Investigation and clarification of traditional measuring units of Tibetan medicine / 中国中药杂志

Quantity is the key factor to ensure the safety and effectiveness of medicines. It is very important to study and determine the traditional measuring units and their quantity values of Tibetan medicine. Based on the literature records of Tibetan medicine and combined with modern experimental verification and investigation research, this study determined the reference, name, and conversion rate of traditional measuring units of Tibetan medicine. Meanwhile, through large sample sampling and repeated quantification of refe-rence of basic units, its weight and volume were clarified. The modern SI volume and weight unit values corresponding to the traditional volume and weight units of Tibetan medicine were deduced, and the correctness, reliability, and practicability of these determination results were demonstrated. This study also put forward some specific suggestions and reference values for formulating the standards of measuring units of weight and volume of Tibetan medicine. It is of great significance in guiding the processing, production, and clinical treatment of Tibetan medicine, and promoting the standardization and standardized development of Tibetan medicine.

Effects of Tuina on cartilage degradation and chondrocyte terminal differentiation in rats with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects of Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) in a knee osteoarthritis (KOA) rat model and its influence on proteins associated with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Methods: A total of 32 specific-pathogen-free grade Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Eight rats were randomly selected as the control group (CG). The remaining 24 rats underwent intra-articular injections with 0.2 mL of 4％ papain to prepare the KOA rat models. After the model was established, the 24 rats were randomly and equally assigned to 3 groups, including a model group (MG), a Tuina group (TG), and a positive medicine group (PMG), with 8 rats in each group. The Lequesne score was applied to evaluate the success of model development. After the model was successfully established, the CG did not receive any intervention, and the TG was treated with local, clockwise annular Rou-Kneading around the knee joint with the thumbs. The pressure in the longitudinal direction was 3 N, and the frequency was designed to be 120-140 times/min for 15 min, followed by flexing the joint 10 times. The PMG was intragastrically administered with celecoxib [24 mg/(kg·bw)] every day. These interventions were performed once a day, 6 d per week, for a total of 4 weeks. After treatment, the Lequesne score was applied again to assess the severity of the KOA in the rats; hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and a mixture of equal volumes of aqueous solutions of safranin O-fast green were used to stain and observe the cartilage morphology and structure; the modified Mankin score was applied to evaluate the pathology; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method was used to quantify the C-telopeptide fragments of type Ⅱ collagen (CTX-Ⅱ) and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP); Western blotting was then applied to quantify Wnt4, β-catenin, matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13), and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) protein expression; immunohistochemistry was conducted to determine the percentage of collagen type X (ColX)-positive cells. Results: The Lequesne score of the TG and PMG was both lower than that of the MG (P<0.01); the HE staining, safranin O-fast green stained morphology and structure, and modified Mankin scores of the TG and the PMG were also better than those in the MG (P<0.01). Compared with the CG, the amounts of CTX-Ⅱ and COMP in the serum were significantly increased (P<0.01); the expression of Wnt4, β-catenin, MMP-13, and BMP-2 proteins in the cartilage tissue was significantly increased (P<0.01), and the percentage of ColX-positive chondrocytes was significantly increased (P<0.01) in the MG. In comparison with those in the MG, the amounts of CTX-Ⅱ and COMP were significantly decreased (P<0.01), the expression of Wnt4, β-catenin, MMP-13, and BMP-2 proteins was significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the percentage of ColX-positive chondrocytes was significantly decreased (P<0.01) in the TG and PMG. Compared with the PMG, the contents of CTX-Ⅱ and COMP and the expression of Wnt4, β-catenin, MMP-13, and BMP-2 proteins were decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01); the percentage of ColX-positive chondrocytes was significantly decreased (P<0.01) in the TG. Conclusion: Tuina can relieve the degeneration of KOA, and the mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, the decrease in MMP-13 and BMP-2 protein expression, the reduction in chondrocyte extracellular matrix degradation, and slowing down the terminal cell differentiation.

Effect of manipulation on cartilage in rats with knee osteoarthritis based on the Rho-associated protein kinase/LIM kinase 1/Cofilin signaling pathways.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of manipulation treatment on knee osteoarthritis rats and the effect on Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK)/LIM-kinase1 (LIMK1)/Cofilin signaling pathway. METHOD: Fifty Specific pathogen Free Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups ( = 8 each): blank group, model group, manipulation group, celecoxib group, and manipulation combined with celecoxib group (MC group). The osteoarthritis model was established by injecting 0.2 mL 4% papain into the articular disc of the rats. After successfully establishing the model, we treated the manipulation group with pushing manipulation using one-finger-meditation to the Neixiyan (EX-LE4), Waixiyan (EX-LE5), Xuehai (SP10), Liangqiu (ST34), and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints for 10 min each time. Also, the celecoxib group was gavaged with 24 mg•kg•d celecoxib, while the MC group was treated using both of these two methods. After four weeks, the cartilage of the right femur was removed for hematoxylin-eosin staining of the cartilage tissue. The expressions of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in serum were observed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Besides, we detected the expressions of ROCK, LIMK1, Phospho-LIM-kinase1 (Phospho-LIMK1), Cofilin, and Phospho-Cofilin by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared to the model group, the manipulation group, celecoxib group, and MC group all exhibited superior results concerning pathological morphologic changes of cartilage, as observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and calculated using the Mankin score. Besides, in contrast to the blank group, the model group exhibited elevated serum levels of IL-1ß and TNF-α ( 0.01), while the expression of ROCK, LIMK1, Phospho-LIMK1, Cofilin, and Phospho-Cofilin in cartilage were all higher ( 0.01). Also, the serum levels of IL-1ß and TNF-α in each treatment group were lower (0.01) than in the model group. Moreover, there were lower expressions of ROCK, LIMK1, Phospho-LIMK1, Cofilin, and Phospho-Cofilin in cartilage in the manipulation group and the MC group (< 0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression of ROCK, LIMK1, Phospho-LIMK1, Cofilin, and Phospho-Cofilin in cartilage in the celecoxib group were not statistically different ( > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, we established that manipulation has a better curative effect than celecoxib. Manipulation inhibits the development of cytoskeleton damage in cartilage and slows articular degeneration by regulating the expression of related proteins in the cytoskeletal signaling pathway.

Risk factors for spontaneous abortion from a prevention perspective in rural China: a population-based follow-up study.

OBJECTIVES: We conducted this study to investigate the risk factors for spontaneous abortion among rural Chinese women. METHODS: Risk factors prior to pregnancy associated with spontaneous abortion were identified among 17,248 rural women enrolled in a prospective population-based follow-up study. The risk of spontaneous abortion was estimated with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for several factors. A nonconditional logistic regression analysis was then performed to identify the independently associated factors. RESULTS: The total sample of this study population consisted of 17,248 pregnant women including 921 of them whose pregnancies resulted in spontaneous abortion and the incidence of spontaneous abortion was 5.04%. After the adjustment of confounding factors, menarche age, serum creatinine, family genetic diseases or maternal congenital defects was associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion while folic acid supplementation reduced the risk among rural Chinese women. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of our study suggest that multiple modifiable factors may increase the risk of spontaneous abortion which may help relevant departments better to guide detailed effectively prevention strategies toward spontaneous abortion to improve the reproductive quality of rural population. Further studies are required to elaborate these risk factors for spontaneous abortion.

Matrine Inhibitory Effect on Self-renewal and Re-sensitization of 5-FU Resistant NSCLC Stem Cells were through Let-7b dependent Downregulation of CCND1.

Matrine is one of the major alkaloids extracted from Sophora flavescens Ait of the traditional Chinese medicine, was the main chemical ingredient of compounds of Kushen injection. The Matrine is considered as a promising therapeutic agent for curing nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), used either alone or combined with chemotherapeutic agents. In the present study, we focused on the possible roles of Matrine exerted on the self-renewal ability of stem-like cells of the NSCLC group, as well as the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents, in vitro and in vivo. Here we reported that Matrine inhibits cancer stem-like cell (CSC) properties through upregulation of Let-7b and suppression of the Wnt pathway. Overexpression of Let-7b suppressed the ability of tumorsphere formation, decreased Wnt pathway activation through inhibiting its transcriptional activity in lung CSCs. Further studies revealed that Let-7b directly targeted CCND1 and decreased its expression, whereas Matrine increased Let-7b levels and followed by inactivation of the CCND1/Wnt signaling pathway and inhibition of EMT, which was characterized by loss of epithelial markers and acquisition of a mesenchymal phenotype in lung CSCs. What is more, we found that Matrine increased Let-7b level in an endoribonuclease DICER1-dependent manner. And xenografts in nude mice evidenced that Matrine increased the sensitivity of lung CSCs to 5-FU and inhibited the accumulation of CCND1 in tumor tissues induced by 5-FU. Taken together, these data illustrate the role of Let-7b in regulating lung CSCs traits and DICER1/let-7/CCND1 axis in Matrine or in combination with 5-FU intervention of lung CSCs' expansion, helping to fulfill the anti-cancer action of Matrine.

Large for gestational age and macrosomia in pregnancies without gestational diabetes mellitus.

Objective: This study aims to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of macrosomia and LGA (large for gestational age) in non-GDM (gestational diabetes mellitus) pregnant women in Fuyang, Anhui Province of China.Methods: A large population-based cohort study was conducted among non-GDM pregnant women aged 18-45 years. Maternal sociodemographic data prior to pregnancy were collected using interviewer-administered standardized questionnaire. Maternal obstetrical delivery records and newborn hospital records were extracted from antenatal care booklets and hospital discharge abstracts. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of macrosomia and LGA.Results: The incidence of macrosomia and LGA was 9.2 and 15.9%, respectively. Mothers ≥35 years of age (aOR 2.75, 95% CI 1.98, 3.80), male neonates (aOR 1.68, 95% CI 1.51, 1.89), overweight and obese (aOR 1.61, 95% CI 1.34, 1.92 and aOR 3.05, 95% CI 2.05, 4.56, respectively) were associated with increased risk of macrosomia. Compared with the less educated mothers, the educated mothers were more likely to have increased risk of macrosomia. IFA (iron and folic acid) supplements intake during pregnancy was more likely to deliver macrosomia or LGA (aOR1.32, 95% CI 1.08, 1.49 and aOR1.42, 95% CI 1.24, 1.61, respectively) as compared with no IFA supplements intake. SCr (serum creatinine concentration) >80 µmol/L was related to decreased risk of macrosomia (aOR 0.73, 95% CI 0.61, 0.86) and LGA (aOR 0.67, 95% CI 0.59, 0.77) as compared with normal range (44-80 µmol/L).Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of macrosomia and LGA in non-GDM pregnant women in China. Healthcare educations and reasonable body weight are necessary for pregnant women to prevent macrosomia and LGA. Pregnant women should be checked regularly and have the first prenatal visit as soon as possible.

Textual Research of the Name of Tibetan Medicine “Riguan” / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE： To make a textual research on the normal name， synonym and Chinese translation name aiming at the phenomenon of more than one name of Tibetan medicine “Riguan”， and to determine the standard name suitable for standardization and popularization. METHODS： The representative classical Tibetan medicine books from the 7th to the 21st century were studied. The names of “Riguan” in various books and their occurrence frequency， naming basis and succession were sorted out， and the standard names of “Riguan” in Tibetan and Chinese were screened for easy understanding and popularization. RESULTS： According to the 17 representative Tibetan medicine classics books and 6 Chinese version Tibetan medicine books， “Riguan” had 19 Tibetan names. Among them， the most frequently recorded name was “Zimagangjiu”， which had been recorded in 11 books. Secondly， “Riguan” and “Puronggang” were recorded in 8 books respectively， and “Riguanzima” was recorded in 7 books. Naming basis could be summarized into four categories， i.e. simple naming （such as “Riguan”）， emphasizing morphological characteristics （such as “Zimagangjiu”）， emphasizing medicinal properties （such as “Daweitou”）， simple naming+emphasizing morphological characteristics （such as “Riguanzima”）. “Zimagangjiu” “Riguan” and “Riguanzima” were used as normal names in the 7th to 8th century， 8th to 19th century and 19th to 21st century respectively. Among them， “Riguanzima” was first recorded in the official book Tibetan Medicine Subvolume of Chinese Medical Encyclopedia as a formal name， which symbolized the milestone of the development of Tibetan medicine in the new era of our country. CONCLUSIONS： According to the naming basis and current application situation， it is suggested that “Riguanzima” can be used as the Tibetan and Chinese standard name of Tibetan medicine “Riguan” to promote and standardize its application.

Acupoint injection of BMSCs combined with Chinese herbs for capillary density in ischemic hind limb of diabetes mellitus rats / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of acupoint injection of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) combined with Chinese herbs of benefiting for activating blood circulation for capillary density and arterioles density in skeletal muscle in ischemic hind limb of diabetes mellitus (DM) rats.@*METHODS@#A total of 80 rats were randomized into a normal sham operation group (10 rats) and a model group (70 rats). Disposable intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 50.0 mg/kg) was used to establish DM model, and the rats in the model group were randomized into 7 subgroups, 10 rats in each one. The subgroups were the DM sham operation group, DM ischemic group, Chinese herb group (intragastric herbs of benefiting for activating blood circulation), local injection group (BMSCs local injection), local injection + Chinese herb group (BMSCs local injection combined with intragastric herbs of benefiting for activating blood circulation), acupoint injection group (BMSCs acupoint injection), acupoint injection + Chinese herb group (BMSCs acupoint injection combined with intragastric herbs of benefiting for activating blood circulation). The local injection was phosphate buffer (PBS) injection at the equidistant 5 points along the line between the ischemic tissue and the normal tissue a time. The acupoints were "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6), "Zhaohai" (KI 6), "Huantiao" (GB 30), "Housanli" (ST 36) and "Yanglingquan" (GB 34). 100 μL BMSCs with 1×10/mL was totally injected at the above acupoints for one rat, 20 μL an acupoint. 1.5 kg/L Chinese herbs were applied by intragastric administration, including 120 g Radix Astragali, 120 g Codonopsis, 48 g Radix Glycyrrhiza, 120 g Angelica sinensis, 120 g Blood Rattan, 48 g Achyranthes bidentata. Intragastric distilled water was used in the other non-Chinese herb groups. The expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-actin), latelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (CD31) and von willebrand factor (vWF) in the skeletal muscle were detected with immunohistochemical SP two-step method.@*RESULTS@#Twenty-one days after intervention, the expressions of α-actin and CD31 on the operation hind limb were higher than those on the healthy hind limb in all the groups, except the Chinese herb group (<0.05<0.01). The vWF expressions on the operation side were lower than those on the healthy side in the Chinese herb group, the local injection group, the local injection + Chinese herb group and the acupoint injection + Chinese herb group (<0.05, <0.01). The α-actin expression on the operation side in the acupoint injection + Chinese herb group was higher than those in the normal sham operation group, DM sham operation group, the DM ischemic group and the local injection group (<0.05, <0.01). The CD31 expressions in the acupoint injection group, the acupoint injection + Chinese herb group, local injection + Chinese herb group were higher than those in the normal sham operation group, DM sham operation group and DM ischemic group (<0.05, <0.01). The CD31 expression in the acupoint injection + Chinese herb group was higher than those in the Chinese herb group and the local injection group (both <0.05). The vWF expressions in the local injection + Chinese herb group, the acupoint injection group and the acupoint injection + Chinese herb group lower than those in the DM sham operation group and the DM ischemic group (<0.05, <0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#schemia increases the expressions of the vascular density related factors of α-actin and CD31. It is more obvious for the increasing expressions of α-actin and CD31, and decreasing expression of vWF with the interventions of simple BMSCs injection and simple Chinese herbs of benefiting for activating blood circulation, especially with the combination of the above tow methods. It is indicated that acupoint injection of BMSCs combined with Chinese herbs of benefiting for activating blood circulation can improve the angiogenesis of ischemic tissue.

"Analysis on Neiguan in""Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion""" / 浙江中医药大学学报

[Objective] By means of study of related literature records about Neiguan points in Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, it is intended to provide a theoretical foundation for the application of Neiguan points in modern clinical acupuncture and moxibustion. [Method] Collect articles with regard to Neiguan points inGreat Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion , and systematically analyze its location, needling and moxibustion techniques, as well as clinical application law. To investigate the clinical application of differences between ancient and modern Neiguan. [Results] InGreat Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Neiguan points are located at 2-inch above palm strips. Needle can be penetrated into 3/10 inch, 1/2 inch, and 1.2inch between two tendons. Neiguan point is a collateral-connecting acupoint for pericardium meridian, and mainly treats cardiothoracic excess and deficiency related diseases. If matching with yangchi point, it can be called Yuan-primary point and collateral-connecting point combination that can treat triple energizer meridian related diseases. The Neiguan point is also regarded as the eight confluence point connecting Yinwei meridian that can treat mental diseases, Yinwei vessel is associated three yin meridians of foot diseases, conception vessel diseases and Yangming Channel penetration diseases. [Conclusion] It is concluded the location, needling therapy and clinical application law of Neiguan points in Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, which is of reference significance to the application of Neiguan points in modern clinical acupuncture and moxibustion.

[Characteristics and Mechanism of Biological Nitrogen and Phosphorus Removal Granular Sludge Under Carbon Source Stress].

In SBR reactor, the mature granular sludge fed with sodium acetate was gradually cultivated with different carbon sources (sodium acetate/glucose ratio was 1:0, 3:1, 1:1, 1:3 and 0:1, in terms of COD, respectively). During the five stages, the physical, biochemical properties, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), phosphorus fractions and nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency of granular sludge were studied. 705 days' experimental results were showed as follows. At stage Ⅳ, the granular sludge had the smallest diameter of 0.5 mm; moreover the phosphorus release/uptake rate, denitrification rate and the total phosphorus (TP) content were the lowest. While at stages Ⅰ and Ⅱ, the phosphorus release/uptake and denitrification rates were the highest, meanwhile, the TP content reached up to 72.36 mg·g-1, and the EPS content was about 350 mg·g-1, as a result, the nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiencies were both over 94%. Nevertheless at stage Ⅴ, the biochemical rates were slightly slower than values of stages Ⅰ and Ⅱ, simultaneously the TP, glycogen and EPS contents in sludge were maintained at 69.60 mg·g-1, 224.18 mg·g-1 and 200 mg·g-1, respectively, while high nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency was obtained. During all stages, Ca-P was the main phosphorus fraction, and inorganic phosphorus(IP) was closely related to phosphorus removal of granular sludge.

Water-soluble acacetin prodrug confers significant cardioprotection against ischemia/reperfusion injury.

The morbidity and mortality of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy resulted from ischemia/reperfusion injury are very high. The present study investigates whether our previously synthesized water-soluble phosphate prodrug of acacetin was cardioprotective against ischemia/reperfusion injury in an in vivo rat model. We found that intravenous administration of acacetin prodrug (10 mg/kg) decreased the ventricular arrhythmia score and duration, reduced ventricular fibrillation and infarct size, and improved the impaired heart function induced by myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in anesthetized rats. The cardioprotective effects were further confirmed with the parent compound acacetin in an ex vivo rat regional ischemia/reperfusion heart model. Molecular mechanism analysis revealed that acacetin prevented the ischemia/reperfusion-induced reduction of the anti-oxidative proteins SOD-2 and thioredoxin, suppressed the release of inflammation cytokines TLR4, IL-6 and TNFα, and decreased myocyte apoptosis induced by ischemia/reperfusion. Our results demonstrate the novel evidence that acacetin prodrug confer significant in vivo cardioprotective effect against ischemia/reperfusion injury by preventing the reduction of endogenous anti-oxidants and the release of inflammatory cytokines, thereby inhibiting cardiomyocytes apoptosis, which suggests that the water-soluble acacetin prodrug is likely useful in the future as a new drug candidate for treating patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Synthesis of a highly water-soluble acacetin prodrug for treating experimental atrial fibrillation in beagle dogs.

We previously reported that duodenal administration of the natural flavone acacetin can effectively prevent the induction of experimental atrial fibrillation (AF) in canines; however, it may not be used intravenously to terminate AF due to its poor water-solubility. The present study was to design a water-soluble prodrug of acacetin and investigate its anti-AF effect in beagle dogs. Acacetin prodrug was synthesized by a three-step procedure. Aqueous solubility, bioconversion and anti-AF efficacy of acacetin prodrug were determined with different methodologies. Our results demonstrated that the synthesized phosphate sodium salt of acacetin prodrug had a remarkable increase of aqueous solubility in H2O and clinically acceptable solution (5% glucose or 0.9% NaCl). The acacetin prodrug was effectively converted into acacetin in ex vivo rat plasma and liver microsome, and in vivo beagle dogs. Intravenous infusion of acacetin prodrug (3, 6 and 12 mg/kg) terminated experimental AF without increasing ECG QTc interval in beagle dogs. The intravenous LD50 of acacetin prodrug was 721 mg/kg in mice. Our preclinical study indicates that the synthesized acacetin prodrug is highly water-soluble and safe; it effectively terminates experimental AF in beagle dogs and therefore may be a promising drug candidate for clinical trial to treat patients with acute AF.

[Correlation between distribution of rhizospheric microorganisms and contents of steroidal saponins of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis].

In this paper, the varying pattern of the amount of rhizospheric microorganisms, including bacteria, actinomycetes and fungus, was observed during the cultivation of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis. And the correlations between number of rhizospheric microorganisms and the quality of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis were also studied. The results showed that the rhizospheric microorganism source of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis was rich. The distribution of rhizospheric microorganisms (soil bacteria, fungus, actinomycetes, potassium-solubilizing bacteria, inorganic phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria, organic phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria) collected from different origin places existed significant difference (P < 0.05). The varying pattern for the amount of rhizospheric microorganisms was showed as following: the amount of bacteria > the amount of actinomycetes > the amount of fungus. The medicinal quality of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis was influenced by their habits, and the increase of cultivation years caused the obvious decrease of the quality of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis. Therefore, the increase of cultivation years will cause the variation of the soil micro-ecology flora, and decrease the nutrient absorption and the utilization of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis, which will make the decrease of the medical quality of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis.

Research status of nephrotoxicity mechanism of Chinese materia medica and progress in study on evaluation methods / 中草药

As a complementary and alternative medicine, Chinese materia medica (CMM) is an important component in the treasure-house of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with increasing attention all over the world. Efficacy and safety are the two principles of CMM. At the same time, the adverse reaction of CMM should be paid more attention. Drug abuse and drug-drug interaction are the main cause of kidney damage. In the paper, nearly 100 experimental and clinical papers concerning on renal toxicity of CMM from domestic and foreign databases in the past 20 years were searched. In particular, the evaluation methods of CMM were summarized, and the advantages and feasibility of the method were analyzed, in order to provide the support for the early detection of renal toxicity of CMM and safety assessment of CMM.

The neuroprotective effects of progesterone on traumatic brain injury: current status and future prospects.

Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in young adults. The secondary injury in traumatic brain injury consists of a complex cascade of processes that simultaneously react to the primary injury to the brain. This cascade has been the target of numerous therapeutic agents investigated over the last 30 years, but no neuroprotective treatment option is currently available that improve neurological outcome after traumatic brain injury. Progesterone has long been considered merely a female reproductive hormone. Numerous studies, however, show that progesterone has substantial pleiotropic properties as a neuroprotective agent in both animal models and humans. Here, we review the increasing evidence that progesterone can act as a neuroprotective agent to treat traumatic brain injury and the mechanisms underlying these effects. Additionally, we discuss the current progress of clinical studies on the application of progesterone in the treatment of traumatic brain injuries.

[Intervention of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycle by Chinese medical herbs for Shen tonifying, blood nourishing and activating: a randomized clinical trial].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Chinese medical herbs for Shen tonifying, blood nourishing and activating (CMHSTBNA) on the cycle of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) of assisted reproductive technique (ART). METHODS: A large sample randomized control trial was performed. Infertility women patients, younger than 42 years (infertility due to tubal factor and/or male factor) were randomly assigned to the CMHSTBNA intervention group (abbreviated as the treated group) and the control group, 184 cases in each group. All underwent COH. Those in the treated group received assist therapy of CMHSTBNA from the menstrual period day 2 -3 of COH to the day of oocytes retrieved. The serum hormone level [including estrogen (E2), progesterone(P), luteal hormone (LH) on the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) administration], the medication days and dosage of gonadotropin (Gn), the number of oocytes retrieved, the fertilization rate, and the good-quality embryo rate were observed and compared with the control group. RESULTS: The endometrial thickness on the day of oocytes retrieved was 10.85 +/- 1.63 mm in the treated group, larger than that in the control group (10.50 +/- 1.49 mm) (P <0.05). The good-quality embryo rate and the frozen rate were 48. 9% and 39. 7% respectively in the treated group, superior to those of the control group (45. 4% and 35. 8% respectively), showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). On the day of hCG administration, favorable tendency was shown in the serum levels of estradial (E2), progesterone (P), luteinizing hormone (LH), the medication days and dosage of Gn, the number of oocytes retrieved, the fertilization rate, and the cleavage rate, showing no statistical difference when compared with the control group (P >0.05). CONCLUSION: The combined application of CMHSTBNA and gonado-trophic hormones in COH cycle could elevate the embryo quality, improve the endometrial state, thus laying foundation for successful in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm embryo transfer.

Intervention of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycle by Chinese medical herbs for Shen tonifying, blood nourishing and activating: a randomized clinical trial / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of Chinese medical herbs for Shen tonifying, blood nourishing and activating (CMHSTBNA) on the cycle of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) of assisted reproductive technique (ART).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A large sample randomized control trial was performed. Infertility women patients, younger than 42 years (infertility due to tubal factor and/or male factor) were randomly assigned to the CMHSTBNA intervention group (abbreviated as the treated group) and the control group, 184 cases in each group. All underwent COH. Those in the treated group received assist therapy of CMHSTBNA from the menstrual period day 2 -3 of COH to the day of oocytes retrieved. The serum hormone level [including estrogen (E2), progesterone(P), luteal hormone (LH) on the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) administration], the medication days and dosage of gonadotropin (Gn), the number of oocytes retrieved, the fertilization rate, and the good-quality embryo rate were observed and compared with the control group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The endometrial thickness on the day of oocytes retrieved was 10.85 +/- 1.63 mm in the treated group, larger than that in the control group (10.50 +/- 1.49 mm) (P <0.05). The good-quality embryo rate and the frozen rate were 48. 9% and 39. 7% respectively in the treated group, superior to those of the control group (45. 4% and 35. 8% respectively), showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). On the day of hCG administration, favorable tendency was shown in the serum levels of estradial (E2), progesterone (P), luteinizing hormone (LH), the medication days and dosage of Gn, the number of oocytes retrieved, the fertilization rate, and the cleavage rate, showing no statistical difference when compared with the control group (P >0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The combined application of CMHSTBNA and gonado-trophic hormones in COH cycle could elevate the embryo quality, improve the endometrial state, thus laying foundation for successful in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm embryo transfer.</p>

Effects of selenium on the antioxidant enzymes response of Neocaridina heteropoda exposed to ambient nitrite.

The effects of dietary Selenium (Se) supplementation on muscle superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities and haemolymph superoxide anions (O(2)-) of Neocaridina heteropoda exposed to ambient nitrite were investigated. The results showed supplementation of Se in diet could enhance the resistance of shrimp to low concentration ambient nitrite. The results demonstrated that Se might have a potentially useful role as an effective antioxidant and resistance to aqueous nitrite in shrimp and the effect of the organic Se was better than that of the inorganic Se.

[Efficiency analysis of two-stage SBR for phosphorus nitrogen and organic substrate removal].

Taking simulated domestic sewage as treatment object, the characteristics of separate-stage phosphorus, organic substrate and nitrogen removal were studied in two-stage SBR by contrast experiment and mechanism analysis under the normal temperature, its efficiency-predominance was analyzed. The results indicate that the heterotrophic PAOs and nitrobacteria can be dominant growth in individual reactor respectively, under the effluent quality is more superior, the treatment efficiency is one time higher than that in the single SBR by controlling the sludge age (the phosphorus removal stage 5-7 d, the nitrogen removal stage about 50 d). The two-stage SBR can relieve the attack of organic load to nitrification process effectively, its nitrogen removal stage (SBR2) can still maintain stable nitrification rate under the higher COD concentration and the final effluent of the system is easy and stable to reach national standards (TP < or = 0.5 mg x L(-1)). In addition, the nitrogen removal stage (SBR2) of two-stage SBR not only can maintain nitrobacteria predominant, but also can cultivate heterotrophic bacteria which can remove difficult degraded organic substrate, that results in lower COD concentration than in the single's at the end of nitrification.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of multiple cupping at back-shu points on chronic fatigue syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To observe therapeutic effect of multiple cupping at back-shu points of zang-and fu-organs on chronic fatigue syndrome. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-one cases were randomly divided into 2 groups. The multiple cupping group (n = 142) were treated with multiple cupping along both sides of the spinal cord, and the acupuncture group (n = 49) were treated with acupuncture at acupoints selected according to TCM syndrome differentiation. Their therapeutic effects were assessed by clinical symptoms and Fatigue Assessment Indexes (FAI). RESULTS: The total effective rate was 97.9% in the multiple cupping group and 79.6% in the acupuncture group with a very significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01), and after treatment, there was a very significant difference between the two groups in FAI score (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Multiple cupping at back-shu points of zang-and fu-organs is an effective method for chronic fatigue syndrome.