A retrospective screening method for carbamate toxicant exposure based on butyrylcholinesterase adducts in human plasma with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Carbamate pesticides are extensively used in agriculture for their inhibition to acetylcholinesterase and damages to the insects' neural systems. Because of their toxicity, human poisoning incidents caused by carbamate pesticide exposure have occurred from time to time. What's more, some lethally toxic carbamate toxicants known as carbamate nerve agents (CMNAs) have been supplemented in Schedule 1 of the Annex on Chemicals in the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) by Organisation of the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) from 2020. And some other carbamates, like physostigmine, have been used in clinical treatment as anticholinergic drugs and their misuse may also cause damages to the body. Similar to organophosphorus toxicants, carbamate toxicants would react with butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in plasma when entering the human body, resulting in the BChE adducts, based on which the exposure of carbamate toxicants could be detected retrospectively. In this study, methylcarbamyl nonapeptide and dimethylcarbamyl nonapeptide from pepsin digestion of BChE adducts were identified with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) in product ion scan mode. Carbofuran was chosen as the target to establish the detection method of carbamate toxicant exposure based on methylcarbamyl nonapeptide digested from methylcarbamyl BChE. Procainamide-gel affinity purification, pepsin digestion and UHPLC-MS/MS analysis in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode were applied. Under the optimized conditions of sample preparation and UHPLC-MS/MS MRM analysis, the limits of detection (LODs) reached 10.0 ng/mL of plasma exposed to carbofuran with satisfactory specificity. The quantitation approach was established with d3-carbofuran-exposed plasma as the internal standard (IS) and the linearity range was 30.0-1.00 × 103 nmol/L (R2 >0.998) with the accuracy of 95.6%-107% and precision of ≤9% relative standard deviation (RSD). The applicability was also evaluated by N,N-dimethyl-carbamates with the LODs of 30.0 nmol/L for pirimicarb-exposed plasma based on dimethylcarbamyl nonapeptide. Because most of carbamate toxicants has methylcarbamyl or dimethylcarbamyl groups, this approach could be applied on the retrospective screening of carbamate toxicant exposure including CMNAs, carbamate pesticides or carbamate drugs. This study could provide an effective means in the fields of CWC verification, toxicological mechanism investigation and down-selection of potential treatment options.

Mechanism of Hirudo in Treatment of Stroke： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Stroke is one of the most common cerebrovascular diseases， including hemorrhagic stroke and ischemic stroke. From a modern medical perspective， stroke is caused by cerebrovascular damage or embolism leading to impaired blood circulation. From the traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） perspective， the pathogenesis of this disease is mainly due to the disorder of Qi and blood， which ascend to the brain， causing either blood extravasation or blockage of brain collaterals. Stasis is a pathological factor that runs throughout the entire course of stroke， and the method of promoting blood circulation and resolving stasis has been a core treatment for stroke for a long time. Hirudo， as a traditional insect drug， has shown good effects in promoting blood circulation and resolving stasis. Modern pharmacological research has confirmed that Hirudo contains anticoagulant components， which provide significant advantages in dissolving thrombi in ischemic stroke and facilitating hematoma absorption in hemorrhagic stroke. Hirudo and its related preparations have been proven to exert an anti-stroke effect through anticoagulation， anti-thrombosis， and protection of vascular endothelium. As a result， they have been widely used in the treatment of stroke. This article explored the theoretical basis and research status of using Hirudo for treating stroke based on its main active components and hemostatic properties and summarized the current research status of commonly used Hirudo-based formulations and preparations， aiming to provide references for the involvement of Hirudo in stroke treatment.

Comparison of characteristic chromatogram and the contents of multiple indicator components of Morus alba decoction powder and decoction at different decoction time / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To compare characteristic chromatogram and the contents of multiple indicator components of Morus alba decoction powder and decoction at different decoction time， and to provide experimental basis for the development of M. alba decoction. METHODS Taking decoction powder and decoction at different decoction time as subject， HPLC characteristic chromatogram of 2 kinds of samples were established with Similarity Evaluation Software System of TCM Chromatographic Fingerprint （2012 version）， and similarity evaluation was performed. The contents of mulberroside A， geniposide， berberine， baicalin， quercetin and luteolin in decoction powder and decoction were determined by HPLC. The contents of each indicator component and the change of total content were as the evaluation indexes to compare the difference between the two substances during decoction. RESULTS The similarities of characteristic chromatogram of the two substances ranged from 0.943 to 1.000 and 0.975 to 0.998 at different decoction time， respectively. Six indicator components of the decoction powder dissolved faster and had higher contents. The contents of each indicator component in the decoction powder when decocting at 20 minutes was 1.1-1.5 times of the decoction when decocting at 50 min， and the total content in the decoction powder was 1.2 times of the decoction. CONCLUSIONS Compared with decoction， M. alba decoction powder has the advantages of shortening the decoction time and saving traditional Chinese medicine resources. The results of this study lay a research foundation for “Zungu” to develop its preparation.

Analysis of prescription and medication rules of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of the coronavirus disease 2019 based on traditional Chinese medicine inheritance support platform / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective:To analyze the rules of medication and principles of formulas for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) using the traditional Chinese medicine inheritance support platform (V2.5).Methods:The clinical data, including gender, age, clinical symptoms, frequency of traditional Chinese medicine medication and prescription information, of patients with COVID-19 and asymptomatic infection who were admitted to Hebei COVID-19 designated hospital supported by medical team of First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University of Chinese Medicine from January to March 2021 were collected. The information data were input into the traditional Chinese medicine inheritance support platform (V2.5). The data mining and analysis were realized by the integrated association rules and complex entropy clustering analysis methods of the software, including the analysis of the frequency of each drug use, drug meridian, taste, and prescription rules, and the new prescriptions were developed.Results:A total of 564 patients (564 prescriptions) were enrolled, involving 200 Chinese herbs, including 357 cases of common COVID-19 and 207 cases of asymptomatic infection. The proportion of women with common COVID-19 was high, and the high incidence age group was 51-70 years old. There was no significant difference in gender of asymptomatic infection, and the high incidence age group was 1-20 years old. The main clinical manifestations of most patients were head heavy and cough, followed by low fever and cough with sputum, the main tongue coating and pulse pattern were similar in both types of patients. The frequency of traditional Chinese medicine used in patients with common type of COVID-19 from high to low was liquorice root (326 times), indian bread (264 times), pinellia tuber (263 times), bitter apricot seed (236 times), baical skullcap root (229 times), gypsum (205 times), agastache rugosus (201 times), dried tangerine peel (194 times), ephedra (184 times), and Chinese thorowax root (163 times), while that used by asymptomatic infection were baical skullcap root (174 times), liquorice root (142 times), medicated leaven (137 times), agastache rugosus (127 times), pinellia tuber (114 times), Chinese thorowax root (100 times), officinal magnolia bark (91 times), atractylodes rhizome (89 times), peony root (84 times), and milkvetch root (83 times). The two types of patients were mainly treated with warm, cold and flat drugs, and the nature and taste were mainly pungent, bitter and sweet. The meridian tropism of drugs was mainly lung, spleen and stomach. High frequency drug formulation mainly included drugs for resolving turbidity and detoxification. At the same time, seven new prescriptions for common COVID-19 and four new prescriptions for asymptomatic infection were developed.Conclusions:The primary reason for the COVID-19 occurrence and development is turbidity-toxin and the qi of plague, and resolving turbidity and detoxication are the basic treating principle. On the basis, for patients with common COVID-19, symptomatic treatment such as relieving exterior syndrome, clearing heat, resolving phlegm, and antitussive drugs should be taken into account at the same time, while the treatment of asymptomatic infections should focus more on supporting the body and eliminating the harmful pathogens.

Clinical evidence analysis report of Chinese patent medicine in 2020 / 中国中药杂志

The present study collected, collated, analyzed, and evaluated randomized controlled trial(RCT) of Chinese patent medicine published in Chinese and English journals in 2020, and summarized clinical evidence of Chinese patent medicine in stages, providing references for follow-up clinical research and evidence transformation and application. On the basis of the collection in the Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) Clinical Evidence Database System(EVDS), CNKI, Wanfang, SinoMed, Cochrane Library, PubMed, and EMbase were searched for RCTs of Chinese patent medicine published in 2020, and their research characteristics and methodological quality were analyzed and evaluated. A total of 1 285 research papers on Chinese patent medicine(1 257 in Chinese/28 in English) were included, involving 146 054 patients and 639 Chinese patent medicines, including 526 oral drugs, 68 injections, and 45 external drugs. A total of 412 diseases in 23 types were involved, which were dominated by circulatory system diseases and respiratory system diseases, specifically, cerebral infarction and angina pectoris. The sample size ranged from 20 cases to 2 673 cases, and 57.67% of RCTs had samples sizes less than 100. Single-center trials were the main ones, and multi-center trials only accounted for 4.75%(n=61). In terms of methodological quality, 52.91% of the RCTs had unclear descriptions or incorrect application of randomization methods, and the implementation of allocation concealment and blinding methods has not been paid much attention. In conclusion, compared with the conditions in 2019, the number of RCTs published in 2020 has decreased, and the research interest in respiratory diseases has increased, while the quality control in the process of research design and implementation has not been improved. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the methodological training of researchers and promote the output of high-quality research evidence.

Clinical trials and evaluation of Chinese patent medicine for heart failure / 中国中药杂志

The present study systematically collected, analyzed, and evaluated randomized controlled trial(RCT) of Chinese patent medicine in the treatment of heart failure to provide references for follow-up clinical research design, guideline update, and policy formulation, and promote the improvement of clinical evidence quality. On the basis of the collection in the Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) Clinical Evidence Database System(EVDS), CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, SinoMed, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched for RCTs of Chinese patent medicine in the treatment of heart failure from database inception to December 31, 2020. The di-sease type, publication time, sample size, intervention/control setting, course of treatment, evaluation indexes, and methodological quality were analyzed and evaluated. A total of 1 631 RCTs were included, including 1 622 in Chinese and 9 in English. It was first published in 1995, with the largest number of publications in 2016. There were only 56 RCTs(3.43%) with a sample size≥200. Seventy-eight types of Chinese patent medicines were involved, including 49 types of oral drugs and 29 types of injections. There were 34 intervention/control protocols, which were dominated by Chinese patent medicine+conventional treatment vs conventional treatment, accounting for 28.51%(n=465). About 94.0% of RCTs reported the course of treatment, mainly 14-56 days. The evaluation indexes were mainly physical and chemical tests and symptoms/signs, and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) was the most frequently used measurement index. In enumeration indexes, clinical efficacy(response rate) was used the most frequently. Methodologically, 92.0% of the research subjects were rated as high risk of blindness. There were only 13 RCTs(0.80%) reporting registered information. It is necessary to further standardize the design, implementation, and quality control of clinical studies in order to improve the quality of evidence and avoid research waste.

Mechanism of Ferroptosis and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention on Neuronal Cell Ferroptosis After Stroke： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Stroke is a common cerebrovascular disease， characterized by high incidence， mortality and disability rate. Neuronal cells， the basic unit of the central nervous system， can be injured to varying degrees when stroke occurs. Neuronal cell injury after stroke is also the key cause leading to neurological dysfunction， affecting the prognosis and quality of life of patients. Therefore， reducing the neuronal cell injury and delaying the process of cell death are effective to decrease the nerve function injury in stroke patients and improve their prognosis， thus lowering the death and disability rate of stroke. Ferroptosis is a new form of cell death that has been widely concerned in recent years. Several studies have confirmed that there is ferroptosis in neuronal cells after stroke. Since ferroptosis is an adjustable form， its intervention can help regulate the injury and death of neuronal cells. Studies have shown that inhibiting ferroptosis plays a role in protecting neuronal cells. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， with the multi-channel and multi-target treatment advantages， has been widely used in the whole stroke and has achieved good clinical efficacy. It might be a new direction taking TCM regulation of ferroptosis as the entry point for stroke treatment in the future. This review revealed the mechanism of ferroptosis， discussed the research status of TCM in intervening in neuronal cell ferroptosis， and provided reference for further improving the efficacy of TCM in stroke.

Research progress on anti-hepatitis B virus activity and mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine / 中草药

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a hepatotropic DNA virus that can cause acute or chronic hepatitis B. Hepatitis B has become a worldwide public health disease, likely to develop into cirrhosis, hepatic failure or even hepatoma, which seriously threatens the human's health. Chinese materia medica and its active ingredients play an important anti-HBV activity. Research progress on anti-HBV activities and mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine is summarized in this paper, in order to provide the reference for future research on anti-HBV.

Effect of electroacupuncture at "Jiaji" (EX-B 2) points on the proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells in rats with acute spinal cord injury / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Jiaji" (EX-B 2) points on the proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells in rats with acute incomplete spinal cord injury, and to explore the mechanism of EA on improving motor function of spinal cord injury.@*METHODS@#A total of 72 male SPF SD rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group, an EA group and a medication group, 18 rats in each group. Each group was further divided into 1-day subgroup, 7-day subgroup and 14-day subgroup, 6 rats in each subgroup. The T acute incomplete spinal cord injury model was established by modified Allen's method in the model group, EA group and medication group. The rats in each group received intraperitoneal injection of 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU, 50 mg/kg), once a day, and each subgroup received continuous injection for 1, 7, 14 times for cell proliferation labeling. The rats in the EA group were treated with EA at "Jiaji" (EX-B 2) points 3-4 mm next the spinous process of the upper and lower segments of the injured spinal cord (T, T) with a frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz and intensity of 1-2 mA. The muscle twitch at the treatment site was taken as the degree. The treatment was given 20 min each time, once a day. In the medication group, monosialogangliosides (GM1) was injected intraperitoneally (10 mg/kg), once a day. The subgroups of EA group and medication group were treated for 1, 7, 14 times. The score of Basso Beattie Bresnahan (BBB) was used to evaluate the motor function of hind limbs. The co-expression of BrdU/NG2 positive cells was detected by immunofluorescence, and the expression of Olig2 and Sox10 was detected by Western blot.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the sham operation group, the BBB score was decreased 1 day, 7 days and 14 days after operation in the model group (<0.05), the expression of Olig2 and Sox10 was increased (<0.05), and the co-expression of BrdU/NG2 positive cells was increased 7 days and 14 days after operation (<0.05). Seven days and 14 days after operation, the BBB score in the EA group and medication group was higher than that in the model group (<0.05), and the co-expression of BrdU/NG2 in the medication group was higher than that in the model group (<0.05). Fourteen days after operation, the co-expression of BrdU/NG2 in the EA group was higher than that in the model group (<0.05); 1 day, 7 days and 14 days after operation, the expression of Olig2 and Sox10 in the EA group and medication group was higher than that in the model group (<0.05). Compared with the medication group, the co-expression of BrdU/NG2 positive cells in the EA group 14 days after operation was decreased (<0.05); 1 day, 7 days and 14 days after operation, the expression of Olig2 and Sox10 in the EA group was decreased (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#EA at "Jiaji" (EX-B 2) points could promote the expression of Olig2 and Sox10 after spinal cord injury, which has similar effects with GM1. It could promote the proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells into oligodendrocytes, so as to promote the recovery of motor function of rats.

Professor 's experience for post-stroke dysphagia treated with penetrating-needling and swallowing technique of acupuncture / 中国针灸

Professor 's experience for post-stroke dysphagia treated with penetrating-needling and swallowing technique of acupuncture is summarized in this paper. The key pathogenesis of this disease is dysfunction of organs, impairment of the house of mental activity and dysfunction of meridian sinew. Innovatively, the anatomic structure related to swallowing is divided into three zones. Based on the distributions of heart, kidney and stomach meridians on the neck, three lines are determined. Hence, the theory of "three-zone and three-line" as well as the penetrating-needling and swallowing technique of acupuncture are put forward. In this paper, the theoretic evidences of penetrating-needling and swallowing technique of acupuncture, point selection and manipulation in treatment of post-stroke dysphagia are introduced.

Effect of Modified Jinshui Liujunjian Combined with Salmeterol/Fluticasone on VEGF and TGF-β1 in Serum of Senile Asthma on Persistent Stage / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of modified Jinshui Liujunjian combined with salmeterol/fluticasone on senile asthma on persistent stage and its effect on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in serum. Method:The 100 cases of senile asthma who met inclusion criteria were selected and divided into two equal groups by random number table:the control group and the treatment group. Patients of the two groups were given oxygen therapy,phlegm reduction,infection control and salmeterol/fluticasone 50 μg·(500 μg)-1. Patients in control group were given sustained release capsule of theophylline in addition to the above therapy,while patients in treatment group were given modified Jinshui Liujunjian. The course of treatment was 8 weeks. The therapeutic effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome between two groups was observed. Asthma control test (ACT) scores at four different time points(before and after treatment,3, 6 months after treatment),pulmonary function,the levels of VEGF and TGF-β1 in serum before and after treatment between two groups were also observed. The pharmic safety during treatment was evaluated. Result:The total effective rate of treatment group was significantly higher than that of control group(PPβ1 in serum in treatment group were significantly lowered after treatment(P1%), and the percentage of forced expiratory volume in the first second and its forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) were significantly higher(PPConclusion:Modified Jinshui Liujunjian combined with Salmeterol/Fluticasone was more effective than Sustained release capsule of theophylline combined with Salmeterol/Fluticasone in improving the clinical efficacy and pulmonary function of senile asthma on the persistent stage. Its mechanism of action is probable correlated with the reduction of levels of VEGF and TGF-β1 in serum.

Clinical Observation of Acupuncture plus Paroxetine for Depression Due to Liver-qi Stagnation / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus Paroxetine in treating depression due to liver-qi stagnation, for seeking a more effective treatment for this disease.Method Sixty patients with depression due to liver-qi stagnation were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by acupuncture plus Paroxetine, while the control group was by Paroxetine alone, successively for 8 weeks. Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Chinese medicine syndrome and sign score, and central neurotransmitters were observed before and after the treatment, for evaluating the therapeutic efficacy.Result The total effective rate was 96.6% in the treatment group versus 71.4% in the control group, and the treatment group was superior to the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture plus Paroxetine is an effective method in treating depression due to liver-qi stagnation.

Shenfu injection protects human ECV304 cells from hydrogen peroxide via its anti-apoptosis way.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The pathogenesis of thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) has not been fully elucidated until now. Shenfu injection (SFI), a traditional Chinese formula has been widely used clinically for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases for more than two decade. Our previous results first suggested that SFI can cause a significant therapeutic effect on experimental TAO model rats. This experiment was designed to further investigate the protective effect of SFI on VEC damaged by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) oxidative stress in vitro. METERIALS AND METHODS: The cell viability was evaluated by the MTT assay, the activities of SOD and GSH-PX and the content of MDA in the supernatants of the cultured ECV304 cells were evaluated by a colorimetry method, cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and an AO/EB double staining method. The protein expressions of Bcl2, Bax and caspase-3 were examined by Western blotting. RESULTS: When compared with control group, lower survival rate of ECV304 cells was observed in H2O2 group (p<0.01) ; 20µl/ml, 30µl/ml and 40µl/ml SFI increased the survival rate of ECV304 cells under H2O2 oxidative stress (p<0.05 and p<0.01). The activities of SOD and GSH-PX were higher and MDA level was lower in H2O2 group than those in control group. These effects of H2O2 on SOD, GSH-PX activities and MDA content were reversed by SFI in concentration-dependent way (p<0.05 and p<0.01). Flow cytometry and AO-EB double staining discovered that SFI pretreatment inhibited the ECV304 cells apoptosis. The protein expression of caspase3 in 30µl/ml and 40µl/ml SFI groups significantly decreased whereas Bcl2 protein expressions in 20µl/ml, 30µl/ml and 40µl/ml SFI groups were higher than H2O2 group, with Bax protein expression much lower than H2O2 group (p<0.05 and p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that SFI could prevent the ECV304 cells against H2O2 oxidative-stress by enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities, reducing the membrane lipid peroxidation, as well as upregulating antiapoptotic and downregulating apoptosis protein expressions.

Impacts on the life quality of the patients with allergic rhinitis treated with warming acupuncture in winter and summer / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the impacts on the life quality and the effect mechanism in the patients of allergic rhinitis (AR) treated with warm acupuncture in winter and summer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred and forty patients of AR were randomized into a summer and winter acupuncture group, a non-summer and winter acupuncture group and a western medication group, 80 cases in each one. In the two acupuncture groups, Dazhui (GV 14), Fengmen (BL 12), Feishu (BL 13), Pishu (BL 20) and Shenshu (BL 23) were selected. In the summer and winter acupuncture group, the warm acupuncture started at the first day of the three periods of hot season and the first day of the third nine-day period after the winter solstice. The treatment was given once every two days, continuously for 15 times. Totally, 30 treatments were required a year. In the non-summer and winter acupuncture group, the warm acupuncture was applied out of the three periods of the hot season and the third nine-day period after the winter solstice. The treatment was given once every two days and 30 treatments for a year. In the western medication group, cetirizine was taken orally, continuously for 30 days as one session. In the three groups, the treatment for 1 year was taken as one session. The second session started in the next year. Totally, 2 sessions were required. The score of rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) and the level of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) were compared in the patients' of each group before treatment and in 1 and 2 sessions of treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, the scores of 7 domains, named activities, common complaints, practical problems, sleep, ocular symptoms, nasal symptoms and emotions were all improved as compared with those before treatment, in the patients of the three groups (all P < 0.05). After 2 sessions treatment, the results in the summer and winter acupuncture group were better than those in the other two groups (all P < 0.05), and the results in the non-summer and winter acupuncture group were better than those in the western medication group (all P < 0.05). After treatment, serum IgE level was lower averagely than that before treatment in the three groups (all P < 0.05). After 2 sessions treatment, the result in the summer and winter acupuncture group was lower than that in the other two groups (both P < 0.05), and the result in the non-summer and winter acupuncture group was lower than that in the western medication group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the total effective rate was 92.3% (72/78) in the summer and winter acupuncture group, better than 80.5% (62/77) in the non-summer and winter acupuncture group and 69.7% (53/76) in the western medication group (both P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The warm acupuncture in both summer and winter achieves the definite efficacy on AR and the effect mechanism is relevant with reducing serum IgE level.</p>

Study on biomarker of Tripterygium wilfordii in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis based on PK/PD / 中国中药杂志

To observe the serum samples and the anti-inflammatory effect of Tripterygium wilfordii in treating RA by using the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model, make a correlation analysis on concentration-time and effect-time curves, and explore RORγt, IL-17, STAT3, IL-6 mRNA transcriptional levels in rats by PCR. Methotrexate, tripterine and high-dose T. wilfordii could down-regulate RORγt, IL-17, STAT3, IL-6 mRNA transcriptional levels in AA rat lymph nodes. The study on PK-PD model showed correlations between inflammatory factors and blood concentration of T. wilfordii. T. wilfordii and its main active constituent tripterine could show the inflammatory effect and treat RA by inhibiting IL-17 cytokine.

Protective effect of an extract of Guipi Pill against radiation-induced damage in mice / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the protective effect of an extract of Guipi Pill () against radiation-induced damage.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 100 Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group, positive drug group (treated with radioprotective agent "523", 5 mg/kg at 24 h before irradiation) and two treatment groups, with 20 mice in each group. The extract of water extraction-alcohol precipitation (WAP) from Guipi Pill were administered orally to the mice in the two treatment groups at the dose of 500 and 1,000 mg/kg, respectively, for 6 days prior to whole body radiation (8 Gy). Fifty mice with 10 in each group were used to observe the survival rate 30 days after radiation. The other 50 mice with 10 in each group were sacrificed on day 10 after radiation (6 Gy) in order to take blood, liver and unilateral femur.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Pretreatment prior to irradiation with WAP resulted in a significantly higher 30-day survival rate of mice after exposure to a potentially lethal dose of 8-Gy radiation. WAP could significantly increase the total white blood cell count and DNA content of bone marrow, and it also increased the activity of various antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase in liver tissue of mice, which were reduced by radiation treatment. Maleic dialdehyde level and bone marrow micronucleus rate were significantly reduced by WAP, which were increased after 6-Gy radiation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>WAP of Guipi Pill could increase the 30-day survival rate and the antioxidant capacity as well as protect bone marrow in mice. WAP of Guipi Pill is an effective radioprotective agent.</p>

Study on the standard of health protection zone for petroleum processing industry / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish health protection zone standards for petroleum processing industry.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The intensity of characteristic pollutants from fugitive emission were estimated by the inverse method of ground concentration through field survey and monitoring for representative petroleum processing industry, which was calculated health protection zone by using the model of atmospheric diffusion.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Characteristic pollutant of fugitive emission source from petroleum processing industry was confirmed as hydrogen sulfide. When local average wind speed in the past five years was less than 2, 2-4 m/s and more than 4 m/s respectively and meanwhile the scale of petroleum processing industry was less than 8 million tons, the recommended value of health protection zone were 900, 800, 700 m respectively. Besides, when the scale of petroleum processing industry was more than 8 million tons and in the same wind speed level, the recommended value of health protection zone were 1200, 1000, 900 m respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Recommended value of health protection zone for petroleum processing industry was reasonable and feasible through revising and improving of the version of 1987's standard.</p>

Observation on analgesia effect of electroacupuncture during gynecologic outpatient operation / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To verify the feasibility of electroacupuncture analgesia applied to gynecologic outpatient operation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred patients were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture analgesia group and an intravenous anesthesia group, 100 cases in each group. Operation types included artificial abortion, diagnostic curettage and remove of intrauterine divice. The electroacupuncture analgesia group was treated with electroacupuncture at bilateral Hegu (LI 4) and Neiguan (PC 6), and the routine gynecologic outpatient operation was performed under patients' waking state. The intravenous anesthesia group was treated with routine gynecologic outpatient operation after intravenous injection of fentanyl and propofol.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The excellent rate and the effective rate of analgesia were 88.0% (88/100) and 100.0% (100/100) in the electroacupuncture analgesia group, and 94.0% (94/100) and 100.0% (100/100) in the intravenous anesthesia group, with no statistically significant differences between the two groups (all P > 0.05). There was no adverse reaction in the electroacupuncture anesthesia group, but 11 cases of adverse reactions in the intravenous anesthesia group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Electroacupuncture analgesia can effectively alleviate the pain during gynecologic outpatient operation and it is simple and safe without adverse reactions.</p>

Effects of psychological intervention, auricular acupuncture and smoking cessation medication on cigarette smoking behavior in soldiers: a pilot randomized controlled trial / 中华健康管理学杂志

Objective To evaluate the effects of different smoking cessation interventions on cigarette consumption for young soldiers.Methods Sixty-eight soldiers were prospectively investigated in this randomly controlled clinical trial and assigned to the psychological intervention group,auricular acupuncture group,and smoking cessation medication group.Results All the participants showed significant reduction(33.3％ to 73.9％)in post-treatment cigarette consumption.The highest quit rate was found at 7 days,although this declining trend was faded over time.One-year follow-up indicated a 6-month quit rate of 16.7％,23.8％ and 30.4％ in three groups,respectively.Conclusion Psychological intervention,auricular acupuncture and smoking cessation medication may be effective methods of reducing cigarette consumption and improving quit rate in young soldiers.

Influence of Different Interventions on Insulin Resistance and ?-cell Function in Patients with Impaired Glucose Tolerance / 医学研究杂志

Objective To evaluate the effects of different interventios on insulin resistance and ?-cell function in population with impaired glucose tolerance(impaired glucose tolerance,IGT).Methods The total of 382 cases of IGT were divided into five groups according to interventions:control(C),diet plus exercise group(D+E),Acarbose Group(A),Metformin(M)and traditional Chinese medicine Group(TCM),with each group making the appropriate intervention programmes.BMI,FPG,2hPG,F-Ins,P-Ins,F-CP and P-CP were determined before intervention and yearly during the follow up,and BMI,HOMA-IR,HOMA-? were calculated.Results By the end of the study,insulin,F-CP,IR Group D+E and FPG,2hPG,insulin,C-peptide,IR in the other groups were significantly lower than before the intervention(P