Effect of Acupuncture on Endometrial Blood Flow in Women Undergoing in vitro Fertilization Embryo Transfer: A Single Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the effect of manual acupuncture on endometrial blood flow parameters by three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasound in women undergoing in vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET).@*METHODS@#Seventy patients undergoing IVF-ET were equally randomized into traditional or sham acupuncture treatment group for totally 4 days (from the day of oocyte aspiration to the day of embryo transfer) of treatment by random envelope method at the Reproductive Medicine Center and Outpatient Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medicine College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from January 2013 to December 2015. Patients in the traditional acupuncture group accepted traditional acupuncture methods with manual acupuncture, and Zhongji (CV3), Qihai (CV 6), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Taichong (LR 3), Tianshu (ST 25), Guilai (ST 29) and Zusanli (ST 36) were chosen. Patients at the sham acupuncture group accepted shallow acupuncture methods at 4 non-meridian points at each shoulder and upper arm. Outcome measures included endometrial ultrasonic indices such as vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization flow index (VFI), endometrial thickness and volume, subendometrial VI (sVI), subendometrial FI (sFI), subendometrial VFI (sVFI), implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, abortion rate, live birth rate and number of live births.@*RESULTS@#Finally, 34 patients in the traditional acupuncture group and 35 in the sham acupuncture group completed this trial. VI, FI and VFI of the traditional acupuncture group were significantly higher than those in the sham acupuncture group (P<0.05). No significant differences were found in endometrial thickness, endometrial volume, sVI, sFI, sVFI, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, abortion rate, live birth rate and number of live births (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Manual acupuncture performed after oocyte aspiration and before transplantation improved the endometrial blood flow parameters VI, RI and VFI in women who underwent IVF-ET, instead of sVI, sFI and sVFI. Therefore, acupuncture might be beneficial in women undergoing IVF-ET by increasing endometrial blood flow and endometrial receptivity. (Registration No. ChiCTR2100053354).

The Chinese herbal prescription JieZe-1 inhibits caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis induced by herpes simplex virus-2 infection in vitro / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#JieZe-1 (JZ-1), a Chinese herbal prescription, has an obvious effect on genital herpes, which is mainly caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Our study aimed to address whether HSV-2 induces pyroptosis of VK2/E6E7 cells and to investigate the anti-HSV-2 activity of JZ-1 and the effect of JZ-1 on caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis.@*METHODS@#HSV-2-infected VK2/E6E7 cells and culture supernate were harvested at different time points after the infection. Cells were co-treated with HSV-2 and penciclovir (0.078125 mg/mL) or caspase-1 inhibitor VX-765 (24 h pretreatment with 100 μmol/L) or JZ-1 (0.078125-50 mg/mL). Cell counting kit-8 assay and viral load analysis were used to evaluate the antiviral activity of JZ-1. Inflammasome activation and pyroptosis of VK2/E6E7 cells were analyzed using microscopy, Hoechst 33342/propidium iodide staining, lactate dehydrogenase release assay, gene and protein expression, co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.@*RESULTS@#HSV-2 induced pyroptosis of VK2/E6E7 cells, with the most significant increase observed 24 h after the infection. JZ-1 effectively inhibited HSV-2 (the 50% inhibitory concentration = 1.709 mg/mL), with the 6.25 mg/mL dose showing the highest efficacy (95.76%). JZ-1 (6.25 mg/mL) suppressed pyroptosis of VK2/E6E7 cells. It downregulated the inflammasome activation and pyroptosis via inhibiting the expression of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (P < 0.001) and interferon-γ-inducible protein 16 (P < 0.001), and their interactions with apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain, and reducing cleaved caspase-1 p20 (P < 0.01), gasdermin D-N (P < 0.01), interleukin (IL)-1β (P < 0.001), and IL-18 levels (P < 0.001).@*CONCLUSION@#JZ-1 exerts an excellent anti-HSV-2 effect in VK2/E6E7 cells, and it inhibits caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis induced by HSV-2 infection. These data enrich our understanding of the pathologic basis of HSV-2 infection and provide experimental evidence for the anti-HSV-2 activity of JZ-1. Please cite this article as: Liu T, Shao QQ, Wang WJ, Liu TL, Jin XM, Xu LJ, Huang GY, Chen Z. The Chinese herbal prescription JieZe-1 inhibits caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis induced by herpes simplex virus-2 infection in vitro. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(3): 277-288.

Research progress of 5-HT / 中国药理学通报

The serotonin 2A receptor(5-HT

Research progress on Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction and predictive analysis of quality markers / 中国中药杂志

Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction is a classic prescription in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and is known for its effects of tonifying Qi, warming the meridians, and promoting blood circulation to alleviate obstruction. It is primarily used to treat conditions characterized by Qi stagnation, Yang deficiency, and obstruction, and it exhibits pharmacological effects such as immune regulation, anti-inflammation, analgesia, protection of the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems, itch relief, reduction of frostbite symptoms, antioxidative stress, promotion of cell apoptosis, and kidney protection. In modern clinical practice, it is commonly used to treat acute myocardial infarction, sequelae of cerebral infarction, cervical spondylosis, frozen shoulder, lower limb arteriosclerosis, lower limb vascular disorders, peripheral neuropathy in diabetes, and lupus nephritis. Recent research has focused on the chemical components, pharmacological effects, and clinical applications of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction. Based on the "five principles" of quality markers(Q-markers) in TCM, this study predicted and analyzed the Q-markers of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction. It suggested that astragaloside Ⅳ, formononetin, kaempferol, quercetin, cinnamic acid, cinnamaldehyde, 6-gingerol, paeoniflorin, albiflorin, and gallic acid could serve as Q-markers for Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction. The findings of this study can provide references for quality control of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction and the development of new Chinese medicinal formulations.

Prediction and analysis of Q-markers of Elephantopus scaber based on its UPLC fingerprint, content determination of components, and in vitro a nti-tumor activity / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to provide scientific evidence for predicting quality markers(Q-markers) of Elephantopus scaber by establishing UPLC fingerprint of E. scaber from different geographical origins and determining the content of 13 major components, as well as conducting in vitro anti-cancer activity investigation of the main components. The chromatographic column used was Waters CORTECS UPLC C_(18)(2.1 mm×150 mm, 1.6 μm), and the mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid solution(gradient elution). The column temperature was set at 30 ℃, and the flow rate was 0.2 mL·min~(-1). The injection volume was 1 μL, and the detection wavelength was 240 nm. The UPLC fingerprint of E. scaber was fitted using the Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of Traditional Chinese Medicine(2012 edition) to determine common peaks, evaluate similarity, identify and determine the content of major components. The CCK-8 assay was used to explore the inhibitory effect of the main components on the proliferation of lung cancer cells. The results showed that in the established UPLC fingerprint of E. scaber, 35 common peaks were identified. Thirteen major components, including neochlorogenic acid(peak 1), chlorogenic acid(peak 2), cryptochlorogenic acid(peak 3), caffeic acid(peak 4), schaftoside(peak 6), galuteolin(peak 9), isochlorogenic acid B(peak 10), isochlorogenic acid A(peak 12), isochlorogenic acid C(peak 18), deoxyelephantopin(peak 28), isodeoxyelephantopin(peak 29), isoscabertopin(peak 31), and scabertopin(peak 32) were identified and quantified, and a quantitative analysis method was established. The results of the in vitro anti-cancer activity study showed that deoxyelephantopin, isodeoxyelephantopin, isoscabertopin, and scabertopin in E. scaber exhibited inhibition rates of lung cancer cell proliferation exceeding 80% at a concentration of 10 μmol·L~(-1), higher than the positive drug paclitaxel. These results indicate that the fingerprint of E. scaber is highly characteristic, and the quantitative analysis method is accurate and stable, providing references for the research on quality standards of E. scaber. Four sesquiterpene lactones in E. scaber show significant anti-cancer activity and can serve as Q-markers for E. scaber.

Heavy Metal Analysis and Evaluation of Geotechnical Plant System of Dendrobii Officinalis Caulis in Typical Karst Area / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To systematically evaluate the safety of heavy metals in Dendrobii Officinalis Caulis and its rhizosphere soil and bedrock in epiphytic culture imitated wild rock fissure. The distribution characteristics of heavy metals in carbonate-black limestone-Dendrobii Officinalis Caulis system in the study area were analyzed. Method:Samples of biennial Dendrobii Officinalis Caulis， black calcareous soil and carbonate rocks were collected from fracture-epiphytic culture in karst area of Guizhou province. The contents of Cu， Pb， As， Cd in Dendrobii Officinalis Caulis， and Cu， Pb， As， Cd， Cr in soil and bedrock were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry （ICP-MS）. The detection conditions were as follows：plasma power of 1 550 W， feedback power of 2 W， sampling depth of 9 mm， atomization chamber temperature at 2 ℃， analysis mode of full quantitative， and double charge of <1.5%. Hg content in Dendrobii Officinalis Caulis was determined by atomic fluorescence spectrometry， and Hg content in soil and bedrock was determined by mercury analyzer. SPSS 26.0 software was used to analyze the test data. Result:The contents of Cu， Pb， As， Cd and Hg in Dendrobii Officinalis Caulis were all within the safety threshold. The contents of Pb， As， Cd， Hg and Cr in black calcareous soil were higher than the corresponding background values of Chinese soil （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）， Cd in black calcareous soil was slightly polluted， while Cr， Cu， As， Pb and Hg were clean. The contents of Cu， As， Pb， Cd， Hg and Cr in carbonate rocks were significantly lower than those in black calcareous soil （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The order of heavy metals in black calcareous soil affected by parent rock was Hg>Cd>Cu>As>Cr>Pb. The bioconcentration factor （BCF） of heavy metals in Dendrobii Officinalis Caulis was in the order of Cu>Cd>Pb=Hg>As， but the BCFs of these five heavy metals were all low （all <10%）. The contents of Cu， Pb， Cd and Hg in Dendrobii Officinalis Caulis increased slightly with the increase of heavy metal content in the rhizosphere soil， while the content of As decreased with the increase of As content in the rhizosphere soil. In addition to Cu content in Dendrobii Officinalis Caulis， the migration characteristics of Pb， As， Cd and Hg in the system of carbonate-black limestone-Dendrobii Officinalis Caulis showed consistency. Conclusion:The distribution characteristics of heavy metals in geotechnical plant system in the study area show obvious inheritance. The characteristics of high content， low activity and low pollution risk of heavy metals in black limestone soil and low BCF are the main factors affecting the safety threshold of five heavy metals in Dendrobii Officinalis Caulis.

Genetic and Clinical Characteristics of A Family with Combined PROC and PROS1 Genetic Variants / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To test the anticoagulation functions, perform the genetic diagnosis and analyze the clinical characteristics in a family with combined heterozygous genetic variants of PROC and PROS1.@*METHODS@#Peripheral blood was collected from all the family members. Hematological phenotypes and activity of anticoagulant factors were analyzed. Target genes were amplified by PCR from DNA isolated from peripheral blood, and then were analyzed by Sanger DNA sequencing.@*RESULTS@#Many members in the family displayed the combined genetic variants in protein C and protein S, and six family members accompanied by deep venous thrombosis (DVT). The influences of genetic and secondary factors on the incidence of venous thrombosis in the family members were analyzed. The results showed that in this family, carriers of combined protein C and protein S gene defects had a higher incidence of VTE, but acquired factors still played a key role in the eventual thrombotic symptoms.@*CONCLUSION@#Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a multifactorial disease, the combined genetic heterozygous mutations of protein C and S is an important genetic factor, and the clinical phenotype show a high heterogenicity, the secondary factors contribute to the VTE incidence.

Phenolic glycosides from the stems of Homalium stenophyllum / 中国天然药物

The phytochemical investigation of the stems of Homalium stenophyllum afforded seven new phenolic glycosides (1-5 and 8-9) and two known compounds (6 and 7). Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive analyses of NMR spectroscopic, mass spectrometric data and chemical hydrolysis. Additionally, their anti-inflammatory activities against the NO production in LPS-induced macrophages were evaluated.

Chemical constituents from Morinda citrifolia and their inhibitory activities on proliferation of synoviocytes in vitro / 中国中药杂志

The chemical constituents from the stems and leaves of Morinda citrifolia were isolated and purified by column chromatography methods with silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20 and preparative high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). The structures of the isolated compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analysis, as well as comparisons with the data reported in literature. 17 compounds were isolated from the 90% ethanol extract of the stems and leaves of M. citrifolia, and were identified as 9,10-dihydroxy-4, 7-megastigmadien-3-one(1), 5,12-epoxy-6,9-hydroxy-7-megastigmen-3-one(2), fukinone(3), β-eudesmol(4), sarmentol F(5), 4, 5-dihydroblumenol A(6), 3-hydroxy-β-ionone(7), aristol-8-en-1-one(8), ergosta-7-en-3β-ol(9), ergosta-7-ene-3β,5α,6β-triol(10),(22E)-5α,8α-epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien-3β-ol(11), olivil(12), 4-epi-larreatricin(13), chushizisin Ⅰ(14), rabdosia acid A(15), glycerol monolinoleate(16) and(9Z,12Z,15Z)-2,3-dihydroxypropyl octadeca-trienoate(17). All compounds were isolated from M. citrifolia for the first time. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their anti-rheumatoid arthritis activities via examining their inhibitory activities on the proliferation of synoviocytes in vitro using MTS met-hod. Compounds 1-11 showed significant anti-rheumatoid arthritis activities, displaying the inhibitory effects on the proliferation of MH7 A synovial fibroblast cell with the IC_(50) values ranging from(38.69±0.86) to(203.45±1.03) μmol·L~(-1).

Study on secondary metabolites of endophytic fungus Cladosporium sp. JJM22 hosted in Ceriops tagal / 中国中药杂志

Nine secondary metabolites(S)-5-hydroxy-4-methylchroman-2-one(1), 4-methoxynaphthalene-1,5-diol(2), 8-methoxynaphthalene-1,7-diol(3), 1,8-dimethoxynaphthalene(4),(2R,4S)-2,3-dihydro-2-methyl-benzopyran-4,5-diol(5),(2R,4R)-3,4-dihydro-4-methoxy-2-methyl-2H-1-benzopyran-5-ol(6), 7-O-α-D-ribosyl-2,3-dihydro-5-hydroxy-2-methyl-chromen-4-one(7),(R)-3-methoxyl-1-(2,6-dihydroxyphenyl)-butan-1-one(8) and helicascolide A(9) were isolated from endophytic fungus Cladosporium sp. JJM22 by using column chromatographies of silica gel and ODS, and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were analyzed on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical data, especially NMR and MS. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activities by examining the inhibitory activities on nitric oxide(NO) production induced by lipopolysaccharide in mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells in vitro. Compounds 2-4 showed inhibitory activities.

microRNA-203 Inhibits Proliferation and Migration of Human Corneal Epithelial Cells by Targeting SRC / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

Corneal epithelial wound healing (CEWH) is vital for maintaining tissue integrity and transparency, but its detailed molecular mechanism is unclear. Previous our study has shown that the expression of miR-203 is dramatically down-regulated during CEWH. Such changes suggest that miR-203 is an important effector of CEWH. In this study, we confirmed down-regulation of miR-203 during CEWH in mice. In vitro experiments, we transfected miR-203 into human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) to over-express miR-203. The MTS method, EdU detection, flow cytometry, scratch tests and transwell experiments were used to detect changes in cell proliferation, cell cycle, and cell migration after transfection. As a result, it was found that miR-203 can inhibit the proliferation of HCECs (P<0.01). The cell cycle at the G

Related Factors Affecting Long-term Prognosis of AML Children with Positive RUNX1-RUNX1T1 / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the related factors affecting the long-term prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) children with positive RUNX1-RUNX1T1.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 63 chlidren with positive RUNX1-RUNX1T1 AML treated by BCH-AML 05 regimen in our hospital from January 2010 to December 2015 were collected and analyzed retrospectively. The level of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 was detected at the time of initial diagnosis (T), after the first induction treatment (T), after the second induction treatment (T), after the first consolidation treatment (T), after the second consolidation treatment (T) and after the third consolidation treatment (T). According to the fusion transcript levels of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 the AML children were divided into low-expression group and high-expression group; the threshold values for grouping were 10 copies/10 β-glucuronidase (GUS), 10 copies/10 GUS, 10 copies/10 GUS, 10 copies/10 GUS, 1 copies/10 GUS and 0 copies respectively. The gained data were enrolled in the statistical analysis.@*RESULTS@#23 cases of 63 children died during the follow-up period, and the median follow-up time of the remaining 40 children were 30.04 (11-60) months. There were statistically significant differences in CD15 positive rate between low-expression group and high-expression group (P0.05). Univariate analysis showed that sex, Plt counts at T and fusion transcript levels at T, T and T correlated with the 5-year overall survival rate (P10 copies/10 GUS at T was an independent risk factor for 5-year overall survival rate (HR=2.13, 95%CI: 1.04-7.78)(P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The fusion transcript level after the first induction therapy in RUNX1-RUNX1T1-positive AML children is an independent factor influencing the long-term prognosis.

Chemical constituents from fermented Noni juice / 中国中药杂志

The present work was launched to study the chemical constituents from fermented Noni juice. Ten compounds were isolated by using silicagel,Sephadex LH-20 and pre-HPLC. The structures of these compounds were identified by 1D and 2D NMR. Their structures were established as norimester( 1),cyclo( R-Pro-S-Phe)( 2),cyclo-( L-Pro-L-Leu)( 3),trans-cyclo-( D-tryptophanyl-Ltyrosyl)( 4),cyclo( L-Trp-N-methyl-L-Ala-)( 5),4-allyl-2-hydroxyphenyl 1-O-β-D-apiosyl-( 1 → 6)-β-D-glucopyranoside( 6),2-methoxy-4-vinylphenyl β-D-apiofuranosyl-( 1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside( 7),( +)-lirioresinol A( 8),( ±)-syringaresinol( 9),and2-formyl-1 H-pyrrole-1-butanoic acid( 10). All compounds were tested for their antibacterial activity and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Compound 1 was a new compound. All compounds were isolated from fermented Noni juice for the first time. Compound 1 showed significant inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase [IC50 value of( 4. 22±0. 03) μmol·L-1].

Study on the Influence of Medical Insurance Differentiation Reimbursement Policy on Patients' Flow / 中国卫生经济

Objective:The elasticity and correlation analysis were applied to analyze the influence of medical insurance differentiation reimbursement policy to guide the flow of patients,as well as the implementation of the policy of hierarchical medical system to find the problem,and then make policy recommendations for hierarchical diagnosis and health care.Methods:Yanqing District(Beijing),Mishan and Hulin(Heilongjiang) and Longxi County(Gansu) were selected as four research sites to collect each site's New Rural Cooperative Medical System(NCMS) annual data for quantitative analysis.The sample areas' NCMS annual data (from 2013 to 2015)were collected for correlation analysis and elasticity calculation by SPSS 23.0.Results:(1) Each site patients' elasticity of income and medical service price was low,the elasticity of outpatient volume-hospital service price was high.(2) Patients' behavior of choosing medical institutions to seek medical advice had low correlation with their income level and medical service prices,which had formed stable medical habits.Conclusion:Medicare differentiated reimbursement policy had a certain effect on guiding the flow of patients,but the effect was not obvious in the county.The main obstacles to implement basic initial diagnosis were the weak capacity of grassroots medical institutions and policy support was not in place.It was suggested that the health insurance differentiation reimbursement policy should be combined with the disease restriction policy,strengthen the grassroots capacity building,establish and improve the supporting policy.

The Correlation between the Injury Patterns of the Medial Patellofemoral Ligament in an Acute First-Time Lateral Patellar Dislocation on MR Imaging and the Incidence of a Second-Time Lateral Patellar Dislocation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between the injury patterns of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) on magnetic resonance imaging in an acute first-time lateral patellar dislocation (LPD) and incidence of a second-time LPD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Magnetic resonance images were prospectively analyzed in 147 patients after an acute first-time LPD with identical nonoperative management. The injury patterns of MPFL in acute first-time LPDs were grouped by location and severity for the analysis of the incidence of second-time LPD in a 5-year follow-up. Independent t tests, chi-square tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed as appropriate. RESULTS: Forty-six cases (46/147, 31.3%) of second-time LPD were present at the 5-year follow-up. Fourteen (14/62, 22.6%) and 31 cases (31/80, 38.8%) were present in the partial and complete MPFL tear subgroups, respectively. Twenty-five cases (25/65, 38.5%), 11 cases (11/26, 42.3%), and 8 cases (8/47, 17%) were present in the isolated femoral-side MPFL tear (FEM), combined MPFL tear (COM), and isolated patellar-side MPFL tear (PAT) subgroups, respectively. Compared with the partial MPFL tears, complete tears showed higher incidence of a second-time LPD (p = 0.04). The time interval between the two LPDs was shorter in the complete MPFL tear subgroup (24.2 months) than in the partial tear subgroup (36.9 months, p = 0.001). Compared with the PAT subgroup, the FEM and COM subgroups showed a higher incidence of a second-time LPD (p = 0.025). The time intervals between the two LPDs were shorter in the FEM and COM subgroups (20.8 months and 19.2 months) than in the PAT subgroup (32.5 months, p = 0.049). CONCLUSION: A complete MPFL tear, isolated femoral-side tear and combined tear in a first-time LPD predispose a second-time LPD.

A new fatty acid methyl ester from Fissistigma oldhamii inhibiting proliferation of synoviocytes / 中国中药杂志

A new fatty acid methyl ester (1) was isolated from an EtOH extract of Fissistigma oldhamii. It structures was elucidated by a combination of HR-ESI-MS, 1D NMR, 2D NMR, UV, and IR spectroscopic data. The inhibitory effect of compound 1 on the proliferation of primary synovial cells was evaluated. As a result, it showed inhibitory effect on the proliferation of synoviocytes, with IC₅₀ value of 38.6 μmol·L⁻¹.

Sesquiterpenes from Artabotrys hongkongensis / 中国中药杂志

The chemical consituents from Artabotrys hongkongensis were separated and purified by column chromatographies with silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS and RP-HPLC. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analysis, as well as comparisons with the data reported in the literature. As a result, 16 sesquiterpenes were isolated and elucidated as blumenol A (1), 4, 5-dihydroblumenol A (2), (6R, 9S)-3-oxo-a-ionol (3), 3-hydroxy-β-ionone (4), dehydrovomifoliol (5), (3R, 6R, 7E) -3-hydroxy-4, 7-megastigmadien-9-one (6), sarmentol F (7), 10-oxo-isodauc-3-en-15-oic acid (8), fukinone (9), petasitolone (10), β-eudesmol (11), trans-3β-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)- 8aβ-methyl-5-methylenedecalin-2-one (12), 10-hydroxyaristolan-9-one (13), aristol-8-en-1-one (14), aristolan-9-en-1-one (15), and aristolan-1, 9-diene (16). This is the first study on the chemical consituents of A. hongkongensis, and all compounds were isolated from the genus Artabotrys for the first time.

Subthalamic nucleus: from circuits, functions to a deep brain stimulation target for the treatment of Parkinson's disease / 生理学报

The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is the only excitatory glutamatergic nucleus in the basal ganglia circuitry. It not only is a key node in the classical indirect pathway, but also forms the "hyperdirect" pathway directly connecting the cortex, and even is implicated as a pacemaker for activity of whole basal ganglia. Due to the key position of STN in the basal ganglia circuitry, the STN is an optimal target for deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the neurosurgical treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the therapeutic mechanisms underlying the amelioration of parkinsonian motor dysfunctions induced by DBS on STN remain enigmatic. This paper reviews recent progresses in the studies on the input-output configurations and functions of STN in the basal ganglia circuitry, and summarizes the hypotheses for mechanisms of DBS for the treatment of motor dysfunctions in PD. Studying on the DBS mechanisms will not only help to develop strategies for treatment of PD, but also contribute to the understanding of functions of the basal ganglia circuitry.

Studies on alkaloids from Fissistigma oldhamii / 中国中药杂志

14 alkaloids were obtained from stems and leaves of Fissistigma oldhamii, by silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies, and semi-preparative HPLC. Using physicochemical and spectral methods, the isolated alkaloids were identified as norcepharadione B(1), asimilobine(2), lanuginosine(3), laurotanine(4), isocorydine(5), anolobine(6), xylopine(7), N-methylbuxifoline(8), aristolactam AIIIa(9), piperumbellactam A(10), goniopedaline(11), aristololactam BIII(12), liriodenine(13), and salutaridine(14), respectively. Compounds 3-5, 8, 10, 11 and 14 were isolated from the genus Fissistigma for the first time.

Needle Sensation and Personality Factors Influence Therapeutic Effect of Acupuncture for Treating Bell's Palsy: A Secondary Analysis of a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>It has not been solved what kind of needle sensation might influence outcomes of acupuncture treatment. Effects of personality factors on the therapeutic effect of acupuncture have not been investigated. This study aimed to find the effects of the traits of personality on the objective outcome when different acupuncture techniques were used in treating patients with Bell's palsy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We performed a secondary analysis of a prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial of acupuncture for Bell's palsy. Patients were randomly assigned to the de qi and control groups, respectively. The primary outcome was facial nerve function at month 6. The intensity of each needle sensation was rated by a visual analog scale. Psychosocial factors were assessed by the pretreatment mediator questionnaire; 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF) was used for assessing personality factors and digit cancellation test for assessing attention.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 6 months, patients in the de qi group had better facial function (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 4.16, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.23-7.78). Path analysis showed that intensity of needle sensation of fullness had direct effect on House-Brackmann (HB) score at month 6. In de qi group, the low HB score on day 1 (OR: 0.13, 95% CI: 0.03-0.45) and the low Social Boldness score (OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.41-0.97) in 16PF were associated with better facial function. In control group, low HB score on day 1 (OR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.13-0.50), low Vigilance score (OR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.50-0.88), and high Tension score (OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.12-1.77) in 16PF were related to better facial function.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The needle sensation of fullness could predict better facial function and personality traits might influence outcomes of acupuncture treatment. Both of them should be considered seriously in acupuncture treatment and research.</p>