Metabolic profile changes of kidney aging and protective effects of Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharides on D-galactose-induced aging mice / 数字中医药（英文）

Objective@#To investigate the metabolic trajectory of kidney aging and the effects of Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharides (PSP) against kidney aging in D-galactose (D-gal)-induced aging mice, based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography/Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Exactive MS/MS). @*Methods@#A total of 36 C57 BL/6J mice were randomly allocated to six groups: control (CON), model (MOD), PSP low-dose (PSP-L), PSP medium-dose (PSP-M), PSP high-dose (PSP-H), and positive drug ascorbic acid (VC) groups. To create models of aging mice, D-gal was intraperitoneally administered to all other groups of mice except the CON group. After modeling, the appropriate Chinese medicine [PSP-L: 150 mg/(kg·d), PSP-M: 300 mg/(kg·d), PSP-H: 600 mg/(kg·d)] or positive drug [ascorbic acid, 300 mg/(kg·d)] was administered for intervention. Key markers of renal function in urine and serum of mice in each group, such as creatinine (Crea), urea nitrogen (BUN), and uric acid (UA) levels, as well as key indicators of oxidative stress in serum and kidney, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were determined to validate the successful establishment of kidney aging models and to estimate the effects of PSP. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE), periodic acid Schiff (PAS), and β-galactosidase staining were used to assess the renal pathological changes. The metabolic profiles of serum, kidney, and urine samples from CON, MOD, and PSP-H groups were analyzed by UPLC-Q-Exactive MS/MS, and pattern recognition methods were used to outline the metabolic trajectory of kidney aging and to identify the characteristic metabolites. @*Results@#Age-related alterations in renal histopathology and impaired renal function in mice were also associated with oxidative stress indicators. Following the injection of PSP [PSP-H: 600 mg/(kg·d)], the pathological indices associated with aging were adjusted to normal levels, renal function and oxidative stress were improved in aging mice, and renal pathological damage was markedly improved. Meanwhile, the potential biomarkers were identified by UPLC-Q-Exactive MS/MS analysis and were further analyzed to form related metabolic pathways, with P < 0.05 as a threshold. The results showed that purine, sphingolipid, glycerophospholipid, tryptophan, and riboflavin metabolisms were the main metabolic pathways associated with aging. After administration of PSP, these pathological indices returned to normal levels, and biomarkers related to the aging process, such as adenosine monophosphate (AMP), tryptophan, and 5-hydroxytryptophan, also demonstrated, to some degree, reverse regulation (promoting synthesis). @*Conclusion@#Metabolomics methods based on UPLC-Q-Exactive MS/MS and multivariate statistical analysis can be adopted to establish metabolic profiles in aging mice. PSP has been shown to protect against kidney aging by interfering with the purine, sphingolipid, glycerophospholipid, tryptophan, and riboflavin metabolisms in the kidney.

Compassionate Use of Yuanjiang Decoction, a Traditional Chinese Medicinal Prescription, for Symptomatic Bradyarrhythmia.

Background: No effective medication is available for symptomatic bradyarrhythmia, particularly in low socioeconomic status (SES) population. Objective: To explore the safety and efficacy of Yuanjiang decoction, a traditional Chinese medicinal prescription, for symptomatic bradyarrhythmia on a compassionate-use basis. Methods: This compassionate-use study was conducted in Beijing, China between January 2019 and January 2020. Eligible participants were recruited and treated with Yuanjiang decoction (composed of 6 Chinese herbal medicines), 200 ml twice daily for 16 weeks. Analyses were done with the intention-to-treat (ITT) approach. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of participants who achieved a favorable treatment outcome at 16 weeks. Results: As of January 2020, 184 patients were included. After 16-weeks treatment, 12 participants were lost to contact while 21 participants were terminated from this study, with a drop-out rate of 17.93%. The most common treatment-related adverse events were xerostomia (6.52%), constipation (6.45%) and sleepiness (3.26%). The proportion of participants with favorable treatment outcome was 65.22% at 4 weeks, 59.78% at 8 weeks (OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 0.71-1.73), 61.41% at 12 weeks (OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 0.92-1.45) and 60.87% at 16 weeks (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 0.98-1.35). In the multifactor regression analysis, the favorable treatment outcome at 16 weeks was significantly associated with completing at least 8 weeks treatment (OR: 2.053, 95% CI: 1.064-3.560), while unfavorable treatment outcome was significantly associated with an atrioventricular block (OR: 0.255, 95% CI: 0.083-0.784), current smoking (OR: 0.343, 95% CI: 0.027-0.487), and syncope in the month before treatment (OR: 0.321, 95%CI: 0.114-0.904). Conclusion: This compassionate-use study showed encouraging outcomes of treatment with Yuanjiang decoction, without serious adverse events. This study identified several key factors that may affect outcomes. These findings helped inform the design and assess the feasibility of a large-scale randomized clinical trial.

Impacts of nicotine metabolite rate and acupuncture frequency on smoking cessation: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the efficacy of different acupuncture frequencies in tobacco-dependent patients and explore the impact of nicotine metabolite rate (NMR) on smoking cessation in the intervention with acupuncture.@*METHODS@#A total of 120 cases of tobacco-dependent patients were randomly divided into a high-frequency group (60 cases, 12 cases dropped off) and a low-frequency group (60 cases, 6 cases dropped off). In the two groups, smoking cessation counseling was provided prior to acupuncture. Acupuncture was applied to Baihui (GV 20), Lieque (LU 7), Zusanli (ST 36), etc. Additionally, electric stimulation was added at Lieque (LU 7) and Zusanli (ST 36), with continuous wave, 15 Hz in frequency. The duration of treatment was 8 weeks in either group. In the high-frequency group, the treatment was given 5 times weekly from week 1 to week 4, and was 3 times weekly from week 5 to week 8. In the low-frequency group, the treatment was given 3 times weekly from week 1 to week 4, and was twice a week from week 5 to week 8. The immediate withdrawal rate, persistent withdrawal rate, the score of Fagerstrőm test for nicotine dependence (FTND) before and after treatment, as well as the score of Minnesota nicotine withdrawal scale (MNWS) in 1 and 8 weeks of treatment were compared among the patients with high and low NMR between the two groups separately. The Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the influencing factors of smoking cessation in the intervention with acupuncture.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, there was no statistical significance of the differences in the immediate withdrawal rate (35.4% [17/48] vs 29.6% [16/54]) and the persistent withdrawal rate (33.3% [16/48] vs 25.9% [14/54]) between the high-frequency group and the low-frequency group (P>0.05). The difference in withdrawal rate had no statistical significance between high and low NMR patients (P>0.05). FTND scores after treatment were lower than those before treatment (P<0.01) and MNWS scores were lower than those in 1 week of treatment (P<0.01) in the two groups. However, the differences had no statistical significance between the two groups and between the patients with high NMR and low NMR (P>0.05). Age, education level and NMR were the influencing factors of smoking cessation in the intervention with acupuncture (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture with different frequencies has no obvious impact on the efficacy in tobacco-dependent patients. The lower nicotine metabolite rate in individuals, the better efficacy of acupuncture. The smokers with high nicotine metabolite rate may obtain a better effect of cessation in the high-frequency intervention with acupuncture.

Treatment for overactive bladder: A meta-analysis of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation versus percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation.

BACKGROUND: We aim to compare the safety and effectiveness of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) versus percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) in treating overactive bladder. METHODS: A systematical search on PubMed, Embase, clinicalTrial.gov, and Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials from January 1, 1999 to November 1, 2020 was performed. The primary outcomes were the changes in a 3-day voiding diary. Quality of life scores were also evaluated. Review Manager 5.3 (Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, UK) was applied to conduct all statistical analyses. RESULTS: A total of 4 trials (2 randomized controlled trials, 1 retrospective study, and 1 before-after study) with 142 patients were eventually enrolled. Compared with PTNS, TTNS had a similar performance in the voiding frequency in 24 hours (mean difference [MD] = -0.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.35 to 0.05, P = .07), the number of urgency episodes in 24 hours (MD = 0.13, 95% CI: -0.36 to 0.62, P = .60), the number of incontinence episodes in 24 hours (MD = 0.01, 95% CI: -0.13 to 0.14, P = .93), as well as in the nocturia frequency (MD = -0.14, 95% CI: -0.52 to 0.24, P = .47). Moreover, comparable results were observed regarding HRQL scores (P = .23) and incontinence quality of life scores (P = .10) in both groups. The total complication rate in the current study was 2.1% (3/142). No adverse events were identified in the TTNS group. CONCLUSION: Current data supported that TTNS is as effective as PTNS for the treatment of overactive bladder, moreover, with no reported adverse events. However, the evidence is low-grade and well-designed prospective studies with a large sample size are warranted to verify our findings.

Projecting neurons in spinal dorsal horn send collateral projections to dorsal midline/intralaminar thalamic complex and parabrachial nucleus.

Itch is an annoying sensation that always triggers scratching behavior, yet little is known about its transmission pathway in the central nervous system. Parabrachial nucleus (PBN), an essential transmission nucleus in the brainstem, has been proved to be the first relay station in itch sensation. Meanwhile, dorsal midline/intralaminar thalamic complex (dMITC) is proved to be activated with nociceptive stimuli. However, whether the PBN-projecting neurons in spinal dorsal horn (SDH) send collateral projections to dMITC, and whether these projections involve in itch remain unknown. In the present study, a double retrograde tracing method was applied when the tetramethylrhodamine-dextran (TMR) was injected into the dMITC and Fluoro-gold (FG) was injected into the PBN, respectively. Immunofluorescent staining for NeuN, substance P receptor (SPR), substance P (SP), or FOS induced by itch or pain stimulations with TMR and FG were conducted to provide morphological evidence. The results revealed that TMR/FG double-labeled neurons could be predominately observed in superficial laminae and lateral spinal nucleus (LSN) of SDH; Meanwhile, most of the collateral projection neurons expressed SPR and some of them expressed FOS in acute itch model induced by histamine. The present results implicated that some of the SPR-expressing neurons in SDH send collateral projections to the dMITC and PBN in itch transmission, which might be involved in itch related complex affective/emotional processing to the higher brain centers.

Effects and mechanism of microRNA­218 against lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the most prevalent and observed type of cancer in Xuanwei County, Yunnan, South China. Lung cancer in this area is called Xuanwei lung cancer. However, its pathogenesis remains largely unknown. To date, a number of studies have shown that microRNA (miR)­218 functions as a tumor suppressor in multiple types of cancer. However, the role of miR­218 and its regulatory gene network in Xuanwei lung cancer have yet to be investigated. The current study identified that the expression levels of miR­218 in XWLC­05 cells were markedly lower compared with those in immortalized lung epithelial BEAS­2B cells. The present study also demonstrated that overexpression of miR­218 could decrease cell proliferation, invasion, viability and migration in Xuanwei lung cancer cell line XWLC­05 and NSCLC cell line NCI­H157. Additionally, the results revealed that overexpression of miR­218 could induce XWLC­05 and NCI­H157 cell apoptosis by arresting the cell cycle at G2/M phase. Finally, the present study demonstrated that overexpression of miR­218 could lead to a significant increase in phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and YY1 transcription factor (YY1), and a decrease in B­cell lymphoma 2 (BCL­2) and BMI1 proto­oncogene, polycomb ring finger (BMI­1) at the mRNA and protein level in XWLC­05 and NCI­H157 cell lines. However, we did not observe any remarkable difference in the roles of miR­218 and miR­218­mediated regulation of BCL­2, BMI­1, PTEN and YY1 expression in the progression of Xuanwei lung cancer. In conclusion, miR­218 could simultaneously suppress cell proliferation and tumor invasiveness and induce cell apoptosis by increasing PTEN and YY1 expression, while decreasing BCL­2 and BMI­1 in Xuanwei lung cancer. The results demonstrated that miR­218 might serve a vital role in tumorigenesis and progression of Xuanwei lung cancer and overexpression of miR­218 may be a novel approach for the treatment of Xuanwei lung cancer.

Adjuvant treatment of penetrating moxibustion at governor vessel for persistent allergic rhinitis of deficiency-cold syndrome / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the efficacy and action mechanism of penetrating moxibustion at governor vessel for persistent allergic rhinitis of deficiency-cold syndrome.@*METHODS@#Ninety patients with persistent allergic rhinitis of deficiency-cold syndrome were randomly divided into an observation group (@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the TCM symptom scores, VAS scores, RQLQ scores, serum levels of IgE and complete blood count of EOS in the two groups were all reduced after treatment (@*CONCLUSION@#Based on the momethasone furoate nasal spray, the adjuvant treatment of penetrating moxibustion at governor vessel could significantly improve the clinical symptoms in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis of deficiency-cold syndrome, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of immune disorder.

To observe the clinical efficacy of Huajian-Badu membrane in the treatment of moderate and severe cancer pain / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Huajian-Badu membrane in the treatment of moderate and severe cancer pain. Methods The 80 malignant tumor patients with moderate to severe cancer pain from January 2016 to June 2017 in Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine First Teaching Hospital were recruited and randomly divided into the observation group and the control group, each of 40 cases. The control group were treated with Oxycodone Hydrochloride Prolonged-release Tablets, while the treatment group were treated with Huajian-Badu membrane on the basis of the treatment in control group. The pain relief, pain frequency, morphine consumption and quality of life (Karnofsky score), adverse reaction were evaluated between two groups before and after treatment. Results Compared with the control group, the total efficiency in the observation group was significantly higher (95.0％ vs. 80.0％, χ2=4.114, P=0.043). The frequency of breakthrough pain of two groups increased on the seventh and fourteenth treatment days(0.3 ± 0.6 times vs. 0.8 ± 0.7 times, t=-3.430 and 0.4 ± 0.6 times vs. 0.9 ± 0.8 times, t=-3.162), but the number of outbreaks of pain in the observation group significantly less than the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The morphine injection dosage increased on the seventh and fourteenth treatment days (3.01 ± 4.28 g vs. 5.62 ± 6.37 g, t=-2.151 and 3.21 ± 4.32 g vs. 7.84 ± 7.76 g, t=-3.297), but the amount of the observtation group was significantly lower than that of control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The KPS score in the observation group increased significantly, and significantly higher than the control group on the seventh and fourteenth treatment days (73.0 ± 15.0 vs. 66.0 ± 12.0, t=2.305 and 77.0 ± 13.0 vs. 70.0 ± 15.0, t=2.230, P<0.05). The adverse reaction rate of the control group was 25％, while the the observation group was 20％. The difference between two groups was significant (χ2=0.287, P=0.592). Conclusions The Huajian-Badu membrane combined Oxycodone Hydrochloride Prolonged-release Tablets can improve the total effective rate of pain relief, reduce the number of outbreaks, reduce morphine consumption, improve patient KPS score of the patients with cancer pain.

Effect of the different smoking cessation regimens with acupuncture on smoking withdrawal and their influence factors: a multi-center randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the clinical effect of acupuncture on smoking cessation and withdrawal symptoms and to explore the influence factors of acupuncture on smoking cessation.@*METHODS@#A total of 500 subjects with tobacco dependence were randomized into an acupuncture group, an auricular therapy group, an acupuncture plus auricular therapy group, a TENS group and a nicotine replacement therapy group (NRT group), 100 cases in each one. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied at Baihui (GV 20), Lieque (LU 7), Hegu (LI 4) and Zusanli (ST 36). The treatment was given 5 times a week, once a day in the first 2 weeks. The treatment was given once every 2 days in the week 3 and 4, 3 times a week, and twice a week, once every 3 days in the week 5 to 8. In the auricular therapy group, the ear point pressure therapy was used at shenmen (TF), neifenmi (CO), pizhixia (AT) and jiaogan (AH), 3 times a week. In the acupuncture plus auricular therapy group, acupuncture and auricular therapy were adopted with the same points and manipulation as the previous two groups. Acupuncture was given 3 times a week and the auricular therapy was given twice a week. In the TENS group, SDZ-Ⅱ B type electric acupuncture apparatus was used to stimulate Lieque (LU 7) and Zusanli (ST 36), once a day. In the NRT group, the nicotine patch was used on the chest, back and the upper arms of the subjects, once a day. The duration of treatment was 8 weeks as one course in every group. Afterwards, the 16-week follow-up was conducted. The time-point withdrawal rate was evaluated by the level of urine cotinine in 8 weeks of treatment and in the follow-up in the subjects of 5 groups. The persistent withdrawal rate was evaluated by the self-report of the subjects in 8 weeks of treatment as well as in the follow-up in the 5 groups. The withdrawal effect, the score of the fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence (FTND) and the score of the heaviness of smoking index (HSI) were compared among the groups. Twenty indexes were selected as the potential influence factors, the 72 h withdrawal rate based on the level of urine cotinine in 8 weeks of treatment and in the follow-up was taken as the dependent variable. Using the two categories of Logistic regression analysis, the influence factors of therapeutic effect of acupuncture were screened for smoking cessation.@*RESULTS@#After 8 weeks of treatment, the time-point withdrawal rate in the subjects among the groups was NRT group > acupuncture plus auricular therapy group > auricular therapy group > acupuncture group > TENS group. In the follow-up, the time-point withdrawal rate was acupuncture plus auricular therapy group > NRT group > acupuncture group > TENS group > auricular therapy group, but without statistical significance in comparison (>0.05). After 8 weeks of treatment, the persistent withdrawal rate in the subjects among the groups was auricular therapy group > TENS group > acupuncture group > acupuncture plus auricular therapy group > NRT group. In the follow-up visit, the persistent withdrawal rate was auricular therapy group > TENS group > acupuncture plus auricular therapy group > acupuncture group > NRT group. The result in the auricular therapy group was better than all of the other 4 groups (0.05). The regression analysis showed that the factors, i.e. nationality, educational background, drinking frequency, pre-treatment FTND score, pre-treatment HSI score and smoking cessation for physical reason in family, were correlated significantly with the withdrawal result after 8-week treatment (<0.05). The factors, i.e. education background, smoking age, pre-treatment FTND score and different therapeutic methods, were correlated significantly with the withdrawal result in the follow-up (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture combined with auricular therapy effectively reduce nicotine dependence and smoking intensity and relieve withdrawal symptoms. There are many factors that affect the withdrawal effect in smoking cessation. Hence, the influence factors in smoking cessation with acupuncture should be clearly determined so as to develop the individual regimen for smoking cessation and improve the clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture on smoking cessation.

Direct medical expenses and its influencing factors of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Wuhan / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To analyze the direct medical expenses and its influencing factors of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) from 2011 to 2018 in Wuhan, so as to provide references for improving the TB derating policy. Methods A total of 1 258 953 medical records were studied, the direct medical expenses and its influencing factors were analyzed by rank sum test, multivariable linear regression and generalized estimated equation. Results The average direct medical expense of TB outpatients was 147.51 yuan each time, while that of TB inpatients was 8 849.57 yuan; and the average direct medical expenses of each year was 9 607.01 yuan per person. The average reimbursement ratio for TB outpatients was 6.36%, and 67.56% for inpatients. Analysis on the influencing factors showed that the direct medical expenses were related with patients’ age, sex, year, health care insurance, medical institution and whether they had surgery and Chinese traditional medicine or not (all P<0.01). Conclusions The current direct medical expenses of TB inpatients are relatively affordable, but low-income patients and patients still have heavy financial burden. TB treatment cycle is long and the outpatient medical service B also safficient. Improved derating policy is in need.

Subject librarian service in library of colleges and universities of traditional Chinese medicine / 中华医学图书情报杂志

The 4 brands of subject librarian service in Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the past 10 year were summarized ( namely the mass organization of students, cooperation between universities and en-terprises, micro and new technology service, and innovative service) , and the subject librarians-faced challenges at present and in the future were elaborated, with suggestions proposed for improving their information literacy.

Identification of water buffalo horn and its adulterants using COI barcode / 药学学报

Bubali cornu (water buffalo horn) has been used as the substitute for Cornu rhinoceri asiatici (rhino horn) in clinical applications, and is the essential ingredient of Angong Niuhuang Wan. In recent years, there are a number of adulterants on the commercial herbal medicine markets. An efficient tool is required for species identification. In this study, 155 Bubali cornu samples have been taken from original animals and collected from commercial herbal medicine markets. 153 COI sequences have been successfully obtained from 155 samples through DNA extraction, PCR amplification, bidirectional sequencing and assembly. 93 COI sequences have been added to the DNA barcoding database of traditional Chinese animal medicine after validation using DNA barcoding GAP and tree-based methods. The species identification of the 62 commercial Bubali cornu medicines has been accomplished on the DNA barcoding system for identifying herbal medicine using the updated animal medicine database (www.tcmbarcode.cn). Except two samples failed to obtain COI sequences, 54.8% of the commercial Bubali cornu medicines were water buffalo horns and 29% were yak horns. Our results showed that yak horn was the major adulterant of Bubali cornu and the DNA barcoding method may accurately discriminate Bubali cornu and their adulterants. Therefore, we recommend that supervision on the herbal medicine markets should be strengthened with this new method to warren the effectiveness of herbal medicines.

Effects of dietary supplementation of golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) egg on survival, pigmentation and antioxidant activity of Blood parrot.

This study aims to evaluate the effects of supplementing golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) eggs powder (EP) in the diet as a source of natural carotenoids on survival, pigmentation and antioxidant activity of Blood parrot. A total of 90 fish were divided into three treatment groups with three replicates per treatment. Blood parrot were fed with diets containing 0 (control), 5 % (EP 5 %), and 15 % (EP 15 %) dry powder of golden apple snail egg for 60 days, and nine fish per group were sampled at 20, 40, and 60 days. No differences in survival of the fish among treatments were found throughout the experiment. The body coloration of Blood parrot was enhanced in the skin and caudal fin with increasing content of golden apple snail egg powder in the diet. At the end of the experiment, the carotenoid content in the caudal fin and the number of scale chromatophores of the fish fed dietary with EP were higher (P < 0.05) than those of the control group. The EP 15 % treated fishes showed a significant higher (P < 0.05) in the activities of SOD after 60 days, but we could not observe significant changes (P > 0.05) in CAT activities. Results demonstrated that golden apple snail eggs can be used as a colorant to promote the pigmentation efficacy of Blood parrot.

Effect of Acupuncture on T Cell Subsets and Procalcitonin Level in Septic Shock Patients / 上海针灸杂志

ObjectiveBy studying acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6), Shuigou (GV26), and Baihui (GV20) in septic shock patients, to observe the effect of acupuncture on T cell subsets, vital signs, white blood cell (WBC) count, and procalcitonin (PCT) level in septicshock patients.MethodSixty patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group. The control group was intervened by symptomatic managements including supplementing blood volume, anti-inflammation, nutrition support, and organ protection, and the treatment group was by acupuncture at Neiguan, Shuigou, and Baihui in addition to the intervention given to the control group. The T cell subsets contents were detected before and after intervention, and serum PCT level, APACHEⅡscore, vital signs, and WBC count were determined on day 1, 3, 5, and 7.ResultIn the treatment group, T cell subsets including CD3﹢, CD4﹢, and CD4﹢/CD8﹢increased significantly after intervention (P<0.01,P<0.05), while CD8﹢dropped significantly afterintervention (P<0.05), and the changes in the treatment group were all markedly superior to that in the control group (P<0.05). The decrease of PCT level in the treatment group was more significant than that in the control group after treatment, the PCTlevel dropped significantly on the 5th day in the treatment group compared to that before treatment, and the inter-group difference was statistically significant after the 3rd day (P<0.01); the APACHEⅡscore in the treatment group was different from that in the control group after 3 d treatment, and the score was significantly changed in the treatment group after 5 d treatment (P<0.05); the body temperature, heart rate, inspiration, WBC count all showed decrease or improvement, and the improvements of vitalsigns in the treatment group were more significant than that in the control group (P<0.01,P<0.05).ConclusionAcupuncture at Baihui, Shuigou, and Neiguan can improve the immune function of septic shock patients, and its treatment effect is confirmed.

Isolation and characterization of microalgae for biodiesel production from seawater.

As green marine microalgae isolated from local seawater in Tianjin, China, Nannochloropsis gaditana Q6 was tolerant to the variation of salinity with the highest biomass and lipid concentration in natural seawater medium. Although this strain could grow mixotrophically with glycerol, the narrow gap between mixotrophic and autotrophic cultivation suggested that autotrophic cultivation was the optimal trophic type for N. gaditana Q6 growth. In addition, strain Q6 was more sensitive to the variance of NH4HCO3 concentration than NaH2PO4 concentration. Consequently, the lipid production could be maximized by the two-stage cultivation strategy, with an initial high NH4HCO3 concentration for biomass production followed by low NH4HCO3 concentration for lipid accumulation.

Effect of Pretreatment with Electroacupuncture at Point Neiguan(PC6) on CK and Myocardial Cell Activity in Rabbit Myocardial Ischemia and Reperfusion / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of pretreatment with electroacupuncture at point Neiguan(PC6) on CK and myocardial cell activity in rabbit myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and provide an experimental basis for a relatively specific relationship between pericardium meridian points and the heart. Methods Forty New Zealand big ear rabbits were randomly allocated to groups A, B, C, D and E, eight rabbits each. Group A was a sham operation group. Group B was an ischemia-reperfusion model group, in which the left anterior descending coronary artery was occlude for 30 min and reperfused for 60 min. In groups C, D and E, points Neiguan(PC6), Lieque(LU7) and Hegu(LI4) were separately given electroacupuncture stimulation, 20 min every day, at seven days before model making. Creatine kinase (CK) and myocardial formazan contents were compared between the groups. Results There were statistically significant differences in serum CK and myocardial formazan contents between group B, C, D or E and group A (P＜0.01, P＜0.05). There was a statistically significant differences in serum CK content between group C, D or E and group B (P＜0.01). There was a statistically significant differences in myocardial formazan content between groups C and B (P＜0.05). There were statistically significant differences in serum CK and myocardial formazan contents between group D or E and group C (P＜0.01, P＜0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture at point Neiguan(PC6) can reduce myocardial ischemia-reperfusion induced injury to myocardial cells to produce a protective effect on the heart.

Effects of combination of glycyrrhizin acid, ligustrazine and puerarin on LPS-induced cytokines expression in macrophage / 中国中药杂志

To study the anti-inflammatory activity of glycyrrhizin acid, ligustrazine and puerarin. In the study, the liquichip-based high-throughput synchronous detection technique for 23 inflammatory factors, uniform design, comprehensive weight method were adopted to study the effect of different combined administration of glycyrrhizin acid, ligustrazine and puerarin in inhibiting the expression of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264. 7 cells and multiple inflammatory cytokines. In the study, the uniform design table U₉ (9³) was adopted to design doses of glycyrrhizin acid, ligustrazine and puerarin. The liquichip technique was used to detect the effect of different combined administration of glycyrrhizin acid, ligustrazine and puerarin on the 23 cytokines expressed in LPS-induced mouse macrophage RAW264. 7 inflammation model. The traditional Chinese medicine component optimization software and the improved least angle regression algorithm were used to analyze the dose-effect relationship among the three components and the cytokine inhibition rate and produce the regression equation. The comprehensive weight method was applied to get the optimal dose ratio of glycyrrhizic acid, ligustrazine and puerarin with highest efficacy of 25:2:13 and verify the optimal dose ratio. The verification results were consistent with the prediction trend, indicating the accuracy of the mathematical model for predicting the experiment. The experimental results showed the multi-target and multi-level efficacies of glycyrrhizic acid, ligustrazine and puerarin and the high anti-inflammatory activity of their combined administration, which provides powerful basis for subsequent drug development.

Aging law on anti-hypertensive effect of scrapping therapy on primary hypertension / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the aging law on anti-hypertensive effect of scrapping therapy on primary hypertension so as to provide the reference evidence for the best treatment frequency of scrapping therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty-nine patients of primary hypertension complied with inclusive criteria were treated with scrapping therapy according to syndrome differentiation. The stimulated sites included the courses of the governor vessel and the bladder meridian on the neck and back region, the line from Quchi (LI 11) to Shousanli (LI 10) and that from Zusanli (ST 36) to Fenglong (ST 40). The strong stimulation for reducing attempt was applied to the case of excessi syndrome, determined by subcutaneous capillary rupture and subcutaneous blood stasis. The mild stimulation for reinforcing attempt was applied to the case of deficiency syndrome, determined by subcutaneous capillary hyperemia and skin flush. Each site was scrapped for 10 times, about 5 cm in width, for 15 min. One scrapping treatment was required. The blood pressure was taken as the observation index separately, named 2:00 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:00 pm, 3:30 pm, 4:00 pm, 5:00 pm, 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm one day before scrapping, the time before scrapping in the afternoon on the day of treatment, the moment (2:00 pm), 2:30 pm, 3:00 pm; 3:30 pm, 4:00 pm, 5:00 pm, 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm after scrapping, in 24 h and 48 h after scrapping.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) After one scrapping, the blood pressure was reduced to be (137. 51±10. 24)/(81. 06±10. 56) mmHg half a hour after scrapping from (149. 00±10. 19)/(85. 30±10. 96) mmHg (1mmHg~0. 133 kPa) before scrapping (P<0. 01). (2) The differences were significant in blood pressure at each time point after scrapping as compared with that before scrapping (all P<0. 01). (3) Through nonlinear regression analysis, the systolic blood pressure after scrapping was increased up to 140 mmHg in 47. 2 h after scrapping.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Scrapping therapy achieves the apparent immediate anti-hypertensive effect on primary hypertension. It is suitable to apply scrapping treatment once every other day.</p>

Condition and effectiveness evaluation of acupuncture for smoking cessation / 中国针灸

The efectienes of acpuncture for smoking cessation was systematically evaluated in this paper. By using computer retrieval in Chinese national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI), WANFANG database, VIP database, PubMed, ScienceDirect and Springer, the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding acupuncture for smoking cessation from January of 1983 to December of 2013 were collected; by using Table of Standardized Report Factors for Acupuncture RCTs, each inclusive RCT was evaluated; and by using RevMan 5. 2 software, the Meta-analysis was performed. Totally 24 RCTs were included, involving 3084 cases of smoking. The result of literature quality assessment showed that the average score was 25. 71 points without low-quality RCT which had a score of less than 16 points. The Meta-analysis showed that acupuncture could significantly increase the short-time abstinence rate [RR=1. 48, 95% CI (1. 18,1. 84), Z=3. 47, P<0. 0005] and number of cigarettes smoked daily [RR=4. 35, 95% CI (2. 03, 6. 66), Z=3. 68, P<0. 001] and FTND [RR=2. 37, 95% CI (1. 88, 2. 86), Z= 9. 44, P<0. 00001], however, it could not increase the long-time abstinence rate [RR=1. 40, 95% Cl (0. 90, 2.17), Z=1. 49, P>0. 05]. Compared with other treatment, acupuncture has positive advantages on short-time abstinence rate, however, its effect on long-time abstinence rate needs to be verified by high-quality, large-sample and multi-center RCT in the future.

Effects of glycyrrhizin acid and licorice flavonoids on LPS-induced cytokines expression in macrophage / 中国中药杂志

Glycyrrhizin acid and licorice flavonoids are the component of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch root that has been used for various medicinal purposes in traditional oriental medicine for thousands of years. Macrophages as a principal component of immune system play an important role in the initiation, modulation and final activation of immune response against pathogens. In the present study, glycyrrhizin acid and licorice flavonoids was investigated the anti-inflammatory effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophage cell line of RAW264.7. Well-grown RAW264.7 cells were collected and randomly divided into the blank control group, the LPS(1 mg x L(-1)) group, the dexamethasone (5 mg x L(-1)) with LPS group, the glycyrrhizin acid (400, 80, 16 mg x L(-1)) with LPS group and the licorice flavonoids (200, 40, 8 mg x L(-1)) with LPS group. RAW264.7 cells were cultured in 24-well plates, pre-incubated for 4 h with different concentrations of dexamethasone, glycyrrhizin acid, or licorice flavonoids. Then cells were stimulated for 20 h with LPS. The supernatant of culture medium was collected from each well and determinated the concentrations of cytokines by means of BioPlex mouse cytokines assay. Compared with the control group, the LPS group could significantly induced relatively high levels of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor( GM-CSF), macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1α), macrophage inflammatory protein-1 beta (MIP-1β), regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted factor (RANTES), tumor necrosis factor alpha ( TNF-α), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (KC), eotaxin, interleukin(IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 (p40), IL-12 (p70), IL-13, and IL-17 secretion (P < 0.05). The glycyrrhizin acid significantly inhibited IL-1β, IL-3, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 (p40), IL-12 (p70), IL-13, Eotaxin and TNF-α secreted by LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells (P < 0.05). The expression levels of IL-6 and Eotaxin were observably decreased in the licorice flavonoids with LPS group (P < 0.05). The data presented here suggested that the glycyrrhizin acid and licorice flavonoids modulate various cytokines secreted by macrophages and were important anti-inflammatory constituent of Licorice.