Study of the destructive effect to inherent quality of Angelicae dahuricae radix (Baizhi) by sulfur-fumigated process using chromatographic fingerprinting analysis.

The after-harvesting sun-dried process of Angelicae dahuricae radix (Chinese name: Baizhi) was previously the traditional treatment for commodity. Over recent decades the natural drying process for some fleshy roots or rhizomes of Chinese materia medica has been replaced by sulfur-fumigation for curtailing the drying duration and pest control. We used high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and high performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprinting analysis to investigate the potential damaging effect of the sulfur-fumigating process.

Effects of Tai Chi and resistance training on cardiovascular risk factors in elderly Chinese subjects: a 12-month longitudinal, randomized, controlled intervention study.

Background: Tai Chi is rapidly gaining in popularity, worldwide. This study was performed to assess its impact on cardiovascular risk factors in comparison with resistance training exercises in elderly Chinese subjects.

Methods: A total of 207 healthy elderly participants (65-74 years, 113/207 (55%) men) were randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups: (1) Tai Chi, three times/week for 1 h/session (n = 64); (2) resistance training exercise, three times/week for 1 h/session (n = 65); (3) usual level of physical activity control group (n = 78).

Increasing insulin resistance contributes to worsening glycaemic and lipid profiles in older Chinese subjects.

Objective: To investigate the impact of insulin resistance on cardiovascular risk factors in the elderly.

Research Design And Methods: A cross-sectional, community-based study of 225 older Chinese participants (65-74 years, 55.6% female) recruited from community centres for the elderly in Shatin.