DCABM-TCM: A Database of Constituents Absorbed into the Blood and Metabolites of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) not only maintains the health of Asian people but also provides a great resource of active natural products for modern drug development. Herein, we developed a Database of Constituents Absorbed into the Blood and Metabolites of TCM (DCABM-TCM), the first database systematically collecting blood constituents of TCM prescriptions and herbs, including prototypes and metabolites experimentally detected in the blood, together with the corresponding detailed detection conditions through manual literature mining. The DCABM-TCM has collected 1816 blood constituents with chemical structures of 192 prescriptions and 194 herbs and integrated their related annotations, including physicochemical, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity properties, and associated targets, pathways, and diseases. Furthermore, the DCABM-TCM supported two blood constituent-based analysis functions, the network pharmacology analysis for TCM molecular mechanism elucidation, and the target/pathway/disease-based screening of candidate blood constituents, herbs, or prescriptions for TCM-based drug discovery. The DCABM-TCM is freely accessible at http://bionet.ncpsb.org.cn/dcabm-tcm/. The DCABM-TCM will contribute to the elucidation of effective constituents and molecular mechanism of TCMs and the discovery of TCM-derived drug-like compounds that are both bioactive and bioavailable.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel demethylzeylasteral derivatives as potential anticancer agents.

Demethylzeylasteral (DEM), a class of terpenoids isolated from natural plants, frequently exhibits moderate or limited inhibitory effect on tumor growth across multiple cancer types. Thus, here we attempted to elevate the anti-tumor efficacy of DEM by altering active groups in its chemical structure. Initially, we synthesized a series of novel DEM derivatives 1-21 through performing a series of modifications of its phenolic hydroxyl groups at C-2/3, C-4 and C-29 positions. The anti-proliferative activities of these new compounds were subsequently assessed using three human cancer cell line models (A549, HCT116 and HeLa) and CCK-8 assay. Our data showed that compared to original DEM compound, derivative 7 exhibited remarkable inhibition effect on A549 (16.73 ± 1.07 µM), HCT116 (16.26 ± 1.94 µM) and HeLa (17.07 ± 1.09 µM), almost reaching to the same level of DOX. Moreover, the structure-activity relationships (SARs) of the synthesized DEM derivatives were discussed in detail. We found that treatment with derivative 7 only led to moderate cell cycle arrest at S-phase in a concentration-dependent manner. Meanwhile, derivative 7 treatment markedly induced apoptosis in tumor cells. Consistent with this observation, our subsequent docking analysis showed that derivative 7 is capable of activating caspase-3 through interaction with the His 121 and Gly 122 residues of the enzyme. Overall, we have developed a new series of DEM derivatives with elevated anti-tumor efficacy relative to its parent form. The results suggested that derivative 7 has great potential to be employed as an anticancer agent candidate for natural product-based cancer chemotherapy.

Quantification of Chemical Groups and Quantitative HPLC Fingerprint of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf.

(1)Objective: In this study, a quantitative analysis of chemical groups (the triterpenoids, water-soluble polysaccharides, and acidic polysaccharides) and quantitative high liquid performance chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf (PC) for quality control was developed. (2) Methodology: First, three main chemical groups, including triterpenoids, water-soluble polysaccharides, and acidic polysaccharides, in 16 batches of PC were evaluated by ultraviolet spectrophotometry. Afterward, the quantitative fingerprint of PC was established, and the alcohol extract of PC was further evaluated. The method involves establishing 16 batches of PC fingerprints by HPLC, evaluating the similarity of different batches of PC, and identifying eight bioactive components, including poricoic acid B (PAB), dehydrotumulosic acid (DTA), poricoic acid A (PAA), polyporenic acid C (PAC), 3-epidehydrotumulosic acid (EA), dehydropachymic acid (DPA), dehydrotrametenolic acid (DTA-1), and dehydroeburicoic acid (DEA), in PC by comparison with the reference substance. Combined with the quantitative analysis of multi-components by a single marker (QAMS), six bioactive ingredients, including PAB, DTA, PAC, EA, DPA, and DEA, in PC from different places were established. In addition, the multivariate statistical analyses, such as principal component analysis and heatmap hierarchical clustering analysis are more intuitive, and the visual analysis strategy was used to evaluate the content of bioactive components in 16 batches of PC. Finally, the analysis strategy of three main chemical groups in PC was combined with the quantitative fingerprint strategy, which reduced the error caused by the single method. (3) Results: The establishment of a method for the quantification of chemical groups and quantitative HPLC fingerprint of PC was achieved as demonstrated through the quantification of six triterpenes in PC by a single marker. (4) Conclusions: Through qualitative and quantitative chemical characterization, a multi-directional, simple and efficient routine evaluation method of PC quality was established. The results reveal that this strategy can provide an analytical method for the quality evaluation of PC and other Chinese medicinal materials.

Determinants of Infant Young Child Feeding Among Mothers of Malnourished Children in South Punjab, Pakistan: A Qualitative Study.

Inadequate feeding is one of the most critical underlying determinants of child malnutrition. In this study, we explore infant young child feeding (IYCF) and deconstruct breastfeeding barriers in mothers of severely malnourished children in one of the most marginalized districts of Punjab province of Pakistan. Using purposive sampling, 20 lactating mothers are recruited for open-ended semi-structured interviews. Results reveal that barriers to immediate and exclusive breastfeeding include the introduction of pre-lacteal, butter, and cow or formula milk by mothers and grandmothers. Birthing difficulties and ritualizing prelacteal to transfer religion and culture cause the delay of early initiation of breastmilk. The colostrum is also discarded based on its weird physical look. Moreover, household circumstances, limited diet, extra workload, and mental stress associated with marital relationships are other significant barriers. Mothers perceive their breastmilk as thin, impotent, and of bad quality and often complain against breastmilk insufficiency due to general weakness. Furthermore, poor mothers reduce breastfeeding when the fertility burden is high, especially if a female baby is in their womb. Alternatively, outer milk is recommended but washing bottles with detergents often becomes frequent. In conclusion, immediacy, exclusivity, frequency, and duration of breastfeeding are circumscribed owing to multiple social, cultural, and economic causes. Therefore, a holistic approach combining cultural and structural causes might be more relevant for successful IYCF practices in marginalized communities of Pakistan.

Cerebral arterial air embolism after endobronchial electrocautery: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Endobronchial electrocautery is a common and safe therapeutic endoscopic treatment for malignant airway obstruction. Cerebral arterial air embolism (CAAE) is a rare but potentially fatal complication of endobronchial electrocautery. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the first case of cerebral arterial air embolism after endobronchial electrocautery. A 56-year-old male with a pulmonary tumour in the right upper lobe received repeated endobronchial electrocautery. During the procedure, he experienced unresponsiveness, hypoxemia and bradycardia, and he developed tetraplegia. Brain computed tomography showed several cerebral arterial air emboli with low-density spots in the right frontal lobe. He received hyperbaric oxygen therapy with almost full recovery, except for residual left-sided weakness. CONCLUSIONS: General physicians should realize that CAAE may be a possible complication of endobronchial electrocautery. Several measures, including avoiding positive pressure, lowering ventilatory pressures if possible, avoiding advancing the bronchoscope to occlude the bronchus and using the non-contact technique, should be used to prevent this devastating complication.

Dietary Plant Sterols Supplementation Increases In Vivo Nitrite and Nitrate Production in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Controlled Study.

A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled and crossover study was conducted to simultaneously measure the effects, 3 h after consumption and after 4-wk daily exposure to plant sterols-enriched food product, on in vivo nitrite and nitrate production in healthy adults. Eighteen healthy participants (67% female, 35.3 [mean] ± 9.5 [SD] years, mean body mass index 22.8 kg/m2 ) received 2 soy milk (20 g) treatments daily: placebo and one containing 2.0 g free plant sterols equivalent of their palmityl esters (ß-sitosterol, 55%; campesterol, 29%; and stigmasterol, 23%). Nitrite and nitrate concentrations were measured in the blood plasma and urine, using stable isotope-labeled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. L-arginine and asymmetric dimethylarginine concentrations in blood serum were measured using commercially available enzyme immunoassays. Nitrite and nitrate concentrations in blood plasma (nitrite 5.83 ± 0.50 vs. 4.52 ± 0.27; nitrate 15.78 ± 0.96 vs. 13.43 ± 0.81 µmol/L) and urine (nitrite 1.12 ± 0.22 vs. 0.92 ± 0.36, nitrate 12.23 ± 1.15 vs. 9.71 ± 2.04 µmol/L) were significantly elevated after 4-wk plant sterols supplementation Placebo and 3-h treatments did not affect the blood plasma and urinary concentrations of nitrite and nitrate. Circulating levels of L-arginine and asymmetric dimethylarginine were unchanged in the placebo and treatment arms. Total plant sterols, ß-Sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol concentrations were significantly elevated after 4-wk treatments compared to the placebo and 3-h treatments. Blood plasma nitrite and nitrate concentrations correlated significantly with the plasma total and specific plant sterol concentrations. Our results suggest that dietary plant sterols, in the combination used, can upregulate nitrite, and nitrate production in vivo.

Physcion, a naturally occurring anthraquinone derivative, induces apoptosis and autophagy in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

AIM: Physcion is a major bioactive ingredient in the traditional Chinese medicine Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, which has an anthraquinone chemical structure and exhibits a variety of pharmacological activities including laxative, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-proliferative effects. In this study we investigated the effect of physcion on human nasopharyngeal carcinoma in vitro and in vivo, as well as the mechanisms underlying the anti-tumor action. METHODS: The nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE2 was treated with physcion, and cell viability was detected using MTT and colony formation assays. Flow cytometry was used to assess the cell cycle arrest, mitochondrial membrane potential loss, apoptosis, autophagy and intracellular ROS generation. Apoptotic cell death was also confirmed by a TUNEL assay. The expression of target or marker molecules was determined using Western blotting. The activity of caspase-3, 8, and 9 was detected with an ELISA kit. A xenograft murine model was used to evaluate the in vivo anti-tumor action of physcion, the mice were administered physcion (10, 20 mg·kg-1·d-1, ip) for 30 d. RESULTS: Treatment with physcion (5, 10, and 20 µmol/L) dose-dependently suppressed the cell viability and colony formation in CNE2 cells. Physcion (10 and 20 µmol/L) dose-dependently blocked cell cycle progression at G1 phase and induced both caspase-dependent apoptosis and autophagy in CNE2 cells. Furthermore, physcion treatment induced excessive ROS generation in CNE2 cells, and subsequently disrupted the miR-27a/ZBTB10 axis, resulting in repression of the transcription factor Sp1 that was involved in physcion-induced apoptosis and autophagy. Moreover, physcion-induced autophagy acted as a pro-apoptotic factor, and possibly contributed to physcion-induced apoptosis. In the xenograft murine model, administration of physcion dose-dependently suppressed the tumor growth without affecting the body weight. Furthermore, the anti-tumor effects of physcion were correlated with downregulation of Sp1 and suppression of miR-27a in the tumor tissues. CONCLUSION: Physcion induces apoptosis and autophagy in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma by targeting Sp1, which was mediated by ROS/miR-27a/ZBTB10 signaling. The results suggest that physcion is a promising candidate for the treatment of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Aged Garlic Supplement Protects Against Lipid Peroxidation in Hypercholesterolemic Individuals.

The health benefits of raw garlic intake has been extensively studied, but little is known about the biological effects of aged garlic consumption. A randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm, double-blinded trial involving 41 hypercholesterolemic individuals was conducted to simultaneously examine and compare the blood lipid lowering and antioxidant effects after acute and extended exposures to aged and raw garlic supplements (1080 mg daily). Aged and raw garlic did not affect blood lipid concentrations in these hypercholesterolemic participants after acute and 13-week supplementation. The plasma and urinary F2-isoprostanes concentrations were significantly decreased after 13 weeks of aged garlic treatment. Aged garlic supplementation over 13 weeks also significantly decreased serum lipid hydroperoxide concentration and myeloperoxidase activity. Raw garlic treatments did not affect the F2-isoprostanes concentrations in blood plasma and urine, and lipid hydroperoxides in blood sera. Acute effects on the measured parameters were absent for both garlic treatments. In separate in vitro experiments, aqueous methanolic extract of aged garlic inhibited F2-isoprostanes formation and myeloperoxidase activity in freshly isolated human neutrophils to a greater extent than the raw garlic extract and S-allylcysteine at equivalent dosing concentrations. The aged garlic preparation was found to contain significantly higher total phenolic and S-allylcysteine contents than the raw garlic precursor. Our data showed that supplementation with aged garlic, not its raw garlic precursor, reduced oxidative stress and alleviated lipid peroxidation, possibly via the inhibition of myeloperoxidase. The differential antioxidant actions of the aged and raw garlic may be related to their different total phenolic contents and, to a lesser extent, their S-allylcysteine contents.

[Fast Detection of Camellia Sinensis Growth Process and Tea Quality Informations with Spectral Technology: A Review].

The research achievements and trends of spectral technology in fast detection of Camellia sinensis growth process information and tea quality information were being reviewed. Spectral technology is a kind of fast, nondestructive, efficient detection technology, which mainly contains infrared spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and mass spectroscopy. The rapid detection of Camellia sinensis growth process information and tea quality is helpful to realize the informatization and automation of tea production and ensure the tea quality and safety. This paper provides a review on its applications containing the detection of tea (Camellia sinensis) growing status(nitrogen, chlorophyll, diseases and insect pest), the discrimination of tea varieties, the grade discrimination of tea, the detection of tea internal quality (catechins, total polyphenols, caffeine, amino acid, pesticide residual and so on), the quality evaluation of tea beverage and tea by-product, the machinery of tea quality determination and discrimination. This paper briefly introduces the trends of the technology of the determination of tea growth process information, sensor and industrial application. In conclusion, spectral technology showed high potential to detect Camellia sinensis growth process information, to predict tea internal quality and to classify tea varieties and grades. Suitable chemometrics and preprocessing methods is helpful to improve the performance of the model and get rid of redundancy, which provides the possibility to develop the portable machinery. Future work is to develop the portable machinery and on-line detection system is recommended to improve the further application. The application and research achievement of spectral technology concerning about tea were outlined in this paper for the first time, which contained Camellia sinensis growth, tea production, the quality and safety of tea and by-produce and so on, as well as some problems to be solved and its future applicability in modern tea industrial.

An analysis on the direct economic loss and its influencing factors of pneumoconiosis in Zhejiang province / 预防医学

Objective To explore the characteristics and their influencing factors of economic burden for pneumoconiosis disease,and to provide a baseline to develop the prevention measures and to reduce the economic burden of pneumoconiosis. Methods The retrospective epidemiological method was used to investigate the general information of pneumoconiosis cases,frequency of outpatient and hospitalization per year,medical expenditure. Direct economic loss and its influencing factors of pneumoconiosis patients were analyzed. Results A total of 421 pneumoconiosis cases were investigated. All subjects were male,including 306 inpatients. The average medical expenditures of outpatient and inpatient were 594. 53 ± 336. 23 and 32 266. 06 ± 28 130. 67 Yuan,respectively. The annual average expenditures of outpatient and inpatient were 2 907. 25 and 48 721. 75 Yuan,respectively. In terms of health care costs,the highest proportion of western medicine was 44. 08% ,followed by traditional Chinese medicine(12. 62% ). With an increase in pneumoconiosis stage,the annual frequency of outpatient and hospitalization,as well as total expenditure increased accordingly. The average annual cost of pneumoconiosis inpatient with complications and non - complication inpatient were 55 822. 20 and 23 532. 21 Yuan,respectively. The annual average cost of outpatient with complications and without complications were 4 236. 41 and 882. 31 Yuan, respectively. The expenditures for pneumoconiosis disease with complications among outpatient and inpatient were significantly higher than those of pneumoconiosis patients without complications(P < 0. 05). Conclusion Direct economic loss of pneumoconiosis disease is relatively high. The disease stage and complications of pneumoconiosis are the main factors influencing the direct economic loss of pneumoconiosis.

Survey of intravitreal injection techniques and treatment protocols among retina specialists in Canada.

OBJECTIVE: To describe intravitreal injection (IVI) techniques and treatment protocols by retina specialists in Canada from August 1, 2012, to October 1, 2012. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. PARTICIPANTS: All fellowship-trained retina specialists across Canada, as identified from the Canadian Ophthalmological Society directory and the Canadian Retina and Vitreous Society directory. METHODS: An anonymous 28-question survey was sent to 125 retina specialists across Canada by email. Reminder letters were sent by email, mail, and fax as necessary. RESULTS: A total of 75 (63%) retina specialists responded to the survey. Most IVIs were performed in the office. Most surgeons did not use gloves (61%), sterile draping (91%), or surgical mask (71%). Antisepsis was used on conjunctiva by 100% and on periocular skin by 48%. Nearly all specialists used a sterile lid speculum (91%). Common anaesthetics included topical proparacaine or lidocaine drops (90%), topical lidocaine gel (25%), topical pledget (23%), and subconjunctival lidocaine injections (23%). Most (83%) dilate the pupil before IVI. Prophylactic topical antibiotics were used by 43%; 50% of these were started immediately after IVI. Injection location was estimated by visualization by 45%. A majority (63%) inject inferotemporally. Anterior chamber paracentesis was performed routinely by 5%. Optic nerve perfusion was formally assessed by 48%. The most common treatment protocol for age-related macular degeneration was treat and extend. For both diabetic and retinal vein occlusion-related macular edema, the most common protocol was 3 initial monthly injections with PRN follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: A wide variety of IVI practice patterns exist in terms of aseptic technique, anaesthetics, prophylactic antibiotics, postinjection monitoring, and treatment protocol.

Clinical observation on treating idiopathic panuveitis with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AlM: To explore the clinical therapeutic effect of the integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment of idiopathic panuveitis. METHODS: Totally 47 patients ( 69 eyes ) with the idiopathic panuveitis were included in this study, which were randomly divided into control group and treatment group. Twenty-four cases (33 eyes) with the method of Western medicine-glucocorticoid and mydriatic were in control group, while 23 cases (36 eyes) with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine were in treatment group. Those patients were followed up 12-36mo, the vision before and after treatment, the therapeutic effects, the complications and the side effects of glucocorticoid were recorded. RESULTS: Both of two groups' vision after treatment were improved, but the vision of treatment group was better than the control group. The effective rate and the cure rate of the treatment group were increased significantly. Of all of the complications, the incidence rate of complicated cataract and secondary glaucoma of the treatment group were reduced significantly. Of all of the side effects of glucocorticoid, the central excitation, hypertension and central obesity of the treatment group were reduced significantly (PCONCLUSlON: Dialectical therapy of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine has better therapeutic effect than simple Western medicine treatment of idiopathic panuveitis, and could better reduce the side effect of glucocorticoid long-term use. lt is worthy applying in clinical practice.

Protective effect of isoorientin on alcohol-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect and mechanism of isoorientin from Gypsophila elegans on alcohol-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>ninety healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: the normal control group, the model control group, the colchicines group (positive control, 1.0 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), the high, middle and low-dose isoorientin groups (20, 50, 100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)). The normal control group received normal saline, while other groups received alcohol to cause hepatic fibrosis. After 24-weeks treatment, the alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), type III precollagen (PCIII), hydroxyproline (Hyp), Myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were assayed according to the manufacturer's instructions, the alpha-SMA and TGF-beta1 were detected by western blotting, and the histopathological changes was observed by H&E staining.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Isoorientin could improve the liver function by decreasing the activity of ALT, AST, IL-6, TNF-alpha, MDA, MPO, HA, LN, PCIII and Hyp (P < 0.05), increasing the activity of SOD and GSH-Px (P < 0.05), and reducing the expression of alpha-SMA and TGF-beta1 (P < 0.05). In addition, the high and middle-dose isoorientin groups showed more remarkable effect</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Isoorientin from G. elegans can protect hepatic fibrosis induced by alcohol.</p>

[Chuzhen therapy for sub-health: a randomized controlled study].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect on intervention of sub-health with pestle needle (Chuzhen). METHOD: Randomized controlled trail was adopted for this research. One hundred and fifty-three cases were randomly divided into two groups of a Chuzhen group (79 cases) and a massage group (74 cases). Acupoint of Bazhen (Baihui Bazhen, Shendao Bazhen, Zhiyang Bazhen, Mingmen Bazhen, Yaoyangguan Bazhen), Hechelu on the head, the neck and the lumbar area were adopted in Chuzhen group. While regular whole-body massage was applied in the massage group. The human sub-health score, the cornell medical index (CMI) and thermal texture maps system (TTM) technology of the two groups before and after the intervention were observed. RESULTS: 1) After treatment, sub-health condition score, the CMI score, the M-R score and the TTM index were all increased in both groups (all P<0.01) 2) Comparison of D-value of the two groups before and after the intervention: the level of the sub-health score, the total score of CMI, and the index of sleep, pressure, Governor Vessel, Hukou (first web), blood lipid, viscosity of blood, microcirculation of TTM index of the Chuzhen group changed more obvious (all P<0.01), but there was no statistic significances in the M-R score and blood sugar of the TTM (both P>0.05). 3) The sub-health condition score in Chuzhen group was higher than that in the massage group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Chuzhen therapy has definite effect on intervention of sub-health, which is better than regular general massage.

[TCM societies in Shanghai during the first half of the 20(th) century].

In the first half of the 20(th) century, with the introduction of western academic thought and the assemblage of TCM doctors of different factions, the variety of cultures provided an ideological and academic background for TCM societies in Shanghai in modern times. Under the pressure of banning and exclusion, protective measures taken by the TCM circles promoted the establishment of TCM societies. The establishment and development of TCM societies in Shanghai in modern times included four stages - the embryonic stage (1903 - 1911), the development stage (1912 - 1926), the struggling stage (1927 - 1937) and the recovery stage (1938 - 1949). Aiming at academic studies, TCM societies in the early time could be divided into a national society and local societies and both were composed of scholars with the same academic viewpoints. Societies in the later stages aimed at maintaining status and fighting for rights. Activities held by these societies included starting publications, compiling textbooks, publishing, establishing hospitals and schools, prevention and control of infectious disease and innovation of TCM dosage forms. In the first half of the 20(th) century, the influence of TCM societies helped Shanghai become the TCM center in modern times.

Inhibitory effect of total saponins isolated from Taraphochlamys affinis on duck hepatitis B virus replication / 中国中药杂志

It has been previously shown that Taraphochlamys affinis possessed anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) activities. To identify the active ingredients, the total saponins (TSTA) were isolated from T. affinis and the inhibitory effect of TSTA on HBV in the duck HBV model was examined. The results showed that serum levels of DHBV-DNA decreased in all ducks treated with TSTA (1.0 and 2.0 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and lamivudine (3TC) (50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) during treatment, but 7 days after the cessation of treatment (p7) with 3TC, the viral replication level returned to the pretreatment baseline. Contrariwise in ducks treated with TSTA, the effect of DHBV DNA inhibition lasted. Compared with model control group,the alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and duck hepatitis B surface antigen (DHBsAg) values of 1.0 and 2.0 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)-dose TSTA groups were significantly lower on 7, 14 days after the treatment (d7, d14) and p7, and at p7, the ALT and DHBsAg levels of 2.0 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)-dose TSTA group was significantly lower than that of 3TC group. Furthermore, significant histological improvement was noted in ducklings of TSTA treatment group 7 days after the withdrawal. The study results demonstrate that TSTA possesses potent anti-HBV activity.

[Modern documentary research on disease menu of acupuncture-moxibustion for mental and behavioral disorder].

OBJECTIVE: Dominant disease menu of mental and behavioral disorder of acupuncture therapy was summarized and obtained in this article. METHODS: Literatures on clinical treatment of mental and behavioral disorder with acupuncture were picked up from CBMdisc and CNKI during 1978 to 2007. Types of mental and behavioral disorder and report frequency of each disease treated with acupuncture were counted. And dominant diseases which were favorable to be treated with acupuncture were acquired through analysis and inductive method. RESULTS: Twenty-nine diseases of mental and behavioral disorder are favorable to be treated with acupuncture which were mentioned in totally 1967 related documents. It is found that the number of reports of sleep disorder, depression, hysteria aphronesia, dementia and sexual disorder are ranked as the top five. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the preponderant diseases of mental and behavioral disorder treated by acupuncture are dementia, withdrawal syndrome, mental retardation, obsessive-compulsive disorder, sleep disorder, gastrointestinal neurosis (gastrointestinal disorders), depression, alcoholism and globus hystericus.

[Analysis of medical thoughts of LU Yuan-lei-relationship with Japanese Kampo medicine].

LU Yuan-lei (1894 - 1955) is the representative of Chinese and Western Medicine Convergence School in modern times. He is also the advocate of scientization of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM scientization is the refleetion of influence of Kampo medicine in modern China. Many academic viewpoints of LU Yuan-lei such as disease are caused by poison, scientifically elaborate ZHANG Zhong-jing's theories; thought on diseases not cured unless the medicine causes Mingxuan (a type of reaction in treatment'); the six meridians in Shanghanlun are not meridians in acupuncture; the value of pulse diagnosis and the sense of theory of 'Wu Yun Liu Qi' are influenced by Japanese Kampo medicine.

[Comparison of academic viewpoints between Yun Tie-qiao and Lu Yuan-lei].

Both Yun Tie-qiao and Lu Yuan-lei are medical professionals coming from the literary field with versatile and in-depth knowledge and extensive experience in medical education and clinical practice, all closely related to modern TCM development. Yun, the elder, insisted on reforming TCM and was early to advocate the academic idea of amalgamating western and traditional Chinese medicine; while Lu, the younger, insisted on the idea of "scientizing TCM" and was the representative of amalgamating western and traditional Chinese medicine in the later stage. They shared many common viewpoints, including venerating Zhang Zhongjing, stressing exogenous cold pathogens, advocating reformation and amalgamation of western medicine and TCM and objecting to the abolishment of TCM. However, there were discrepancies between them, including the relationship between the Inner Canon and the Essay on Exogenous Cold Diseases, warm disease theory, pulse theory, titles of TCM diseases and Japanese Kampo medicine. A comparison of them and noting their valuable contributions will be beneficial for the promotion of the development of TCM.

Down-regulation of inducible co-stimulator (ICOS) by intravitreal injection of small interfering RNA (siRNA) plasmid suppresses ongoing experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis in rats.

BACKGROUND: RNA interference (RNAi) is now being exploited as a powerful tool for gene knockdown. Recently, we had shown that inducible co-stimulator (ICOS) was up-regulated in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU). The aim of this study was to investigate whether intravitreal injection of small interfering RNA (siRNA) plasmid, targeting ICOS, suppresses the ongoing experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) in rats. METHODS: Oligonucleotide targeting ICOS was cloned into linearized pRNAT-U6.1/Neo eukaryotic expression vector to construct the recombinant plasmid (pRNAT-U6.1/Neo-ICOS). After transfecting activated rat T cells with the recombinant plasmid, ICOS mRNA and protein expression levels were determined by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot analysis respectively. Rats were immunized with IRBP R16 peptide emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) and given an intravitreal injection of pRNAT-U6.1/Neo-ICOS on day 6 after immunization. After 13days of immunization, the ICOS protein expression and CD4(+) ICOS (+) T cells were identified in retinae through Western blot analysis and flow cytometry respectively. Intraocular inflammation was assessed by the scores of the clinical and histological appearances. Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) and lymphocyte proliferation were detected to evaluate the systemic effect of intravitreal injection of pRNAT-U6.1/Neo-ICOS. RESULT: The recombinant plasmid (pRNAT-U6.1/Neo-ICOS) for the ICOS siRNA was successfully constructed. In vitro studies using the recombinant plasmid has showed the down-regulation of ICOS gene expression both at the mRNA and protein levels. Clinical and pathological scores showed that ocular inflammation of pRNAT-U6.1/Neo-ICOS-treated eyes was markedly less than that of vehicle-treated eyes. The expression of ICOS protein and the amount of CD4(+) ICOS(+) T cells in retinae significantly decreased by intravitreal injection of the recombinant plasmid, whereas delayed-type hypersensitivity response and lymphocyte proliferation were not impaired in rats treated with the recombinant plasmid. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal injection of siRNA plasmid targeting ICOS effectively down-regulated the expression of ICOS, and was highly effective in suppressing the ongoing process of EAU without any side-effects on systemic cellular immunity.