Exploration of the utility of different doses of Qingfei Dayuan granules: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Clinical studies have confirmed that Qingfei Dayuan (QFDY) granules are effective in the treatment of influenza and upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) caused by pulmonary heat-toxin syndrome (PHTS). Granules of Chinese medicine formulations have become a widely used dosage form in clinical practice. With the continuous optimization of extraction technology, the advantages of Chinese medicine granules have been gradually demonstrated, but the price of Chinese medicine granules is generally higher than that of traditional dosage forms of Chinese medicine, and we support the rational use of the appropriate dosage of QFDY for patients with these conditions. Therefore, we set up half of the conventional dose as the low dose group, and designed the three-arm study to rigorously compare the efficacy difference of low-dose QFDY, QFDY and the placebo group, with the expectation of providing scientific support for the rational selection of the dose and the safe and effective use of the medicine in clinical practice. METHODS: We recruited 108 patients with clinical diagnoses of influenza and URTIs caused by PHTS to receive treatment at six hospitals in Hubei, China. Using a centralized randomization system, patients were randomly assigned at a 1:1:1 ratio to the QFDY, low-dose QFDY, or placebo control groups to receive the corresponding drug, and the study physicians, subjects, outcome assessors, and statisticians were unaware of group assignments. The primary outcome was the time to complete fever relief. Secondary outcomes included the efficacy of Chinese medicine in alleviating signs and symptoms and the disappearance rate of individual symptoms. Adverse events were monitored throughout the trial. RESULTS: A total of 108 patients were recruited. A total of 106 patients were included in the full analysis set (FAS). In the FAS analysis, there was no statistically significant difference in baseline of the three groups before treatment (P > 0.05). 1. Regarding the median time to complete fever relief, the QFDY, low-dose QFDY and placebo groups had median times of 26 h, 40 h and 48 h, respectively. The QFDY group had a shorter time to complete fever relief than the placebo group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05), while the low-dose QFDY group had a shorter time than the placebo group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). 2. In terms of the total efficacy of Chinese medicine in alleviating symptoms at the end of three full days of treatment, as well as the cure rate of red and sore throat, stuffy and runny nose, and sneezing, QFDY and low-dose QFDY were superior to the placebo, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). There was no statistical significance in the comparison between the QFDY group and the low-dose QFDY group (P > 0.05). 3. In terms of the headache cure rate after three full days of treatment, QFDY was superior to the placebo, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05), and there was no significant efficacy of low-dose QFDY. 4. Safety comparisons showed no serious adverse events and 30 minor adverse events, which were not clinically considered to be related to the drug and were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of patients with influenza and URTIs caused by PHTS, which are mainly characterized by clinical symptoms such as red and sore throat, stuffy and runny nose, and sneezing, when fever is not obvious or low-grade fever is present, the use of low-dose QFDY to simply alleviate the clinical symptoms is recommended and preferred. Moreover, with its good safety profile, QFDY can be used in the treatment of patients with influenza and URTIs caused by PHTS, which can effectively shorten the duration of fever, significantly increase the total efficacy of Chinese medicine in alleviating symptoms after 3 days of treatment, and accelerate the recovery of symptoms such as red and sore throat, stuffy and runny nose, sneezing, and headache, etc. Clinical Trial Registration: http://www.chictr.org.cn. TRIAL NUMBER: ChiCTR2100043449. Registered on 18 February 2021.

The Use of Antimicrobial Drug in Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Meta-Analysis.

Objective: To analyze the use of antimicrobial drugs in patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We searched for literature about antimicrobial treatment in COVID-19 patients through the Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, the Chinese biomedical literature database, CNKI, the Chinese journal full-text database, Wanfang, and Vipu. The quality evaluation of the literature was performed by Jadad's quality score. Results: A total of three articles reported on ivermectin treatment in patients with COVID-19, and the Meta-analysis showed no clinical and statistical heterogeneity among the studies (I2 = 15%, P = .31), a fixed effect model was used to incorporate effect sizes. The clinical effect of the observed group was not different from the control group (P = .16). None of the three ivermectin articles with clinical effect as the effect indicator showed a significant difference (P > .05), suggesting no publication bias. A total of four publications reported the treatment with azithromycin in patients with COVID-19, and the Meta-analysis showed no clinical and statistical heterogeneity between the studies (I2 = 0%, P = .88), using a fixed-effect model to incorporate the effect sizes. The clinical effect of the observed group was not different from the control group (P = .57). None of the four azithromycin articles with a clinical effect as the effect index was statistically significant (P > .05), suggesting no publication bias. Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the patient's use of antibiotics does not significantly improve clinical efficacy, so antibiotic use is recommended only for patients with complicated bacterial infections.

Anti-cancer Potential of Polysaccharide Extracted From Polygonatum sibiricum on HepG2 Cells via Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis.

Polygonatum sibiricum is one of the most widely used traditional Chinese medicine in China. Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide (PSP) is the main functional component of Polygonatum sibiricum. In this study, a water-soluble polysaccharide (PSP-1) was first isolated from Polygonatum sibiricum with a molecular weight of 38.65 kDa. Structural analysis was performed via methylation and FT-IR spectroscopy analyses, which in combination with NMR spectroscopy, revealed that PSP-1 has a → 4-α-D-Glcp-1 → backbone with the substitution at O-6 with the ß-D-Glcp-1 → residues. Furthermore, PSP-1 exhibited potent and concentration-dependent anticancer effects, inducing HepG2 cell apoptosis and arresting the cell cycle at the G1 phase. Moreover, PSP-1 also decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential, damaged the nucleus of HepG2 cells, and increased the activity of caspase-9 and-3 in the intrinsic apoptotic pathways to induce HepG2 cell apoptosis. To conclude, PSP-1 might be a good candidate for the treatment of liver cancer, and this work provides important information for understanding the relationship between structure and antitumor activity of PSP-1, which is relevant for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in clinic.

Structural features and anticancer mechanisms of pectic polysaccharides: A review.

The anticancer activity of pectic polysaccharides (PPs) was proved by numerous studies, and which also indicated that the bioactivity of PPs was closely related to its complicated structures. Based on the summary and analysis about structure characteristics and corresponding enzymatic process of the reported PPs, the anticancer mechanism and related structural features were systematically clarified. It was found that not only the direct effects on the cancer cells by proliferation inhibition or apoptosis, but also the regulation of immune system, gut microbiota and gut metabolism as indirect effects, jointly played important roles in the anticancer of PPs. Nevertheless, during the study of PPs as promising anticancer components, the exact structure-function relationship, digestion process in vivo, and comprehensive action mechanism are still not well understanding. With the unveiling of the proposed issues, it is believed that PPs are promising to be exploited as effective cancer therapy/adjunctive therapy drugs or functional foods.

Structural, rheological properties and antioxidant activities of polysaccharides from mulberry fruits (Murus alba L.) based on different extraction techniques with superfine grinding pretreatment.

The structural characteristics and biological activity of polysaccharides were influenced by different extraction methods. In this study, polysaccharides from mulberry fruits (Murus alba L., which were pre-treated with superfine grinding process) (MFP) were exacted using hot-water extraction (HWE), enzyme-assisted hot water extraction (EAHE), ultrasonic-assisted hot water extraction (UAHE), and high-speed shear homogenization-assisted hot water extraction (HSEHE). The extraction yield, structure, rheological properties and antioxidant activities of MFPs were investigated. MFP extracted using the HSEHE method have the highest extraction yields than other extraction methods. The smaller particle size of mulberry powder was found to improve the extraction yields. The MFPs were obtained by the combination between different extraction methods and superfine grinding pretreatment (through 100 mesh sieve) (MFP-HWE100, MFP-EAHE100, MFP-UAHE100, MFP-HSEHE100) showed the same levels of monosaccharide compositions and glycosyl linkages, However, these methods can produce MFP with different monosaccharide proportions, branching degree, different molecular weight, particle size and microstructure. MFP-HSEHE100 achieved the lowest molecular weight and particle size, which exhibited better thixotropy and antioxidant activities than other MFPs. This study identified that HSEHE was the most suitable extraction method for MFP.

Effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicines for pulmonary heart disease: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous review indicate that the effect of traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) on pulmonary heart disease (PHD) remains uncertainty. Therefore, we designed this study to systematically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of TCM in the treatment of PHD. METHODS: Nine online databases will be searched from inception to October 01, 2021, and we will not restrict the language on included trials. Randomized controlled trials that included patients with PHD receiving TCM therapy vs a control group will be included. Two of us will perform independently the selection of studies, risk of bias assessment, and data extraction. The RevMan V.5.2 software with fixed effects model or random effects model will be used to syntheses the data, according to the heterogeneity test to conduct the data synthesis. The dichotomous data and the continuous data will be presented with risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals and weighted mean differences or standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals. And we will use the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system to evaluate the evidence quality. RESULT: This study will assess effects and safety for TCM on PHD. CONCLUSION: The conclusion of this study will provide evidence to prove the safety and effectiveness of TCM on PHD. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY2020120024.

Comparing Relaxation Versus Mastery Microbreak Activity: A Within-Task Recovery Perspective.

Recovery from work is generally thought to occur outside of the workplace. However, employees may also have the opportunity to recover within the work day via microbreaks during demanding work tasks. Two major strategies for mitigating fatigue include psychological detachment (i.e., mentally disengaging) and replenishing motivational incentives via positive affect. This study examined whether 40-s "microbreaks" improve work recovery and to what extent different microbreak content (mastery vs. relaxation activities) boost performance. Using an experimental study, we randomly assigned individuals to receive a relaxation microbreak (n = 59), a mastery microbreak (n = 68), or no break (n = 72) in the middle of a monotonous work task and assessed work performance. Microbreaks improved task performance and within-task recovery, but only for psychological detachment (not positive affect). Mastery breaks also resulted in more psychological detachment than relaxation breaks, but this increased detachment did not explain performance differences between break types. These results build on existing recovery theories by further demonstrating within-task recovery and provide practical implications for organizations to consider the importance of microbreaks.

Comparison of two starch-based flocculants with polyacrylamide for the simultaneous removal of phosphorus and turbidity from simulated and actual wastewater samples in combination with FeCl3.

Two laboratory-made cationic starch-based flocculants (St-CTA and St-AD) with different chain architectures were used to simultaneously remove phosphorus and turbidity from two simulated wastewaters and one actual wastewater with laboratory and pilot scales, respectively, in conjunction with FeCl3. A commercial polyacrylamide (PAM) has been also tried and compared with aforementioned starch-based flocculants. The removal extents of phosphorus and turbidity increased, the required dosages of FeCl3 decreased, and floc properties improved after dosing each polymeric flocculant after FeCl3 in all tested wastewaters due to their synergistic effects. However, the three flocculants exhibited different improvement efficiencies on the treated wastewaters containing different forms of phosphorus and showed various synergistic mechanisms owing to their distinct structural features. In inorganic-phosphorus-simulated wastewater, the linear nonionic PAM with a high molecular weight had a more notable contribution than the two starch-based flocculants due to its efficient bridging flocculation effect. Given the branched-chain structure and high positive charge density of St-AD, it had a higher efficiency in treating real wastewater and organic-phosphorus-simulated wastewater than PAM and linear cationic St-CTA. These results may serve as references for the design and selection of a suitable flocculant in treating target wastewaters.

Preventing Candida albicans from subverting host plasminogen for invasive infection treatment.

Candida albicans is a common fungal pathogen in humans that colonizes the skin and mucosal surfaces of the majority healthy individuals. How C. albicans disseminates into the bloodstream and causes life-threatening systemic infections in immunocompromised patients remains unclear. Plasminogen system activation can degrade a variety of structural proteins in vivo and is involved in several homeostatic processes. Here, for the first time, we characterized that C. albicans could capture and "subvert" host plasminogen to invade host epithelial cell surface barriers through cell-wall localized Eno1 protein. We found that the "subverted" plasminogen system plays an important role in development of invasive infection caused by C. albicans in mice. Base on this finding, we discovered a mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb) 12D9 targeting C. albicans Eno1, with high affinity to the 254FYKDGKYDL262 motif in α-helices 6, ß-sheet 6 (H6S6) loop and direct blocking activity for C. albicans capture host plasminogen. mAb 12D9 could prevent C. albicans from invading human epithelial and endothelial cells, and displayed antifungal activity and synergistic effect with anidulafungin or fluconazole in proof-of-concept in vivo studies, suggesting that blocking the function of cell surface Eno1 was effective for controlling invasive infection caused by Candida spp. In summary, our study provides the evidence of C. albicans invading host by "subverting" plasminogen system, suggesting a potential novel treatment strategy for invasive fungal infections.

Leisure Choices and Employee Well-Being: Comparing Need Fulfillment and Well-Being during TV and Other Leisure Activities.

BACKGROUND: Working adults spend most of their leisure time watching TV. In this paper, we seek to clarify how experiences of psychological need fulfillment and well-being differ when watching TV and engaging in other leisure activities. We suggest that, compared to other leisure activities, watching TV is equally conducive to fulfilling needs for: (a) relaxation and detachment from stress and (b) autonomy, but is less conducive to fulfilling needs for (c) meaning, (d) mastery, and (e) affiliation and thus also less conducive to promoting subjective wellbeing. METHODS: We tested our predictions in two day reconstruction studies and a daily diary study. RESULTS: People experienced similar levels of detachment and relaxation when watching TV and engaging in other types of leisure. However, they experienced less fulfillment of other needs, and lower levels of satisfaction and some aspects of affective well-being, when watching TV compared to other activities. Further, unlike time spent watching TV, daily time spent in physical activities was positively associated with positive activated affect. CONCLUSIONS: Given that watching TV tends to be associated with lower levels of need fulfillment and well-being than other leisure activities, leisure choices may be an important target for improving employee well-being.

Construction of self-assembled polyelectrolyte complex hydrogel based on oppositely charged polysaccharides for sustained delivery of green tea polyphenols.

In this study, we have developed a novel polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) hydrogel that could be easily prepared by self-assembly of two food-grade polysaccharides salecan and N,N,N-trimethyl chitosan (TMC). The electrostatic interactions between two polysaccharides were driving force in complexation processes and have been demonstrated by FTIR, XRD, XPS and TGA. The swelling capacity, morphology and rheological property of the hydrogels could be well tuned by controlling salecan/TMC ratio. Green tea polyphenols (GTP) was efficiently encapsulated into PEC hydrogels and liberated in a sustained pattern. The amount of GTP released in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) was significantly higher than simulated gastric fluid (SGF). Increasing salecan/TMC ratio also markedly enhanced GTP release amount. Release exponent n obtained in SGF indicated a Fickian diffusion, while in SIF an anomalous transport occurred. The release mechanism was well-fitted with Ritger-Peppas model. Taken together, these PEC hydrogels could be suitable carriers for intestinal targeted nutrient delivery.

Characteristic alteration of subcortical nuclei shape in medication-free patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

BACKGROUND: Subcortical nuclei are important components in the pathology model of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and subregions of these structures subserve different functions that may distinctively contribute to OCD symptoms. Exploration of the subregional-level profile of structural abnormalities of these nuclei is needed to develop a better understanding of the neural mechanism of OCD. METHODS: A total of 83 medication-free, non-comorbid OCD patients and 93 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited, and high-resolution T1-weighted MR images were obtained for all participants. The volume and shape of the subcortical nuclei (including the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, caudate, pallidum, putamen and thalamus) were quantified and compared with an automated parcellation approach and vertex-wise shape analysis using FSL-FIRST software. Sex differences in these measurements were also explored with an exploratory subgroup analysis. RESULTS: Volumetric analysis showed no significant differences between patients and healthy control subjects. Relative to healthy control subjects, the OCD patients showed an expansion of the lateral amygdala (right hemisphere) and right pallidum. These deformities were associated with illness duration and symptom severity of OCD. Exploratory subgroup analysis by sex revealed amygdala deformity in male patients and caudate deformity in female patients. CONCLUSIONS: The lateral amygdala and the dorsal pallidum were associated with OCD. Neuroanatomic evidence of sexual dimorphism was also found in OCD. Our study not only provides deeper insight into how these structures contribute to OCD symptoms by revealing these subregional-level deformities but also suggests that gender effects may be important in OCD studies.

Intrinsic brain abnormalities in drug-naive patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder: A resting-state functional MRI study.

BACKGROUND: Using the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) in a relatively large sample of drug-naive patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), the current study aims to explore alterations in regional and network-level neural function and to determine the association between these alterations in intrinsic neural activity and symptom severity in OCD. METHODS: A total of 68 drug-naive OCD patients and 68 healthy control subjects (HCS) were examined using rs-fMRI. Regional cerebral function was evaluated by measuring the fraction of amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF). Regions with fALFF alterations were used as seeds in whole-brain functional connectivity (FC) analysis. Statistical analyses of fALFF and FC differences between OCD patients with HCS were performed voxel-by-voxel using a two-sample t-test in Statistical Parametric Mapping version 8 (SPM8). Whole brain correlation analyses were performed to identify the association between functional neural correlates and OCD symptom severity evaluated using Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive scale (Y-BOCS) and subscale scores. RESULTS: Relative to HCS, OCD patients showed higher fALFF in the right putamen and right superior frontal gyrus (P < 0.05, corrected for AlphaSim); higher FC in the limbic-striatal circuit and lower FC in the fronto-temporal and fronto-striato-thalamic networks (P < 0.05, corrected for AlphaSim). FC in striato-thalamic junction was negatively correlated with the Y-BOCS total score (r = -0.493, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These findings of focal spontaneous hyperfunction confirmed the prevailing frontal-striatal model of OCD, and altered brain connectivity in large-scale resting-state networks indicated a connectivity-based pathophysiological process in OCD.

Postnatal Vitamin D Intake Modulates Hippocampal Learning and Memory in Adult Mice.

Vitamin D (VD) is a neuroactive steroid crucial for brain development, function and homeostasis. Its deficiency is associated with numerous brain conditions. As such, VD and its variants are routinely taken by a broad of groups with/without known VD deficiency. In contrast, the harmful effects of VD overdose have been poorly studied. Similarly, the developmental stage-specific VD deficiency and overdose have been rarely explored. In the present work, we showed that postnatal VD supplementation enhanced the motor function transiently in the young adult, but not in the older one. Postnatal VD intake abnormality did not impact the anxiety and depressive behavior but was detrimental to spatial learning and hippocampus-dependent memory. At the molecular level we failed to observe an obvious and constant change with the neural development and activity-related genes examined. However, disrupted developmental expression dynamics were observed for most of the genes, suggesting that the altered neural development dynamics and therefore aberrant adult plasticity might underlie the functional deficits. Our work highlights the essence of VD homeostasis in neural development and adult brain function. Further studies are needed to determine the short- and long-term effects VD intake status may have on brain development, homeostasis, and diseases.

Investigation of the neuroprotective effects of Lycium barbarum water extract in apoptotic cells and Alzheimer's disease mice.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects people worldwide and is caused by chronic and progressive damage to the central nervous system. Lycium barbarum (LB), a renowned functional food and medicinal plant in Southeast Asia, may possess protective effects against nerve injury. The present study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of LB water extract in a differentiated (D)PC12 cellular apoptosis model induced by L­glutamic acid (L­Glu), and a mouse model of AD, induced by the combination of AlCl3 and D­galactose. LB markedly increased DPC12 cell survival against L­Glu induced damage by increasing cell viability, reducing the apoptosis rate and G1 phase arrest, suppressing intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation, blocking Ca2+ overload and preventing mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization. LB additionally normalized the expression levels of apoptosis regulator Bcl­2, apoptosis regulator BAX, and cleaved caspase­3, ­8 and ­9 in L­Glu exposed cells. In the AD mouse model, LB increased the amount of horizontal and vertical movement in the autonomic activity test, improved endurance time in the rotarod test and decreased escape latency time in the Morris water maze test. Additionally, the levels of acetylcholine and choline acetyltransferase were significantly increased in the serum and hypothalamus in the LB­treated AD mice. These data suggested that LB may exert neuroprotective effects and may aid in preventing neurodegenerative disease.

Polysaccharide purified from Lycium barbarum protects differentiated PC12 cells against L­Glu­induced toxicity via the mitochondria­associated pathway.

The present study successfully demonstrated the neuroprotective effects of purified Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBPS02) against glutamate (L­Glu)­induced differentiated PC12 (DPC12) cell apoptosis. Purified polysaccharide was obtained by using a diethylaminoethyl­52 cellulose anion exchange column and a Sepharose G­100 column. During identification and characterization, LBPS02 was validated to be a fraction with 68 kDa molecular weight, and with a structure containing 1→3, 1→4 and 1→6 linkages. Data further revealed that LBPS02 pretreatment effectively improved cell viability, reduced apoptosis rate, and restored the mitochondrial dysfunction in L­Glu­exposed cells. LBPS02 suppressed L­Glu­induced reactive oxygen species (ROS accumulation in DPC12 cells. N­acetylcysteine, a ROS inhibitor, strongly enhanced the efficacy of LBPS02. Furthermore, LBPS02 normalized the levels of anti­apoptotic proteins, and regulated the phosphorylation of extracellular signal­regulated kinases (ERKs) and protein kinase B (Akt) in L­Glu­explored DPC12 cells. In conclusion, LBPS02­mediated neuroprotective effects are at least partially associated with the modulation of Akt and ERKs, and the subsequent inhibition of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. LBPS02 may be a candidate for neurodegenerative disease treatment.

Data for ß-lactoglobulin conformational analysis after (-)-epigallocatechin gallate and metal ions binding.

This data article contains complementary results related to the paper "Effect of metal ions on the binding reaction of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate to ß-lactoglobulin" (Zhang et al., 2017) [1]. Data was obtained by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy to investigate potential ß-lactoglobulin (ß-Lg) conformational changes with different concentrations of EGCg and Cu2+ or Al3+ added to ß-Lg. 500 µL of the 25 µM ß-Lg solution containing EGCg (25 µM) or metal ions (0-500 µM) were measured, and the spectra were recorded. CD spectroscopy data present in this article indicated that the ß-Lg-Cu, ß-Lg-Al and ß-Lg-EGCg interaction resulted in unfolding of the secondary structure of ß-Lg.

Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide Mediated the Antidiabetic and Antinephritic Effects in Diet-Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Sprague Dawley Rats via Regulation of NF-κB.

Lycium barbarum, extensively utilized as a medicinal plant in China for years, exhibits antitumor, immunoregulative, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective properties. The present study aims to investigate the hyperglycemic and antidiabetic nephritic effects of polysaccharide which is separated from Lycium barbarum (LBPS) in high-fat diet-streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced rat models. The reduced bodyweight and enhanced blood glucose concentration in serum were observed in diabetic rats, and they were significantly normalized to the healthy level by 100 mg/kg of metformin (Met) and LBPS at doses of 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg. LBPS inhibited albuminuria and blood urea nitrogen concentration and serum levels of inflammatory factors including IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-α, MCP-1, and ICAM-1 compared with diabetic rats, and it indicates the protection on renal damage. Furthermore, the activities of SOD and GSH-Px in serum were enhanced strikingly by LBPS which suggests its antioxidation effects. LBPS, compared with nontreated diabetic rats, inhibited the expression of phosphor-nuclear factors kappa B (NF-κB) and inhibitor kappa B alpha in kidney tissues. Collectively, LBPS possesses antidiabetic and antinephritic effects related to NF-κB-mediated antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities.

[Unsupervised data mining for prescription and medication regularity for treatment of cervical vertigo].

Vertebral artery type cervical spondylosis is a common type of cervical spondylosis, also known as cervical vertigo. In recent years, with the increase of people's life pace and the number of office staff, the incidence rate has been rising year by year, with a trend of younger age. Because traditional Chinese medicine has unique advantages in treating cervical vertigo, it is necessary to study the regularity of the Chinese medicine for cervical vertigo. But at present, the research is mainly based on the statistics for frequency and proportion of herbs. In addition, in the process of diagnosis and treatment of Chinese medicine, personal experience also caused differences in prescription compatibility and drug dosage, which makes difficult guarantee for the safety and effectiveness of drug treatment. So, this paper is based on literatures about the traditional Chinese medicine in treatment of cervical vertigo in the past 5 years, by using association rules algorithm, complex system entropy clustering and other non supervised data mining methods. Analysis was made for the use of various drugs in the frequency, the association rules, the core drug combination and the new prescriptions. The traditional Chinese medicine inheritance support system(TCMISS) was utilized to analyze 154 drugs from the 101 prescriptions, determine the use frequency of drugs, analyze the characteristics and the compatibility of core drugs, and dig out 14 core drug combinations and 7 new prescription combinations. The prescription and medication regularities illustrates the drugs for treatment of cervical vertigo, including those for flating liver and suppressing yang, invigorating the circulation of blood to remove blood stasis, reducing water and permeating dampness, increasing qi and activating blood, and nourishing the liver and kidney mainly. Treatment rules are nourishing liver and kidney, invigorating the circulation of blood stasis Tongqiao, reducing phlegm and dampness, flating liver and suppressing yan, dredging collaterals, supplementing qi and nourishing blood. This study aims to summarize frequently used single herbs for vertebral artery type cervical spondylosis, combinations of frequently used herbs and dosage of frequently used herbs with significant efficacy, define the current prescription and medication regularities for treating cervical vertigo and give guidances for clinical mediation.

Not only serotonergic system, but also dopaminergic system involved in albiflorin against chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depression-like behavior in rats.

Albiflorin (AF), separated from the root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall, possesses neuro-protective and anti-inflammatory activities. Based on previous results, our present research aims to investigate the antidepressant-like activity of AF in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced rat model of depression. Eight weeks of CUMS process successfully established depression-like rat model, as evidenced by the enhanced immobility time in forced swimming test and the reduced sucrose preference, which were reversed to near normal by AF (20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg) and fluoxetine (3 mg/kg; positive drug) treated. Compared to non-treated depression-like rats, the increased levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HTAA) in serum and hypothalamus, and the reduced expressions of 5-HT1A receptor and 5-HT2A receptor in hypothalamus were observed after AF and fluoxetine oral administration indicating that AF-mediated antidepressant-like effect may be related to the normalization of serotonergic system. Additionally, four-week AF treated rats significantly showed improvement in the reduced dopamine and noradrenalin concentration in serum and hypothalamus as observed on depression-like rats. Altered levels of tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine D2 receptor and dopamine transporter in hypothalamus reverted to the normal level after treatment with both AF and fluoxetine. All these data demonstrate that not only serotonergic system, but also dopaminergic system is involved in AF-mediated antidepressant-like effect in CUMS-induced rat model of depression.