Functionalized graphene oxide/sodium alginate beads with ion responsiveness for uranium trapping.

Uranium as a strategic and non-renewable resource has been paid close attention to its efficient recovery and reuse from uranium-containing wastewater. Here, a composite bead was prepared by functionalized graphene oxide and sodium alginate (L-Lys-GO/SA) with ion-stimuli responsiveness for achieving U(VI) adsorption. The L-Lys-GO/SA-60 composite beads can selectively adsorb U(VI) with the maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) of 704.22 mg/g. Interestingly, the composite beads will swell under the stimulation of ions, which is more conducive to rapid solid-liquid separation and U(VI) recovery at low energy consumption. More importantly, the composite beads also exhibit high reusability of U(VI) adsorption with excellent life span of 80.11 % adsorption rate after 9 cycles, meaning that the composite beads and technology may be used in extraction and production for U(VI) from uranium-containing wastewater.

Post-marketing effectiveness evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine in paradigm based on "proving efficacy, conforming standard, and exploring mechanism":a case study of Danhong Injection / 中国中药杂志

At present, new concepts, new technologies, and new methods are emerging in the field of medical research, breaking through the inherent thinking patterns and research models, and promoting the transformation of the research paradigm of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). This paper gave a case study of clinical research in Danhong Injection in the treatment of chronic stable angina, and based on the background of the study, index evaluation model, experimental design method, blind implementation of placebo, data management system, and exploration of clinical efficacy mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine compounds under the framework of modular pharmacology, the scientific idea of "proving efficacy, conforming standard, and exploring mechanism" was used as the guideline to discuss the research model of reevaluation of the effectiveness of post-marketing TCM varieties. This paper drew a target network map of Danhong Injection in the treatment of chronic stable angina for the first time, which was composed of targeted functional modules. By combining evidence-based clinical research with modular pharmacology framework, changes in the pharmacolo-gical mechanism were finally associated with changes in clinical efficacy, and the advantages of phenotypic correlation of efficacy were explored. This study is expected to provide references for the post-marketing effectiveness evaluation and new ideas for the phenotypic pharmacological mechanism study of multi-target TCM compounds and precise treatment, thereby promoting the innovative development of TCM.

Exogenous testosterone decreases men's sensitivity to vocal cues of male dominance.

Assessing dominance is important for effective social interactions, and prior research suggests that testosterone is associated with men's dominance perceptions. The present study tested for a causal effect of exogenous testosterone on men's sensitivity to vocal cues of other men's dominance, an important parameter in male-male competition across species. One hundred and thirty-nine Chinese men received a single dose (150 mg) of testosterone or placebo gel in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, between-participant design. Participants reported their own dominance and judged other men's dominance from voices. Men's dominance sensitivity was significantly weaker in the testosterone group compared to those in the placebo group. Moreover, men's dominance sensitivity was negatively associated with their self-reported dominance in our Chinese sample, consistent with findings from Western populations. These results indicate that exogenous testosterone has a causal effect in decreasing men's dominance sensitivity, consistent with the Challenge Hypothesis, suggesting that the fluctuation of testosterone concentration mediates individuals' behaviors. Additionally, the present study could motivate further work on vocal assessment in the context of competition in humans and other species.

Recent advances on pancreatic lipase inhibitors from Chinese herbs / 药学学报

Obesity is an important cause of a panel of metabolic diseases, such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, arteriosclerosis, type 2 diabetes and various cancers. Discovery of anti-obesity agents has always been a hot spot in the field of new drug research and development. Pancreatic lipase (PL, also named triacylglycerol acyl hydrolase), a key enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of 50%-70% dietary fats in the gastrointestinal system, which has been recognized as a crucial target for the prevention and treatment of obesity. PL inhibitors can reduce the decomposition and absorption of dietary fat in the digestive organs by decreasing the hydrolytic activity of this key enzyme, which can alleviate the symptoms of metabolic diseases such as obesity and hyperlipidemia. Although a potent PL inhibitor (orlistat) has been marketed, it may trigger gastrointestinal side effects after long-term use. Therefore, it is necessary to develop more new PL inhibitors with strong inhibition potency and safety. In recent years, a large number of studies have found that some Chinese herbal extracts and their constituents can regulate lipid metabolism and treat obesity via inhibiting PL. In this paper, the research progress in the field pancreatic lipase inhibitors, as well as the extracts of Chinese herbs and their constituents with pancreatic lipase inhibitory effects were summarized. Meanwhile, the PL inhibition activities and inhibitory mechanisms of herbal constitutes were also summarized systematically. In addition, the authors also highlight the challenges in this field and the future research directions. All information and knowledge presented in this review will be very helpful for the medicinal chemists to find more potent PL inhibitors from herbs or to develop next generation anti-obesity drugs, as well as helpful for the prevention and treatment of obesity and other related metabolic diseases using herba medicines or related products.

Analysis of classical prescription Jinshui Liujun Jian based on ancient literature / 中国中药杂志

To provide the ancient literary evidence support for the clinical application and development of classical prescription based on systematical collection and analysis of the ancient Chinese medical literature containing Jinshui Liujun Jian, including its origin and development. Bibliometric analysis was used and information of Jinshui Liujun Jian in ancient Chinese medical literature was then collected for statistical analysis of formula compositions, main indications, dosage, preparation methods, etc. A total of 151 valid items of data were obtained from 48 ancient Chinese medicine books. Jinshui Liujun Jian was first recorded in Jingyue Quanshu written by ZHANG Jiebin. This prescription consisted of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Pinelliae Rhizome, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, Poria and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizome Praeparata cum Melle, and it was mainly used to treat the deficiency of lung and kidney, edema and excess production of phlegm, or Yin deficiency in the old, insufficient blood-qi, wind-cold evil, cough and disgusting, asthma and excessive phlegm. Doctors in later dynasties mostly followed the prescription compositions, dosages and indications in Jingyue Quanshu, and extended the clinical application of this prescription.

Advances in Research of Cell Pyroptosis, Ulcerative Colitis and Regulation with Traditional Chinese Medicine / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Pyroptosis，which is different from cell necrosis， apoptosis and autophagy，is a new type of programmed cell death. It is characterized by the swelling of cells until the cell membrane rupture， resulting in the release of cell contents and the activation of a strong inflammatory response. Pyroptosis signaling pathway is divided into the classical pathway dependent on Caspase-1 and the non-classical pathway dependent on Caspase-4， 5 and 11. In classical pathway， activation Caspase-1 depends on inflammasome， whereas in non-classical pathway， Caspase-4， 5， and 11 are activated directly. All of these result in the cleavage of gasdermin D（GSDMD） protein， the formation of membrane pores， the maturation and release of interleukin-1β（IL-1β） and IL-18， and the rupture of the cell membrane， and then leads to pyroptosis. Ulcerative colitis （UC） is a common disease of the digestive system. The UC course is long， easy to relapse， and difficult to cure. The pathogenesis of UC is not completely clear. In recent years， it has been found that pyroptosis plays an important role in the development of UC. Traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） has a long history of preventing and treating UC， with significant clinical effects. It is found that the mechanism of TCM in the prevention and treatment of UC is closely correlated with inflammasome， IL-1β and IL-18. The mechanism of TCM in preventing and treating UC is correlated with cell pyroptosis. Therefore， this paper reviews the relationship between cell pyroptosis and UC and the regulatory effect of TCM.

Bioinformatics analysis and systematic review of key genes and therapeutic traditional Chinese medicine of ulcerative colitis active stage / 中国中药杂志

Data GSE75214 and GSE48959 that contained ulcerative colitis(UC) in the active stage was download from GEO database. Differential genes of UC in the active phase were obtained by using adjusted P<0.05 and |log_2 FC|≥1.5, which was the screening criteria. PPI analysis was performed in the STRING database, and GO and KEGG pathway analysis was performed in DAVID database. Cytoscape was used to visualize differential genes, and calculate key genes in the active phase. Coremine Medical was used to analyze and systematically evaluate traditional Chinese medicines for treating key genes. Finally, 139 differentially expressed genes in the active phase were screened out, which included the 109 up-regulated genes and 30 down-regulated genes. DAVID analyzed that the biology and pathways of these differential genes were mainly concentrated in inflammatory response, immune response, chemokine activity, TNF pathway, NF-κB pathway, and Toll-like receptor pathway. Cytoscape software calculated that IL-6, CXCL8, IL-1β, MMP9, CXCL1, ICAM1, CXCL10, TIMP1, PTGS2 and CXCL9 were the key genes of UC in the active phase. According to Coremine Medical analysis, traditional Chinese medicines for UC in the active stage included Curcumae Longae Rhizoma, Scutellariae Radix, Curcumae Radix had clearing heat clearing damp, reducing fire and detoxifying effects, which was in line with the pathogenesis of UC active stage, and was often used in clinical treatment of dampness-heat diarrhea. Therefore, Huangqin Decoction, which Scutellariae Radix was the principal drug, was selected for systematic evaluation. The evaluation showed that Scutellariae Radix was superior to Western medicine in terms of improving clinical efficiency, reducing inflammatory factors and immunoglobulin levels, with statistically significant differences and fewer adverse reactions. This study provided a new idea for further research on the pathogenesis of UC in the active phase by analyzing the genes and their mechanism of action, and the systematic evaluation of Chinese medicine for the treatment of UC active stage provided a basis for the clinical prevention and treatment of UC by Chinese medicine.

Establishment of WHO/ISUP grading prediction model for renal clear cell carcinoma based on CT radiomics / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective A predictive model of WHO/ISUP grading of renal clear cell carcinoma was constructed based on CT radiomics.Methods The clinical data of 104 patients with ccRCC confirmed by operation or biopsy from March 2014 to December 2018 in the Mfiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were retrospectively analyzed.There were 70 males and 34 females,and the age was 61.2 ± 11.7 years.The patients were randomly divided into development cohort (73 cases) and validation cohort (31 cases) by stratified sampling according to 7∶3 ratio.According to the WHO/ISUP pathological grading criteria of renal cancer in 2016,Ⅰ and Ⅱ were defined as low-grade group,Ⅲ and Ⅳ were defined as high-grade group.The radiomics features of ccRCC were calculated in cortical phase images of CT enhanced scanning.LASSO regression was used to reduce the radiomics feature dimensionality in the training group,and to establish radiomics risk scores.The binary logistic regression was used to build the prediction model,which was used in the validation group.Bootstrap method was used to validate the model of training and validation group.AUC,sensitivity and specificity were calculated respectively.Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test was used to evaluate model calibration degree.Results After dimensionality reduction,the radiomics risk score of ccRCC was established.The low and high-level risk scores of the training group were-2.49 ± 1.73 and 1.23 ± 2.17,with significant difference (t =-7.785,P ＜ 0.01).The binary logistic regression multivariate analysis showed that the radiomics risk score was an independent risk factor in identifying low or high-grade ccRCC with odds ratio of (OR =3.576,95％ CI 1.964 ～ 6.513).The predictive model was Y =1/[1 + exp(-Z)],Z =1.274 × radiomics risk score + 0.072.The AUC of radiomics risk score in training group was 0.940 (95％ CI 0.883-0.998) with 95.5％ sensitivity and 88.2％ specificity after internal verification by Bootstrap method,and good Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test (x2 =4.463,P ＞ 0.05).The low and high-level risk scores of the Validation group were-2.27 ± 2.02 and 0.82 ± 2.08,with significant difference (t =-3.832,P ＜ 0.01).The AUC in validation group was 0.859(95％ CI 0.723-0.995) with 77.8％ sensitivity and 81.8％ specificity,and with good Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test (x2 =14.554,P =0.068) as well.Conclusions The prediction model based on CT radiomics has high accuracy in predicting high or low grade of ccRCC.

Application of affinity chromatography and its mathematical model in study of active components of traditional Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

Affinity chromatography is characterized by its high specificity,high recovery rate and sensitivity,and it has been widely used in the selection of active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine,separation and enrichment of low molecular weight sugars and protein peptides,research on mechanism of action and discovery of targets.This paper reviewed the application of affinity chromatography and its adsorption isotherm model,kinetic model and adsorption thermodynamic mechanism in the field of traditional Chinese medicine.This summarizes and provides thinking for comprehensive applications of affinity chromatography theory in the field of active ingredient screening,purification and medicine interaction.

Establishment of WHO/ISUP grading prediction model for renal clear cell carcinoma based on CT radiomics / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective@#A predictive model of WHO/ISUP grading of renal clear cell carcinoma was constructed based on CT radiomics.@*Methods@#The clinical data of 104 patients with ccRCC confirmed by operation or biopsy from March 2014 to December 2018 in the Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were retrospectively analyzed. There were 70 males and 34 females, and the age was 61.2±11.7 years. The patients were randomly divided into development cohort (73 cases) and validation cohort (31 cases) by stratified sampling according to 7∶3 ratio. According to the WHO/ISUP pathological grading criteria of renal cancer in 2016, Ⅰ and Ⅱ were defined as low-grade group, Ⅲ and Ⅳ were defined as high-grade group. The radiomics features of ccRCC were calculated in cortical phase images of CT enhanced scanning. LASSO regression was used to reduce the radiomics feature dimensionality in the training group, and to establish radiomics risk scores. The binary logistic regression was used to build the prediction model, which was used in the validation group. Bootstrap method was used to validate the model of training and validation group. AUC, sensitivity and specificity were calculated respectively. Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test was used to evaluate model calibration degree.@*Results@#After dimensionality reduction, the radiomics risk score of ccRCC was established. The low and high-level risk scores of the training group were -2.49±1.73 and 1.23±2.17, with significant difference (t=-7.785, P < 0.01). The binary logistic regression multivariate analysis showed that the radiomics risk score was an independent risk factor in identifying low or high-grade ccRCC with odds ratio of (OR=3.576, 95%CI 1.964~6.513). The predictive model was Y=1/[1+ exp(-Z)], Z=1.274×radiomics risk score+ 0.072. The AUC of radiomics risk score in training group was 0.940 (95%CI 0.883-0.998) with 95.5% sensitivity and 88.2% specificity after internal verification by Bootstrap method, and good Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test (χ2=4.463, P>0.05). The low and high-level risk scores of the Validation group were -2.27±2.02 and 0.82±2.08, with significant difference (t=-3.832, P<0.01). The AUC in validation group was 0.859(95%CI 0.723-0.995) with 77.8% sensitivity and 81.8% specificity, and with good Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test (χ2=14.554, P=0.068) as well.@*Conclusions@#The prediction model based on CT radiomics has high accuracy in predicting high or low grade of ccRCC.

[Changes of ion absorption, distribution and essential oil components of flowering Schizonepeta tenuifolia under salt stress].

In this paper, a pot experiment using quartz sands was conducted to study the effects of different concentrations of NaCl (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 mmol·L⁻¹) on the ion absorption, distribution and essential oil components of flowering Schizonepeta tenuifolia. The results showed that as NaCl concentration increased, Na⁺ content of root, stem, leaf and flower increased significantly, and that of the aerial parts was in a higher level than in the root. Regarding the K⁺ content, it decreased in the root but increased in stem, leaf and flower. Some changes were detected in the Ca²âº content, but not significant on the whole. The value of K⁺/Na⁺ and Ca²âº/Na⁺ reduced as a result of increasing NaCl concentrations. The content of essential oil increased under medium salt treatment (50 mmol·L⁻¹ NaCl). However, the synthesis and accumulation of essential oil was inhibited by the serious salt treatment (100 mmol·L⁻¹ NaCl). Over 98% of the essential oil components were terpenes, in which pulegone and menthone were the most two abundant compounds. Varieties of essential oil components did not change significantly under salt stress but their relative proportions did. The transformation of pulegone to menthone was enhanced and the value of pulegone/menthone based on their relative contents decreased with NaCl concentration increasing. Consequently, menthone ranked the most abundant compound by replacing pulegone. Relative content of D-limonene increased under medium and serious salt stress, and that of ß-caryophyllene only increased under mild treatments. So our research could provide references for the standard cultivation on saline soil of S. tenuifolia.

Impact of the chemical and physical stability of ketoprofen compounded in various pharmaceutical bases on its topical and transdermal delivery.

Increasing demands for individualized drug treatment has led to an increase in the practice of compounded medications. In this study, we determined the impact of the chemical and physical stability of ketoprofen (10%w/w) cream on its topical/transdermal delivery over a 6-month period. The shelf life of ketoprofen at 25 °C in the pharmaceutical bases LipoDerm and LipoBase (109.94 and 85.9 days) was significantly longer than that in Pluronic Lecithin Organogel (PLO; 44.81 days), justifying extending its beyond use date (BUD) from 30 (USP37/NF32) to at least 60 days in LipoDerm and LipoBase. All the creams evaluated exhibited shear-thinning flow behavior with moderate thixotropy, while the flow properties for LipoBase and PLO creams were altered at storage times greater than 90 days. The percentage of ketoprofen permeated through porcine ear skin was 13.7, 19.1 and 12.7% of the dose from LipoDerm, LipoBase and PLO, respectively and decreased 2- to 3-fold after 28 days of storage. Flux ranging from 85.3 to 446.7 µg/cm(2)/h and topical delivery, on the other hand, were not influenced by storage duration past 28 days. In conclusion, this study justifies extending the BUD of ketoprofen in LipoDerm and LipoBase to 60 days if used for topical delivery only.

Advances in novel carrier systems of chemical constituents from spice volatile oils / 中国中药杂志

Recent years, chemical constituents from spice volatile oils have gained worldwide concern owing to its multiple pharmacological effects and safety for using as the natural antibacterial agents. However, their poor dissolution, strong volatility, serious irritation, weak stability, easy oxidation and low bioavailability characteristics are the major obstacle in the preparation of effective oral formulation and practical application. Therefore, there is an urgent need to select a novel carrier system that can delivery the chemical constituents from spice volatile oils more efficiently with improving their stability as well as alleviating the irritation, and develop the functional food, health products and even medicine for exerting their pharmacological effects, which also is the focus and nodus of the research on their application. This review presents recent systematic studies on their novel carrier systems, including cyclodextrin inclusion complex, liposomes, nanoemulsions, nanoparticles, solid dispersion and so on, and summarizes the characteristics, application range and problems of each novel carrier systems, in order to provide some beneficial thoughts in further developing new products of chemical constituents from spice volatile oils.

Advances in research of pharmacological effects and formulation studies of linalool / 中国中药杂志

Linalool, as a major volatile compound, is widely distributed in natural plant essential oil. In addition, it can also be artificially synthesized. Linalool is used frequently as an important ingredient of perfumes and household detergents. It is still employed in food flavor and industries. Besides, linalool has some positive effect on healthcare. Many studies have showed that linalool exhibited a variety of pharmacological activities, including analgesic, anxiolytic, sedative, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and anti-bacterial effects. Therefore, linalool will be a promising agent for clinical application. This article reviews the pharmacological effects and formulation studies of linalool so as to provide a theoretical basis for its further development and utilization.

Progresses in screening active compounds from herbal medicine by affinity chromatography / 中国中药杂志

Affinity chromatography is a chromatographic method for separating molecules using the binding characteristics of the stationary phase with potential drug molecules. This method can be performed as a high throughput screening method and a chromatographic separation method to screen a variety of active drugs. This paper summarizes the history of affinity chromatography, screening technology of affinity chromatography, and application of affinity chromatography in screening bio-active compounds in herbal medicines, and then discusses its application prospects, in order to broaden applications of the affinity chromatography in drug screening.

Clinical literature based statistical analysis of common Chinese medical syndrome types / 中国中西医结合杂志

According to the principle of evidence-based medicine (EBM), Chinese medical literatures based descriptive statistical analysis of common Chinese medical syndrome types were performed. By data extraction, standardization, and frequency calculation of disease names and syndrome types from 286 literatures in line with the inclusion criteria, the frequencies of diseases and syndromes were obtained to analyze common syndrome types in clinical practice, to analyze the distribution features of disease related syndromes and syndrome related diseases, to analyze the distribution of basic Chinese medical syndrome types in clinical common diseases as a whole, thus providing reference for clinical and basic researches.

Advance in hepatic protective formulations of traditional Chinese medicine and their quality control methods / 中国中药杂志

As many traditional Chinese medicines have been founded to have protective effect on liver damage in recent years, they have also got involved in increasingly wide clinical application. Meanwhile, with the development of new hepatic protective formulations of traditional Chinese medicines, we have set increasingly higher requirements for quality control methods and measures. This essay summarizes the advance in studies on hepatic protective formulations of traditional Chinese medicine and their quality control methods in the combination of relevant domestic and foreign literatures, looking into the future of the development of new hepatic protective formulations of traditional Chinese medicines.

Study on moving cup method / 中国针灸

Moving cup of cupping therapy is studied in the present paper systematically. According to the experiences of clinical practice, duration, speed and intensity of moving cup has been quantified. Fifteen basic manipulations have been evolved, and 10 protocols for clinical application recommended. "Moving cup according to 3 factors of duration, speed and intensity" has been advanced on the basis of acupuncture therapy. And it has been concluded that the effects of warming needling, simple cupping, scraping, massage and medication can be achieved by moving cup with different techniques and clinical protocols.

Nanoscale drug carriers for traditional Chinese medicine research and development / 中国中药杂志

Nanocarriers generally made of natural or artificial polymers ranging in size from about 10-1 000 nm, possess versatile properties suitable for drug delivery, including good biocompatibility and biodegradability, potential capability of targeted delivery and controlled release of incorporated drugs, and have been extensively used in the development of new drug delivery systems (DDS). These types of nano-DDS have considerable potential to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and recently have attracted increasing efforts on the TCM research and development. In this review, the recently published literature worldwide is covered to describe the latest advances in the applications as TCM delivery carriers, and to highlight the characteristics and preparation methods of some selected examples of promising nanocarriers such as nanoparticles, lipid nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, nanomicelles and nanoliposomes.

A negative surface energy for alumina.

The surface energy of a solid measures the energy cost of increasing the surface area. All normal solids therefore have a positive surface energy-if it had been negative, the solid would disintegrate. For this reason it is also generally believed that when certain ceramics can be found in a highly porous form, this is a metastable state, which will eventually sinter into the bulk solid at high temperatures. We present theoretical evidence suggesting that for theta-alumina, the surface energy is strongly dependent on the size of the crystallites, and that for some facets it is negative for thicknesses larger than approximately 1 nm. This suggests a completely new picture of porous alumina in which the high-surface-area, nanocrystalline form is the thermodynamic ground state. The negative surface energy is found to be related to a particularly strongly adsorbed state of dissociated water on some alumina surfaces. We also present new experimental evidence based on infrared spectroscopy, in conjunction with X-ray diffraction and surface-area measurements, that theta-alumina has indeed very stable surface OH groups at high temperatures, and that this form of alumina does not sinter even at temperatures up to 1,300 K.