A combined quality evaluation method that integrates chemical constituents, appearance traits and origins of raw Rehmanniae Radix pieces.

The quality control of Chinese herbal medicine is a current challenge for the internationalization of traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional quality evaluation methods lack quantitative analysis, while modern quality evaluation methods ignore the origins and appearance traits. Therefore, an integrated quality evaluation method is urgent in need. Raw Rehmanniae Radix (RRR) is commonly used in Chinese herbal medicine. At present, much attention has been drwan towards its quality control, which however is limited by the existing quality evaluation methods. The present study was designed to establish a comprehensive and practical method for the quality evaluation and control of RRR pieces based on its chemical constituents, appearance traits and origins. Thirty-three batches of RRR pieces were collected from six provinces, while high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was applied to determine the following five constituents, including catalpol, rehmannioside A, rehmannioside D, leonuride and verbascoside in RRR pieces. Their appearance traits were quantitatively observed. Furthermore, correlation analysis, principal components analysis (PCA), cluster analysis and t-test were performed to evaluate the qualities of RRR pieces. These batches of RRR pieces were divided into three categories: samples from Henan province, samples from Shandong and Shanxi provinces, and those from other provinces. Furthermore, the chemical constituents and appearance traits of RRR pieces were significantly different from diverse origins. The combined method of chemical contituents, appearance traits and origins can distinguish RRR pieces with different qualities, which provides basic reference for the quality control of Chinese herbal medicine.

Proof-of-principle demonstration of measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution based on intrinsically stable polarization-modulated units.

The experimental demonstration of measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution (MDI-QKD) has been widely demonstrated. Thus far, several experimental groups have implemented polarization encoding MDI-QKD but with manual polarization controllers, or polarization modulators that make circular polarization states unstable. Here, we apply an intrinsically stable polarization-modulated unit (PMU) to MDI-QKD so that Alice and Bob can modulate four BB84 polarization states, all of which can be kept stable from even the harsh environment. Moreover, our PMU can provide two operational polarization encoding modes suitable to different application scenarios. A proof-of-principle demonstration of MDI-QKD based on our PMU is implemented with an interference visibility of 46.6%, an average quantum bit error rate of 1.49% for the Z basis and the secure key rate of 4.25 × 10-6 bits per pulse. The proposed study is helpful for building polarization encoding MDI-QKD systems with better stability.

[Origin of lifting and lowering theory and its herb pair study].

Lifting and lowering theory is one of the important basis for guiding clinical medication. Through the study of ancient books and literature, we learned that lifting and lowering theory was originated in Huangdi Neijing, practiced more in the Shanghan Zabing Lun, established in Yixue Qiyuan, and developed in Compendium of Materia Medica and now. However, lifting and lowering theory is now mostly stagnated in the theoretical stage, with few experimental research. In the clinical study, the guiding role of lifting and lowering theory to prescriptions?mainly includes opposite?role?of lift and lower medicine property, mutual promotion of lift and lower medicine property, main role of lift medicine property and main role of lower medicine property. Under the guidance of lifting and lowering theory, the herb pair compatibility include herb combination of lift medicine property, herb combination of lift and lower medicine property and herb combination of lower medicine property. Modern biological technology was used in this study to carry out experimental research on the lifting and lowering theory, revealing the scientific connotation of it, which will help to promote clinical rational drug use.

[Analysis of historical origin and standardization system construction of Citri Grandis Exocarpium].

To understand the history development and changes of Citri Grandis Exocarpium and initially establish its standard system after exploring the historical origins and modern development of Citri Grandis Exocarpium. In CNKI, Wanfang database and other academic search platforms were searched for literature on Citri Grandis Exocarpium and Chinese medicine standard system； the books related to its modern cultivation techniques and processing technology were also accessed, and after combining with the actual situation analysis, the prospective design of the standard system of Citri Grandis Exocarpium was finally established with research conclusion. The earliest records of the Citri Grandis Exocarpium were documented in the Northern and Southern Dynasties, but its medicinal value was discovered in the Song Dynasty. Its drug use was developed on the basis of Jupi（orange peel） and Citri Exocarpium Rubrum. In 21st century, a number of large-scale, intensive Citri Grandis Exocarpium bases have been formed due to high price, good planting efficiency, and rapid growth of cultivation areas. The standard system includes the technical specifications of seed selection and seedling cultivation of Citri Grandis Exocarpium, technical norms of cultivation, technical specifications of fertilizing and weeding, technical specifications of irrigation and drainage, technical standard of pest and disease control, standard of medicinal materials grade, standard of processing technology of sliced pieces and the quality standard of slices, etc.

[National physician master Jin Shiyuan's dispensing technology of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata based on Li Shizhen's pharmaceutical academic thought].

To collect the historical origin, processing methods and clinical application of Rehmanniae Radix Preparata in Compendium of Materia Medica, compare and analyze the theoretical knowledge and relevant practical operation of national physician master Jin Shiyuan, which is beneficial for the inheritance and development of Rehmanniae Radix Preparata's clinical dispensing technology. In the analysis process, CNKI was searched with "Rehmanniae Radix Preparata", "Processing method", "Clinical application" "Li Shizhen", "Jin Shiyuan", and "Dispensing technology" as keywords. In addition, Shennong's Herbal Classic, Bencao Tujing (illustrated Classics of Materia Medica), Compendium of Materia Medica, Jingyue Quanshu (Jingyue's Complete Works) and related ancient books were accessed systematically to summarize the historical change of processing methods and efficacy of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata. Professor Jin Shiyuan emphasizes the clinical dispensing technology of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, including its nature identification technology, clinical processing technology, prescription audit technology, prescription coping technology, drug delivery technology, clinical decocting technology, purchasing management technology as well as storage, maintenance and supply technology. Through the collation and research, it was confirmed that historical origin, processing methods and clinical application of Rehmanniae Radix Preparata were recorded in details in Compendium of Materia Medica. Steaming method of Rehmanniae Radix Preparata was originated from Synopsis of Golden Chamber. Li Shizhen attached great importance to the processing method of "steaming and drying alternatively for nine times" for Rehmanniae Radix Preparata, and differentiated it from Radix Rehmanniae Recen and fresh rehmannia root in clinical applications. Professor Jin Shiyuan has developed and improved the clinical dispensing technology of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, and carried forward the essence of Li Shizhen's pharmaceutical academic thought with his own proficient knowledge structure in medicine, providing scientific pharmaceutical service for clinical application of Rehmanniae Radix Preparata in future.

[National physician master Jin Shiyuan's dispensing technology of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata based on Li Shizhen's pharmaceutical academic thought].

To collect Li Shizhen's experience in Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata identification and clinical application, compare and analyze national physician master Jin Shiyuan's practical operation and theoretical knowledge, which is beneficial for the inheritance and improvement of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata clinical dispensing technology. In the analysis process, CNKI, Wanfang and other databases were searched with "Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata", "Li Shizhen", "pharmacological method state theory" "Jin Shiyuan" and "Chinese medicine dispensing technology" as the key words. In addition, Treatise on Febrile Disease, Compendium of Materia Medica, Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2015 edition), Notes to Medical Professions(Yi Zong Shuo Yue), and other medicine books were accessed to summarize the processing methods and decoction dosage of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata in both ancient and modern medicine, and in consideration of technical research and practice operation, Li Shizhen's description of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata and Professor Jin Shiyuan's research on Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata dispensing technology were analyzed and collected. Li Shizhen recorded the nature identification and clinical application of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata by using pharmacological method state theory in Compendium of Materia Medica. National physician master Jin Shiyuan carries forward the essence of Li Shizhen's pharmaceutical academic thought with his own proficient knowledge structure in medicine, providing scientific pharmaceutical service for clinical application of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata Professor. Jin Shiyuan put forward the dispensing technology for the first time, including nature identification technology, clinical processing technology, clinical decocting technology, prescription coping technology, and class specifications of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata. In this paper, Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata was used as an example to analyze the key dispensing technology of traditional Chinese medicine, and apply the key dispensing technology of traditional Chinese medicine in various commonly used Chinese medicines in the future.

[Influences of diagnostic modes on an early diagnosis of colorectal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influences of diagnostic modes of colorectal cancer (CRC) on an early diagnosis of CRC. METHODS: A total of 405 cases were randomly collected from 1798 CRC patients registered at our hospital from January 2000 to December 2010. A retrospective chart review was undertaken for all identified cases. Besides the demographics and tumor features, TNM stage was obtained from medical records and pathological forms. Other collected data were as follows: (1) Type of clinical examinations leading to diagnosis. (2) Diagnostic duration: including patient duration (period from initial symptoms to consulting a doctor and hospitalization duration (period from patient first seeing a doctor to a confirmed CRC case). (3) Diagnostic delay and its rate: diagnostic delay was identified as the diagnostic duration of over 30 days. We compared the different delay periods of 31 - 60, 61 - 90, 91 - 150 and > 150 days and its corresponding tumor stages at diagnosis. (4) Misdiagnosis and its rate: that CRC subjects were diagnosed and treated as other diseases for at least 30 days was identified as misdiagnosis. The t and Mann-Whitney U tests were performed for the quantitative data and χ(2) test for the qualitative data. RESULTS: Among the study subjects, 67.2% (270/402) CRC cases were examined by colonoscopy, 17.4 % (70/402) cases by CT scan or B ultrasound. The median diagnostic duration of CRC was 90 days (25% percentile: 40 days, 75% percentile: 210 days). The median patient duration was 30 days and median hospital duration 10 days. The overall misdiagnostic rate of CRC was 27.9% (112/401), higher (39.7%, 48/121) in right sited CRC than in left sited CRC (22.9%, 63/275) (χ(2) = 11.7, P = 0.00). 77.7% (313/403) cases had > 30 days diagnostic delay, 50.8% (156/307) delay attributable to the patients, while 29.0% (89/307) attributable to hospitals and 20.2% (62/307) attributable to both. The diagnostic duration of early-stage CRC and advanced-stage CRC appeared to be in the same length. On the other hand, no difference of TNM stage at the initial diagnosis was found in groups with different diagnostic durations of 31 - 60, 61 - 90, 91 - 150 and > 150 days (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Colonoscopy is the most effective in the diagnosis of CRC. The median diagnostic time of CRC is 90 days. The phenomenon of its diagnostic delay often occurs. However, the delay is not a major cause for its advanced stage and a poor outcome. Its inherent biological characteristics may be more important.