Reflection on the regulatory path for online sales of Chinese medicinal materials in the context of live streaming / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To provide feasible regulatory paths for the online sales supervision of Chinese medicinal materials from the perspective of the characteristics of new online sales and the characteristics of Chinese medicinal materials. METHODS Through the investigation of the sales form of Chinese medicinal materials on the e-commerce platform and the search of Chinese medicinal materials online dispute cases， the difficulties and existing problems in the supervision of Chinese medicinal materials under the new online sales model were analyzed， and corresponding countermeasures were proposed. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS Clarifying the conceptual boundary between Chinese medicinal materials and their decoction pieces， agricultural products and food is the key to standardizing the online sale of Chinese medicinal materials. The regulatory criteria， which determine whether Chinese medicinal materials belong to drug management based on whether they had been included in medicinal channels， didn’t consider the diversity of online sales channels for Chinese medicinal materials， their safety and the disguised sales of Chinese herbal decoction pieces. It is necessary to establish the concept of hierarchical management of Chinese medicinal materials， strictly restrict the behavior of claiming the efficacy of Chinese medicinal materials and selling Chinese herbal decoction pieces in live streaming， improve the defining path of false propaganda of Chinese medicinal materials， implement the responsibilities and obligations of live streaming marketing subjects and platforms， and safeguard the legitimate rights of consumers.

Systematic Review of Drug-induced Acute Kidney Injury in Chinese Population / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE：To study clinical situation and influential factors for prognosis of drug-i nduced acute kidney injury （DIAKI）in Chinese population ，and to provide reference for early detection ，early intervention and prognosis improvement of DIAKI. METHODS ：Retrieved from PubMed ，Embase，Cochrane Library ，CNKI，Wanfang database and VIP ，clinical studies related to DIAKI were collected during the inception to Apr. 16th，2020. After the data extraction and quality evaluation of included studies，the results were analyzed descriptively ，and Meta-analysis was carried out by Rev Man 5.3 software. RESULTS ：A total of 29 studies were included ，including 1 870 patients. The results showed that DIAKI accounted for 32.2％（877/2 721）of the patients developed AKI in the same period. Antibacterial drugs were the main cause of DIAKI ，accounting for 47.5％（773/1 629）. The top five drugs by case number were classified as aminoglycoside antibiotics ，diuretics or dehydrating agents ，cephalosporin antibiotics，non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and traditional Chinese medicine. The pathological type of DIAKI was mainly acute interstitial nephritis ，accounting for 51.9％（70/135）. The mortality of DIAKI patients was 14.4％（240/1 677）. A total of 70.4％（1 176/1 670）of patients had renal recovery. Compared with conservative treatment ，the mortality of patients receiving dialysis treatment was significantly lower [OR ＝0.30，95％CI（0.10，0.91），P＝0.003]. Compared with patients without anemia ， patients with anemia had a significantly delayed renal recovery [OR ＝0.25，95％CI（0.09，0.65），P＝0.004]. Lower levels of retinol binding protein was significantly related to rapid renal recovery [MD ＝－15.84，95％CI（－22.34，－9.34），P＜0.01]. CONCLUSIONS：Clinicians need to continuously strengthen antibiotic management and use drugs that induce AKI with caution. For patients with DIAKI ，receiving dialysis treatment as soon as possible may help reduce mortality. Timely correction of the basic anemia status of patients with DIAKI will help patients withrapid renal recovery ，and lower retinol binding protein levels may be a potential biomarker for predicting patients ’rapidrenal recovery.

Study on preparation extraction process of Linggui Zhugan Decoction / 中国中药杂志

To verify the appropriate preparation process of extracts for the solid substance benchmark of Linggui Zhugan Decoction. The extracts were prepared by different preparation processes, namely the traditional process(process 1), the extract combined with volatile oil separated from traditional process extract liquid(process 2), the modern secondary reflux extraction process(process 3) and the process that volatile oil was extracted first, then prepared according to the traditional process, and combined with extract(process 4); based on the characteristic spectrum, index components of cinnamaldehyde, glycyrrhizin, ammonium glycyrrhizinate, cinnamic acid, and the dry extract rate of process 1, the differences and similarities of four extracts were compared. The results showed that the similarity of the characteristic spectrum of process 2, process 4 and process 1 were all greater than 0.97, while there was no significant difference for the content of 4 quality control components and dry extract rate; the similarity of the characteristic spectrum of process 3 and process 1 was 0.91, the absolute peak area of 13 out of 21 peaks and the relative peak area of 7 peaks increased significantly, and the content of 3 out of 4 quality control components and dry extract rate also significantly increased. In conclusion, the material standards of extracts by the process 2 and 4 are consistent with that of the traditional process, so the two processes are suitable.

External application of two unrestricted herbal medicines to treat costochondritis in a young collegiate athlete: A case report / 中西医结合学报

Costochondritis (ChC), especially chronic ChC, typically manifests as spontaneous vague pain in anterior chest area and often occurs in adolescents for unknown reasons; it has prevented many collegiate athletes from participating in physical training and competitions. A 21-year-old female collegiate taekwondo athlete suffering from chronic chest pain was sent by her coaches for diagnosis and treatment. Seated motion palpation was used to identify spontaneous and motion-involved pain areas. Palpation in the supine position was used to initially rule out breast diseases. X-ray, electrocardiogram, and cardiac Doppler ultrasound were used in conjunction with myocardial enzyme testing to rule out lung and cardiovascular diseases. The patient was treated using herbal medicines applied via an external patch. The medicine was comprised of Rhizoma Corydalis and borneol, and the treatment lasted for seven weeks. For five weeks patches were applied at a frequency of two or three times per day, followed by a two-week period of once per day. The patient reported that the pain was relieved after two weeks of external herb use, and the autonomic chest pain had resolved. Re-examination after one month showed that her upper limb range of motion was close to normal, and her psychological burden had almost disappeared. It is possible to seek more active medicinal treatment and more practical external products for young athletes who is suffering chronic ChC that affects the sport training and competitive performances.

External application of two unrestricted herbal medicines to treat costochondritis in a young collegiate athlete: A case report / 中西医结合学报

Costochondritis (ChC), especially chronic ChC, typically manifests as spontaneous vague pain in anterior chest area and often occurs in adolescents for unknown reasons; it has prevented many collegiate athletes from participating in physical training and competitions. A 21-year-old female collegiate taekwondo athlete suffering from chronic chest pain was sent by her coaches for diagnosis and treatment. Seated motion palpation was used to identify spontaneous and motion-involved pain areas. Palpation in the supine position was used to initially rule out breast diseases. X-ray, electrocardiogram, and cardiac Doppler ultrasound were used in conjunction with myocardial enzyme testing to rule out lung and cardiovascular diseases. The patient was treated using herbal medicines applied via an external patch. The medicine was comprised of Rhizoma Corydalis and borneol, and the treatment lasted for seven weeks. For five weeks patches were applied at a frequency of two or three times per day, followed by a two-week period of once per day. The patient reported that the pain was relieved after two weeks of external herb use, and the autonomic chest pain had resolved. Re-examination after one month showed that her upper limb range of motion was close to normal, and her psychological burden had almost disappeared. It is possible to seek more active medicinal treatment and more practical external products for young athletes who is suffering chronic ChC that affects the sport training and competitive performances.

The wound healing potential of collagen peptides derived from the jellyfish Rhopilema esculentum / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

PURPOSE@#Wound represents a major health challenge as they consume a large amount of healthcare resources to improve patient's quality of life. Many scientific studies have been conducted in search of ideal biomaterials with wound-healing activity for clinical use and collagen has been proven to be a suitable candidate biomaterial. This study intended to investigate the wound healing activity of collagen peptides derived from jellyfish following oral administration.@*METHODS@#In this study, collagen was extracted from the jellyfish--Rhopilema esculentum using 1% pepsin. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and fourier transform infrared (FTIR) were used to identify and determine the molecular weight of the jellyfish collagen. Collagenase II, papain and alkaline proteinase were used to breakdown jellyfish collagen into collagen peptides. Wound scratch assay (in vitro) was done to determine migration potential of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) covering the artificial wound created on the cell monolayer following treatment with collagen peptides. In vivo studies were conducted to determine the effects of collagen peptides on wound healing by examining wound contraction, re-epithelialization, tissue regeneration and collagen deposition on the wounded skin of mice. Confidence level (p < 0.05) was considered significant using GraphPad Prism software.@*RESULTS@#The yield of collagen was 4.31%. The SDS-PAGE and FTIR showed that extracted collagen from jellyfish was type I. Enzymatic hydrolysis of this collagen using collagenase II produced collagen peptides (CP) and hydrolysis with alkaline proteinase/papain resulted into collagen peptides (CP). Tricine SDS-PAGE revealed that collagen peptides consisted of protein fragments with molecular weight <25 kDa. Wound scratch assay showed that there were significant effects on the scratch closure on cells treated with collagen peptides at a concentration of 6.25 μg/mL for 48 h as compared to the vehicle treated cells. Overall treatment with collagen peptide on mice with full thickness excised wounds had a positive result in wound contraction as compared with the control. Histological assessment of peptides treated mice models showed remarkable sign of re-epithelialization, tissue regeneration and increased collagen deposition. Immunohistochemistry of the skin sections showed a significant increase in β-fibroblast growth factor (β-FGF) and the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) expression on collagen peptides treated group.@*CONCLUSION@#Collagen peptides derived from the jellyfish-Rhopilema esculentum can accelerate the wound healing process thus could be a therapeutic potential product that may be beneficial in wound clinics in the future.

Determining the effect of Huangqi on the pharmacokinetics of six different alkaloids from Fuzi in rats by LC-MS / 药学学报

This study aimed to investigate the influence of combinating Huangqi with Fuzi on the pharmacokinetics of six Aconitum alkaloids, i.e. aconitine (AC), hypaconitine (HA), mesaconitine (MA), benzoylaconine (BAC), benzoylhypaconine (BHA) and benzoylmesaconine (BMA). The plasma concentrations of the drugs were determined by LC-MS for dose response and time dependent curves. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by DAS 3.3, and SPSS 12.0 was used to analyze the differences of main pharmacokinetic parameters between the two groups. Comparing with Fuzi group, the AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ of six alkaloids in Fuzi-Huangqi group was significantly decreased, the CLz/Fof six alkaloids except HA was significantly increased; the Cmax was decreased and the tmax was prolonged in 3 monoester alkaloids, and the apparent volume of distribution of BMA and MA (Vz/F) increases. These data indicated that Huangqi can inhibit the absorption of aconite alkaloids, induce the distribution of aconite alkaloids to the whole body, and accelerate the elimination of aconite alkaloids. The animal experiment scheme in this study has been approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Effect of loureirin A against Candida albicans biofilms / 中国天然药物

Loureirin A is a major active component of Draconis sanguis, a traditional Chinese medicine. This work aimed to investigate the activity of loureirin A against Candida albicans biofilms. 2, 3-Bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT)reduction assay and scanning electron microscopy were used to investigate the anti-biofilm effect. Minimal inhibitory concentration testing and time-kill curve assay were used to evaluate fungicidal activity. Cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) assay and hyphal formation experiment were respectively carried out to investigate adhesion and morphological transition, two virulence traits of C. albicans. Real-time RT-PCR was used to investigate gene expression. Galleria mellonella-C. albicans and Caenorhabditis elegans-C. albicans infection models were used to evaluate the in-vivo antifungal effect. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells and C. elegans nematodes were used to evaluate the toxicity ofloureirin A. Our data indicated that loureirin A had a significant effect on inhibiting C. albicans biofilms, decreasing CSH, and suppressing hyphal formation. Consistently, loureirin A down-regulated the expression of some adhesion-related genes and hypha/biofilm-related genes. Moreover, loureirin A prolonged the survival of Galleria mellonella and Caenorhabditis elegans in C. albicans infection models and exhibited low toxicity. Collectively, loureirin A inhibits fungal biofilms, and this effect may be associated with the suppression of pathogenic traits, adhesion and hyphal formation.

Health economics evaluation on rehabilitation mode of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine applied in community / 预防医学

Objective To observe the advantages and disadvantages the combination of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine in community health service centers through cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analysis.Methods Take community common diseases as an example, Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA), Cervical Spondylosis (CS) and Lumbar Disc Herniation (LDH) were used. A total of 200 cases were selected for each disease, and 100 cases in each one group.In the treatment group, the rehabilitation mode was used.In the control group, comprehensive treatment of traditional Chinese medicine was adopted. We analyzed the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility, with VAS as the effect indicator and QALYs as the utility indicator. Results The VAS values of the knee osteoarthritis, cervical spondylosis and lumbar disc herniation in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group after 14 days, 30 days and 6 months (P<0.05) . The QALYs values of them in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group after 14 days, 30 days and 6 months (P<0.05) . The treatment group has a higher increase cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) . Each get a unit effect can pay 222.56, 297.13 and 1178.59 Yuan less . The treatment group has a higher increase cost-utility ratio (ICUR) . Each get a unit effect can pay 741.86, 3178.60 and 2862.29 Yuan less . Conclusion Community application in rehabilitation mode of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine can improve the treatment effect, and can reduce the cost of treatment and the loss of QALYs.

Research progress on modification technology and equipment of Chinese materia medica powder / 中草药

Chinese materia medica (CMM) powder has poor mobility, hygroscopic, viscous and easy reunion because of the complex physical and chemical properties. In recent years, pharmacy workers used domestic and foreign reference materials, chemicals, drugs and other chemical powder modification technology to improve the physicochemical properties of CMM powder, and have made some progress. This article summarizes the common modification technology and equipment of CMM powder, puts forward the basic ideas and the development prospects of CMM powder modification.

Improvement of powder flowability and hygroscopicity of traditional Chinese medicine extract by surface coating modification technology / 中国中药杂志

To study the improvement of powder flowability and hygroscopicity of traditional Chinese medicine extract by surface coating modification technology. The 1% hydrophobic silica nanoparticles were used as surface modifier, and andrographis extract powder was taken as a model drug. Three different techniques were used for coating model drugs, with angle of repose, compressibility, flat angle and cohesion as the comprehensive evaluation indexes for the powder flowability. The powder particle size and the size distribution were measured by Mastersizer 2000. FEI scanning electron microscope was used to observe the surface morphology and structure of the powder. The percentage of Si element on the powder surface was measured by energy dispersive spectrometer. The hygroscopicity of powder was determined by Chinese pharmacopoeia method. All of the three techniques can improve the flowability of powder extract. In particular, hygroscopicity of extract powder can also be improved by dispersion and then high-speed mixing, which can produce a higher percentage of Si element on the powder surface. The improvement principle may be correlated with a modifier adhered to the powder surface.

Isolation, identification and inhibition activity of endophytes in Fengdan / 中国中药杂志

Endophytes were isolated and purified from the roots of medicinal plant Fengdan also known as Paeonia suffruticosa from Tongling region, Anhui province, China. Morphology and molecular biology methods were applied to indentify the endophyte strains. And methods of growth rate and filtering paper were also used for studying antibacterial/antifungal effects of the strains. As a result, 129 endophyte strains were isolated. Fifty-eight endophytic fungi strains were identified as 6 species in 4 genera and the dominant genus was Fusarium. Seventy-one endophytic bacteria strains were identified as 9 species in 3 genera and the dominant genus was Bacillus. Inhibitory diameter with endophytic fermenting liquid of Pseudomonas chlororaphis, F. nematophilum and B. megaterium from P. suffruticosa against Staphyloccocus aureus, Escherichia coli and B. subtilis reached 25.0,20.2,24.0 mm respectively. The inhibition rate of endophytic fermenting liquid from F. nematophilum against Penicillium sp. and Colletotrichum dematium reached 90.6% and 83.3%, respectively. The inhibition effect of P. chlororaphis against F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum and Mucor sp. was good and the antifungal rate reached 80.0% and 84.9%, respectively. P. suffruticosa in Tongling region contains abundant endophytes. P. chlororaphis and F. nematophilum are valuable species as starting strain about microbicide.

Therapeutic effect and apoptosis mechanism of lung-tonifying and expectorant decoction on lung cancer rats with Qi deficiency and blood stasis

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effect and specific mechanism of lung-tonifying and expectorant decoction on lung cancer rats with Qi deficiency and blood stasis, and aim to provide a new idea on treating the disease with traditional Chinese medicine based on syndrome differentiation.@*METHODS@#A total of 60 C57BL/6J male rats were included in the study. The model of Qi deficiency and blood stasis was established in 60 rats by using multiple-factor stimulation. About 10 rats were randomly taken to verify whether the model establishment was successful and the rest of 50 rats were divided into 5 groups with 10 rats each: blank control group, cisplatin group, low dose group, medium dose group and high dose group. The blank control group was treated with normal saline, and cisplatin group was treated with cisplatin while the other three groups were treated with lung-tonifying and expectorant decoction at different doses. The volume change in transplanted tumor, tumor inhibition rate, apoptosis rate, and expression of Bcl-2, Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 in 5 groups were compared.@*RESULTS@#The rapidest growth rate of transplanted tumor volume was observed in blank control group and the slowest in cisplatin group. The growth rate was gradually decreased with the increasing dose of lung-tonifying and expectorant decoction, and the difference in growth of tumor volume among groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The cisplatin group showed the highest tumor inhibition rate, with dose-dependent increase (P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate in low dose group was higher than blank control group but lower than high dose group (P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate in medium dose group was significantly higher than blank control group (P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate in high dose group was significantly higher than control group (P < 0.05). The positive expression rates of Bcl-2 and Bax in all groups showed statistically significant difference (P < 0.05), while expression of cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 in 5 groups was significantly different, with dose-dependent increase (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The lung-tonifying and expectorant decoction inhibits the proliferation of tumor cells by inducing and activating the cell apoptosis in treatment of lung cancer with Qi deficiency and blood stasis, probably with good clinical therapeutic effect.

Clinical study on addition treatment of liver -kidney yin deficiency and postmenopausal osteoporosis with Liuwei Dihuang pill / 中国基层医药

Objective To study the clinical effects of addition treatment of liver-kidney yin deficiency and postmenopausal osteoporosis with Liuwei Dihuang pill.Methods 120 patients suffering from postmenopausal osteopo-rosis who were determined to be subject to liver -kidney Yin deficiency by doctors of traditional Chinese medicine when they received treatment at the outpatient clinic of traditional Chinese medicine department of our hospital in the period from February 2010 to june 2013 were divided into three groups:group A,B and C,with the random number table.For group A:provided the honeyed pills made up by supplemented six -ingredient rehmannia pill,and taken two pills per day continuously for six months;For group B:provided 5mg of zoledronic acid injection for intravenous drip infusion;For group C:provided traditional Chinese medicine honeyed pills and zoledronic acid for treatment at the same time;all of the three groups take Calcium carbonate D3 at the same time;The three groups of cases until the 12th month were observed and followed -up.The clinical efficacy of three groups were compared.Results A,C group 3 months after treatment with estradiol levels compared with before treatment,the difference was statistically significant (t =2.54,P =0.05,t =2.07,P =0.06).A group 3 months after treatment,the VAS scores at 6 months respectively (3.75 ±1.32),(2.06 ±1.53)points before treatment,and the differences were statistically significant(t =10.18, P =0.00,t =9.26,P =0.00).A group 3 months after treatment,the SF -36 scores at 6 months were (90.82 ± 12.38),(105.82 ±9.06)% respectively,compared with that before treatment,the differences were statistically significant(t =8.40,P =0.00,t =5.21,P =0.00).A group 6 months after treatment of lumbar 1 -4 bone density-were (0.85 ±0.07)g/m2 ,and before treatment[(0.76 ±0.07)g/m2 ]comparison,the difference was statistically significant(t =7.56,P =0.00);A group 6 months after treatment of Wards bone density compared with before treatment,the difference was statistically significant(t =8.07,P =0.00).C group 6 months after treatment of lumbar 1 -4 bone density(0.91 ±0.07)g/m2 ,and B Group[(0.88 ±0.05)g/m2 ]comparison,the difference was statistical-ly significant(t =27.19,P =0.00);C group after treatment,the bone mineral density of Wards area for 6 months were (0.62 ±0.04)g/m2 .The difference was statistically significant (t =26.22,P =0.00),compared with the B group. The TCMsyndromes of TCMin the 6 months after treatment in A group were (5.42 ±2.13),and the difference was statistically significant (t =13.29,P =0.00),compared with the B Group (10.75 ±4.08).(t =13.29,P =0.00). Compared with B group,the difference was statistically significant(t =26.22,P =0.00).A group after the treatment of TCMsyndrome score was 6 months(5.42 ±2.13),and B Group[(10.75 ±4.08)],the difference was statistically significant(t =13.29,P =0.00).Conclusion The addition of Liuwei Dihuang pill can improve BMD,alleviate the ostealgia and improve life quality of patients suffering from postmenopausal osteoporosis,and has no obvious adverse effects.It can enhance curative effects through using with diphosphonate.

Therapeutic effect and apoptosis mechanism of lung-tonifying and expectorant decoction on lung cancer rats with Qi deficiency and blood stasis

Objective: To explore the effect and specific mechanism of lung-tonifying and expectorant decoction on lung cancer rats with Qi deficiency and blood stasis, and aim to provide a new idea on treating the disease with traditional Chinese medicine based on syndrome differentiation. Methods: A total of 60 C57BL/6J male rats were included in the study. The model of Qi deficiency and blood stasis was established in 60 rats by using multiple-factor stimulation. About 10 rats were randomly taken to verify whether the model establishment was successful and the rest of 50 rats were divided into 5 groups with 10 rats each: blank control group, cisplatin group, low dose group, medium dose group and high dose group. The blank control group was treated with normal saline, and cisplatin group was treated with cisplatin while the other three groups were treated with lung-tonifying and expectorant decoction at different doses. The volume change in transplanted tumor, tumor inhibition rate, apoptosis rate, and expression of Bcl-2, Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 in 5 groups were compared. Results: The rapidest growth rate of transplanted tumor volume was observed in blank control group and the slowest in cisplatin group. The growth rate was gradually decreased with the increasing dose of lung-tonifying and expectorant decoction, and the difference in growth of tumor volume among groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The cisplatin group showed the highest tumor inhibition rate, with dose-dependent increase (P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate in low dose group was higher than blank control group but lower than high dose group (P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate in medium dose group was significantly higher than blank control group (P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate in high dose group was significantly higher than control group (P < 0.05). The positive expression rates of Bcl-2 and Bax in all groups showed statistically significant difference (P < 0.05), while expression of cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 in 5 groups was significantly different, with dose-dependent increase (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The lung-tonifying and expectorant decoction inhibits the proliferation of tumor cells by inducing and activating the cell apoptosis in treatment of lung cancer with Qi deficiency and blood stasis, probably with good clinical therapeutic effect.

Application of proteomics technologies pharmacology and toxicology mechanismsof in traditional Chinese medicine compatibility study / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)compatibility is related to the safety of clinical use of drugs and embodies the essence of interactions between drugs and organisms. This is a scientific problem thatr has attracted more attention. Currently, most of the knowledge on TCM compatibility is from predecessors′ experience. The corresponding molecular biology mechanism is poorly understood. As a powerful tool to identify a large number of proteins simultaneously,proteomics technology has the potential to reveal the protein alterations under certain conditions,and to provide more direct insights into biological processes during TCM compatibility. In this paper,we introduced the main technology of proteomics,including two dimensional gel electrophoresis,2D-DIGE,iTRAQ, QconCAT/MRM and chemical proteomics. Also,the applications of these technologies in the field of TCMM compatibility study were reviewed.

Myocyte Enhancer Factor-2A Gene Mutation and Coronary Artery Disease / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are common in the general population, and frequent PVCs may result in the poor quality of life or even the damage of cardiac function. We examined the efficacy and safety of a traditional Chinese medicine Wenxin Keli for the treatment of frequent PVCs among a relatively large Chinese cohort.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter trial. A total of 1200 eligible participants were randomly assigned in a ratio of 1:1 to receive Wenxin Keli or the placebo for 4 weeks. The primary and secondary endpoint was the change of PVC numbers and PVC-related symptoms after a 4-week treatment compared with baseline, respectively. In addition, vital signs, laboratory values, and electrocardiographic parameters were assessed in a safety analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At the initial evaluation, no significant differences in the baseline characteristics were observed between the Wenxin Keli group and the placebo group. A smaller number of PVCs was observed after the 4-week treatment than at baseline, in both the Wenxin Keli group (5686 ± 5940 vs. 15,138 ± 7597 beats/d, P < 0.001) and the placebo group (10,592 ± 8009 vs. 14,529 ± 5929 beats/d, P < 0.001); moreover, the Wenxin Keli group demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in the frequency of PVCs than the placebo group (P < 0.001). In a full analysis set, patients in the Wenxin Keli group exhibited significantly higher total effective responses in the reduction of PVCs compared to those in the placebo group (83.8% vs. 43.5%,P < 0.001). The per-protocol analysis yielded similar results (83.0% vs. 39.3%,P < 0.001). Treatment with Wenxin Keli also demonstrated superior performance compared to the placebo with respect to PVC-related symptoms. No severe adverse effects attributable to Wenxin Keli were reported.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Wenxin Keli treatment effectively reduced the overall number of PVCs and alleviated PVC-related symptoms in patients without structural heart diseases and had no severe side effects.</p>

Ultrasonographic observation of the breast in early postmenopausal women during therapy with Cimicifuga foetida extract and sequential therapy with estrogen and progestin / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>It is now recognized that Cimicifuga foetida (C. foetida) extract is effective in alleviating menopausal symptoms. But the durations reported were usually short. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of C. foetida extract therapy and different estrogen and progesterone sequential therapies, on the breasts of early postmenopausal women.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This was a prospective randomized trial. Ninety-six early menopausal women were recruited and randomly assigned into three groups treated with different therapies for 2 years. Patients were given C. foetida extract in Group A, estradiol valerate and medroxyprogesterone acetate in Group B, and estradiol valerate and progesterone in Group C. Ultrasonography was used to monitor changes in breast during treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In comparing breast glandular section thickness before and after 1 and 2 years of treatment, no significant difference was observed in Group A (11.97 ± 2.84 mm vs. 12.09 ± 2.58 mm and 12.61 ± 3.73 mm, P > 0.05); in Group B glandular section thickness had increased significantly (10.98 ± 2.34 mm vs. 11.84 ± 2.72 mm and 11.90 ± 3.33 mm, P < 0.05) after treatment, the same as Group C (11.56 ± 3.03 mm vs. 12.5 ± 3.57 mm and 12.22 ± 4.39 mm P < 0.05). In comparing breast duct width before and after 1 and 2 years of treatment, no significant difference was seen in Group A (1.07 ± 0.19 mm vs. 1.02 ± 0.18 mm and 0.98 ± 0.21 mm, P > 0.05); in Group B the duct width had a downward trend after treatment (0.99 ± 0.14 mm vs. 0.96 ± 0.22 mm and 0.90 ± 0.18 mm, P < 0.05), the same as Group C (1.07 ± 0.20 mm vs. 1.02 ± 0.17 mm and 0.91 ± 0.19 mm, P < 0.05). The nodules detected before treatment had disappeared after 1-year of treatment or exhibited no distinct changes in the three groups. However, new breast nodules had appeared after 2 years of treatment: There was one case in Group A, two cases in Group B and four cases in Group C, with breast hyperplasia after the molybdenum target check.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In early postmenopausal patients, C. foetida extract therapy and estrogen and progesterone therapy at low doses did not increase the incidence of malignant breast tumors.</p>

Capsule endoscopy in diagnosis of small bowel diseases: a health technology assessment.

OBJECTIVES: Capsule endoscopy (CE) has been widely used in the diagnosis of small bowel disease (SBD) in the world. To bring CE into the national health insurance directory, and intensify its popularization in primary hospital, the government needs high-quality HTA evidence for decision makers. We were appointed by the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, economy, and applicability of CE in the diagnosis of SBD, to provide the best currently available evidence for decision making. METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Library (Issue 8, 2013), PubMed, EMbase, INAHTA, VIP, CBM, CNKI and WanFang Data. All confirmed or suspected SBD patients with diagnosis by CE versus other alternative therapies were considered. Health technology assessments (HTAs), systematic reviews (SRs), meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), guidelines and economic studies were included. Two investigators selected studies, assessed the quality and extracted data independently, and a descriptive analysis was used. RESULTS: We included 4 HTAs, 11 SRs/meta-analyses, 2 RCTs, 5 guidelines, and 10 economic studies for assessment. The results showed that the disease detection rate of CE was higher than that of many other traditional technologies and that the main adverse event for CE was retention (0.7% to 3.0%). These results were consistent with those of the guidelines. Comprehensive results of economic studies showed the superiority of CE compared with other technologies. As the first choice, CE can decrease potential costs, especially when used in outpatients. CONCLUSIONS: (i) CE has advantages in diagnostic yield, safety, and cost in the diagnosis of SBD, but some limitations exist. It still needs more high-quality evidence on CE diagnosis accuracy. (ii) When the government approves the introduction of CE in a hospital, many factors must be considered, such as the local disease burden, clinical demand, ability to pay, and staff. At the same time, it is necessary to standardize training for operating physicians, to reduce economic losses caused by poor technical ability of the medical staff.

Study on key physical properties of granulated products of Andrographis mixed powder by high-speed mixing wet method / 中国中药杂志

The impact of key physical properties on granulated products by the high-speed mixing wet method was studied. Andrographis extracts were utilized as the model drug. Four processing methods were adopted to prepare mixed powder of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and starch with the mass ratio 1:0.5, 1:1 and 1:2 by the high-speed mixing wet method. The properties of the prepared granules were evaluated with such indexes as granule yield, the ratio of lumps and fine powder, granule-AOR and granule-HR. The impact of key physical properties on granulated products was analyzed through stepwise regression analysis. The results showed that angle of repose, moisture content, pore volume, density and contact angle with water were key physical properties of the powder. The key physical properties of Chinese medical extracts powder are the important factor impacting granulated products made by the high-speed mixing wet method. In this study, the impact of key physical properties on granulated products of Chinese medical extracts was analyzed from the physical angle.