MedChatZH: A tuning LLM for traditional Chinese medicine consultations.

Generative Large Language Models (LLMs) have achieved significant success in various natural language processing tasks, including Question-Answering (QA) and dialogue systems. However, most models are trained on English data and lack strong generalization in providing answers in Chinese. This limitation is especially evident in specialized domains like traditional Chinese medical QA, where performance suffers due to the absence of fine-tuning and high-quality datasets. To address this, we introduce MedChatZH, a dialogue model optimized for Chinese medical QA based on transformer decoder with LLaMA architecture. Continued pre-training on a curated corpus of Chinese medical books is followed by fine-tuning with a carefully selected medical instruction dataset, resulting in MedChatZH outperforming several Chinese dialogue baselines on a real-world medical dialogue dataset. Our model, code, and dataset are publicly available on GitHub (https://github.com/tyang816/MedChatZH) to encourage further research in traditional Chinese medicine and LLMs.

Efficacy of an Yinyanghuo (Herba Epimedii Brevicornus)-Xianmao (Rhizoma Curculiginis) drug pair in a rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To identify active compounds in an Yinyanghuo (Herba Epimedii Brevicornus) - Xianmao (Rhizoma Curculiginis) drug pair (ECD) and investigate its efficacy on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and its possible mechanism in a rat model of PCOS. METHODS: A network pharmacology approach involving a characteristic drug assessment, active compound and target prediction, PCOS gene collection as well as network analysis was employed. The ovary morphology after treatment was observed using an animal model and western blotting and real-time PCR were used to verify AKT1 as the molecular target. RESULTS: Six networks were constructed, an active compound-target network for the ECD (C-T network), a drug-target network (D-T network), a related genes network, a targets interaction network, a key genes interaction network, and a gene-pathway network. A total of 41 compounds and 261 targets were identified for the ECD, 232 PCOS-related genes, 31 cogenes, and 14 pathways. These pathways may be involved in the efficacy of ECD on PCOS. The proteins most involved in the signal pathways for all targets were AKT1, IL6, INSR, ESR, and GSK3B. The AKT1 target was selected for experimental verification. Based on the Western blot and real-time PCR results, the expression of AKT1 in the PCOS model varied after treatment with ECD. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the ECD can reverse the negative morphological changes in ovarian tissue that occur in model rats of PCOS. AKT1 may be a key mediator of the observed ability of the ECD to protect against PCOS in the model rats.

Eye Acupuncture Treatment for Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

There were applications of eye acupuncture for stroke patients. Unfortunately, similar to many other Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatments, it lacks comprehensive evaluation and system review for its effect and safety. Objective. This study is a systematic review to appraise the safety and effectiveness of eye acupuncture for stroke. Methods. "Eye acupuncture therapy" in eleven databases was searched by randomized controlled trials and quasi-randomized controlled trials. The search activity was ended in April 2014. The data were extracted and assessed by three independent authors. Rev Man 5.0 software was used for data analysis with effect estimate presented as relative risk (RR) and mean difference (MD) with a 95% confidence interval. Results. Sixteen trials (1120 patients) were involved with generally poor methodological quality. The study indicated that when eye acupuncture was combined with western medicine compared to western medicine, there was a significant difference in the areas of mental state, swallow function, and NDS. When eye acupuncture was combined with western medicine and rehabilitation compared to western medicine and rehabilitation, there was significant difference in the changes of SSS, FMA, and constipation symptoms evaluation. No adverse events or side effects have been reported. Conclusions. The current evidence is insufficient and the rigorously designed trials are warranted.

Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis of Soil Bacterial Communities under Different Vegetation Types in Subtropical Area.

Soil microbes are active players in energy flow and material exchange of the forest ecosystems, but the research on the relationship between the microbial diversity and the vegetation types is less conducted, especially in the subtropical area of China. In this present study, the rhizosphere soils of evergreen broad-leaf forest (EBF), coniferous forest (CF), subalpine dwarf forest (SDF) and alpine meadow (AM) were chosen as test sites. Terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphisms (T-RFLP) analysis was used to detect the composition and diversity of soil bacterial communities under different vegetation types in the National Natural Reserve of Wuyi Mountains. Our results revealed distinct differences in soil microbial composition under different vegetation types. Total 73 microbes were identified in soil samples of the four vegetation types, and 56, 49, 46 and 36 clones were obtained from the soils of EBF, CF, SDF and AM, respectively, and subsequently sequenced. The Actinobacteria, Fusobacterium, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria were the most predominant in all soil samples. The order of Shannon-Wiener index (H) of all soil samples was in the order of EBF>CF>SDF>AM, whereas bacterial species richness as estimated by four restriction enzymes indicated no significant difference. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the soil bacterial communities' structures of EBF, CF, SDF and AM were clearly separated along the first and second principal components, which explained 62.17% and 31.58% of the total variance, respectively. The soil physical-chemical properties such as total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and total potassium (TK) were positively correlated with the diversity of bacterial communities.

Effects of acupuncture on the tissue distribution of Paclitaxel in lung carcinoma mice.

OBJECTIVE: To study whether acupuncture affects the tissue distribution of Paclitaxel in mouse lung carcinoma. METHODS: Totally 90 mice were divided into Paclitaxel group, Paclitaxel + Feishu (BL13) group, and Paclitaxel + Lingtai (DU10) group. Each group was consisted of 30 mice. After Paclitaxel injection, the mice received electro-acupuncture at Feishu or Lingtai acupoints once a day for 8 days. The effect of acupuncture on the tissue distribution of Paclitaxel was evaluated using high-performance liquid chromatography at 1, 2, and 3 h, respectively. The lung, liver, spleen, and kidney were examined for the concentration of Paclitaxel seperately. RESULTS: Paclitaxel was widely distributed in various organs, particularly in the lung, liver, and kidney. Acupuncture at Lingtai or Feishu acupoints resulted in an obvious decrease of Paclitaxel distribution in kidney and delayed Paclitaxel distribution in liver. Meanwhile, it increased the time of metabolism. Acupuncture at Feishu acupoint facilitated the delivery of Paclitaxel to lung more effectively than did acupuncture at Lingtai acupoint. CONCLUSIONS: Applying acupuncture at particular acupoints can influence tissue distribution of Paclitaxel. Tissue distribution change might be one of the mechanisms of acupuncture treatment during chemotherapy.

[Effects of acupuncture on distribution taxis of paclitaxel in mice with lung cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of acupuncture at "Feishu" (BL 13) and "Lingtai" (GV 10) on distribution taxis of paclitaxel in mice with lung cancer to discuss targeted relationship between acupoints and corresponding viscera. METHODS: According to randomized digital table, 315 SPF-grade BALB/C female mice were divided into 7 groups: blank group (group A), model group (group B), medication group (group C), acupuncture at non-acupoint group (group D), acupuncture at Feishu group (group E), acupuncture at Lingtai group (group F) and acupuncture at Feishu and Lingtai group (group G), 45 mice in each one. Except the blank group, the remaining groups were treated with N-nitroso-tris-chloroethyl urea (NTCU) to establish the model of squamous-cell carcinoma. After model establishment, group A, group B and group C were not treated with acupuncture; group A and group B were treated with intraperitoneal injection of 0.9% sodium chlorvde solution by 6 mL/kg while group C was treated with intraperitoneal injection of paclitaxel by 6 mL/kg. The group D, group E, group F and group G were treated with acupuncture at non-acupoint, "Feishu" (BL 13), "Lingtai" (GV 10) and "Feishu" (BL 13) plus "Lingtai" (GV 10), respectively, then were intraperitoneally injected with paclitaxel by 6 mL/kg. The treatment was all given once a day for continuous 10 days. 15 min, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 8 h, 12 h and 24 h after the treatments, 6 mice in each group were randomly selected and sacrificed to collect samples of lung, liver, spleen, kidney and heart, etc. High performance liquid chromatography was applied to measure the concentration of paclitaxel in each organ (lung, liver, spleen, kidney and heart) at different time points. RESULTS: (1) The content of paclitaxel in lung, kidney and heart reached the peak at 2 h, then decreased significantly in group C, group D, group E, group F and group G; the content of paclitaxel in spleen showed downtrend at each time point. The content of paclitaxel in liver reached the peak at 2 h in group C and group D; the content of paclitaxel reached the peak at 8 h in group E, group F and group G. (2) The content of paclitaxel in lung in group E and group G was higher than that in group C and group D at each time point (all P < 0.01); the content of paclitaxel in lung in group F was higher than that in group C (P < 0.01) and group D (P < 0.01) only at time point of 2 h. The content of paclitaxel in lung in group G was higher than that in group F at each time point (all P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference between group G and group E (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture at "Feishu" (BL 13) and "Lingtai" (GV 10) could influ- ence the metabolism of paclitaxel in lung-cancer mice, leading to distribution change in each organ. As a result, it could cause targeting effects, which is more significant at "Feishu" (BL 13) and "Lingtai" (GV 10).

Different Surface Electromyography of Propagated Sensation along Meridians Produced by Acupuncturing Quchi Acupoint (LI11) or Control Points.

This study investigated the propagated sensation along meridians (PSM) produced respectively by acupuncture at a specific acupoint of right-side Quchi (LI11), a nonacupoint on meridian (control meridian point), and neither meridian nor acupoint (control point). All the stimulated points were on the right brachioradialis along the large intestine meridian of hand Yangming. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to reflect the activity of the brachioradialis along the large intestine meridian of hand Yangming. The PSM rate of LI11 (59.21%) and the control meridian point (53.95%) were significantly higher than the control point (38.16%) (P < 0.05). After acupuncture, the brachioradialis sEMG amplitude was 5.08 ± 2.93 uV at LI11, 3.08 ± 1.18 uV at the control point, and 2.77 ± 1.36 uV at the control meridian point. The amplitude of LI11 was significantly higher than both the control meridian point and the control point (P < 0.05). When the sEMG activity of brachioradialis returned to the stable base line, brachioradialis sEMG duration at LI11 (265 ± 87.87 s) was significantly longer than that at the control meridian point (91.69 ± 42.98 s) and the control point (83.31 ± 32.76 s) (P < 0.05). In conclusion, acupuncture activated PSM at all points but showed an acupoint specificity at LI11 and a meridian specificity at the control meridian point.

[Application of associated symptom and sign-based acupoint selection in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment].

Based on traditional acupuncture-moxibustion treatment ideas, with differentiation of channels and collaterals as main part and feature, the important role of associated symptom and sign-based acupoint selection in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment is explained from angles of philosophy and medicine. Combined with clinical experience of acupuncture and moxibustion, the category of associated symptom and sign-based acupoint selection is explained in detail to make sure the accuracy of acupuncture-moxibustion differentiation. It could show uniqueness and advantage of theory and clinic in acupuncture-moxibustion and provide theoretical references in making acupuncture-moxibustion prescription to improve effectiveness of clinical treatment.

[Characteristics of soil microbial community under different vegetation types in Wuyishan National Nature Reserve, East China].

By using Biolog Ecoplate system, this paper studied the structure and functional diversity of soil microbial community under different vegetation types in Wuyishan National Nature Reserve, aimed to probe into the effects of vegetation type on the diversity of soil microbial community. The results showed that the soil chemical properties, soil enzyme activities, and average well color development (AWCD) were higher in natural forest than in planted forest, and were the lowest in abandoned field. The AWCD reflecting soil microbial activity and functional diversity was increased with increasing incubation time, but there existed significant differences among different vegetation types. The carbon sources mostly used by soil microbes were carbohydrates and carboxylic acids, followed by amino acids, phenolic acids and polymers, and amines had the lowest utilization rate. The Simpson index, Shannon index, Richness index and McIntosh index in natural forest were holistically higher than those in planted forest. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified 2 principal component factors in relation to carbon sources, explaining 56.3% and 30.2% of the variation, respectively. The carbon sources used by soil microbial community differed with vegetation types. Amino acids and amides were the two main carbon sources separating the 2 principal component factors. The results of this study could provide basis for further approaching the relationships between vegetation diversity and soil microbial community diversity.

[Establishment of extraction method and 2-dimensional electrophoresis conditions for root tuber proteome analysis of Rehmannia glutinosa].

OBJECTIVE: To establish an efficient and high resolution 2-DE (two-dimensional electrophoresis) protocol for root tuber proteome analysis of Rehmannia glutinosa. METHOD: Proteins from root tuber of R. glutinosa were extracted by using five different methods and their productivity and profiles were assessed by means of SDS-PAGE and two-dimensional electrophoresis. RESULT: The trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-phenol extraction method was found most effective for the extraction with the highest protein yield, the most spots in protein patterns, and the highest resolution of proteins, and the clearest background could be achieved simultaneously. A 1:5 solution of ampholine pH 3-10 and pH 5-8 for a nonlinear gel and the 170 microg of protein loading dosage obtained maps with more protein spots and higher resolution of separation patterns. CONCLUSION: This study based on the optimized root tuber proteome preparation and the 2-DE protocol gets a high resolution and reproducibility 2-DE image, which will be expected to have excellent applications in proteomics studies of R. glutinosa tuber root.

Effects of acupuncture at Taixi acupoint (KI3) on kidney proteome.

This research explored and identified the protein composition of rat kidneys after acupuncture at the Taixi acupoint (KI3). Twelve adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group (n = 6) and an acupuncture group (n = 6). Rats in the acupuncture group received electroacupuncture on the bilateral KI3 for seven days. The kidneys were perfused with ice-cold saline and all kidney proteins were isolated. After protein sample preparation, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) was performed. The interesting spots were analyzed using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). There were nine protein spots with three-fold up-regulation in the kidney after the acupuncture. NAD-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase and quinone reductase, the proteins involved in energy metabolism, the reduction of endogenous quinones, chemoprotection, and electrophilic stress, were identified. The data indicated that acupuncture at the KI3 of the kidney meridian of the foot shaoyin was able to increase NAD-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase and quinone reductase expression in the kidney, and supported the relationship between the kidney and KI3.

Comparative metaproteomic analysis on consecutively Rehmannia glutinosa-monocultured rhizosphere soil.

BACKGROUND: The consecutive monoculture for most of medicinal plants, such as Rehmannia glutinosa, results in a significant reduction in the yield and quality. There is an urgent need to study for the sustainable development of Chinese herbaceous medicine. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Comparative metaproteomics of rhizosphere soil was developed and used to analyze the underlying mechanism of the consecutive monoculture problems of R. glutinosa. The 2D-gel patterns of protein spots for the soil samples showed a strong matrix dependency. Among the spots, 103 spots with high resolution and repeatability were randomly selected and successfully identified by MALDI TOF-TOF MS for a rhizosphere soil metaproteomic profile analysis. These proteins originating from plants and microorganisms play important roles in nutrient cycles and energy flow in rhizospheric soil ecosystem. They function in protein, nucleotide and secondary metabolisms, signal transduction and resistance. Comparative metaproteomics analysis revealed 33 differentially expressed protein spots in rhizosphere soil in response to increasing years of monoculture. Among them, plant proteins related to carbon and nitrogen metabolism and stress response, were mostly up-regulated except a down-regulated protein (glutathione S-transferase) involving detoxification. The phenylalanine ammonia-lyase was believed to participate in the phenylpropanoid metabolism as shown with a considerable increase in total phenolic acid content with increasing years of monoculture. Microbial proteins related to protein metabolism and cell wall biosynthesis, were up-regulated except a down-regulated protein (geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase) functioning in diterpenoid synthesis. The results suggest that the consecutive monoculture of R. glutinosa changes the soil microbial ecology due to the exudates accumulation, as a result, the nutrient cycles are affected, leading to the retardation of plant growth and development. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our results demonstrated the interactions among plant, soil and microflora in the proteomic level are crucial for the productivity and quality of R. glutinosa in consecutive monoculture system.