Chronic spontaneous urticaria treated with bloodletting therapy and auricular point sticking on the base of xuanfu theory: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical therapeutic effect and the impacts on recurrence rate on chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) between the combined treatment of bloodletting therapy and auricular point sticking on the base of xuanfu theory and the oral solution of levocetirizine hydrochloride.@*METHODS@#A total of 86 patients with CSU were randomized into an observation group (43 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a control group (43 cases, 3 cases dropped off). In the observation group, bloodletting therapy at Dazhui (GV 14), Feishu (BL 13), Geshu (BL 17) and Pishu (BL 20) was combined with auricular point sticking at lung (CO14), kidney (CO10), shenmen (TF4) and heart (CO15), etc. This combined treatment was given once every two days. In the control group, the oral solution of levocetirizine hydrochloride was prescribed, 10 mL each time, once daily. The treatment lasted for 4 weeks in the two groups. Before and after treatment, urticaria activity score 7 (UAS7), the score of dermatology life quality index (DLQI) and the levels of serum immune globulin E (IgE), interleukin 4 (IL-4) and interferon γ (IFN-γ) were compared in the patients between the two groups. The clinical therapeutic effect was evaluated in patients of the two groups and the recurrence rate was followed up 4, 8 and 12 weeks after treatment separately.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the scores of UAS7 and DLQI, as well as the levels of serum IgE and IL-4 were all reduced as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05), and the level of serum IFN-γ was increased (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 83.3% (35/42) in the observation group and was 85.0% (34/40) in the control group. There was no statistical significance for the difference in the clinical therapeutic effect between the two groups (P>0.05). Eight and 12 weeks after treatment, the recurrence rates were 21.1% (4/19) and 26.3% (5/19) in the observation group, lower than 55.0% (11/20) and 65.0% (13/20) in the control group, respectively (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The combined therapy of bloodletting and auricular point sticking on the base of xuanfu theory relieves the clinical symptoms, regulates the levels of serum IgE, IL-4 and IFN-γ and improves the quality of life in the patients with CSU. The clinical therapeutic effect of this combined treatment is similar to the oral solution of levocetirizine hydrochloride. But, the recurrence rate of the combined treatment of bloodletting and auricular point sticking is lower and its long-term curative effect is better.

Transcriptome sequencing and metabolome analysis reveal the mechanism of Shuanghua Baihe Tablet in the treatment of oral mucositis / 中国天然药物

Oral mucositis (OM) caused by cancer therapy is the most common adverse reaction in the radiotherapy of head and neck tumors. In severe cases, it can lead to the interruption of treatment, which affects the control of the disease and the quality of life. Shuanghua Baihe Tablet (SBT) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, which is administerd to treat OM in China. It has been clinically effective for more than 30 years, but the underlying mechanism is not completely understood. With the development of multiple omics, it is possible to explore the mechanism of Chinese herbal compound prescriptions. Based on transcriptomics and metabolomics, we explored the underlying mechanism of SBT in the treatment of OM. An OM model of rats was established by 5-FU induction, and SBT was orally administered at dosages of 0.75 and 3 g·kg

MicroRNA-223 triggers inflammation in porcine aorta by activating NLRP3 inflammasome under selenium deficiency.

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element in organism. Se deficiency can cause many diseases, including vascular disease. Studies have shown that inflammation is the main inducement of vascular disease, microRNA (miRNA) can influence inflammation in various ways, and Se deficiency can affect miRNAs expression. To study the mechanism of aorta damage caused by Se deficiency, we constructed a Se deficiency porcine aorta model and found that Se deficiency can significantly inhibit miR-223, which downregulates the expression of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family 3 (NLRP3). Subsequently, we found that in Se deficiency group, NLRP3, and its downstream (caspase-1, apoptosis-related spot-like protein [ASC], IL-18, IL-1ß) expression was significantly increased. In vitro, we cultured pig iliac endothelium cell lines, and constructed miR-223 knockdown and overexpression models. NLRP3 messenger RNA and protein levels were significant increased in the knockdown group, and decreased in the overexpression group. The results of this study show that Se deficiency in porcine arteries can induce inflammation through miR-223/NLRP3.

Quality standard of traditional Chinese medicines: comparison between European Pharmacopoeia and Chinese Pharmacopoeia and recent advances.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are becoming more and more popular all over the world. However, quality issues of TCM may lead to medical incidents in practice and therefore quality control is essential to TCM. In this review, the state of TCM in European Pharmacopoeia are compared with that in Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and herbal drugs that are not considered as TCM and not elaborated by TCM working party at European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & Health Care (EDQM) but present in both European Pharmacopoeia and Chinese Pharmacopoeias are also discussed. Different aspects in quality control of TCM including origins, identification, tests and assays, as well as sample preparation, marker selection and TCM processing are covered to address the importance of establishing comprehensive quality standard of TCM. Furthermore, advanced analytical techniques for quality control and standard establishment of TCM are also reviewed.

Therapeutic effect of adjuvant treatment of acupuncture in a period of day from 7:00 am to 9:00 am on non-dipper essential hypertension / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the infuences on circadian rhythm of blood pressure in the patients with non-dipper essential hypertension between the combined treatment of time acupuncture and western medication and the simple western medication.@*METHODS@#A total of 70 patients with non-dipper essential hypertension were randomized into an acupuncture plus western medication group (35 cases, 2 cases dropped out) and a western medication group (35 cases). In the western medication group, levamlodipine maleate tablets were taken orally, 2.5 mg each time, once daily. In the acupuncture plus western medication group, on the base of the treatment as the western medication group, acupuncture was applied specially in the period of the day from 7:00 am to 9:00 am. The acupoints included Fengchi (GB 20), Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), Hegu (LI 4), Quchi (LI 11), Zusanli (ST 36), etc. Acupuncture was given once daily, 5 treatments a week. The duration of treatment in the two groups was 4 weeks. The clinic blood pressure before and after treatment, 24 h ambulatory blood pressure and the levels of serum melatonin (MT) and 5-serotonin (5-HT) were observed in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#The total effective rate of anti-hypertension was 75.8% (25/33) in the acupuncture plus western medication group, better than 54.3% (19/35) in the western medication group (<0.05). The 24 h average systolic blood pressure, the daytime average systolic blood pressure, the daytime average diastolic pressure, and the nighttime average systolic blood pressure were all reduced after treatment in the two groups (<0.05). The reduction effect of the aforementioned 4 indexes in the acupuncture plus western medication group was much more obvious as compared with the western medication group (<0.05). After treatment, the serum level of MT was increased and 5-HT decreased in the patients of two groups (<0.05). The serum level of MT in the acupuncture plus western medication group was higher than that in the western medication group and the level of 5-HT was lower than the western medication group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Time acupuncture therapy in the period of the day from 7:00 am to 9:00 am, combined with western medication effectively reduce blood pressure and regulate the levels of serum MT and 5-HT so as to maintain the circadian rhythm of blood pressure in patients with non-dipper essential hypertension. The therapeutic effect of this combined treatment is superior to simple western medication.

[Combined therapy of Compound Xuanju Capsules and traditional Chinese medicinal formula for infertility in male smokers].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effects of the combined therapy of Compound Xuanju Capsules (CXJC) and traditional Chinese medicinal formula on infertility in male smokers. METHODS: A total of 176 male infertility patients were divided into a smoking and a non-smoking group and the former further divided into mild, moderate and heavy smokers according to the daily consumption of cigarettes and the length of smoking history. The patients were treated with CXJC combined with traditional Chinese medicinal formula for 3 four-week courses and the therapeutic results were evaluated by comparing the indicators of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome, routine semen parameters, sperm morphology, and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) among different groups before and after treatment. RESULTS: The baseline TCM syndrome scores were remarkably higher in the heavy smokers than in the non-smoking group (P < 0.05) but showed no statistically significant differences between the mild and moderate smokers (P > 0.05). The baseline percentage of sperm head defects and DFI were also markedly higher in the heavy and moderate smokers than in the non-smoking group (P < 0.05). Compared with the baseline, significant improvement was achieved after treatment in the TCM syndrome, routine semen parameters, sperm morphology and sperm DFI, especially in the heavy smokers in the percentages of grade a+b sperm (ï¼»17.12 ± 2.54ï¼½ vs ï¼»30.15 ± 3.10ï¼½%, P < 0.05), morphologically normal sperm (ï¼»15.54 ± 1.98ï¼½ vs ï¼»26.82 ± 3.52ï¼½%, P < 0.05), and head-defective sperm (ï¼»27.02 ± 2.14ï¼½ vs ï¼»22.07 ± 1.52ï¼½%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Sperm quality is significantly decreased while the risk of infertility remarkably increased in moderate and heavy smokers. The combined therapy of CXJC and traditional Chinese medicinal formula can effectively improve semen quality, sperm morphology and sperm DFI in male smokers with infertility, though more evidence is to be collected from further studies.

Quality control of Dandeng Tongnao Ruanjiaonang based on UPLC fingerprint combined with chemical pattern recognition / 中国中药杂志

To establish the ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) fingerprint of Dandeng Tongnao Ruanjiaonang and conduct a systemic, comprehensive quality evaluation of the drug by combining with a chemical pattern recognition method. In this study, Waters UPLC ultra-high performance liquid chromatography instrument and ACQUITY UPLCHSS T3 chromatographic colum n were employed to perform the separation with acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid aqueous solution as the mobile phase for gradient elution; and the detection wavelength was set at 256 nm to establish the UPLC fingerprint of 10 batches of Dandeng Tongnao Ruanjiaonang. Then, the further quality assessment of the drug was carried out by similarity evaluation, Cluster Analysis(CA), Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). Finally, 77 peaks were recognised as common peaks in the fingerprint, and 15 peaks of them were identified using standard references. The similarity value of these 10 batches of drugs was all above 0.960, indicating a relatively stable quality. But minor differences were still discovered between the batches of the drug by CA and PCA. Finally, 6 common peaks were recognised as the quality makers using OPLS-DA method. The analysis method established in this study was scientific, accurate, reliable and simple; fingerprint combined with chemical pattern recognition technique can be used to systematically and comprehensively evaluate the drug quality of Dandeng Tongnao Ruanjiaonang; what's more, it could also provide a reference for the quality control of traditional Chinese medicine and its preparations at the same time.

Modulation of fructo-oligosaccharide during silybin-meditated improvement of nonalcoholic fatty liver / 中国药理学通报

Aim To examine weather fructo-oligosaccharides(FOS) and silybin(Sil) could exhibit synergetic effect on treating obesity-associated non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).Methods Seventy mice were randomly divided into two groups:control group (NCD,fed with normal chow diet),the other sixty mice were fed with high-fat diet (HFD) to establish NAFLD model.Seventy days after the establishment of experimental model,the latter group was then randomly subdivided into six groups:model (HFD),Sil (30mg· kg-1),FOS (2 000 mg · kg-1),Sil (30 mg ·kg-1) combined with FOS of high,medium and low dose respectively.The NCD and HFD group were given 0.5％ CMC,and the other groups were fed with high-fat diet and given 10 mL · kg-1 by gavage daily,then body weight and food intake were recorded.Fasting blood glucose,insulin,homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistence index (HOMA-IR) and oral glucose tolerance tests(OGTT) were measured after 120 days.All mice were sacrificed after 130 days,and blood and liver were collected.Levels of TC,TG,ALT,AST in serum were detected,and liver index and pathology were also examined.Results FOS (2 000 mg · kg-1) showed obvious synergism for Sil-mediated attenuation of levels of TC,TG,ALT,AST in serum,fasting blood glucose,insulin,HOMA-IR,OGTI curve,liver index and pathology,but FOS (4 000 mg · kg-1) could not bring superiority with a double dose,except for its improvement in body weight of mice with NAFLD.Conclusions In the treatment of NAFLD,FOS exhibits synergetic effect with Sil.This agent might be a potent candidate for obesity and NAFLD prevention,through modulating the composition of gut microbiota.

Comparative observation of silicone oil and ointment applied to the lacrimal laser angioplasty / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

To compare the adjuvant therapeutic effect of silicone oil and ointment applied to the lacrimal laser angioplasty.METHODS: Totally, 134 eyes of 102 cases who were diagnosed as lacrimal duct obstruction ( except chronic dacryocystitis) were divided into two groups. Sixty eyes were performed laser plastic operation and silicone oil filling. Seventy - four eyes were adopted laser plastic operation with cloth enzyme dexamethasone eye ointment filling. All patients were followed up for 3 ~ 15mo. The clinical effect and the number of irrigation of two groups were compared 3mo after treatment, and to assess the merits of the method.RESULTS: The efficiency of the silicone oil group was 87% and that of the eye ointment group was 84%. There was no statistically significant difference (P>0. 05). The number of lacrimal duct flushing of the silicone oil group was 7. 20±1. 22 times among postoperative 3mo, and that of the eye ointment group was 7. 96 ± 1. 79 times. The number of lacrimal duct exploration through of the silicone oil group was 0. 62 ± 0. 87 times, that of the eye ointment group was 1. 43 ± 1. 48 times. There was statistically significant differences compared between the two groups (both P<0. 05).CONCLUSlON:The effect of laser plastic operation and silicone oil filling treating obstructive diseases of lacrimal duct is similar to laser plastic operation with cloth enzyme dexamethasone eye ointment, but the postoperative care of the former is more simple. Patients can significantly reduce the frequency of lacrimal duct flushing and lacrimal duct exploration through.

[Changing laws of serum high mobility group box 1 protein in septic rats and the intervention effect of xuebijing].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changing laws of serum high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) in septic rats and intervention effect of Xuebijing on it. METHODS: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (5 mg/kg BW) was intravenously injected into the tail vein of healthy male Wistar rats to prepare the sepsis rat model. In Experiment 1: 50 Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups, i.e., the normal group (A, n=10); the LPS model group (B, n=10), the LPS +Xuebijing treatment group (C, n=30). Rats in the C group were further divided into three subgroups, i.e., 2 h before LPS injection (group C1), 2 h after LPS injection (group C2), and 8 h after LPS injection (group C3), 10 in each group. Blood samples were collected from the caudal vein to detect serum HMGB1 levels by Western blot at 4, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after LPS injection. Experiment 2: 30 Wistar rats were equally divided into the LPS model group (D) and the LPS + Xuebijing treatment group (E), 15 in each group. They were treated as rats in the B group and the C1 group respectively. Five rats were sacrificed at 12, 24, and 48 h after LPS injection in the two groups. Blood as well as the tissue samples were harvested to measure such indices as ALT, AST, Cr, and BUN, as well as pathological changes of liver, lung, and kidney. RESULTS: (1) Compared with the A group, serum HMGB1 levels were higher at various time points in the B group (P < 0.05). Compared with the B group, serum HMGB1 levels at 12,24,48, and 72 h decreased in the C1, C2, and C3 groups. Besides, the decrease was more obvious at 24 h and 48 h.The decrement in the C3 group was less than that in the C1 and C2 groups (P < 0.05). (2) In the D group, ALT, AST, Cr, and BUN were significantly higher than those in the A group and reached the peak at 24 h (P < 0.05). Compared with the E group, AST, Cr, and BUN at 24 and 48 h, and ALT at each time point decreased significantly in the E group (P < 0.05). (3)The results of pathological section of liver, lung, and kidney showed local congestion and hemorrhage, cell edema/necrosis/degeneration, infiltration of inflammatory cells, damage of characteristic structures and so on; particularly serious lesion occurred at 24 and 48 h in the D group. The microscopic lesion was obviously alleviated in the E group than in the D group at corresponding time points. CONCLUSIONS: The serum HMGB1 levels increased in septic rats, with late occurrence of peak value and longer duration of the high value. HMGB1 played an important role in excessive inflammatory response and multiple organ dysfunction. Xuebijing could reduce the serum levels of HMGB1, improve biochemical parameters, and attenuate severe inflammatory response of liver, lung, and kidney tissues in septic rats. Besides, the earlier use, the better effect obtained.

Changing laws of serum high mobility group box 1 protein in septic rats and the intervention effect of xuebijing / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changing laws of serum high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) in septic rats and intervention effect of Xuebijing on it.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (5 mg/kg BW) was intravenously injected into the tail vein of healthy male Wistar rats to prepare the sepsis rat model. In Experiment 1: 50 Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups, i.e., the normal group (A, n=10); the LPS model group (B, n=10), the LPS +Xuebijing treatment group (C, n=30). Rats in the C group were further divided into three subgroups, i.e., 2 h before LPS injection (group C1), 2 h after LPS injection (group C2), and 8 h after LPS injection (group C3), 10 in each group. Blood samples were collected from the caudal vein to detect serum HMGB1 levels by Western blot at 4, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after LPS injection. Experiment 2: 30 Wistar rats were equally divided into the LPS model group (D) and the LPS + Xuebijing treatment group (E), 15 in each group. They were treated as rats in the B group and the C1 group respectively. Five rats were sacrificed at 12, 24, and 48 h after LPS injection in the two groups. Blood as well as the tissue samples were harvested to measure such indices as ALT, AST, Cr, and BUN, as well as pathological changes of liver, lung, and kidney.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Compared with the A group, serum HMGB1 levels were higher at various time points in the B group (P < 0.05). Compared with the B group, serum HMGB1 levels at 12,24,48, and 72 h decreased in the C1, C2, and C3 groups. Besides, the decrease was more obvious at 24 h and 48 h.The decrement in the C3 group was less than that in the C1 and C2 groups (P < 0.05). (2) In the D group, ALT, AST, Cr, and BUN were significantly higher than those in the A group and reached the peak at 24 h (P < 0.05). Compared with the E group, AST, Cr, and BUN at 24 and 48 h, and ALT at each time point decreased significantly in the E group (P < 0.05). (3)The results of pathological section of liver, lung, and kidney showed local congestion and hemorrhage, cell edema/necrosis/degeneration, infiltration of inflammatory cells, damage of characteristic structures and so on; particularly serious lesion occurred at 24 and 48 h in the D group. The microscopic lesion was obviously alleviated in the E group than in the D group at corresponding time points.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The serum HMGB1 levels increased in septic rats, with late occurrence of peak value and longer duration of the high value. HMGB1 played an important role in excessive inflammatory response and multiple organ dysfunction. Xuebijing could reduce the serum levels of HMGB1, improve biochemical parameters, and attenuate severe inflammatory response of liver, lung, and kidney tissues in septic rats. Besides, the earlier use, the better effect obtained.</p>

Xuebijing Protects Rats from Sepsis Challenged with Acinetobacter baumannii by Promoting Annexin A1 Expression and Inhibiting Proinflammatory Cytokines Secretion.

Xuebijing (XBJ) injection is a herbal medicine that has been widely used in the treatment of sepsis in China; however, its role in the development and progression of Acinetobacter baumannii sepsis and the underlying mechanisms remain uninvestigated. In the present study, fifty-four male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to normal-control group, sepsis-control group, and sepsis + XBJ group, each containing three subgroups of different treatment time periods (6, 12, and 24 hrs following injection, resp.). The sepsis model was established by intraperitoneal injection of A. baumannii ATCC 19606. For XBJ treatment, 4 mL/kg XBJ was administrated simultaneously by intravenous injection through caudal vein every 12 hrs. All animals demonstrated ill state, obvious intestinal dysfunction, histopathological lung damages, and overactive inflammatory responses after A. baumannii infection, and these events could be partially reversed by XBJ treatment from the beginning of infection. XBJ induced an increase in the expression of anti-inflammatory mediator annexin A1; however, two proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF- α ), were decreased at the each monitored time point. These findings suggested that XBJ via its cytokine-mediated anti-inflammatory effects might have a potential role in preventing the progression of A. baumannii infection to sepsis by early administration.

[The effect of Xuebijing on liver translationally controlled tumor protein expression in Acinetobacter baumannii sepsis rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Xuebijing on liver expressing translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) in Acinetobacter baumannii sepsis rats. METHODS: Among 42 healthy adult male Wistar rats of clean grade, 6 rats were randomly selected as the control group, others were randomly divided into two groups by the method of random digits table: sepsis group(n=18), Xuebijing group(n=18). Sepsis model was established through intraperitoneal injecting Acinetobacter baumannii suspension, and the Xuebijing injection was administrated through caudal vein 30 minutes later in Xuebijing group. After making model for 6, 12 and 24 hours, 6 rats were randomly selected from sepsis group and Xuebijing group, and then the rats were sacrificed, liver tissue samples were extracted for hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Pathological changes of the liver were observed, and immunohistochemical analysis of liver tissue TCTP expression positive cells and the expression of TCTP in liver cells were detected by Western blotting method. RESULTS: HE staining of liver indicated that it was inflammatory injured in sepsis group, and inflammation decreased in Xuebijing group. Immunohistochemistry results showed that, compared with the control group, TCTP positive cells expression score at 6, 12 and 24 hours in sepsis group were significantly increased (7.33±0.82, 10.67±1.21, 7.67±1.21 vs. 2.50±1.05, all P<0.05). Compared with sepsis group, liver tissue TCTP positive cells expression score at 6, 12 and 24 hours in Xuebijing group (5.83±0.75, 7.50±1.05, 5.67±1.37) were significantly decreased (all P<0.05). Western blotting results showed that, compared with the control group, TCTP expression at 6, 12 and 24 hours in sepsis group were significantly increased (1.94±0.59, 3.20±0.72, 1.96±0.55 vs. 0.93±0.24, all P<0.05); compared with sepsis group, TCTP expression at 6, 12 and 24 hours in Xuebijing group (1.38±0.36, 2.03±0.49, 1.30±0.30) were significantly decreased (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Xuebijing can reduce inflammatory injury in liver of rats with Acinetobacter baumannii sepsis, and its mechanism may be associated with reduced hepatic cells expressed TCTP.

Construction and analysis of questionnaires on AIDS cough in traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment procedures / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To norm the behavior of AIDS cough in traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment and improve the clinical level of cough treatment for HIV/AIDS, and build AIDS cough diagnosis and treatment procedures in traditional Chinese medicine.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Combined with clinical practice,to formulate questionnaire on AIDS cough in traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment by both English and Chinese literature research to expertise consultation and verify the results of the questionnaires on the statistics using the Delphi method.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Questionnaire contents consist of overview, pathogeny, diagnosis standard, dialectical medication (phlegm heat resistance pulmonary lung and kidney Yin deficiency lung spleen-deficiency), treating spleen-deficiency (lung), moxibustion treatment and aftercare care and diet and mental, average (2.93-3.00), full mark rate (93.10%-100%) ranks average (9.91-10.67) and (287.50-309.50) of which are the most high value, and the variation coefficient is 0.00, the Kendall coefficient (Kendalls W) is 0.049 which is statistical significance, the questionnaire reliability value of alpha was 0.788.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Preliminary standarded concept, etiology and pathogenesis, diagnosis and syndrome differentiation treatment of AIDS cough, basically recognised by the experts in this field, and laid the foundation of traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment on develop the AIDS cough specifications.</p>

Establish proposal of diagnosis and treatment of traditional Chinese medicine in AIDS patients with recurrent oral ulcerations / 中国中药杂志

The pathogenesis of acquired immune deficiency syndrome-associated recurrent oral ulcerations (AIDS-ROU) remained obscure and these was no specific treatment for it. Syndrome differentiation in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) focus on integral regulation and has an advantage of the disease that etiology and pathogenesis remain obscure. A draft of Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment standard procedure for AIDS-ROU was established by literature retrieval and peer review. Two questionnaires were carried out to investigate the confirmation and advice of in-group specialist to key points of the draft including diagnosis, treatment and nursing. Then the procedures were revised accordingly. The preliminary results showed the recovery rate of complete questionnaires in the 1st survey was 96%. Specialists confirmed more on outline, case history and physical examinations, syndrome differentiation of hyperactivity of fire due to Yin deficiency syndrome (HFYDS), treatment of heat accumulated in heart and spleen syndrome (HAHSS) and HFYDS, treatment of western medicine and nursing. They held different opinions on incidence, treatment of deficiency of spleen-QI and stomach-QI syndrome (DSSS) and criterion of therapeutical evaluation. Cronbach coefficient alpha (CCA) was 0.998 and split-half reliability R was 0.91. Recovery rate of complete questionnaires in 2nd survey was 100%. Specialists confirmed more on outline, etiology and pathogenesis, case history and physical examination, auxiliary examination, diagnostic criteria, syndrome differentiation and treatment of HAHSS and HFYDS. They held different opinions on syndrome differentiation and treatment of intermingled cold and heat syndrome and DSSS, nursing and the other therapies. CCA was 0.428 and split-half reliability R was 0.96. Coefficient of variations of the 2nd survey were less than those of the 1st survey, which mean coordination was improved. Each single item in two surveys contributed less difference in overall results according to weight coefficients. A new revision of the procedure was preliminarily established according to results of two surveys. Experts'activeness, concentration and coordination were good in two surveys. They had reached consensus in key points of the draft including diagnosis, treatment and nursing on the whole.

A research of Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment standard procedure for patients with HIV associated pruritus based on experts' questionnaires / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment standard procedure for patients with HIV associated pruritus.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment standard procedure for patients with HIV associated pruritus was established by literature retrieval and peer review. Two questionnaires were carried out to investigate the confirmation and advice of in-group specialists to key points of the draft including diagnosis, treatment and nursing. Then the procedures were revised accordingly.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The recovery rate of complete questionnaires in the 1st survey was 96%. Specialists confirmed more on case history and physical examinations, syndrome differentiation of three syndrome types, treatment of blood deficiency wind dryness syndrome (BDWDS) and nursing. They held different opinions on the outlines, auxiliary examinations, treatment of blood heat induced wind evil syndrome (BHWES) and wind cold and dampness accumulation syndrome (WCDAS), of which the coefficient of variations (CVs) was within 0.1603 -0.2473. The procedures were revised and the 2nd survey was launched. The recovery rate of complete questionnaires in the 2nd survey was 100%. Specialists confirmed more on case history and physical examinations, diagnostic criteria, syndrome differentiation of BDWDS and WCDAS, and treatment of BDWDS, of which CVs was 0. All indicated high agreement and good compliance. The CVs of other items were within 0.0638-0.1439, less than those of the 1st survey. The consistency of experts' opinions were somewhat improved. The contribution by one single item showed less difference in assessing the overall results in the two surveys. A new revision of the procedure was preliminarily established according to results of two surveys.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Experts' activeness, concentration, and coordination were good in the two surveys. They had reached consensus in key points of the draft including diagnosis, treatment, and nursing.</p>

Moxibustion inhibits interleukin-12 and tumor necrosis factor alpha and modulates intestinal flora in rat with ulcerative colitis.

AIM: To investigate the effect of moxibustion on intestinal flora and release of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) from the colon in rat with ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS: A rat model of UC was established by local stimulation of the intestine with supernatant from colonic contents harvested from human UC patients. A total of 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following groups: normal (sham), model (UC), herb-partition moxibustion (HPM-treated), and positive control sulfasalazine (SA-treated). Rats treated with HPM received HPM at acupuncture points ST25 and RN6, once a day for 15 min, for a total of 8 d. Rats in the SA group were perfused with SA twice a day for 8 d. The colonic histopathology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin. The levels of intestinal flora, including Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Bacteroides fragilis (B. fragilis), were tested by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction to detect bacterial 16S rRNA/DNA in order to determine DNA copy numbers of each specific species. Immunohistochemical assays were used to observe the expression of TNF-α and IL-12 in the rat colons. RESULTS: HPM treatment inhibited immunopathology in colonic tissues of UC rats; the general morphological score and the immunopathological score were significantly decreased in the HPM and SA groups compared with the model group [3.5 (2.0-4.0), 3.0 (1.5-3.5) vs 6.0 (5.5-7.0), P < 0.05 for the general morphological score, and 3.00 (2.00-3.50), 3.00 (2.50-3.50) vs 5.00 (4.50-5.50), P < 0.01 for the immunopathological score]. As measured by DNA copy number, we found that Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, which are associated with a healthy colon, were significantly higher in the HPM and SA groups than in the model group (1.395 ± 1.339, 1.461 ± 1.152 vs 0.045 ± 0.036, P < 0.01 for Bifidobacterium, and 0.395 ± 0.325, 0.851 ± 0.651 vs 0.0015 ± 0.0014, P < 0.01 for Lactobacillus). On the other hand, E. coli and B. fragilis, which are associated with an inflamed colon, were significantly lower in the HPM and SA groups than in the model group (0.244 ± 0.107, 0.628 ± 0.257 vs 1.691 ± 0.683, P < 0.01 for E. coli, and 0.351 ± 0.181, 0.416 ± 0.329 vs 1.285 ± 1.039, P < 0.01 for B. fragilis). The expression of TNF-α and IL-12 was decreased after HPM and SA treatment as compared to UC model alone (4970.81 ± 959.78, 6635.45 ± 1135.16 vs 12333.81 ± 680.79, P < 0.01 for TNF-α, and 5528.75 ± 1245.72, 7477.38 ± 1259.16 vs 12550.29 ± 1973.30, P < 0.01 for IL-12). CONCLUSION: HPM treatment can regulate intestinal flora and inhibit the expression of TNF-α and IL-12 in the colon tissues of UC rats, indicating that HPM can improve colonic immune response.

Homocysteine effects on brain volumes mapped in 732 elderly individuals.

Elevated homocysteine levels are a known risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and vascular disorders. Here we applied tensor-based morphometry to brain magnetic resonance imaging scans of 732 elderly individuals from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative study, to determine associations between homocysteine and brain atrophy. Those with higher homocysteine levels showed greater frontal, parietal, and occipital white matter atrophy in the entire cohort, irrespective of diagnosis, age, or sex. This association was also found when considering mild cognitive impairment individuals separately. Vitamin B supplements, such as folate, may help prevent homocysteine-related atrophy in Alzheimer's disease by possibly reducing homocysteine levels. These atrophy profiles may, in the future, offer a potential biomarker to gauge the efficacy of interventions using dietary folate supplementation.

Effect of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides on hemodynamic and antioxidation in T2DM rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLPs) on hemodynamic and antioxidation in the T2DM rats.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>SD rats were fed high-fat diet for 4 weeks and then were injected STZ (30 mg x kg(-1)) to induce the type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Once the T2DM models were set successfully, rats were randomized into six groups: normal group (NG), group of diabetes mellitus (DMG), groups of low dosage (GLPs-LG), middle dosage (GLPs-MG), high dosage (GLPs-HG) and berberine (BerG). They received GLPs with different dosages (200, 400, 800 mg x kg(-1)) and berberine (30 mg x kg(-1)) continually for 16 weeks. At 16th weekend, the following indices of rats were measured respectively: blood glucose, hemodynamic including LVSP, LVEDP, dp/dt(max) and -dp/dt(max) and the contents of NO, SOD, MDA, GSH-Px, CAT in cardiac tissue. Besides, myocardial ultrastructure was observed by electron microscope.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Both the middle dosage and the high dosage of GLPs could low blood glucose effectively, and they could reduce LVEP but increase -dp/dt(max). Meanwhile, they could activate GSH-Px, CAT, SOD, NO, but reduce MDA in cardiac tissue and improve the myocardial ultrastructure. Compared to the DM group, the middle dosage, high dosage of GLPs and berberine showed significant improvement. Compared to the berberine group, the middle dosage showed the same effect, but the high dosage was more effective than berberine.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There is a confirmed action of GLPs in improving the hemodynamic and antioxidation in cardiac tissue of T2DM rats.</p>

Clinical observation on warming needle moxibustion plus exercise for treatment of temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To search for a better therapy for temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred and ten cases of temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome were randomly divided into a treatment group, a control group I and a control group II, 70 cases in each group. The treatment group were treated with warming needle moxibustion plus exercise, with Hegu (LI 4), Xiaguan (ST 7), Yifeng (TE 17) and so on selected, in combination with opening and closing the mouth; the control group I were treated with simple filiform needle needling, and the control group II with local blocking therapy. The therapeutic effects of the 3 groups were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 94.3% in the treatment group, 87.1% in the control group I and 85.7% in the control group II with a significant difference among the 3 groups, the treatment group being better than the two control groups (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Warming needle moxibustion plus exercise has a good therapeutic effect on temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome.</p>