Influence of rotor impeller structure on performance improvement of suspended axial flow blood pumps.

BACKGROUND: The hydrodynamic suspension structure design of the axial blood pump impeller can avoid the problems associated with using mechanical bearings. However, the particular impeller structure will impact the hydraulic performance and hemolysis of the blood pump. METHOD: This article combines computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with the Lagrange particle tracking method, aiming to improve the blood pump's hydraulic and hemolysis performance. It analyzes the flow characteristics and hemolysis performance inside the pump. It optimizes the taper of the impeller hub, the number of blades, and the inclination angle of the circumferential groove at the top of the blade. RESULTS: Under certain rotational speed conditions, an increase in the taper of the impeller hub or the number of blades can increase the pumping pressure of a blood pump, but an increase in the number of blades will reduce the flow rate. The design of circumferential grooves at the top of the blade can increase the pumping pressure to a certain extent, with little impact on the hemolysis performance. The impeller structure is optimized based on the estimated hemolysis of each impeller model blood pump. It could be seen that when the pump blood pressure and flow rate were reached, the optimized impeller speed was reduced by 11.4%, and the estimated hemolysis value was reduced by 10.5%. CONCLUSION: In this paper, the rotor impeller structure of the blood pump was optimized to improve the hydraulic and hemolytic performance effectively, which can provide a reference for the related research of the axial flow blood pump using hydraulic suspension.

Developing Humanized Animal Models with Transplantable Human iPSC-Derived Cells.

Establishing reliable and reproducible animal models for disease modelling, drug screening and the understanding of disease susceptibility and pathogenesis is critical. However, traditional animal models differ significantly from humans in terms of physiology, immune response, and pathogenesis. As a result, it is difficult to translate laboratory findings into biomedical applications. Although several animal models with human chimeric genes, organs or systems have been developed in the past, their limited engraftment rate and physiological functions are a major obstacle to realize convincing models of humans. The lack of human transplantation resources and insufficient immune tolerance of recipient animals are the main challenges that need to be overcome to generate fully humanized animals. Recent advances in gene editing and pluripotent stem cell-based xenotransplantation technologies offer opportunities to create more accessible human-like models for biomedical research. In this article, we have combined our laboratory expertise to summarize humanized animal models, with a focus on hematopoietic/immune system and liver. We discuss their generation strategies and the potential donor cell sources, with particular attention given to human pluripotent stem cells. In particular, we discuss the advantages, limitations and emerging trends in their clinical and pharmaceutical applications. By providing insights into the current state of humanized animal models and their potential for biomedical applications, this article aims to advance the development of more accurate and reliable animal models for disease modeling and drug screening.

Low pressure reversibly driving colossal barocaloric effect in two-dimensional vdW alkylammonium halides.

Plastic crystals as barocaloric materials exhibit the large entropy change rivalling freon, however, the limited pressure-sensitivity and large hysteresis of phase transition hinder the colossal barocaloric effect accomplished reversibly at low pressure. Here we report reversible colossal barocaloric effect at low pressure in two-dimensional van-der-Waals alkylammonium halides. Via introducing long carbon chains in ammonium halide plastic crystals, two-dimensional structure forms in (CH3-(CH2)n-1)2NH2X (X: halogen element) with weak interlayer van-der-Waals force, which dictates interlayer expansion as large as 13% and consequently volume change as much as 12% during phase transition. Such anisotropic expansion provides sufficient space for carbon chains to undergo dramatic conformation disordering, which induces colossal entropy change with large pressure-sensitivity and small hysteresis. The record reversible colossal barocaloric effect with entropy change ΔSr ~ 400 J kg-1 K-1 at 0.08 GPa and adiabatic temperature change ΔTr ~ 11 K at 0.1 GPa highlights the design of novel barocaloric materials by engineering the dimensionality of plastic crystals.

Human iPSC-liver organoid transplantation reduces fibrosis through immunomodulation.

Donor organ shortages for transplantation remain a serious global concern, and alternative treatment is in high demand. Fetal cells and tissues have considerable therapeutic potential as, for example, organoid technology that uses human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) to generate unlimited human fetal-like cells and tissues. We previously reported the in vivo vascularization of early fetal liver-like hiPSC-derived liver buds (LBs) and subsquent improved survival of recipient mice with subacute liver failure. Here, we show hiPSC-liver organoids (LOs) that recapitulate midgestational fetal liver promote de novo liver generation when grafted onto the surface of host livers in chemical fibrosis models, thereby recovering liver function. We found that fetal liver, a hematopoietic tissue, highly expressed macrophage-recruiting factors and antifibrotic M2 macrophage polarization factors compared with the adult liver, resulting in fibrosis reduction because of CD163+ M2-macrophage polarization. Next, we created midgestational fetal liver-like hiPSC-LOs by fusion of hiPSC-LBs to induce static cell-cell interactions and found that these contained complex structures such as hepatocytes, vasculature, and bile ducts after transplantation. This fusion allowed the generation of a large human tissue suitable for transplantation into immunodeficient rodent models of liver fibrosis. hiPSC-LOs showed superior liver function compared with hiPSC-LBs and improved survival and liver function upon transplantation. In addition, hiPSC-LO transplantation ameliorated chemically induced liver fibrosis, a symptom of liver cirrhosis that leads to organ dysfunction, through immunomodulatory effects, particularly on CD163+ phagocytic M2-macrophage polarization. Together, our results suggest hiPSC-LO transplantation as a promising therapeutic option for liver fibrosis.

The value of serum amyloid protein A in the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis / 中国感染控制杂志

Early/late onset sepsis(EOS/LOS)and necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC)are common diseases during the neonatal period,with poor prognosis in severe cases.The early clinical manifestations are not specific,the diag-nosis is difficult,currently-used non-specific laboratory tests(C-reactive protein,procalcitonin,etc.)have disad-vantages,which may lead to missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis.Serum amyloid A(SAA)is a novel acute phase re-actant that increases significantly in the early stage of EOS/LOS and NEC,and lasts for a long time,it is related to the severity of the disease and can reflect the therapeutic effect,thus it can be used as a biomarker for diagnosis and treatment of these two diseases.This paper reviews SA A and its value in the early diagnosis of EOS/LOS and NEC,providing new references for the diagnosis and treatment of such diseases.

Differences in chemical components in processing of dried ginger-steamed, sand-fried, and rice swill water-bleached Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata pieces in "Jianchang" faction based on UPLC-MS/MS / 中国中药杂志

This study compared the changes in chemical components during the processing of different types of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata(ALRP) in "Jianchang" faction, i.e., dried ginger-steamed ALRP pieces(Yin-FP), sand-fried ALRP pieces(Yang-FP), and rice swill water-bleached ALRP pieces(DFP), and provided a scientific basis for the mechanism in toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement from a compositional perspective. Samples were collected during the processing of the three types of ALRP pieces, yielding raw ALRP pieces, water-bleached Yin-FP, ginger juice-moistened Yin-FP, steamed Yin-FP, water-bleached Yang-FP, sand-fried Yang-FP, water-bleached DFP, rice swill water-bleached DFP, and roasted DFP. Aconitine, mesaconitine, hypaconitine, benzoylaconine, benzoylmesaconine, benzoylhypaconine, aconine, mesaconine, hypaconine, salsolinol, fuziline, and higenamine in the extracts were determined by UPLC-MS/MS, and then content analysis and cluster heatmap analysis were performed on 11 sets of samples. During the processing of the three types of ALRP pieces, bleaching significantly reduced the content of 12 alkaloids; steaming, stir-frying, and roasting significantly reduced the content of diester-type alkaloids(aconitine, mesaconitine, and hypaconitine) and significantly increased the content of monoester-type alkaloids(benzoylaconine, benzoylmesaconine, and benzoylhypaconine) and aminoalcohol-type alkaloids(aconine, mesaconine, and hypaconine). During the processing of Yin-FP, the diester-type alkaloids continuously decreased, while the monoester-type and aminoalcohol-type alkaloids showed an initial decrease followed by an increase. During the processing of Yin-FP, Yang-FP, and DFP, the diester-type alkaloids continuously decreased, while the monoester-type and aminoalcohol-type alkaloids showed an initial decrease followed by an increase. Steamed Yin-FP showed a higher increase in content than fried Yang-FP and roasted DFP. Comprehensive analysis of content differences in toxic and therapeutic components in three ALRP pieces suggests that the distinctive processing methods in "Jianchang" faction can indeed achieve detoxification and efficacy enhancement on ALRP. This study provides references for understanding the mechanisms of action of the three processing methods.

Effect of processing method on chemical constituents of Rehmanniae Radix: based on UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to explore the chemical composition of Rehmanniae Radix braised with mild fire and compare the effect of processing method on the chemical composition of Rehmanniae Radix. To be specific, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with linear ion trap-orbitrap mass spectrometry(UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS) was used to screen the chemical constituents of Rehmanniae Radix. The chemical constituents were identified based on the relative molecular weight and fragment ions, literature information, and Human Metabolome Database(HMDB). The ion peak area ratio of each component before and after processing was used as the index for the variation. SIMCA was employed to establish principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) models of different processed products. According to the PCA plot, OPLS-DA plot, and VIP value, the differential components before and after the processing were screened out. The changes of the content of differential components with the processing method were analyzed. A total of 66 chemical components were identified: 57 of raw Rehmanniae Radix, 55 of steamed Rehmanniae Radix, 55 of wine-stewed Rehmanniae Radix, 51 of repeatedly steamed and sundried Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, 62 of traditional bran-braised Rehmanniae Radix, and 63 of electric pot-braised Rehmanniae Radix. Among them, the 9 flavonoids of braised Rehmanniae Radix were from Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium. PCA suggested significant differences in the chemical composition of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata prepared with different processing methods. OPLS-DA screened out 32 chemical components with VIP value >1 as the main differential components. Among the differential components, 9 were unique to braised Rehmanniae Radix(traditional bran-braised, electric pot-braised) and the degradation rate of the rest in braised(traditional bran-braised, electric pot-braised) or repeatedly steamed and sundried Rehmanniae Radix was higher than that in the steamed or wine-stewed products. The results indicated the chemical species and component content of Rehmanniae Radix changed significantly after the processing. The 32 components, such as rehmapicrogenin, martynoside, jionoside D, aeginetic acid, hesperidin, and naringin, were the most important compounds to distinguish different processed products of Rehmanniae Radix. The flavonoids introduced by Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium as excipient may be the important material basis for the effectiveness of braised Rehmanniae Radix compared with other processed products.

Influence of 6-shogaol potentiated on 5-fluorouracil treatment of liver cancer by promoting apoptosis and cell cycle arrest by regulating AKT/mTOR/MRP1 signalling / 中国天然药物

Currently, chemoresistance seriously attenuates the curative outcome of liver cancer. The purpose of our work was to investigate the influence of 6-shogaol on the inhibition of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in liver cancer. The cell viability of cancer cells was determined by MTT assay. Liver cancer cell apoptosis and the cell cycle were examined utilizing flow cytometry. Moreover, qRT-PCR and western blotting was used to analyse the mRNA and protein expression levels, respectively. Immunohistochemistry assays were used to examine multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1) expression in tumour tissues. In liver cancer cells, we found that 6-shogaol-5-FU combination treatment inhibited cell viability, facilitated G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, and accelerated apoptosis compared with 6-shogaol or 5-FU treatment alone. In cancer cells cotreated with 6-shogaol and 5-FU, AKT/mTOR pathway- and cell cycle-related protein expression levels were inhibited, and MRP1 expression was downregulated. AKT activation or MRP1 increase reversed the influence of combination treatment on liver cancer cell viability, apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. The inhibition of AKT activation to the anticancer effect of 6-shogaol-5-FU could be reversed by MRP1 silencing. Moreover, our results showed that 6-shogaol-5-FU combination treatment notably inhibited tumour growth in vivo. In summary, our data demonstrated that 6-shogaol contributed to the curative outcome of 5-FU in liver cancer by inhibiting the AKT/mTOR/MRP1 signalling pathway.

Historical Evolution and Modern Research Progress of Rehmanniae Radix / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Rehmanniae Radix is a common medicine of traditional Chinese medicine， which has the function of nourishing Yin and tonifying the kidney， and has a long application history of processing. This medicine was first recorded in Synopsis of Golden Chamber （《金匮要略》）， which was mainly produced by steaming and boiling. Its processing materials were diverse. In addition to rice wine， honey， Amomi Fructus， milk， Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum， and Carthami Flos were also recorded in ancient books， but with the evolution of time， the characteristic excipients gradually disappeared. Based on this， starting with different excipients， the author consulted the classics of materia medica and processing specifications in various regions， sorted out the historical evolution of Rehmanniae Radix processing， and explored new methods and new ideas to exert the maximum efficacy on this basis. At the same time， the effects of different processing excipients on the chemical components and pharmacodynamic effects of Rehmanniae Radix were analyzed. After literature review， it was found that Rehmanniae Radix mainly had the effects of clearing heat and cooling blood， nourishing Yin and generating fluid. Its traditional processing excipients generally used rice wine， Carthami Flos and others. After processing with different excipients， there was different effects on the chemical components and pharmacological effects of Rehmanniae Radix. In summary， this paper can provide useful reference for standardized research on different processed products of Rehmanniae Radix.

Quality value transfer of material benchmark of Guizhi Jia Gegen Decoction / 中国中药杂志

A total of 15 batches of the substance reference of Guizhi Jia Gegen Decoction(GZGGD) were prepared and the characteristic fingerprints of them were established. Furthermore, the similarity of the fingerprints and peak attributes were explored. The extraction rate, and the content and the transfer rate ranges of the index components, puerarin, paeoniflorin, liquiritin, and ammonium glycyrrhizate were determined for the analysis of the quality value transfer. The result demonstrated that the fingerprints of the 15 batches of the samples showed high similarity(>0.99). A total of 15 characteristic peaks were identified from the fingerprints, with 10 for Puerariae Lobatae Radix, 1 for Cinnamomi Ramulus, 2 for Paeoniae Radix Alba, and 2 for Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. The content of puerarin was 11.05-18.35 mg·g~(-1) and the average transfer rate was 21.27%-39.49%. The corresponding figures were 7.95-10.90 mg·g~(-1) and 23.28%-43.23% for paeoniflorin, 3.25-4.95 mg·g~(-1) and 32.31%-61.27% for ammonium glycyrrhizate, and 3.65-5.80 mg·g~(-1) and 14.57%-27.05% for liquiritin. The extraction rate of the 15 batches of samples was in the range of 16.85%-21.78%. In this paper, the quality value transfer of the substance reference of GZGGD was analyzed based on characteristic fingerprint, content of index components, and the extraction rate. This study is expected to lay a basis for the quality control and further development of GZGGD.

Water migration and kinetics of Arecae Semen during moistening process / 中国中药杂志

In this study, low-field nuclear magnetic resonance(LF-NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) were employed to analyze the water distribution, status, and migration in the moistening process of Arecae Semen. Peleg model was adopted to study the water absorption kinetics of Arecae Semen moistened at different water temperatures(10, 30, and 50 ℃). The Arecae Semen samples soaked at different water temperatures all contained four water states: binding water T_(21), non-flowing water T_(22), free water T_(23), and unbound water T_(24). Non-flowing water had the largest increase in peak area during the moistening process, followed by free water. The peak areas of non-flowing water, free water, and total water were correlated with the water content(P<0.01). Therefore, LF-NMR can quickly and non-destructively predict the water content of Arecae Semen during moistening. The peak area of non-flowing water and the content of free water were correlated with the content of arecoline in the soaking solution(P<0.01), which indicated that the faster flow of non-flowing water and more free water corresponded to more arecoline dissolved. The MRI images showed that the water migration pathway varied at different soaking temperatures, and the moistening degree obtained by this means was consistent with that obtained based on traditional experience. The rate constant K_1 fitted by Peleg model decreased with the increase in water temperature, while the capacity constant K_2 showed an opposite trend. The Arrhenius equation fitting of K_1 with temperature showed that the activation energy of Arecae Semen in the moistening process was 32.98 kJ·mol~(-1). LF-NMR/MRI can be used to analyze the water status and content and determine the end moisturing point of Arecae Semen. Peleg model can accurately describe the water absorption properties of Arecae Semen in the moistening process. The findings of this study can guide the moistening optimization and mechanism research of other seed Chinese medicinal materials.

Risk factors for endotracheal intubation during resuscitation in the delivery room among very preterm infants / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the risk factors for endotracheal intubation during resuscitation in the delivery room among very preterm infants.@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was performed for 455 very preterm infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit from January 2017 to December 2019. They were divided into an intubation group (@*RESULTS@#The intubation rate was 17.4% (79/455). Compared with the intubation group, the non-intubation group had significantly higher gestational age, birth weight, and rates of caesarean birth, delayed cord clamping (DCC), resuscitation quality improvement, regular use of antenatal glucocorticoids in mothers and premature rupture of membranes > 18 hours (@*CONCLUSIONS@#Very preterm infants with younger gestational age, birth weight < 750 g, maternal diabetes mellitus, placenta previa or placenta previa status may have a higher risk for endotracheal intubation after birth. The regular use of antenatal glucocorticoids and DCC can reduce the risk of intubation during resuscitation in very preterm infants.

Factors relating to bone mineral density in young and middle-aged patients with ankylosing spondylitis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a common chronic progressive rheumatic disease. The aim of this study was to explore factors influencing abnormal bone mineral density (BMD) in young and middle-aged patients with AS.@*METHODS@#From July 2014 to August 2018, hospitalized patients with AS and health examinees in the health examination center of our clinics, ranging in age from 20 to 50 years, were monitored. The BMD of the lumbar spine and femoral neck of AS patients and those of a healthy control group were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorption. The BMDs of AS patients were compared with respect to age, course of disease, iritis, smoking habits, sex, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), medication use, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), platelet volume, platelet count, uric acid (UA), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), and calcium ion levels. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to BMD were screened using genome-wide association analysis.@*RESULTS@#There was no statistical difference in the proportion of abnormal bone masses between the different body parts. The BMD of all bones in AS patients was lower than that in healthy controls (P < 0.05). Additionally, BMD was correlated with serum calcium and CRP in AS patients (P < 0.05), but not with age, platelet volume, platelet count, ESR, UA, AKP, height, weight, and BMI. The incidence of abnormal bone mass in AS patients was correlated with sex (P < 0.05), but not with medication use, iritis, or smoking. BMD of the lumbar spine in AS patients did not correlate linearly with the course of the disease, but BMD of the femoral neck correlated linearly with the course of the disease (P < 0.05). BMD was correlated with multiple SNPs in patients with AS. Lumbar BMD was correlated with rs7025373 and rs7848078. Femoral head BMD was correlated with 3:102157365, 3:102157417, rs1252202, rs1681355, rs3891857, rs7842614, and rs9870734, suggesting that genetic factors play a role in BMD in patients with AS.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The proportion of abnormal bone mass in AS patients was higher than that in healthy individuals of the same age. The factors related to BMD in patients with AS are gender, CRP, and blood calcium. The BMD of the femoral neck of AS patients decreases with the course of the disease, but BMD of the lumbar spine is not related to the course of the disease. BMD in AS patients is associated with multiple SNPs.

Effects of Different Processed Methods on Anti-gouty Arthritis and Cardiotoxicity of Aconiti Radix / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To study the effects of different processing methods on the anti-gouty arthritis and cardiotoxicity of Aconiti Radix， and to explore the possible attenuation and synergism mechanism of these different processing methods. Method:The swelling degree of knee joint， levels of inflammatory factors ［interleukin （IL） -1<italic>β</italic>， IL-18， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-<italic>α</italic>］ and the activities of liver energy metabolism-related enzymes ［Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-adenosine triphosphatase （ATPase）， Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase， succinate dehydrogenase （SDH）］ in rats with gouty arthritis were used as indicators to evaluate the effects of pharmacopoeia steaming Aconiti Radix， pharmacopoeia boiling Aconiti Radix， Jianchang faction processed Aconiti Radix， Zhang faction processed Aconiti Radix and raw Aconiti Radix. The activity of creatine kinase （CK）， lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） and the content of B-type natriuretic peptide （BNP） were used as indexes to evaluate the cardiotoxicity of Aconiti Radix and its different processed products. Result:In the anti-gouty arthritis test， compared with the blank group， the knee joint of the model group was significantly swollen （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， the levels of IL-1<italic>β</italic>， IL-18， and TNF-<italic>α</italic> in serum were significantly increased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and the Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase activity was significantly decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group， raw Aconiti Radix and the four processed products could reduce knee joint swelling and decrease IL-1<italic>β</italic>， IL-18， and TNF-<italic>α</italic> levels in serum of rats. The activity of Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase in the liver of rats from the pharmacopoeia steaming Aconiti Radix group was significantly higher than that in the model group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and there was no statistical difference in other groups. In the cardiotoxicity test， compared with the blank group， the activities of CK and LDH were significantly increased and the level of BNP was significantly increased in the raw Aconiti Radix group and the pharmacopoeia steaming/boiling Aconiti Radix groups （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. In terms of LDH activity and BNP content， the Zhang faction and Jianchang faction processed Aconiti Radix groups were significantly lower than those in the raw Aconiti Radix group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. In the CK activity， the Zhang faction processed Aconiti Radix group was significantly lower than that in the raw Aconiti Radix group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:Raw Aconiti Radix and the four processed products have certain anti-inflammatory effects， but there are some differences among different indicators. There are significant differences in cardiotoxicity between the raw products and processed products of Aconiti Radix， and the cardiotoxicity of Jianchang faction and Zhang faction processed products was the weakest.

Research advances in the effect and utilization of protein corona on the circulation of nanoparticles in vivo / 药学学报

Nanoparticles have better applicability in the detection, treatment of cancer and various difficult diseases, but mononuclear phagocytosis system can seriously shorten the time of nanoparticles in vivo circulation, reduce the drug efficacy. The protein crown formed on the surface of the nanoparticle after entering the body can change its surface properties, interfere with the recognition of phagocytes, and thus affect its circulation time in vivo. This article outlines the general composition and formation process of protein crowns. It also summarizes the influence of the physical and chemical properties of nanoparticles, such as particle size, surface charge, hydrophilicity and surface materials on the formation of protein crowns. The protein crown affects the circulation of nanoparticles in vivo, mainly because the adsorbed opsonic protein promotes cell phagocytosis. Therefore, we also introduce the method of using protein crowns to promote the long circulation of nanoparticles in vivo. By designing appropriate physical and chemical properties, surface modification, and directed design of protein crowns, the adsorption of proteins on the surface of nanoparticles can be reduced. Therefore, it can reduce the clearance of nanoparticles in the mononuclear phagocytic system (mainly the phagocytes of the liver and spleen), and achieve the goal of long circulation of nanoparticles in the body.

Pharmacodynamics and intestinal flora research on different processed products of Puerariae Lobatae Radix and Puerariae Thomsonii Radix / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to explore the pharmacodynamic differences of Puerariae Lobatae Radix(PLR), Puerariae Thomsonii Radix(PTR) and their different processed products and the influences of these medical materials on the diversity of intestinal flora. The Sennae Folium-induced diarrhea model, streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetes model and L-nitro-arginine methyl ester(L-NAME)-induced hypertension model were used to compare the pharmacodynamic differences in anti-diarrhea, blood glucose reduction and blood pressure lowering among raw, roasted and vinegar-processed PLR and PTR. The effects of raw and processed PLR and PTR on intestinal flora diversity of rats were evaluated by 16 S rDNA high-throughput sequencing. The roasted PLR and PTR performed better in anti-diarrhea, especially the former. PLR and its processed products all presented the efficacy of reducing blood glucose, and the vinegar-processed PLR was the most outstanding. The raw PTR was not that effective in reducing blood glucose, whereas its efficacy was improved after roasting and vinegar processing. Both PLR and PTR were capable of lowering blood pressure to a certain extent, and PLR is superior to PTR in this aspect. Further, the vinegar-processed PLR showed the best effect. The diversity of intestinal flora was different among rats to which different products of PLR and PTR were administered. The roasted PLR led to the highest abundance of Lactobacillus, which was closely related to its best antidiarrheal effect. The highest abilities of vinegar-processed PLR to lower blood glucose and blood pressure were associated with the high abundance of Blautia and Prevotella_9. This study lays a foundation for elucidating the processing mechanisms of PLR and PTR and provides a basis for their further development and application.

Risk factors for metabolic bone disease of prematurity in very/extremely low birth weight infants: a multicenter investigation in China / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the incidence rate and risk factors for metabolic bone disease of prematurity (MBDP) in very low birth weight/extremely low birth weight (VLBW/ELBW) infants.@*METHODS@#The medical data of 61 786 neonates from multiple centers of China between September 1, 2013 and August 31, 2016 were retrospectively investigated, including 504 VLBW/ELBW preterm infants who met the inclusion criteria. Among the 504 infants, 108 infants diagnosed with MBDP were enrolled as the MBDP group and the remaining 396 infants were enrolled as the non-MBDP group. The two groups were compared in terms of general information of mothers and preterm infants, major diseases during hospitalization, nutritional support strategies, and other treatment conditions. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the risk factors for MBDP.@*RESULTS@#The incidence rate of MBDP was 19.4% (88/452) in VLBW preterm infants and 38.5% (20/52) in ELBW preterm infants. The incidence rate of MBDP was 21.7% in preterm infants with a gestational age of < 32 weeks and 45.5% in those with a gestational age of < 28 weeks. The univariate analysis showed that compared with the non-MBDP group, the MBDP group had significantly lower gestational age and birth weight, a significantly longer length of hospital stay, and a significantly higher incidence rate of extrauterine growth retardation (@*CONCLUSIONS@#A lower gestational age, hypocalcemia, extrauterine growth retardation at discharge, and neonatal sepsis may be associated an increased risk of MBDP in VLBW/ELBW preterm infants. It is necessary to strengthen perinatal healthcare, avoid premature delivery, improve the awareness of the prevention and treatment of MBDP among neonatal pediatricians, and adopt positive and reasonable nutrition strategies and comprehensive management measures for preterm infants.

Study progress on Pinelliae Rhizoma processed by replication method / 中国中药杂志

In the clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine, Pinelliae Rhizoma is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicinal material, with a very important medicinal value, but its raw products have certain toxicity. According to the basic theory of traditional Chinese medicine, after Pinelliae Rhizoma is processed, its toxic and side effects can be reduced, there by ensuring its medication safety in clinic. Based on the processing characteristics of Pinelliae Rhizoma replication method, this article discusses the changes before and after processing of Pinelliae Rhizoma with multiple materials and multiple processes. This method does not have a unified process. One or more materials are added, and various processes, such as dipping, soaking, bleaching, or steaming, cooking or combined methods are adopted. Then, Pinelliae Rhizoma is repeatedly processed to meet the specified quality requirements. By different processing methods, the efficacy changes accordingly, and Pinelliae Rhizoma can be used for the treatment of different diseases. The article starts in the two directions of multi-materials and multi-processes, and summarizes the effects of multi-materials or multi-processes on the chemical composition and efficacy, as well as the processing mechanism of reducing toxicity and increasing efficiency, in the expectation of reducing the toxicity and enhancing the efficacy of Pinelliae Rhizoma. The medicinal scope provides a reference and theoretical basis for further studies on the processing mechanism. An in-depth study is conducted to make Pinelliae Rhizoma more safe and effective in clinic application, and ensure its clinical efficacy. It will provide reference for future studies on quality control, active ingredients and new drug development of the processing of pinellia slices. It has laid a scientific foundation for exploring the best processing techno-logy, and provided a theoretical basis for solving the production problems of processed Pinelliae Rhizoma products, so as to improve the production efficiency and the quality of medicines.

Research Progress on Multi-material and Multi-process Processing of Aconiti Radix / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Aconiti Radix is a kind of medicinal material with great toxicity, which has more than 2 000 years of clinical application history, in the folk, there are often poisoning accidents caused by improper processing. The main processing purpose of Aconiti Radix in the early period was to reduce the toxicity with simple procedure and single excipient. Since the Song dynasty, with the deepening of physicians' cognition of processing and the theory of medicinal properties, the application of procedures and materials in the processing of Aconiti Radix began to become complicated, and the scope of clinical application was further expanded. In modern times, the processing technology of Aconiti Radix is mainly based on steaming and boiling, which is quite different from the traditional processing method with multiple materials and multiple processes. Based on the characteristics of many kinds of materials and processes, this paper discusses the change in processing methods of Aconiti Radix from the perspective of excipients and processes, as well as modern processing research, in order to lay a scientific foundation for exploring the effects of many kinds of materials and processes on the quality of Aconiti Radix and revealing its processing mechanism, and provide basis and reference for establishing a more reasonable and scientific processing method for Aconiti Radix in the future.

Effect of Yinfupian and Yangfupian on Brown Adipose Tissue of Yang Deficiency Mice / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the expression of brown adipose tissue (BAT), cells, proteins and corresponding genes in Yang deficiency model mice induced by Rhei Radix et Rhizoma suspension, and to explore the thermogenesis of processed products of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata with Jianchang faction characteristics. Method:Twenty mice, half male and half female, were randomly selected as the normal female and male groups. And the other 80 mice were administrated with Rhei Radix et Rhizoma suspension (the content of 0.25 g·mL-1) to establish Yang deficiency model, after the model was established, they were randomly divided into the model female and male groups, female and male groups of Shengfupian, female and male groups of Yinfupian, female and male groups of Yangfupian, 10 mice in each group. Mice were intragastric administrated with corresponding medical solution for two weeks (1.54 g·kg-1·d-1) according to groups. Normal group and model group were given equal volume distilled water. After administration, BAT of scapular region of mice was collected and the changes of BAT cells were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and its mRNA were detected by Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). Result:Compared with the normal group of the same sex, the proportion of BAT in the model group decreased significantly (P<0.01). Compared with the model group of the same sex, the proportion of BAT in female mice from Shengfupian and Yinfupian groups increased significantly (P<0.01), while there was no significant difference between each administration group and model group in the male mice. Compared with normal mice of the same sex, there were many scattered vacuoles in BAT cells of the model group, and fewer cells could be observed due to larger vacuoles. Compared with the model group of the same sex, BAT cells in mice from the Shengfupian group showed fewer vacuoles, smaller cells and tight arrangement, the density of BAT cells in mice from the Yangfupian group also increased significantly, while the vacuoles in BAT cells of mice from the Yinfupian group decreased relatively and the cells did not increase significantly. Compared with the same sex mice, the expression level of UCP1 in the model group and the normal group was statistically significant (P<0.05, P<0.01). In the female mice, the expression level of UCP1 in Yangfupian group was significantly higher than that in the model group (P<0.05), each administration group of male mice was significantly different from that of the model group of the same sex (P<0.05), of which Yangfupian was the most significant. The relative expression of UCP1 mRNA in the model group was significantly lower than that in the normal group of the same sex (P<0.05, P<0.01). In the female mice, compared with the model group, the relative expression levels of UCP1 mRNA in Yangfupian group, Shengfupian group and Yinfupian group increased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01), compared with Yangfupian group, the relative expression levels of UCP1 mRNA in Shengfupian and Yinfupian were also significantly different (P<0.05). In the male mice, compared with the model group, the relative expression of UCP1 mRNA in Yangfupian group was significantly increased (P<0.01), but there was no significant difference in Shengfupian group and Yinfupian group, in addition, compared with Yangfupian group, the relative expression of UCP1 mRNA in Shengfupian group and Yinfupian group had significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusion:Shengfupian, Yinfupian and Yangfupian all have obvious improvement on Yang deficiency syndrome induced by Rhei Radix et Rhizoma suspension. The mechanism may be to promote the expression of UCP1 protein and its mRNA and enhance the activity of BAT. And the effect of Yangfupian is the best.