[Effects of Fertilizer Application Strategy Adjustments on Nitrogen and Phosphorus Loss from Typical Crop Systems in Taihu Lake Region].

The intensity of crop farming fertilizer input is generally high in the Taihu Lake Region, with chemical fertilizer as the main form. Due to inappropriate fertilizer application, nitrogen and phosphorus loss have occurred, causing serious agricultural non-point source pollution. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China has launched the "zero-growth action for chemical fertilizer use" and "replacement action with organic fertilizer" ("two actions" for short) campaigns since 2015. Local agricultural sectors adjusted fertilizer application strategies of crop farming to respond to the call of two actions. However, the current research is still focusing on reducing the total amount of fertilizer application and increasing the area of organic fertilizer application, which is mainly based on grain crops. The study of agricultural environment problems is still lacking, especially in vegetable, orchard, and tea systems. Therefore, a study was carried out in the typical agricultural area of Suzhou City Wuzhong District from 2019 to 2021. Based on the data of the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus removal by harvest crops and soil nitrogen and phosphorus residual in paddy, vegetable, orchard, and tea systems, the loss was estimated. The responses of nitrogen and phosphorus loss from typical crop systems to fertilizer application strategy adjustments were studied through analysis of different factors. The results showed that fertilizer application rate was the key to control nitrogen and phosphorus loss. Additionally, the suitable replacement ratio of organic fertilizer could further reduce the loss risk. It should be noted that the urgent demand for nutrients in crop growth should be considered to determine the timing of organic fertilizer application, and agricultural machinery should be used to assist organic fertilizer application to reduce labor output if possible. Fertilizer efficiency was the core of environmental friendliness and economic benefits of crop farming. Hence, improving fertilizer efficiency should be the guidance of fertilizer application strategy adjustment. Our suggestions on the adjustment of fertilizer application strategy in different crop systems in the study area are as follows:attention should be paid to the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium input ratio in paddy systems to further reduce nitrogen and phosphorus loss. Planting structure adjustment should be emphasized in vegetable systems to promote fertilizer efficiency. The strategy to satisfy both tea and orchard growth from a composite system perspective would help to build crop systems that meet the needs of green agricultural development.

Cleanup of Cr(VI)-polluted groundwater using immobilized bacterial consortia via bioreduction mechanisms.

Cr(VI) bioreduction has become a remedial alternative for Cr(VI)-polluted site cleanup. However, lack of appropriate Cr(VI)-bioreducing bacteria limit the field application of the in situ bioremediation process. In this study, two different immobilized Cr(VI)-bioreducing bacterial consortia using novel immobilization agents have been developed for Cr(VI)-polluted groundwater remediation: (1) granular activated carbon (GAC) + silica gel + Cr(VI)-bioreducing bacterial consortia (GSIB), and (2) GAC + sodium alginate (SA) + polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) + Cr(VI)-bioreducing bacterial consortia (GSPB). Moreover, two unique substrates [carbon-based agent (CBA) and emulsified polycolloid substrate (EPS)] were developed and used as the carbon sources for Cr(VI) bioreduction enhancement. The microbial diversity, dominant Cr-bioreducing bacteria, and changes of Cr(VI)-reducing genes (nsfA, yieF, and chrR) were analyzed to assess the effectiveness of Cr(VI) bioreduction. Approximately 99% of Cr(VI) could be bioreduced in microcosms with GSIB and CBA addition after 70 days of operation, which caused increased populations of total bacteria, nsfA, yieF, and chrR from 2.9 × 108 to 2.1 × 1012, 4.2 × 104 to 6.3 × 1011, 4.8 × 104 to 2 × 1011, and 6.9 × 104 to 3.7 × 107 gene copies/L. In microcosms with CBA and suspended bacteria addition (without bacterial immobilization), the Cr(VI) reduction efficiency dropped to 60.3%, indicating that immobilized Cr-bioreducing bacteria supplement could enhance Cr(VI) bioreduction. Supplement of GSPB led to a declined bacterial growth due to the cracking of the materials. The addition of GSIB and CBA could establish a reduced condition, which favored the growth of Cr(VI)-reducing bacteria. The Cr(VI) bioreduction efficiency could be significantly improved through adsorption and bioreduction mechanisms, and production of Cr(OH)3 precipitates confirmed the occurrence of Cr(VI) reduction. The main Cr-bioreducing bacteria included Trichococcus, Escherichia-Shigella, and Lactobacillus. Results suggest that the developed GSIB bioremedial system could be applied to cleanup Cr(VI)-polluted groundwater effectively.

Reduction of psychological cravings and anxiety in women compulsorily isolated for detoxification using autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR).

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of the autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) on the psychological cravings and anxiety of women compulsorily isolated for detoxification. METHOD: Around 122 women were recruited in a female drug detoxification center. Except for the 12-week training of ASMR, the experimental conditions of the experimental group (n = 60) were the same as those of the control group (n = 62). The addiction Stroop task was used to assess the level of psychological cravings and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was used to assess the level of anxiety. RESULTS: After the training, the decrease in state anxiety of the experimental group was larger than that of the control group, and the reaction time of the experimental group in the Stroop was also significantly lower than before the training. CONCLUSIONS: ASMR could thus reduce to a certain extent the state anxiety and attentional bias for drug-related clues under signaling psychological cravings among women compulsorily isolated for detoxification. HIGHLIGHTS: Intervention effects on psychological cravings and anxiety of women isolated for detoxification Basis for role of ASMR in regulating psychological cravings and anxiety in forced abstainers ASMR intervention reduced forced abstainers' attentional bias to drug-related clues.

The function of auditory cortex in the elderly using functional near-infrared spectroscopy technology / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to study the effect of aging on the neuroimaging characteristics of cerebral cortex in the process of speech perception. Method: Thirty-four adults with normal hearing were recruited from March 2021 to June 2021, including 17 in the young group, with 6 males, 11 females, age (32.1±5.0) years, age range 20-39 years. and 17 in the elderly group, with 6 males, 11 females, age (63.2±2.8) years, age range 60-70 years. The test material was the sentence table of the Mandarin Hearing Test in Noise (MHINT). The task state block experiment design was adopted, and the temporal lobe, Broca's area, Wernicke's area, motor cortex were used as regions of interest. Objective brain imaging technology (fNIRS) combined with subjective psychophysical testing method was used to analyze the activation area and degree of cerebral cortex related to auditory speech perception in the elderly and young people under different listening conditions (quiet, signal-to-noise ratio of 10 dB, 5 dB, 0 dB, -5 dB). SPSS 23 software was used for statistical analysis. Result: The activation area and degree of activation in the elderly group were lower than those in the young group under each task condition; The number of activation channels in the young group were significantly more than those in the old group, and the number of activation channels in the left hemisphere were more than those in the right hemisphere, but there was no difference in the number of activation channels. There were more channels affected by age in the left hemisphere than in the right hemisphere. The activation degree of the young group when the signal-to-noise ratio was 0 dB was significantly higher than that of other signal-to-noise ratio conditions (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the old group under the five conditions (P>0.05). The speech recognition score of the young group was higher than that of the old group under all conditions. When the quiet and signal-to-noise ratio was 10 dB, the correct score of the two groups was equal or close to 100%. With the gradual decrease of signal-to-noise ratio, there was a significant difference between the two groups when the signal-to-noise ratio was 5 dB. The speech recognition accuracy of the young group decreased significantly when the signal-to-noise ratio was 0 dB, while that of the old group decreased significantly when the signal-to-noise ratio was 5 dB. Conclusions: With the increase of age, the speech perception in noisy environment and the activity of cerebral cortex gradually deteriorate, and the speech dominance hemisphere (left hemisphere) will be significantly affected by aging. The overall activation area and activation degree of the elderly under different speech tasks are lower than those of the young.

Myocardial Iron Deficiency Quantification and Effective Cardiac Iron Management Strategy Exploration evaluated by Cardiac T2* Mapping in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients.

PURPOSE: To explore myocardial iron content using Cardiac T2* Mapping in dialysis patients undergoing oral iron therapy or intravenous iron supplements compared to healthy controls. METHODS: Fifty-nine dialysis patients, including 30 peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients who underwent oral iron therapy, 29 hemodialysis (HD) dialysis patients who underwent intravenous iron supplements, and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. Cardiac MRI, including cine, T2 stir, and T2* mapping, was conducted at 3.0T. Quantitive T2* mapping, Cine imaging analysis was performed by two radiologists using cvi42. RESULTS: The global cardiac T2* value was higher in dialysis patients than in healthy controls (27.1 ± 6.29 ms versus 24.6 ± 3.60 ms, p< 0.05). The global cardiac T2* value of PD patients was higher than that of HD patients (28.5 ± 4.30 ms versus 25.x7 ± 3.54 ms, p< 0.05). The anteroseptal cardiac T2* value was higher in PD patients than in healthy controls (32.0 ± 4.49 ms versus 27.8 ± 4.02 ms, p< 0.05). The global T2* value negatively correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), peak radial strain, circumferential strain, and longitudinal strain. CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed that PD patients have myocardial iron deficiency despite undergoing oral iron therapy compared to HD patients who received intravenous iron treatments. And the Cardiac T2* value was found to be an independent risk factor and predictor of LVEF and left ventricular altered mechanics. Intravenous iron supplements may be an effective cardiac iron management strategy in patients with HD-dependent end-stage renal disease.

Regulatory T Cells: A New Target of Chinese Medicine in Treatment of Atherosclerosis / 中国结合医学杂志

Inflammation and immune disorders are integral to the occurrence and progression of atherosclerosis (AS). With the role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in immune regulation attracting attention, it has been widely accepted that Treg decrease and dysfunction are involved in AS pathogenesis. Chinese medicine (CM) has the advantages of being dual-directional, multi-targeted, and having minimal side effects in immune regulation. The anti-atherosclerosis effects of CM via Treg modulation have been revealed in clinical and animal studies. Therefore, this article reviews existing research on Tregs, the relationship between Tregs and AS, and the progress of CM for treating and prevention of atherosclerotic cardio-cerebrovascular diseases by regulating Tregs. Although the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated, CM treatment targeting Treg cells might provide a promising and novel future approach for prevention and treatment of AS.

[Situation Analysis and Trend Prediction of the Prevention and Control Technologies for Planting Non-Point Source Pollution].

The contribution of crop planting to agricultural non-point source pollution should not be underestimated in China. Although many modern technologies have been developed to prevent non-point source pollution in recent decades, their impacts on pollution control in farmland are far from expectation. The application of technologies for non-point source pollution control for crop farming has been delayed due to unclear technical parameters and application effectiveness. Therefore, based on studies of the non-point source pollution control for crop farming in China and abroad that were published in the last 20 years, the present research was carried out to determine the development process of planting non-point source pollution control technologies and to illuminate the framework construction. The technologies in different fields and directions were compared by their effects on fertilizer input,yield, and pollutant emission. The development trend in the field of prevention and control technologies for planting non-point source pollution was subsequently predicted. In addition, a technical framework was developed with 3 fields (pollutant source reduction, pollutant interception in the migration process, and nutrient recycling) and 14 directions. The analysis showed that the technologies for reducing pollutants from the source have attracted the most (and increasing) concern with many research directions, and that many of the studies in this field have focused on the regulation of fertilizer application. On the contrary, there is a lack of technologies in the fields of pollutant process interception and nutrient recycling. Promoting nutrient-use efficiency, regulating nutrient transformation, and using soil supplements will be the main entry points for non-point source pollution control for crop farming. Furthermore, technologies will operate better with the help of farmland infrastructure and downstream purification systems.

Research Progress on Biopharmaceutics of Active Ingredients in Chinese Materia Medica Under Multi-component System / 中国实验方剂学杂志

The biopharmaceutical properties (solubility, permeability, etc.) of active pharmaceutical ingredients are playing an important role in understanding of disposition of drugs in the body, screening of drugs and evaluation of drug delivery system. The active ingredients of Chinese materia medica (CMM) are various and complex, the research on biopharmaceutics provides a train of thought and practical method for the prediction and research on the process of active ingredients from CMM in vivo. The multi-components system is one of the main differences between CMM and chemical medicine, and the study on biopharmaceutics of active ingredients in CMM under multi-components system has become a hot topic. The progress on biopharmaceutics of active ingredients in CMM under multi-components system was reviewed in this article, which may provide the reference for data integration, theoretical induction and system construction in this field, and provide new train of thought for the research on CMM theories and the development of CMM in the perspective of biopharmaceutics.

's special penetrating needling method / 中国针灸

The clinical experience of ' penetrating needling method for refractory diseases is summarized. In clinical practice, the penetrating needling method is usually divided into shallow penetrating needling method and deep penetrating needling method. The shallow penetrating method includes parallel penetrating method, cross penetrating method, relay penetrating method and multi-directional penetrating method. Deep penetrating needling method includes deep penetration at auricular area, deep penetration at back- points, deep penetration at buttocks and deep penetration at knees. The clinical application of penetrating needling method should be based on the symptoms and the operation essentials should be grasped, in which, the needling sensation could go to the affected area, one acupoint could be stimulated by different techniques to ensure the suppelementory effect.

Anti-colorectal cancer effects of tripolinolate A from Tripolium vulgare / 中国天然药物

Tripolinolate A (TLA) is recently identified as a new compound from a halophyte plant Tripolium vulgare and has been shown to have significant in vitro activity against the proliferation of colorectal cancer and glioma cells. This study was designed to further investigate the effects of TLA on the proliferation of human normal cells, and the apoptosis and cell cycle in colorectal cancer cells, and the growth of tumors in the colorectal cancer-bearing animals. The data obtained from this study demonstrated that: 1) TLA had much less cytotoxicity in the human normal cells than the colorectal cancer cells; 2) TLA remarkably induced apoptosis in the human colorectal cancer cells and blocked cell cycle at G/M phase, and 3) TLA had significant anti-colorectal cancer activity in the tumor-bearing animals.

Summary and prospect of medicinal plant active substances in regulation of p65 nuclear translocation / 中国中药杂志

As the most important nuclear transcription factors in the cells, NF-κB is involved in many intracellular signaling pathways and transcription and regulation of genetic information. The signal transduction pathways mainly include the activation of IκB kinase, degradation of IκB protein and the nuclear translocation of p65. p65 trans-nuclear binding with DNA is the key for NF-κB to play a role. Abnormal activation of NF-κB is a major factor in the induction of oxidative stress, inflammation, cancer and so on. Therefore, maintaining the balance of NF-κB activity and regulating the nuclear translocation of p65 have great significance for further research on related subjects. In this paper, the regulation effects of the main active substances of medicinal plants (such as polyphenols, saponins, and alkaloids) on p65 nuclear translocation and the upstream pathway of NF-κB were discussed, expecting to provide reference for the development of natural active substances for functional food.

Effects of Cangfu Congxian Decoction on Oxidative Stress in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of Cangfu Congxian Decoction (CCD) on oxidative stress in granulosa cells of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty PCOS patients underwent in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) were assigned to the treatment group and the control group 1 according to random digit table, 20 in each group. Patients in the treatment group took CCD (200 mL, once in the morning and once in the afternoon) 2 months before IVF-ET, while those in the control group 1 took no Chinese medical decoction. Recruited were another 20 patients undergoing IVF-ET for tubal factors (as the control group 2). The clinical effect of IVF-ET were observed, including oocyte retrieval number, 2 pronuclear (2PN) fertilization rate, good quality embryo rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) induced transplantation cancel rate. The expression of relative oxygen species (ROS) in granulosa cells was detected using cell immunofluorescence combined with confocal microscopy and FCM.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group 1, occyte retrieval number, 2PN fertilization rate, and good quality embryo rate increased in the control group 2 and the treatment group (P <0. 05). OHSS induced transplantation cancel rate decreased in the control group 2 (P < 0.05). Fluorescence intensity of ROS decreased in the treatment group and the control group 2, as compared with the control group 1 (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CCD increased good quality embryo rate by down-regulating the expression of ROS protein in ovarian granulosa cells, and correcting in vivo oxidative stress.</p>

Bushen Qiangji Granule () medicated serum inhibits osteogenic differentiation of fibroblasts in ankylosing spondylitis by inhibiting the BMP/Smads signal pathway in vitro / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the mechanism of Bushen Qiangji Granule (, BSQJ) in restraining the osteogenic differentiation of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) fifibroblasts.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Hip joint capsules were obtained from AS patients (n=10) receiving total hip replacement and healthy hip joint capsules from patients with hip fracture (n=10) receiving surgery as a control. Finite fifibroblast lines were established from these tissue samples to observe the effect of BSQJ on suppressing osteogenic differentiation of fifibroblasts. The expression of osteogenic marker gene corebinding factor a1 (Cbfa1) and Smad family proteins were examined by Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mRNA expression level of Cbfa1 was significantly higher in AS fibroblasts than that in normal fibroblasts and the expression of pSmad1, pSmad5, Smad4 and Cbfa1 in AS fibroblasts was also higher, demonstrating the activation of the BMP/Smads signal pathway in AS fifibroblasts. BSQJ-medicated serum not only restrained the mRNA and protein expression levels of Cbfa1 and inhibited protein expression level of Smad4 but also decreased the expression quantities of pSmad1 and pSmad5.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>BSQJ can inhibit osteogenic differentiation of AS fifibroblasts in vitro by suppressing the activation of the BMP/Smads signal pathway. This may be the important molecular mechanism of BSQJ in regulating AS ossifification.</p>

Screening of active compounds with myocardial protective effects from Tongmai Yangxin pill / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Based on cell model and HPLC-MS technology, to screen myocardial protection active compounds from traditional patent medicine Tongmai Yangxin pill (TMYXP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fractions of TMYXP were prepared by high performance liquid preparation technology. The cardioprotective effects of prepared fractions were tested on H2O2 oxidation-damaged H9c2 myocardiocytes. The active components were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry. The possible active compounds were putatively identified by comparison of their MS ions and molecular weight with literatures.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Ten TMYXP components presented significant myocardial protective activities, 5 of which were investigated and presented good dose-effect relationships. Their median effective concentrations (EC50) were respectively 11.66, 17.44, 13.10, 7.332, 15.15 μg/mL. Totally, 11 potential active compounds were analyzed and identified, including Glycyrrhizic acid, Glycycoumarin, Licoisoflavone, Ophiopogonin D', Licoricon, Gancaonin L, Neoglycyrol, Emodin, Angeloylgomisin H, Angeloylgomisin Q and Glyasperin A.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The myocardial protection active compounds of TMYXP were screened successfully.</p>

Exogenous γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) affects pollen tube growth via modulating putative Ca2+-permeable membrane channels and is coupled to negative regulation on glutamate decarboxylase.

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is implicated in pollen tube growth, but the molecular and cellular mechanisms that it mediates are largely unknown. Here, it is shown that exogenous GABA modulates putative Ca(2+)-permeable channels on the plasma membranes of tobacco pollen grains and pollen tubes. Whole-cell voltage-clamp experiments and non-invasive micromeasurement technology (NMT) revealed that the influx of Ca(2+) increases in pollen tubes in response to exogenous GABA. It is also demonstrated that glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), the rate-limiting enzyme of GABA biosynthesis, is involved in feedback controls of Ca(2+)-permeable channels to fluctuate intracellular GABA levels and thus modulate pollen tube growth. The findings suggest that GAD activity linked with Ca(2+)-permeable channels relays an extracellular GABA signal and integrates multiple signal pathways to modulate tobacco pollen tube growth. Thus, the data explain how GABA mediates the communication between the style and the growing pollen tubes.

Effect of bushen tiaojing recipe on the quality of the oocytes and reproductive hormones in the follicular fluid in IVF-ET patients / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of Bushen Tiaojing Recipe (BTR) on the quality of oocytes, reproductive hormones, and the expression of bone morphogenetic protein-15 (BMP15) of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty infertility patients who prepared for IVF-ET were assigned to two groups according to the treatment order, the treatment group [20 cases, treated with BTR + controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH)] and the control group (treated with COH alone, 40 cases). Age, the time limit for infertility, basal follicle-stimulating hormone (bFSH) concentration, usage days and the dosage of gonadotropins (Gn), serum levels of estradiol (E2), luteotropic hormone (LH), and progesterone (P) on the HCG injection day, the number of retrieved occytes, the fertilization rate, the number of embryos, the high quality embryo rate, and the clinical pregnancy rate were compared. Concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), LH, E2, testosterone (T), and P in the follicular fluid were detected via chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay. The mRNA and protein expression of BMP-15 in mature granulosa cells was detected by real-time fluorescent PCR and Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Thirty-two patients were pregnant and the total pregnancy rate was 53.3%. Of them, 19 were pregnant and the total pregnancy rate was 47.5% in the control group, while 20 were pregnant and the total pregnancy rate was 65.0% in the treatment group. But there was no statistical difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the Gn dosage was lower and the high quality embryo rate was higher in the treatment group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in serum concentrations of E2, LH, or P on the HCG injection day, the number of retrieved oocytes, or the fertilization rate (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, FSH concentrations in the follicular fluid were significantly lower and LH concentrations were significantly higher in the treatment group (P < 0.05). The LH concentrations in the follicular fluid were significantly higher in pregnant patients than non-pregnant patients, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05).There was no statistical difference in E2, T, or P concentrations (P > 0.05). The mRNA and protein expression of BMP-15 in granulosa cells was higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). It was also higher in pregnant patients than non-pregnant patients, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>During the IVF-ET process, BTR could elevate the quality of oocytes, and increase the sensitivity of ovarian follicles to exogenous Gn, which was correlated with the mRNA and protein expression of BMP-15 in granulosa cells, and changing concentrations of FSH and LH.</p>

Effects of xinwei granule on STAT3 and p-STAT3 signal pathway in rats with precancerous lesion of gastric cancer / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of Xinwei Granule (XG) on signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) and tyrosine phosphorylation of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (p-STAT3) signal pathway in rats with precancerous lesions of gastric carcinoma (PLGC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 96 Wistar rats were randomly divided into the blank control group (abbreviated as the blank group, n = 16) and the model group (n = 80). The PLGC rat model was established by complex pathogenic factors, in which methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) was mainly used. After successful modeling, 75 rats randomly selected were divided into the model group, the Vitacoenzyme group, the low dose XG group, the middle dose XG group, and the high dose XG group, 15 in each group. Fifteen rats were randomly selected from the blank group, and fed with ordinary standard forage and administered with 10 mL/kg 0.9% sodium chloride by gastrogavage. XG at 1.254 g/kg, 2.508 g/kg, and 5.016 g/kg was respectively administered to rats in the three XG groups by gastrogavage. Rats in the model group were administered with 10 mL/kg 0.9% sodium chloride by gastrogavage. Vitacoenzyme was administered to rats in the Vitacoenzyme group. Vitacoenzyme Tablet was pulverized to prepare 0.1 g/mL 0.9% sodium chloride suspension and administered by gastrogavage. All the medication was performed once daily and continued for 12 weeks. The general conditions (including rats' fur, activity, food and water, excrement, body weight, and survival), the pathological changes in the gastric mucosa, as well as the expressions of STAT3 and p-STAT3 were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the blank group,the expression levels of STAT3 and p-STAT3 increased in the model group (P < 0.05). The general conditions, such as the activity, food and water intake, and body weight were improved in each XG group. Compared with the model group, the expressions of STAT3 and p-STAT3 decreased in each XG group with statistical difference (P < 0.05). The occurrence of PLGC, i.e., intestinal metaplasia (IM) and dysplasia (DYS) significantly decreased with statistical difference (P < 0.05). Compared with the Vitacoenzyme group, the occurrence of IM and DYS significantly decreased in the middle and high dose XG groups, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). The expressions of STAT3 and p-STAT3 decreased more significantly in the middle and high dose XG groups, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>XG could obviously improve the pathological conditions of gastric mucosa in rats with PLGC. It could fight against the progress of PLGC by down-regulating the expressions of STAT3 mRNA and p-STAT3.</p>

Effect of bushen tiaojing recipe on the expressions of Smad1, Smad5, Smad8, and Smad4 in human mural granulosa cells / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of Bushen Tiaojing Recipe (BTR) on the expressions of drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic protein (Smadl), Smad5, Smad8, and Smad4 on human mural granulosa cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-six patients undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) were randomly assigned to two groups in the ratio of 1:2, the treatment group and the control group. Twenty-three patients in the treatment group were treated with BTR and GnRHa/FSH/hCG, while forty-three patients in the control group were treated with GnRHa/FSH/hCG. The mRNA expressions of Smad1, Smad5, Smad8, and Smad4 on mural granulosa cells of the mature follicle were detected by real-time PCR on the ovum retrieval day. The expressions of Smad1, Smad5, Smad8, and Smad4 at the protein level were observed using cell immunofluorescence method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mRNA and protein expressions of Smadl in the granulosa cells were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0.05). There was no statistical difference in the mRNA and protein expressions of Smad5, Smad8, and Smad4 between the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The mechanisms of BTR for improving the pregnancy rate and the ovarian functions might be correlated with up-regulating mRNA and protein expressions of Smadl of human mural granulosa cells.</p>

Berberine acutely inhibits the digestion of maltose in the intestine.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The Chinese Goldthread Rhizome has been used in the Traditional Chinese Medicine as an important ingredient of many formulas for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Berberine, the main effective composition of Chinese Goldthread Rhizome, is also effective in treating diabetes in today's clinical practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the hypoglycemic activity of berberine which treats acutely on the postprandial blood glucose, and to explore the mechanism of this activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 1. One-dose preprandial intragastric administrations of berberine were given to normal animals (dogs and rats), and the postprandial blood glucose concentration curves were measured. Serum insulin enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was only performed in rats. 2. The euglycemic clamp test was performed to evaluate the effect of one-dose berberine intragastric administration on the blood glucose transformation and utilization rate in rats. 3. In the Caco-2 cell monolayer test, the changes of glucose concentration on the apical and basolateral sides were measured when the maltose solution containing berberine was added to the apical side. 4. The inhibition ratio of berberine against α-glucosidase was measured in vitro. 5. The effect of berberine on the fluorescence emission spectrums of α-glucosidase was studied. RESULTS: One-dose preprandial intragastric administration of berberine delayed the rise of post-maltose blood glucose, did not affect postprandial blood glucose after glucose meal, and did not affect the insulin level in normal rats; reduced post-maltose blood glucose in normal dogs. 2. The result of euglycemic clamp test showed that one-dose intragastric administration of berberine had no effect on the blood glucose transformation and utilization rate in rats. 3. Berberine added to the maltose solution on the apical side of Caco-2 cell monolayer reduced the glucose concentration on the apical side. Glucose in basolateral side of all groups cannot be detected. 4. Berberine inhibited the activity of α-glucosidase in vitro. 5. Berberine significantly and concentration dependently quenched the fluorescence emission spectrum of α-glucosidase. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest an additional mechanism of the hypoglycemic activity of berberine by demonstrating its ability to acutely inhibit the α-glucosidase, and support the traditional use of berberine and Chinese Goldthread Rhizome for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Electroacupuncture at Antagonistic Motor Points for Ankle Varus post Stroke / 中国康复理论与实践

@#Objective To compare the clinical effects of electroacupuncture at antagonistic motor points and at acupoints on ankle varus post stroke. Methods 96 patients with ankle varus post stroke were randomly divided into treatment group (n=48) and control group (n=48). All the patients accepted Bobath approach. The treatment group accepted electroacupuncture at antagonistic motor points, while the control group at antagonistic acupoints. They were assessed with Holden functional ambulation category, modified Ashworth scale and dorsiflexion- eversion grade of ankle before and after 4 weeks of treatment. Results The ambulation, spasticity of ankle, and dorsiflexion-eversion of ankle improved in both groups after treatment (P<0.05), and improved more in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture at antagonistic motor points may release spasticity of ankle post stroke more effective than at acpoints