[Predictive analysis of quality markers of Coptidis Rhizoma based on network pharmacology and multivariate statistical analysis].

Coptidis Rhizoma, as a bulk medicinal material, is in great demand in clinical practice. Its quality is uneven in the market due to the mixture of genuine, counterfeit and adulterants. Therefore, it is particularly important to establish a quality control system for Coptidis Rhizoma. Based on the concept of Chinese medicine quality marker(Q-marker), the potential quality markers of Coptidis Rhizoma were analyzed and predicted from the perspective of chemistry and pharmacology. The sources of the Q-markers of Coptidis Rhizoma were identified by literature retrieval. The potential Q-markers were then screened through the visualization of the "components-targets-pathways" network. High performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) was used to establish a multi-indicator qualitative and quantitative control method featuring fingerprints for 10 batches of Coptidis Rhizoma. A supervised mode of orthogonality partial least squares method-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) was used to screen the main marker components that caused differences between groups. The literature review results showed that the alkaloids were the main source of Coptidis Rhizoma Q-markers.The fingerprints of 13 common peaks were successfully established, and berberine, palmatine, berberine and epiberberine were selected as Q-markers of Coptidis Rhizoma, and their contents were determined.Based on the concept of the Q-marker of traditional Chinese medicine, the four components can be selected as the Q-marker of Coptidis Rhizoma after comprehensive consideration. The results of this study are not only conducive to the quality evaluation of Coptidis Rhizoma on the market, but also provide a reference for the overall quality control of Coptidis Rhizoma and lay foundation for the future exploration of the mechanism of Coptidis Rhizoma.

[The Study of the Relationship Between Community Social Capital and Quality of Life among the Middle-aged and Elderly Rural-to-Urban Residents].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between community social capital and quality of life among the middle-aged and elderly rural-to-urban residents, and to provide the policy reference for improving the health status. METHODS: A multi-stage random sampling method was used to select the research objects. Univariate analysis and logistic regression model were used to explore the effect of social capital on quality of life among the middle-aged and elderly rural-to-urban urbanized residents. RESULTS: The scores of self-rated physical health and mental health in the rural-to-urban residents were lower than those of urban residents ( P<0.05). The total score of community social capital, community participation and community cohesion in the rural-to-urban residents were lower than those of urban residents ( P<0.05). The result of multivariate analysis showed that community attachment and community cohesion were the protective factors of physical health ( P<0.05), and community cohesion was the protective factor of mental health ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION: There is a correlation between community belonging, community cohesion and quality of life among the elderly rural-to-urban residents. Attention should be paid to the promotion of community social capital so as to improve the health status of middle-aged and elderly rural-to-urban residents.

[Multilevel Modelling on the Prevalence and Determinants of Depressive Symptoms in Middle and Old-aged Rural-to-urban Immigrants in Chengdu].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and determinants of depressive symptoms in middle and old-aged rural-to-urban immigrants in Chengdu. METHODS: A total of 1 645 middle and old-aged rural-to-urban immigrants aged over 45 yr. were selected to participate in a questionnaire survey through a multi-stage random sampling method in Chengdu. Multilevel (households and individuals) models were established to identify predictors of depressive symptoms. RESULTS: About 14.5% of respondents reported depressive symptoms. The multilevel model indicated that family clustering of depressive symptoms existed. Household income and length of urban life at the household level, and age, chronic diseases, smoking, and social support at the individual level were significant predictors of depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of depressive symptoms in middle and old-aged rural-to-urban immigrants deserves increasing policy attention for the purpose of promoting mental health in the population.

XAF1 is frequently methylated in human esophageal cancer.

AIM: To explore epigenetic changes in the gene encoding X chromosome-linked inhibitor of apoptosis-associated factor 1 (XAF1) during esophageal carcinogenesis. METHODS: Methylation status of XAF1 was detected by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) in four esophageal cancer cell lines (KYSE30, KYSE70, BIC1 and partially methylated in TE3 cell lines), nine cases of normal mucosa, 72 cases of primary esophageal cancer and matched adjacent tissue. XAF1 expression was examined by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptional polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting before and after treatment with 5-aza-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dc), a demethylating agent. To investigate the correlation of XAF1 expression and methylation status in primary esophageal cancer, immunohistochemistry for XAF1 expression was performed in 32 cases of esophageal cancer and matched adjacent tissue. The association of methylation status and clinicopathological data was analyzed by logistic regression. RESULTS: MSP results were as follows: loss of XAF1 expression was found in three of four esophageal cell lines with promoter region hypermethylation (completely methylated in KYSE30, KYSE70 and BIC1 cell lines and partially in TE3 cells); all nine cases of normal esophageal mucosa were unmethylated; and 54/72 (75.00%) samples from patients with esophageal cancer were methylated, and 25/72 (34.70%) matched adjacent tissues were methylated (75.00% vs 34.70%, χ(2) = 23.5840, P = 0.000). mRNA level of XAF1 measured with semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was detectable only in TE3 cells, and no expression was detected in KYSE30, KYSE70 or BIC1 cells. Protein expression was not observed in KYSE30 cells by Western blotting before treatment with 5-aza-dc. After treatment, mRNA level of XAF1 was detectable in KYSE30, KYSE70 and BIC1 cells. Protein expression was detected in KYSE30 after treatment with 5-aza-dc. Immunohistochemistry was performed on 32 cases of esophageal cancer and adjacent tissue, and demonstrated XAF1 in the nucleus and cytoplasm. XAF1 staining was found in 20/32 samples of adjacent normal tissue but was present in only 8/32 samples of esophageal cancer tissue (χ(2)= 9.143, P = 0.002). XAF1 expression was decreased in cancer samples compared with adjacent tissues. In 32 cases of esophageal cancer, 24/32 samples were methylated, and 8/32 esophageal cancer tissues were unmethylated. XAF1 staining was found in 6/8 samples of unmethylated esophageal cancer and 2/24 samples of methylated esophageal cancer tissue. XAF1 staining was inversely correlated with XAF1 promoter region methylation (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.004). Regarding methylation status and clinicopathological data, no significant differences were found in sex, age, tumor size, tumor stage, or metastasis with respect to methylation of XAF1 for the 72 tissue samples from patients with esophageal cancer. CONCLUSION: XAF1 is frequently methylated in esophageal cancer, and XAF1 expression is regulated by promoter region hypermethylation.