Effects of Chinese Medicine on Symptoms, Syndrome Evolution, and Lung Inflammation Absorption in COVID-19 Convalescent Patients during 84-Day Follow-up after Hospital Discharge: A Prospective Cohort and Nested Case-Control Study / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the changes of symptoms, Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome, and lung inflammation absorption during convalescence in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who had not totally recovered after hospital discharge and whether CM could promote the improvement process.@*METHODS@#This study was designed as a prospective cohort and nested case-control study. A total of 96 eligible patients with COVID-19 in convalescence were enrolled from Beijing Youan Hospital and Beijing Huimin Hospital and followed up from the hospital discharged day. Patients were divided into the CM (64 cases) and the control groups (32 cases) based on the treatment with or without CM and followed up at 14, 28, 56, and 84 days after discharge. In the CM group, patients received the 28-day CM treatment according to two types of CM syndrome. Improvements in clinical symptoms, CM syndrome, and absorption of lung inflammation were observed.@*RESULTS@#All the 96 patients completed the 84-day follow-up from January 21 to March 28, 2020. By the 84th day of follow-up, respiratory symptoms were less than 5%. There was no significant difference in the improvement rates of symptoms, including fatigue, sputum, cough, dry throat, thirst, and upset, between the two groups (P>0.05). Totally 82 patients (85.42%) showed complete lung inflammation absorption at the 84-day follow-up. On day 14, the CM group had a significantly higher absorption rate than the control group (P<0.05) and the relative risk of absorption for CM vs. control group was 3.029 (95% confidence interval: 1.026-8.940). The proportions of CM syndrome types changed with time prolonging: the proportion of the pathogen residue syndrome gradually decreased, and the proportion of both qi and yin deficiency syndrome gradually increased.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Patients with COVID-19 in convalescence had symptoms and lung inflammation after hospital discharge and recovered with time prolonging. CM could improve lung inflammation for early recovery. The types of CM syndrome can be transformed with time prolonging. (Registration No. ChiCTR2000029430).

Identification and determination of phenolic acids and flavonoids in Artemisiae Argyi Folium by UPLC-DAD-MS / 中国中药杂志

The study aims to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze phenolic acids and flavonoids in Artemisiae Argyi Folium cultivated in Qichun(Qiai) for the quality control of this genuine regional herbs. UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS was used for rapid separation and structural identification of the constituents. Samples were separated on an UPLC column(2. 1 mm×100 mm,1. 8 μm) by gradient elution using 0. 1% formic acid and acetonitrile as mobile phases at a flow rate of 0. 4 m L·min-1. By UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS,16 compounds including phenolic acids and flavonoids were identified by comparison with reference standards or literature data. For quantitative analysis,12 identified compounds were simultaneously determined by UPLC-DAD at wavelengths of 330 nm. The method was validated with respect to linearity,precision,repeatability,stability and recovery. The contents of these compounds were found to differ significantly between the samples from Qichun and other areas. This strategy was novel,effective and straightforward,which provided a potential approach for holistic quality control of Qiai.

Effectiveness and safety of computer-controlled periodontal ligament injection system in endodontic access to the mandibular posterior teeth / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a computer-controlled periodontal ligament (PDL) injection system to the local soft tissues as the primary technique in endodontic access to mandibular posterior teeth in patients with irreversible pulpitis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 162 Chinese patients who had been diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis in their mandibular posterior teeth without acute infection or inflammation in the periodontal tissues were enrolled in this clinical study. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the position of the involved tooth: the premolar group (PM, n=38), first molar group (FM, n=66), and second molar group (SM, n=58). All the patients received computer-controlled PDL injection with 4% articaine and 1:100 000 epinephrine. Immediately after the injection, endodontic access was performed, and the degree of pain during the treatment was evaluated by the patients using Visual Analogue Scale for pain. The success rates were compared among the 3 groups. The responses of local soft tissues were evaluated 3-8 days and 3 weeks after the procedure.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The overall success rate was 76.5%. There was a significant difference in success rates among the PM, FM, and SM groups (92.1%, 53.0%, 93.1%, respectively; χ² = 34.3, P<0.01). Both the PM and SM groups showed higher success rates than that of the FM group (v=1, χ² = 16.73, P<0.01; v=1, χ² = 24.5, P<0.01). No irreversible adverse effects on the periodontal soft tissues at the injection sites were observed in the follow-up visits in any of the groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The computer-controlled PDL injection system demonstrates both satisfactory anesthetic effects and safety in local soft tissues as primary anesthetic technique in endodontic access to the mandibular posterior teeth in patients with irreversible pulpitis.</p>

Effects of hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning on ischemia-reperfusion inflammation and skin flap survival / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning (HBO) is a new method of ischemia preconditioning. In this study, we examined its effects on skin flap survival and the mechanisms involved.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-six rats were divided into three groups: HBO preconditioning, control, and sham groups. An extended epigastric adipocutaneous flap based on the right superficial epigastric artery and vein was raised. A 3-hour period of flap ischemia was induced by clamping the pedicle vessels with a microvascular clamp. At the end of ischemia induction, the clamp was removed and the flap was resutured. Rats in the HBO preconditioning group were treated with HBO four times before surgery. Microcirculation in the skin flap was measured on postoperative days 1, 3 and 5. The size of the flap was measured on postoperative day 5, before the animals were sacrificed. Samples of the skin flap were prepared and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 in the flap samples were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Surviving flap size was significantly higher in the HBO preconditioning group compared with controls, with a reduced inflammatory response and increased perfusion. IL-1, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels in the HBO preconditioning group were lower than in controls.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>HBO preconditioning improved flap survival in this ischemia-reperfusion rat model. The mechanisms responsible for this effect may relate to attenuation of the inflammatory response and increased flap perfusion following HBO preconditioning.</p>