Characteristics of microbial community structure and influencing factors of Yangcheng Lake and rivers entering Yangcheng Lake during the wet season.

Yangcheng Lake, a typical fishery lake in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, is threatened by eutrophication. As the main performers of biogeochemical cycles, microorganisms affect the ecological stability of the lake. To study the structural characteristics of the microbial community in Yangcheng Lake and rivers entering Yangcheng Lake and the response relationship with environmental factors, the microbial community was categorized based on the contour of Yangcheng Lake, the major rivers entering Yangcheng Lake, and the pollution sources. The distribution characteristics of seven physicochemical indices were analyzed, including total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), water temperature (WT), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), and ratio of total nitrogen to total phosphorus (TN/TP). Characterization of microbial community structure based on 16S rRNA high-flux sequencing technology and ANOSIM analysis were used to explore the differences in the relative abundance of microorganisms at each sampling point in the lake and rivers, and redundancy analysis (RDA) was used to analyze the relationship between the microbial community and physicochemical factors. The results showed that the dominant phyla, genera of microorganisms, and the total number of OTUs in the lake and rivers were similar. The dominant phyla included Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia; the dominant genera included the hgcI clade, CL500-29 marine group, Microcystis PCC-7914, Chloroplast_norank, Clade III_norank, and Flavobacterium. ANOSIM analyses revealed that the microbial community of Yangcheng Lake exhibited an association with geographical space, while the microbial community in the rivers that was linked to the type of pollution source. Redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated that dissolved oxygen (DO), total nitrogen (TN), and pH were significantly correlated with the dominant phyla in Yangcheng Lake (p < 0.05), while total nitrogen (TN), water temperature(WT), and the ratio of total nitrogen to total phosphorus (TN/TP) were significantly related with the dominant genera in Yangcheng Lake (p < 0.05). Total nitrogen (TN) was also significantly linked to the dominant phyla and genera of the tributaries (p < 0.05). Despite the structural similarities in microbial communities between Yangcheng Lake and its inflowing rivers, environmental factors demonstrated significant associations with these communities, providing crucial data support for pollution prevention and the ecological restoration of Yangcheng Lake.

Acupuncture on intrauterine growth restriction associated brain injury: case study including use of magnetic resonance imaging.

Brain injury due to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a thorny clinical problem that often leads to permanent neurological deficits such as cerebral palsy. Few practical therapies can treat an IUGR-associated brain injury. We employed acupuncture to treat a 6-month-old male patient with severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) due to IUGR, as confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Three courses of acupuncture treatment significantly improved some of the patient's clinical characteristics, such as his insensitive responsiveness and motor deficits, with remarkably reversed HIE features on MRI at 1-year of age. This case suggests that acupuncture is a potential treatment option for an IUGR-associated brain injury and warrants further investigation.

Survival of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Fuzheng Gushe Therapy： A Real World Study / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo analyze the long-term survival of non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） patients treated with Fuzheng Gushe therapy in the real world. MethodA retrospective cohort study was carried out with the NSCLC patients treated with Fuzheng Gushe therapy from January 2014 to December 2018 in Dongzhimen Hospital， Beijing University of Chinese Medicine as the integrated traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） and western medicine cohort. The NSCLC data from January 2011 to December 2015 in the Surveillance， Epidemiology， and End Results （SEER） database were downloaded as the western medicine cohort. The propensity score matching （PSM） was employed to balance the confounding factors between the groups， and comparable samples were obtained from the two groups. The Log-rank test was conducted to compare the overall survival between the groups and the survival curves were established. ResultThe integrated TCM and western medicine cohort and the western medicine cohort included 511 and 5 022 NSCLC patients， respectively. The age， sex， and chemotherapy had no significant differences between the two cohorts， while pathological type， lymph node metastasis （N）， distant metastasis （M）， surgery， and radiotherapy were different between the two cohorts （P<0.05）. After PSM， 122 comparable samples were obtained. The overall survival analysis showed that the total survival of the integrated TCM and western medicine cohort was better than that of the western medicine cohort （P<0.05）. The stratified survival analysis showed that the integrated TCM and western medicine cohort had survival advantages in females， males， the young， and adenocarcinoma， N+， and M+ patients （P<0.05）. ConclusionFuzheng Gushe therapy can significantly improve the overall survival of NSCLC patients， especially in the females， the males， the young， and the patients with adenocarcinoma， lymph node metastasis， and distant metastasis.

HbA1c comparison and diagnostic efficacy analysis of multi center different glycosylated hemoglobin detection systems / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective: Compare and analyze the results of the domestic Lanyi AH600 glycated hemoglobin analyzer and other different detection systems to understand the comparability of the detection results of different detectors, and establish the best cut point of Lanyi AH600 determination of haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in the diagnosis of diabetes. Methods: Multi center cohort study was adopted. The clinical laboratory departments of 18 medical institutions independently collected test samples from their respective hospitals from March to April 2022, and independently completed comparative analysis of the evaluated instrument (Lanyi AH600) and the reference instrument HbA1c. The reference instruments include four different brands of glycosylated hemoglobin meters, including Arkray, Bio-Rad, DOSOH, and Huizhong. Scatter plot was used to calculate the correlation between the results of different detection systems, and the regression equation was calculated. The consistency analysis between the results of different detection systems was evaluated by Bland Altman method. Consistency judgment principles: (1) When the 95% limits of agreement (95% LoA) of the measurement difference was within 0.4% HbA1c and the measurement score was≥80 points, the comparison consistency was good; (2) When the measurement difference of 95% LoA exceeded 0.4% HbA1c, and the measurement score was≥80 points, the comparison consistency was relatively good; (3) The measurement score was less than 80 points, the comparison consistency was poor. The difference between the results of different detection systems was tested by paired sample T test or Wilcoxon paired sign rank sum test; The best cut-off point of diabetes was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Results: The correlation coefficient R2 of results between Lanyi AH600 and the reference instrument in 16 hospitals is≥0.99; The Bland Altman consistency analysis showed that the difference of 95% LoA in Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital in Jiangsu Province (reference instrument: Arkray HA8180) was -0.486%-0.325%, and the measurement score was 94.6 points (473/500); The difference of 95% LoA in the Tibetan Traditional Medical Hospital of TAR (reference instrument: Bio-Rad Variant II) was -0.727%-0.612%, and the measurement score was 89.8 points; The difference of 95% LoA in the People's Hospital of Chongqing Liang Jiang New Area (reference instrument: Huizhong MQ-2000PT) was -0.231%-0.461%, and the measurement score was 96.6 points; The difference of 95% LoA in the Taihe Hospital of traditional Chinese Medicine in Anhui Province (reference instrument: Huizhong MQ-2000PT) was -0.469%-0.479%, and the measurement score was 91.9 points. The other 14 hospitals, Lanyi AH600, were compared with 4 reference instrument brands, the difference of 95% LoA was less than 0.4% HbA1c, and the scores were all greater than 95 points. The results of paired sample T test or Wilcoxon paired sign rank sum test showed that there was no statistically significant difference between Lanyi AH600 and the reference instrument Arkray HA8180 (Z=1.665,P=0.096), with no statistical difference. The mean difference between the measured values of the two instruments was 0.004%. The comparison data of Lanyi AH600 and the reference instrument of all other institutions had significant differences (all P<0.001), however, it was necessary to consider whether it was within the clinical acceptable range in combination with the results of the Bland-Altman consistency analysis. The ROC curve of HbA1c detected by Lanyi AH600 in 985 patients with diabetes and 3 423 patients with non-diabetes was analyzed, the area under curve (AUC) was 0.877, the standard error was 0.007, and the 95% confidence interval 95%CI was (0.864, 0.891), which was statistically significant (P<0.001). The maximum value of Youden index was 0.634, and the corresponding HbA1c cut point was 6.235%. The sensitivity and specificity of diabetes diagnosis were 76.2% and 87.2%, respectively. Conclusion: Among the hospitals and instruments currently included in this study, among these four hospitals included Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital in Jiangsu Province (reference instrument: Arkray HA8180), Tibetan Traditional Medical Hospital of TAR (reference instrument: Bio-Rad Variant Ⅱ), the People's Hospital of Chongqing Liang Jiang New Area (reference instrument: Huizhong MQ-2000PT), and the Taihe Hospital of traditional Chinese Medicine in Anhui Province (reference instrument: Huizhong MQ-2000PT), the comparison between Lanyi AH600 and the reference instruments showed relatively good consistency, while the other 14 hospitals involved four different brands of reference instruments: Arkray, Bio-Rad, DOSOH, and Huizhong, Lanyi AH600 had good consistency with its comparison. The best cut point of the domestic Lanyi AH600 for detecting HbA1c in the diagnosis of diabetes is 6.235%.

Discussion on Acupuncture in the Treatment of Female Stress Urinary Incontinence Based on the Theory of Channel Sinew / 中医杂志

Female stress urinary incontinence （SUI） caused by support structure damage or relaxation of the urethra and bladder belongs to the category of “channel sinew disease” in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. The pathogenesis of this disease is “loss of nourishment in the channel sinews， and failure to contract because of relaxation”， which can be divided into two situations： deficiency syndrome mainly refers to qi deficiency， closely related to the three zang （脏） organs including lung， spleen， and kidney； and the excess syndrome mainly refers to heat pathogen and blood stasis. Therefore， the treatment principle of “nourishing the channel sinews， regulating sinews and controlling fluid” is proposed. The acupoints in the lower abdomen， lumbosacral region， and lower limbs are mainly selected in the treatment of SUI with channel sinew needling， such as Qihai （RN 6）， Guanyuan （RN 4）， and Baliao. The selection of acupoints also emphasizes the pain area. Channel sinew needling includes floating needling， round-sharp needling， penetrating needling， and prickly needling， which reflects the integrity of channel sinew system， and emphasizes the local therapeutic effects highlighting arrival of needling effects at the location of disease. The theory of channel sinew opens up new ideas for treating SUI with acupuncture and moxibustion.

[Component analysis of Ophiocordyceps lanpingensis polysaccharides and study on alleviation of hepatic fibrosis in mice by polysaccharides].

Ophiocordyceps lanpingensis is mainly used as an ethnic medicine to treat the diseases of liver, kidney and other diseases, but the pharmacological mechanism is not clear yet. In this study, the components and contents of monosaccharides in the O.lanpingensis polysaccharides(OLP) were analyzed. The results showed that the OLP were composed of mannose, glucose, galactose and arabinose, with mass percentages of 19.1%, 21.8%, 21.1%, and 38.0%, respectively. Based on the hepatic fibrosis model induced by CCl_4 in mice, OLP could significantly relieve the inflammation and fibrosis levels of hepatic tissues, reverse the CCl_4-induced increasing levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) in mice serum, and recover the functions of liver to a normal state. This study proved that OLP significantly decreased the mRNA expression levels of fibrotic genes, alpha-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) and collagen type 1(Col-1), as well as the content of hydroxyproline(HYP) in the liver tissues; meanwhile, the contents of antioxidants superoxide dismutase(SOD) and glutathione(GSH) were enhanced and the production of lipid peroxide malondialdehyde(MDA) was reduced. Moreover, OLP inhibited the gene expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-6(IL-6) and nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB) in the livers of mice. Further study indicated that OLP could restrain the apoptosis of hepatic cells due to the decrease of the apoptosis index and down-regulations of protein expression levels of Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-3(caspase-3) and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-9(caspase-9), and the promotion of protein expression level of B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2) in livers. To sum up, the mechanism of OLP for alleviating hepatic fibrosis was likely related to the synergy by remitting the oxidative stress of the body, alleviating inflammatory response, anti-apoptosis of hepatic cells, and so on.

Nutritional treatment for elderly chronic kidney disease patients with diabetes / 中国实用内科杂志

Nutritional treatment is of great importance for chronic kidney disease(CKD), with its particularity for elderly patients with diabetes. Low-protein diet, as the core of the nutritional treatment, is expected to improve the prognosis of elderly CKD patients with diabetes. However, considering its higher risk of malnutrition, blood glucose elevation and depression in these patients, appropriate protein limitation and in-time nutritional status assessment should be emphasized.Meanwhile, the weak compliance of low-protein diet in elderly patients should be improved. Since elderly CKD patients with diabetes are likely to suffer from many other complications, individual ized nutritional therapy should be prescribed according to the nutritional status of the patient.

A smart near-infrared spectroscopy evaluation system for quality management of Chinese medicinal materials based on quality markers / 药学学报

The quality of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the lifeline for TCM industry. The development of artificial intelligence (AI) has provided new means for the quality management of Chinese medicinal materials (CMM). In this paper, we take the quality marker (Q-marker) as a breakthrough point, focused on the research strategy from chemical markers to Q-markers, picked up the characteristics of the Q-markers from the near infrared spectrum (NIRS), and explored the feasibility of establishing the NIRS assay based on Q-marker. After integrated the biological activity detection and artificial neural network algorithm, we try to establish the relationship between the spectral properties of NIRS and specific efficacy of the CMM. Finally, the bottlenecks will be solved that related to the transmission and traceability of quality attributes in the process of TCM production, quantity change, overall quality management and so on. This system is going to improve TCM quantity scientific and intelligent supervision, and promote the upgrading of traditional TCM industry.

Depolymerized konjac glucomannan: preparation and application in health care / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Konjac glucomannan (KGM) is a water-soluble polysaccharide obtained from the roots and tubers of konjac plants. Recently, a degraded product of KGM, depolymerized KGM (DKGM), has attracted attention because of its low viscosity, improved hydrophily, and favorable physiological functions. In this review, we describe the preparation of DKGM and its prebiotic effects. Other health benefits of DKGM, covering antioxidant and immune activity, are also discussed, as well as its safety. DKGM could be a candidate for use as a tool for the treatment of various diseases, including intestinal flora imbalance, and oxidative- and immune-related disorders.

Evaluation of the blood supply and efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for patients with liver metastasis using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography.

Our study aims to evaluate the efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in the treatment of patients with liver metastasis using integrated 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography. A total of 97 liver metastasis patients treated by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization were enrolled in this study. The 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography images of liver metastasis patients were collected before and after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization treatment. The efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for the treatment of liver metastasis was evaluated according to the revised Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors guidelines. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine cut-off values of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography parameters (Tsuvmax, Tsuvmax/Lsuvmax, and Tsuvmax/Lsuvmean) for predicting the efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. Progression-free survival and the incidence of postoperative complications were compared. Correlation of Tsuvmax, Tsuvmax/Lsuvmax, and Tsuvmax/Lsuvmean with blood supply and lipiodol deposition in the lesion was analyzed. Among three 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography parameters, the receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that Tsuvmax/Lsuvmax with a cut-off value of 3.56 was the best predictor of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization efficacy. According to the cut-off value of Tsuvmax/Lsuvmax, liver metastasis patients were divided into the Tsuvmax/Lsuvmax ≤ 3.56 and Tsuvmax/Lsuvmax > 3.56 groups. Compared with the Tsuvmax/Lsuvmax > 3.56 group, the Tsuvmax/Lsuvmax ≤ 3.56 group showed a longer progression-free survival and a lower incidence of postoperative complications. The Tsuvmax, Tsuvmax/Lsuvmax, and Tsuvmax/Lsuvmean in the lesion with abundant blood supply were significantly lower than those in peripheral liver parenchyma, while the Tsuvmax, Tsuvmax/Lsuvmax, and Tsuvmax/Lsuvmean in the lesion with lack of blood supply were significantly higher than those in peripheral liver parenchyma. Spearman correlation analysis indicated that lipiodol deposition in the lesion was positively correlated with the Tsuvmax, Tsuvmax/Lsuvmax, and Tsuvmax/Lsuvmean. The Tsuvmax/Lsuvmax of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography may be a good tool for predicting the blood supply and efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for patients with liver metastasis.

Research progress of traditional Chinese medicine intervention vascular cognitive impairment / 中国中药杂志

Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) is a kind of syndrome from mild cognitive impairment to dementia, which is caused by different vascular factors. It can be prevented and delayed the progress of VCI and even reversed cognitive impairment before it progresses to vascular dementia by early diagnosis and intervention. Many experimental and clinical studies have confirmed that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) monomer, effective fraction, compound preparation,etc can improve vascular cognitive function. Our paper summarizes the research progress in the concept, pathogenesis, cellular and molecular mechanisms, and TCM treatment of VCI.

Mechanism study of prescription to treat Xiaoke based on the property and flavor theory of Chinese medicine and network pharmacology / 药学学报

Property and flavor theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the core base for clinical treatment of diseases. However, few research about its chemical and biological characterization was performed. In this paper, network pharmacology was adopted to review patterns around the theory of TCM. "Xiaoke" prescription database, which combinations of herb medicines for diabetes therapy, was firstly built to explore prescription regularity and screen core paired-components. The prescription regularity and molecular mechanism of flavor composition were explored through the relationship of "drug-compound-target-pathway-function" by ChEMBL, CTD and KEGG datebase. As a result, the tastes of "Gan" (sweetish taste) and "Ku" (bitter taste) were the popular therapeutic flavor to regulate the disorder of glucose and lipid metabolisms. The mechanism of Xiaoke was summarized from representative traditional Chinese medicine partner "Zhimu-Huangbai" and "Huangqi-Gegen". The key components of "Gan", including saponins stimulated insulin secretion, improve insulin resistance and promote glucose utilization. The components of "Ku", including flavonoids and alkaloids regulate inflammatory cytokines, promoted the utilization of glucose, improve endocrine and metabolism through MAPK, PI3K-Akt, PPAR signal pathway. The TCM therapeutic mechanism about "Xiaoke" was preliminarily summarized to clear "heat" by anti-inflammation and immunoregulation, to regulate glucolipid metabolism for removing the satiation of digestion, and to improve the utilization of insulin and diabetes complications for endocrine adjusting. The results demonstrate that therapeutic principle of TCM for "Xiaoke" is comprehensive via multi pathway. This study provides a new research method and strategy for exploring the mechanism of TCM for diabetes therapy.

Bioactivity-based ultra-performance liquid chromatography-coupled quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry for NF-κB inhibitors identification in Chinese Medicinal Preparation Bufei Granule.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparations have become effective treatments for many diseases. However, their active ingredients are still uncertain and difficult to identify. In this study, we propose a strategy that integrates ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF-MS) and bioactive (NF-κB inhibitor) luciferase reporter assay systems for the rapid determination of various anti-inflammatory compounds of TCM preparations. In this way, Bufei Granule (BFG), a TCM preparation used for the clinical therapy of asthma, was analyzed by the two ways of component identification and activity detection. Potential anti-inflammatory constituents were screened by NF-κB activity assay systems and simultaneously identified according to the mass spectrometry data. Three structural types of NF-κB inhibitors (caffeic acid derivatives, flavonoids and Pentacyclic triterpenes) were characterized. Further cytokine detection confirmed the anti-inflammatory effects of the potential NF-κB inhibitors. Compared with conventional chromatographic separation and inhibitory activity detection, integrating UPLC/Q-TOF-MS identification and virtual validation was more convenient and more reliable. This strategy clearly demonstrates that MS data-based fingerprinting is a meaningful tool not only in identifying constituents in complex matrix but also in directly screening for powerful trace ingredients in TCM preparations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Rapid identification and evaluation of Chinese materia medica quality by near infrared spectroscopy / 中国中药杂志

In recent years, the research object of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) analysis has not just been limited to the common analysis technology, but focused on the key relationship between chemical ingredients and traditional functions, including Chinese material medica (CMM) attributes, chemical substance and biological function. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) analysis technology, due to its unique advantages, has been developed rapidly in the field of pharmaceutical analysis, especially in the TCM analysis. NIRS can reflect the global chemical information comprehensively, and this holistic approach can be used for the identification and cluster analysis of CMM. On the other hand, inspiring by the concept of TCM quality markers (Q-markers), by means of the activity screening assay of the key components from the CMM, multiple bioactive components quantitation can be achieved by the NIRS combined with chemometrics. Taking the full advantage of the NIR technology, a simple and reliable method for the fast evaluation of the quality of TCMs can be provided. Therefore, the progress and trend of modern TCM quality evaluation by NIR are discussed and prospected in the present review.

Qingfei Xiaoyan Wan, a traditional Chinese medicine formula, ameliorates Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced acute lung inflammation by regulation of PI3K/AKT and Ras/MAPK pathways

Gram-negative pathogen-induced nosocomial infections and resistance are a most serious menace to global public health. Qingfei Xiaoyan Wan (QF), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, has been used clinically in China for the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections, acute or chronic bronchitis and pulmonary infection. In this study, the effects of QF on Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced acute pneumonia in mice were evaluated. The mechanisms by which four typical anti-inflammatory ingredients from QF, arctigenin (ATG), cholic acid (CLA), chlorogenic acid (CGA) and sinapic acid (SPA), regulate anti-inflammatory signaling pathways and related targets were investigated using molecular biology and molecular docking techniques. The results showed that pretreatment with QF significantly inhibits the release of cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and chemokines (IL-8 and RANTES), reduces leukocytes recruitment into inflamed tissues and ameliorates pulmonary edema and necrosis. In addition, ATG was identified as the primary anti-inflammatory agent with action on the PI3K/AKT and Ras/MAPK pathways. CLA and CGA enhanced the actions of ATG and exhibited synergistic NF-κB inactivation effects possibly via the Ras/MAPK signaling pathway. Moreover, CLA is speculated to target FGFR and MEK firstly. Overall, QF regulated the PI3K/AKT and Ras/MAPK pathways to inhibit pathogenic bacterial infections effectively.

Correlation Study on Pathological Characteristics of Target Organs and Excess Evil Syndrome in IgA Nephropathy / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the correlation between pathological characteristics of target organs and excess evil syndrome in IgA nephropathy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Data were collected in multicenter cooperation. Totally 266 IgA nephropathy patients were typed into exogenous wind-heat affection syndrome (49 cases), lower energizer damp-heat syndrome (100 cases), damp-phlegm syndrome (43 cases), and blood stasis syndrome (74 cases). Meanwhile, percutaneous renal biopsy was performed in all patients for Hass classification, Oxford classification, Katafuchi integral, and Jiang's classification methods. The correlation between excess evil syndrome and pathological index was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Four syndrome types were correlated with their Hass levels (r = 0. 341, P <0. 01). Affection of exogenous wind-heat syndrome was correlated with segmental proliferation of endothelial cells and damaged active lesions of segmental capillary loops. Lower-energizer damp-heat syndrome was associated with Hass III level, destroying active lesions of capillary loops, segmental proliferation of endothelial cells, glomerular segmental lesions, focal interstitial infiltration of inflammatory cells, focal interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy. Blood stasis syndrome was associated with Hass IV level, glomerular sclerosis, segmental glomerulosclerosis (S)/adhesion, mesangial hypercellularity (M), angiohyalinosis, multi-foci interstitial infiltration of inflammatory cells, multi-foci interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy. Phlegm-damp syndrome had higher proportions of Hass I and III levels, but with no association with other pathological parameters.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Excess evil syndrome was associated with partial pathological characteristics of IgA nephropathy. It could reflect pathological damage degree of target organs, activities, chronic lesions, and prognosis of IgA nephropathy to certain extent. Correlated pathological characteristics and its evolution could indicate excess evil syndrome types and their evolution rules.</p>

Relaxant effects of ethanol extract from Rhodiola crenulata in isolated rat thoracic aortic rings / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To investigate the relaxant effects of ethanol extract fromRhodiola crenulata (Hook.f.et Thoms.) H.Ohba in isolated rat thoracic aorta and its possible mechanisms.MethodsThe thoracic aortas from male Sprague-Dawley rats were isolated and cut into 3- to 4-mm-wide transverse rings, and the tension in endothelium-intact or endothelium-denuded aortic rings was recorded. The relaxant effects of ethanol extract fromRhodiola crenulata in various concentrations (100, 300, 500, 700, 900, and 1 100 mg/L) in aortic rings precontracted with phenylephrine (1 μmol/L) were observed. The effects of pretreatment with soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor ODQ (10 μmol/L) on the relaxant effects of ethanol extract fromRhodiola crenulata were observed. The effects of ethanol extract fromRhodiola crenulataon calcium-induced contractions in calcium-free high-potassium medium and phenylephrine-induced contractions in calcium-free medium were also observed.ResultsEthanol extract fromRhodiola crenulatashowed a concentration-dependent relaxation in aortic rings precontracted with phenylephrine. The maximal relaxations of ethanol extract fromRhodiola crenulataln endothelium-intact or endothelium-denuded aortic rings were 57.4% ± 21.81% and 60.51% ± 0.34%, respectively, with a half-maximal effective concentration of 1 062.88 mg/L. The relaxant effects of ethanol extract fromRhodiola crenulatawere not statistically inhibited by pretreatment with ODQ (P>0.05). Contractions of aortic rings resulted from phenylephrine-induced Ca2+ release from intracellular stores in calcium-free medium or high potassium-induced influx of Ca2+ in calcium-free high-potassium medium were significantly inhibited by ethanol extract fromRhodiola crenulata(allP<0.05).ConclusionEthanol extract fromRhodiola crenulatahas a concentration-dependent vasorelaxation, its mechanisms may be involved in blocking extracellular Ca2+ influx and intracellular Ca2+ release.

Effect of cold-dryness on pulmonary and immunologic function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease model rats.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of cold-dryness on pulmonary and immunologic function of peripheral T-lymphocytes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) model rats, and to provide references for the prevention and treatment of cold-dryness COPD in the Xinjiang region. METHODS: The COPD model was established with an elastase drip into the trachea combined with smoking. The cold-dryness COPD model was developed by stressing with a cold-dry environment. Success of the model was determined by observation of pathologic lung sections. Rats were sacrificed by exsanguination from the femoral artery and changes of peripheral blood CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+/CD8+ were detected by flow cytometry. Data were analyzed with SAS 11.5 statistical software. RESULTS: On the ninetieth day after ending the experiment, Peak expiratory flow in the cold-dryness COPD group was lower than that in the COPD and normal control groups (P < 0.01). The time of inspiration in the cold-dryness COPD group was higher than that in the COPD and normal groups (P < 0.05). Time of expiration (Te) in the cold-dryness COPD group was higher than that in the COPD and normal groups (P < 0.01). 50% tidal volume expiratory flow (EF50) in the cold-dryness COPD group was lower than that in the COPD and normal groups (P < 0.01), and EF50 in the COPD group was lower than that in the normal group (P < 0.05). CD4+ content of peripheral blood in the cold-dryness COPD group was lower than that in the COPD and the normal groups (P < 0.05). CD8+ content in the cold-dryness COPD and COPD groups was higher than that in the normal control group (P < 0.01), and CD8+ content in the cold-dryness COPD group was higher than that in the COPD group (P < 0.01). CD4+/CD8+ in the cold-dryness COPD group and the COPD group was lower than that in the normal control group (P < 0.01), and CD4+/CD8+ in the cold-dryness COPD group was lower than that in the COPD group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In the cold-dryness COPD model, CD8+ increased and CD4+/CD8+ decreased. Moreover, cold-dryness may aggravate this state. The effects of cold-dryness on pulmonary function mainly manifested as prolongation of Te and decrease of EF50, which could be one of causes of cold-dryness environment in the northwest of China leading to COPD with region characteristics.

Efficacy observation on fire needling therapy for moderate to severe acne vulgaris / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the efficacy differences between fire needling therapy and oxycycline tablets for the treatment of moderate to severe acne vulgaris.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty cases of moderate to severe acne vulgaris were randomly divided into a fire needling group and a medication group, 30 cases in each one. The pricking method of fire needling at Ashi points around damaged skin was applied in the fire needling group, once every five days for totally 4 times. The oral administration of oxycycline tablets, 100 mg, was applied in the medication group, twice daily for 20 days, also external application of adapalene gel before sleep was adopted. The fading time of skin damage, including papule, pustule, nodule and cyst in the two groups was recorded and clinical efficacy was compared. After the treatment, two-month follow-up was performed to observe the recurrence rate in the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The curative rate was 69.0% (20/29) in the fire needling group, which was statistically different from 40.0% (12/30) in the medication group (P < 0.05). The fading time of each type of skin damage in the fire needling group was shorter than that in the medication group [papule: (2.67 +/- 0.66) d vs (4.36 +/- 0.61) d; pustule: (2.47 +/- 0.57) d vs (4.27 +/- 0.55) d; nodule: (7.76 +/- 1.06) d vs (9.88-1.30) d; cyst: (11.81 +/- 1.54) d vs (14.79 +/- 0.89) d, all P < 0.05]. The recurrence rate was 46.4% (13/28) in the fire needling group, which was not significantly different from 44.0% (11/24) in the medication group (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The acne vulgaris could be fast and effectively treated by fire needling therapy, which has shorter fading time than oxycycline tablets. However, the preventive effect is not different between the two theraies.</p>

Effect of Modified Zhisou Powder on the lung function of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease model rats of northwest China cold dryness syndrome / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe Modified Zhisou Powder (MZP) on the lung function of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) model rats of northwest China cold dryness syndrome (NCCDS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 90 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups, i.e., the normal control group (n =20), the COPD model group (n =35), and the COPD of NCCDS group (n =35). The COPD model was established by tracheal dripping porcine pancreatic elastase (PEE) in combination with fumigation for 90 days. The COPD of NCCDS model was set up by tracheal dripping PEE +fumigation + cold and dry environmental stress for 90 days. Then rats in the COPD of NCCDS were randomly divided into the MZP intervention group (n =11 )and the normal saline intervention group (n =10).All intervention lasted for 15 successive days. The lung function was detected using Small Animal Lung Function Device at day 90 and day 105. And the lung pathology was also observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Little amount of sputum sound could be heard in the airway of the COPD model group and the COPD of NCCDS group. Pathological section showed alveolar ectasia, narrowed and broken alveolar septa, forming larger capsular space with infiltration of inflammatory cells. Rats in the COPD of NCCDS group showed chills, increased amount of drinking water, and loose stool. MZP could improve their symptoms. As for lung function test, compared with the normal control group, Te increased in the COPD model group (P <0.01), and EF50 decreased (P<0.05). PEF and EF50 decreased (P <0.01), Ti and Te increased (P <0.01, P <0.05) in the COPD of NCCDS group. Compared with the normal saline intervention group, PEF and EF50 increased (P < 0.01), Ti and Te decreased (P <0.01) in the MZP intervention group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MZP could improve the symptoms of COPD rats of NCCDS, and delay the velocity of decreased lung function.</p>