[Quality status of Bombyx Batryticatus and suggestions for Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2025)].

To understand the current quality status and rearing situation of Bombyx Batryticatus, the authors collected 102 batches of Bombyx Batryticatus from different main producing areas and five major Chinese medicine markets from 2016 to 2018, and measured the properties and quality of the silk gland, to clarify the quality status of Bombyx Batryticatus from different producing areas and markets. In addition, 35 batches of Bombyx Batryticatus from 2019 to 2022 were used to verify the silk gland after revision. Moreover, Beauveria Bassiana was inoculated in the silkworm of 4-5 instars, and standardized rearing was carried out until they die. The death rate and the quality of Bombyx Batryticatus were measured to determine the differences in Bombyx Batryticatus of different instars, and explore the rationality of the infection age of Bombyx Batryticatus in Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020). The results revealed that in the 102 batches of Bombyx Batryticatus, the qualification rate of silk gland was low; the content of total ash far exceeded the standard; the content of beauvericin varied greatly. The qualification rate of the silk gland of the 35 batches of Bombyx Batryticatus was only 47.49%, which could be increased to 73.00% if the number of silk gland was 2 to 4. The death rate of Bombyx Batryticatus at different infection ages was quite different, with uneven quality. Generally, the yield of Bombyx Batryticatus inoculated on the first day of the fifth instar was high with good quality. Therefore, in combination with the quality and actual production of Bombyx Batryticatus, the following suggestions were proposed for revision of Bombyx Batryticatus in Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2025): The number of silk gland should be revised as 2-4 bright brown or bright black silk glands, after which, the quality of Bombyx Batryticatus could be guaranteed, and the "quality identification based on character" could also be reflected scientifically; the content determination index that the content of beauvericin shall not be less than 0.017% should be added to better control the quality of Bombyx Batryticatus; the infection age should be revised as the first day of the fifth instar to narrow the age span, which could better fit the actual production and ensure the quality of Bombyx Batryticatus.

GuiLu-ErXian Glue extract promotes mesenchymal stem cells (MSC)-Induced chondrogenesis via exosomes release and delays aging in the MSC senescence process.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) patients is a challenging problem. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells and play key roles in regenerative medicine for cartilage degeneration. GuiLu-ErXian Glue (GLEXG) is an herbal remedy widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat joint pain and disability in elderly OA patients. However, the mechanisms of how GLEXG affects MSCs-induced chondrogensis remains to be elucidated. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of GLEXG on MSC-derived chondrogenesis, both in vitro and in vivo and its potential mechanisms. METHODS: Using human MSC (hMSCs) as in vitro model, the effects of HPLC-profiled GLEXG water extract on chondrogenic differentiation were investigated by 3D spheroid cultures under chondrogenesis-inducing medium (CIM) condition. The chondrogenesis process was evaluated by measuring the sphere sizes, chondrogenesis-related genes expression by reverse transcription real-time PCR that targeted type II/X collagens, SOX9, aggrecan, and protein expression by immunostaining. Anti-TGF-ß1 neutralization antibody was used for mechanistic study. Mono-iodoacetate (MIA) induced OA joint was used to evaluate the effects of GLEXG on in vivo model. MSCs-derived exosomes were purified for proteomics study and senescence process was evaluated by cumulative population doublings and senescence-associated ß-Galactosidase staining. RESULTS: The results showed that GLEXG enhanced hMSCs chondrogenesis and upregulated RNA expression of type II/X collagen, SOX9 and aggrecan at 0.1 µg/mL, 0.3 µg/mL in vitro. In vivo, GLEXG at the dose of 0.3 µg intraarticular (i.a.) injection rescued the MIA-induced cartilage defect. Proteomics and ingenuity pathway analysis obtained from MSCs-released exosomes suggested that senescence pathway was less activated in GLEXG group than in vehicle group. Besides, GLEXG was able to increase cumulative population doubling and delayed hMSCs senescence process after four passages in cultures. CONCLUSION: we conclude that GLEXG promotes in vitro MSC-induced chondrogenesis possibly via exosomes release and delays aging in the MSC senescence process and that treatment with GLEXG (0.3 µg, i.a.) rescued cartilage defects in rat OA knee model.

Antibiotics prescription for targeted therapy of pediatric invasive pneumococcal diseases in China: a multicenter retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) is a major cause of bacterial meningitis, septicemia and pneumonia in children. Inappropriate choice of antibiotic can have important adverse consequences for both the individual and the community. Here, we focused on penicillin/cefotaxime non-susceptibility of S. pneumoniae and evaluated appropriateness of targeted antibiotic therapy for children with IPD (invasive pneumococcal diseases) in China. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study was conducted in 14 hospitals from 13 provinces in China. Antibiotics prescription, clinical features and resistance patterns of IPD cases from January 2012 to December 2017 were collected. Appropriateness of targeted antibiotics therapy was assessed. RESULTS: 806 IPD cases were collected. The non-susceptibility rates of S. pneumoniae to penicillin and cefotaxime were 40.9% and 20.7% respectively in 492 non-meningitis cases, whereas those were 73.2% and 43.0% respectively in 314 meningitis cases. Carbapenems were used in 21.3% of non-meningitis cases and 42.0% of meningitis cases for targeted therapy. For 390 non-meningitis cases with isolates susceptible to cefotaxime, vancomycin and linezolid were used in 17.9% and 8.7% of cases respectively for targeted therapy. For 179 meningitis cases with isolates susceptible to cefotaxime, vancomycin and linezolid were prescribed in 55.3% and 15.6% of cases respectively. Overall, inappropriate targeted therapies were identified in 361 (44.8%) of 806 IPD cases, including 232 (28.8%) cases with inappropriate use of carbapenems, 169 (21.0%) cases with inappropriate use of vancomycin and 62 (7.7%) cases with inappropriate use of linezolid. CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotic regimens for IPD definite therapy were often excessive with extensive prescription of carbapenems, vancomycin or linezolid in China. Antimicrobial stewardship programs should be implemented to improve antimicrobial use.

Effects of mirror therapy on phantom limb sensation and phantom limb pain in amputees: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of mirror therapy on phantom limb sensation and phantom limb pain in amputees. DATA SOURCES: Nine electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsycInfo, PreQuest, PEDro) were searched from their inception to May 10th, 2021. METHODS: Two authors independently selected relevant studies and extracted the data. The effect sizes were calculated under a random-effects model meta-analysis, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 test. The risk of bias was evaluated by the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and the methodological quality was appraised by the PEDro scale. The GRADE approach was applied to assess the confidence of the effect. RESULTS: A total of 11 RCTs involving 491 participants were included in this review and nine RCTs involving 372 participants were included in meta-analysis. The quality of these studies was from poor to good with scores ranging from 2 to 8 points according to PEDro scale. The pooled SMD showed that mirror therapy reduced the pain with a large effect size (-0.81; 95% CI = -1.36 to -0.25; P = 0.005; I2 = 82%; n = 372) compared with other methods (four covered mirror, one phantom exercise, three mental visualization, one sensorimotor exercise, one transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, one tactile stimuli). The quality of evidence for the outcome pain intensity was determined to be fair according to GRADE approach. CONCLUSION: There is fair-quality evidence that MT is beneficial for reducing phantom limb pain.

[Bletilla striata pseudobulb rot pathogen identification and its biological characteristic].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the pathogen of Bletilla striata pseudobulb rot and provide foundation for formulation effective control measures. METHODS: Surveyed the pathogenesis regularity and disease symptom of Bletilla striata pseudobulb rot,and conducted the pathogen separation, identification,vaccination and research on its biological characteristics. RESULTS: The conditions for mycelium growth were as follows: the temperature ranged from 5 to 35 degrees C, and the optimum temperature ranged from 25 to 30 degrees C. The pH ranged from 3 to 10,and the optimum pH ranged from 6 to 7. The germination rate of conidia was high when the relative humidity was 100%. The lethal temperature was 55 degrees C for 10 min. Illumination had little influence on the germ growth and development. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the pathogen was Fusarium oxysporum.

[Chemical constituents of Euphorbia sikkimensis].

Sixteen compounds were isolated from the aerial parts of Euphorbia sikkimensis by means of various chromatographic techniques such as silica gel, Sephades LH-20 and RP-18, and their structures were elucidated as naringenin (1), kaempferol (2), quercetin (3), kaempferol-3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside (4), quercetin-3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside (5), quercetin-3-O-(2"-galloyl)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside (6), 5alpha, 8alpha-epidioxy-(22E, 24R)-ergosta-6,22-dien-3beta-ol (7), stigmast-5-ene-7-one-3beta-ol (8), 3beta-hydroxy4a, 14alpha-dimethyl-5alpha-ergosta-8, 24(28)-dien-7-one(9), beta-sitosterol (10) , 10-cucurbitadienol( 1) , scopoletin(12) , ethyl gallate(13), p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (14), 3 betahydroxybenzeneethanol( 15) ,and 2,4-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-acetophenone (16) on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis. All the compounds are isolated from this plant for the first time, and compounds 1, 4-8, 15 are obtained from Euphorbia species for the first time.

[Relation between soil nutrient of artificially cultivated area and rhizome quality of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relation between the quality of the Herb-Paris and their cultivation of soil nutritional status. METHODS: The soil nutrient status (0 - 30 cm) of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis, artificially cultivated areas were determined in 2009 and their rhizome qualities harvested in 2010 were evaluated respectively. Determination of 0 - 30cm depth soil ingredients status with soil conventional five nutritional analysis method of 29 artificial cultivation area, 9 Prefectures of Yunnan Province. RESULTS: Soil nutrient has effect on quality of Herb-Paris medicinal ingredients. CONCLUSION: The multiple linear stepwise regression analysis reveals that among a certain range, the steroidal saponin VII content is positively correlated with the content of soil organic matter and pH. Steroidal saponin H content is positively correlated with the content of soil organic matter, available P and pH. Steroidal saponin I is positively correlated with the content of available K, but negatively correlated with the content of available Herb-Paris, and steroidal saponin II is positively correlated with the content of soil organic matter and available K.

[Effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields on biomechanical properties of femur in ovariectomized rats].

OBJECTIVE: To test the effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) with different length of treatment on the biomechanical properties of femurs in ovariectomized rats. METHODS: Fifty female SD rats were randomly divided into five groups: (1) SHAM control (no PEMFs treatment), (2) OVXo control (no PEMFs treatment), (3) OVX(I) (PEMFs treatment at 8 Hz frequency with 3.8 mT intensity, 20 min daily for 30 days), (4) OVX(II) (PEMFs treatment at 8 Hz frequency with 3. 8 mT intensity, 40 min daily for 30 days), and (5) OVX(III) (PEMFs treatment at 8 Hz frequency with 3.8 mT intensity, 60 min daily for 30 days). All of the rats were subject to bilateral overiectomy except those in the SHAM control group. The biomechanical properties of the femurs were assessed at the end of the PEMFs treatment. RESULTS: The rats in the OVX0 control group had significantly lower values in the biomechanical properties than the rats in the other four groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The rats treated with PEMFs showed no significant differences in the biomechanical properties compared with the sham controls (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: PEMFs therapy at 8 Hz and 3.8 mT magnetic intensity for 20 to 60 min everyday prevents decline in biomechanical properties of femurs in ovariectomized rat.