[Optmization for cutting procedure of astragali radix with Box-Behnken design and response surface method].

Astragali Radix was firstly recorded in the "Shen Nong's Herbal Classic" as a top-grade and commonly used traditional Chinese medicine. Its frequently used slices include raw Astragali Radix and honey-processed products. In current studies, many reports were made on honey-processed Astragali Radix, whereas fewer study reports were made on the cutting process of Astragali Radix.

[Relationship between the gene mutations of mannose binding protein and the progression of hepatitis B infection].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the gene mutations of mannose binding protein(MBP) and the progression of hepatitis B.

Methods: The MBP gene mutations in 52 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 62 patients with severe hepatitis B and 64 HBsAg-negative healthy controls were investigated. The mutations in MBP gene were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct DNA sequencing.