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Acupuncture, a therapeutic treatment defined as the insertion of needles into the body at specific points (ie, acupoints), has growing in popularity world-wide to treat various diseases effectively, especially acute and chronic pain. In parallel, interest in the physiological mechanisms underlying acupuncture analgesia, particularly the neural mechanisms have been increasing. Over the past decades, our understanding of how the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system process signals induced by acupuncture has developed rapidly by using electrophysiological methods. However, with the development of neuroscience, electrophysiology is being challenged by calcium imaging in view field, neuron population and visualization in vivo. Owing to the outstanding spatial resolution, the novel imaging approaches provide opportunities to enrich our knowledge about the neurophysiological mechanisms of acupuncture analgesia at subcellular, cellular, and circuit levels in combination with new labeling, genetic and circuit tracing techniques. Therefore, this review will introduce the principle and the method of calcium imaging applied to acupuncture research. We will also review the current findings in pain research using calcium imaging from in vitro to in vivo experiments and discuss the potential methodological considerations in studying acupuncture analgesia.
Subject(s)
Calcium , Acupuncture Therapy , Acupuncture , Acupuncture Analgesia/methods , Acupuncture Points , TechnologyABSTRACT
MYB transcription factors are involved in the regulation of various secondary metabolites biosynthesis. Gardenia jasminoides Ellis is the commonly used Chinese herbal medicine, and its main active ingredient is geniposide. Here, leaves and flower buds at different developmental stages of G. jasminoides were used to explore MYB transcription factors related to geniposide biosynthesis based on genome and transcriptome analysis. Transcriptome data analysis showed that, different from the expression of the common pathway genes for terpenoid biosynthesis, the expression level of genes in the specific pathway of geniposide biosynthesis was significantly higher in flower buds than in leaves, which was the same as the organ accumulation pattern of this component. And the promoter regions of geraniol synthase, iridoid synthase and geniposidic acid methyltransferase involved in the specific pathway all contained multiple MYB-binding sites. A total of 105 MYB transcription factors were obtained by annotating the coding genes of G. jasminoides, which were divided into 68 1R-MYB, 33 R2R3-MYB, 3 3R-MYB and 1 atypical MYB transcription factor according to the number of conserved domain. Based on the analysis of phylogenetic tree and quantitative real-time PCR, three candidate MYB transcription factors related to geniposide biosynthesis were selected, including potential positive regulation factor GjMYB23 and negative regulation factors GjMYB31 and GjMYB73. The results of this study will lay a foundation for searching the regulation of geniposide biosynthesis and further analysis of the quality formation mechanism of G. jasminoides, so as to promote the breeding of excellent varieties of G. jasminoides.
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The main sources of natural drugs include various biological species such as plants, animals, and microorganisms. The accurate identification of these species is the bedrock of natural drug development. We propose a novel method of species identification in this paper: analysis of whole-genome (AGE), a molecular diagnostic method used to identify species by finding species-specific sequences from the whole genome and precisely recognizing the specific target sequences. We elaborate that the principle for species identification based on AGE is that the genome sequences of diverse species must differ and divide the implementation strategy of the method into two levels of research and application. Based on our analysis of its characteristics, the method would have the potential advantages of reliable principle, high specificity, and wide applicability. Moreover, three crucial concerns related to building method systems including genome acquisition, bioinformatics analysis, and database construction, are further discussed. In summary, we offer theoretical underpinnings and methodological guidance for the development of bioinformatics software and commercial kits, indicating AGE has great application potential in objects, subjects, and industries.
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Posterior tibial slope angle (PTSA) is a risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and has attracted a lot of attention, but its mechanism of action and diagnosis are still not systematically studied in the field of sports medicine. In this paper, we believe that PTSA should be measured by full-length lower extremity films and combined with multiple imaging data for comprehensive assessment to reduce errors. A large PTSA may increases risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury, so patients with more than 12 degrees of PTSA should be treated by preserving meniscus as much as possible during ACL reconstruction and combining with tibial osteotomy if necessary, which could effectively prevent risk of ligament re-injury. At the same time, gait analysis has an important reference value for preoperative pathogenic pattern and postoperative rehabilitation function, so the author believes that it will have a guiding significance for the development of individualized rehabilitation strategy based on PTSA, in order to achieve the best treatment effect.
Subject(s)
Humans , Anterior Cruciate Ligament/surgery , Tibia/surgery , Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries/surgery , Lower ExtremityABSTRACT
Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are nano-sized spherical vehicles, with a size range between 20-250 nm. OMVs are spontaneously secreted from Gram-negative bacteria and formed by lipid bilayer membranes, comprising multiple parent bacteria-derived components including bacterial antigens, pathogen-associated molecular patterns, proteins and lipids. OMVs have shown multiple potentials for the treatment of various diseases, including cancer therapy and bacterial infection. In this review, the structure, composition and methods for isolating and characterizing of OMVs were introduced. The applications of OMVs for diseases therapy were summarized and future perspectives were discussed.
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Although the guiding principles for molecular identification of traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) using DNA barcoding have been recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, there is still a lack of systematic research on its application to commercial TCM decoctions. In this study, a total of 212 commercial TCM decoctions derived from different medicinal parts such as root and rhizome, fruit and seed, herb, flower, leaf, cortex, and caulis were collected to verify applicability and accuracy of the method. DNA barcodes were successfully obtained from 75.9% (161/212) of the samples, while other samples failed to be amplified due to genomic DNA degradation. Among the 161 samples, 85.7% of them were identified as recorded species in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 edition). In addition, 14 samples could be identified as species recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and their closely related species in the same genus. Morphological identification for the unconfirmed samples showed that eight were genuine species and three were adulterants, while the other three were unidentifiable due to lack of morphological characteristics. Furthermore, the DNA barcodes of seven samples accurately mapped to the sequences of adulterants. Remarkably, counterfeit products were detected in two samples. These results demonstrate that DNA barcoding is suitable for the identification of commercial TCM decoctions. The method can effectively detect adulterants and is appropriate for use throughout the industrial chain of TCM production and distribution, and by the supervisory agencies as well.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the antipyretic mechanism of Herba Ephedrae (Eph)-Ramulus Cinnamomi (RC) herb pair on yeast-induced pyrexia in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 30 qualified male SD rats were randomly assigned to the normal control (NC) group, the pyrexia model (model) group, the Eph, RC and Eph-RC treatment groups by a random digital table, 6 rats in each group. Each rat received a 20% aqueous suspension of yeast (10 mL/kg) except the NC group. The 3 treatment groups were administered 8.1, 5.4 and 13.5 g/kg Eph, RC and Eph-RC respectively at 5 and 12 h after yeast injection, the NC group and the model groups were administered equal volume of distilled water. Rectal temperatures were measured at 0, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 18, 24 and 30 h and urine was collected prior to yeast injection and at 6, 10, 18, 24, 30, and 36 h after yeast injection. Then urine metabolomic profiling by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, coupled with multivariate statistical analysis and pattern recognition techniques were used to explore the antipyretic effects of Eph-RC. Partial least squares discriminate analysis was used to analyze the metabolomics dataset including classification and regression in metabolomics plot profiling.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the NC group, rectal temperatures were significantly higher in the model group (P<0.01), while 3 treatment groups decreased significantly compared with the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Rectal temperatures of Eph-RC-treated rats started to go down at 6 h, and markedly decreased at 8, 12, 15, 18 and 24 h (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while those of the Eph and RC groups had decreased firstly at 8 h and were markedly lower at 12 h (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Seventeen potential biomarkers related to pyrexia were confirmed and identified, including pyruvic acid, L-phenylalanine, L-tyrosine, phenylacetic acid, hippuric acid, succinic acid, citrate and so on. Eight potential alterations of metabolic pathways including phenylalanine metabolism, citrate cycle, tryptophan metabolism, biosynthesis of valine, leucine and isoleucine, were identified in relation to the antipyretic effects of Eph-RC using MetPA software.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The antipyretic effect of Eph-RC herb pair on yeast-induced pyrexia in rats involved correction of perturbed amino acid, fatty acid, and carbohydrate metabolism according to the metabolic pathway analysis with MetPA.</p>
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Objective:To observe the effect of warm joint needling plus rehabilitation techniques on the balance function and quality of life (QOL) of patients with spastic hemiplegia after ischemic cerebral stroke.Methods:Ninety patients with spastic hemiplegia after ischemic cerebral stroke were randomized into a rehabilitation group,a warm joint needling group and an observation group,with 30 cases in each group.The rehabilitation group was intervened by Bobath therapy,the warm joint needling group was treated with joint needling on the affected side plus warm needling,and the observation group was given the same rehabilitation treatment as the rehabilitation group together with the same warm joint needling as the warm joint needling group.The three groups were treated once another day,1 month as a treatment course for 6 months.Before the treatment,and respectively after 2-week,1-month,3-month,and 6-month treatment,the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) was used to measure the anti-spasm ability of the lower limb,the Berg balance scale (BBS) was adopted to evaluate the balance function,and the stroke-specific quality of life scale (SS-QOL)was employed to estimate the QOL.Results:After 3-month and 6-month treatment,the lower-limb MAS scores in the observation group were significantly better than those in the rehabilitation group and the warm joint needling group (all P＜0.05).After 1-month,3-month and 6-month treatment,the BBS scores in the observation group were significantly better than those in the rehabilitation group and the warm joint needling group (all P＜0.05).After 2-week,1-month,3-month and 6-month treatment,the SS-QOL scores in the observation group were markedly better than those in the rehabilitation group and the warm joint needling group (all P＜0.05).Conclusion:Warm joint needling plus rehabilitation can effectively improve the lower-limb spasticity state,balance function and QOL in patients with spastic hemiplegia after ischemic cerebral stroke.
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Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a unique health resource in China and one of the main representative traditional medicines globally. TCM has formed a new way of looking at medical practices, health care, scientific research, education, industry and culture. It focuses on promoting and safeguarding the health of people, with an increasing contribution to economic and social development. Establishing a comprehensive evaluation system in accordance with the characteristics of TCM services could promote the scientific merit and the standardization of services management. This would improve health service quality and the social and economic benefits of TCM. It would broaden the field of TCM services research. It would also provide the basis for the formulation of relevant government policies. This study estimates the prospect of establishing a comprehensive evaluation system of TCM services.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop an effective Chinese Medicine (CM) diagnostic model of coronary heart disease (CHD) and to confifirm the scientifific validity of CM theoretical basis from an algorithmic viewpoint.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Four types of objective diagnostic data were collected from 835 CHD patients by using a self-developed CM inquiry scale for the diagnosis of heart problems, a tongue diagnosis instrument, a ZBOX-I pulse digital collection instrument, and the sound of an attending acquisition system. These diagnostic data was analyzed and a CM diagnostic model was established using a multi-label learning algorithm (REAL).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>REAL was employed to establish a Xin (Heart) qi defificiency, Xin yang defificiency, Xin yin defificiency, blood stasis, and phlegm fifive-card CM diagnostic model, which had recognition rates of 80.32%, 89.77%, 84.93%, 85.37%, and 69.90%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The multi-label learning method established using four diagnostic models based on mutual information feature selection yielded good recognition results. The characteristic model parameters were selected by maximizing the mutual information for each card type. The four diagnostic methods used to obtain information in CM, i.e., observation, auscultation and olfaction, inquiry, and pulse diagnosis, can be characterized by these parameters, which is consistent with CM theory.</p>
Subject(s)
Aged , Humans , Algorithms , Coronary Disease , Diagnosis , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Support Vector Machine , SyndromeABSTRACT
Objective To introduce the international pediatric clinical journal PEDIATRICS for pediatrics clinical medical researchers.Methods Articles of PEDIATRICS from Jan.2008 to Oct.2012 were searched through Web of Science database.Analysis in country,language,authors and frequency of subject headings based on bibliomettics methodologies was performed.Results In recent 5 years,articles of PEDIATRICS involved a total of 96 countries or regions.The United States published the most papers,2687 of the total amount of literatures,accounted for 64.89％ ;followed by Canada,295 of the literatures,accounted for 7.12％.China ranked ninth,a total of 73 papers of literature,accounted for 1.76％.Article was the most frequent type of the papers and English was the dominating language.Conclusions Currently,the researches of PEDIATRICS focus in the fields of epidemiology,care,management,influence factors,diagnosis,treatment,mortality statistics,asthma,obesity.
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Objective To study the plasma folate concentrations in the third trimester of pregnant women and newborn babies so as to assess the association between them.Methods Pregnant women in Yuanshi and Laoting counties in Hebei province from May to June in 2009 were recruited with related information collected at enrollment.Those pregnant women being enrolled were followed up until delivery.Maternal blood was collected before delivery,and cord blood was collected after the expulsion of the placenta.Data from 437 pairs of women and newborns were analyzed.Plasma folate concentration was measured by Microbiological assay,with maternal plasma folate concentration ＜6.8 nmol/L defined as folate deficiency.Neonatal plasma folate concentration below 10％ was defined as relative deficiency.Student t-test and ANOVA were used to compare the plasma folate concentrations between the groups and x2 test was used to compare the situation of folate deficiency.In order to assess the association between maternal and newborn folate levels,logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the odds ratio of the neonatal plasma folate relative deficiency between the maternal folate deficient and normal groups after adjusting factors as age,BMI,region,career and education.Linear regression was used to test the trend by quintiles of maternal plasma folate concentration.Pearson' s test was used to test the relationship between the ratio of neonatal and maternal plasma folate level and the level of maternal plasma folate.Results The geometric mean of maternal plasma folate concentration was 8.0(95％CI:7.6-8.5) nmol/L and the deficiency was 29.3％,but in newborn babies,they were 24.0(95％CI:23.1-25.0) nmol/L and 0.9％ respectively.The plasma folate level in newborn babies was 3.0 times as high as in maternal (t=32.519,P＜0.01 )but the neonatal plasma folate deficiency status was higher than in matemal ( x2=137.2,P＜0.01 ).When compared with the normal plasma folate level group,the risk on neonatal plasma folate relative deficiency in the maternal folate deficiency group was significantly higher aiter adjusted for confounders (OR=1.96,95％CI:1.02-3.80).The neonatal plasma folate level significantly increased along with the maternal plasma folate level (Ptrend＜0.05).The ratio of neonatal and maternal plasma folate level was significantly inversely correlated with the maternal folate level (r=-0.810,P＜0.001 ).Conclusion Folate status in newborns was much better than in their mothers',in the northern rural areas of China.The maternal folate status was positively correlated with their offspring' s.Active placental transport for folate was significantly increasing when the maternal plasma folate level decreased.
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OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Axinella sp. from the South China Sea. METHODS: The compounds were isolated and purified by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and semi-preparative reverse-phase HPLC(C18). Their structures were identified by their spectral data. RESULTS: Ten compounds were isolated from Axinella sp. and their structures were identified as cyclo-(Val-Pro) (1), cyclo-(Tyr-Pro) (2), cyclo-(Phe-Pro) (3), cyclo-(Leu-Pro) (4), cyclo-(Ile-Pro) (5), 2'-deoxyinosine (6), 2'-deoxyadenosine(7), spongothymidine (8), spongouridine (9) and 2'-deoxyuridine (10). CONCLUSION: All the compounds were isolated from Callyspongia sp. for the first time.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To find a good way to diagnose VD, value the effect of Yishen Yangnao capsule on VD and try to find some rules of changes in Chinese medicine syndromes.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Patients were randomly divided into treating group and western medicine comparison group. It's the phase III clinical research of Rishen Yangnao capsule curing VD, judging the validity and security of it, using dukexi slice as comparison drug. Some of the patients did the examination of P300.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The total validity of Yishen Yangnao capsule is 56.3% (contract team is 60.0%). The improve rate of ADL is 0.1069% (contract team is 0.1134%). The scores of Chinese medicine syndrome descend.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Yishen Yangnao capsule has the same effect as dukexi slice in curing VD at the side of intelligence situation and life ability.</p>
Subject(s)
Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Activities of Daily Living , Almitrine , Therapeutic Uses , Capsules , Dementia, Vascular , Drug Therapy , Drug Combinations , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Therapeutic Uses , Event-Related Potentials, P300 , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Methods , Neuroprotective Agents , Therapeutic Uses , Phytotherapy , Treatment Outcome , Yohimbine , Therapeutic UsesABSTRACT
Objective: To summarize the distributing rule of TCM syndrome elements of common diseases by analyzing the literature of Depression,Chronic Hepatitis B,Chronic Renal Failure,Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease,Menopausal Syndrome.Methods: We selected eligible literatures,then established database with EpiData 3.0 software and computed the frequency of TCM syndrome elements with SPSS 12.0 software.Results: ①Liver,heart,spleen,lung and kidney are common TCM syndrome elements of location of disease.②Yin deficiency,yang deficiency,heat,qi stasis,qi deficiency,blood stasis,damp and phlegm are common TCM syndrome elements of nature of disease.③There are TCM syndrome types between 62 and 148,but the sum of frequency of leading syndrome types which includes disease information is mostly no more than 50%.There are TCM syndrome elements between 19 and 47,but the sum of frequency of leading syndrome elements which includes disease information is mostly above 80%.Conclusion: It is convenient to study TCM syndrome from the aspect of TCM syndrome elements,so we should thoroughly keep on studying TCM syndrome elements.
