Bo's abdominal acupuncture improves disordered metabolism in obese type 2 diabetic rats through regulating fibroblast growth factor 21 and its related adipokines.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Bo's abdominal acupuncture (BOAA) on fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and its related adipokines in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats. METHODS: This study established obese T2DM rat model by high-fat diet (HFD) with a dose of streptozotocin (STZ, 30 mg/kg). Obese T2DM rats were randomly subdivided into four groups (n = 10): negative, BOAA, conventional acupuncture (COA group) and metformin group (Met group) groups. The biochemical parameters, mRNAs, and proteins were analyzed using enzyme-lined immunoassays kits, quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. RESULTS: Treatment with BOAA attenuated the histopathological changes in visceral fat and restored the alterations in the levels of body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). BOAA treatment significantly decreased the levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, leptin, and increased the serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), adiponectin (ADP), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ), C-peptide (C-P) in obese T2DM rats. Furthermore, BOAA treatment significantly increased the mRNA expressions of FGF21, ADP, leptin, PPAR-γ, PPAR-α and adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Besides, BOAA treatment upregulated the protein expressions of fibroblast growth factor receptors3 (FGFR3), PPAR-α, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK), AMPK, p-AMPK, Liver kinase B1 (LKB1), phosphorylated LKB1 (p-LKB1), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and phosphorylated ACC (p-ACC), while downregulated the protein expressions of FGF21 and PPAR-γ in visceral fat. CONCLUSIONS: BOAA treatment reduced FBG and body weight, and improved insulin sensitivity through regulating FGF21 signaling pathway and its related adipokine in obese T2DM rats.

Prevention and Treatment of NAFLD with Traditional Chinese Medicine Monomers by Regulating AMPK Pathway： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） is a chronic liver disease with complex and diverse pathogenesis， and there is no effective treatment or specific drugs for its clinical treatment. In recent years， its incidence has been on the rise， and it has become the earnest expectation of medical researchers in China and abroad that related patients could be treated. AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK） functions to regulate cellular energy homeostasis and mitochondrial homeostasis. When activated， it has a good intervention effect on NAFLD progression with lipid metabolism disorders and mitochondrial homeostasis disorders. For NAFLD， the activation of AMPK can inhibit the production of new lipogenesis in the liver， promote the oxidation of fatty acids in the liver， and enhance the mitochondrial function of adipose tissues. As a key target of metabolic diseases， AMPK can also improve apoptosis， liver fibrosis， autophagy， and inflammation. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） is good at treating diseases from multiple targets and multiple pathways and is also commonly used in the treatment of chronic liver disease in clinical practice. A large number of in vitro and in vivo experimental studies on NAFLD have shown that TCM monomers have good prospects for the treatment of NAFLD through the AMPK signaling pathway， including glycosides， phenols， alkaloids， flavonoids， quinones， terpenoids， and lignans， which are natural activators of AMPK. This study reviewed the research progress on TCM monomers in regulating the AMPK pathway to prevent and treat NAFLD， providing a broader perspective for TCM treatment of NAFLD.

Superhydrophobic, electrically conductive and multifunctional polymer foam composite for chemical vapor detection and crude oil cleanup.

The leakage of chemicals (either vapors or liquids) severely threatens the environment and even people's health. It remains a great challenge to develop multifunctional and durable materials that can not only detect the chemical vapors but also clean up the liquid chemicals especially high viscous crude oil. Here, a superhydrophobic and conductive foam composite (SCFC) is prepared by decorating carbon black nanoparticles (CBNPs) onto the skeleton of the pre-swollen polymer foam under the assistance of ultrasonication. The CBNPs are firmly embedded onto the skeleton surface, exhibiting a strong interfacial adhesion and hence excellent surface stability and durability. The SCFC possesses stable vapor sensing behavior and can detect various chemical vapors with a low detection limit and good cycling performance. When used for oil/water separation, the SCFC has large oil adsorption capacity for different oils with excellent reusability. Also, the outstanding photo-thermal conversion performance of the SCFC can be used to significantly reduce the oil viscosity and hence realize efficient cleanup of the crude oil. The multifunctional SCFC has promising applications in the field of environment protection, flexible electronics, etc.

Promotion of Bone Formation by Red Yeast Rice in Experimental Animals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate the effects of red yeast rice (RYR) and its extract on bone formation in experimental animals and to provide reference data for clinical research on the treatment of osteoporosis. METHODS: Chinese and English language databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Elsevier, Google Scholar, SpringerLink, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Weipu Chinese Sci-tech periodical full-text database (VIP), and Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform (Wanfang), were searched from their establishment to February 2020 using the following terms: "hongqu," "red yeast rice," "Monascus purpureus-fermented rice," "bone mineral density," "osteoblast," "osteoporosis," and "animal models." After excluding nonrelevant articles, Review Manager 5.2 was used to evaluate article quality and to analyze the data. Outcome indicators included bone mineral density (BMD), osteoblast proliferation, and the expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP). RESULTS: A total of 11 randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis, all of which were animal studies. Six studies included data on BMD, five on osteoblast proliferation, and six on the expression of ALP. The results of the meta-analysis showed that RYR can significantly improve BMD (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 3.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.41 to 4.83, P = 0.0003), promote osteoblast proliferation (SMD = 1.64, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.23, P < 0.00001), and increase ALP expression in rats (SMD = 1.25, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.80, P < 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: RYR can promote bone formation in experimental animals and may be useful for the treatment of osteoporosis.

A Modified 2-Stage Treatment for AO/OTA 43-C1 Pilon Fractures Accompanied by Distal Fibular and Posterior Lip of the Distal Tibia Fracture.

The management of pilon fractures remains challenging owing to the high-energy axial loading mechanism that produces comminution of the articular surface, displacement of tibia metaphysis, and severe soft tissue injury. How to preserve the vitality of soft tissue and achieve anatomic reduction has become a timely issue. We report and evaluate the effect of a modified staging treatment for AO Foundation/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) 43C1 pilon fracture accompanied by distal fibular and posterior lip of the distal tibia fracture. We performed a modified 2-stage treatment of type C1 pilon fracture with distal fibular and posterior malleolar fractures. In the first stage, the posterolateral incision was used for simultaneous reduction of fibula and posterior malleolus, and the tibia was fixed with an external fixator. In the second stage, the external fixator was removed, and the medial malleolus and tibia were fixed after the edema of soft tissue had subsided. The following data were collected: Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, Short Form 36 (SF-36) score, Burwell-Charnley fracture reduction score, and postoperative complications. Twenty-seven patients were monitored for an average of 31.70 ± 7.38 months. The Burwell-Charnley fracture reduction scores had anatomic and fair ratings of 92.59%. SF-36 physical component score was 42.94 ± 12.47 and mental component score was 48.73 ± 9.79. Score data from the multiple scales of FAOS included pain, 88.79 ± 8.59; activities of daily living, 91.89 ± 7.50; quality of life, 90.26 ± 10.52; sports, 87.93 ± 11.64; and symptoms, 85.32 ± 8.65. The AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scores were 87.30 ± 13.45. Complications were reported in 5 patients (18.52%). Our study provides a good alternative to the existing protocol for type C1 pilon fractures with distal fibular and posterior lip of the distal tibia fracture and effectively reduces soft tissue complications.

Successful treatment with matched unrelated donor peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for very severe aplastic anemia in presence of active infections: A case report.

RATIONALE: Very severe aplastic anemia (vSAA) with active infections is always fatal. Adequate infection control before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is recommended. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 38-year-old woman with vSAA suffered from acute perforated appendicitis and invasive pulmonary fungal infection, and she failed to respond to intense antimicrobial therapies. DIAGNOSIS: She was diagnosed with refractory vSAA with stubborn acute perforated appendicitis and invasive pulmonary fungal infection. INTERVENTIONS: We successfully completed an emergent reduced intensity conditioning-matched unrelated donor (MUD)-peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) as a salvage therapy in the presence of active infections. The conditioning regimens consisted of reduced cyclophosphamide 30 mg/kg/day from day-5 to day-3, fludarabine 30 mg/m/day from day-5 to day-3 and porcine-antilymphocyte immunoglobulin 15 mg/kg/day from day-4 to day-2 without total body irradiation. Cyclosporin A, mycophenolate mofetil and short-term methotrexate were administered as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. Neutrophils and platelets were engrafted on day+15 and day+21. Appendiceal abscess and severe pneumonia developed after neutrophil engraftment, which were successfully managed with intense antimicrobial therapy and surgical intervention. OUTCOMES: Only limited cutaneous chronic GVHD was observed 5 months after transplantation. The patient still lives in a good quality of life 2 years after transplantation. LESSONS: Active infections may be no longer a contraindication to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for some patients with vSAA.

Reversine and herbal Xiang-Sha-Liu-Jun-Zi decoction ameliorate thioacetamide-induced hepatic injury by regulating the RelA/NF-κB/caspase signaling pathway.

This study investigated the anti-fibrotic effects of reversine and Chinese medicine Xiang-Sha-Liu-Jun-Zi decoction (XSLJZD) on thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatic injury. Sprague-Dawley rats were intraperitoneally administered with TAA, then injected with reversine intraperitoneally, and/or orally provided with XSLJZD. TAA resulted in liver injury with increases in the liver index and levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase. Reversine alleviated the liver index and AST level and improved TAA-induced pathological changes but decreased TAA-induced collagen deposition, and α-smooth muscle actin and transforming growth factor-ß1 expression. Reversine also modulated the mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as RelA, interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-22, IL-1ß, IL-6, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3, platelet-derived growth factor, and monocyte chemoattractant protein, and suppressed nuclear factor (NF)-κB (p65) phosphorylation and caspase 1 activation. Meanwhile, XSLJZD protected TAA-injured liver without increasing fibrosis and enhanced the regulating effect of reversine on RelA, IL-17A, IL-1ß, and MCP-1 cytokines. In conclusion, reversine ameliorates liver injury and inhibits inflammation reaction by regulating NF-κB, and XSLJZD protects the liver through its synergistic effect with reversine on regulating inflammatory cytokines.

Periostin involved in the activated hepatic stellate cells-induced progression of residual hepatocellular carcinoma after sublethal heat treatment: its role and potential for therapeutic inhibition.

BACKGROUND: Incomplete thermal ablation may induce invasiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we investigated whether activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) would accelerate the progression of residual HCC after sublethal heat treatment, and thus sought to identify the potential targets. METHODS: Hepatocellular carcinoma cells were exposed to sublethal heat treatment and then cultured with the conditioned medium from activated HSCs (HSC-CM). The cell proliferation, migration, invasion and parameters of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were analyzed. In vivo tumor progression of heat-treated residual HCC cells inoculated with activated HSCs was studied in nude mice. RESULTS: HSC-CM significantly enhanced the proliferation, motility, invasion, prominent EMT activation and decreased apoptosis of heat-exposed residual HCC cells. These increased malignant phenotypes were markedly attenuated by neutralizing periostin (POSTN) in HSC-CM. Furthermore, exogenous POSTN administration exerted the similar effects of HSC-CM on heat-treated residual HCC cells. POSTN induced the prominent activation of p52Shc and ERK1/2 via integrin ß1 in heat-exposed residual HCC cells. Vitamin D analog calcipotriol blocked POSTN secretion from activated HSCs. Calcipotriol plus cisplatin significantly suppressed the activated HSCs-enhanced tumor progression of heat-treated residual HCC cells via the inhibited POSTN expression and the increased apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Activated HSCs promote the tumor progression of heat-treated residual HCC through the release of POSTN, which could be inhibited by calcipotriol. Calcipotriol plus cisplatin could be used to thwart the accelerated progression of residual HCC after suboptimal heat treatment.

Extracellular matrix collagen I promotes the tumor progression of residual hepatocellular carcinoma after heat treatment.

BACKGROUND: Accelerated malignant behaviors induced by insufficient thermal ablation have been increasingly reported, however, the exact mechanisms are still unclear. Here, we investigated the importance of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in modulating the progression of residual hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after heat treatment. METHODS: Heat-exposed residual HCC cells were cultured in different ECM gels. We used basement membrane gel (Matrigel) to simulate the normal microenvironment and collagen I to model the pathological stromal ECM. The alterations of morphology and parameters of proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness were analyzed in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: Increased collagen I deposition was observed at the periablational zone after incomplete RFA of HCC in a xenograft model. The markers of cell proliferation, EMT, motility and progenitor-like traits of heat-exposed residual HCC cells were significantly induced by collagen I as compared to Matrigel (p values all < 0.05). Importantly, collagen I induced the activation of ERK phosphorylation in heat-exposed residual HCC cells. ERK1/2 inhibitor reversed the collagen I-promoted ERK phosphorylation, cell proliferative, protrusive and spindle-like appearance of heat-treated residual HCC cells in vitro. Moreover, collagen I promoted the in vivo tumor progression of heat-exposed residual HCC cells, and sorafenib markedly reversed the collagen I-mediated protumor effects. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that collagen I could enhance the aggressive progression of residual HCC cells after suboptimal heat treatment and sorafenib may be a treatment approach to thwart this process.

Increased matrix stiffness promotes tumor progression of residual hepatocellular carcinoma after insufficient heat treatment.

Aggravated behaviors of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) will occur after inadequate thermal ablation. However, its underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we assessed whether the increased matrix stiffness after thermal ablation could promote the progression of residual HCC. Heat-treated residual HCC cells were cultured on tailorable 3D gel with different matrix stiffness, simulating the changed physical environment after thermal ablation, and then the mechanical alterations of matrix stiffness on cell phenotypes were explored. Increased stiffness was found to significantly promote the proliferation of the heat-treated residual HCC cells when the cells were cultured on stiffer versus soft supports, which was associated with stiffness-dependent regulation of ERK phosphorylation. Heat-exposed HCC cells cultured on stiffer supports showed enhanced motility. More importantly, vitamin K1 reduced stiffness-dependent residual HCC cell proliferation by inhibiting ERK phosphorylation and suppressed the in vivo tumor growth, which was further enhanced by combining with sorafenib. Increased matrix stiffness promotes the progression of heat-treated residual HCC cells, proposing a new mechanism of an altered biomechanical environment after thermal ablation accelerates HCC development. Vitamin K1 plus sorafenib can reverse this protumor effect.

Research progress of relationship between continuous cropping obstacles and microRNAs in Rehmannia glutinosa / 中国中药杂志

The efficacy of Rehmannia glutinosa which as a large quantity of traditional Chinese medicine is significant. However, the land must be given up after one season of R. glutinosa cultivation or replanted after a period of 8-10 years because of the severe continuous cropping obstacles. MicroRNAs is a class of endogenous non-coding small RNAs, which participate in regulation of physiological activities by target mRNA cleavage or translational repression in plants. In recent years,studies on the role of miRNAs in plants have made significant progresses,especially in medicinal plants．MiRNAs from some different medicinal plant species have been identified with regulatory effects．When plants are exposed to environmental stress, miRNAs act on stress-related genes and initiate stress-resistance mechanisms in the body against adverse factors. R. glutinosa is also a kind of environmental stress. It is conducive to deciphering the molecular mechanism of continuous cropping obstacles for us by researching miRNAs. This article reviews the production of miRNAs, mechanism, research approaches and characteristics of resisting the environmental stresses in plants, the development trends and future prospect of R. glutinosa miRNAs research.

Advances on molecular mechanisms of Rehmannia glutinosa consecutive monoculture problem formation in multi-omics era / 中国中药杂志

Although consecutive monoculture problems have been studied for many years, no effective treatments are currently available. The complexity of systems triggered the formation of consecutive monoculture problems was one major cause. This paper elaborated the physiological and ecological mechanisms of consecutive monoculture problem formation based on the interaction relationship among multiple factors presented in the rhizosphere soil of consecutive monoculture plants. At same time, in this paper the multiple interactions among cultivated medicinal plants, autotoxic allelochemicals and rhizosphere microbial were proposed to be most important causes that derived the formation of consecutive monoculture problem. The paper also highlighted the advantage of 'omics' technologies integrating plant functional genomics and metabolomics as well as microbial macro-omics in understanding the multiple factor interaction under a particular ecological environment. Additionally, taking R. glutinosa as an example, the paper reviewed the molecular mechanism for the formation of R. glutinosa consecutive monoculture problem from the perspective of the accumulation of allelopathic autotoxins, the rhizosphere microecology catastrophe and theresponding of consecutive monoculture plants. Simultaneously, the roles of mutilple 'omics' technologies in comprehending these formation mechanism were described in detail. This paper provides finally a new insight to solve systematically the mechanism of consecutive monoculture problem formation on molecular level.

[Design and Application of Distal Radius Anatomical Shape Bracket Splints].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of anatomic shape bracket splints designed by 3D-MAX software. METHODS: Healthy adult volunteers' forearms and wrist data were measured and processed by 3D-MAX software. Then we designed and made anatomic shape bracket splints. Totally 60 distal radial fracture patients were equally assigned to the test group and the control group. After manual reduction, patients in the test group used anatomic shape bracket splints, while those in the control group used common splints. The palmar dip angle, ulnar fleet angle, and radius height of standard X-ray in normal and lateral positions were measured after treatment, at 1, 3, and 6 week after treatment, respectively. Meanwhile, the incidence of complications was recorded during the whole treatment process. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the palmar dip angle and ulnar fleet angle were larger in the test group after one week of treatment (P < 0.05). The radius height of the treatment group was higher after one, three, and six weeks of treatment (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the incidence of complications was obviously less in the test group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Anatomic shape bracket splints designed by 3D-MAX software fit local anatomic features and need no more shaping. Its easier use with lesser complications could maintain the stability of bone fracture better.

Galiellalactone analogs and their possible precursors from Sarcosomataceae.

Galiellalactone analogs (1-4) (including two new compounds), together with their possible precursors (5-9, named pregaliellalactone B-F), were obtained from the solid cultures of an endophytic fungus Sarcosomataceae NO.45-1-8-1. Their chemical structures were elucidated by analyses of HR ESI-TOF MS, 1D-, 2D-NMR, CD spectra and single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Compounds 5-9, the possible precursors of galiellalactone analogs, were found to exist as enantiomers for the first time. The cytotoxicity of these compounds against six tumor cell lines was examined and preliminary structure-activity relationship (SAR) was also discussed.

[Real-world analysis of concurrent diseases and medicine use among patients with insomnia].

This study aims to explore and analyze the condition of concurrent diseases and medicine use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and western medicine among the patients with insomnia. One thousand and sxity seven cases of data from 20 national hospitals' hospital information system (HIS) databases were collected. The frequent concurrent diseases included hypertension (26.9%), brain blood supply insufficiency (24.93%), cerebral infarction (19.49%), blood lipoprotein disturbance (15.28%), coronary heart disease (14.15%), headache (10.68%), chronic gastritis (8.81%), type 2 diabetes mellitus (7.87%), depressive disorder (7.4%) and anxiety disorder (6.65%). The 10 most frequently-used western drugs included alprazolam (35.99%), aspirin (25.4%), olanzapine (24.18%), cinepazide (23.06%), flupentixol & melitracen (18.74%), zolpidem (18.37%), oxiracetam (15.65%), estazolam (15%), aniracetam (13.4%) and piracetam (13.31%). The 10 most frequently-used TCM included Shuxuening injection (16.4%), Shuxuetong injection (15.18%), extract of ginkgo biloba leaf (14.71%), gastrodin (12.46%), Dengzanxixin injection (11.34%), Xueshuantong (8.53%), Danhong injection (6.37%), compound liquorice tablet (5.81%), Sanqi Tongshu capsule (5.72%) and sowthistle-leaf ixeridium injection (5.34%). Among all combined uses, the most frequent western drug use was alprazolam and olanzapine, while combined use of hypnotic drug and Huoxuehuayu formula is the most frequent. This study concludes that the concurrent diseases mainly include cardio-cerebrovascular diseases, metabolic disorders and anxiety-depression disorders, with increasing tendency of diseases types by ages, especially for cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. The most frequently-used hypnotic is alprazolam in the insomnia patients, and it is worth being concerned about the off-label use of olanzapine as an antipsychotic for the treatment of insomnia However, due to the fact that all cases data are from the inpatients, these findings have some limitations.

Real-world analysis of concurrent diseases and medicine use among patients with insomnia / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to explore and analyze the condition of concurrent diseases and medicine use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and western medicine among the patients with insomnia. One thousand and sxity seven cases of data from 20 national hospitals' hospital information system (HIS) databases were collected. The frequent concurrent diseases included hypertension (26.9%), brain blood supply insufficiency (24.93%), cerebral infarction (19.49%), blood lipoprotein disturbance (15.28%), coronary heart disease (14.15%), headache (10.68%), chronic gastritis (8.81%), type 2 diabetes mellitus (7.87%), depressive disorder (7.4%) and anxiety disorder (6.65%). The 10 most frequently-used western drugs included alprazolam (35.99%), aspirin (25.4%), olanzapine (24.18%), cinepazide (23.06%), flupentixol & melitracen (18.74%), zolpidem (18.37%), oxiracetam (15.65%), estazolam (15%), aniracetam (13.4%) and piracetam (13.31%). The 10 most frequently-used TCM included Shuxuening injection (16.4%), Shuxuetong injection (15.18%), extract of ginkgo biloba leaf (14.71%), gastrodin (12.46%), Dengzanxixin injection (11.34%), Xueshuantong (8.53%), Danhong injection (6.37%), compound liquorice tablet (5.81%), Sanqi Tongshu capsule (5.72%) and sowthistle-leaf ixeridium injection (5.34%). Among all combined uses, the most frequent western drug use was alprazolam and olanzapine, while combined use of hypnotic drug and Huoxuehuayu formula is the most frequent. This study concludes that the concurrent diseases mainly include cardio-cerebrovascular diseases, metabolic disorders and anxiety-depression disorders, with increasing tendency of diseases types by ages, especially for cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. The most frequently-used hypnotic is alprazolam in the insomnia patients, and it is worth being concerned about the off-label use of olanzapine as an antipsychotic for the treatment of insomnia However, due to the fact that all cases data are from the inpatients, these findings have some limitations.

Analysis on multi-factors affecting quality of Chinese materia medica decoction and standardization of management / 中草药

There has been no scientific and standardization management to the quality control of Chinese materia medica (CMM) decoction in our country, which related to the consciousness of using traditional CMM decoction. It is difficult to control the quality of the medicinal broth. Through the analysis about the present situation of native quality, taking ginkgo leaf as the research object, the effects of tisane apparatus, tisane temperature, tisane time, tisane times, cold soak time, and other factors on the quality of the CMM decoction were compared. The idea was put forward that the CMM decoction forms should be a final oral dosage. According to the native decoction and the quality control standard for Good Decocting Practice (GDP), the quality controlled CMM decoction dosage by professional decoction organization could be produced, so as to realize the quality control in the whole process of CMM decoction.

High frequency electro-acupuncture enhances striatum DAT and D1 receptor expression, but decreases D2 receptor level in 6-OHDA lesioned rats.

The direct effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) on the dopaminergic neurotransmitter system in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients remain elusive. In the present study, 0, 2 or 100Hz EA was applied to acupoints Sanyinjiao (SP6), Yanglingquan (GB34) and Zusanli (ST36) in a rat model unilaterally lesioned by 6-hydroxydopamine. Rotational behavior tests were performed and the animals were then decapitated. Levels of striatal dopamine (DA), dopamine transporter, and D1- and D2-like DA receptors were subsequently evaluated. EA at 100 Hz was shown to significantly enhance survival of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (52.10 ± 11.41% of the level on the non-lesioned rats vs. 21.22 ± 5.52% in the non-EA group, P<0.05) and reduce motor deficits (207.80 ± 31.14 vs. 476.11 ± 68.80 turns/30 min, P<0.05), whereas it only slightly restored the 6-hydroxydopamine-induced loss of striatal DA (P>0.05 vs. the non-EA group). There was a 253.78% increase in dopamine transporter protein expression in the striatum in the 100 Hz EA group (P<0.05 vs. the non-EA group). Moreover, high frequency EA induced increases in striatal D1-like receptor mRNA and protein levels of 81.88% and 62.62%, respectively (P<0.001 and P<0.05 vs. the non-EA group). However, the D2-like DA receptor up-regulation observed in the non-EA group was suppressed in high frequency group (P>0.05 vs. the sham operation group). These findings suggest that high-frequency EA might work by acting on presynaptic dopamine transporter and postsynaptic dopamine receptors simultaneously to achieve a therapeutic effect in PD patients and models. This might shed some light on the mechanism by which EA affects the DA neurotransmitter system.

Potential of fruit wastes as natural resources of bioactive compounds.

Fruit wastes are one of the main sources of municipal waste. In order to explore the potential of fruit wastes as natural resources of bioactive compounds, the antioxidant potency and total phenolic contents (TPC) of lipophilic and hydrophilic components in wastes (peel and seed) of 50 fruits were systematically evaluated. The results showed that different fruit residues had diverse antioxidant potency and the variation was very large. Furthermore, the main bioactive compounds were identified and quantified, and catechin, cyanidin 3-glucoside, epicatechin, galangin, gallic acid, homogentisic acid, kaempferol, and chlorogenic acid were widely found in these residues. Especially, the values of ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and TPC in the residues were higher than in pulps. The results showed that fruit residues could be inexpensive and readily available resources of bioactive compounds for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries.