Epidemiological characteristics of varicella public health emergency events in Xinwu District Wuxi City in 2016-2020 / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of varicella public health emergency events (PHEEs) in Xinwu District from 2016 to 2020, and to provide a scientific basis for formulating prevention and control measures. Methods Data was retrieved from “Public Health Emergency Management Information System” in "Chinese Disease Control Information System" and “Jiangsu Provincial Vaccine Management Information System”. Descriptive epidemiological methods were employed to analyze the data. SPSS software was used for statistical analysis. Results A total of 35 varicella PHEEs were reported in Xinwu District from 2016 to 2020, accounting for 57.38% of all PHEEs of infectious diseases in the same period. A total of 1 033 cases were reported, with an attack rate of 1.91%. The events showed a bimodal distribution. A small peak occurred from April to June, and the number of events accounted for 17.14%. A large peak occurred from November to January of the following year, and the number of events accounted for 82.86%. All events occurred in schools. Kindergartens were the most dangerous places, and the number of events accounted for 45.71%. Preschoolers aged 3-6 years accounted for 48.83% of the total cases, and the male-to-female ratio of students was 1.40:1. Among 234 cases with a history of immunization with Varicella Attenuated Live Vaccine (VarV), the longer the time interval from the date of VarV inoculation to the data of onset, the higher the proportion of varicella cases. Varicella PHEEs reporting time was positively correlated with duration (rs=0.391 , P<0.05). Conclusion Early detection, early reporting and early isolation can effectively control the duration of the event. School varicella surveillance should be strengthened during the epidemic peak period. Preschoolers are vulnerable groups. It is suggested that VarV should be included in the inspection work for enrollment in kindergartens.

Comparative analysis of epidemiological and etiological characteristics of hand-foot-mouth disease before and after EV71 vaccination in Xinwu District, Wuxi / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To analyze the epidemic characteristics of the hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) in four years before and after EV71 vaccine inoculation, and to provide a basis for better EV71 vaccination and prevention and control of HFMD. Methods The descriptive epidemiology method was used to analyze the monitoring data of HFMD from 2013 to 2020 and EV71 vaccination from 2017 to 2020 in Xinwu District of Wuxi City. Results A total of 9 589 HFMD cases including 104 severe cases (accounting for 1.08%) were reported in four years before EV71 vaccination, and the reported average annual incidence rate was 431.15/100 000. A total of 7 396 HFMD cases including 21 severe cases (accounting for 0.28%) were reported in four years after vaccine inoculation, and the reported average annual incidence rate was 325.28/100,000. Annual incidence rate and severe illness rate decreased significantly before and after vaccine inoculation. The HFMD incidences displayed two epidemic peaks, from May to June and from October to November. The three streets with the highest average annual incidence were Jiangxi, Meicun, and Shuofang. The HFMD cases were mainly children under 5 years old, and there were more men than women. A total of 394 samples were sent for examination from 2013-2020, and 231 were positive, with a total positive rate of 58.63%. There were significant changes in the etiological composition before and after vaccine inoculation. The composition of EV71 virus decreased significantly (χ2=69.70, P2=22.35, P<0. 05). From 2017 to 2020, a total of 12 472 people were inoculated with EV71 vaccine in Xinwu District of Wuxi City, with estimated annual vaccination rates of 3.78%, 10.96%, 8.40% and 7.63%, respectively. Conclusion There is no significant change in time, region and population distribution of HFMD before and after EV71 vaccination in Xinwu District of Wuxi City, but the annual incidence rate and severe illness rate show a decreasing trend, and the dominant intestinal pathogens have changed. It is suggested to strengthen the use of EV71 vaccine and the development of multivalent HFMD-related vaccine.

Epidemic characteristics and influencing factors of influenza outbreaks in Xinwu District of Wuxi in 2017-2019 / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To analyze the epidemic characteristics and influencing factors of influenza outbreaks in Xinwu District of Wuxi City from 2017 to 2019, and to provide a basis for the prevention and control of influenza outbreaks in schools. Methods The 2017-2019 influenza data was retrieved from the China Influenza Surveillance Information System and the Public Health Emergency Management System. A descriptive epidemiology method was used to analyze the characteristics of the influenza outbreaks. The related factors on the epidemic intensity and duration were analyzed. Results From 2017 to 2019, a total of 26 influenza outbreaks occurred in Xinwu District, with a cumulative total of 927 cases and an average prevalence rate of 1.74%. The outbreaks mainly occurred between November and April of the following year, accounting for 100%. The outbreaks all occurred in schools, with primary schools accounting for 88.46% (23/26) and kindergartens accounting for 11.54% (3/26) of the total. The main influenza viruses that caused influenza outbreaks were B/Victoria and B/Yamagata, which accounted for 65.60% (164/250) and 16.40% (41/250), respectively, followed by influenza A/H3N2, which accounted for 16% (40/250). The epidemic intensity was related to the number of students (P < 0.05), and the duration of the epidemic was related to the type of schools and the reporting time of the epidemic (P < 0.05). Conclusion The outbreaks of influenza had obvious seasonality, and occurred mainly in schools. Improving the timeliness of epidemic reporting and taking timely control measures are the key to controlling influenza outbreaks in schools.

Effective analysis of transepithelial corneal collagen cross-linking surgery for progressive keratoconus / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To analyze the effectiveness of transepithelial-corneal collagen cross-linking for 1a after the treatment of progressive keratoconus and discuss its clinical significance. <p>METHODS:A total of 45 cases(48 eyes)of progressive keratoconus who underwent accelerated transepithelial-corneal collagen cross-linking in our hospital from Jan. 2017 to Dec. 2018 were collected. After 1a of postoperative follow-up, the changes of visual acuity, corneal thinnest point thickness, corneal endothelial cell count, corneal cross-linking line depth, Km of anterior corneal curvature and corneal biomechanical parameters before and after surgery were analyzed.<p>RESULTS:Compared with preoperative, the uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA)was improved obviously postoperative in this group patients(<i>P</i><0.05), but the best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), corneal thinnest point thickness and corneal endothelial cell counts were no significant change(<i>P</i>>0.05). At 6mo and 1a postoperative, Km of anterior corneal curvature(48.54±2.57, 48.77±2.29D)are decreased significantly, the first flatten width of corneal biomechanical parameters(1.52±0.21, 1.57±0.22mm)were significantly lower(<i>P</i><0.05). The absolute value of the second flattening velocity(0.82±0.09, 0.82±0.18m/s)was significantly increased(all <i>P</i><0.05).<p>CONCLUSION:Accelerated transepithelial-corneal collagen cross-linking surgery for progressive keratoconus can significantly improve the UCVA and corneal biomechanics postoperative, but the BCVA was not significantly improved.

Exploring the molecular mechanism of aqueous extract from Huang qi on doxorubicin induced nephropathy in rats using transcriptome sequencing technique / 药学学报

We studied the effect of aqueous extract from Huang qi on gene expression profile of doxorubicin induced nephropathy in rats, and explored the molecular mechanism of the intervention. The gene expression profiles of control group, model group and aqueous extract from Huang qi group were detected by using transcriptome sequencing technique. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened by STEM trend analysis software. GO function enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis were performed for DEGs, and the gene expression level was verified by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The results showed that, compared with the control group, 432 DEGs were obtained in doxorubicin nephropathy model group; compared with the model group, 811 DEGs were obtained due to aqueous extract of Huang qi. The results of GO function enrichment and KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that PI3K-AKT pathway (Col6a6, Nr4a1, Sgk1, Gng7) and lipid metabolism-related genes (Cpt1b, Pcsk9, Abca1, Ascm5) were the key pathways and genes in the treatment of doxorubicin induced nephropathy by aqueous extract from Huang qi, which played a protective role in kidney. In conclusion, the molecular mechanism of aqueous extract from Huang qi in protection against doxorubicin induced nephropathy rats is closely related to apoptosis-related genes and lipid metabolism-related genes, suggesting for the need of follow-up study for key gene validation and mechanism of action of aqueous extract from Huang qi for prevention of doxorubicin induced nephropathy.

Post-marketing Re-evaluation of Tongxiening Granules () in Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Multi-center, Randomized, Double-Blind, Double-Dummy and Positive Control Trial / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Tongxiening Granules (, TXNG) in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with predominant diarrhea (IBS-D).@*METHODS@#A randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, and positive parallel controlled clinical trial was conducted from October 2014 to March 2016. Totally 342 patients from 13 clinical centers were enrolled and randomly assigned (at the ratio of 1:1) to a treatment group (171 cases) and a control group (171 cases) by a random coding table. The patients in the treatment group were administered orally with TXNG (5 g per time) combined with pinaverium bromide Tablet simulator (50 mg per time), 3 times per day. The patients in the control group were given TXNG simulator (5 g per time) combined with pinaverium bromide Tablets (50 mg per time), 3 times per day. The treatment course lasted for 6 weeks. The improvement of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptom Severity Score (IBS-SSS) was used to evaluate the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included adequate relief (AR) rate, Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Quality of Life Questionnaire (IBS-QOL), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), and the recurrence rate at follow-ups. Safety indices including the adverse events (AEs) and related laboratory tests were evaluated.@*RESULTS@#Primary outcome: IBS-SSS at baseline, weeks 2, 4, 6 showed no statistical significance in both full analysis set (FAS) and per protocol set (PPS, P>0.05). After 6 weeks of treatment, the total effective rate of IBS-SSS scores in the treatment group (147/171,86.0%) was higher than the control group (143/171, 83.6%) by FAS (P>0.05). In regard to secondary outcomes, after 6-week treatment, there was no significant difference in AR rate, total score of IBS-QOL, improvement of HAMD and HAMA total scores between the two groups (P>0.05). The recurrence rate at 8-week follow-up was 12.35% (10/18) in treatment group and 15.79% (12/76) in control group, respectively (P>0.05). A total of 21 AEs occurred in 15 cases, of which 11 occurred in 8 cases in the treatment group and 10 AEs in 7 cases in the control group. The incidence of AEs had no statistical significance between the two goups (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Tongxiening Granules could relieve the symptoms of patients with IBS-D and the treatment effect was comparable to pinaverium bromide. (No. ChiCTR-IPR-15006415).

Prevalence and related factors of abnormal four-limb blood pressure difference in elderly people in Shanghai / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective • To investigate the prevalence and related factors of abnormal four-limb blood pressure difference in elderly people in Shanghai. Methods • From 2016 to 2018, the elderly aged 60 years and over in Zhaoxiang Town, Qingpu District, Shanghai were selected by cluster sampling. General data was collected. Height, body mass, and blood pressure were measured. Fasting venous blood was taken for routine blood test, blood glucose, blood lipids, serum creatinine and other biochemical indicators. Four limb blood pressures were measured simultaneously by Vascular Profiler-1000 device, from which ankle-brachial index, inter-arm systolic pressure difference and inter-ankle systolic pressure difference were calculated. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the related factors of abnormal four-limb blood pressure difference. Results • A total of 4 090 subjects were enrolled with an average age of (68.5±7.6) years, of which 44.6% were males. The people with hypertension and diabetes mellitus accounted for 60.1% and 8.6%, respectively. The prevalence of ankle-brachial index≤ 0.90, inter-arm systolic pressure difference≥ 15 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and inter-ankle systolic pressure difference≥ 15 mmHg were 2.7%, 1.9%, and 8.4%, respectively. After incorporating age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking, drinking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, total cholesterol and triacylglycerol, the results of multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that age and hypertension were the related factors of the three indicators for abnormal four-limb blood pressure difference. The related factors of ankle-brachial index ≤ 0.90 also included diabetes mellitus, total cholesterol and smoking; the related factors of inter-arm systolic pressure difference≥ 15 mmHg also included BMI; the related factors of inter-ankle systolic pressure difference≥ 15 mmHg also included BMI and diabetes mellitus. Conclusion • Abnormal four-limb blood pressure difference is prevalent among the elderly in Shanghai, of which old age, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity and smoking are risk factors.

Preparation of matrine loaded microspheres based on Bletilla striata polysaccharide / 药学学报

Microspheres (MS) are an excellent transarterial chemoembolization carrier for cancer treatment. Then the Bletilla striata polysaccharide (BSP) that was isolated from the rattan of Bletilla striata was used as skeleton material, and the matrine (ME) loaded Bletilla striata polysaccharide microspheres (ME-BSPMS) were prepared by emulsify-chemical crosslinking method. ME-BSPMS was characterized for appearance shape, particle size, drug loading, swelling ratio, suspension property, drug entrapment condition and in vitro release characteristics. The results showed that the ME-BSPMS appeared as round spherical and smooth shape by SEM, with an average size of (85 ±7) μm. ME-BSPMS with a good suspension in physiological saline and the swelling ratio could reach upwards of (53 ±4.2)% in 20 minutes, also with a large amount of drug loading of (30.12 ±3.25)%. The results of DSC scanning indicate that good compatibility exists between the ME and BSP, and the ME could be embedded fully in the matrix of the ME-BSPMS. The accumulation drug release from ME-BSPMS was (25.38 ±1.57)% at 12 h, this suggests that the ME-BSPMS has a good sustained release effect. These results indicate that the ME-BSPMS may be a promising transarterial chemoembolization carrier for cancer treatment.

Research progress on adriamycin nephropathy model and its pathological mechanism / 中草药

Adriamycin-induced nephritic model is one of the well-recognized models in simulating human nephropathy, whose clinical manifestations of animal models are similar to human nephrotic syndrome, and its cell models are widely used in the pathological mechanism study of nephropathy because of the well-simulated basic function of glomerular podocyte. Based on the animal models and cell models in vitro of adriamycin nephropathy, this study aims at reviewing the modelling method and pathological mechanism of adriamycin-induced nephritic model in order to provide a scientific and rational pharmacological experimental model reference for drug research and development based on kidney disease, and provide evidence for the research of the mechanism of Chinese herbal compound in the treatment of nephropathy.

Level of copeptin for early prediction of cardiorenal syndrome in rats / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To study the value of copeptin(CPP)level for the prediction of cardiorenal syndrome (CRS)in the rats with subtotal nephrectomy(SNX)combined with myocardial infarction(MI).METHODS: Male SD rats(n=60)were divided into blank control group(Con group), renal failure group(SNX group), heart failure group (MI group)and heart failure+renal failure group(CRS group).The concentrations of CPP in the serum and urine,hemo-dynamic indexes,blood pressure and renal function indexes were measured 1~5 weeks after modeling.The predictive val-ue of CPP for CRS in the rats was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.RESULTS:Compared with Con group,left ventricular systolic pressure(LVSP)at 9 d in CRS group was significantly decreased(P<0.05),left ventricular end-diastolic pressure(LVEDP)at 9 d in CRS group was significantly increased(P<0.05), and the differ-ence of blood pressure at each time point was not statistically significant.The levels of blood urea nitrogen(BUN)and uri-nary creatinine(Ucr)in CRS group were significantly increased at 1 and 3 weeks(P<0.05).Compared with Con group, serum CPP level was significantly increased at 1,3 and 5 weeks(P<0.05), and urine CPP level was significantly in-creased at 3 weeks in CRS group.Serum brain natriuretic peptide(BNP)level was significantly increased at 1 and 3 weeks,while urine BNP level was significantly increased at 5 weeks after modeling in CRS group(P<0.05).No correla-tion between serum or urine CPP and BNP or BUN levels at 1 week in CRS group was observed.The results of ROC curve analysis indicated that the area under the curve(AUC)of serum CPP was 0.908(95%CI:0.789~1.028),and the cut-off value was 56.59 ng/L(sensitivity 0.875,specificity 0.800).CONCLUSION:The combination of SNX and MI estab-lishes a CRS rat model with both heart and kidney injury,and serum CPP can be used as a sensitive and specific biomarker for early prediction of CRS.

Comparison of corneal biomechanical parameters between keratoconus and laser corneal refractive surgery / 眼科新进展

Objective To measure biomechanical parameters of the cornea after keratoconus and laser corneal refractive surgery by Scheimpflug noncontact tonometry (Corvis ST),and analyze the changes and differences in these parameters.Methods From April 2011 to November 2016,63 patients (96 eyes) with clinically diagnosed as keratoconus were selected as the keratoconus group,and 60 patients (120 eyes) underwent laser corneal refractive surgery between November 2016 to March 2017 were selected as postoperative cornea group,and totally 51 healthy person (102 eyes) who received physical examination during the same period were selected as healthy cornea group.Scheimpflug noncontact tonometry (Corvis ST) was performed to measure the length of appl 1,length of appl 2,velocity of appl 1,velocity of appl 2,maximum deformation amplitude,apex distance and radius of curvature in the three groups.Total comparison of biomechanical parameters was performed using ANOVA test among the three groups,while pairwise comparison was performed to analyze the difference of these parameters by SNK methods.Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis was applied to assess the differences in corneal morphological and biomechanical parameters.Results There was no significant difference in length of appl 1,length of appl 2 of the three groups (all P ＞ 0.05).And velocity of appl 1 in the keratoconus group was significantly higher than that of the healthy cornea group [(0.189 ± 0.230) m · s-1 vs.(0.151 ± 0.017)m · s-1] (P ＜ 0.05).As for velocity of appl 2,the keratoconus group was larger than the healthy cornea group,both which were larger than the postoperative cornea group,and the differences were significant (all P ＜ 0.05).And this was true of maximum deformation amplitude in the three groups,with the significant differences(all P ＜ 0.05).The apex distance in the keratoconus group was significantly longer than that in the healthy cornea group (P ＜ 0.05).The radius of curvature of the keratoconus group,postoperative cornea group and healthy cornea group were (5.696 ± 0.881) mm,(7.129 ± 0.681) mm and (7.012 ± 0.728) ram,respectively,which approached significant differences(all P ＜ 0.05).There was significant correlation between the anterior surface refractive power (Km) and apex distance and radius of curvature in the keratoconus group (r =-0.205,0.1 84;P =0.023,0.041),and maximum posterior surface elevation had a statistically significant correlation with velocity of appl 2,maximum deformation amplitude and radius of curvature (r =-0.579,-0.307,0.256,P =0.022,0.002,0.000).For the eyes in the postoperative cornea group,there were no significance correlation between the anterior surface refractive power (Km) and biomechanical properties (P ＞ 0.05),but significant correlation with length of appl 2 (r =-0.297,P =0.026).There were no significant correlation between maximum posterior surface elevation and biomechanical properties (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The corneal biomechanical parameters are decreased in eyes after keratoconus and laser corneal refractive surgery,and Corvis ST can become an auxiliary examination tool for earlier diagnosis of secondary keratoconus after corneal refractive surgery.

Advances in secondary metabolites produced by actinobacteria derived from animal-microbe mutualism and their biological activities / 药学学报

Actinobacteria remain to be one of the major sources for new antibiotics, which historically play an essential role in human's fight against infectious diseases. Due to the emergence of resistant pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses, it is imperative to develop new and effective drugs against these pathogens. The symbiotic actinobacteria residing inside the animals are becoming more and more important as a new source for drug discovery, as well as a "hotspot" in the field of microbial medicine. During the long period of evolution, a specific host-microbe mutualism is formed between the symbiotic bacteria and their hosts of animals. In this unique ecosystem, the secondary metabolites produced by bacteria are well tolerated by the hosts, meanwhile, are able to selectively suppress pathogenic microorganisms, thus providing a specific protection to their hosts. These secondary metabolites encompass a large variety of structural diversities of natural products, and so far, the reported biological activities are including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antitumor, and immunomodulatory effects, which give them a great potential in the field of drug discovery. Herein, we review the secondary metabolites of animal symbiotic actinobacteria and their biological activities within the recent decade, by which to provide a viewpoint for future research of drug discovery from actinobacteria.

Dry eye features of keratoconus at different stages using Keratograph and its clinical values / 眼科新进展

Objective To compare the dry-eye features of normal cornea and keratoconus at different stages using non-invasive dry-eye integrated analyzer (Keratograph) and it clinical significance.Methods A case-control study was conducted in 35 patients (44 eyes) with keratoconus who were treated in our hospital from May 2015 to December 2016 as keratoconus group and 45 patients (45 eyes) who received laser corneal refractive surgery as normal cornea group;and subjects in the keratoconus group were subgrouped into mild group (19 eyes),moderate group (15 eyes) and severe group (10 eyes) according to Amsler-Krumeich grading method.The first tear break-up time (first BUT),mean BUT,tear meniscus height (TMH) and conjunctival hyperemia scoring (CHS) of the both eyes in all groups were measured by Keratograph,and the diagnostic values of these variables for keratoconus at different stages were analyzed by ROC curve.Results The levels of horizontal central curvature,vertical center curvature,surface variation index,keratoconus index,posterior corneal surface height and CHS of the keratoconus group were higher than those of the normal cornea,and the difference were statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.05).The non-invasive first BUT,mean BUT and TMH in the keratoconus group were significantly lower than those of the normal cornea group,approaching significant difference (all P ＜ 0.05).The differences in horizontal central curvature,vertical center curvature,surface variation index,keratoconus index,posterior corneal surface height,first BUT and mean BUT among subgroups of keratoconus patients had statistically significance (all P ＜ 0.05).The first BUT and mean BUT in the moderate and severe group were lower than those in the mild group,the difference was statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.05),but there was no significant difference between the moderate and severe group (all P ＞ 0.05).In addition,the mean BUT was negatively correlated with horizontal central curvature,vertical center curvature,surface variation index,keratoconus index and posterior corneal surface height,but had no significant correlation with TMH and CHS (all P ＞ 0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that keratoconus index had the highest diagnostic value for keratoconus than other variables (AUC =0.790,95％ CI:0.689-0.892;P ＜ 0.001).Conclusion The Keratograph dry-eye analyzer can effectively measure the dry-eye parameters of the cornea and the mean BUT in the measurement parameters is the most valuable for the diagnosis of keratoconus,and it is more meaningful for the diagnosis of mild keratoconus.

Hepatic Resection Combined with Radiofrequency Ablation versus Hepatic Resection Alone for Multifocal Hepatocellular Carcinomas: A Meta-analysis / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively assess the efficacy and safety of hepatic resection combined with radiofrequency ablation versus hepatic resection (HR) alone for the treatment of multifocal hepatoeellular carcinomas (HCC).A literature search was conducted from the database including MEDLINE,Embase,Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and China Biology Medicine (CBM) disc.The primary outcomes included the 1-,3-,5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rate.The secondary outcomes contained the intraoperative parameters and postoperative adverse events (AEs).These parameters were all analyzed by RevMan 5.3 software.After carefully screening relevant studies,four retrospective studies of high quality involving 466 patients (197 in the combined group and 269 in the HR group) were included in this study.The pooled results showed that the 1-,3-,5-year OS rate in the combined group were comparable with those in the HR group (OR=0.77,0.96,0.88;P=0.33,0.88,0.70,respectively).Similarly,there was no significant difference in 1-,3-,5-year DFS rate between the combined group and the HR alone group (OR=0.57,0.83,0.72;P=0.17,0.37,0.32,respectively).And the intraoperative parameters and postoperative AEs were also comparable between the above two cohorts.However,two included studies reported that tumor often recurred in the ablation site in the combined group.The present meta-analysis indicated that the HR combined with RFA could reach a long-term survival outcome similar to curative HR for multifocal HCC patients.And this therapy may be a promising alternative for these patients with marginal liver function or complicated tumor distribution.Furthermore,high quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are imperative to verify this conclusion.

Effect of Zhizhu Pill on Gastric Smooth Muscle Contractile Response and Protein Expression of Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor in Functional Dyspepsia Rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the therapeutic mechanism of Zhizhu Pill (ZP) for treating functional dyspepsia (FD) rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 30 ten-day-old male rats were randomly divided into the normal control group (n =10) and the model group (n = 20). The FD rat model was induced using gastric administration of 0.1% iodoacetamide (IA) combined tail clamping. The model was evaluated when rats were 8-week old. Successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group (n = 10) and the ZP group (n = 10). Rats in the normal group and the model group were administered with normal saline by gastrogavage, while those in the ZP group were administered with ZP Decoction (2 mL/100 g) by gastrogavage. All medication lasted for 7 successive days. The contractile activity in in vitro longitudinal gastric muscle was recorded using Power Lab biological signal collecting system. The expression of growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) in stomach of FD rats was detected using Western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal group, average frequencies of gastric contraction and changing rates of amplitude obviously decreased in the model group (P < 0.05). Results of Western blot and IHC showed that the expression of GHSR decreased in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, average frequencies of gastric contraction and changing rates of amplitude obviously increased in the ZP group (P < 0.05). Results of Western blot and IHC showed that the expression of GHSR increased in the ZP group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ZP could promote the gastric motility in FD rats induced by gastric administration of IA combined tail clamping, and its mechanism might be related to up-regulating GHSR protein level.</p>

Clinical effect of partial reduction orthokeratology and spectacles on high myopia adolescents / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

Abstract? AlM: To observe the effect of combining partial reduction orthokeratology ( Ortho-K ) and spectacles on slowing myopic progressionin high myopic adolescent.? METHODS: Sixty - nine eyes of 36 high myopic adolescent ( aged 9 ~15 years ) with spherical equivalent refraction ≧-6. 00 diopters ( D) ( spherical component≧-5. 50D) were fitted with custom-made four-zone/five-curve Ortho-K lenses. The target of reduction was to achieve -5. 00D for both eyes. The residual refractive errors after at least one month of Ortho-K wear were corrected with single-vision spectacles for clear vision in the daytime. The unaided visual acuity ( UVA) , refractive error ( RE ) , axial length ( AL ) , and ocular health were assessed before the Ortho-K lens wear, and followed up for 2a after Ortho-K.?RESULTS: ( 1 ) Changes in UVA: The mean UVA was 0. 09±0. 05 at baseline before Ortho-K;the mean UVA was 0. 27 ± 0. 14, 0. 54 ± 0. 18, 0. 78 ± 0. 24, and 0. 81 ± 0. 19, respectively after Ortho-K wear for l night, 1wk, 1, and 3mo. The differences of UVA were significant with baseline (P0. 05 compared to baseline). The mean RE was-7. 11±0. 81D after Ortho-K wear for 2a, and the amount of myopia increased -0. 29 ± 0. 37D compared to baseline (P0. 05) from the AL after Ortho-K wear for 6mo (26. 19±0. 54mm) and for 1a (26. 21± 0. 47mm). The AL was 26. 37±0. 59mm after Ortho-K wear for 2a, and the mean increase was 0. 19 ± 0. 28mm compared to baseline (P<0. 05). (4) Grade 1 corneal staining was observed in some subjects at each visit. However, the staining was improved after lens cleaning, discontinuing lens wear, or applying artificial tears. No other adverse events were reported in all subjects during the 2a study.?CONCLUSlON:Combining partial reduction Ortho-K and spectacles completely slowed myopic progression in high myopic adolescent after receiving the treatment for 1a, and partially reduced myopia progression after 2a of treatment. No severe ocular complications were found throughout the treatment. The combination treatment appeared to be effective and safe, but its long-term effect needs to be further assessed.

Treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients of Gan stagnation Pi deficiency syndrome by tiaogan lidi recipe: a randomized controlled clinical trial / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tiaogan Lipi Recipe (TLR) in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients of Gan stagnation Pi deficiency syndrome (GSP-DS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed. Totally 99 NAFLD patients of GSPDS were randomly allocated into two groups, 66 patients in the treatment group (treated with-TLR, one dose per day) and 33 patients in the control group (treated with placebos, one dose per day). The therapeutic course for all was 12 weeks. All patients received lifestyle interventions including moderate aerobic exercise, moderate caloric restriction, and dietary changes. Clinical symptoms, CT indices, liver functions and blood lipids were observed before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 12 weeks of treatment, the total score of clinical symptoms decreased in the two groups (P <0. 01), and it was lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 05). Liver/spleen CT ratio increased in the treatment group (P <0. 01), and it was higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 01). After treatment levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) all decreased in the treatment group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01), while levels of ALT decreased in the control group (P <0. 05). Besides, all the 3 levels mentioned above were lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 05). Levels of total cholesterol (CHO) and triglyceride (TG) decreased in the two groups (P <0. 05), and they were lower in the treatment group (P <0. 05). Total effective rates of TCM syndrome, abdominal CT, liver functions, and blood lipids were 79. 69% (51/64 cases), 54. 69% (35/64 cases), 67. 65% (23/34 cases), and 67. 39% (31/46 cases) in the treatment group, while they were 56. 25% (18/32 cases), 25. 00% (8/32 cases), 33. 33% (6/18 cases), and 55. 56% (10/18 cases) in the control group. All were superior in the treatment group (P <0.05, P <0.01, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TLR combined with lifestyle intervention could safely and effectively improve clinical symptoms of NAFLD patients of GSPDS, elevate liver/spleen CT ratios, and play a role in liver protection, anti-inflammation, and lowering blood lipids.</p>

Comparative study on effects of blood enriching on mouse model of blood deficiency syndrome induced by cyclophosphamide of albiflorin, paeoniflorin on levels of GM-CSF, IL-3 and TNF-α / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the effects and mechanism of blood enriching on mouse model of blood deficiency syndrome induced by cyclophosphamide of albiflorin and paeoniflorin.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Albiflorin and paeoniflorin were determined by using animal models of blood deficiency syndrome induced by cyclophosphamide. The amount of WBC, RBC, HGB, index of thymus gland and spleen, and the changes of GM-CSF, IL-3 and TNF-α in serum were detected after the treatment.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compared with the model group, the amount of WBC in the group of 30 mg x kg(-1) albiflorin and 30 mg x kg(-1) paeoniflorin were increased obviously (P < 0.01). The amount of RBC in the group of 30 mg x kg(-1) albiflorin and 30 mg x kg(-1) paeoniflorin were increased obviously (P < 0.01, P < 0.001), which did not had a significant difference compared with the same dose. The index of thymus gland in the group of 30 mg x kg(-1) albiflorin was superior to the model group (P < 0.01), the difference was significant compared with the same dose of paeoniflorin (P < 0.05). The GM-CSF in serum in all groups of 30 mg x kg(-1) albiflorin, 15 mg x kg(-1) albiflorin, 30 mg x kg(-1) paeoniflorin and 15 mg x kg(-1) paeoniflorin increased obviously (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.05); The IL-3 in serum in both group of 30 mg x kg(-1) albiflorin and 30 mg x kg(-1) paeoniflorin also increased (P < 0.001). The content of TNF-α in group of 30 mg x kg(-1) albiflorin and 30 mg x kg(-1) paeoniflorin were reduced (P < 0.01), which showed the obvious difference compared with the same dose group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Albiflorin had the effect of blood enriching by regulating the immune function, same with the paeoniflorin. The probable mechanism of nourishing blood and liver of Paeoniae Radix Alba was not only the better effect of adjusting the content of TNF-α, but also might act synergistically with paeoniflorin.</p>

Protective effect of Acai berries on chronic alcoholic hepatic injury in rats and their effect on inflammatory cytokines / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the protective effect of Acai berries(Euterpe oleraceae) on chronic alcoholic hepatic injury in rats and their mechanism.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Wistar rats were fed for 1 week and randomly divided into blank group, model group, Dongbao Gantai group, Acai 1.6, 0.8, 0.4 g . kg-1 groups. The blank group was given distilled water, and the other groups were orally given 56% white spirit (Erguotou) for eight weeks at the dosages of 8 mL . kg-1 in the 1st week, which increased by 0.1 mL week by week till to 15 mL . kg-1, in order to establish the chronic hepatic injury model, and observe the effect of Acai berry freeze-dried powder on hepatocyte membrane permeability, liver lipid peroxidation, changes in inflammatory cytokines and pathological changes in hepatocytes.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Acai berries could significantly reduce serum ALT and AST(P<0.05), MDA(P<0.05), TG(P<0.05) and serum TNF-α and IL-6(P <0.05) and increase GSH and SOD(P <0.05). According to liver histopathological observation, livers in the model group were dominated by steatosis, some livers suffered spotty necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration; The positive drug and Acai groups showed different changes in pathologic changes in rat livers.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acai berries show s specific protective effect on alcoholic hepatic injury. Its mechanism may be correlated with the inhibition of such inflammatory factors as TNF-α and IL-6.</p>

Study on blood enriching effects of γ-ray radiation of paeoniflorin and albiflorin on mouse model of blood deficiency / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the blood enriching effects of Paeoniae Radix Rubra and Paeoniae Radix Alba, paeoniflorin and albiflorin on mouse model of blood deficiency caused by γ-ray radiation.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Build mouse model of blood deficiency induced by γ-ray radiation. Paeoniae Radix Rubra and Paeoniae Radix Alba were given during modeling. The amount of WBC was detected af- ter the treatment. Based on the result of WBC and paeoniflorin content, albiflorin content in Paeoniae Radix Rubra and Paeoniae Radix Alba, the same model and the same method were used to comparatively study the effect of blood enriching of paeoniflorin and albiflorin.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>On the 7th day, the amount of WBC in model mice treated with 2 g x kg(-1) Paeoniae Radix Alba and 2 g x kg(-1) Paeoniae Radix Rubra significantly increased compared with that of model group (P < 0.05). In another experiment with the same model, the amount of WBC in model mice treated with 120 mg x kg(-1) paeoflorin and 120 mg x kg(-1) albiflorin significantly increased (P < 0.05) compared with that of model group on the 7th day. On the 10th day, the amount of WBC in rats treated with 120 mg x kg(-1) paeoflorin increased significantly (P < 0.05) compared with that of model group. Compared with the same dose of paeoniflorin, the amount of WBC in mice treated with albiflorin had no significant difference.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>All Paeoniae Radix Alba, Paeoniae Radix Rubra, paeoniflorin and al- biflorin can raise the amount of WBC and have the effect of enriching blood induced by radiation, while paeoniflorin and albiflorin have a similar result in this model. The result indicated that both paeoniflorin and albiflorin are effective constituents in Paeoniae Radix Alba, and paeoniflorin work as the common effective constituent in both Paeoniae Radix Rubra and Paeoniae Radix Alba.</p>