[Probiotics enhance the efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation in severe acute liver injury].

Objective: To observe the changes of gut flora in mice, and explore the outcome of fecal microbiota transplantation combined with probiotics in the intervention of severe acute liver injury. Methods: Forty male BALB/c mice were selected and randomly divided into blank control group (10 mice), model group (10 mice), ordinary fecal microbiota transplantation group (10 mice), and fecal microbiota + probiotics transplantation group (10 mice). An intraperitoneal injection of d-galactosamine (D-GalN 3.0g/kg) was given to every group except the blank control group to induce severe acute liver injury model. Simultaneously, ordinary fecal microbiota transplantation group and fecal microbiota + probiotics transplantation group and modeling group were given enema solutions (once a day). After 48 hours, fetched serum was taken to detect alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and total bilirubin, and liver tissue was taken for pathological detection. The colonic content was used to extract DNA for 16S V3-V4 high-throughput sequencing. The results of sequencing were analyzed by using bioinformatics analysis; including OTU cluster analysis, α diversity analysis, ß diversity analysis, and linear discriminant analysis effect size (Lefse) to find the bacteria with different colonic content characteristics in different groups of mice. Differences in clinical biochemical indicators between groups were compared using t-test, and the differences between 16S V3-V4 region sequencing results were compared using Wilcoxon test. Results: Model group mice serum biochemical parameters were higher than the other three groups, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). HE staining of liver sections showed severe inflammatory changes under the microscope in the model group. Ordinary fecal microbiota transplantation group and fecal microbiota + probiotic microbiota transplantation group had low levels of inflammation than the model group. The analysis results of 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing showed that there was no statistically significant difference in Shannon's index between the blank control and the other three groups. Observed Species difference was statistically significant, and the gut flora composition varied greatly. Species number in the mice gut flora was increased with fecal microbiota transplantation. The results of ß - diversity analysis showed that the difference between the blank control group and the other three groups was greater than that between the disease groups. The difference in the structure of the gut flora of the diseased mice in the fecal microbiota + probiotic transplantation group was mostly butyrate-producing bacteria. Conclusion: Fecal microbiota + probiotics enhance the therapeutic effect of fecal microbiota transplantation, improve liver inflammation, and increase the number of butyrate-producing bacteria in the gut.

[Role of green tea polyphenols in noise-induced hearing loss].

Objective: To investigate the role and mechanism of action of green tea polyphenols in noise-induced hearing loss. Methods: Male specific pathogen-free guinea pigs were randomly divided into normal control group with 9 guinea pigs, noise exposure group with 36 guinea pigs, and green tea polyphenol intervention group with 36 guinea pigs. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) threshold shift was examined before noise exposure and at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days of noise exposure. The surface preparation of cochlear basilar membrane was used for hair cell count and the morphology of hair cells was also observed. Western blot was used to observe the expression of cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-9 (caspase-9) and cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-3 (caspase-3) in cochlear tissue. Results: Both the noise exposure group and the green tea polyphenol intervention group had an increase in ABR threshold after noise exposure, and the green tea polyphenol intervention group had a significantly lower ABR threshold shift than the noise exposure group at all time points (P<0.05). Both groups had enlargement, atrophy, or loss of hair cells after noise exposure, and at 7 and 14 days of noise exposure, the noise exposure group had a significantly higher rate of abnormal hair cells than the green tea polyphenol intervention group (P<0.05). Both groups had an increase in the expression of caspase-9 and caspase-3 after noise exposure, and the noise exposure group had a significantly greater increase than the green tea polyphenol intervention group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Green tea polyphenols can reduce noise-induced hearing loss and hair cell injury, possibly by regulating the expression of caspase-9 and caspase-3.

[John Kerr and the early China Medical Missionary Association].

In 1886, the Euro-American medical missionaries in China founded the first modern Chinese medical association-the China Medical Missionary Association, and John Kerr was elected as the first chairman and the first editor-in-chief of the China Medical Missionary Journal. John Kerr, who had done missionary medical work in China for thirty years, was then the director of Canton Hospital, and was one of the most influential medical missionaries in China and even all over the world. His great prestige and foresight and sagacity played an important role in the early development of the China Medical Missionary Association.

A double-blind comparative study of Chinese herbal medicine Jinlianqingre Effervescent Tablets in combination with conventional therapy for the treatment of uncomplicated hand, foot, and mouth disease.

Chinese herbal medicine Jinlianqingre Effervescent Tablets (JET) are the recommended control measure for uncomplicated hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) by the Ministry of Health of China. However, high-quality evidence to support this recommendation is limited. A total of 288 patients ranging in age from 1 to 13 years were randomly assigned to JET in combination with conventional therapy (mainly including the reduction of temperature by applying physical cooling paste or warm bathing), or conventional therapy with placebo group for 7 days. The objective was to test the hypothesis that JET combination therapy is more effective than conventional therapy for uncomplicated HFMD. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was designed. Our study showed that, compared with conventional therapy, the median time to fever resolution was significantly shorter in the JET combination therapy (8 vs. 80 h; p < 0.0001); the risk of fever resolution increased in the JET combination therapy [hazard ratio, 19.8; 95% confidence interval (CI), 12.8 to 30.7]; the median healing time of rash or oral ulcer was significantly shorter in the JET combination therapy (14 vs. 74 h; p < 0.0001); and the median symptom score for skin or oral mucosa lesions improved more rapidly in the JET combination therapy during the follow-up period. The median duration of hospital stay was 6 days in the JET combination therapy and 7 days in the conventional therapy (p < 0.0001). No significant adverse events and complications were found in both groups. The addition of JET to conventional therapy reduced fever clearance time, healing time of skin or oral mucosa lesions, and duration of hospital stay in children with uncomplicated HFMD.

Optimal clinical management of children receiving the ketogenic diet: recommendations of the International Ketogenic Diet Study Group.

The ketogenic diet (KD) is an established, effective nonpharmacologic treatment for intractable childhood epilepsy. The KD is provided differently throughout the world, with occasionally significant variations in its administration. There exists a need for more standardized protocols and management recommendations for clinical and research use. In December 2006, The Charlie Foundation commissioned a panel comprised of 26 pediatric epileptologists and dietitians from nine countries with particular expertise using the KD. This group was created in order to create a consensus statement regarding the clinical management of the KD. Subsequently endorsed by the Practice Committee of the Child Neurology Society, this resultant manuscript addresses issues such as patient selection, pre-KD counseling and evaluation, specific dietary therapy selection, implementation, supplementation, follow-up management, adverse event monitoring, and eventual KD discontinuation. This paper highlights recommendations based on best evidence, including areas of agreement and controversy, unanswered questions, and future research.

Circular F-actin bundles and a G-actin gradient in pollen and pollen tubes of Lilium davidii.

The distribution of and relationship between F-actin and G-actin were investigated in pollen grains and pollen tubes of Lilium davidii Duch. using a confocal laser scanning microscope after fluorescence and immunofluorescence labeling. Circular F-actin bundles were found to be the main form of microfilament cytoskeleton in pollen grains and pollen tubes. Consistent with cytoplasmic streaming in pollen tubes, there were no obvious F-actin bundles in the 10- to 20-microm tip region of long pollen tubes, only a few short F-actin fragments. Labeling with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-DNase I at first established the presence of a tip-focused gradient of intracellular G-actin concentration at the extreme apex of the tube, the concentration of G-actin being about twice as high in the 10- to 20-microm region of the tip as in other regions of the pollen tube. We also found that the distribution of G-actin was related negatively to that of the F-actin in pollen tubes of L. davidii. Caffeine treatment caused the G-actin tip-focused gradient to disappear, and F-actin to extend into the pollen tube tip. Based on these results, we speculate that the circular F-actin bundles may be the track for bidirectional cytoplasmic streaming in pollen tubes, and that in the pollen tube tip most of the F-actin is depolymerized into G-actin, leading to the absence of F-actin bundles in this region.

[Clinical study on effect of gushukang granule in preventing and treating primary osteoporosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and mechanism of Gushukang granule (GSKG), a Chinese herbal preparation, in preventing and treating primary osteoporosis. METHODS: The total of 197 patients of osteoporosis, whose bone mineral density (BMD) was below 1 standard deviation of the peak bone mass of same sex, with no complications and had not been treated were selected. Among them, 176 were menopausal females for over 1 year and 21 males aged over 70. The females were voluntarily divided into three groups, the 101 cases in the observed group were treated with GSKG 12 g, three times a day and calcium carbonate 300 mg, twice a day, orally taken for 6 months; the 23 cases in the positive control group were treated with equal volume of calcium preparation alone and the 52 cases in the blank control group were untreated. All the males were treated in the same way as that in the observed group of female. The BMD level of lumbar vertebrae 2-4 and other related to indexes of bone were determined before and 6 months after treatment. RESULTS: BMD level in the two control groups lowered by 1.8% after 6 months. While in the observed group, BMD lowered slowly or even increased, after 6 months the average BMD increased by 3.1% in females and by 3.9% in males. The effective rate was 91.1% in females and 95.2% in males. After treatment, the levels of tartrate-resistant acid phosphate decreased, estradiol, testosterone and high density lipoprotein increased in the female observed group, while the obove-mentioned indexes unchanged in the control groups. CONCLUSION: GSKG has the effects in increasing sex hormones (both estrogen and androgen), inhibiting bone absorption, slowing down bone mass loss and elevating BMD, it could prevent and treat osteoporosis effectively. Besides, it could increase the level of high density lipoprotein so as to benefit prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

[Protective effect of Angelica on ECV(304) from injury induced by hyperlipidemic serum in vitro].

The aim of this article was to examine the protective effect of Chinese traditional medicine Angelica on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs, ECV(304)) from injury induced by hyperlipidemic serum (HLS) and to study the underlying mechanisms. Microstructures of HUVECs were observed by a scanning electron microscope. Spectrophotometer and immunocytochemical methods were used to detect the content of NO in the suspension and expression of ICAM-1, TGFbeta(1), bFGF on the cell surface, respectively. After being incubated with HLS for 24 hours, HUVECs exhibited pronounced morphological changes, such as disappearance of microvilli on the endothelial cell (EC) surface, rupture of cell membranes, etc. Expression of ICAM-l and bFGF in ECs was significantly increased, while expression of TGFbeta(1) and the release of NO from ECs were significantly decreased. All these effects of HLS on ECs can be reversed by Angelica significantly. The above effects of Angelica may be related to its anti-atherosclerotic action.

[Selection of location for transcutaneous bilirubinometry in light therapy].

64 jaundiced neonates were measured with transcutaneous bilirubinometer for the jaundice index on the forehead and superciliary narch where was covered during photo therapy respectively. The result showed that the jaundice index in the uncovered place decreased greatly after the therapy was over, but the index went up again 12 hours later. The index on the covered place did not show this change. It is suggested that the covered place is a better site for measuring jaundice index because it can avoid the effect of phototherapy on the measuring result and make the result more accurate.

[Clinical research of the bushen tiaojing decotion in promoting ovulation].

A comparative study on effect of promoting ovulation between Bushen Tiaojing Decoction (BSTJD) and clomifene was conducted. Results showed that the ovulation rate of BSTJD group was 66.67%, as compared with that of clomifene group (61.54%), the difference was insignificant (P > 0.05), However, there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the two groups in effective rate of menoxenia treatment (82.14% versus 66.67%). No toxicity or side-effect appeared. These results suggested the BSTJD could definitely promote the ovulation, and has a good effect in treating menoxenia and improving the symptoms. The mechanism of BSTJD might be regulating the function of hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary system to promote ovulation.

A comparative study on commercial samples of phellodendri cortex.

A total of 31 commercial samples of Phellodendri cortex (Rutaceous plant) which originated from PHELLODENDRON AMURENSE Ruprecht, P. CHINENSE Schneid, P. WILSONII Hayata et Kanehira, and P. AMURENSE Rupr. var. SACHALINENSE Fr. Schm., respectively, were collected from the Taiwan and Japan herbal markets. The contents of five quaternary alkaloids (berberine, palmatine, jatrorrhizine, phellodendrine and magnoflorine) in these samples were determined by capillary electrophoresis. It was found that P. WILSONII (4.10 +/- 0.78%) and P. AMURENSE var. SACHALINENSE (4.18 +/- 1.03%) were superior to P. AMURENSE (1.55 +/- 0.72%) and P. CHINENSE (1.54 +/- 0.60%). Berberine was the major alkaloid in almost all samples. In comprised about 80% of the total alkaloids in the first two of the four herbs named above, but only about 40% in the latter two. From the data on the chemical analysis of the herb's constituents, as well as the herb's texture and color, we can postulate the origin and quality of a herb drug.

A comparative study of commercial samples of ephedrae herba.

A total of 22 commercial Ephedra herba samples which belonged to EPHEDRA SINICA, E. INTERMEDIA, E. EQUISETINA, and E. DISTACHYA, respectively, were collected from the Taiwan herbal market. The contents of the six ephedrine alkaloids - ephedrine (E), pseudoephedrine (PE), methylephedrine (ME), methyl-pseudoephedrine (MPE), norephedrine (NE), and nor-pseudoephedrine (NPE) - in these samples were determined by capillary electrophoresis and were found to differ greatly among the samples. Generally, E. SINICA was superior (1.594 +/- 0.467%) and E. INTERMEDIA was inferior (1.210 +/- 0.372%). Among the individual constituents, the sum of E and PE contents in each sample was about nine-tenths of the total alkaloids, and the ratios of E/PE, ME/MPE, and NE/NPE in the given species were definite and could be used to aid in identifying the origin of the herbs. The alkaloid contents were found to be higher in the internodes of the herbs and in those items with thin stems, more powdery and less fibrous characters. There were no indications for alkaloids in the roots of the plants.

[A study on changes of adrenergic receptors and their clinical significance in the lung of rats with respiratory distress syndrome].

The Bmax of value of beta receptors in membrane prepared from lung tissue of ARDS rats were remarkably decreased (P < 0.01) after 4h of injury (307 +/- 55fmol/mg protein) and 6h (240 +/- 66fmol/mg protein) as compared with that of control (490 +/- 61fmol/mg protein), whereas that of the alpha 1 receptors was increased markedly (P < 0.01) after 4h of injury (127 +/- 12fmol/mg protein) as compared with that of the control (83 +/- 7fmol/mg protein). In anisodamine treatment group, the Bmax of beta receptor (529 +/- 113) and content of cAMP was higher significantly (P < 0.01) than that of the untreated group. The activity of PLA2 in the lung tissue is remarkably lower (146 +/- 25U) than that of untreated group (P < 0.01). The present study showed the first time the imbalance between alpha and beta adrenoceptors in the lung of rat with ARDS, and confirmed that anisodamine has a role of regulation of beta receptor, cAMP and PLA2 in the lung of RDS rat.

Gigantecin: a novel antimitotic and cytotoxic acetogenin, with nonadjacent tetrahydrofuran rings, from Goniothalamus giganteus (Annonaceae).

Gigantecin (I), a novel tetrahydroxy-di-tetrahydrofuran fatty acid gamma-lactone (acetogenin), was isolated from an ethanolic extract of the stem bark of Goniothalamus giganteus Hook. f., Thomas (Annonaceae), by means of activity-directed fractionation (brine shrimp lethality test). This new compound is extremely cytotoxic to human tumor cells, inhibits crown gall tumors on potato discs, and is active in an assay designed to detect antimitotic agents (9 ASK).

Sylvaticin: a new cytotoxic and insecticidal acetogenin from Rollinia sylvatica (Annonaceae).

Sylvaticin (I), a new tetrahydroxy annonaceous acetogenin with nonadjacent tetrahydrofuran rings, has been isolated from the dried fruits of Rollinia sylvatica St. Hil. (Annonaceae). This compound is extremely cytotoxic to human tumor cells and shows promising insect control properties.

Absorption of calcium and magnesium from fortified human milk by very low birth weight infants.

Absorption of calcium and magnesium endogenous to human milk, as well as calcium and magnesium added as an exogenous supplement to human milk, was determined in 9 very low birth wt infants. Human milk, intrinsically labeled with stable isotopic tracers of calcium and magnesium, was prepared by administering isotopic tracers intravenously to a lactating woman. Different isotopic tracers, which were representative of calcium and magnesium in the supplement (Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier, Mead Johnson Nutritional Div.), were added to the intrinsically labeled milk. The fortified milk, which was labeled with two calcium tracers and two magnesium tracers, was given orally to the test subjects in a single feeding. True absorption of calcium and magnesium was determined from differences between the doses of tracer ingested and the quantities of tracer excreted in the feces. Stable isotopic tracers were quantified by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. These results demonstrate that the fractional absorptions of calcium in the human milk and the added mineral supplement are 80 and 82%, respectively. A total of 89% magnesium endogenous to human milk and 86% of magnesium derived from the mineral supplement was absorbed by the VLBW infants.

Studies on the phenomenon of latent propagated sensation along the channels. I. The discovery of a latent PSC and a preliminary study of its skin electrical conductance.

By combining electrical impulse stimuli with mechanical ones, we are able to trace out a new line of feeling, coincident with the classical channel course. Impulse stimulation was carried out at the Jing point of the Large Intestine or Stomach channel, namely Shangyan or Lidui. With a small rubber nipple, light taps were applied on the skin along the lines perpendicular to the channel and crossing over the acupuncture points; a specific propagational numb feeling at the points of the channel could be found. By linking up these points of specific feeling, an imaginary line which is exactly the classical Large Intestine or Stomach channel can be traced out. This line is called the "latent propagational sensation line along the channels" because, unless through tapping, no prominent sensation of propagation could be felt. Employing an impulsive electrical generator and an all-wave commutating circuit linked to a micro-ammeter, the skin conductance was measured over the latent PSC of the Large Intestine channel lying between the wrist and 5 cm above the elbow joint. Results were compared to those locations of 1 cm apart from the channel course, i.e. the control sites devoid of acupuncture points or channels. At most acupuncture points or any site of the channel course on all of the 10 subjects under examination, there was greater electrical conductance maxima than there was at control sites. This fact indicates that not only the acupuncture points, but the entire course of latent PSC are also of higher electrical conductance.