Hyperuricemia research progress in model construction and traditional Chinese medicine interventions.

Hyperuricemia (HUA), a severe metabolic disease derived from purine metabolism disorder, will lead to abnormally increased serum uric acid (SUA) levels in the body. Studies have shown that HUA is highly related to gout, hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, chronic kidney diseases, and so on. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) shows excellent results in treating HUA because of its unique advantages of multi-metabolites and multi-targets. This article reports on the use of TCM components for uric acid (UA)-lowering activity with excellent efficacy and low side effects based on established HUA models. This work summarizes the advantages and limitations of various HUA disease models for efficacy evaluation. Applications of TCM in HUA treatment have also been discussed in detail. This paper reveals recent research progress on HUA in constructing evaluation models and systematic TCM interventions. It will provide a scientific reference for establishing the HUA model and suggest future TCM-related HUA studies.

[Pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation training combined with psychological nursing intervention in the treatment of type â ¢B prostatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation training combined with psychological nursing intervention in the treatment of intractable type ⅢB prostatitis. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data on 51 cases of intractable type ⅢB prostatitis treated from October 2020 to October 2022, which were randomly assigned to receive Tamsulosin medication (the control group, n = 24) or pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation training and psychological nursing in addition (the intervention group, n = 27), all for 8 weeks. We obtained NIH-CPSI, IIEF-5, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) scores, Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores, the level of lecithin and the count of leukocytes in the prostatic fluid and the incidence of adverse events, and compared them between the two groups of patients before and after treatment. RESULTS: The total effectiveness rate was significantly higher in the intervention than in the control group (88.9% vs 62.5%, P < 0.05). Compared with the baseline, the NIH-CPSI, IIEF-5, SAS and SDS scores and the lecithin level were remarkably increased in both groups after treatment (P < 0.05), even more significantly in the intervention group than in the control (P < 0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed in the count of leukocytes before and after treatment (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: On the basis of Tamsulosin medication, the application of pelvic floor rehabilitation training combined with psychological care can significantly enhance the therapeutic effect on type IIIB prostatitis, effectively relieve prostatitis pain, improve erectile function, lessen anxiety and depression symptoms, increase the level of lecithosomes and promote the recovery of prostatic function.

Therapeutic effects of low-color-temperature light-emitting diodes on dry eye.

BACKGROUND: As a new technology for treating dry eye diseases, phototherapy has attracted great attention, but the research on its safety and effectiveness is limited. In this study, the therapeutic effects of low-color-temperature light-emitting diodes on dry eye in humans, rabbits, and rats were investigated. METHODS: In clinical experiments, subjects in both groups read the same paper for 3 h under light sources of two color temperatures: 1900 K (low-color-temperature light-emitting diodes) or 4000 K (artificial fluorescent white light-emitting diodes). The differences in the non-invasive tear film breakup time, tear meniscus height, and conjunctival congestion scores before and after the experiment were compared between the two groups. In animal experiments, corneal epithelial barrier function and tear production of Sprague-Dawley rats and New Zealand white rabbits with dry eye were compared before and after low-color-temperature light-emitting diodes treatment. TUNEL staining and Western blotting were used to detect the apoptosis of corneal and conjunctival cells and the expression of inflammatory factor IL-1ß. RESULTS: Low-color-temperature light-emitting diodes prolonged tear film breakup time in patients with dry eye. Moreover, it increased tear secretion, decreased fluorescein sodium staining scores, corneal and conjunctival cell apoptosis, and inflammatory factor expression in rabbits and rats with dry eye. CONCLUSIONS: Low-color-temperature light-emitting diodes phototherapy can be used as an effective treatment for dry eye, reducing its symptoms and related ocular surface damage in humans, rabbits, and rats.

Effect of Probiotic Supplements on Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in First-Episode Bipolar Disorder Patients: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background: Currently no study has examined the effects of probiotic administration on the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and mania, as well as their correlations with the biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients with bipolar disorder (BPD). The aim of this study is to determine the effects of probiotic supplementation on plasma oxidative stress-related biomarkers and different domains of clinical symptom in patients suffering from BPD. Methods: Eighty first-episode drug-naive patients with BPD were recruited. The subjects were randomized to receive psychotropic drugs supplementing with either probiotic or placebo and scheduled to evaluate with follow-ups for clinical symptom improvements and changes in the oxidative stress biomarkers. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, and Young Mania Rating Scale were used to assess the clinical symptomatology. The panel of plasma oxidative stress biomarkers were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) at baseline and for 3 months of follow-up, i.e., at post-treatment month 1, 2, and 3. Results: After 3 months of intervention, decreased levels of plasma lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs) were found in both placebo and probiotic groups. However, six other oxidative stress biomarkers (i.e., creatine, inosine, hypoxanthine, choline, uric acid, allantoic acid) increased in BPD patients after the two types of therapies. In addition, a positive correlation between changes of LPC (18:0) and YMRS scale was found in BPD patients and this association only existed in the probiotic group. Additionally, the mania symptom greatly alleviated (pretreatment-posttreatment, odds ratio = 0.09, 95%CI = 0.01, 0.64, p= 0.016) in patients who received probiotic supplements as compared with the placebo group. Conclusion: The changes in plasma biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients with BPD have a potential to be trait-like markers, and serve as prognostic indexes for bipolar patients. Daily intakes of probiotics have advantageous effects on BPD patients with certain clinical symptoms, especially manic symptoms. The treatment may be a promising adjunctive therapeutic strategy for BPD patients in manic episode.

Quantification of "Cold-Hot" Medicinal Properties of Chinese Medicines Based on Primary Metabolites and Fisher's Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Chinese medicinal properties (CMP) are an important part of the basic theory of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). Quantitative research on the properties of TCMs is of great significance to deepen the understanding and application of the theory of drug properties and promoting the modernization of TCMs. However, these studies are limited to strong subjectivity or distinguish different drug properties based on certain indicators since CMP studies are diverse. OBJECTIVE: To realize quantitative comparison of same medicinal properties of different Chinese medicines. METHOD: To solve the above problem, we proposed and explored quantification of Chinese medicinal properties (QMP) and the quantification value of medicinal properties "R". The correlation between primary metabolites and "cold-hot" medicinal properties was explored on the premise of material basis of Chinese herbal medicines and Fisher's analysis. Based on indicators related to "cold-hot" medicinal properties, we utilized quantitative values "R" to characterize the strength or weakness of "cold-hot" medicinal properties. RESULTS: According to QMP, the same medicinal properties were quantified and compared by quantification value of medicinal properties that expressed by alphabet "R". The general theoretical formula of "R" deduced is R = (‖l‖ × cos θ)/‖L‖ = ∑ i=1 n j i p i /∑ i=1 n p i 2, in which n ≥ 1. In the light of formula of "R" and indicators related to "cold-hot" medicinal properties, we got "R" value of "cold-cool" and "warm-hot" medicinal properties. "R" values of "cold-cool" medicinal properties of Phellodendri chinensis cortex, Coptidis rhizoma, and Menthae haplocalycis herba were 0.63, 1.00, and 0.49, respectively. The result showed that Coptidis rhizoma is the most "cold-cool", followed by Phellodendri chinensis cortex, with Menthae haplocalycis herba is the weakest in the three Chinese medicines, consistent with cognition of TCM theory. CONCLUSION: QMP has certain guiding significance for the quantification of "cold and hot" drug properties. "R" is feasible to realize the quantitative comparison of the same drug properties of different traditional Chinese medicine, which is helpful to promote process of modern Chinese medicine construction.

Resveratrol protects intestinal integrity, alleviates intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress by modulating AhR/Nrf2 pathways in weaned piglets challenged with diquat.

This study investigated the effects of resveratrol (RES) on intestinal morphology, antioxidant capacity, intestinal inflammation, and barrier function in weaned piglets challenged with diquat (DIQ). Thirty weaned piglets were randomly assigned to 5 treatments: non-challenged group (CON), DIQ-challenged group (DIQ), and DIQ-challenged group with 10, 30, or 90 mg/kg of RES, respectively. The trail lasted 21 days, and piglets were intraperitoneally injected with DIQ or the same amount of saline on day 15. The results showed that supplementation with 90 mg/kg RES increased (P < 0.05) jejunal villus height and villus height: crypt depth ratio, and decreased (P < 0.05) crypt depth, plasma D-lactate and diamine oxidase (DAO) compared with the DIQ group. Piglets fed with 30 or 90 mg/kg RES prevented the diquat-induced decrease (P < 0.05) of mRNA expression of occludin, claudin-1, ZO-1, and IL-10, and increase (P < 0.05) of TNF-α mRNA expression. Moreover, addition of 90 mg/kg RES increased (P < 0.05) the activities of SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT and decreased (P < 0.05) the MDA levels in jejunal mucosa compared with the DIQ group. Finally, addition of 90 mg/kg RES enhanced (P < 0.05) the mRNA expression of SOD1, SOD2, CAT, GPx1, and HO-1, and increased (P < 0.05) mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2, NQO1, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), and cytochrome P450 family 1 member A1 (CYP1A1). These data indicated that supplementation with 90 mg/kg RES was effective in protecting the intestinal integrity, alleviating intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress by activating AhR/Nrf2 pathways in diquat-challenged piglets.

TCM-ISP: A Comprehensive Intelligent Service Platform for Industry Chain of Traditional Chinese Medicines.

In order to promote information interaction, intelligent regulation, and scale management in Chinese medicines industry, in this paper, a Chinese medicines intelligent service platform with characteristics of flexibility, versatility, and individuation was designed under the guidance of theoretical model of intelligent manufacturing of Chinese medicines (TMIM). TCM-ISP is a comprehensive intelligent service platform that can be flexibly applied to all links of Chinese medicines industry chain, which realizes data integration and real-time transmission as well as intelligent-flexible scheduling of equipment in response to different demand. The platform took logical framework of data flow as the core and adopts the modular design in which microcontroller and sensor module are independent to obtain overall design scheme of TCM-ISP that contains the diagram of overall framework, hardware structure, and software technology. Then, on the groundwork of overall design scheme and modern science technology, TCM-ISP was successfully constructed with flexible, intelligent, and networked characteristics in which TTL-USB and TTL-RS485S were utilized to build unified interface between boards with supporting hot-plugging mode. The results of platform tests show that TCM-ISP can not only successfully realize the integration, real-time transmission, and display of data information but also well accomplish remote intelligent-flexible control of equipment and allow flexible configuration and expansion of sensors and devices according to the needs of each link in TCM's industry chain. It is of great practical significance to the pursuit of intelligent manufacturing of Chinese medicines and the promotion of modernization of Chinese medicines industry.

[Construction of theoretical model of traditional Chinese medicine intelligent manufacturing].

In the process of transforming and upgrading of traditional Chinese medicine( TCM) intelligent manufacturing,the TCM enterprises lack systematic and in-depth research on intelligent manufacturing of TCM,leading to insufficient understanding of relevant concepts,development direction,development content and other aspects,to some extent,causing fuzzy and chaotic phenomena. The theoretical model,as a higher expression level of scientific thinking,has the function of interpretation and prediction,and can provide theoretical basis as well as guide for scientific research. Therefore,this article aims to construct a theoretical model of TCM intelligent manufacturing based on the concept of flexible production and intelligent equipment for some unhealthy phenomena in the development process of TCM intelligent manufacturing. In the TCM intelligent manufacturing system,with theory model as the core,the new-generation information technology was integrated with the TCM manufacturing technology to realize the integration of informationization and industrilization as well as the landing of theoretical model. Then,a 3 D simulation model was established to provide a visual environment for intelligent manufacturing of TCM and simulate the virtual reality throughout the TCM intelligent manufacturing process. The new theoretical model in this paper,to a certain extent,can play a guiding role in the development of TCM intelligent manufacturing,and can also provide reference for the realization of TCM intelligent manufacturing.

Revealing the Synergistic Mechanism of Multiple Components in Compound Fengshiding Capsule for Rheumatoid Arthritis Therapeutics by Network Pharmacology.

BACKGROUND: Compound Fengshiding capsule (CFC), is a Chinese formulation from herbal origin including Alangium platanifolium, Angelicae dahurica, Cynanchum paniculatum and Glycyrrhiza uralensis. CFC is widely used as clinical therapy against rheumatoid arthritis. However, its exact mechanism of action has not been explored yet. METHODS: In order to explore the synergistic mechanism of CFC, we designed a study adopting network pharmacology scheme to screen the action targets in relation to the CFC components. The study analyses target facts of salicin, paeonol, liquiritin and imperatorin from PubMed database, and explores the potential pharmacological targets of rheumatoid arthritis, cervical neuralgia and sciatica related diseases for their interaction. RESULTS: The results of boosted metabolic pathway showed that the chemical components of CFC interrupted many immune-related pathways, thus participating in immunity regulation of the body and playing a role in the treatment of rheumatism. Collectively, CFC has apoptotic, oxidative stress modulatory and anti-inflammatory effects that accumulatively serve for its clinical application against rheumatoid arthritis. CONCLUSION: Conclusively, our findings from present study reconnoiters and compacts systematic theoretical approach by utilizing the network pharmacology mechanism of four effective components for the treatment of rheumatism indicating sufficient potential drug targets associated with CFC against rheumatism. These interesting findings entreaties for further in vitro and in vivo studies on the mechanism of compound active ingredient against rheumatism.

Caffeine Treatment Promotes Differentiation and Maturation of Hypoxic Oligodendrocytes via Counterbalancing Adenosine 1 Adenosine Receptor-Induced Calcium Overload.

BACKGROUND We aimed to explore the involvement of adenosine 1 adenosine receptor (A1AR) in hypoxia-induced poor differentiation of oligodendrocytes (OLs), and the underlying mechanism of caffeine treatment in hypoxic injuries. MATERIAL AND METHODS Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to assess the alterations of AR expression in cultured hypoxic OLs with or without caffeine treatment. Then, intracellular alterations of Ca²âº concentrations ([Ca²âº) were detected by confocal Fluo-3 imaging. The subsequent changes of myelin related protein expression were determined by western blot and immunofluorescence. RESULTS Three hours after hypoxia, significantly upregulated expression of A1AR was observed, accompanied with significantly decreased expression of oligodendrocyte transcription factor (Olig2). In addition, either hypoxia stimulation or 100 µM adenosine induced apparent elevation of resting [Ca²âº] in cultured OLs. However, pretreatment with DPCPX (A1AR selective antagonist) or caffeine abolished the [Ca²âº] increase, and the subsequent adenosine of high dose induced Ca²âº activity in developing OLs. Furthermore, caffeine or DPCPX improved the expression MBP and CNPase proteins after hypoxia stimulation, which resulted in the morphological maturation of OLs. CONCLUSIONS Caffeine treatment exerted protective effects on neonatal hypoxia injuries. It prevented Ca²âº overload injury, kept Ca²âº homeostasis in hypoxic developing OLs, and facilitated optimal expression of myelin related proteins by inhibiting A1AR in vitro. This study also provided experimental evidence for clinical application of caffeine in early treatment of neonatal hypoxia, and highlighted the potential significance of A1AR in anti-hypoxic drug discovery.

Symptom-based network classification identifies distinct clinical subgroups of liver diseases with common molecular pathways.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Liver disease is a multifactorial complex disease with high global prevalence and poor long-term clinical efficacy and liver disease patients with different comorbidities often incorporate multiple phenotypes in the clinic. Thus, there is a pressing need to improve understanding of the complexity of clinical liver population to help gain more accurate disease subtypes for personalized treatment. METHODS: Individualized treatment of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) provides a theoretical basis to the study of personalized classification of complex diseases. Utilizing the TCM clinical electronic medical records (EMRs) of 6475 liver inpatient cases, we built a liver disease comorbidity network (LDCN) to show the complicated associations between liver diseases and their comorbidities, and then constructed a patient similarity network with shared symptoms (PSN). Finally, we identified liver patient subgroups using community detection methods and performed enrichment analyses to find both distinct clinical and molecular characteristics (with the phenotype-genotype associations and interactome networks) of these patient subgroups. RESULTS: From the comorbidity network, we found that clinical liver patients have a wide range of disease comorbidities, in which the basic liver diseases (e.g. hepatitis b, decompensated liver cirrhosis), and the common chronic diseases (e.g. hypertension, type 2 diabetes), have high degree of disease comorbidities. In addition, we identified 303 patient modules (representing the liver patient subgroups) from the PSN, in which the top 6 modules with large number of cases include 51.68% of the whole cases and 251 modules contain only 10 or fewer cases, which indicates the manifestation diversity of liver diseases. Finally, we found that the patient subgroups actually have distinct symptom phenotypes, disease comorbidity characteristics and their underlying molecular pathways, which could be used for understanding the novel disease subtypes of liver conditions. For example, three patient subgroups, namely Module 6 (M6, n = 638), M2 (n = 623) and M1 (n = 488) were associated to common chronic liver disease conditions (hepatitis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma). Meanwhile, patient subgroups of M30 (n = 36) and M36 (n = 37) were mostly related to acute gastroenteritis and upper respiratory infection, respectively, which reflected the individual comorbidity characteristics of liver subgroups. Furthermore, we identified the distinct genes and pathways of patient subgroups and the basic liver diseases (hepatitis b and cirrhosis), respectively. The high degree of overlapping pathways between them (e.g. M36 with 93.33% shared enriched pathways) indicates the underlying molecular network mechanisms of each patient subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate the utility and comprehensiveness of disease classification study based on community detection of patient network using shared TCM symptom phenotypes and it can be used to other more complex diseases.

Selective Enrichment and Quantification of N-Terminal Glycine Peptides via Sortase A Mediated Ligation.

The identification and quantification of low-abundant proteins are always impeded by high-abundant proteins in proteomic analysis because of the extreme complexity of peptide mixtures and wide dynamic range of protein abundances. Here, we developed a novel approach to enrich and quantify N-terminal glycine peptides through sortase A mediated ligation. This strategy was based on the formation of a covalent bond between the sortase A recognition motif LPXTG and a N-terminal glycine residue. Also, the quantification was achieved by introducing isotopically labeled threonine in the motif LPXTG. In this strategy, both the enrichment of N-terminal glycine peptides and the stable isotope labeling were achieved in a single step. We applied this approach for the proteome analysis of MCF-7 cell line. It was demonstrated a significant reduction in sample complexity via highly selective and efficient enrichment of N-terminal glycine peptides, thereby detecting lots of less abundant proteins and enhancing proteome coverage. In comparison to the untreated sample, an increase of 34% of proteins was additionally identified. Furthermore, 97% of proteins were successfully quantified with high accuracy. In summary, this quantitative N-terminal glycine peptides enrichment strategy is expected for high-throughput qualitative and quantitative proteomic analysis as a complementary approach to conventional shotgun proteomics.

Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of Codonopsis: A review.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Species of the genus Codonopsis are perennial herbs mainly distributed throughout East, Southeast and Central Asia. As recorded, they have been used as traditional Chinese medicines since the Qing Dynasty, where they were claimed for strengthening the spleen and tonifying the lung, as well as nourishing blood and engendering liquid. Some species are also used as food materials in southern China and Southeast Asia, such as tea, wine, soup, plaster, and porridge. AIM OF THE REVIEW: The review aims to assess the ethnopharmacological uses, explicit the material basis and pharmacological action, promote the safety of medical use, and suggest the future research potentials of Codonopsis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Information on the studies of Codonopsis was collected from scientific journals, books, and reports via library and electronic data search (PubMed, Elsevier, Scopus, Google Scholar, Springer, Science Direct, Wiley, Researchgate, ACS, EMBASE, Web of Science and CNKI). Meanwhile, it was also obtained from published works of material medica, folk records, ethnopharmacological literatures, Ph.D. and Masters Dissertation. Plant taxonomy was confirmed to the database "The Plant List" (www.theplantlist.org). RESULTS: Codonopsis has been used for medicinal purposes all around the world. Some species are also used as food materials in southern China and Southeast Asia. The chemical constituents of Codonopsis mainly are polyacetylenes, polyenes, flavonoids, lignans, alkaloids, coumarins, terpenoids, steroids, organic acids, saccharides, and so on. Extract of Codonopsis exhibit extensive pharmacological activities, including immune function regulation, hematopoiesis improvement, cardiovascular protection, neuroprotection, gastrointestinal function regulation, endocrine function regulation, cytotoxic and antibacterial effects, anti-aging and anti-oxidation, etc. Almost no obvious toxicity or side effect are observed and recorded for Codonopsis. CONCLUSIONS: The traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of Codonopsis are reviewed in this paper. Species of the genus have long been used as traditional medicines and food materials, they are reported with a large number of chemical constituents with different structures, extensive pharmacological activities in immune system, blood system, digestive system, etc. and almost no toxicity. More profound studies on less popular species, pharmacodynamic material basis and pharmacological mechanism, and quality assurance are suggested to be carried out to fulfil the research on the long-term clinical use and new drug research of Codonopsis.

Effect of Yupingfeng granules on the skin barrier in atopic dermatitis mice models.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate effect of Yupingfeng granules, prepared with Chinese Medicines, on the wound healing and on the expression of aquaporin 3 (AQP3) and the skin barrier in the animal models of atopic dermatitis (AD). METHODS: Acute skin lesions of AD models were prepared using 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzo (DNCB) in mice and animals were treated with either Yupingfeng granules or placebo for two weeks. Skin wound healing outcome was assessed by measuring skin thickness, weight (quality) of the skin, and trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL). Expression of AQP3 mRNA and protein was assessed by reverse transcriotion polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunoblotting, respectively. RESULTS: Yupingfeng granule treatment resulted in significant acceleration of wound healing with 63.64% efficiency, which was significantly higher than that of placebo granule treatment (31.82%, P < 0.01 by Wilcoxon Rank-sum test). Skin thickness, weight of the wounded skin, and TEWL were significantly higher in the AD models compared to that of normal animals. Treatment with Yupingfeng granules resulted in significant decrease in skin thickness [(937 ± 31) vs (360 ± 21) urn, P < 0.01], weight of the wounded skin [(42 ± 4) vs (24 ± 5) mg, P < 0.01], and TEWL [(30 ± 4) vs (13 ± 4) g•h-1•m-2, P < 0.01]. Yupingfeng granules also significantly down-regulated mRNA and protein expression of AQP3 in the animal models. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that Yupingfeng granules could be used in AD treatment.

[Influence of different cultivation measures on the content of three free carbohydrates of Codonopsis Radix].

To provide a scientific evidence for the quality control of Codonopsis Radix, a method was established for determining the content of three free carbohydrates of Codonopsis Radix. The developed method showed good linearity. The calibration curves were linear within the range of 2.312 5-18.500 0 µg for sucrose, 1.500 0-12.000 0 µg for glucose, and 2.000 0-16.000 0 µg for fructose, resgectwely. The recoveries varied between 96.31%-101.8%. The method is simple, accurate and reproducible, and can be used for determining the content of sucrose, glucose and fructose of Codonopsis Radix. The results showed that different cultivation measures had an effect on the content of three free carbohydrates of Codonopsis Radix. According to the content of sucrose, using Zhuanggenling>not using Zhuanggenling. While, not pinching, shelving>not pinching, not shelving>pinching, not shelving>pinching, shelving. According to the content of glucose and fructose, not using Zhuanggenling>using Zhuanggenling. While, pinching, shelving>not pinching, not shelving>not pinching, shelving>pinching, not shelving. In consideration of the differences of sweetness and content of the three free carbohydrates in Codonopsis Radix, we recommend that the content of free carbohydrates could be considered as the marker to evaluate the quality of Codonopsis Radix.

Effect of transcutaneous electrical stimulation treatment on lower urinary tract symptoms after class III radical hysterectomy in cervical cancer patients: study protocol for a multicentre, randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Class III radical hysterectomy (RH III)_plus pelvic lymphadenectomy is the standard surgery for early stage cervical cancer (CC) patients, the 5 year survival rate is about 90%, but pelvic floor disorders especially bladder dysfunction are common due to damaged vessels and nerve fibers following surgery. Transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) treatment has been used to treat bladder disorders for many years, but its effect on cervical cancer patients, the best treatment time point and stimulated protocol, had never been assessed. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of TENS treatment on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) after RH III in CC patients. METHODS/DESIGN: The study will be conducted as a clinical, multicentre, randomised controlled trial with balanced randomisation (1:1). The planned sample size is 208 participants (at 1:1 ratio, 104 subjects in each group). At 5-7 days after RH III, patients are screened according to operative and pathological findings. Enrolled participants are randomised into an intervention group (TENS plus conventional clinical care) or control group (conventional clinical care), with stratification by menopausal status (menopause vs. non-menopause) and surgical modality (laparoscopic RH or abdominal RH). Participants in both groups will be followed up at 14 days, 21 days, 28 days, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months after surgery. The primary endpoint is improvement rate of urination function which is defined as recovery (residual urine ≤50 ml) or improvement (residual urine 50-100 ml). Secondary endpoints include urodynamic parameter, urinary incontinence, anorectal function, pelvic function, quality of life (QOL), disease-free survival and adverse events. Primary endpoint analyses will be carried out by Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel tests taking into center effect. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge this is the first trial to investigate the effect of TENS treatment on bladder function recovery after RH III among CC patients. This study will provide new information on TENS efficacy for bladder function recovery. Once confirmed, it may help to provide a new, non-invisive treatment for those postoperative CC patients with poor pelvic function, which would help improve their quality of life. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered to Clinical Trials.gov ( NCT02492542 ) on June 25, 2015.

Effects of curcumin on growth performance, jejunal mucosal membrane integrity, morphology and immune status in weaned piglets challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary curcumin supplementation on growth performance and intestinal mucosal barrier function of weaned piglets. Fifty piglets, weaned at 21±2 days of age, were randomly allotted to five treatments for 21 days. The dietary treatments were the control (basal diet), and the basal diet supplemented with 50mg/kg quinocetone, or 200 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg or 400mg/kg curcumin. The piglets were housed in individual pens and orally challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) during the preliminary trial period. The jejunal morphology and histology analysis were detected under light microscope. The plasma D-lactate and diamine oxidase (DAO) were determined by using enzymatic spectrophotometric assay. Immunohistochemistry assays were used to examine secretory immunoglobulin (sIgA) protein expression. Real-time PCR was used to determine mRNA levels of cytokine and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in jejunal mucosa. The results showed that, compared with the control, dietary addition of 300 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg curcumin decreased (P<0.05) feed/gain ratio and crypt depth, improved (P<0.05) villus height and villus height:crypt depth ratio, reduced (P<0.05) plasma D-lactate and DAO activity, up-regulated the protein expression of sIgA (P<0.05), increased (P<0.05) the number of goblet cells (GCs) and reduced (P<0.05) the number of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs). The mRNA levels of interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß) and TLR4 and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were also decreased (P<0.05), but mRNA level of interleukin 10 (IL-10) was increased (P<0.05). There was no difference in the above parameters between the 300 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg curcumin groups. Pigs fed with 50 mg/kg quinocetone also decreased (P<0.05) feed/gain ratio, increased villus height:crypt depth ratio (P<0.05), and reduced (P<0.05) crypt depth and mRNA levels of TLR4. In conclusion, curcumin and the quinocetone have similar effects in improving piglet growth, but dietary addition of 300 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg curcumin was more effective than quinocetone in improving intestinal mucosal barrier integrity, morphology, and immune status of weaned pigs. This indicates that curcumin could be used as a potential feed additive replacing quinocetone in weaned piglets.

Inhibition of Acetylcholinesterase (AChE): A Potential Therapeutic Target to Treat Alzheimer's Disease.

A new series of icariin derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity. Most of the tested compounds exhibited high AChE inhibition and low toxicity, and among which compounds 1, 2, and 10 were the most potent (IC50  = 71.52 ± 22.43, 8.28 ± 1.45, 5.830 ± 1.78 nm, respectively).

Dietary arginine supplementation enhances antioxidative capacity and improves meat quality of finishing pigs.

The present study was conducted to test the hypothesis that dietary arginine supplementation may improve meat quality of finishing pigs. Beginning at approximately 60 kg body weight, pigs were fed a corn- and soybean meal-based diet supplemented with 0, 0.5 or 1% L-arginine until they reached a body weight of approximately 110 kg. On the last day of the experiment, pigs were food-deprived for 16 h before blood samples were obtained for analysis of amino acids, insulin, and other metabolites. Immediately thereafter, pigs were slaughtered for determination of carcass composition, muscle biochemical parameters, and meat quality. The result showed that arginine did not affect pig growth performance or carcass traits. However, 1% arginine decreased drip loss of pork muscle at 48 h postmortem, while increasing intramuscular fat content (P < 0.05). Supplementing 0.5 or 1% arginine to the diet increased arginine concentration and decreased cortisol level in serum, while enhancing antioxidative capacity and glutathione peroxidase activity in serum (P < 0.05). Additionally, 1% arginine increased antioxidative capacity in skeletal muscle (P < 0.05). Furthermore, 0.5 or 1% arginine decreased the cortisol receptor mRNA level in muscle (P < 0.05). Collectively, these results indicate that supplemental arginine improved meat quality and attenuated oxidative stress of finishing pigs.