Molecular Insights into the Accelerated Sprouting of and Apical Dominance Release in Potato Tubers Subjected to Post-Harvest Heat Stress.

Climate change-induced heat stress (HS) increasingly threatens potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production by impacting tuberization and causing the premature sprouting of tubers grown during the hot season. However, the effects of post-harvest HS on tuber sprouting have yet to be explored. This study aims to investigate the effects of post-harvest HS on tuber sprouting and to explore the underlying transcriptomic changes in apical bud meristems. The results show that post-harvest HS facilitates potato tuber sprouting and negates apical dominance. A meticulous transcriptomic profiling of apical bud meristems unearthed a spectrum of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) activated in response to HS. During the heightened sprouting activity that occurred at 15-18 days of HS, the pathways associated with starch metabolism, photomorphogenesis, and circadian rhythm were predominantly suppressed, while those governing chromosome organization, steroid biosynthesis, and transcription factors were markedly enhanced. The critical DEGs encompassed the enzymes pivotal for starch metabolism, the genes central to gibberellin and brassinosteroid biosynthesis, and influential developmental transcription factors, such as SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE, ASYMMETRIC LEAVES 1, SHOOT MERISTEMLESS, and MONOPTEROS. These findings suggest that HS orchestrates tuber sprouting through nuanced alterations in gene expression within the meristematic tissues, specifically influencing chromatin organization, hormonal biosynthesis pathways, and the transcription factors presiding over meristem fate determination. The present study provides novel insights into the intricate molecular mechanisms whereby post-harvest HS influences tuber sprouting. The findings have important implications for developing strategies to mitigate HS-induced tuber sprouting in the context of climate change.

The transcription factor StTINY3 enhances cold-induced sweetening resistance by coordinating starch resynthesis and sucrose hydrolysis in potato.

The accumulation of reducing sugars in cold-stored tubers, known as cold-induced sweetening (CIS), negatively affects potato processing quality. The starch to sugar interconversion pathways that are altered in cold-stored CIS tubers have been elucidated, but the mechanism that regulates them remains largely unknown. This study identified a CBF/DREB transcription factor (StTINY3) that enhances CIS resistance by both activating starch biosynthesis and repressing the hydrolysis of sucrose to reducing sugars in detached cold-stored tubers. Silencing StTINY3 in a CIS-resistant genotype decreased CIS resistance, while overexpressing StTINY3 in a CIS-sensitive genotype increased CIS resistance, and altering StTINY3 expression was associated with expression changes in starch resynthesis-related genes. We showed first that overexpressing StTINY3 inhibited sucrose hydrolysis by enhancing expression of the invertase inhibitor gene StInvInh2, and second that StTINY3 promoted starch resynthesis by up-regulating a large subunit of the ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase gene StAGPaseL3, and the glucose-6-phosphate transporter gene StG6PT2. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we revealed that StTINY3 is a nuclear-localized transcriptional activator that directly binds to the dehydration-responsive element/CRT cis-element in the promoters of StInvInh2 and StAGPaseL3. Taken together, these findings established that StTINY3 influences CIS resistance in cold-stored tubers by coordinately modulating the starch to sugar interconversion pathways and is a good target for improving potato processing quality.

In silico design and validation of high-affinity RNA aptamers targeting epithelial cellular adhesion molecule dimers.

Nucleic acid aptamers hold great promise for therapeutic applications due to their favorable intrinsic properties, as well as high-throughput experimental selection techniques. Despite the utility of the systematic evolution of ligands by the exponential enrichment (SELEX) method for aptamer determination, complementary in silico aptamer design is highly sought after to facilitate virtual screening and increased understanding of important nucleic acid-protein interactions. Here, with a combined experimental and theoretical approach, we have developed two optimal epithelial cellular adhesion molecule (EpCAM) aptamers. Our structure-based in silico method first predicts their binding modes and then optimizes them for EpCAM with molecular dynamics simulations, docking, and free energy calculations. Our isothermal titration calorimetry experiments further confirm that the EpCAM aptamers indeed exhibit enhanced affinity over a previously patented nanomolar aptamer, EP23. Moreover, our study suggests that EP23 and the de novo designed aptamers primarily bind to EpCAM dimers (and not monomers, as hypothesized in previous published works), suggesting a paradigm for developing EpCAM-targeted therapies.

Effect of Comprehensive Treatments on Autism Spectrum Disorder / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To observe the effect of comprehensive treatments on autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Methods:From October, 2017 to October, 2019, 60 children with ASD were divided into control group (n = 30) and treatment group (n = 30) randomly. The control group received rehabilitation training and special education, while the treatment group received acupuncture, massage and Chinese Medicine, in addition, for twelve weeks. The scores of Austin Behavior Checklist (ABC) and Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) were compared before and after treatment. Results:Before treatment, there was no significant difference in the scores of ABC and ATEC between two groups (t < 1.426, P > 0.05). After treatment, the scores of ABC and ATEC significantly decreased in both groups (t > 5.46, P < 0.001), and were better in the treatment group than in the control group (|t| > 3.304, P < 0.01). Conclusion:Traditional Chinese Medicine combined with rehabilitation training and special education is effective on ASD, which is superior to rehabilitation training and special education.

Experiment design and feasibility of BOLD and MRS multimodal fMRI in analysis of brain effect induced by acupuncture / 中国医学影像技术

Objective To establish the methodology of combining BOLD and 1H-MRS for investigating correlation between the deactivation in medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentration by acupuncture at LI4 (Point Hegu),and to optimize the experimental technique and procedure.Methods Twenty healthy adult volunteers were enrolled.During fMRI-BOLD scanning,each subject received acupuncture at right LI4 (Point Hegu).MRS scanning was based on MEGA-PRESS sequence,and ROIs were located at bilateral MPFC.The task BOLD fMRI was block design,including 3 stimulations (30 s) with 2 intervals (2 min).Then MRS scanning was performed before and after BOLD.The quantitative values of the BOLD positive and negative activations (Pm) and GABA concentrations were calculated.Results All 20 subjects completed BOLD fMRI scanning,and met the postprocessing requirements.MRS images of 9 subjects with good image quality were included in analysis.Among all 20 subjects,positive activation (Pm=1.17± 0.16) was observed in 9,while negative activation (Pm =-1.31 ± 0.17) was observed in 11 subjects.The GABA average values before and after the acupuncture were (19.93 ±1.04) nmol/L and (20.04±0.81)nmol/L,respectively,and the average amplitude between post-and pre-acupuncture was (0.11 ± 1.60)nmol/L.Conclusion The success rate of this method for quantitative study of brain function established multimodal-functional (BOLD-fMRI and MRS) was acceptable,and the multimodal brain function changes as well as the quantitative values were observed in the brain region during acupuncture.Combined BOLD and MRS quantitative method is feasible for testing acupuncture response in the brain.

Distinct cold responsiveness of a StInvInh2 gene promoter in transgenic potato tubers with contrasting resistance to cold-induced sweetening.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) vacuolar invertase (ß-fructofuranosidase; EC 3.2.1.26) inhibitor 2 (StInvInh2) plays an important role in cold-induced sweetening (CIS) of potato tubers. The transcript levels of StInvInh2 were increased by prolonged cold in potato tubers with CIS-resistance but decreased in potato tubers with CIS-sensitivity. However, the transcript regulation mechanisms of StInvInh2 responding to prolonged cold are largely unclear in CIS-resistant and CIS-sensitive genotypes. In the present study, the 5'-flanking sequence of the StInvInh2 was cloned, and cis-acting elements were predicted. No informative differences in StInvInh2 promoter structure between resistant and sensitive-CIS potato genotypes were observed. Histochemical assay showed that the promoter of StInvInh2 mainly governed ß-glucuronidase (GUS) expression in potato microtubers. Quantitative analysis of GUS expression suggested that StInvInh2 promoter activity was enhanced by prolonged cold in CIS-resistant genotype tubers but suppressed in CIS-sensitive tubers. These findings provide essential information regarding transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of StInvInh2 in cold-stored tubers contrasting CIS capacity.

Effect of epigallocatechin gallate against exercise-induced fatigue in mice / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)against exercise-induced fatigue in mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Total 120 mice were randomly divided into three groups and tested separately. For each test, there were 30 mice subdivided into high dose (50 mg/kg . d EGCG) and low dose (10 mg/kg . d EGCG) groups as well as saline control group(1 ml/kg . d) with 10 in each. Burden swimming, running wheel endurance, stick climbing and hypoxia tolerance exercise were used to establish fatigue mice training model in three groups. And intraperitoneal injection with different doses of EGCG per day for consecutively 28 days and the mice in the control group were treated with normal saline. After the last each test, the blood lactic acid (BLA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), blood lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), muscle glycogen (MG) and liver glycogen (LG) of each group of mice were determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>EGCG treatment groups(B and C)revealed a prolonged the mice survival time of burden swimming test, hypoxia tolerance, running wheel time and the ability of stick climbing(P < 0.05 or P <0.01), and increased LDH activity and MG and LG contents, reduced contents of BLA and BUN. High dose group had an obviously increase effect than lower dose group(P <0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EGCG has significant effects against exercise-induced fatigue in mice.</p>

1:2 matched case-control study on the risk factors related to congenital heart disease during the peri-conceptional period / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the possible risk factors during the periconceptional period relevant on the occurrence of congenital heart diseases (CHD) in the offspring.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A 1:2 matched case-control study was designed. From January 2012 to January 2014 in a district from Wuhan city, HuBei province, children were proved by MCH institutions through the "free screening for congenital heart disease" program. Cases with CHD were screened out by conventional auscultation, echocardiography figure and confirmed by physicians from the high-level hospitals. According to age, gender, community paired healthy children were chosen as controls. EpiData 3.1 software was used to input data, using SPSS 11.5 software to analyze the possible risk factors under simple and multiple factors logistic regression.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Information from parents of 138 cases and 276 controls was collected. 27 major factors from the conditional logistic regression analysis showed that factors as:mental stress during early pregnancy, calcium supplement in the early stage of pregnancy, pregnancy malnutrition, having histories of abnormal childbearing, women with multiparous experiences and residence nearby sources of pollution (enterprises) etc. were associated with the incidence of congenital heart disease in the offspring. Data from the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that factors as:mental stress during early pregnancy (HR = 3.35, 95%CI: 1.28-8.79), pregnancy malnutrition during pregnancy (HR = 1.50, 95% CI:1.10-2.03) and with abnormal childbearing history (HR = 1.62, 95% CI:1.03-2.57) were risk factors. However, calcium supplement during early pregnancy (HR = 0.40, 95% CI:0.25-0.65) could reduce the risk of CHD.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The occurrence of CHD might be related to factors as:mental stress during early pregnancy, calcium supplement during early pregnancy, pregnancy malnutrition and having histories of abnormal childbearing. Peri-conceptional care should be strengthened to reduce the incidence of congenital heart disease.</p>

A new neolignan from fruit of Solanum torvum / 中国中药杂志

One new neolignan identified as 2, 3-( trans) -dihydro-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) -3-[(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy) methyl]-7-methoxybenzofuran-5-propenoic acid (1) and five known steroidal glycosides namely torvoside A(2), torvoside C(3), torvoside H(4), solanolactoside A (5), (25S)-6alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-spirostan-3-one-6-0-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3-beta3)-beta-D-D-quinovopyr-anoside] (6) were isolated from the fruits of Solanum torvum. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D, 2D NMR and MS spectroscopic analysis.

Voluntary exercise promotes proliferation and differentiation of adult rat hypothalamus progenitor cells / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of voluntary exercise on the proliferation and differentiation of hypothalamus progenitor cells in adult rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Male Wistar rats were divided into voluntary exercise (EX) and sedentary (SE) groups, both of which were further divided into 6 subgroups for observation on days 6, 13, 23, 33, 43 and 53. Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) was intraperitoneally injected daily for 5 consecutive days after commencing voluntary exercise, and at the specified time points during voluntary exercise, the rats' brains were removed to observe the numbers of BrdU-positive cells in the hypothalamus.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the numbers of BrdU-positive cells in the hypothalamus of EX subgroups were significantly greater than those of SE subgroups on days 23, 33, 43 and 53. In EX group, the number of BrdU-positive cells double-stained for a mature neuron marker increased after 43 days of voluntary exercise, which did not occur in SE group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Long-term voluntary exercise can promote the proliferation of neuronal progenitor cells in the hypothalamus and their differentiation into neurons.</p>

Clinical observation of integrated acupuncture and herbal medicine for constipation of excess fu syndrome due to phlegm heat in acute cerebral infarction / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the optimal therapy for constipation of excess fu syndrome due to phlegm heat in acute cerebral infarction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and sixty cases were randomized into acupuncture plus herbal medicine group, Chinese herbal medicine group, acupuncture group and Glycerine Enema group, 40 cases in each one. All the patients of 4 groups had received the conventional management in neurological internal medicine department and acupuncture according to the theory of SHI's regaining consciousness. Additionally, in acupuncture plus herbal medicine group, acupuncture and oral administration of Chinese herbal medicine were adopted. Acupuncture was applied to Shaoshang (LU 11), Shangyang (LI 1), Fenglong (ST 40), Tianshu (ST 25), Zhigou (TE 6), etc. Chinese herbal medicine was composed of Jinyinhua (Lonicera Japonica), Liangqiao (Fructus Forysthiae; Weeping Forsythia), Huangqin (Radix Scutellariae), Zhizi (Gardenia jasminoides Ellis; Cape Jasmine), Dannanxing (Rhizoma Arisaematis Cum Bile), Quangualou (Fructus Trichosanthis), etc. In acupuncture group, acupuncture was used simply. In Chinese herbal medicine group, only Chinese herbal medicine was administered orally. In Glycerine Enema group, Glycerine Enema was adopted. The interval time of defecation, stool quality, efficacy on constipation and nerve function score in 7 days and 21 days after treatment were compared among groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 7 days treatment of constipation, the total effective rate was 97.5% (39/40) in acupuncture plus herbal medicine group, which was superior apparently to 87.5% (35/40) in Chinese herbal medicine group, 82.5% (33/40) in acupuncture group and 80.0% (32/40) in Glycerine Enema group (all P < 0.05). After 21 days treatment, the total effective rate of constipation was 92.5% (37/40) in acupuncture plus herbal medicine group, which was superior apparently to 82.5% (33/40) in Chinese herbal medicine group. 80.5% (32/40) in acupuncture group and 67.5% (27/40) in Glycerine Enema group (all P < 0.01). The differences in the interval time of defection, stool quality and nerve function score after 7 days and 21 days treatment were significant statistically in comparison among 4 groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The results in acupuncture plus herbal medicine group were superior apparently to the other groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The integrated acupuncture and herbal medicine is effective definitely on constipation in acute cerebral infarction. Additionally, this therapy may improve the clinical efficacy of cerebral infarction and suggest the coordination between acupuncture-moxibustion and Chinese herbal medicine.</p>

Effect of acupoints with different tissue on electroacupuncture sensation / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the influence on frequency, intensity and the amount of current flow produced by electroacupuncture sensation of acupoints with different distributions (meridian category, tissue type and nerve innervations).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-one healthy volunteers were enrolled. According to the different tissue of acupoints, paired acupoints were grouped: Zusanli (ST 36) vs Yanglingquan (GB 34) (different meridian categories), Neiguan (PC 6) vs Daling (PC 7) (different tissue types), Zusanli (ST 36) vs Shuidao (ST 28) (different nerve innervations), Guanyuan (CV 4) vs Zhongwan (CV 12) (different nerve innervations), and Zusanli (ST 36) vs Guanyuan (CV 4) (different meridian categories, tissue types and nerve innervations). The electric frequency was 15 Hz. The electric current was under the participant's tolerance without sharp pain; the electroacupuncture was applied for three times with interval, 90 seconds totally. Soreness, numbness, fullness, heaviness, tingling, pressure, dull pain, warmness, coolness and amount of current flow were recorded, and the frequency, intensity and current amount between the paired acupoints were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were no significant differences in frequency of needling sensations between paired points (all P > 0.05). In the 9 electroacupuncture sensations, fullness, numbness and soreness were most commonly seen and obvious, heaviness, pressure and tingling came second, and dull pain, warmness, and coolness occurred at lower frequency. There were differences in the intensity of acupuncture sensation between paired acupoints in part of them, the soreness, fullness and heaviness at Zusanli (ST 36) were stronger than those at Shuidao (ST 28) (all P < 0.05 ); fullness and numbness at Zusanli (ST 36) were stronger than those at Guanyuan (CV 4) (both P < 0.01); fullness at Guanyuan (CV 4) was stronger than that at Zhongwan (CV 12) (P < 0.05 ); the current flow of electroacupuncture was similar between paired acupoints (all P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In the situation that there is no obvious difference in amount of current flow caused by electroacu puncture sensation, the obvious correlations between frequency of electroacupuncture sensation and tissue properties of acupoints are not appeared, and the difference of sensation intensity between paired acupoints may be associated with different nerve innervations. The frequency and intensity of electroacupuncture sensation at one acupoint are stable at different times.</p>

Effect of Zhenwu Tang Granule on pressure-overloaded left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy in rats / 世界急诊医学杂志（英文）

BACKGROUND:In the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, few studies have focused on the compound preparations though there are many investigations. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Zhenwu Tang Granule on chronic pressure-overloaded left ventricular hypertrophy in rats. METHODS:The study was performed at the laboratory of Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease. Male SD rats were divided randomly into 3 groups:sham operation group (n=8), operation group (n=15) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) group (n=15).The model of myocardial hypertrophy was made by gradually constricting the abdominal aorta. Sixteen weeks later, cardiac ultrasonography was performed in all groups in order to ascertain post-operational left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. And Zhenwu Tang Granule was added at a dose of 12 g/kg in the mixed feedstuff for 8 weeks in the TCM group. In the 24th week, weight, structure as well as function of the heart in each group were measured by high-frequency ultrasonography, and Masson's staining was performed on the cardiac muscles. Meanwhile, total collagen volume fraction (CVF-T) and non-coronary vessel collagen volume fraction (CVF-NV) were analyzed. RESULTS:There was an increase in the weight of the heart in the operation group, with the left ventricule dominated (P<0.05). The heart was enlarged, with diastolic interventricular septal distance (IVSd) and left ventricular posterior wal distance (LVPWd) dominated (P<0.01).There was a significant decrease in the cardiac function (P<0.05). The weight (P<0.01) and volume of the heart decreased in the TCM group compared with the operation group, with IVSd and systolic left ventricular posterior wal dominated (P<0.01). And the cardiac function was improved (P<0.05). Significant interstitial and col agen hyperplasia was shown in the operation group based on pathological analysis, and various improvements were proved in the TCM group, i.e. there was a significant decrease in CVF-T and CVF-NV (P<0.01) compared with the operation group; but no difference (P>0.05) was found when compared with the pseudo-operation group. CONCLUSION:Zhenwu Tang Granule could reduce the weight and volume of the heart, improve the cardiac function, inhibit hyperplasia of collagen, and reverse myocardial hypertrophy in rats with pressure-overloaded left ventricular hypertrophy.

Clinical characteristics and therapy of pan-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze clinical characteristics and therapy of pan-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (PDRAB) infection and explore the methods for effective therapy and prevention of this infection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Nine hospitalized patients with PDRAB infection confirmed by pathogen and susceptibility testing were analyzed for the risk factors and the treatment outcomes were assessed by case analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PDRAB infections occurred mainly in patients with severe complications, most of whom had complications by diabetes or hypertension or damaged mucosal integrity due to mechanical ventilation, surgery and catheterization. The polymyxin sensitivity were 100% for these infections, but all the bacteria identified showed a antimicrobial resistance rates of 100%. The majority of the infections were acquired during hospitalization occurring mainly in the lungs; all the patients had prolonged hospitalization and received antibiotic treatments with high proportions of broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents especially third-generation cephalosporins and quinolones. Exclusive or sequential use of carbapenems and sulbactam in combination with quinolone or aminoglycoside produced favorable effects.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The prevalence of hospital-acquired pan-resistance of PDRAB infections increased significantly in recent years, particularly in patients with high risk factors. The widespread use of broad-spectrum antibiotics may have some relevance to drug resistant occurrence. The application of carbapenems or sulbactam, or their sequential use, in combination with other agents may produce good effects.</p>

Observation on short and long-term effects of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy treated with abdominal acupuncture plus Long's bone-setting manipulation / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the short and long-term therapeutic effects on cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) treated with simple Long's bone-setting manipulation, abdominal acupuncture and abdominal acupuncture plus Long's bone-setting manipulation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and eighty cases of CSR were randomly allocated into abdominal acupuncture plus bone-setting group (combined therapy group), bone-setting group and abdominal acupuncture group, 60 cases in each group. In combined therapy group, the abdominal acupuncture and Long's bone-setting were applied in combination. Abdominal acupuncture was applied to Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4), Shiguan (KI 18), Shangqu (KI 17), etc. Long's manipulation, such as bone-setting in head-upward posture and bone-setting in head-lateral posture, was adopted. In bone-setting group and abdominal acupuncture group, Long's bone-setting manipulation and abdominal acupuncture were adopted simply and respectively. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared after 2 courses of treatment (short-term) and 1-month after treatment (long-term) among groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The short and long-term curative and markedly effective rates in combined therapy group were 80.7% (46/57) and 68.4% (39/57) respectively, which were better than those of 63.64% (35/55), 30.9% (17/55) in bone-setting group and 58.9% (33/56), 50.0% (28/56) in abdominal acupuncture group, separately (all P < 0.05). Moreover, the long-term curative and markedly effective rate in abdominal acupuncture group was superior to that in bone-setting group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Abdominal acupuncture plus Long's bone-setting manipulation has significant efficacy of either short or long-term on CSR, which is superior to the efficacy of either simple abdominal acupuncture or Long's bone-setting manipulation and indicates superimposed effect. Hence, it is one of the better approaches in CSR treatment.</p>

Professor TIAN Cong-huo's experience on clinical acupuncture / 中国针灸

Professor TIAN's experiences on acupuncture treatment of various difficult diseases with different acupuncture methods based on syndrome differentiation of different patients, for example, para-acupuncture for treatment of migraine, triple puncture at Dazhui (GV 14) for recurrent depression, lifting and thrusting point Shexiaxue for treatment of aphasia, electroacupuncture at Shuigou (GV 26) and Baihui (GV 20) for treatment of schizophrenia, etc. are introduced.

Influence of traditional Chinese compound recipes with different efficacy on body weight, tumor weight and immune function in H22 cancer-bearing mice / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE: To compare the influence of traditional Chinese compound recipes (TCCRs) with different efficacy on body weight, tumor weight and immune function in H22 cancer-bearing mice. METHODS: H(22) cancer-bearing mice were chosen to observe the effects of TCCRs with different efficacy on tumor growth inhibition and detect the proliferation function of T lymphocytes, the activity of natural killer (NK) cells, the changes of T lymphocytes and the content of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)and interleukin-4 (IL-4). RESULTS: Tumor weight of H(22) cancer-bearing mice in Yidu Gongdu Recipe (YDGDR, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine using poison as an antidote for poison)-treated group was obviously lighter than that in the other TCCR-treated groups and the tumor inhibition rate in YDGDR-treated group was 65.76% (P<0.01). The tumor inhibition rates in other TCCR-treated groups were ranged from 10.1% to 17.1% . Body weight of mice in YDGDR-treated group was obviously decreased and depilation was observed at the same time. Pelage of mice in Fuzheng Peiben Recipe (FZPBR, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine for supporting the healthy energy)-treated group grew well, and behavior of the mice was active. Stimulation index (SI) of T lymphocyte transformation in YDGDR-treated group was obviously increased (SI=4.34, P<0.01), which showed the proliferation function of T lymphocyte was very strong. The SI of T lymphocyte transformation in the other groups was less than three, which showed the proliferation function of T lymphocytes was not significant. Compared with normal saline (NS)-treated group, percentages of NK cells in Qinre Jiedu Recipe (QRJDR, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine for clearing away heat and toxic substances)-treated, Huxue Huayu Recipe (HXHYR, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine for activating blood circulation to dissipate blood stasis)-treated and YDGDR-treated groups were obviously increased and 5.05, 4.07 and 5.17 times more than the NS-treated group, respectively (P<0.01). The activity of NK cells wasn't increased in the FZPBR-treated and HXHYR-treated groups. The production of IFN-gamma induced by T cells in YDGDR-treated group was obviously raised (P<0.05), and the production of IL-4 induced by T cells in QRJDR-treated, HXHYR-treated, Huatan Sanjie Recipe (a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine for eliminating phlegm and resolving masses)-treated and YDGDR-treated groups was also raised obviously (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: YDGDR has a good effect of inhibiting tumor growth and can reinforce cellular and humoral immune function in tumor-bearing mice. FZPBR can strengthen the body.

Assessment and investigation of therapeutic effects of different needling methods for treatment of spastic state of post-cerebrovascular disease / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study on rehabilitation therapeutic effect of different needling methods on spastic state of apoplectic hemiplegia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>With unified diagnostic criteria, enrolled criteria and unified needling methods, 152 patients with apoplectic hemiplegia were randomly devided into body acupuncture (BA) group (A group). BA plus scalp acupuncture (SA) group (B group), BA plus abdominal acupuncture (AA) group (C group) and BA+ SA+ AA group (D group). Spastic degrees, motor function level, daily life ability were assessed by using modified Ashworth spastic rating, Brunnstrom rating, brief Fugl-Meyer and Barthel's ADL indexes assessment methods, and to investigate therapeutic effects of different needling methods on apoplectic hemiplegia.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>B group, C group and D group in improvement of spastic state, motor function level and daily life ability were superior to A group (P < 0.01), with the D group being the best (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Combined needling method has an unique advantage in improvement of spastic state, increasing motor function and daily life ability of the patient.</p>

Clinical observation on auricular-plaster therapy combined with chiropractics for treatment of emaciation in children / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To search for a non-medicine therapy for infant emaciation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The observation group of 55 cases were treated with auricular point sticking combined with chiropractics. For the auricular point sticking therapy, vaccaria seeds were stuck at 9 points such as small intestine, Shenmen, spleen, endocrine, and others, and replaced once every 5 days, 10 days constituting one course. Chiropractics: knead or massage the muscles from lumbosacral area upward to Dazhui (GV 14). The control group were treated with oral administration of pepsin mixture, 10 mL after meals, thrice each day. They were treated for 5 courses.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 55 cases in the observation group, 7 were cured, 20 markedly effective, 24 effective and 4 ineffective, with a total effective rate of 92.7%, and among the 23 cases in the control group, 2 cases were cured, 7 markedly effective, 8 effective and 6 ineffective, with a total effective rate of 73.9%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Auricular point sticking combined with chiropractics is a better non-medicine therapy for emaciation in children.</p>

Effects of climate factors on quality of Chrysanthemum morifolium originated from Wenxian county / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of climate factors on the Chrysanthemum morifolium originated from Wenxian county (i. e "huaiju") for assuring the quality of medicinal C. morifolium.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The content of water-soluble extracts, protein, sugar, flavonoid and chlorogenic acid of "huaiju" collected from Henanwenxian, Jiangsunanjing and Zhejiangtongxiang were selected as the indicator and determined, climate data of the corresponding places were collected for studying the effects on "huaiju" quality through path analysis and correlation analysis.</p><p><b>RESULT AND CONCLUSION</b>There existed no obviously differences among the detected indicators except the soluble sugar content. Sunlight, temperature and precipitation showed more effects on quality of "huaiju", the sunlight had the most direct effect on flavonoid, the 10 cm ground temperature had the most direct effect on chlorogenic acid.</p>