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This paper argues that “the fear of having two sons” is a gender structure phenomenon that causes anxiety for some Chinese families. To prove the existence of such a fear in some families, this paper considers three aspects: the ideal gender structure of children, women’s childbearing plan for second children and their actual childbearing behavior. Data for nine provinces is taken from the China Fertility Survey of 2017. This paper finds that: (1) except for having no children, 2 sons and 0 daughters is the most undesired gender structure; (2) among those who expect 1 son and 1 daughter, women whose first child is a son are less likely to plan to have a second child than those whose first child is a daughter; (3) among those who expect 1 son and 1 daughter, women with a son as the first child are less likely to have a second child than those with a daughter. These findings prove that, at present, the phenomenon of the fear of having two sons does exist in some Chinese families. Finally, this paper summarizes how the attitudes of Chinese families towards having sons have changed since the 1950s from “a hope for having many sons” to “a desire for at least one son” and finally to “the fear of having two sons.” The paper also discusses the significance of the fear of having two sons phenomenon in terms of improving the proximate determinants of low fertility model.

Objective The objective of this study was to verify the lipid-lowering effect of Juhe Fang extract (JHFE) and to determine its characteristic chemical profile in vitro and in vivo. Methods A hyperlipidemia model was established by feeding mice a high-fat diet (HFD). After treatment for 30 days, serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were measured with an automatic biochemistry analyzer. The components from JHFE obtained from in vivo and in vitro experiments were investigated using an UPLC-Q Exactive-Orbitrap MS/MS. Results The TC, TG, and LDL-C in the serum significantly decreased and the HDL-C significantly increased after JHFE treatment. A total of 95 compounds from JHEF including 15 phenolic acids (PA), 4 phenylethanoid glycosides (PG), 24 flavonoids (F), 14 triterpenoids (T), 10 diterpenoid glycosides (D), 18 alkaloids (A) and 10 others (O) were identified. Trigonelline was discovered for the first time in a herbal medicine of Juhe Fang. Furthermore, 68 compounds were identified in vivo including 28 prototype compounds and 40 metabolites. The metabolic characteristics of these components were revealed including identification of new metabolites of 4-hydroxyphenyl ethyl-8-O-[α-L- arabinopyranosyl-(1 → 6)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (PEG) and lirinidine. A total of 43 components from JHFE were absorbed and/or metabolized. The contribution rate of each type of chemical component from JHFE to its lipid-lowering effect from high to low were A, F, PG, PA, D and T. Conclusion The results of this study showed that JHFE demonstrated a significant lipid-lowering effect in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperlipidemia mouse model. Specific types of PA, PG, F, D, T and A formed the pharmaceutical architecture of the lipid-lowering effect of JHFE. This study should prove useful for clarifying the components responsible for the lipid-lowering effect of JHFE and provide a basis for precision quality control research.

Oxysophocarpine (OSC) has been documented for anti-inflammatory activity. However, the mechanisms of OSC in anti-inflammation are unclear. Aim: To investigate the protective effects of OSC on inflammation and apoptosis induced by lipopolysaccharide in NCI-H292 and human primary airway epithelial cells. Materials & methods: MTT and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining were used to detect cells viability. Inflammatory responses were determined by ELISA. The quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot were used to detect mRNA/miRNA and protein expressions respectively. Co-immunoprecipitation was investigated for protein interactions. Results & conclusion: miR-155 mimics significantly induced cell apoptosis, inflammatory responses and MAPK and NF-κB pathways. NDFIP1 was identified as the target of miR-155. OSC protected cells against apoptosis and inflammatory responses and compromised miR-155 activity by attenuating MAPK and NF-κB pathways.

Taking data from the China Fertility Survey 2017 for nine provinces in southwestern and south-central China, we calculated differences in C-section rates among women of different ages, and with different types of hukou and different levels of education. We used the Cox proportional hazards model and a binary logistic regression method to examine the impact of C-section at the first birth on the intention of having a second child and actually giving birth to a second child under the Universal Two-child Policy. This study comes to the following conclusions: (1) the C-section rate is generally high among women, especially among those who are older, have non-agricultural hukou, or have a junior college or above education level; (2) similar to the research findings of scholars in other countries, women having C-section at first birth are 16–20% less likely to have a second child than women having no C-section at first birth; and (3) women having C-section at first birth are less inclined to have a second child.

Objectives To investigate the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of index components of Zisu Fang preparations and additionally analysis the anti-dementia drug system characteristics. Methods A PK-PD-drug interaction (DI) method was applied to determine the characteristics of index components of Zisu Fang preparations in vivo . Results In the PK study, maximum plasma concentration, area under the plasma concentration–time curve, and mean residence time of index components of Zisu Fang preparations were higher in the memory-deficit model group than in the control group. This suggested that the index components of Zisu Fang preparations had an affinity for the state of dementia in this model. In the PD study, at the peak time points of anti-dementia efficacy (0.17 h and 1 h), the plasma concentrations of index components of Zisu Fang preparations reached the first or second largest plasma concentration peak or were close to the plasma concentration peak, and showed positive correlation between these two peaks, indicating that the index components of Zisu Fang synergistically exerted an anti-dementia effect. According to the association analysis of PK-PD-DI, baicalin, rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acid B, matrine, and tanshinone IIA were the main active ingredients of the anti-dementia drug system of Zisu Fang preparations in vivo , but were only efficacious against dementia when all five components were present at a specific concentration and proportion. Conclusions Based on the PK and PD correlation analysis, baicalin, rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acid B, matrine, and tanshinone IIA are the main active ingredients of Zisu Fang preparations with regard to its anti-dementia effects, and represent the basic characteristics of drug system: natures, synergy, and affinity.

The tea-like beverage Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni (Stevia) is popular in China because it reduces blood glucose and has a sweet taste. In this work, a comprehensive quality assessment of Stevia led to the discovery of five phenylethanoid glycosides, namely steviophethanoside (1), cuchiloside (2), salidroside (3), icariside D (4), and tyrosol (5). Of them, compound 1 is a novel compound. Mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy were employed to confirm the absolute configuration. A hydrolytic step with 4 N TFA at 95 &deg, C for 4 h was used to confirm the monosaccharides. In addition, Discovery Studio 4.0 was used to predict the ADME and toxicity activity of compound 1. The results suggested that compound 1 was biocompatible and had poor toxicity, which was verified by rat INS-1 islet &beta, cells through an MTT assay. Meanwhile, a significant stimulatory effect on INS-1 cells was observed, which indicated a hypoglycemic effect of compound 1. This is the first report that describes a natural, novel, and hypoglycemic phenylethanoid glycoside in Stevia.

A quantitative method using ultra performance liquid chromatography with a photodiode array detector (UPLC/PDA) was established for the analysis of the five main phenylethanoid glycosides in small-leaved Kudingcha from the genus Ligustrum and was applied as a quality control for small-leaved Kudingcha. Acteoside (1), ligupurpuroside A (2), isoacteoside (3), lipedoside A-I (4), and ligupurpuroside B (5) were separated using a mobile phase of water/phosphoric acid and acetonitrile with a Waters Acquity BEH C18 column. The method was validated according to regulatory guidelines with respect to precision, accuracy and linearity. The five phenylethanoid glycosides in 38 batches of small-leaved Kudingcha were determined by this method. As a result, Ligustrum robustum (syn. Ligustrum purpurascens), which contains a large amount of phenylethanoid glycosides, was tentatively determined to be the correct species for the small-leaved Kudingcha.

Two new monoterpenes with a skeleton similar to the 1,8-cineole skeleton, i.e., (1R,4R)-3,3,5-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-5-en-4-ol (1) and (1R,4R)-4-methoxy-3,3,5-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-5-ene (2), were isolated from an aqueous acetone extract of the aerial parts of Mentha haplocalyx, together with three known compounds. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods and by comparison with reference values.

Ligustrum robustum Bl. (syn. Ligustrum purpurascens Y. C. Yang), a species growing in the southwest of China is used as traditional Chinese tea named Ku-Ding-Cha. 16 compounds (1–16) were isolated from the species L. robustum in present investigation and seven of them (1, 2, 11–14, 16) were firstly reported from this species, compound 14 was firstly reported from the genus Ligustrum and the family Oleaceae. The chemotaxonomic significance of these compounds were summarized.

The integration of an urease reactor into a gas diffusion flow injection system was investigated for the determination of urease inhibitors. The enzyme was immobilized by entrapping in polyacrylamide gel. Besides copper and silver ions mercury ions inhibit the conversion of urea to carbon dioxide and ammonia catalysed by urease. The pH change of the carrier solution caused by the ammonia released was measured potentiometrically with a pH electrode. The inhibition behaviour of Hg(II) ions was investigated. A linear range from 2 to 20 μg L-1 Hg(II) was obtained after a 90 s inhibition, with a correlation coefficient of r=0.9997. The relative standard deviation was 1.4% for five measurements of 2 μg L-1Hg(II). A sample frequency of 7 h-1 was achieved. The inhibited enzyme can be reactivated. The method was applied to the determination of Hg(II) in two drinking water samples.

A stopped-flow injection analysis system for the determination of glucose is described, based on the iodometric measurement of hydrogen peroxide generated in a glucose oxidase reactor. The detection of the iodine–starch complex was carried out spectrophotometrically. The calibration curve was linear up to 2 mmol l-1 glucose, with a correlation coefficient, r, of 0.9996. The relative standard deviation was 1.6% (n=5) for 1.0 mmol l-1 glucose. A sample frequency of 25 samples h-1 was achieved. This method was applied to the determination of glucose in fruit products and the results obtained using this method were in good agreement with those of a routine enzymatic method. A high dilution of the sample avoided interference from ascorbic acid. The enzyme reactor was stable for 1 month after 200 measurements with no loss of activity.

Two different flow-injection analysis (FIA) approaches are described for the determination of asparagine in food samples. For the first method an asparaginase reactor was integrated in a gas-diffusion flow-injection system. This method is based on the measurement of the pH change in an acceptor solution caused by diffused ammonia generated by asparagine hydrolysis catalzyed by immobilized asparaginase. The detection was carried out spectrophotometrically using an acid-base indicator solution as acceptor, and potentiometrically using a pH electrode and bidistilled water as acceptor. The linear range was observed from 0.2−2.3 mmol l−1 asparagine for spectrophotometric detection with a relative standard deviation (r.s.d.) of 1.7% at 0.75 mmol l−1 asparagine (n = 5) and 0.1−4 mmol l−1 for potentiometric detection with a r.s.d. of 2.5% at 1 mmol l−1 asparagine (n = 5). A sample frequency of 35 h−1 was achieved. The results of sample assays using spectrophotometric and potentiometric detection were in good agreement, a recovery of 94.3−98.2% for spectrophotometric detection and 99.1–102.3% for potentiometric detection was observed. This method is highly selective and the sample preparation is very simple. The immobilized enzyme is stable for more than two months or 500 assays. For the second system an asparaginase biosensor is constructed by fixing an enzyme membrane on a pH electrode. This biosensor was used in a FIA system for the determination of asparagine in food samples. A sample frequency of 30 h−1 was achieved. The calibration is linear from 0.1 − 2.0 mmol l−1 for asparagine. The sensor can be used repeatedly at room temperature for at least two weeks with little decline in response.

A flow-injection procedure for the determination of paraoxon as an example of organophosphorus pesticides based on inhibition of acetylcholinesterase immobilized on the polymer carrier VA Epoxy Biosynth was studied. The detection was carried out spectrophotometrically by means of enzymatic hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine iodide and reaction of the thiocholine from the enzymatic reaction with 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid). Under optimal conditions for an inhibition time of 30 min the calibration graph was linear from 0.05 to 0.5 μg l −1 ( r = 0.998, n = 5) with a relative standard deviation of 4.1% at 0.1 μg l −1 . For an inhibition time of 3 min the calibration graph was linear from 2 to 20 μg l −1 with relative standard deviation ( n = 3) of 1.2% at 5 μg l −1 . The inhibited enzyme was reactivated by 0.01 mol l −1 2-pyridinealdoxime methiodide. The recoveries from the samples to which paraoxon had been added (water, soil) were 104% and 94%, respectively.

OBJECTIVE To establish the method for quantitative determination of sibricose A5 and sibricose A6 in Polygalae Radix by HPLC. METHOD The ultrasonic extracting method was applied in sample pre-treatment. The HPLC procedure was performed on the chromatographic column of Agela Promosil C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm), the mobile phase was acetonitrile-0.1% phosphoric acid water solution (10:90). The detection wavelength was 330 nm and flow velocity was 1 mL x min(-1). The column temperature was 30 degrees C. RESULT The method has good linearity in the ranges of 0.0087-0.0694 g x L(-1) (r = 0.9993) for sibricose A5, 0.0090-0.0723 g x L(-1) (r=0.9991) for sibricose A6. The average recoveries of sibricose A5 and sibricose A6 were 101.7%, 97.87%, with the RSD of 1.7%, 1.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION The method was simple, quick accurate and reliable. It is appropriate for the quantitative determination of sibricose A5 and sibricose A6 in Polygalae Radix.

Geniposide is derived from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis (Rubiaceae). Its anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic effects as well as its preventive effect against ischemic stroke have been reported. Radix notoginseng (Chinese name tienchi or sanqi) is the dried root of Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H. Chen, an herb noted for its promotion of blood circulation, blood stasis removal and pain alleviation, and has been widely utilized for the prevention and treatment of microcirculatory disturbances in China and other Asian countries for many years. Notoginsenoside R₁ is an effective and structurally representative bioactive constituent of R. notoginseng. In our preliminary study, notoginsenoside R₁ was able significantly to improve the bioavailability of geniposide in beagle dogs, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown.The present study aimed to investigate the intestinal kinetic absorptive characteristics of geniposide as well as the absorptive behavior influenced by the co-administration of notoginsenoside R₁ using an in vitro everted rat gut sac model.The results showed good linear correlation between the geniposide absorption in sac contents and the incubation time from 0 to 120 min. The concentration dependence showed a non-linear correlation between the geniposide absorption and the concentrations 0.356-1.424 mg/mL, the absorption was saturated about 1.424 mg/mL. Notoginsenoside R₁ at 0.1 and 0.2mg/mL concentrations was able significantly to enhance the absorption of geniposide (1.424 mg/mL) by 1.7- and 1.4-fold. Moreover, verapamil, a well-known P-glycoprotein inhibitor, was able significantly to elevate the absorption of geniposide 2.4-fold. Notoginsenoside R₁ influenced geniposide's absorption in a way similar to that of a P-glycoprotein inhibitor.In conclusion, notoginsenoside R₁ significantly enhances the intestinal absorption of geniposide. As for the mechanism underlying the improvement of geniposide's bioavailability, it is proposed that notoginsenoside R₁ was able to decrease the efflux transport of geniposide by P-glycoproteins.

To develop an HPLC method for quantitative determination of three quassinoids in Brucea javanic.The determination was carried out on a phenomenex C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) with gradient elution program of methol-water at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1), and the detection wavelength was 270 nm.Linearites of bruceine D, brusatol and bruceine H were good (r = 0.9996, 0.9996, and 0.9998) in ranges of 2.52-12.60, 2.19-10.95, and 2.91-14.55 microg, respectively. The average recoveries of bruceine D, brusatol and bruceine H were 100.01%, 100.95% and 100.43% respectively, and RSD of the above three compounds were 0.31% (n = 6), 1.7% ( n = 6) and 1.7% (n = 6), respectively.The determination results of three batch samples showed that the method was simple, accurate and could be used in the quantitative determination of three components in the B. javanica.

Three phenylpropenoyl sucroses – sibiricose A5 (1), A6 (2) and 3′,6-disinapoyl sucrose (3) – were isolated from the 30% EtOH extract of Polygala tenuifolia, which displayed antidepressant-like action. HPLC analysis indicated that the three phenylpropenoyl sucroses could be absorbed into serum. From the serum pharmacochemistry point of view, these three phenylpropenoyl sucroses might prevent or relieve depression.

Nowadays, tea and the substitution (other kinds of tea) take an important status in the drinking, food, health product and the related industry. The most popular Green tea, Mate originated from South America, Large-leaved Kudingcha, Small-leaved Kudingcha, and the Eagle tea used civilian have many similarities on history, chemical constituents and biological activities. In this article, we summarized the similarities and the characteristics of the Green tea and the other four teas in order to provide scientific evidences for better development of the tea and substitutions.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Huanglian Jiedu Tang active fraction (HIJDTAF) on calcium overloading in neurons. Method Cerebral ischemia was imitated by hypoxia/hypoglycemia damage on fetal rat neurons. Double wavelength fluorospectrophotometry was used to assay the content of calcium in neurons in order to evaluate the effect of HLJDTAF on calcium overloading. Neurons were treated with glutamic acid, potassium chloride (KCl), A23187, caffeine(CAF) and methacholine (Mch) to analysis the related mechanism of HLJDTAF on calcium overloading in neurons. Result HLJDTAF 0.3, 0.15 g x k(-1) could remarkably inhibit the calcium overloading in neurons caused by hypoxia/hypoglycemia, glutamic acid, KCl and A23187. HLJDTAF 0.3 g x kg(-1) could inhibit the increasing of calcium caused by CAF and Mch in the presence of and in the absence of extra-calcium. Conclusion HLJDTAF could remarkably inhibit the calcium overloading in neurons after cerebral ischemia injury, it probably plays the function via several pathways.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) on the glucose uptake rate and gene expression of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) in diaphragm of diabetic rats. METHOD Forty SD male rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n=10) and model group (n=30). Diabetic models were induced by feeding with high-sucrose-high-fat diet and intraperitoneal injecting 25 mg X kg(-1) streptozotocin. 20 successful models were rearranged to two groups: diabetic group and GbE treatment group, 10 rats in each. Then the saline and 8 mg X kg(-1) x d(-1) of GbE were respectively intraperitoneal injected, once a day continuously for 8 weeks. The contents of fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin (FINS) were detected, respectively. The glucose uptake rate and gene expression of GLUT4 in diaphragm were determinated and the varieties of diaphragm ultrastructure were observed. RESULT Compared with control group, levels of FBG and FINS obviously increased in diabetic rats (P < 0.01), but the glucose uptake rate and expression of GLUT4 mRNA in diaphragm decreased significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The ultrastructure in diabetic group under electron microscope indicated that diaphragm mitochondrion swelled and degenerated. The above changes were inhibited by GbE. CONCLUSION GbE can improve the glucose metabolism in diabetic rats and reduce the diabetes-induced diaphragm damage. The action mechanism of the drug may be related to promote the mRNA expression of GLUT4 in diaphragm and improve the uptake and metabolism of blood glucose.

A new acylated quercetin glycoside quercetin-3-O-(4'''-O-trans-caffeoyl)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1--6)-beta-D-galacopyranoside (1), along with luteolin (2), quercetin (3), luteolin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside (4), apigenin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside (5), quercitrin (6), quercetin-3-O-beta-D-arabinoside (7) and 4,5-di-O-caffeoyl quinic acid (8) have been isolated from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni. The structures of these compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods (1H- and 13C-NMR, IR and MS) and by 2D-NMR experiments.

To study on the chemical constituents of Lobelia chinensis.The coloumn chromatographic techniques were applied to isolate constituents, and their structures were elucidated by means of spectral data analysis.Sixteen compounds were isolated and identified as daucosterol (1), diosmetin (2), apigenin (3), chrysoeriol (4), loteolin (5), hesperidin (6), loteolin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside (7), apigenin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside (8), linarin (9), diosmin(10), 5,7-dimethoxy-8- hydroxycoumarin (11), palmitinic acid (12), lacceroic acid (13), stearic acid (14), beta-sitosterol (15), daucosterol (16).All of these compouds were obtained from L. chinensis for the first time.

To study the protective effect of "Huang Lian Jie Du Tang" active fraction (HLJDTAF) on experimental cerebral ischemia.Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats was used to observe the protective effect of HLJDTAF on ischemia stroke. Common carotid artery occlusion (CCAO) rat was used to analyse the effect of HLJDTAF on blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Common carotid artery occlusion and reperfusion repeatedly (CCAORR) in mice were used to test effect of HLJDTAF on gasp time, brain exponential and water content of brain.HLJDTAF could improve the abnormal behavior of MCAO rats and decrease the infarction area (P0. 05, P0. 01). HLJDTAF could also significantly prolong the shorten gasp time of CCAORR mice, reduce the brain exponential and decrease the water content in brain (P0. 05, P0. 01).HLJDTAF can protect the brain ischemia injury.

The use of glutamate decarboxylase and glutamate dehydrogenase reactors in flow injection (FI) systems for the determination of glutamate in food is described. In a gas diffusion FI system, glutamate was decarboxylated by glutamate decarboxylase immobilized on a carrier. The produced carbon dioxide was measured spectrophotometrically after gas diffusion using an acid–base indicator as acceptor. The linear range of calibration was from 2 to 20 mmol l–1 with r= 0.9978 and the RSD was 2.8%(n= 5) for 10 mmol l–1L-glutamate. Using a glutamate dehydrogenase reactor the NADH formed by the enzymic reaction was detected at 340 nm. For the normal FI approach the calibration graph was linear from 0.05–0.06 mmol l–1 with r= 0.9991 and the RSD was 2.4%(n= 5) for 0.3 mmol l–1L-glutamate. For the stop flow approach with a significant reduction in NAD+ consumption the linear range was from 0.2 to 1.0 mmol l–1L-glutamate with r= 0.9994. The RSD was 1.9%(n= 5) for 0.6 mmol l–1L-glutamate. A sample frequency of 30 h–1 using these three approaches was reached. Results from food samples using these three approaches were in good agreement with each other. Recoveries were 94.6–101.2%, 96.7–99.3% and 95.9–98.2% for L-glutamate decarboxylase, L-glutamate dehydrogenase with the normal FI approach and L-glutamate dehydrogenase with the stop flow approach, respectively. The assay results of one sample compared well with those given by the manufacturer.

Backgroud Dried sclerotia of Wolfiporia extensa (Polyporaceae) is used to invigorate the spleen and to tranquilize the mind in Chinese herbal medicine. Lanostane-type triterpene acids were regard as major secondary metabolites from dried sclerotia of W. extensa. Results Three new lanostane-type triterpene acids, 3-epi-benzoyloxyl-dehydrotumulosic acid (1), 3-epi-(3′-O-methyl malonyloxy)-dehydrotumulosic acid (2) and 3-epi-(3′-hydroxy-3′-methylglutaryloxyl)-dehydrotumulosic acid (3), were isolated from the sclerotia of W. extensa, together with 3 known lanostane derivatives (4–6). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D-NMR techniques. Conclusion Six lanostane derivatives including three new triterpene acids and three known compounds were reported from the sclerotia of W. extensa in this paper.