Mechanism of n-butanol alcohol extract of Baitouweng Decoction in treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis based on negative regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome via PKCδ/NLRC4/IL-1Ra axis / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to explore the mechanism of n-butanol alcohol extract of Baitouweng Decoction(BAEB) in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis(VVC) in mice based on the negative regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome via PKCδ/NLRC4/IL-1Ra axis. In the experiment, female C57BL/6 mice were divided randomly into the following six groups: a blank control group, a VVC model group, high-, medium-, and low-dose BAEB groups(80, 40, and 20 mg·kg~(-1)), and a fluconazole group(20 mg·kg~(-1)). The VVC model was induced in mice except for those in the blank control group by the estrogen dependence method. After modeling, no treatment was carried out in the blank control group. The mice in the high-, medium-, and low-dose BAEB groups were treated with BAEB at 80, 40, and 20 mg·kg~(-1), respectively, and those in the fluconazole group were treated with fluconazole at 20 mg·kg~(-1). The mice in the VVC model group received the same volume of normal saline. The general state and body weight of mice in each group were observed every day, and the morphological changes of Candida albicans in the vaginal lavage of mice were examined by Gram staining. The fungal load in the vaginal lavage of mice was detected by microdilution assay. After the mice were killed, the degree of neutrophil infiltration in the vaginal lavage was detected by Papanicolaou staining. The content of inflammatory cytokines interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-18, and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) in the vaginal lavage was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), and vaginal histopathology was analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The expression and distribution of NLRP3, PKCδ, pNLRC4, and IL-1Ra in vaginal tissues were measured by immunohistochemistry(IHC), and the expression and distribution of pNLRC4 and IL-1Ra in vaginal tissues were detected by immunofluorescence(IF). The protein expression of NLRP3, PKCδ, pNLRC4, and IL-1Ra was detected by Western blot(WB), and the mRNA expression of NLRP3, PKCδ, pNLRC4, and IL-1Ra was detected by qRT-PCR. The results showed that compared with the blank control group, the VVC model group showed redness, edema, and white secretions in the vagina. Compared with the VVC model group, the BAEB groups showed improved general state of VVC mice. As revealed by Gram staining, Papanicolaou staining, microdilution assay, and HE staining, compared with the blank control group, the VVC model group showed a large number of hyphae, neutrophils infiltration, and increased fungal load in the vaginal lavage, destroyed vaginal mucosa, and infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells. BAEB could reduce the transformation of C. albicans from yeast to hyphae. High-dose BAEB could significantly reduce neutrophil infiltration and fungal load. Low-and medium-dose BAEB could reduce the da-mage to the vaginal tissue, while high-dose BAEB could restore the damaged vaginal tissues to normal levels. ELISA results showed that the content of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-18, and LDH in the VVC model group significantly increased compared with that in the blank control group, and the content of IL-1β, IL-18 and LDH in the medium-and high-dose BAEB groups was significantly reduced compared with that in the VVC model group. WB and qRT-PCR results showed that compared with the blank control group, the VVC model group showed reduced protein and mRNA expression of PKCδ, pNLRC4, and IL-1Ra in vaginal tissues of mice and increased protein and mRNA expression of NLRP3. Compared with the VVC model group, the medium-and high-dose BAEB groups showed up-regulated protein and mRNA expression of PKCδ, pNLRC4, and IL-1Ra in vaginal tissues and inhibited protein and mRNA expression of NLRP3 in vaginal tissues. This study indicated that the therapeutic effect of BAEB on VVC mice was presumably related to the negative regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome by promoting PKCδ/NLRC4/IL-1Ra axis.

Discussion on "sugar needle - comfortable acupuncture and moxibustion" / 中国针灸

The cases of feeling comfort during acupuncture and moxibustion treatment in literature were summarized and its biological basis was explored. A simple classification of comfort was made, and the importance of obtaining comfort in acupuncture treatment was pointed out. Considering the pursuit of less pain and harmlessness in modern clinical treatment, sugar needle should be advocated and popularized in current clinical practice of acupuncture and moxibustion.

Effect of electroacupuncture at Tinghui (GB 2) and Benshen (GB 13) on abnormal auditory response in children with autism spectrum disorder / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the effect of electroacupuncture at Tinghui (GB 2) and Benshen (GB 13) combined with routine rehabilitation training and simple routine rehabilitation training on abnormal auditory response in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).@*METHODS@#A total of 70 children with ASD were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 35 cases in each group. The control group was given routine rehabilitation training. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, the observation group was given electroacupuncture at Tinghui (GB 2) and Benshen (GB 13), disperse-dense wave, frequency in 2 Hz/10 Hz, 20 min each time, and 1 day off after 6 days of treatment. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. The incidence of abnormal auditory response, the scores of childhood autism rating scale (CARS) and autism behavior checklist (ABC) were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the total incidences of abnormal auditory response in the two groups and the incidences of dull and hypersensitive auditory response in the observation group were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05). The total incidence of abnormal auditory response and the incidence of hypersensitive auditory response in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, CARS and ABC scores of both groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Electroacupuncture at Tinghui (GB 2) and Benshen (GB 13) combined with routine rehabilitation training can reduce the incidence of abnormal auditory response and improve the core symptoms in children with ASD, and the clinical effect is better than the simple routine rehabilitation training.

Updated Interpretation of the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines (Version 3. 2023) for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer / 中国肺癌杂志

Lung cancer is the malignant tumor with the highest morbidity and mortality in China. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the main pathological subtype of lung cancer. On April 13, 2023, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) released the third edition of the 2023 NCCN Oncology Clinical Practice Guidelines: Non-small Cell Lung Cancer, which reflects the latest advances in international lung cancer research. This article will interpret the main updated contents of the new edition of the guidelines, and compare it with the third edition of the NCCN guidelines in 2022, so as to provide references about the diagnosis and treatment of NSCLC for clinical medical personnel in China.
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Butyl alcohol extract of Baitouweng Decoction alleviates vulvovaginal candidiasis in mice by downregulating NLRP3 inflammasome and related signal pathways / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to explore the effect of butyl alcohol extract of Baitouweng Decoction(BAEB) on vulvovaginal candidiasis(VVC) in mice and to clarify the mechanism from Toll-like receptors(TLRs)/MyD88 and Dectin-1/Syk signal pathways and NLRP3 inflammasome. To be specific, female KM mice were randomized into control group(i.g., normal saline), model group, fluco-nazole group(i.g., 20 mg·kg~(-1)), and low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose BAEB groups(i.g., 20, 40, and 80 mg·kg~(-1), respectively). VVC was induced in mice except the control group. After the modeling, administration began and lasted 7 days. The ge-neral conditions and body weight of mice were recorded every day. On the 1 st, 3 rd, 7 th, and 14 th after vaginal infection by Candida albicans, the fungal load in the vaginal lavage fluid of the mice was measured with the plate method, and the morphology of C. albicans in vaginal lavage fluid was observed based on Gram staining. After the mice were killed, vaginal tissues were subjected to hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and periodic acid-Schiff(PAS) staining for vaginal histopathological analysis. The content of cytokines in vaginal lavage fluid, such as interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-18, tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), IL-6, and S100 a8, was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), and content of reactive oxygen species(ROS) in vaginal tissues by tissue ROS detection kit. The protein expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, Dectin-1, Syk, MyD88, TLR2, TLR4, and nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) in vaginal tissues was detected by Western blot, and the levels and distribution of NLRP3, Dectin-1, Syk, MyD88, TLR2, and TLR4 in vaginal tissues were determined with the immunohistochemical method. The results show that BAEB can improve the general conditions of VVC mice, reduce the fungal load and C. albicans hyphae in vaginal secretion, decrease ROS content in vaginal tissues and content of cytokines in vaginal lavage fluid, and down-regulate the expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, Dectin-1, Syk, MyD88, TLR2, TLR4, and NF-κB in vaginal tissues. The above results indicate that BAEB exerts therapeutic effect on VVC mice by down-regulating the key proteins in the TLRs/MyD88 and Dectin-1/Syk signal pathways and NLRP3 inflammasome.

Inhibitory effect of extract of Coptidis Rhizoma on invasion of Candida albicans hyphae in vitro / 中国中药杂志

The aim of this paper was to investigate the inhibitory effect of extract of Coptidis Rhizoma(ECR) on invasion of Candida albicans hyphae in vitro.XTT reduction method was used to evaluate the metabolic activity of C.albicans.The colony edge growth of C.albicans was observed by solid medium.The growth of C.albicans hyphae was determined on semi-solid medium.The morphology and viability changes of C.albicans hyphae were assessed by scanning electron microscope and fluorescence microscope.qRT-PCR method was used to detect the ALS3 and SSA1 expression of C.albicans invasin genes.The results showed that the metabolic viability by XTT method detected that the activity of C.albicans was gradually decreased under the intervention of 64,128 and 256 mg·L-1 of ECR respectively.128,256 mg·L-1 of ECR significantly inhibited colony folds and wrinkles on solid medium and the hyphal invasion in semi-solid medium.Scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy showed that 128,256 mg·L-1 of ECR could inhibit the formation of C.albicans hyphae.qRT-PCR results showed that the expression of invasin gene ALS3 and SSA1 was down-regulated,and especially 256 mg·L-1 of ECR could down-regulate the two genes expression by 4.8,1.68 times respectively.This study showed that ECR can affect the invasiveness of C.albicans by inhibiting the growth of hyphae and the expression of invasin.

Mechanism of butyl alcohol extract of Baitouweng Decoction (BAEB) on Candida albicans biofilms based on pH signal pathway / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to investigate the effect of butyl alcohol extract of Baitouweng Decoction( BAEB) on Candida albicans biofilms based on pH signal pathway. The morphology of biofilms of the pH mutants was observed by scanning electron microscope. The biofilm thickness of the pH mutants was measured by CLSM. The biofilm activity of the pH mutants was analyzed by microplate reader.The biofilm damage of the pH mutants was detected by flow cytometry. The expression of pH mutant biofilm-related genes was detected by qRT-PCR. The results showed that the deletion of PHR1 gene resulted in the defect of biofilm,but there were more substrates for PHR1 complementation. BAEB had no significant effect on the two strains. RIM101 gene deletion or complementation did not cause significant structural damage,but after BAEB treatment,the biofilms of both strains were significantly inhibited. For the biofilm thickness,PHR1 deletion or complementation caused the thickness to decrease,after BAEB treatment,the thickness of the two strains did not change significantly. However,RIM101 gene deletion or complementation had little effect on the thickness,and the thickness of the two strains became thinner after adding BAEB. For biofilm activity,PHR1 deletion or complementation and RIM101 deletion resulted in decreased activity,RIM101 complementation did not change significantly; BAEB significantly inhibited biofilm activity of PHR1 deletion,PHR1 complemetation,RIM101 deletion and RIM101 complemetation strains. For the biofilm damage,PHR1 gene deletion or complementation,RIM101 gene deletion or complementation all showed different degrees of damage; after adding BAEB,the damage rate of PHR1 deletion or complementation was not significantly different,but the damage rate of RIM101 deletion or complementation was significantly increased. Except to the up-regulation of HSP90 gene expression,ALS3,SUN41,HWP1,UME6 and PGA10 genes of PHR1 deletion,PHR1 complementation,RIM101 deletion,and RIM101 complementation strains showed a downward expression trend. In a word,this study showed that mutations in PHR1 and RIM101 genes in the pH signaling pathway could enhance the sensitivity of the strains to the antifungal drug BAEB,thus inhibiting the biofilm formation and related genes expression in C. albicans.

Effects of pricking and cupping combined with rehabilitation training on elbow flexion spasticity of upper limb after stroke and its IEMG value / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Based on rehabilitation training, to observe the clinical effect difference between pricking combined with cupping and western medication for elbow flexion spasticity of upper limb of stroke patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty patients were randomly assigned by SPSS software random number generator into a comprehension group and a western medication group, 30 cases in each one. Rehabilitation was used in the two groups. Pricking and cupping were applied at the affected abdominal center of biceps brachii muscle on Tuesday and Friday continuously for 4 weeks in the comprehensive group. Baclofen was prescribed orally continuously for 4 weeks, once 10 mg and 3 times a day in the western medication group. The indexes were observed before and after 4-week treatment as well as at immediate treatment, immediately after the first treatment in the comprehension group and 24 h after treatment in the western medication group, including the affected elbow joint activity, modified Ashworth scale (MAS), simple Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), integrated electromyogram (IEMG) of the affected biceps brachii and triceps brachii. The clinical effects were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, the elbow joint activity in the two groups was improved compared with that before treatment (both＜0.05), with better result in the comprehension group (＜0.05). There was no statistical significance for MAS and FMA scores at immediate treatment between the two groups (both＞0.05). After treatment, the MAS score decreased and the FMA score increased in the two groups (both＜0.05), with better results in the comprehension group (both＜0.05). At immediate treatment and after treatment, biceps brachii IEMG decreased in the two groups (all＜0.05). The biceps brachii IEMG in the comprehension group at the immediate treatment was higher and that after treatment was lower compared with those in the western medication group (both＜0.05). The triceps brachii IEMG at immediate treatment was not statistically different from that before treatment in the comprehension group (＞0.05) and that in the western medication group decreased (＜0.05). After treatment, the triceps brachii IEMG increased in the two groups (both＜0.05), with higher IEMG in the comprehension group (＜0.05). The total effective rate was 83.3% (25/30) in the comprehensive group, which was higher than 60.0% (18/30) in the western medication group (＜0.05). .</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Pricking and cupping combined with rehabilitation training can reduce the IEMG of the biceps brachii muscle in patients with stroke, and improve the spasticity and motor function.</p>

Effects of electroacupuncture at "Changqiang" (GV 1) on expression of nerve growth factor and brain derived neurotrophic factor in rats after acute spinal cord injury / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at"Changqiang"(GV 1) on expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in rats after acute spinal cord injury (ASCI), and to explore the mechanism of EA at"Changqiang"(GV 1) on ASCI.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four adult female SD rats were randomly divided into an EA group, a model group and a sham operation group, 8 rats in each one. The rats in the sham operation group were treated with laminectomy to expose the spinal cord without any strike. The rats in the model group and EA group were treated with modified Allen's method to establish ASCI model. After model was established, the rats in the EA group were treated with EA at"Changqiang"(GV 1), once a day for continuous 7 days. The rats in the sham operation group and model group were treated with immobilization, once a day, without any other interventions. The basso beattie bresnahan (BBB) was evaluated 1, 3, 5, 7 days after operation. 7 days after operation, the rats were sacrificed with perfusion and the spinal cord was embedded with paraffin. The morphological changes of spinal cord and neuron were observed by Nissl's staining method; the expressions of NGF and BDNF were detected by immune fluorescence method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>3 days, 5 days and 7 days after operation, the BBB scores in the EA group were higher than those in the model group (<0.05, <0.01). The Nissl's staining indicated the gray matter of spinal cord was butterfly-shaped with complete structure and clear boundaries between the gray and white matter; the tabby-shaped Nissl bodies were observed in cytoplasm. There were incomplete gray nucleus, big and saturate local stasis plaque. Compared with the model group, the smallerarea of blood stasis, less severity of neuron edema, better morphology of neuron and no vacuole change were observed in the EA group. The immune fluorescence results indicated the expressions of NGF and BDNF in the model group and EA group were higher than those in the sham operation group (all <0.01); the expressions of NGF and BDNF in the EA group were higher than those in the model group (both <0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EA at"Changqiang"(GV 1) could improve the expression of NGF and BDNF and increase the score of BBB in rats with ASCI, which is beneficial to the repair of ASCI.</p>

Exploration of the Feasibility of Neuroligin 3 Protein as a Target for the Mechanism of Action of Acupuncture on Fragile X Syndrome / 上海针灸杂志

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is one of the most common causes of mental retardation, but modern medicine has not yet produced a good therapeutic effect. Clinical practice and scientific studies have showed that acupuncture has a marked therapeutic effect on mental retardation, but researches on the mechanism of its action are still not mature. In view of this, this article will focus on the present situation of FXS study and expound the feasibility of NLGN-3 protein as a target for the mechanism of action of acupuncture on FXS.

Effects of acupuncture on the expression of P2X receptors in the hippocampus of mice with a telomerase gene knocked out / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To observe the expression of P2X receptors in the hippocampus of telomerase gene knockout mice after acupuncturing the bilateral ST36 acupoints.Methods Eighteen telomerase gene knockout homozygous mice were randomly divided into a blank control group (group A),a manual acupuncture group (group B) and an electric acupuncture group (group C),each of 6.Group A was not given any intervention,while groups B and C were provided with manual or electric acupuncture at point ST36 for 7 days.The expression of P2X receptors and cAMP response element bound protein (CREB) in the hippocampus were observed and compared among the 3 groups.Results The expression of P2X4 in the hippocampus was not significantly different among the 3 groups in groups B and C decreased significantly compared with group A,but there were no significant differences between group Bs and C.The expression of CREB in group C decreased significantly compared with groups A and B.Conclusion EA inhibits the expression of P2X4 receptor and CREB the hippocampus.The signaling pathway may play an important role in the mechanism of action of acupuncture in neurodegenerative diseases.

"Multi-central large-sample research on treatment of infantile anorexia with infantile massage and Chinese ;medicine based on thought of ""invigorating spleen and nourishing qi""" / 实用医学杂志

Objective To clinically observe and verificate the advantages of treating infantile anorexia of spleen-dysfunction in transportation with infantile massage and Chinese medicine based on the thought of “invigo-rating spleen and nourishing qi”. Methods Multi-central large-sample randomized controlled trial was carried out in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Foshan. Five hundreds cases of infantile anorexia of spleen-dysfunction in transportation were randomized into infantile massage group, Chinese medicine group, infantile massage combined with Chinese medicine group and Western medicine group and two sessions of treatment were required in each group. Separately, during the enrollment, after 2 sessions of treatment, infantile anorexia signs and symptoms scale , the related therapeutic effect criterion from clinical guideline of new drugs for traditional Chinese medicine, the expression level of hemoglobin and blood zinc were adopted for efficacy assessment. Results A mong 4 groups , the recovery rate and the total effective rate of infantile massage combined with Chinese medicine group were better than those of other groups (P < 0.05). The expression level of hemoglobin and blood zinc of 4 groups both increased obviously (all P < 0.01), but more improvement was found in infantile massage combined with Chinese medicine group (both P < 0.05). Conclusion The treatment of infantile anorexia with infantile massage and Chinese medicine based on the thought of invigorating spleen and nourishing qi has a significant effect.

Effect of Yixintai Granule on mRNA and protein expression levels of AQP, in renal medulla of chronic heart failure rabbits / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of Yixintai Granule (YG) on mRNA and protein expression levels of AQP2 in renal medulla of chronic heart failure (CHF) rabbits.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CHF rat model was established by ear marginal vein injection of adriamycin. Successfully modeled rabbits were divided into the model group, the high (8.4 g/kg), middle (4.2 g/kg), and low dose (2.1 g/kg) YG group, and the Furosemide group (2 mg/kg). Besides, a normal control group was set up. Equal volume of physiological saline was administered to rabbits of the model group and the normal control group by gastrogavage. YG at different doses was administered to rabbits of the 3 YG groups by gastrogavage. The intervention lasted for 4 weeks, once per day. After treatment the urine volume and pathomorphological changes of renal medulla tissue were observed. mRNA and its protein expression levels of AQP2 were detected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal control group, the urine volume decreased significantly, mRNA and protein expression levels of renal medulla AQP2 increased significantly in the model group (all P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the urine volume increased significantly, and mRNA and protein expression levels of renal medulla AQP2 decreased significantly in all medicated groups (all P < 0.01). Compared with the low dose YG group, the urine volume significantly increased and the mRNA expression level of renal medulla AQP2 significantly decreased in the middle and high dose YG groups (all P < 0.01). The expression level of AQP2 protein significantly decreased in the high dose YG group (P < 0.01). Pathological changes of the renal medulla was the most obviously seen in the model group. But they were alleviated to various degrees in all medicated groups. They were more obviously attenuated in the middle and high dose YG groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>YG could improve CHF possibly through down-regulating mRNA and protein expression levels of AQP2 in renal medulla, and elevating the urine volume.</p>

Clinical observation of sleeping disorder in children with encephalopathy treated with acupuncture at head points and seed-pressure at ear points / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the difference of clinical efficacy on sleeping disorder in the children with encephalopathy between the combined therapy of acupuncture at head points and seed-pressure at ear points and the simple acupuncture at head points.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty cases of sleeping disorder induced by encephalopathy werei randomized into an observation group and a control group, 15 cases in each one. In the observation group, the combined therapy of acupuncture at head points and seed-pressure at ear points was adopted. The head points in cluded Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Shenting (GV 24) and Benshen (GB 13). The ear points were the positive reactive sites in the cymba and cavum conchae. In the control group, acupuncture was applied simply to the acupoints on the head. The treatment was given once on every Tuesday and Friday a week separately, 30 min each time. Totally, 16 treatments were required. Children's sleeping habit questionnaire (CSHQ) was used to observe the sleep improvements and the efficacy in the patients of the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the observation group, the results of sleep resistance, sleep anxiety, night sleep wake, parasomnias, sleep dyspnea, daytime somnolence and the total score after treatment were all improved apparently as compared with those before treatment (all P<0. 05). In the control group, the results of night sleep wake, parasomnias, daytime somnolence and the total score after treatment were improved apparently than those before treatment (all P<0. 05). In the observation group, the results of sleep resistance, sleep dyspnea and the total score after treatment were better than those in the control group (all P<0. 05) and the scores of sleep anxiety and daytime somnolence in the control group were better than those in the observation group after treatment (both P<0. 05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The combined therapy of acupuncture at head points and seed-pressure at the positive reactive sites in the cymba and cavum conchae achieves the superior efficacy on sleep resistance and sleep dyspnea as compared with the simple acupuncture. The efficacy of simple acupuncture is more satisfactory on sleep anxiety and daytime somnolence.</p>

Sodium houttuyfonate inhibits virulence related motility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa / 中国中药杂志

Sodium houttuyfonate (SH) is a derivative of effective component of a Chinese material medica, Houttuynia cordata, which is applied in anti-infection of microorganism. But, the antimicrobial mechanisms of SH still remain unclear. Here, we firstly discovered that SH effectively inhibits the three types of virulence related motility of.Pseudomonas aeruginosa, i.e., swimming, twitching and swarming. The plate assay results showed that the inhibitory action of SH against swimming and twitching in 24 h and swarming in 48 h is dose-dependent; and bacteria nearly lost all of the motile activities under the concentration of 1 x minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (512 mg x L(-1) same as azithromycin positive group (1 x MIC, 16 mg x L(-1)). Furthermore, we found that the expression of structural gene flgB and pilG is down-regulated by SH, which implies that inhibitory mechanism of SH against motility of P. aeruginosa may be due to the inhibition of flagella and pili bioformation of P. aeruginosa by SR Therefore, our presented results firstly demonstrate that SH effectively inhibits the motility activities of P. aeruginosa, and suggest that SH could be a promising antipseudomonas agents in clinic.

Effects of xihuangwan in assistant treatment of patients with advanced breast cancer / 中国中药杂志

In order to explore the possibility of Xihuangwan (XHW)'s application in assistant therapy in patients with breast cancer, short- and long-term clinical efficacy were assessed in this study. Eighty and four patients with advanced breast cancer were selected in this study. They were divided into control group and treatment group randomly and evenly. All patients received surgical treatment followed by chemotherapy regimen composed of PTX + EPI + CTX (TEC regimen). Treatment group received additional assistant treatment of XHW. Short-term clinical efficacy was assessed by KPS, lesion stabilizing rate and side effects in 3-month follow-up study. Long-term clinical efficacy was assessed by overall survival (OS) and free-progression survival (FPS). KPS increased significantly after treatment in all patients (P < 0.05), more significantly in treatment group than in control group after treatment (P < 0.05); lesion stabilizing rate in treatment group increased significantly in treatment group than in control group (92.86% vs. 85.71%, P < 0.05); there was no significant difference between control group and treatment group in occurrence of side effects. Compared with control group, OS and FPS increased significantly in treatment group. Data in this study showed that XHW was suitable in treatment of advanced breast cancer due to its satisfactory short-term and long-term therapeutic effects.

Study on neurofeedback system based on electroencephalogram signals / 生物医学工程学杂志

Neurofeedback, as an alternative treatment method of behavioral medicine, is a technique which translates the electroencephalogram (EEG) signals to styles as sounds or animation to help people understand their own physical status and learn to enhance or suppress certain EEG signals to regulate their own brain functions after several repeated trainings. This paper develops a neurofeedback system on the foundation of brain-computer interface technique. The EEG features are extracted through real-time signal process and then translated to feedback information. Two feedback screens are designed for relaxation training and attention training individually. The veracity and feasibility of the neurofeedback system are validated through system simulation and preliminary experiment.

Analysis of clinical features of traditional Chinese medicine symptoms and syndromes of 220 patients with chronic aplastic anemia / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome types of chronic aplastic anemia (CAA) patients and the distribution laws of typical CM symptoms in different genders.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From June 2002 to June 2012, 220 CAA outpatients/inpatients at Department of Hematology, Zhejiang Chinese Medical Hospital were recruited. Patients' symptoms and signs, as well as four diagnostic information at the first onset were collected. CM syndrome differentiation was performed. The syndrome types and typical symptoms were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) In the 220 CAA patients, there were 121 cases of Shen yang deficiency syndrome (55.0%), 18 of Shen yin deficiency syndrome type (8.18%), 81 cases of Shen yin-yang deficiency syndrome (36.82%). (2) The distribution of typical symptoms: fatigue and shortness of breath (77.12% males and 73.53% females), pale complexion (64.41% males and 57.84% females), low temperature of four limbs (12.71% males and 26.47% females), spontaneous perspiration and night sweating (32.20% males and 26.47% females), dry mouth and throat (6.78% males and 6.86% females), feverish feelings in palms and soles (14.41% males and 20.59% females), loose stool (6.78% males and 2.94% females), petechiae and ecchymosis (42.37% males and 43.14% females).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Shen yang deficiency syndrome was most often seen in CAA patients at the initial diagnosis, followed by Shen yin-yang deficiency syndrome. Shen yin deficiency syndrome was the least seen. In CM symptoms, fatigue and shortness of breath were most common seen, followed by pale complexion, skin petechia and ecchymosis.</p>

Effect of curcumin in inducing apoptosis of MDA-MB-213 cells by activating endoplasmic reticulum stress / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the possible mechanism of curcumin in inducing the apoptosis of breast cancer cell MDA-MB-231.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Curcumin of different concentrations at 0, 10 25, 50, 100, 150, 200 micromol x L(-1) were used to intervene breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 for 24 hours. MTT was used to observe its effect on the proliferation of breast cancer cells. The flow cytometry was used to detect its effect on the cell apoptosis. The real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot was used to assess the expression levels of GRP78 and CHOP in breast cancer cells.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Curcumin could inhibit the proliferative ability of breast cancer cells by inducing them in a concentration-dependent manner. Curcumin could significantly increase the expression levels of GRP78 and CHOP in breast cancer cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Curcumin could induce the apoptosis of breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 by activating endoplasmic reticulum stress.</p>

Effects of electroacupuncture at different acupoints on learning and memory ability and PSD-95 protein expression on hippocampus CA1 in rats with autism / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) at Changqiang (GV 1) or Baihui (GV 20) on autism based on molecular biology.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The autism model was established by intraperitoneal injection of sodium valproate (VPA) in Wistar pregnant rats. Forty young rats with autism were selected and randomly divided into a model group, a non-acupoint group, an electroacupuncture at "Changqiang" (GV 1) (EAGV 1 for short) group and an electroacupuncture at "Baihui" (GV 20) (EAGV 20 for short) group. Another 10 normal young rats were selected as a blank group. In the EAGV 1 group, acupuncture was applied at Houhai [as Changqiang (GV 1)], then EA apparatus was connected with continuous wave, 2 Hz, 20 min, once a day for consecutive 20 days. The same EA manipulation as EAGV 1 group was used in the EAGV 20 group where "Baihui" (GV 20) was selected and non-acupoint group where non-acupoint in the right rib was selected. Blank group and model group were reared under the same conditions without any intervention. The escape latency and the ratio of swimming distance in platform quadrant to total swimming distance in each group were observed by using Morris water maze, and the PSD-95 protein expression in hippocampal CA 1 was measured by immunohistochemical techniques.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the blank group, the escape latency in the model group and the non-acupoint group lengthened (both P < 0.05), the ratio of swimming distance in platform quadrant to total swimming distance was decreased (both P < 0.05), the PSD-95 protein expression was decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the escape latency in the EAGV 1 group and the EAGV 20 group were decreased (both P < 0.05), the ratio of swimming distance in platform quadrant to total swimming distance was increased, the PSD-95 protein expression was increased (both P < 0.05). But the escape latency, the ratio of swimming distance in platform quadrant to total swimming distance and the PSD-95 protein expression had no significant difference between EAGV 1 group and EAGV 20 group (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Electroacupuncture at Changqiang (GV 1) or Baihui (GV 20) can respectively improve learning and memory ability of rats with autism, which has no significant difference and the mechanism of action may be related to regulation of the PSD-95 protein expression.</p>