Study on the Effect of Bushen Zhuanggu Tablet Combined with Conventional Regimen on Bone Mineral Density Improvement, Functional Recovery and Fracture Risk Prevention in Patients with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis.

Objective: This case-control study was to explore the effect of Bushen Zhuanggu tablet combined with routine regimen on bone mineral density (BMD) improvement, functional recovery, and fracture prevention in postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) patients. Methods: 180 postmenopausal osteoporosis patients were randomly selected from communities A, B, and C cohorts as research subjects from January to May 2021. The study subjects were divided into three groups. The groups were in a 1 : 1 ratio according to the principles of nonrandomised, concurrent controlled trials, and methods. There were 60 participants in each group (group A, group B, and group C). Group A was treated with Bushen Zhuanggu tablet for antiosteoporosis + basic treatment (calcium supplement and vitamin D). Group C was given Bushen Zhuanggu tablet for antiosteoporosis intervention. Group B was given basic treatment (calcium supplement and vitamin D supplementation) as a control group. The follow-up time was 6 months after treatment. Finally, we compare the differences in calcium and phosphorus metabolism indexes, BMD, bone metabolism indexes, upper and lower limb muscle strength, and quality of life scores. Results: Group A, B, and C's effective rate was 98.33%, 80.00%, and 93.33%, respectively. The group A's effective rate was significantly higher than that in group B and C, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). After 6 months intervention, the levels of serum Ca2+, serum phosphorus (P), serum creatinine (Cr), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) in 3 groups decreased. Ca, P, Scr, and PTH levels in group A were the lowest among study groups, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The increase in the BMD of lumbar spine, the left femoral neck, and Ward's triangle area of the three groups were observed with the highest data in group A. After 6 months of treatment, the levels of serum N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen, PINP, and serum osteocalcin (OC) increased, while the levels of ß-cross-linked C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ß-CTX) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) decreased in the three groups. The improvement of all bone metabolic indexes in group A was significantly better than that in B and C groups, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The enhanced upper limb muscle strength and the shorter standing-walking timing test (TUGT) time were observed after 6 months of treatment. The improvement effect of upper and lower limb muscle strength in group A was significantly better than that in B and C groups, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in physiological function, life function, general health status, physical pain, mental state, emotional function, vitality, and social function among the three groups after 6 months treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The score of quality of life in group A was higher than that in B and C groups, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Bushen Zhuanggu tablet combined with conventional therapy is effective in the postmenopausal osteoporosis treatment, which effectively increase the BMD, regulate calcium and phosphorus metabolism, promote the recovery of limb function, prevent the recurrence of fracture, and improve the patients' quality of life. This treatment scheme is worth popularizing.

Rapid Screening and Characterization of Triterpene Saponins from the Root of Phytolacca acinosa Roxb by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Electrospray Ionization and Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry.

Triterpene saponins (TSs) are important bioactive constituents with structural diversity widely distributed in many plants. The root of Phytolacca acinosa Roxb (RPa) has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine. However, TSs as the main active ingredients in RPa have not been fully characterized. Here, we profiled TSs from RPa by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS). We tentatively identified 29 TSs, including 13 that had not been reported previously from this plant. This study indicates that HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS is an effective and rapid method for the characterization of complicated TSs in herbal extracts.

Microbes as a production host to produce natural activecompounds from mushrooms: biosynthetic pathway elucidationand metabolic engineering.

Mushrooms are abundant in bioactive natural compounds. Due to strict growth conditions and long fermentation-time, microbe as a production host is an alternative and sustainable approach for the production of natural compounds. This review focuses on the biosynthetic pathways of mushroom originated natural compounds and microbes as the production host for the production of the above natural compounds.

[Application of mind mapping model in the teaching of molecular biology].

Molecular biology is a biology course containing multiple core concepts and complex biological processes, which are organized in a strong logic. In order to help the medical students in college of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) understand the content of this professional foundation course, we integrated the mind mapping model into the three sessions of teaching this course. First, putting forward teaching questions through a "nine grids analysis" model before the class teaching; second, transforming class teaching through a "six thinking hats" model; third, reviewing teaching content through a "pyramid principle" model, which helps students develop closed-loop thinking skills. The students' understandings to the course content were enhanced by connecting, merging and diverging the relevant knowledge through thinking visualization. According to the questionnaire, 91% of the students believe that the application of mind mapping model is an effective teaching method, which improves the teaching efficiency and effect. Furthermore, 76% of the students deem this method helps them improve their thinking ability and they also try to apply this method to the study process of other courses. Therefore, the application of mind mapping model in teaching plays an important role in fostering students' high-order thinking skills and provides a new approach for college curriculum teaching.

Synthesis of cordycepin: Current scenario and future perspectives.

Cordyceps genus, such as C. militaris and C. kyushuensis, is a source of a rare traditional Chinese medicine that has been used for the treatment of numerous chronic and malignant diseases. Cordycepin, 3'-deoxyadenosine, is a major active compound found in most Cordyceps. Cordycepin exhibits a variety of biological activities, including anti-tumor, immunomodulation, antioxidant, and anti-aging, among others, which could be applied in health products, medicine, cosmeceutical etc. fields. This review focuses on the synthesis methods for cordycepin. The current methods for cordycepin synthesis involve chemical synthesis, microbial fermentation, in vitro synthesis and biosynthesis; however, some defects are unavoidable and the production is still far from the demand of cordycepin. For the future study of cordycepin synthesis, based on the illumination of cordycepin biosynthesis pathway, genetical engineering of the Cordyceps strain or introducing microbes by virtue of synthetic biology will be the great potential strategies for cordycepin synthesis. This review will aid the future synthesis of the valuable cordycepin.

Generation of Retinal Organoids with Mature Rods and Cones from Urine-Derived Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.

Urine cells, a body trash, have been successfully reprogrammed into human induced pluripotent stem cells (U-hiPSCs) which hold a huge promise in regenerative medicine. However, it is unknown whether or to what extent U-hiPSCs can generate retinal cells so far. With a modified retinal differentiation protocol without addition of retinoic acid (RA), our study revealed that U-hiPSCs were able to differentiate towards retinal fates and form 3D retinal organoids containing laminated neural retina with all retinal cell types located in proper layer as in vivo. More importantly, U-hiPSCs generated highly mature photoreceptors with all subtypes, even red/green cone-rich photoreceptors. Our data indicated that a supplement of RA to culture medium was not necessary for maturation and specification of U-hiPSC-derived photoreceptors at least in the niche of retinal organoids. The success of retinal differentiation with U-hiPSCs provides many opportunities in cell therapy, disease modeling, and drug screening, especially in personalized medicine of retinal diseases since urine cells can be noninvasively collected from patients and their relatives.

Rational Design of Branched Au-Fe3 O4 Janus Nanoparticles for Simultaneous Trimodal Imaging and Photothermal Therapy of Cancer Cells.

We report a facile and simple hydrogen reduction method to fabricate PEGylated branched gold (Au)-iron oxide (Fe3 O4 ) Janus nanoparticles (JNPs). Note that the hydrogen induces the formation of Fe3 O4 during the synthesis process. Due to the strong absorption in the near-infrared range, branched Au-Fe3 O4 JNPs showed a significant photothermal effect with a 40 % calculated photothermal transduction efficiency under a laser irradiation of 808 nm in vitro. Owing to their excellent optical and magnetic properties, branched Au-Fe3 O4 JNPs were demonstrated to be advantageous agents for triple-modal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/photoacoustic imaging (PAI)/computed tomography (CT) in vitro. Therefore, the synthetic approach could be extended to prepare Au-metallic oxide JNPs for specific applications.

[New approach to acupoint prescription:acupoint combination based on Chinese herbal medication].

In the paper, the origins of acupoint combination based on Chinese herbal medication, the characteris-tics and the correspondence of acupoints and Chinese herbal medicines are introduced, referring to meridian tropism, harmonization of acupoints and herbal medicines, ascending or descending action of herbal medicines, four natures of herbal medicines, etc. In clinical application, the Chinese herbal medicine formulas are determined before the acupoint combination in terms of pattern/syndrome differentiation. As a result, the actions of herbal medicines and properties of acupoints are harmonized and mutually affected with each other.

[Discussion on necessity of standardization for nomenclature and location of extraordinary acupoints].

With retrieval of articles on extraordinary acupoint that were published in domesticin recent five years, one hundred and eight articles of clinical application are screened out and one hundred and twenty-three extraordinary acupoints that are extensively recognized are collected. Of those acupoints, 23 acupoints are included in the latest national standard. Of the rest 100 extraordinary acupoints, 48 acupoints are located on the running courses of fourteen meridians, 4 acupoints are shared with the meridian points and the other 52 acupoints have not been clarified to be located on the running courses of meridians based on the literature data. It is found in the collection of these acupoints that there are many extraordinary acupoints that are extensively used in clinical practice. But the nomenclatures and locations of acupoints have not been unified. Hence, a further standardization on these aspects is anticipated.

[Current situation of the standardization of acupuncture and moxibustion in Taiwan].

The current situation of the standardization of acupuncture and moxibustion in the Taiwan region is introduced in this paper from the three aspects, named the development state of standard of acupuncture and moxibustion in Taiwan, the implementation of Taiwan district standard and the standardization of acupuncture and moxibustion in Taiwan. At present, the relevant standards of acupuncture and moxibustion in Taiwan just include the standard operation procedure of acupuncture and moxibustion, the reference guideline of the safe operation in the medical service centers of traditional Chinese medicine, and the faculty standard of Chinese medicine hospital, etc. It is concluded that the current situation of the standardization of acupuncture and moxibusiton presented the weak awareness of the standardization of acupuncture and moxibustion in the industry, insufficient enterprise standard, less-quantity of the implemented standards and narrow coverage.

Inhibition of the JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway by ganoderic acid A enhances chemosensitivity of HepG2 cells to cisplatin.

Ganoderic acid A is a lanostane triterpene isolated from Ganoderma lucidum. It has been reported to exhibit antitumor activity, which is mainly mediated through its inhibitory effect on nuclear transcription factor-kappaB and activator protein-1. But the role of ganoderic acid A in JAK-STAT3 signaling pathways is still unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effect of ganoderic acid A on the signal transducer and activator of the transcription 3 pathway and evaluated whether suppression of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 activity by ganoderic acid A could sensitize HepG2 cells to cisplatin. Our results show that ganoderic acid A significantly suppressed both the constitutively activated and IL-6-induced signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 phosphorylation in HepG2 cells. Inhibition of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 tyrosine phosphorylation was found to be achieved through suppression of JAK1 and JAK2. Furthermore, ganoderic acid A promoted cisplatin-induced cell death by enhancing the sensitivity of HepG2 cells to cisplatin mainly via the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 suppression. These observations suggest a potential therapeutic strategy of using ganoderic acid A in combination with chemotherapeutic agents for cancer treatment.

Cyanidin-3-O-ß-glucoside improves obesity and triglyceride metabolism in KK-Ay mice by regulating lipoprotein lipase activity.

BACKGROUND: Cyanidin-3-O-ß-glucoside (Cy-3-g)-rich foods have been reported to inhibit the onset of obesity, but whether the pure anthocyanin supplementation affects obesity remains uncertain. RESULTS: Cy-3-g supplementation significantly reduced obesity, accumulation of fat in visceral adipose and liver tissues, and plasma triglyceride levels. Furthermore, adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase phosphorylation (pAMPK) in the skeletal muscle and visceral adipose were significantly increased by Cy-3-g consumption. This was followed by the activation of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in plasma and skeletal muscle but the suppression of this enzyme in visceral adipose. LPL activation in skeletal muscle cells and its suppression in adipocytes by Cy-3-g were blocked by inhibition of pAMPK. CONCLUSION: Our present data thus demonstrate that Cy-3-g improves obesity and triglyceride metabolism in KK-Ay mice. The underlying mechanism is found to be partly related to the activation of LPL in plasma and skeletal muscle, and inhibition of LPL in adipose tissue following the activation of pAMPK.

[Study on Chinese herb Astragalus membranceus by FTIR fingerprint].

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study is to find new approach to identifying different growth years and different producing areas of astragalus membranceus simply and rapidly. The FTIR spectrometry, which is accurate, simple and efficient and has high resolution, was used to obtain the sample's FTIR spectrometry. After simple separation and extraction, the drying powder of the sample was detected. In 22 samples, there were 9 common peaks for identifying the authenticity of astragalus membranceus and 5 different peaks. According to the number, shape, and relative intensity of the peak, different growth years and different producing areas of astragalus membranceus can be distinguished. CONCLUSION: It is convenient and fast to identify different growth years and different producing areas of astragalus membranceus by FTIR fingerprint.

[Debating some issues on the national standard Standardized Manipulation of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, part 3: Auricular Acupuncture].

The main difficulties and disputable problems on develping the national standard Standardized Manipulation of Acupuncture and Moribustion, Part 3: Auricular Acupuncture are debated in this paper from the three aspects of its meaning, scientific basis and key point. The difficult points mainly include manipulation standandization of auricular acupuncture, basis and science of the standards stipulated, selection of technical terms and definition, and why only the four kinds of manipulations are used for auricular acupuncture. Finally, the authors suggest that the Standardized Manipulation of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Part 3: Auricular Acupuncture needs further to be studied and improved.

[Approach to some problems in the national standard Standardized Manipulation of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Part IV, Three-Edged Needle].

Main difficulties and problems in working out the national standard Manipulation Standardization of Acupuncture and Moribustion Techniques for Three-edged Needle are discussed. The difficult points include selection of technical terms; standardization and characteristics of Chinese medicine; quantification of bleeding amount in three-edged needle therapy; basis and science of the standards stipulated. The problems that need further be studied and perfected for Manipulation Standardization of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Techniques for Three-edged Needle are put forward in the present paper.

[A brief talk on characteristics of Japanese collateral puncture].

The characteristics of Japanese collateral puncture are expounded from history evolution and technical feature. The position of pricking blood and blood-letting volume for the three Japanese collateral puncture, Japanese collateral puncture at Jing-well points, at fine collaterals and at the skin are emphatically discussed and briefly compared with Chinese pricking blood therapy, so as to better develop the collateral puncture therapy.

[Summarization and analysis on acupuncture-related articles embodied in Medline data-base in 2006].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the situation of studies and development of international acupuncture and moxibustion in 2006 by analysis on the acupuncture-related articles embodied in Medline data-base in 2006. METHODS: A total of 881 articles in Medline data-base of the ISI knowledge Web were retrieved by "acupuncture", "moxibustion", "acupressure" and "cupping" as key words, then 761 articles excluding unrelated 120 ones were analyzed and concluded for distribution of the article sources, periodicals source, type, research contents and methods. RESULTS: Most of the articles are from China, Britain and America. The journal of the highest impact factor of 25.8 is Lancet. Acupuncture and moxibustion can treat various diseases, but primarily for relieving pain. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture and moxibustion are still a part of CAM for clinical practice abroad. Most of the experiments confirm the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion, but there are some different views on some diseases. And various countries make a lot work about mechanism research of acupuncture effect, showing the feature of large range.

Effects of Chinese herbal medicine based on hachimi-jio-gan on osteopenia in rats.

The effects of Chinese herbal medicines including Hachimi-jio-gan (HJG) and/or Hochu-ekki-to (HEW) on osteopenia in rats were investigated. The Chinese herbal medicines were administrated for 8 weeks (7 times/week) starting from 1 week after ovariectomy. HJG and Prescription-2 (Prsc-2, the prescription based on HJG) showed protective effect on bone loss of the vertebrae after ovariectomy. However, Prescription-1 (the prescription based on HJG and HET) had no effect. Then, we made osteopenia model in rats by prednisolone and low calcium diet. Prsc-2 and HJG were administrated for 20 weeks with prednisolone. These Chinese remedies showed protective effects for osteopenia, with better indices on bone loss of the limbs than HJG alone in the osteopenia rats. It can be concluded that Prsc-2 is more effective than HJG for bone loss induced by various factors, and the additives in Prsc-2 may enhance the therapeutic effect.

[Effects of electroacupuncture at different frequencies on morphological changes of nervous tissues and electromyogram of skeletal muscles in the rat with injury of sciatic nerve].

OBJECTIVE: To observe effects of electroacupuncture of different frequencies on morphological changes of nervous tissues and electromyogram (EMG) of skeletal muscles in regeneration,so as to find more proper parameters of electroacupuncture. METHODS: The nerve regeneration chamber was built after the sciatic nerve was transected, and acupuncture was given at "Huantiao" (GB 30) , "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) at the affected side with different frequencies (5 Hz, 100 Hz), 30 min each time,once every other day, 3 time each week, for 20 weeks and a control group was set up for natural recovery. The nerve fibers were stained by silver dying and ultrastructures of nerve tissues were observed. EMG of gastrocnemius was determined by Biopac physiologic apparatus. RESULTS: Electroacupuncture could promote the recovery of form of nerve tissues after the transection of sciatic nerve and functions of de-innervated muscle tissues after lesion of sciatic nerve, and the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture at 5 Hz was the best. CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture is an important way of promoting the regeneration of the lessoned peripheral nerve.

A novel carbohydrate-based therapeutic GCS-100 overcomes bortezomib resistance and enhances dexamethasone-induced apoptosis in multiple myeloma cells.

Human multiple myeloma is a presently incurable hematologic malignancy, and novel biologically based therapies are urgently needed. GCS-100 is a polysaccharide derived from citrus pectin in clinical development for the treatment of cancer. Here we show that GCS-100 induces apoptosis in various multiple myeloma cell lines, including those resistant to dexamethasone, melphalan, or doxorubicin. Examination of purified patient multiple myeloma cells showed similar results. Specifically, GCS-100 decreases viability of bortezomib/PS-341-resistant multiple myeloma patient cells. Importantly, GCS-100 inhibits multiple myeloma cell growth induced by adhesion to bone marrow stromal cells; overcome the growth advantage conferred by antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2, heat shock protein-27, and nuclear factor-kappaB; and blocks vascular endothelial growth factor-induced migration of multiple myeloma cells. GCS-100-induced apoptosis is associated with activation of caspase-8 and caspase-3 followed by proteolytic cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase enzyme. Combined with dexamethasone, GCS-100 induces additive anti-multiple myeloma cytotoxicity associated with mitochondrial apoptotic signaling via release of cytochrome c and Smac followed by activation of caspase-3. Moreover, GCS-100 + dexamethasone-induced apoptosis in multiple myeloma cells is accompanied by a marked inhibition of an antiapoptotic protein Galectin-3, without significant alteration in Bcl-2 expression. Collectively, these findings provide the framework for clinical evaluation of GCS-100, either alone or in combination with dexamethasone, to inhibit tumor growth, overcome drug resistance, and improve outcome for patients with this universally fatal hematologic malignancy.