A rapid classification method of tea products utilizing X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy: Relationship derived from correlation analysis, modeling, and quantum chemical calculation.

The classification of tea products is nowadays mainly determined by sensory assessment and chemical analysis methods. These methods are subjective, time-consuming, and laborious. In this work, a rapid analytical method for tea classification was proposed on the basis of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and quantum chemical calculation. A total of 56 kinds of tea products were studied. By utilizing the data fusion strategy, the correlation between XPS peak parameters and tea characteristics was established. The quantum chemical calculations of the core-level ionization potentials deepen the understanding of the XPS features. The binding energy of the main fitted peak for O 1s, BE1O1s, was found to have a good correlation with tea polyphenols contents, which can be used to classify tea products into six tea types (black, dark, green, oolong, white, and yellow tea) with an accuracy greater than 90 %. The results suggest that the proposed XPS method is suitable for the rapid discrimination of tea classification, which contributes to the efficient application of tea.

Effect of emodin on long non-coding RNA-mRNA networks in rats with severe acute pancreatitis-induced acute lung injury.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) contribute to disease pathogenesis and drug treatment effects. Both emodin and dexamethasone (DEX) have been used for treating severe acute pancreatitis-associated acute lung injury (SAP-ALI). However, lncRNA regulation networks related to SAP-ALI pathogenesis and drug treatment are unreported. In this study, lncRNAs and mRNAs in the lung tissue of SAP-ALI and control rats, with or without drug treatment (emodin or DEX), were assessed by RNA sequencing. Results showed both emodin and DEX were therapeutic for SAP-ALI and that mRNA and lncRNA levels differed between untreated and treated SAP-ALI rats. Gene expression profile relationships for emodin-treated and control rats were higher than DEX-treated and -untreated animals. By comparison of control and SAP-ALI animals, more up-regulated than down-regulated mRNAs and lncRNAs were observed with emodin treatment. For DEX treatment, more down-regulated than up-regulated mRNAs and lncRNAs were observed. Functional analysis demonstrated both up-regulated mRNA and co-expressed genes with up-regulated lncRNAs were enriched in inflammatory and immune response pathways. Further, emodin-associated lncRNAs and mRNAs co-expressed modules were different from those associated with DEX. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction demonstrates selected lncRNA and mRNA co-expressed modules were different in the lung tissue of emodin- and DEX-treated rats. Also, emodin had different effects compared with DEX on co-expression network of lncRNAs Rn60_7_1164.1 and AABR07062477.2 for the blue lncRNA module and Nrp1 for the green mRNA module. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that emodin may be a suitable alternative or complementary medicine for treating SAP-ALI.

Normal fertilisation rates and serum 25-OHD levels among couples undergoing in-vitro fertilisation: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore the correlation between serum vitamin D levels in couples undergoing in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and normal fertilisation process. METHODS: Between March 2016 and March 2017, we performed a prospective cohort study at an academic reproductive medicine centre to measure serum 25-hydroxyvitaminD (25-OHD) levels of 1232 couples before controlled ovarian stimulation. Generalized linear regression and binary multivariate logistic regression were employed to assess whether 25-OHD levels in men and women correlated with normal fertilisation rates and low fertilisation rate (LFR). RESULTS: Serum 25-OHD levels in women were classified into three groups: Group A, less than 10%; Group B, between 10 and 90%; and Group C, greater than 90%. Using generalized linear regression, we observed that female 25-OHD levels were related to normal fertilisation rates. Adjusted normal fertilisation rates from Group A to Group C in women were 59.50, 62.72, and 66.13%, respectively (P = 0.007). After binary logistic regression analysis, for women, compared with Group C, the ORs for LFR were 4.814 in Group A (95% CI, 1.266-18.309, P = 0.021) and were 3.204 in Group B (95% CI, 0.949-10.812, P = 0.061). Male 25-OHD levels were not related to the probability of low fertilisation rate (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Circulating 25-OHD concentrations in women appear to be associated with normal fertilisation rates and low fertilisation rates in IVF cycles, but not in men. A further randomized controlled trial with vitamin D supplementation is needed to demonstrate whether female vitamin D levels exert an effect on the normal fertilisation process. TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://clinicaltrials.gov/;NCT03305510; Registered 08 October 2017 - Retrospectively registered.

New records of medicinal plants in Tibet / 中国中药杂志

By the fourth survey of Chinese medicinal resources, new medicinal plants records of 2 genera and 5 species were reported in Tibet. They are two genera Rhynchoglossum and Asteropyrum, and five species including Rh. obliquum, A. peltatum, Urena repanda, Schefflera khasiana and Mimulus tenellus. All the voucher specimens are preserved in Herbarium of Tibet Agriculture and Animal Husbandry University.

Rule of acupoint combination in acupuncture treatment of hiccup: a study based on complex network analysis / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To explore the rule of acupoint combination in acupuncture treatment of hiccups. METHODS: Original research articles on acupuncture treatment of hiccup were collected from databases of CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and Pubmed by using key words of "hiccup", "acupuncture" "diaphragmatic spasm" "body acupuncture" "filiform needle" and "electroacupuncture". According to our inclusive and exclusive criteria, the collected data were extracted to establish an acupuncture prescription database for hiccup. Then, the regularities of acupoint combinations for hiccup were analyzed by using Gephi complex network analysis software. RESULTS: ;A total of 606 articles containing 634 acupoint prescriptions for acupuncture treatment of hiccups were brought into analysis. There were 133 single-acupoint prescriptions (20.98%), which was significantly lower than the multi-acupoint prescription (501, accounting for 79.02%). There were mainly acupoints in multi-acupoint prescriptions, and distal-proximal acupoint combination method were often used as the basis of acupoint selection (326, accounting for 65.07%). A total of 163 acupoints were involved, with a total frequency of 2 969. Among them, Neiguan(PC6) was used most frequently (400 times, accounting for 13.47%), followed by Zusanli (ST36), Zhongwan (CV12), Danzhong (CV17), and Taichong (LR3). The acupoints of the Conceptional Vessel(666 times, accounting for 22.43%), and Stomach Meridian, Pericardium Meridian and Liver Meridian were chiefly used. There were 67 specific acupoints, the frequency of use was 2 555 times(accounting for 86.05% of the total frequency), among which the frequency of the five Shu-points was the highest (875 times, accounting for 29.47% of the total frequency), and followed by eight confluence points. CONCLUSION: ;The core acupoints are PC6, ST36, CV12, etc. and the distal-proximal acupoint combination method found in this study are often used as the basis of acupoint selection and acupoint prescription for acupuncture treatment of hiccup.

Chinese Medicine Amygdalin and β-Glucosidase Combined with Antibody Enzymatic Prodrug System As A Feasible Antitumor Therapy / 中国结合医学杂志

Amarogentin is an efficacious Chinese herbal medicine and a component of the bitter apricot kernel. It is commonly used as an expectorant and supplementary anti-cancer drug. β-Glucosidase is an enzyme that hydrolyzes the glycosidic bond between aryl and saccharide groups to release glucose. Upon their interaction, β-glucosidase catalyzes amarogentin to produce considerable amounts of hydrocyanic acid, which inhibits cytochrome C oxidase, the terminal enzyme in the mitochondrial respiration chain, and suspends adenosine triphosphate synthesis, resulting in cell death. Hydrocyanic acid is a cell-cycle-stage-nonspecific agent that kills cancer cells. Thus, β-glucosidase can be coupled with a tumor-specific monoclonal antibody. β-Glucosidase can combine with cancer-cell-surface antigens and specifically convert amarogentin to an active drug that acts on cancer cells and the surrounding antibodies to achieve a killing effect. β-Glucosidase is injected intravenously and recognizes cancer-cell-surface antigens with the help of an antibody. The prodrug amarogentin is infused after β-glucosidase has reached the target position. Coupling of cell membrane peptides with β-glucosidase allows the enzyme to penetrate capillary endothelial cells and clear extracellular deep solid tumors to kill the cells therein. The Chinese medicine amarogentin and β-glucosidase will become an important treatment for various tumors when an appropriate monoclonal antibody is developed.

Optimization of Ultrahigh Pressure Extraction of Forsythoside from Forsythia Suspensa by Box-Behnken Experimental Design / 中国药师

Objective: To optimize the ultrahigh pressure extraction ( UPE) process for forsythoside from Forsythia suspensa by Box-Behnken experimental design. Methods:On the basis of single factor screening, a three-factor and three-level Box-Behnken ex-perimental design was employed with liquid/material ratio( X1 ) , extraction pressure ( X2 ) and extraction time ( X3 ) as the independent variables. The response variable was the extraction yield of forsythoside. Results:The optimal UPE conditions for forsythoside were as follows:the ratio of solvent to material (ml·g-1) was 70, the extraction pressure was 151 MPa, and the extraction time was 114 s. With the optimal extraction process, the extraction yield of forsythoside was 13. 15 mg·g-1 . Conclusion:As a novel extraction tech-nology for Chinese herbal medicines, UPE procedure has higher extraction yield, lower extraction temperature, shorter extraction time and less power consumption, which provides a brand-new method for the extraction of forsythoside from Forsythia suspensa.

Effect of Acupuncture and Moxibustion on the Quality of Life in Patients with Osteoporotic Vertebral Body Compression ;Fractures / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of meridian-warming and unblocking acupuncture and moxibustion on the quality of life in patients with osteoporotic vertebral body compression fractures. Method Two hundred and eighty patients meeting the criteria of osteoporotic vertebral body compression fractures were enrolled and randomly allocated to treatment and control groups. The treatment group received meridian-warming and unblocking acupuncture and moxibustion and the control group, complex treatment of Western medicine. The Visual Analogue Scale (0-10 marks) score and the SF-36 score were recorded before and after treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were evaluated. Result The pain score was decreased, the SF-36 score was increased and the clinical therapeutic effect was improved more in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Meridian-warming and unblocking acupuncture and moxibustion helps to relieve the pain and improve the quality of life in osteoporosis patients.

Huikangling Tablet Intervened Peripheral Blood Micrometastasis of Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical effect of Huikangling Tablet (HT, extracted from Scabrous Patrinia root) on peripheral blood micrometastasis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 87 DTC patients with positive micrometastasis were randomly assigned to the treatment group (45 cases) and the control group (42 cases). DTC endocrine inhibition treatment standards were executed in all patients. They all took levothyroxine sodium (50 microg/tablet, from low dose, 25 microg each time, once per day, 0.5 h before breakfast), and its dosage was gradually added one week later. The dosage was adjusted according to tested results of TSH combined recurrence risk stratification and endocrine suppression induced adverse reactions risk stratification. Patients in the treatment group took HT (0.4 g per tablet, 3 tablets each time, three times per day for a total of 12 weeks) combined TSH suppression therapy, while those in the control group only received TSH suppression therapy. Peripheral micrometastatic cytokeratin 19 (CK19) and polymorphic epithelial mucin1 (MUC1) were detected by FCM at week 4 and 12. Meanwhile, distant metastasis and adverse reactions were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 4-week treatment positive micrometastasis was shown in 18 cases (40%) of the treatment group and 29 cases (69%) in the control group with statistical difference (chi2 = 5.68, P < 0.05). After 12-week treatment positive micrometastasis was shown in 7 cases (15.6%) of the treatment group and 17 cases (44.7%) in the control group with statistical difference (chi2 = 8.49, P < 0.01). Pulmonary metastasis occurred in 2 cases and bone metastasis in 1 case of the control group at follow-ups. Cervical lymph node metastasis without accompanied recurrence of thyroid cancer occurred in one case of the treatment group. No obvious liver or renal abnormalities occurred.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HT inhibited peripheral blood micrometastasis of DTC patients and its mechanism needed to be further studied.</p>

The Practice of Improving the Pharmacy Ethics Education in Medical Students / 中国医学伦理学

This paper firstly analyzed from three aspects:the necessity of pharmacognosy medical ethics educa-tion, and then illustrates the main content of the medicine ethics education , this paper expounds the method and form of medicine ethics education , and finally summarizes the medicine ethics education for clinical practice stage of medical students experience:the medical institutions about the medicine ethics instances of intuitive for training medical students , strengthening medical students learn the importance of pharmaceutical ethics in clinical practice stage , in order to enhance the medical students medical moral sentiment , lay the foundation for clinical drug safety work.

[Effect of nape cluster-acupuncture treatment on brain microcirculation in ischemic stroke rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of nape cluster-acupuncture treatment on blood microcirculation of the cerebral piamater and the whole blood viscosity in cerebral ischemia (CI) rats so as to study its mechanism underlying improvement of CI. METHODS: Eighty male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to false operation group, CI model group, medication group and acupuncture group (n = 20). CI model was established by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery with intraluminal suture-ball blocking method. For rats of the nape cluster-acupuncture group, acupuncture needles were inserted into "Fengfu" (GV 16), "Yamen" (GV 15), "Xia-naohu" (GV 17), "Fengchi" (GB 20), and the points of evenly divided into three parts between GV 16 and GB 20 respectively, and rotated for 1 min, then retained for 15 min, once a day, for 14 sessions. Rats of the medication group were given with intragatric perfusion of nimodipine (12 mL/kg), once daily for 14 days. The blood microcirculation of the brain was detected by using a laser Doppler flowmeter with the probe put near the surface of cerebral piamater. The whole blood viscosity was determined using a blood rheological automatic detector. RESULTS: In comparison with the false operation group, the blood flow volume of the cerebral piamater was remarkably decreased and the whole blood viscosity level significantly increased in the model group (P < 0.01). In comparison with the model group, the blood flow volume of the cerebral piamater was obviously increased and the whole blood viscosity apparently decreased in both the acupuncture and medication groups (P < 0.01). The effects of acupuncture were obviously better than those of the medication in upregulating blood flow volume and in lowering whole blood viscosity (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The nape cluster acupuncture treatment has a favorable role in improving brain microcirculation by raising blood flow volume and reducing blood viscosity in ischemic stroke rats.

Progress on chemical pattern recognition in traditional Chinese medicines by multidimensional information of metabolic fingerprinting analysis / 中国中药杂志

As a comprehensive, quantifiable identification method based on the chemical composition information of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the fingerprint of traditional Chinese medicine has become an internationally recognized effective way to control the quality of natural medicine. Chemical pattern recognition in traditional Chinese medicines is an important breakthrough for the infiltration between fuzzy and pharmaceutical sciences, has been used in the field of quality assessment and control for traditional Chinese medicine. It has solved the problem of comprehensive analysis with multi-dimensional information, and gradually been accepted by more researchers to in-depth study in the further. With the development of modern chemical analysis and computer techniques, there are more technologies were applied to the establishment of fingerprints of traditional Chinese medicine, more chemometric methods have been applied to the data processing of TCM fingerprint, and more quality identification and assessment for TCM to be achieved. And the technology has matured and achieved a lot. In this paper, we make a review for the chemical pattern recognition in traditional Chinese medicines since it be invented, provide a reference for the further research.

Effects of di'ao xinxuekang soft capsule on lipid peroxidation and the endothelial function in patients with coronary heart disease / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of Di' ao Xinxuekang Soft Capsule (DK) on the plasma levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and endothelin (ET) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), and to study its underlying mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 100 patients with CHD confirmed by coronary angiography were randomly assigned to two groups, the control group (60 cases) and the DK treatment group (40 cases). Patients in the control group received conventional therapy, while those in the DK treatment group received DK additionally. The therapeutic course for all was 3 months. The plasma levels of SOD, MDA, ET, and NO were determined pre-treatment, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with before treatment, the serum levels of SOD and NO increased and the levels of MDA and ET decreased at each time point. Besides, better effects were obtained in the DK treatment group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DK possibly played a role in inhibiting lipid peroxidation and improving the endothelial dysfunction.</p>

Clinical observation on electroacupuncture combined with rehabilitation techniques for treatment of shoulder subluxation after stroke / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the therapeutic effect difference between electroacupuncture combined with rehabilitation techniques and simple rehabilitation techniques for treatment of the shoulder subluxation after stroke.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty cases of shoulder subluxation patients were divided into an acupuncture combined with rehabilitation group (30 cases) and a rehabilitation group (30 cases). The acupuncture combined with rehabilitation group was treated with electroacupuncture at Jianyu (LI 15), Jianliao (TE 14) and Jianzhen (SI 9) etc. combined with rehabilitation treatment, the rehabilitation group was treated with rehabilitation only. The therapeutic effects were evaluated and the pain score of the shoulder joint, passive range of motion of shoulder joint, the muscle strength of middle group of the deltoid and the function grade of the upper limbs motion of the two groups were evaluated before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The acupuncture combined with rehabilitation group was superior to that of the rehabilitation group in pain score of the shoulder joint, passive range of motion of shoulder joint, the muscle strength of middle group of the deltoid and the function grade of the upper limbs motion with significant differences between the two groups (all P<0.05); the total effective rate of 93. 3% in the acupuncture combined with rehabilitation group was superior to that of 73.3% in the rehabilitation group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The therapy of electroacupuncture combined with rehabilitation techniques can act a good regulating role on muscle strength and the muscular tension of shoulder joint and the muscles around the scapula through many steps, and can effectively improve the shoulder subluxation.</p>

Study on establishment of RP-HPLC and GC-MS fingerprints for wild germplasm resource of Ophiopogon japonicus in Sichuan and hierarchical clustering analysis / 中国中药杂志

The chromatographic fingerprint was established for evaluating and controlling the quality of germplasm resource of Ophiopogon japonicus in Sichuan Basin by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The results showed that each sample the characterized by the peak area of 28 HPLC peaks and 13 GC peaks in each program and these peaks were employed for hierarchical cluster analysis. Furthermore, the discrimination of the sample from different regions was achieved by hierarchical cluster analysis via recognizing the 16 (41 datamatrix. This was the first report of hierarchical cluster analysis of the wild germplasm resource of Ophiopogon japonicus according to their chemical fingerprints. Thus, the results proved it is a simple, rapid and accurate method suitable for the quality control of the traditional Chinese medicines.

Comprehensive comparison between erective and creepy Ophiopogon japonicus of Sichuan / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the agronomic characters, HPLC fingerprints, the content of main component and amino acid between erective and creepy Ophiopogon japonicus of Sichuan.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Agronomic characters were measured by conventional methods; HPLC was applied on a C18 column with CH3OH-CH3CN-2% CH2COOH solution by gradient elution, quercetin was used as the internal standard reference, the contents of total saponins, flavone and polysaccharide were determined by UV spectrophotometry and amino acid was determined by automatic amino acid analyzer.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>There were extremely significant differences in the most agronomic characters between erective and creepy O. japonicus of Sichuan. The yield per plant was closely relevant to the roots number and the fresh weight of aerial part. The differences were not significant both in 69 common peaks and 23 uncommon peaks in HLPC fingerprints and the content of main component between erective and creepy O. japonicus.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There is no obvious difference in chemistry component between the two types of O. japonicus. The yield per plant was closely relevant to the roots number and the fresh weight of aerial part. In cultivation it is appropriate to choose the creepy O. japonicus.</p>

Effects of icariin on erectile function and expression of nitric oxide synthase isoforms in castrated rats / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the effect of icariin on erectile function and the expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms in castrated rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-two adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into one sham-operated group (A) and three castrated groups (B, C and D). One week after surgery, rats were treated with normal saline (groups A and B) or oral icariin (1 mg/[kg.day] for group C and 5 mg/[kg.day] for group D) for 4 weeks. One week after treatment, the erectile function of the rats was assessed by measuring intracavernosal pressure (ICP) during electrostimulation of the cavernosal nerve. The serum testosterone (ST) levels, the percent of smooth muscle (PSM) in trabecular tissue, and the expression of mRNA and proteins of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and phosphodiesterase V (PDE5) in corpus cavernosum (CC) were also evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>ICP, PSM, ST and the expression of nNOS, iNOS, eNOS and PDE5 were significantly decreased in group B compared with those in group A (P 0.01). However, ICP, PSM and the expression of nNOS and iNOS were increased in groups C and D compared with those in group B (P 0.05). Changes in ST and the expression of eNOS and PDE5 were not significant (P 0.05) in groups C and D compared with those in group B.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Oral treatment with icariin ( 98.6 % purity) for 4 weeks potentially improves erectile function. This effect is correlated with an increase in PSM and the expression of certain NOS in the CC of castrated rats. These results suggest that icariin may have a therapeutic effect on erectile dysfunction.</p>

Effect of renewed SS-cream on spinal somatosensory evoked potential in rabbits / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>The effect of a renewed SS-cream (RSSC) on the treatment of premature ejaculation (PE) was evaluated and compared with the original SS-cream (OSSC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty male white New Zealand rabbits, weighing 2.5 kg-3.0 kg, were divided at random into 3 groups: the RSSC, OSSC and placebo groups. The spinal somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) elicited by electric stimulation of the glans penis with disk electrode was investigated with an electrophysiograph (Poseidomn, Shanghai, China) before and 10, 30 and 60 min after drug or placebo application on the glans. The Onset and the N1 latencies and the amplitude of SSEP were recorded and analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the mean Onset and N1 latency of SSEP among the 3 groups before drug application. Compared with the pre-application value, the mean Onset and N1 latencies in the RSSC and OSSC groups were significantly prolonged at 10, 30 and 60 min after treatment (P<0.05), while they were not significantly changed (P>0.05) in the placebo group. The mean Onset latency of RSSC at 10 and 30 min and that of OSSC at 30 min were significantly delayed (P<0.05) compared with the placebo group. The mean N1 latency of RSSC at 30 and 60 min and that of OSSC group at 30 min were also significantly delayed (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>RSSC delays the latencies of SSEP, suggesting a local desensitizing effect on the sensory receptor of the glans penis dorsal nerve, which provides the potential for PE treatment. The desensitizing effect of RSSC is higher than that of OSSC.</p>