Melatonin Orchestrates Lipid Homeostasis through the Hepatointestinal Circadian Clock and Microbiota during Constant Light Exposure.

Misalignment between natural light rhythm and modern life activities induces disruption of the circadian rhythm. It is mainly evident that light at night (LAN) interferes with the human endocrine system and contributes to the increasing rates of obesity and lipid metabolic disease. Maintaining hepatointestinal circadian homeostasis is vital for improving lipid homeostasis. Melatonin is a chronobiotic substance that plays a main role in stabilizing bodily rhythm and has shown beneficial effects in protecting against obesity. Based on the dual effect of circadian rhythm regulation and antiobesity, we tested the effect of melatonin in mice under constant light exposure. Exposure to 24-h constant light (LL) increased weight and insulin resistance compared with those of the control group (12-h light-12-h dark cycle, LD), and simultaneous supplementation in the melatonin group (LLM) ameliorated this phenotype. Constant light exposure disturbed the expression pattern of a series of transcripts, including lipid metabolism, circadian regulation and nuclear receptors in the liver. Melatonin also showed beneficial effects in improving lipid metabolism and circadian rhythm homeostasis. Furthermore, the LL group had increased absorption and digestion of lipids in the intestine as evidenced by the elevated influx of lipids in the duodenum and decrease in the efflux of lipids in the jejunum. More interestingly, melatonin ameliorated the gut microbiota dysbiosis and improved lipid efflux from the intestine. Thus, these findings offer a novel clue regarding the obesity-promoting effect attributed to LAN and suggest a possibility for obesity therapy by melatonin in which melatonin could ameliorate rhythm disorder and intestinal dysbiosis.

Ethiodized poppyseed oil versus ioversol for image quality and adverse events in hysterosalpingography: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the image quality and adverse events (AEs) of ethiodized poppyseed oil (EPO) compared with ioversol as contrast agents in hysterosalpingography (HSG). METHODS: Two hundred twenty-eight patients underwent HSG were consecutively recruited in this prospective cohort study, and were accordingly divided into EPO group (N = 165) and ioversol group (N = 63). The quality of image was assessed according to the European Guidelines on quality criteria for diagnostic radiographic images. AEs during, within 2 h and at 1-month post-HSG were recorded. RESULTS: EPO displayed elevated image quality compared with ioversol including the total image quality score (P < 0.001), the cervical canal display score (P < 0.001), shape and outline of uterus score (P < 0.01), cervical mucosa or folds score (P < 0.001), oviduct isthmus score (P < 0.001), ampulla and fimbriae of oviduct score (P < 0.001) and celiac diffuse image score (P < 0.001). Multivariate linear regression displayed that EPO (P < 0.001) was an independent predictive factor for increased total image quality score. AEs were similar between EPO group and ioversol group during and within 2 h post-HSG (all P > 0.05). However, at 1-month post-HSG, the number of patients had unchanged and faded menstrual blood color decreased but the proportion of patients with deepened menstrual color increased in EPO group compared with ioversol group (P = 0.007). In addition, the number of patients had iodine residue in uterine cavity was elevated in EPO group compared with ioversol group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: EPO is more efficient in image quality and equally tolerant compared to ioversol as contrast agents in HSG.

Application Status of Near Infrared Spectroscopy Combined with Chemometrics in Analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicine / 中国实验方剂学杂志

In recent years, near-infrared spectroscopy has developed into an analytical technique widely used in various fields. Because of its advantages of fast, green and non-destructive, it plays an increasingly prominent role in the field of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) analysis. However, due to the complexity and overlap of spectra, near-infrared spectroscopy needs to be combined with chemometrics for analysis and calculation. The principle, application scope, advantages and limitations of near infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics are summarized in detail, in addition, their combined applications in the identification of the origin, authenticity, processed products, composition prediction and water content detection of TCM are reviewed. The authors discussed and analyzed the joint application of near-infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics in the field of TCM analysis, and summarized the unique advantages of the combined technology in the field of TCM, which had certain guiding significance for medical workers to better use this technology.

DBZ (Danshensu Bingpian Zhi), a Novel Natural Compound Derivative, Attenuates Atherosclerosis in Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mice.

BACKGROUND: DBZ (Danshensu Bingpian Zhi), a synthetic derivative of a natural compound found in traditional Chinese medicine, has been reported to suppress lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophage activation and lipid accumulation in vitro. The aim of this study was to assess whether DBZ could attenuate atherosclerosis at early and advanced stages. METHODS AND RESULTS: The effects of DBZ on the development of atherosclerosis were studied using apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE-/-) mice. For early treatment, 5-week-old apoE-/- mice were fed a Western diet and treated daily by oral gavage with or without DBZ or atorvastatin for 10 weeks. For advanced treatment, 5-week-old apoE-/- mice were fed a Western diet for 10 weeks to induce atherosclerosis, and then they were randomly divided into 4 groups and subjected to the treatment of vehicle, 20 mg/kg per day DBZ, 40 mg/kg per day DBZ, or 10 mg/kg per day atorvastatin for the subsequent 10 weeks. We showed that early treatment of apoE-/- mice with DBZ markedly reduced atherosclerotic lesion formation by inhibiting inflammation and decreasing macrophage infiltration into the vessel wall. Treatment with DBZ also attenuated the progression of preestablished diet-induced atherosclerotic plaques in apoE-/- mice. In addition, we showed that DBZ may affect LXR (liver X receptor) function and that treatment of macrophages with DBZ suppressed lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cell migration and oxidized low-density lipoprotein-induced foam cell formation. CONCLUSIONS: DBZ potentially has antiatherosclerotic effects that involve the inhibition of inflammation, macrophage migration, leukocyte adhesion, and foam cell formation. These results suggest that DBZ may be used as a therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.

DBZ is a putative PPARγ agonist that prevents high fat diet-induced obesity, insulin resistance and gut dysbiosis.

BACKGROUND: The nuclear receptor PPARγ is an effective pharmacological target for some types of metabolic syndrome, including obesity, diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disease. However, the current PPARγ-targeting thiazolidinedione drugs have undesirable side effects. Danshensu Bingpian Zhi (DBZ), also known as tanshinol borneol ester derived from Salvia miltiorrhiza, is a synthetic derivative of natural compounds used in traditional Chinese medicine for its anti-inflammatory activity. METHODS: In vitro, investigations of DBZ using a luciferase reporter assay and molecular docking identified this compound as a novel promising PPARγ agonist. Ten-week-old C57BL/6J mice were fed either a normal chow diet (NCD) or a high-fat diet (HFD). The HFD-fed mice were gavaged daily with either vehicle or DBZ (50mg/kg or 100mg/kg) for 10weeks. The gut microbiota composition was assessed by analyzing the 16S rRNA gene V3+V4 regions via pyrosequencing. RESULTS: DBZ is an efficient natural PPARγ agonist that shows lower PPARγ-responsive luciferase reporter activity than thiazolidinediones, has excellent effects on the metabolic phenotype and exhibits no unwanted adverse effects in a HFD-induced obese mouse model. DBZ protects against HFD-induced body weight gain, insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis and inflammation in mice. DBZ not only stimulates brown adipose tissue (BAT) browning and maintains intestinal barrier integrity but also reverses HFD-induced intestinal microbiota dysbiosis. CONCLUSIONS: DBZ is a putative PPARγ agonist that prevents HFD-induced obesity-related metabolic syndrome and reverse gut dysbiosis. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: DBZ may be used as a beneficial probiotic agent to improve HFD-induced obesity-related metabolic syndrome in obese individuals.

Melatonin prevents obesity through modulation of gut microbiota in mice.

Excess weight and obesity are severe public health threats worldwide. Recent evidence demonstrates that gut microbiota dysbiosis contributes to obesity and its comorbidities. The body weight-reducing and energy balancing effects of melatonin have been reported in several studies, but to date, no investigations toward examining whether the beneficial effects of melatonin are associated with gut microbiota have been carried out. In this study, we show that melatonin reduces body weight, liver steatosis, and low-grade inflammation as well as improving insulin resistance in high fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. High-throughput pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA demonstrated that melatonin treatment significantly changed the composition of the gut microbiota in mice fed an HFD. The richness and diversity of gut microbiota were notably decreased by melatonin. HFD feeding altered 69 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) compare with a normal chow diet (NCD) group, and melatonin supplementation reversed 14 OTUs to the same configuration than those present in the NCD group, thereby impacting various functions, in particular through its ability to decrease the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio and increase the abundance of mucin-degrading bacteria Akkermansia, which is associated with healthy mucosa. Taken together, our results suggest that melatonin may be used as a probiotic agent to reverse HFD-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis and help us to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms governing the various melatonin beneficial effects.

Problems in novelty assessment of doctorial dissertations in Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medi-cine and measures for their solution / 中华医学图书情报杂志

The novelty assessment of doctorial dissertations in Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine was outlined, the selected topics and innovative characteristics of doctorial dissertations in Chinese Academy of Tra-ditional Chinese Medicine from 2012 to 2016 were summarized, the problems in their novelty assessment were ana-lyzed, and the following measures were put forward for improving the novelty assessment of doctorial dissertations, such as adjusting its timetable, finding its new model, carrying out its training for doctors, and attaching highly concern to it by the governments.

Effects of acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training on unilateral spatial neglect / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To explore the effect of acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training on unilateral spatial neglect (USN).Methods One hundred stroke patients with USN were randomly divided into a treatment group (n=50) and a control group (n=50).Both groups were treated with routine rehabilitation training for 4 weeks,while the treatment group was additionally treated with acupuncture.Before and after the treatment,the degree of USN was evaluated in both groups along with the Fugl-Meyer assessment,the modified Barthel index and the incidence of shoulder pain.Results No significant differences were found between the 2 groups in any of the measurements before the treatment.After the treatment the incidence of shoulder pain in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group.All the other measurements were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group.Conclusion Acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training can significantly improve the symptoms of unilateral spatial neglect,improve motor function in a hemiplegic limb and improve performance in the activities of daily living.

Scapaundulin C, a novel labdane diterpenoid isolated from Chinese liverwort Scapania undulate, inhibits acetylcholinesterase activity / 中国天然药物

In the present study, scapaundulin C (1), a new labdane diterpenoid, and four related known compounds scapaundulin A (2), 5α, 8α, 9α-trihydroxy-13E-labden-12-one (3), 5α, 8α-dihydroxy-13E-labden-12-one (4), and (13S)-15-hydroxylabd-8 (17)-en-19-oic acid (5), were isolated from the Chinese liverwort Scapania undulate (L.) Dum., using column chromatography. The structures of these compounds were determined on the basis of 1D- and 2D-NMR analyses. The acetylcholinesterase (AchE) inhibitory activity was evaluated using a bioautographic TLC assay and the cytotoxic activity was evaluated by the MTT method. All the compounds were reported for the first time to exhibit moderate AchE inhibitory activity with minimal inhibitory quantities ranging from 250 to 500 ng. All the compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines, A549, K562, A2780, Hela, and HT29, and compounds 3 and 4 exhibited moderate inhibitory effects on the growth of A2780 cells.

Effects of electroacupuncture on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and its mechanism / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of electroacupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6) and Jianshi (PC 5) com- bined with granisetron on nausea and vomiting as well as serum levels of 5-hydroxy tryptamine (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) in chemotherapy patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-two chemotherapy patients who met the inclusive criteria were randomly divided into an observation group (38 cases) and a control group (34 cases). The patients in the observation group were treated with electroacupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6) and Jianshi (PC 5) combined with granisetron injection; the patients in the control group were treated with electroacupuncture at sham-point 1 and sham- point 2, and the rest treatment was identical to the observation group. After 3-day treatment, the clinical indices including times of vomiting and severity of nausea, etc. were observed in the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) At the acute stage within 24 h, the times of vomiting in the two groups were not significantly different (P>0.05); at the delay stage, the severity of nausea was significantly higher in the control group (P<0.05). (2) As for the comprehensive efficacy and rate of complete control, there was no obvious difference between the two groups at the acute stage (P>0.05); while in the delay stage, the rate of complete control in the observation group was superior to that in the control group (P<0.01). (3) Compared before and after the treatment, serum levels of 5-HT and DA were evidently reduced in the observation group (both P<0.05), while those in the control group were not significantly changed after treatment (both P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Electroacupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6) and Jianshi (PC 5) combined with granisetron could obviously relieve the nausea in chemotherapy patients at the delay stage. The effect mechanism is possibly related to reducing the content of 5-HIT nndl nA</p>

Treatment of hyperlipoidemia by xiaozhi capsule: a clinical efficacy research / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical effect and efficacy of Xiaozhi Capsule (XZC), a Chinese medicine preparation for tonifying Gan-Shen, invigorating Pi to dissipate dampness (TGSIPDD) on total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and endothelin (ET) in treating patients with hyperlipidemia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 120 primary hyperlipidemia patients were randomly assigned to the treatment group (80 cases) and the control group (40 cases). Those in the treatment group took XZC, while those in the control group took Xuezhikang Capsule (XZKC). The serum TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, and ET were detected and evaluated after 8 weeks of treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the treatment group TC was reduced by 25.60%, TG by 33.70%, LDL-C by 32.90%, and ET by 11.02%, while HDL-C was elevated by 24.20%. In the control group, TC was reduced by 24.80%, TG by 33.50%, LDL-C by 31.30%, and ET by 12.05%, while HDL-C was elevated by 20.90%. There was statistical difference in the two groups when compared with before treatment (P < 0.01). But there was no statistical difference in the aforesaid indices between the two groups after treatment (P > 0.05). The integrals for main symptoms after treatment obviously decreased in the two groups, showing statistical difference when compared with before treatment in the same group (P < 0.01). But there was no statistical difference in the aforesaid indices between the two groups (P > 0.05). After 8 weeks of treatment, symptoms such as vertigo, heavy sensation of head, palpitation, chest distress, dry mouth and thirsty were obviously improved after treatment. There was statistical difference in the improvement of tinnitus after treatment in the treatment group (P < 0.01). The total effective rate was 86.25% in the treatment group and 82.50% in the control group, showing no statistical difference (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>XZC showed certain effects on each blood lipid index and ET of hyperlipidemia patients. It had better improvement of clinical symptoms with reliable efficacy.</p>

Treatment of functional dyspepsia by Chinese medical syndrome typing: a randomized control research / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the short- and long-term efficacy and safety of treating functional dyspepsia (FD) by Chinese medical syndrome typing (CMST).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A randomized, positive-drug parallel controlled study was conducted. Recruited were 170 FD patients who were randomly assigned to the test group (13 cases, treated by Chinese herbs) and the control group (34 cases, treated by Western medicine) in the ratio of 4:1. Different recipes were administered to patients in the test group according to CMST at the 1st, 2nd, and 4th week, respectively, while those in the control group took Domperidone or Esomeprazole Magnesium Enteric-coated Tablet according to Roma III Criteria. The therapeutic efficacy was observed at the 1st, 2nd, and 4th week of the treatment, including (1) clinical symptom score; (2) the score of SF-36 quality of life scale; (3) safety (4) compliance; (5) satisfaction; (6) the relapse rate; (7) cost-effectiveness ratio (C/E). The follow-up were performed at the 1st, 3rd, and 6th month.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sixteen patients fell off in the test group and 4 fell off i the control group, and the expulsion rate being 11.76% in the two groups, showing no statistical difference ( P > 0.05). The clinical symptom scores in the test group decreased from 5.62 +/- 2.30 before treatment to 1.41 +/- 1.22 after 4-week treatment, showing statistical difference (P < 0.01), but with no statistical difference when compared with the control group at the same time point (P>0.05). The healing rate and the total effective rate at week 4 were 38.24% and 86.76% respectively in the test group, and they were 60.00% and 65.00% at 6-month withdrawal. They were 41.18%, 79.41%, 46.67%, and 50.00%, respectively, in the control group. There was no statistical difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The scores of physical component-summary (PCS) and mental component-summary (MCS) both increased after 4-week treatment in the two groups, showing no statistical difference when compared with before treatment (P>0.05). There was statistical difference in the scores of PCS and MCS between at 6-month withdrawal and before treatment (P<0.05), but there was no statistical difference between the two groups (P>0.05). No obvious adverse reaction occurred in the two groups. The compliance and satisfaction after 4-week treatment were 95.59% and 91.91% in the test group, and 94.12% and 91.18% in the control group, showing no statistical difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The relapse rate in the test group was 10.29%, 19.12%, and 29.41%, respectively, after 1, 3, 6-month withdrawal, lower than that of the control group (17.65%, 23.53%, and 35.29%, respectively) at the same time point, but with no statistical difference. The C/E ratio of the test group/the control group was 15.59: 16. 53 at 4-week treatment and 22.27:28.28 after 6-month withdrawal respectively. The further analysis of incremental cost/incremental effectiveness showed that the ratio in the long-term decreased from 5.44 to 2.35 in the test group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The 4-week treatment of CMST had definite short- and long-term efficacy on FD patients, and improved their quality of life. It had better safety, compliance, and satisfaction. It was dominant in lower relapse rate and the cost/effectiveness. Therefore, it was worth spreading.</p>

Effects of zhizhu tongbian decoction on the colon ink propelling rate, GDNF, and NOS mRNA expression in rats with slow transit constipation / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of Zhizhu Tongbian Decoction (ZTD) on the enteric nervous system, mRNA expressions of glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the slow transit constipation (STC) rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty STC rat model was established by gastric irrigation of rhubarb. After the model building, they were randomly divided into three groups, i. e., the model group, the high dose ZTD group, and the low dose ZTD group, 10 in each. Another 10 rats were selected as the blank control group. Rats in the high dose ZTD group and the low dose ZTD group were administered with ZTD (at the daily dose of crude drug 4.8 g/kg and 2.4 g/kg respectively) by gastrogavage. Normal saline was given to rats in the blank control group and the model group. The ink propelling rate was determined using ink propelling test. Meantime, mRNA expressions of GDNF and NOS in the rat colon were measured using reverse transcriptional polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the blank control group, the ink propelling rate and GDNF mRNA expression decreased, and NOS mRNA increased in the model group, showing statistical difference (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the ink propelling rate increased in the high and low dose ZTD groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). The mRNA expressions of GDNF increased and the mRNA expressions of NOS decreased in the high dose ZTD group with statistical difference (P<0.01, P<0.05). But there was no difference in any index between the high and low dose ZTD groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High dose ZTD could obviously improve the intestinal transmission function possibly through up-regulating the mRNA expressions of GDNF and down-regulating the mRNA expressions of NOS in STC rats.</p>

Morphological asymmetry of the atlas and its clinical implications.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the asymmetry of the adult atlas by deviation frequencies using 3-dimensional (3D) computer models based on the computed tomographic (CT) spine data from healthy patients. METHODS: Sixty adult atlas computer models were reconstructed from CT data of the cervical spine. The morphological asymmetries were investigated and measured with 3D software. Asymmetry in the morphology of the vertebral artery groove was observed, and the angles between the lines connecting the apices of transverse processes and the apices of anterior and posterior tubercles were measured. The lengths of the left and right posterior arches were measured, and the differences in values were categorized. RESULTS: We observed 7 cases (11.67%) with asymmetrical vertebral artery groove forms. There were 4 different categories: foramen-shaped, semi-foramen-shaped, deep, and superficial grooves. The asymmetry was of different shapes on both sides. Relative to the lines connecting the apices of anterior and posterior tubercles, the asymmetry frequency of the transverse processes and the posterior arch length was 6.67% and 16.67%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: For the specimens in this study, variation in morphology of the atlas was common. Asymmetry of apices of transverse processes, posterior arches, and vertebral artery grooves should be taken into account during clinical palpation, diagnostic imaging, and treatment including spinal manipulation.

Variable morphology of the axis vertebrae in 100 specimens: implications for clinical palpation and diagnostic imaging.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate and measure the variable morphologies of axis vertebrae and explore the clinical significance of variations as it may pertain to clinical palpation and diagnostic imaging. METHODS: The common variable morphologies in 100 specimens of intact dry adult axis vertebrae (Chinese) were investigated and measured. The frequencies in deviation of odontoid processes, deviation of spinous processes, and presence of bifid spinous processes were observed. The distances between the apices of transverse processes and inferior articular facets were also measured. RESULTS: Variable morphologies of C2 that we observed were deviation of odontoid processes (14 cases, 14.0%), deviation of spinous processes (3 cases, 3.0%), and bifid spinous processes (95 cases, 95.0%). Of the bifid spinous processes, 56 had a process on the left side equal to the right side, 21 were longer on the left, and 18 were longer on the right. The distances between apices of transverse processes and inferior articular facets in the left side of C2 were 17.67 +/- 2.47 mm, and that of the right side were 17.81 +/- 2.55 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Because variable morphology of the axis is common, congenital deviation of the odontoid process, deviation of the spinous process, and asymmetrical bifid spinous processes should be taken into account during clinical palpation and diagnostic imaging.

Morphological changes of the in vitro cervical vertebral canal and its cast form during flexion, extension, and lateral bending.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate and measure morphological changes in the vertebral canal and its cast form at the level of the cervical spine in vitro during flexion, extension, and lateral bending in cadaver specimens. METHODS: The morphological changes of vertebral canal and its contents were investigated and measured during experimental flexion, extension, and lateral bending of the cervical spine with 10 fresh specimens (Chinese); the cross-sections and sagittal diameters were also measured by pouring liquid wax into the intervertebral canal. RESULTS: During lateral bending, the nucleus pulposus was pushed to the opposite side and the inferior cervical nerve roots of the opposite side were stretched. Cross-sectional diameter at the level of C6-7 during flexion was larger than that in lateral bending (P < .05). Comparing extension with flexion, we found that changes in all segments' areas were significant (P < .05). There was no significant difference in the sagittal diameter at any segment during all postures (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: During lateral bending, the nucleus pulposus of neck were pushed into the opposite side, and inferior cervical nerve roots of the opposite side were stretched. The C5, C6, and C7 nerve roots appeared to undergo excessive stretch when an excessive lateral bending beyond the physiologic range was undergone. This study provides some additional evidence about the mechanics of cervical spine motion.

Studies on genetic diversity of medicinal Dendrobium by SRAP / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the genetic diversity of medicinal Dendrobium by SRAP.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The genetic diversity of 9 spices Dendrobium was studied by using the optimized SRAP reaction system. The NTSYS software was used to analyze the markers.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Forty primer pairs were selected from 88 amplified 1 782 polymorphic bands with an average of 44.55 polymorphic bands per primer pair. Cluster analysis using UPGMA method based on the data of SRAP amplified bands by 40 primer pairs showed that 9 spices of could be distinguished into two main groups. Jaccard's similarity coefficient ranged from 0.330 2-0.789 2.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results of this research indicate that SRAP molecular marker is efficient to study the medical Dendrobium genetic diversity.</p>

Relationship between quality of life and TCM syndrome types in patients with diabetes mellitus / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between the syndrome types differentiated by traditional Chinese medicine and the quality of life (QOL) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The QOL in patients was investigated with Short Form-36 questionnaire (SF-36), and compared with that of healthy subjects for control; the TCM syndrome type was differentiated at the same time by the outcomes of symptoms acquired from the questionnaire.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The score of all the domains of QOL was respectively lower in the DM patients than that in the healthy subjects. The score of some domains of QOL showed correlation with different TCM syndrome types.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>QOL of DM patients significantly decreased. The variation of syndrome types could significantly influence some domains of QOL.</p>

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on lipid peroxidation and apoptosis after spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion in rabbits / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on lipid peroxidation and apoptosis after spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in rabbits.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Spinal cord I/R injury model was established according to the description of Erten et al. A total of 27 New Zealand white rabbits were divided into three groups randomly: a sham group (9 rabbits treated with sham operation but without aortic occlusion), a model group (9 rabbits treated with aortic occlusion and volume-matched saline), and a GBE group (9 rabbits treated with aortic occlusion and Ginaton (100 mg/kg) injected 30 minutes before aortic clamping and at the onset of reperfusion). The neurological outcomes were evaluated at 24 and 48 hours after reperfusion, respectively. The spinal cord malondialdehyde (MDA) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) were then detected. Neural cell apoptosis was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl t-ransferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP-fluorescence nick end labeling (TUNEL) method and the expression of bcl-2 and bax were examined histologically in the spinal cord with immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>I/R produced a significant decrease in neurological scoring. The motor scores of the GBE group were significantly higher than those of the model group at 24 and 48 hours after reperfusion (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, GBE ameliorated the down-regulation of SOD and produced a significant reduction of the MDA level (P<0.01). The positive cells for TUNEL in the model group were much more than those of the GBE group (P<0.01). The bcl-2 was up-regulated after I/R, especially in the GBE group (P<0.01). The up-regulation of bax was greatly diminished by GBE (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>GBE has protective effects against spinal cord I/R injury, and the mechanism may be that it can scavenge oxygen free radicals and inhibit the apoptosis of neural cells.</p>