Eucarbwenstols A-H, eight novel compounds from Eucalyptus robusta prevents MPC-5 injury via ROS modulation and regulation of mitochondrial membrane potential.

BACKGROUND: The damage of podocytes is a primary hallmark of lupus nephritis (LN). Therefore, finding an effective way to inhibit the podocyte injury is important for improving the survival and development of patients with LN. Eucalyptus robusta exhibits anti-inflammatory properties. However, whether Formyl phloroglucinol meroterpenoids (FPMs), which are specialized metabolites of the genus Eucalyptus, is an anti-inflammatory active ingredient of E. robusta remains to be determined. PURPOSE: This study asimed to identify novel FPMs from E. robusta and investigated their anti-inflammatory effects. METHODS: Various separation methods were used to isolate and identify the compounds in the PE extract of E. robusta. The structures of the isolates were determined using 1D/2D NMR data and electron circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. The level of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of the podocyte cell line, MPC-5, were assessed using a multifunctional microplate reader combined with flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS: Eight novel FPMs (1-8, Eucarbwenstols A-H, Fig. 1) and 15 known FPMs (9-23) were purified from the PE extract of E. robusta. It is noteworthy that compound 1 possesses an unprecedented FPM carbon skeleton. Among these compounds, compounds 1, 2, 4 and 5 showed the most promising potential for protecting MPC-5 cells because pretreatment with pro-inflammatory cytokines TGF-ß, IFN-α and IL-6 decreased ROS production and ameliorated the mitochondrial state. CONCLUSIONS: Our research contributes to the characterization of E. robusta constituents and highlights the anti-inflammatory effects of FPMs.

Effects of electroacupuncture on pain sensation in a rat model of hyperalgesia with nicotine dependence.

Tobacco smoking is considered to be one of the main risk factors in the development of chronic pain. Long-term chronic exposure to nicotine and other forms of tobacco have been shown to be associated with an increased incidence of pain. Studies have shown that acupuncture can help smokers to reduce their desire to smoke, reduce their withdrawal symptoms, and avoid a relapse after treatment. However, little has been reported about the effects of acupuncture on pain sensitivity caused by long-term smoking. Models of hyperalgesia were established in rats exposed to nicotine for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks of continuous nicotine exposure, electroacupuncture at bilateral acupoints Zusanli (ST36) and Taichong (LR3) was performed 20 minutes per day for 6 days at a continuous wave with a frequency of 2 Hz and a stimulus intensity of 1 mA. The results revealed that electroacupuncture treatment increased the mechanical response threshold of hind paw of nicotine-dependent rats with hyperalgesia and up-regulated the protein expression of pain-related factors µ-opioid receptor, ß-endorphin and glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 in the spinal cord and midbrain periaqueductal gray and the protein expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 in the spinal cord. These findings suggest that electroacupuncture treatment has positive analgesic effects on pain sensitivity caused by long-term chronic nicotine exposure. One possible mechanism for the improved analgesia is that electroacupuncture increases the expression of pain-related factors in the spinal cord and midbrain periaqueductal gray. This study was approved by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of the University of Miami (#18-167) on December 12, 2018.

Interdisciplinary implementation of tacrolimus intravenous standard concentration in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients.

Purpose Reduction in waste of intravenous (IV) tacrolimus, an immunosuppressant used to prevent graft-versus-host disease in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients, was evaluated after standardizing the concentration. Methods A single-center, retrospective cohort study at a large academic comprehensive cancer center was performed comparing patient-specific intravenous tacrolimus doses (tacrolimus doses in 50, 100, or 250 mL of normal saline based on manufacturer's recommended concentration) to tacrolimus intravenous standard concentration (tacrolimus 1 mg in 250 mL of normal saline) continuous intravenous infusion titrated to prescribed dose. The cohort study was performed on two hematopoietic stem cell transplantation nursing units consisting of a prepilot phase during which time patient-specific intravenous tacrolimus doses were compounded and administered, followed by the pilot phase during which patients received tacrolimus intravenous standard concentration. The primary endpoint was reduction in tacrolimus intravenous bags wasted. Secondary endpoints were drug cost savings, decreased intravenous infusion line supplies, decrease in time needed to execute dose changes, reduction in infusion pump alerts, and number of patient safety events. Results Compared to the prepilot phase, there was a 64% reduction in tacrolimus intravenous bags wasted during the pilot phase ( p = 0.029), resulting in a mean monthly total cost savings of $224.31 for pilot units. Intravenous pump line use was reduced by 18% ( p = 0.067), yielding a monthly total cost savings of $84.02 for pilot units. The median time needed to execute dose changes and intravenous pump overrides was significantly reduced ( p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, respectively). Conclusion This interdisciplinary quality improvement initiative led to increased efficiency, reduction in waste, and decreased intravenous pump alerts utilizing tacrolimus intravenous standard concentration.

DHA supplementation improves cognitive function via enhancing Aß-mediated autophagy in Chinese elderly with mild cognitive impairment: a randomised placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Higher docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake is inversely correlated with relative risk of Alzheimer's disease. The potential benefits of DHA supplementation in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have not been fully examined. OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to assess the effect of a 24-month DHA supplementation on cognitive function and amyloid beta (Aß)-mediated autophagy in elderly subjects with MCI. METHODS: This was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in Tianjin, China. A total of 240 individuals with MCI were identified and randomly divided into intervention (DHA 2 g/day, n=120) and control (corn oil as placebo, n=120) groups. Cognitive function and blood Aß-related biomarkers were measured at baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Data were analysed using generalised estimating equation. RESULTS: A total of 217 participants (DHA: 109, placebo: 108) completed the trial. During the follow-up, scores of full-scale IQ, verbal IQ and subdomains of information and digit span were significantly higher in the intervention group than the convention group (p<0.05). In the intervention group, blood Aß-42 level and expression of Aß protein precursor mRNA were decreased (p<0.05), while Beclin-1 and LC3-II levels and expression of LC3-II mRNA were increased (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Daily oral DHA supplementation (2 g/day) for 24 months may improve cognitive function and change blood biomarker-related Aß-mediated autophagy in people with MCI. Larger longer-term confirmatory studies are warranted. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR-IOR-15006058.

Effects of DHA Supplementation on Hippocampal Volume and Cognitive Function in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A 12-Month Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is important for brain function, and higher DHA intake is inversely correlated with relative risk of Alzheimer's disease. The potential benefits of DHA supplementation in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have not been fully examined. Our study aimed to determine the effect of DHA supplementation on cognitive function and hippocampal atrophy in elderly subjects with MCI. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in Tianjin, China. 240 individuals with MCI aged 65 years and over were recruited and equalized randomly allocated to the DHA or the placebo group. Participants received 12-month DHA supplementation (2 g/day) or corn oil as placebo. Both global and specific subdomains of cognitive function and hippocampal volume were measured at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Both changes were analyzed by repeated-measure analysis of variance (ANOVA). This trial has been registered: ChiCTR-IOR-15006058. A total of 219 participants (DHA: 110, Placebo: 109) completed the trial. The change in mean serum DHA levels was greater in the intervention group (+3.85%) compared to the control group (+1.06%). Repeated-measures analyses of covariance showed that, over 12 months, there was a significant difference in the Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (ηp2 = 0.084; p = 0.039), Information (ηp2 = 0.439; p = 0.000), and Digit Span (ηp2 = 0.375; p = 0.000) between DHA-treated versus the placebo group. In addition, there were significant differences in volumes of left hippocampus (ηp2 = 0.121, p = 0.016), right hippocampus (ηp2 = 0.757, p = 0.008), total hippocampus (ηp2 = 0.124, p = 0.023), and global cerebrum (ηp2 = 0.145, p = 0.032) between the two groups. These findings suggest that DHA supplementation (2 g/day) for 12 months in MCI subjects can significantly improve cognitive function and slow the progression of hippocampal atrophy. Larger, longer-term confirmatory studies are warranted.

[Astragali Radix and Hedysari Radix molecular identification of SSR primers screening and fingerprints code].

Leguminous related SSR primers were collected, core primers used for Astragali Radix and Hedysari Radix identification were screened and validated by using molecular marker techniques. 6 core primers were selected from 101 pairs of primers, the molecular weight of PCR products was 100-500 bp, which formed 7-12 electrophoresis bands with 55 amplified loci. The percentage of polymorphic loci was 100%, and the average polymorphism information content was 0.371. According to the results of cluster analysis, obtained core primer could completely distinguish 62 mixture samples of Astragali Radix and Hedysari Radix in similarity coefficient of 0.46. Core primers and the corresponding characteristics from gel electrophoresis were tagged. The results provide identification basis for Astragali Radix and Hedysari Radix.

Qizhi Jiangtang Jiaonang Improves Insulin Signaling and Reduces Inflammatory Cytokine Secretion and Reactive Oxygen Species Formation in Insulin Resistant HepG2 Cells.

We analyzed the effects of a traditional Chinese medicine, Qizhi Jiangtang Jiaonang (QJJ), on insulin resistance (IR) in vitro. After an in vitro model of IR was established by treating human liver cancer cells (HepG2 cells) with palmitic acid, the cells were then treated with various concentrations of QJJ. Treatment with 400 µM palmitic acid for 24 h induced IR in HepG2 cells. The survival rate for HepG2 cells in the IR group was significantly lower than that of the untreated control group (P < 0.001); however, QJJ restored HepG2 cell survival (P < 0.001). As compared with HepG2 cells in the IR group, QJJ at all doses analyzed significantly increased glucose consumption (all P < 0.05). Moreover, treatment with all the QJJ doses significantly reduced the mean intracellular reactive oxygen species levels as compared with the IR group (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, high-dose QJJ reduced both TNF-α and IL-6 levels as compared to the IR group (all P < 0.05). QJJ ameliorated the altered PI3K, GLUT4, and RAGE expression observed with IR. In conclusion, QJJ can improve IR in HepG2 cells, which may be mediated through the IRS-1/PI3K/GLUT4 signaling pathway as well as regulation of NF-κB-mediated inflammation and oxidative stress.

Combined antihypertensive effect of luteolin and buddleoside enriched extracts in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Flos Chrysanthemi is used in a variety of diseases in traditional Chinese medicine including hypertension, and the total flavonoids (rich in luteolin (LUT) and buddleoside (BUD)) of Flos Chrysanthemi is known to modulate vascular functions and reduce the blood pressure. However, the active flavonoids and their synergistic effects on anti-hypertension are still unclear. To investigate the combined anti-hypertension effects of LUT and BUD enriched extracts on spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), as well as the anti-hypertensive mechanism of LUT&BUD mixture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CODA Mouse & Rat Tail-Cuff Blood Pressure System was used to measure the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of SHR after treated with extracts contains with LUT and/or BUD. The expressions of Ang II, PRA, ALD, ET, PGI2 and TXB2 were investigated by ELASA. Serum NO concentration was measured by the method of Nitric acid reductase. RESULTS: A single administration of LUT, BUD, or LUT:BUD=1:1 significantly reduced SBP by about 3.35 mmHg, 4.39 mmHg and 15.42 mmHg, respectively. Chronic administration of LBM (at 60 mg/kg; p.o. for 30 days) reduced both SBP and DBP by 4.04% and 5.24% of the vehicle group, respectively. Oral administration of LBM at 60 mg/kg inhibited the serum levels of ANG, ALD and ET, but increased serum NO concentration. CONCLUSION: This study shows the synergistic anti-hypertension effects of LUT and BUD in SHR. The effects of LBM on blood pressure are associated with RAAS and endothelial system. Thus, our experiments suggest that the combination of luteolin and buddleoside from Flos Chrysanthemi are potentially useful for the therapeutic treatments for hypertension.

Clinical study on treatment of cough variant asthma by Chinese medicine.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy and the change of airway responsiveness to Chinese medicine (CM) in treating cough variant asthma (CVA). METHODS: Ninety-four patients who had confirmed the diagnosis of CVA were selected and randomly assigned to the treatment group and the control group by the blocked randomization method. The ratio of the two groups was 2:1. The treatment group had 63 patients that were treated by CM, lost in 10 cases, 53 patients had finished the trial. The control group had 31 patients that were treated by montelukast tablets and theophylline, lost in 5 cases, 26 patients had finished the trial, two weeks as one therapeutic course. The syndrome efficacy, cough efficacy, symptom score and the airway responsiveness between two groups were observed. RESULTS: The comparison of the syndrome efficacy: the total effective rate of the treatment group was 90.57% and the control group was 76.92%, and the two groups were significantly different (P<0.05). The comparison of the cough efficacy: the total effective rate of the treatment group was 98.11% and the control group was 80.77%, and the two groups were also significantly different (P<0.05). Syndrome scoring and cough scoring were all significantly lowered, but the airway responsiveness was not significantly lowered. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of CM could ease the cough, improve the syndrome, and shows obvious advantages compared with the control group, which is worthy of extensive clinical application.

Diabetic neuropathic pain development in type 2 diabetic mouse model and the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of coenzyme Q10.

UNLABELLED: The early onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), driven by increasing obesity, is associated with peripheral neuropathy. Here, we characterize diabetic neuropathic pain in New Zealand obese diabetic mice (NZO/HILtJ) as a polygenic model of obesity with type 2 diabetes and investigate the role of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in the prevention and treatment of diabetic neuropathic pain. Since the overexpression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor-κB proteins (NF-Kb), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and downstream cytokines (such as CCL2, CXCL10) are considered important factors contributing to the development of neuropathic pain, the expression of these factors and the inhibitory effects of CoQ10 were evaluated. NZO/HILtJ mice spontaneously developed type 2 DM and increased body mass with diabetic neuropathic pain. CoQ10 treatment decreased pain hypersensitivity and long-term supplementation prevented the development of diabetic neuropathic pain but did not attenuate diabetes. Spinal cord, blood serum, liver tissue, and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) from diabetic mice demonstrated increased lipid peroxidation, which was decreased by CoQ10 treatment. The percentage of positive neurons of p65 (the activated marker of NF-KB) and MAPK in DRG were significantly higher in DM mice compared to controls. However, CoQ10 treatment significantly decreased p65 and MAPK positive neurons in the DRG of DM mice. RT-PCR demonstrated that elevated levels of mRNA of CCL2, CXCL10 or TLR4 in the spinal cord of DM mice decreased significantly when DM mice were treated with CoQ10. CONCLUSION: This model may be useful in understanding the mechanisms of neuropathic pain in type 2 DM induced neuropathic pain and may facilitate preclinical testing of therapies. CoQ10 may decrease oxidative stress in the central and peripheral nervous system by acting as an anti-oxidant and free-radical scavenger. These results suggest that CoQ10 might be a reasonable preventative strategy for long-term use and using CoQ10 treatment may be a safe and effective long-term approach in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy.

The discovery of 071031B, a novel serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor.

Depression is a severe mood disorder with increasing morbidity and suicidality, while the current therapy is not satisfactory. Serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) have been reported to have higher efficacy and/or faster acting rate than commonly used antidepressants. The present study was designed to screen the potential SNRIs, using in vitro radioligand receptor binding assays and in vivo animal tests, and introduced the discovery of 071031B. In the tail suspension test and forced swimming test in mice, six compounds (071017S, 071026W, 071031A, 071031B, 080307A and 080307B) showed robust antidepressant activity, without stimulant effect on the locomotor activity or other side effects, and the minimal effective dose of 071017S, 071026W, 071031A and 071031B was less than that of duloxetine; in vitro binding tests indicated that 071031B had high affinity to both serotonin transporter and noradrenaline transporter with similar inhibitory rates to duloxetine at 1 and 100 nM; acute toxicity test indicated that the LD50 value of 071031B was similar to that of duloxetine. These findings demonstrated that this integrated system, combining high throughput screening technology and in vivo animal tests, is effective to screen potential monoamine reuptake inhibitors fast and accurately; 071031B is expected to be a novel serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor for its robust antidepressant activity and transporter affinity.

[Structure of secondary saikosaponins in saiko decoction].

OBJECTIVE: To study the structures of secondary saikosaponins in saiko decoction. METHOD: The structures of saikosaponins were separated from saiko decoction and identified by various separation and spectral techniques. HPLC method was adopted for identifying all of separated saikosaponins. RESULT: Eleven saikosaponins were separated from saiko decoction. Four of the seven new constitutes contained in saiko decoction were identified. CONCLUSION: This study lays a foundation for improving the identification of secondary saikosaponins.

Effects of the crude extract of Polygala tenuifolia Willd on human sperm in vitro.

The aim of the present study is to analyze sperm membrane changes and the spermicidal effect in treatment with the crude extract from Polygala tenuifolia Willd (PTW) in vitro. The root of PTW was extracted in distilled water. Normal human spermatozoa were used to assess the spermicidal activity (Sander-Cramer assay) of the extract from the PTW root. The hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) test and the eosin Y (EY) staining were used to detect the integrity of sperm membrane and vitality. The sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test was performed to determine sperm DNA integrity. N-9 was used as a reference standard and semen added to physiological saline was used as the control. Semen samples were donated by 42 healthy fertile men. The crude extract from the root of PTW could immobilize and kill 100% spermatozoa within 20 s in vitro at the concentrations of 20.0 and 10.0 mg/ml; at the concentration of 5.0 mg/ml, spermatozoa were immobilized in (39.5±3.2) s. In the groups of the crude extract from the root of PTW and N-9 solution, the rate of the normal HOS (tails swollen) and the white head (unstained) was 0%, and the rate of the abnormal HOS (tails unswollen) and red head (stained) was 100%. Sperm DNA fragmentation showed no change in exposure to the crude extract from the root of PTW and N-9 solution. The sperm revival test did not show any spermatozoa that recovered their motilities. The rapid spermicidal activity of the crude extract from the root of PTW in vitro may occur by the disruption of the sperm membrane integrity.

Preparation of a novel inorganic polymer coagulant from oil shale ash.

In this paper, a novel inorganic polymer coagulant was prepared from oil shale ash, and was adopted to treat municipal sewage. Effect of coagulants dosage on the turbidity and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal were examined. In addition, the structure and morphology of the prepared coagulants were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infra-red spectra (FTIR), furthermore, the zeta potential of the sewage and the microscopic images of flocks were measured. The results indicate that the characterization and coagulation performance of the samples are affected by Al/Fe mole ratios and the type of lixiviant. The most of Fe(3+) is not turned into the crystals, which means that the samples are not simple mixtures of raw materials but inorganic polymer compounds with iron, aluminum, silicon and other ions. When Al/Fe mole ratio is 0.71 or the 2HCl/H(2)SO(4) mole ratio of the lixiviant is 1:1, the coagulation performance of the sample is better than that of the others. The integrated analysis suggests that the entrapment, adsorption and complexation abilities play important roles in coagulation process although the charge neutralization is weak. Also, the chain-net structure and the suitable size of polymer group are favorable for the entrapment, adsorption and complexation ability of the samples.

[Comparative study on the integration teaching materials of integrated Chinese and Western medicine].

The publication of the new era nationwide and standardized teaching materials for higher medical school (a set containing 16 books) is the presentative achievement of the all-in-one integrative medical teaching material compilation, having prominent significance. In this paper, by classifying and comparing the contents in the book "Internal Medicine of Integrative Medicine", the flaws in theory, combination, field of view, feature, etc. of the materials were pointed out, and an assumption about integrating the writing resources, innovating the writing mode, giving prominence to the characteristic of the book and optimizing the writing content, etc, were suggested in order to advance the constructions of the integrative medical teaching materials.

[Mechanism for sperm immobilization activity of extract from Platycodon grandiflorum in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of spermicidal effect of crude extract and platycodin-D from Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) root in vitro. METHODS: Between February 2006 and December 2009, 38 fertile and healthy adult males were selected as donors. PG root was extracted and platycodin-D purified. Grouping was as follows: crude extract from PG root, platycodin-D, nonoxynol-9 (N-9, as a reference standard) and semen-added physiological saline (as control). Spermicidal experiments were carried out in vitro (Sander-Cramer test). The hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) test and modified Eosin-Giemsa (EG) staining were used to detect the integrity of sperm membrane. Four types of sperm morphology were divided through HOS-EG test: Type A: spermatozoa with swelling in tails and head white staining HOS(+)-EG(-) (membrane intact); Type B: spermatozoa with no swelling in tails (membrane-damaged) and head white staining HOS(-)-EG(-); Type C: spermatozoa with tail swelling and head red HOS(+)-EG(+); Type D: spermatozoa with no swelling in tails and head red HOS(-)-EG(+). Sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test was performed to determine the integrity of sperm DNA. RESULTS: The crude extract from PG root could immobilize and kill 100% spermatozoa within 20 s in vitro at the concentrations of 50.0 g/L and 20.0 g/L (v:v = 1:1 in semen). When the semen sample was exposed to the concentrations of 2.0 g/L and 1.0 g/L of platycodin-D, all spermatozoa were immobilized within 20 s. In the control group, the mean percentage of Types A, B, C and D was (69.0 ± 8.3)%, (3.4 ± 0.5)%, (10.2 ± 1.7)% and (17.4 ± 2.1)% respectively. In the groups of platycodin-D and N-9 solution, the rate of Types A and B was 0. The rate of Types C [(65.3 ± 3.8)%] and D [(34.7 ± 7.1)%] significantly increased versus control in the platycodin-D group (P < 0.01). Sperm DNA fragmentation had no change upon an exposure to the extract from PG root, platycodin-D and N-9 solution. And the sperm revival test showed none of the spermatozoa recovered their motility. CONCLUSION: The extract and platycodin-D from PG root have a quick sperm-killing effect in a short time in vitro by disrupting the integrity of sperm membrane (main head).

[Randomized controlled study on suhuang zhike capsule for treatment of post-cold cough].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect and safety of Suhuang Zhike Capsule (SZC) on post-cold cough. METHODS: The multi-centered randomized double-blinded clinical trial was adopted, and Zhike Ningsuo Capsule (ZNC) as the positive control drug, 280 patients were enrolled and assigned to two groups, the 210 patients (2 dropped out) in the treatment group were treated with SZC, and the 70 (1 dropped out) in the control group treated with ZNC, both at the daily dose of 3 capsules for three times, and the course for all patients was 7 days. The frequency, degree of cough as well as the condition of throat itching and expectoration were observed. RESULTS: The program was completed in 204 patients of the treatment group and 67 in the control group. per-protocol (PP) analysis on cough showed the total effective rate and the cured-effective rate was 87.75 % and 58.82% in the treatment group respectively, which was superior to that in the control group, 76.12% and 34.33%, respectively (P < 0.05). intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis on cough also showed the similar results 87.02 % vs 75.36% for total effective rate, 57.42% vs 35.71% for the cured-effective rate (P < 0.05). The two indexes of effectiveness on disease analyzed by PP were 92.16 % and 60.29% in the treatment group, and 86.57% and 31.34% in the control group respectively (P < 0.05), and by ITT were 91.35 % and 59.62%, 85.51% and 30.43%, respectively (P < 0.05), both showed significant difference between groups only in cured-effective rate but not in the total effective rate (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: SZC is effective and safe in treating post-cold cough.

[Diagnosis and treatment of post traumatic spasmodic flat foot].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss diagnosis and treatment of post traumatic spasmodic flat foot. METHODS: From 2002 to 2007, 7 diagnosed patients were recruited and underwent following procedures: under epidural anesthesia or common peroneal nerve block anesthesia, massage was performed on the peroneal muscles for about 5 minutes, then ankle joint was underwent with passive functional exercise. Feeling muscle relaxation, we held the wounded foot in varus and adducted position forcefully, then immobilized it with short leg cast. After 3 weeks of continuous immobilization, the cast was removed and patients were given physical treatment and functional training. RESULTS: Symptoms of these patients such as claudication and pain in foot were improved, the foot deformity was corrected and foot arch restored to normal. After a follow-up of 6 months,no obvious recurrence was observed. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of post traumatic spasmodic flat foot is based on the careful inquiry of traumatic history,physical examination and X-ray results. Manipulative reduction under common peroneal nerve block anesthesia and cast immobilization is a simple and effective method to treat this disease.

[Effects of Feixianping on collagen type I and III in bleomycin induced pulmonary fibrosis rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Feixianping (FXP) on collagen type I and II in rats with pulmonary fibrosis (PF). METHODS: Sixty healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, the normal group (A), the model group (B), the positive control group (C) and the two FXP groups (D and E) treated respectively with high and low dose of FXP. Except those in Group A (they were not modeled and administered with normal saline), all rats were established into PF model by intra-tracheal instillation of bleomycin and administered with respective medicines starting from the 1st day after modeling. Rats were sacrificed in batches at 3 time points, the 7th, 14th, and 28th day for observing the pathological changes of lung under light microscope with HE staining and to identify collagen type I and III in lung tissue by immunohistochemical stain and image quantitative analysis. RESULTS: Light-dyeing proliferative collagen fiber was presented in the slightly thickened alveolar wall in lung of modeled rats from the 14th day on, and the pathological changes became more distinct on the 28th day. The highest amount of collagen appeared in the group B, correspondingly, that in all the other groups was much lower (P < 0.05). Reduction of collagen type I and III revealed in both FXP treated groups, but better effect was shown in the high dose FXP group. The effect of FXP was superior to that of positive control on the 14 th day (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: FXP can effectively reduce the abnormal proliferation of collagen in experimental rats with PF.