Transmission patterns of COVID-19 in the mainland of China and the efficacy of different control strategies: a data- and model-driven study.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has seriously endangered the health and lives of Chinese people. In this study, we predicted the COVID-19 epidemic trend and estimated the efficacy of several intervention strategies in the mainland of China. METHODS: According to the COVID-19 epidemic status, we constructed a compartmental model. Based on reported data from the National Health Commission of People's Republic of China during January 10-February 17, 2020, we estimated the model parameters. We then predicted the epidemic trend and transmission risk of COVID-19. Using a sensitivity analysis method, we estimated the efficacy of several intervention strategies. RESULTS: The cumulative number of confirmed cases in the mainland of China will be 86 763 (95% CI: 86 067-87 460) on May 2, 2020. Up until March 15, 2020, the case fatality rate increased to 6.42% (95% CI: 6.16-6.68%). On February 23, 2020, the existing confirmed cases reached its peak, with 60 890 cases (95% CI: 60 350-61 431). On January 23, 2020, the effective reproduction number was 2.620 (95% CI: 2.567-2.676) and had dropped below 1.0 since February 5, 2020. Due to governmental intervention, the total number of confirmed cases was reduced by 99.85% on May 2, 2020. Had the isolation been relaxed from February 24, 2020, there might have been a second peak of infection. However, relaxing the isolation after March 16, 2020 greatly reduced the number of existing confirmed cases and deaths. The total number of confirmed cases and deaths would increase by 8.72 and 9.44%, respectively, due to a 1-day delayed diagnosis in non-isolated infected patients. Moreover, if the coverage of close contact tracing was increased to 100%, the cumulative number of confirmed cases would be decreased by 88.26% on May 2, 2020. CONCLUSIONS: The quarantine measures adopted by the Chinese government since January 23, 2020 were necessary and effective. Postponing the relaxation of isolation, early diagnosis, patient isolation, broad close-contact tracing, and strict monitoring of infected persons could effectively control the COVID-19 epidemic. April 1, 2020 would be a reasonable date to lift quarantine in Hubei and Wuhan.

[Interpretation of Expert consensus on Shujin Jianyao Pills in clinical practice].

Shujin Jianyao Pills is a kind of concentrated honey pills made of 13 Chinese herbal medicines, such as Cibotii Rhizoma, Rosae Laevigatae Fructus, and Spatholobi Caulis. It has the effects in tonifying liver and kidney, strengthening muscles and bones, removing wind and dampness, activating collaterals and relieving pain. Under the leadership of the Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Wangjing Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, the Expert consensus on clinical application of Shujin Jianyao Pills was developed by 22 universities, scientific research institutes and hospitals. This consensus formed 1 recommendation and 9 consensus suggestions, which were based on evidence and oriented to clinical practice. The expert consensus had a new understanding of the indications of Shujin Jianyao Pills, especially the applicable Western medicine diseases, the advantages and characteristics of treatment, the time of intervention, the applicable syndromes, the precautions and contraindications of medication. The indications were detailed and expressed as the combination of disease, symptom and syndrome. And it filled in the gaps of package inserts in applicable syndrome and special population medication in the process of drug use. The expert consensus showed the optimization of precautions and contraindications, and more detailed description of drug safety. Therefore, it provides guidance and reference for clinicians to use Shujin Jianyao Pills rationally.

[Expert consensus on Shujin Jianyao Pills in clinical practice].

Shujin Jianyao Pills is a Chinese patent medicine, with anti-inflammation, analgesic and anti-osteoporotic effects. Based on a questionnaire investigation of clinicians and a systematic review of study literatures on Shujin Jianyao Pills, the international clinical practice guidelines development method was adopted to analyze the optimal available evidences and expert experiences in the "evidence-based, consensus-based and experience-based" principles. Expert consensus on Shujin Jianyao Pills in clinical practice(GS/CACM267-2019) was developed by more than 30 multidisciplinary experts nationwide with the aim to guide and standardize the rational use of Shujin Jianyao Pills among clinicians and improve the clinical efficacy and safety. The expert consensus adopted the internationally recognized recommendation criteria for classification of evidence--GRADE. Expert consensus was formed by the nominal group method. Six main considerations were quality of evidence, curative effect, safety, economical efficiency, patient acceptability and other factors. If there were sufficient evidences, a "recommendation" was given, and GRADE grid voting rule was adopted. If there wasn't sufficient evidence, a "consensus opinion" was formed, and the majority counting rule. According to the indication, usage and do-sage, drug use for special population and safety of Shujin Jianyao Pills, one recommendation and nine consensus opinions were put forward. By means of expert meetings and correspondence, a nationwide consultations and peer reviews were conducted. This consensus is applicable to clinicians in hospitals and grass-roots health services, and provides guidance and reference for the rational use of Shujin Jianyao Pills.

Interpretation of Expert consensus on Shujin Jianyao Pills in clinical practice / 中国中药杂志

Shujin Jianyao Pills is a kind of concentrated honey pills made of 13 Chinese herbal medicines, such as Cibotii Rhizoma, Rosae Laevigatae Fructus, and Spatholobi Caulis. It has the effects in tonifying liver and kidney, strengthening muscles and bones, removing wind and dampness, activating collaterals and relieving pain. Under the leadership of the Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Wangjing Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, the Expert consensus on clinical application of Shujin Jianyao Pills was developed by 22 universities, scientific research institutes and hospitals. This consensus formed 1 recommendation and 9 consensus suggestions, which were based on evidence and oriented to clinical practice. The expert consensus had a new understanding of the indications of Shujin Jianyao Pills, especially the applicable Western medicine diseases, the advantages and characteristics of treatment, the time of intervention, the applicable syndromes, the precautions and contraindications of medication. The indications were detailed and expressed as the combination of disease, symptom and syndrome. And it filled in the gaps of package inserts in applicable syndrome and special population medication in the process of drug use. The expert consensus showed the optimization of precautions and contraindications, and more detailed description of drug safety. Therefore, it provides guidance and reference for clinicians to use Shujin Jianyao Pills rationally.

Expert consensus on Shujin Jianyao Pills in clinical practice / 中国中药杂志

Shujin Jianyao Pills is a Chinese patent medicine, with anti-inflammation, analgesic and anti-osteoporotic effects. Based on a questionnaire investigation of clinicians and a systematic review of study literatures on Shujin Jianyao Pills, the international clinical practice guidelines development method was adopted to analyze the optimal available evidences and expert experiences in the "evidence-based, consensus-based and experience-based" principles. Expert consensus on Shujin Jianyao Pills in clinical practice(GS/CACM267-2019) was developed by more than 30 multidisciplinary experts nationwide with the aim to guide and standardize the rational use of Shujin Jianyao Pills among clinicians and improve the clinical efficacy and safety. The expert consensus adopted the internationally recognized recommendation criteria for classification of evidence--GRADE. Expert consensus was formed by the nominal group method. Six main considerations were quality of evidence, curative effect, safety, economical efficiency, patient acceptability and other factors. If there were sufficient evidences, a "recommendation" was given, and GRADE grid voting rule was adopted. If there wasn't sufficient evidence, a "consensus opinion" was formed, and the majority counting rule. According to the indication, usage and do-sage, drug use for special population and safety of Shujin Jianyao Pills, one recommendation and nine consensus opinions were put forward. By means of expert meetings and correspondence, a nationwide consultations and peer reviews were conducted. This consensus is applicable to clinicians in hospitals and grass-roots health services, and provides guidance and reference for the rational use of Shujin Jianyao Pills.

Secondary metabolites of petri-dish cultured Antrodia camphorata and their hepatoprotective activities against alcohol-induced liver injury in mice.

Antrodia camphorata, a well-known and highly valued edible medicinal mushroom with intriguing activities like liver protection, has been traditionally used for the treatment of alcoholic liver disease. A. camphorata shows highly medicinal and commercial values with the demand far exceeds the available supply. Thus, the petri-dish cultured A. camphorata (PDCA) is expected to develope as a substitute. In this paper, nineteen triterpenes were isolated from PDCA, and thirteen of them were the unique anthroic acids in A. camphorata, including the main content antcin K, which suggested that PDCA produced a large array of the same anthroic acids as the wild one. Furthermore, no obvious acute toxicity was found suggesting the edible safety of PDCA. In mice alcohol-induced liver injury model, triglyceride (TG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) had been reduced by the PDCA powder as well as the main content antcin K, which indicated that the PDCA could protect alcoholic liver injury in mice model and antcin K could be the effective component responsible for the hepatoprotective activities of PDCA against alcoholic liver diseases.

New Alkaloid and Aromatic Glucoside from the Flowers of Cymbidium Lunagrad Eternal Green.

In this paper, we investigated the chemical components of the flowers of Cymbidium Lunagrad Eternal Green for the first time. In the whole post-fertilization, a new alkaloid, named Lunagrad A (1), and a new aromatic glucoside, named Lunagrad B (2), were isolated from the MeOH extract of the flowers of Cymbidium Lunagrad Eternal Green, along with other six known aromatic compounds (3-8) and three flavone glucosides (9-11). These structures were determined on the basis of NMR experiments, as well as chemical evidence.

Andrographolide Induces Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis of Chondrosarcoma by Targeting TCF-1/SOX9 Axis.

Chondrosarcoma is the second most malignant bone tumor with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Thus, development of more effective treatments has become urgent. Recently, natural compounds derived from medicinal plants have emerged as promising therapeutic options via targeting multiple key cellular molecules. Andrographolide (Andro) is such a compound, which has previously been shown to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in several human cancers. However, the molecular mechanism through which Andro exerts its anti-cancer effect on chondrosarcoma remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we showed that Andro-induced G2/M cell cycle arrest of chondrosarcoma by fine-tuning the expressions of several cell cycle regulators such as p21, p27, and Cyclins, and that prolonged treatment of cells with Andro caused pronounced cell apoptosis. Remarkably, we found that SOX9 was highly expressed in poor-differentiated chondrosarcoma, and that knockdown of SOX9 suppressed chondrosarcoma cell growth. Further, our results showed that Andro dose-dependently down-regulated SOX9 expression in chondrosarcoma cells. Concomitantly, an inhibition of T cell factor 1 (TCF-1) mRNA expression and an enhancement of TCF-1 protein degradation by Andro were observed. In contrast, the expression and subcellular localization of ß-catenin were not altered upon the treatment of Andro, suggesting that ß-catenin might not function as the primary target of Andro. Additionally, we provided evidence that there was a mutual regulation between TCF-1 and SOX9 in chondrosarcoma cells. In conclusion, these results highlight the potential therapeutic effects of Andro in treatment of chondrosarcoma via targeting the TCF-1/SOX9 axis. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 4575-4586, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Anoectochilus roxburghii.

The complete chloroplast sequence of the Anoectochilus roxburghii, a popular traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of cancer, was determined in this study. The chloroplast genome (cpDNA)^ was 152,802 bp in length, containing a pair of inverted repeats of 52,728 bp separated by a large single-copy region and a small single-copy region of 82,641 bp and 17,433 bp, respectively. The chloroplast genome encodes 116 predicted functional genes, including 81 protein-coding genes, four ribosomal RNA genes, and 31 transfer RNA genes, 25 of which are duplicated in the inverted repeat regions. The cpDNA is GC-rich (36.9%).

[Effect of yanggan yishui granule on collagen I, III, and IV, and FN in spontaneously hypertensive rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Yanggan Yishui Granule (YGYSG) on collagen protein I, III, and IV, as well as fibronection (EN) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), and to explore its possible renal protective mechanisms. METHODS: Fourty SHR were randomly divided into four groups, i.e., the model group, the Benazepril group, the low dose YGYSG group, and the high dose YGYSG group, 10 in each group. A normal control group was set up with recruited Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. After 6 weeks of treatment, the expression of collagen protein I, III, and IV, as well as FN in the 5.1 image analysis system. RESULTS: In the WKY-control group, there was only a small amount of brown particles in the mesenchymal region, the glomerular basement membrane, or the mesangial region. The expression of collagen I, Ill, and IV, as well as EN significantly increased more in the model group than in the normal control group (P < 0.01). After treatment, the expression of collagen I, III, and IV, as well as FN significantly decreased in each treated group, showing statistical difference when compared with the model group (P < 0.01). Besides, decresed expression of collagen I, III, and IV was shown in the low dose YGYSG group and the Benazepril group (P > 0.05). The expression of collagen I, III, and IV could be further reduced in the high dose YGYSG group, showing statistical difference when compared with the Benazepril group and the low dose YGYSG group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: YGYSG might play an important role in the renal protective effect through reducing the synthesis of renal collagen I, III, and IV, as well as FN, increasing the degradation of renal collagen I, III, and IV, as well as FN, thereby reducing excessive deposition of renal extracellular matrix (ECM).

Clinical analysis of port-wine stain in 130 Chinese patients treated by long-pulsed 1064-nm Nd: YAG laser.

BACKGROUND: The long-pulsed 1064-nm Nd: YAG laser is effective for treating port-wine stain (PWS). This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of Nd: YAG laser in treating PWS in Chinese patients. METHODS: A retrospective study of 130 PWS patients treated with long-pulsed 1064-nm Nd: YAG laser from 2009 to 2011. RESULTS: After treatment, 2, 15, 64, and 19 percent of patients experienced < 25%, 25-49%, 50-75%, and > 75% lesion clearance, respectively. Purple lesions showed more significant improvement than pink lesions. The initial response was blistering, dark gray coloration, or light gray coloration, the best improvement occurred in 100% (27/27), 82.5% (52/63), and 72.5% (29/40), respectively. Patients older than 20 years showed the best improvement (37/38, 97.4%), followed by those 10-20 years old (20/24, 83.3%), 1-9 years old (23/29, 79.3%) and less than 1 year old (28/39, 71.8%). Patients with neck lesions had the best outcome (47/48, 97.9%), followed by those with lesions on the face (43/53, 81.2%), extremities (13/18, 72.2%), and trunk (5/11, 45.5%). The common adverse side effects were blistering and pigment changes. CONCLUSIONS: 1064-nm Nd: YAG laser is effective and safe for the treatment of PWS. The efficacy is affected by the age of the patient, the color and location of the lesions, and immediate responses to the laser.

Effect of yanggan yishui granule on collagen I, III, and IV, and FN in spontaneously hypertensive rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of Yanggan Yishui Granule (YGYSG) on collagen protein I, III, and IV, as well as fibronection (EN) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), and to explore its possible renal protective mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fourty SHR were randomly divided into four groups, i.e., the model group, the Benazepril group, the low dose YGYSG group, and the high dose YGYSG group, 10 in each group. A normal control group was set up with recruited Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. After 6 weeks of treatment, the expression of collagen protein I, III, and IV, as well as FN in the 5.1 image analysis system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the WKY-control group, there was only a small amount of brown particles in the mesenchymal region, the glomerular basement membrane, or the mesangial region. The expression of collagen I, Ill, and IV, as well as EN significantly increased more in the model group than in the normal control group (P < 0.01). After treatment, the expression of collagen I, III, and IV, as well as FN significantly decreased in each treated group, showing statistical difference when compared with the model group (P < 0.01). Besides, decresed expression of collagen I, III, and IV was shown in the low dose YGYSG group and the Benazepril group (P > 0.05). The expression of collagen I, III, and IV could be further reduced in the high dose YGYSG group, showing statistical difference when compared with the Benazepril group and the low dose YGYSG group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>YGYSG might play an important role in the renal protective effect through reducing the synthesis of renal collagen I, III, and IV, as well as FN, increasing the degradation of renal collagen I, III, and IV, as well as FN, thereby reducing excessive deposition of renal extracellular matrix (ECM).</p>

A new phenolic glycoside and cytotoxic constituents from Celosia argentea.

A new phenolic glycoside, 4-O-ß-D-apifuranosyl-(1→2)-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-2-hydroxy-6-methoxyacetophenone (2) and 11 known compounds were isolated from the MeOH extract of the plant Celosia argentea. The structures of the compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and chemical methods. Among the isolated compounds, stigmasterol (10) showed moderate inhibitory activities against SGC-7901 and BEL-7404 cells.

Constituents from the seeds of Brucea javanica with inhibitory activity of Tobacco mosaic virus.

Three new constituents were obtained along with 10 known compounds from the seeds of Brucea javanica. The structures of these compounds were determined based on spectral and chemical evidence. These new compounds included a monoterpenoid glycoside and two sesquiterpenes. Bioactivity screening of these constituents showed that compounds 1, 3, 8, 9, and 13 with obvious activities in inhibiting multiplication of the Tobacco mosaic virus.

Two new phenolic water-soluble constituents from branch bark of Davidia involucrata.

Two new phenolic water-soluble constituents, involcranoside A (1) and involcranoside B (2) have been isolated along with five known phenolic compounds: 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl-O-beta-D-gluco-pyranoside (3), picein (4), and 1,4-dihydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5), leonuriside A (6) and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid (7) from the branch bark of Davidia involucrata. Identification of their structures was achieved by 1D and 2D NMR experiments, including (1)H-(1)H COSY, NOESY, HMQC and HMBC methods and FAB mass spectral data.

Antiphytoviral activity of bruceine-D from Brucea javanica seeds.

BACKGROUND: Brucea javanica (L.) Merr. is widely distributed throughout the southern parts of China and has been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of diseases. The objective of the present study was to identify the active antiphytoviral compound in the seeds of B. javanica and evaluate the inhibitory activity of the compound against plant virus. RESULTS: Bioassay-guided fractionation of the most active extract from the seeds led to the isolation of an antiphytoviral compound which was identified as bruceine-D by conventional spectroscopy methods. The compound exhibited significant inhibitory activity against the infection and replication of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), with IC(50) values of 13.98 and 7.13 mg L(-1) respectively. The compound also showed a strong inhibitory effect on the infectivity of potato virus Y (PVY) and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Furthermore, the compound could effectively inhibit systemic TMV infection in the host tobacco plant under glasshouse conditions. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that bruceine-D from Brucea javanica may have the potential to be used as a natural viricide, or a lead compound for new viricides.

Anti-tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) triterpenoid saponins from the leaves of Ilex oblonga.

Ten triterpene saponins have been isolated from a MeOH extract of the leaves of Ilex oblonga. In their structures, six new triterpenoid saponins were named as oblonganosides H-M (2, 4, 5, and 8-10). All structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Among the triterpenoid saponins, three compounds (7, 8, and 10) showed obvious activities in inhibiting multiplication of the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV).

Structure-activity relationship of triterpenes and triterpenoid glycosides against tobacco mosaic virus.

A new activity of triterpenes and triterpenoid glycosides against phytovirus has been found. Based on the anti-TMV replication activity in vivo, 47 triterpenes and triterpenoid glycosides were screened through the leaf-disk method together with indirect ELISA. Structure-activity relationships were analyzed according to the results of bio-activity screening. Besides, the EC(50) values of those compounds having higher activities were measured.

Molecular characterization of a new lectin from the marine alga Ulva pertusa.

A new lectin, named UPL1, was purified from a green alga Ulva pertusa by an affinity chromatography on the bovine-thyroglobulin-Sepharose 4B column. The molecular mass of the algal lectin was about 23 kD by SDS-PAGE, and it specifically agglutinated rabbit erythrocytes. The hemagglutinating activity for rabbit erythrocytes could be inhibited by bovine thyroglobulin and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. The lectin UPL1 required divalent cations for maintenance of its biological activity, and was heat-stable, and had higher activity within pH 6-8. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified lectin was determined (P83209) and a set of degenerate primers were designed. The full-length cDNA of the lectin was cloned by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) method (AY433960). Sequence analysis of upl1 indicated it was 1084 bp long, and encoded a premature protein of 203 amino acids. The N-terminal sequence of the mature UPL1 polypeptide started at amino acid 54 of the deduced sequence from the cDNA, indicating 53 amino acids lost due to posttranslational modification. The primary structure of the Ulva pertusa lectin did not show amino acid sequence similarity with known plant and animal lectins. Hence, this protein may be the paradigm of a novel lectin family.