An optimized high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for benzoylmesaconine determination in Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata (Fuzi, aconite roots) and its products

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Benzoylmesaconine (BMA) is the main <it>Aconitum </it>alkaloid in <it>Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata </it>(<it>Fuzi</it>, aconite roots) with potent pharmacological activities, such as analgesia and anti-inflammation. The present study developed a simple and reliable method using BMA as a marker compound for the quality control of processed aconite roots and their products.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>After extraction, a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) determination of BMA was conducted on a RP-C₁₈column by gradient elution with acetonitrile and aqueous phase, containing 0.1% phosphoric acid adjusted with triethylamine to pH 3.0.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A distinct peak profile was obtained and separation of BMA was achieved. Method validation showed that the relative standard deviations (RSDs) of the precision of BMA in all intra-day and inter-day assays were less than 1.36%, and that the average recovery rate was 96.95%. Quantitative analysis of BMA showed that the content of BMA varied significantly in processed aconite roots and their products.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This HPLC method using BMA as a marker compound is applicable to the quality control of processed aconite roots and their products.</p

Comparison of supercapsular percutaneously assisted approach total hip versus conventional posterior approach for total hip arthroplasty: a prospective, randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been one of the most successful orthopedic procedures over the past 30 years. Nowadays, the techniques of exposure for THA have undergone great changes, allowing surgeons to perform THA through mini-incisions. Recently, a novel minimally invasive surgical technique of the supercapsular percutaneously assisted total hip arthroplasty was reported in 2011. The purpose of this study was to compare the SuperPath approach with the conventional posterior approach, in terms early outcomes and radiologic results. Methods Ninety-two consecutive unilateral primary hip osteoarthritis adult patients were randomly divided into two groups. Forty-six patients (SuperPath group) were operated on using the SuperPath approach, and 46 patients (conventional group) were operated on with the conventional posterior approach. Outcomes were evaluated using preoperative index, intraoperative data, and postoperative function data. The positioning of the implants was analyzed by radiography. Results No significant difference was detected in skin-to-skin operation time, blood loss, transfusion rate, postoperative complications, abduction angle, anteversion angle, and stem alignments. The incision length and length of stay (LOS) in the SuperPath group were significantly lower. The VAS score in the SuperPath group at the 1-week, 1-month and 3-month postoperative intervals were lower than those VAS scores in the conventional group. The Harris Hip Score and Barthel Index (BI) for Activities of Daily Living in the SuperPath group were significantly higher at the 1- and 3-month follow-up intervals and were not significantly different 1 year after operation. Conclusions This prospective randomized study reveals that the SuperPath technique was associated with shorter LOS, earlier time to walk and climb, and lower postoperative pain levels. It also allowed early postoperative rehabilitation and faster recovery than conventional technique

Study on reaction kinetics of single slime

The study of the combustion characteristics of single slime fuels is the basis for achieving clean combustion of solid fuels. This paper uses a combination of experimental and theoretical analysis, combined with the Coats-Redfen integration method, to study the influence of ash content and heating rate on the kinetic parameters of coal slime, and solve the combustion kinetic parameters. The results show that under the same heating rate, the activation energy gradually increases. As the ash content of coal slime increases, the activity of the coal slime sample decreases, and the reaction activation energy gradually increases

Variational thermal quantum simulation of the lattice Schwinger model

Confinement of quarks due to the strong interaction and the deconfinement at high temperatures and high densities are a basic paradigm for understanding the nuclear matter. Their simulation, however, is very challenging for classical computers due to the sign problem of solving equilibrium states of finite-temperature quantum chromodynamical systems at finite density. In this paper, we propose a variational approach, using the lattice Schwinger model, to simulate the confinement or deconfinement by investigating the string tension. We adopt an ansatz that the string tension can be evaluated without referring to quantum protocols for measuring the entropy in the free energy. Results of numeral simulation show that the string tension decreases both along the increasing of the temperature and the chemical potential, which can be an analog of the phase diagram of QCD. Our work paves a way for exploiting near-term quantum computers for investigating the phase diagram of finite-temperature and finite density for nuclear matters

Liposomal Vitamin D3 as an Anti-aging Agent for the Skin

Vitamin D3 is an effective skin protective substance to prevent photoaging. Liposomes were used as a carrier to deliver vitamin D3 to improve the stability and to enhance the treatment effect of vitamin D3. The stability of vitamin D3 liposomes, average cumulative penetration, and retention of vitamin D3 in the skin were then evaluated and compared with free vitamin D3. Finally, the treatment effect of vitamin D3 liposomes in a rat photoaging model was appraised and Haematoxylin-Eosin (H&amp;E) staining was used to assess the histology changes of the skin after vitamin D3 liposome treatment. The results indicated that liposomes could significantly improve the stability of vitamin D3. The average skin retention of vitamin D3 liposomes was 1.65 times that of the vitamin D3 solution. Vitamin D3 liposomes could repair the surface morphology of skin in the photoaging model and promote the production of new collagen fibers. Vitamin D3 liposomes as a potential skin care agent could significantly improve skin appearance and repair damage in the histology of photoaging

Guttiferone K suppresses cell motility and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma by restoring aberrantly reduced profilin 1

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive malignancy and the 5-year survival rate of advanced HCC is < 10%. Guttiferone K (GUTK) isolated from the Garcinia genus inhibited HCC cells migration and invasion in vitro and metastasis in vivo without apparent toxicity. Proteomic analysis revealed that actin-binding protein profilin 1 (PFN1) was markedly increased in the presence of GUTK. Over-expression of PFN1 mimicked the effect of GUTK on HCC cell motility and metastasis. The effect of GUTK on cell motility was diminished when PFN1 was over-expressed or silenced. Over-expression of PFN1 or incubation with GUTK decreased F-actin levels and the expression of proteins involved in actin nucleation, branching and polymerization. Moreover, a reduction of PFN1 protein levels was common in advanced human HCC and associated with poor survival rate. In conclusion, GUTK effectively suppresses the motility and metastasis of HCC cells mainly by restoration of aberrantly reduced PFN1 protein expression

An HPLC chromatogram of QC product without processed aconite roots (negative control)

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "An optimized high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for benzoylmesaconine determination in (, aconite roots) and its products"</p><p>http://www.cmjournal.org/content/3/1/6</p><p>Chinese Medicine 2008;3():6-6.</p><p>Published online 30 May 2008</p><p>PMCID:PMC2430698.</p><p></p

Holographic Plastics with Liquid Crystals

Holography via laser interference is a powerful technique for precise processing of plastics by creating ultrafine structures down to the nanometer level. As all of the information from the laser can be reconstructed in these ultrafine structures by periodic refractive index modulation, the produced holographic plastics have been recognized to be indispensable for flexible and lightweight three-dimensional displays, augmented/virtual reality, high-density data storage, advanced anticounterfeiting, etc. Particularly, the marriage of liquid crystals (LCs) with holographic plastics not only is profitable for facile holographic processing but also can impart versatile stimuli-response functions. However, despite extensive research on this interdisciplinary field, several fundamental questions are still unclear. (1) Is there any simple form to illustrate how the refractive index modulation manipulates light propagation? (2) Does the refractive index modulation work in the same way for different types of holograms? (3) What are the big challenges for future practical applications? With these questions in mind, this perspective presents several important equations for both transmission and reflection holograms, summarizes updated advances in the field, and finally calls for endeavors to meet the urgent needs in rapidly growing information technology

An HPLC chromatogram of BMA in processed aconite roots (batch no 040406-01)

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "An optimized high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for benzoylmesaconine determination in (, aconite roots) and its products"</p><p>http://www.cmjournal.org/content/3/1/6</p><p>Chinese Medicine 2008;3():6-6.</p><p>Published online 30 May 2008</p><p>PMCID:PMC2430698.</p><p></p