupuncture for diseases of disgestive system is established according to pathogenesis. He holds that acupuncture is favorable in removing the stagnated liver qi, reinforcing the functions of the spleen and the stomach in treatment of gastroduodenal ulcer. For problems due to spleen deficiency, reinforcing method should be given to the main points, Back-shu points and Yuan-primary points, while reducing method should be given to Front-mu points. Deficiency type of chronic gastritis is much more seen than excessive type. Therefore, the treating principle of acupuncture shoujd be tonifying the spleen and dispeling the cold. Removing the liver qi and regulating qi circulation can be applied in phases. And for special cases, method of tonifying the stomach yin should be used. For gastroptosis, reinforcing qi in the middle jiao should be applied generally. For those with qi stagnation, qi in middle jiao should be regulated. For retention of food and dampness, treatment should focus on removing phlegm and dampness. And the following points can be selected to lift the stomach by long needle, Juque (CV 14), Liangmen (ST 21) and the acupoints around stomach. For treatment of diarrhea, toward the three pathological factors of dampness, heat and cold, treatment of removing dampness, clearing heat and dispelling cold, especially the first one should be applied, and others are selected by differentiation of syndromes. And for gallstone, treating principle should be established according to the theory of qi stagnation, disharmony between the gallbladder and the sto-mach as well as obstruction by substantial pathogens. And regulation of qi, relieving pain, regulating the functions of the gallbladder and the stomach should be applied so as to removing calculus. Professor QIU Mao-Iiang 's theory of "three benefits" of acupuncture for diseases of digestive system is formed on the analysis of the primary and secondary pathologies, the degree of symptoms, progress of the diseases, characteristics of the acupuncture techniques and aims of the treatment. Thus, his theory has great significance in the clinic.

Applications of HPLC/MS in the analysis of traditional Chinese medicines / 药物分析学报

In China, traditional Chinese medicines （TCMs） have been used in clinical applications for thousands of years. The successful hyphenation of high-performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） and mass spectrometry （MS） has been applied widely in TCMs and biological samples analysis. Undoubtedly, HPLC/MS technique has facilitated the understanding of the treatment mechanism of TCMs. We reviewed more than 350 published papers within the last 5 years on HPLC/MS in the analysis of TCMs. The present review focused on the applications of HPLC/MS in the component analysis, metabolites analysis, and pharmacokinetics of TCMs etc. 50% of the literature is related to the component analysis of TCMs, which show that this field is the most popular type of research. In the metabolites analysis, HPLC coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry has been demonstrated to be the powerful tool for the characterization of structural features and fragmentation behavior patterns. This paper presented a brief overview of the applications of HPLC/MS in the analysis of TCMs. HPLC/MS in the fingerprint analysis is reviewed elsewhere.

Gating of the micturition reflex by tonic activation of bladder cold receptors in the cat.

AIMS: To determine whether C afferents can modify the gating of the Adelta micturition reflex in order to identify the neuronal site of interaction of the two afferent systems. METHODS: Adult female cats, anaesthetized with alpha-chloralose, had their bladder and urethra catherized through a slit in the proximal urethra. Micturition threshold volume was assessed by cystometry and bladder efferent activity recorded simultaneously. The bladder was filled at a slow rate (1.2-3.5 ml/min) with either body-warm saline (control) or menthol solution (0.06 mM) or by cold saline (4 degrees C). RESULTS: Of 14 trial sessions in 5 animals, the threshold volume of the Adelta micturition reflex was consistently reduced by menthol infusions from a control median (md) value of 16.8 to 10.2 ml (P < 0.01). The threshold pressure was also somewhat decreased from md 0.7 to 0.5 kPa (P < 0.05), while the peak pressure or pressure slope did no differ in two situations. Similar results were obtained with slow cold infusions into the bladder (nine sessions in three animals). The threshold volume decreased from md 19.8 to 17.4 ml (P < 0.05). The bladder reflex response to slow menthol or cold infusions had the typical features of an Adelta micturition reflex in that the efferent activity was largely abolished by the bladder Adelta mechanoreceptor unloading. CONCLUSIONS: Gradual tonic activation of bladder cold receptors lowers the threshold volume of the ordinary Adelta micturition, pointing to a segmental spinal mechanism for the gating of the micturition reflex.

Controlling arachidonic acid metabolic network: from single- to multi-target inhibitors of key enzymes / 药学学报

Inflammatory diseases are common medical conditions seen in disorders of human immune system. There is a great demand for anti-inflammatory drugs. There are major inflammatory mediators in arachidonic acid metabolic network. Several enzymes in this network have been used as key targets for the development of anti-inflammatory drugs. However, specific single-target inhibitors can not sufficiently control the network balance and may cause side effects at the same time. Most inflammation induced diseases come from the complicated coupling of inflammatory cascades involving multiple targets. In order to treat these complicated diseases, drugs that can intervene multi-targets at the same time attracted much attention. The goal of this review is mainly focused on the key enzymes in arachidonic acid metabolic network, such as phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase, 5-lipoxygenase and eukotriene A4 hydrolase. Advance in single target and multi-targe inhibitors is summarized.

A method for improving the accuracy and sensitivity of cell membrane chromatography / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To improve the accuracy and sensitivity of cell membrane chromatography (CMC) and evaluate the feasibility of CMC in the study of subtype receptors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Plasmids were used to transfer alpha(1B)-AR cDNA into human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cell lines to obtain cell lines stably overexpressing the subtype receptors. HEK293 alpha(1B) cell membrane stationary phase (CMSP) was prepared by immobilizing the cell membrane on silica. The retention time of 9 alpha(1)-adrenoceptor ligands and capacity factors(kappa'(HEK293 alpha1B)) were calculated. The capacity factors of rat liver tissue and primary cultured rat hepatocytes were also calculated for a correlation analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The calculated capacity factors (kappa') were positively correlated to the published pKi values. The affinity rank orders were identical. The longest retention of the 9 alpha(1)-adrenoceptor ligands occurred on CMSP prepared with HEK293 alpha(1B) cell lines, while CMSP obtained from rat liver tissue showed the shortest retention of the ligands.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CMC proves practical in the study of the subtype adrenoceptors. The accuracy and sensitivity of CMC can be improved using HEK293 alpha(1B) cell membrane.</p>

Comparison of lycopene and fluvastatin effects on atherosclerosis induced by a high-fat diet in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the antiatherogenic effect of lycopene in rabbits fed a high-fat diet. METHODS: Forty adult male rabbits were divided into five groups that were fed a standard diet, a high-fat diet, a high-fat diet plus 4 mg/kg of lycopene, a high-fat diet plus 12 mg/kg of lycopene, and a high-fat diet plus 10 mg/kg of fluvastatin, respectively. Lycopene and fluvastatin were administered intragastrically. The level of serum total cholesterol, total triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total antioxidant capacity, and malondialdehyde were measured before and after 4 and 8 wk of experimental treatment. In addition, plasma levels of lycopene, oxidized low-density lipoprotein, serum nitric oxide, and interleukin-1 were measured after the experiment. The area of atherosclerotic plaque and pathologic changes of the aorta were evaluated. RESULTS: Compared with the control, levels of total cholesterol, total triacylglycerol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, malonaldehyde, oxidized low-density lipoprotein, and interleukin-1 were increased and total antioxidant capacity and nitric oxide were decreased in the animals with a high-fat diet (P < 0.05). Intragastric administration of lycopene counteracted the change in these parameters (P < 0.05). In this case, the data showed that lycopene in the used dose was better than the fluvastatin intervention. Morphologic analysis revealed that lycopene and fluvastatin markedly reduced the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the aorta compared with the situation in rabbits on a high-fat diet alone. CONCLUSION: Lycopene, like fluvastatin, significantly attenuated atherogenesis in rabbits fed a high-fat diet.

Analysis of supercritical fluid extracts of Radix caulophylli with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry / 药学学报

To analyze the constituents in supercritical fluid CO2 extraction (SFE-CO2) of Radix caulophylli, the Radix caulophylli was extracted with SFE-CO2, and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The GC-MS analysis with a DB-5MS capillary column (30 mm x 0.32 mm ID, 0.25 microm film thickness) was used. The inlet temperature was maintained at 280 degrees C. The column oven was held at 80 degrees C for 2 min, then programmed from 80 to 280 degrees C at 5 degrees C x min(-1) and, finally, held for 4 min. Helium at a constant flow rate of 2.0 mL x min(-1) was used as the carrier gas. The mass spectrometry conditions were as follows: ionization energy, 70 eV; ion source temperature, 200 degrees C. The mass selective detector was operated in the TIC mode (m/z was from 40 - 500). For the first time 49 peaks were separated and identified, the compounds were quantitatively determined by normalization method, and the identified compounds represent 97.44% of total GC peak areas. Viz, n-hexadecanoic acid (31.4%), (E, E) -9, 12-octadecadienoic acid (26.54%), (Z)-7-tetradecenal (9.4%), hexadecenoic acid (3.23%), 10-undecenal (3.22%), octadecanoic acid (2.25%), and caulophylline (1.76%) etc. The results will provide important foundation for understanding the constituents and further exploitation of Radix caulophylli.

Inhibitory effect of taspine on mouse S180 sarcoma and its mechanism / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the inhibition effect of taspine on mouse S180 sarcoma and its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The mouse S180 sarcoma model was established and used to observe the antitumor activity of taspine. The microvessel density and protein expressing of the VEGF, bFGF, Bcl-2 and Bax in the tumor were measured by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Taspine showed antitumor activity on the mouse S180 sarcoma in a good dose-dependent manner. The inhibition rates on tumor of taspine at low, middle and high concentrations were 39.08% , 43.99% and 48.60%, respectively. The microvessel density and protein expressing of the VEGF, bFGF, Bcl-2 and Bax in the tumor were decreased compared with the negative control. The ratio of Bax to Bcl-2 was increased.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Taspine has antitumor effect on the S180 sarcoma, and the mechanism may be through the way of decreasing the expressing of the VEGF, bFGF, Bcl-2 and Bax and inducing the vascular endothelial cell apoptosis.</p>

Inhibitory effects of ligustilide and butylidenephthalide on bFGF-stimulated proliferation of rat smooth muscle cells / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the bio-affinities of ligustilide and butylidenephthalide to rat aortic smooth muscle cells and the inhibitory effects of them on bFGF-stimulated proliferation of rat vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>VSMCs were cultured from rat aorta pectoralis and identified by an immunohistochemical method. The bio-affinities between solute (ligustilide or butylidenephthalide) and cell membrane were measured by rat aortic cell membrane chromatography (CMC). The inhibitory effects of ligustilide and butylidenephthalide on bFGF-stimulated VSMC proliferation were evaluated by MIT colorimetric method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both ligustilide and butylidenephthalide had selective affinities to rat aortic smooth muscle cell as the same as verapamil, one of the calcium ion antagonists. They could potently inhibit the bFGF-stimulated VSMC proliferation at the concentrations of 5.5 and 11.1 micromol x L(-1), separately (P < 0.05), but had no effects on the normal VSMC growth.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both ligustilide and butylidenephthalide can inhibit the abnormal proliferation of VSMC induced by bFGF.</p>

Protecting effect of brevifolin and 8,9-single-epoxy brevifolin of Phyllanthus simplex on rat liver injury / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of protecting liver of brevifolin and 8,9-single-epoxy brevifolin of Phyllanthus simplex.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Rats were administered with CCl4 (ip) or alcohol (ig) to establish acute or chronic liver injured model, respectively. ALT, AST and TBIL in serum were measured using colorimetric analysis to evaluate liver function. MDA content or SOD activity in serum and liver tissue was measured by thiobarbituric acid chromatometry and xanthine oxidase methods, respectively. The hemorheological parameters were observed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Brevifolin and 8,9-single-epoxy brevifolin reduced the increase of ALT induced by CCl4, but they did not influence the increase of AST. And it could inhibit the pathologic increase of serum TBIL induced by alcohol. They could ameliorate the MDA increase or SOD decrease in serum and liver tissue in rats with liver injury, and decrease abnormal changed hemorheological parameters.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Brevifolin and 8,9-single-epoxy brevifolin show protective effective against acute and chronic liver injuries, and the mechanism is relevant to antagonizing the lipid peroxidation of free radical and improving the blood circulation.</p>