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OBJECTIVE@#To summarize and elucidate the characteristics and evolvement of Chinese medicine (CM) patterns reflecting the physical and mental conditions of participants in the Mars 500 long-term closed environment.@*METHODS@#The DS01-T Digital TCM Four-Diagnostic Instrument and CM Inquiring Diagnostic Questionnaire were used to collect information from 6 participants in the Mars 500 International Joint Research Project, through diagnostic methods of observation, palpation and inquiry according to CM theory. During the 520 days of the experiment, data collection was performed 37 times; a total of over 400 digital images of tongues and facial complexion and over 20,000 data were collected. These data were then analyzed by a team of experts in CM, statistics, and data mining.@*RESULTS@#The CM pattern evolvement of participants in the long-term closed environment followed some common trends. Qi deficiency was the main CM pattern observed, with individual features depending on constitutional differences [manifested in varying degrees of accompanying patterns of Gan (Liver) qi stagnation, Pi (Spleen) deficiency, dampness encumbering, or yin deficiency].@*CONCLUSION@#The research has verified the effectiveness of CM syndrome differentiation based on the four diagnostic methods, which should serve as a solid foundation for observation, monitoring, and intervention in regard to the health conditions of astronauts in long-term space flights in the future.
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Objective To disscus the applicability of three surveillance methods for Aedes albopictus in dengue risk indication. Methods Larval and adult mosquito surveillance were conducted in two villages of Guangzhou by using three vector monitoring methods. Meteorological data and dengue cases were obtained in the same period. Results The population dynamics of larvae and adult mosquitoes were affected by temperature and their overall trend was consistent, but there were differences between the abundance of larvae and adult mosquitoes. From December to February the next year, Breteau index(BI) ranged from 5.66 to 24.53 with a risk of level 1 to 3 for dengue fever, while the mosquito and oviposition positive index(MOI) and adult-mosquito density index(ADI) were 0 to 4.00 and 0 to 1 per man-hour, respectively, indicating no risk for dengue fever. In March, compared with BI which indicated a risk of level 3, MOI were 2.13 and 3.77, respectively, representing for no risk. ADI were 4 to 6 per man-hour, indicating a risk of level 1 and level 2, respectively. After April, the dengue risk level reflected by each indicator became to be consistent. Conclusions The risk of dengue fever indicated by BI is always higher than or equal to the risk indicated by the other two. Compared with BI, MOI and ADI are more sensitively in reflecting the activity of Ae. albopictus.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To comprehensively evaluate the health status of 6 volunteers from the Mars 500 Project through analyzing their pulse graphs and determining the changes in cardiovascular function, degree of fatigue and autonomic nervous function.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Six volunteers were recruited; all were male aged 26-38 years (average 31.83±4.96 years). Characteristic parameters reflflecting the status of cardiovascular functions were extracted, which included left ventricular contraction, vascular elasticity and peripheral resistance. The degree of fatigue was determined depending on the difference between the calendar age and biological age, which was calculated through the analysis of blood pressure value and characteristic parameters. Based on the values of pulse height variation and pulse time variation on a 30-s pulse graph, autonomic nervous function was evaluated. All parameters examined were marked on an equilateral polygon to form an irregular polygon of the actual fifigure, then health status was evaluated based on the coverage area of the actual fifigure.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results demonstrated: (1) volunteers developed weakened pulse power, increased vascular tension and peripheral resistance, and slight decreased ventricular systolic function; (2) the degree of fatigue was basically mild or moderate; and (3) autonomic nervous function was excited but generally balanced.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These volunteers were in the state of sub-health. According to Chinese medicine theories, such symptoms are mainly caused by the weakening of healthy qi, Gan (Liver) failing in free coursing, and disharmony between Gan and Wei (Stomach), which manifests as a weak and string-like pulse.</p>
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AIM To optimize the preparation of Bishutongqiao Mixture.METHODS With solid total mass,contents of astragaloside A and calycosin-7-glucoside as evaluation indices,water addition,extraction time and extraction times as influencing factors,the aqueous extraction process was optimized by orthogonal test.With the contents and retention rates of astragaloside A and calycosin-7-glucoside as evaluation indices,the effects of normal pressure and decompression on the concentration process were investigated.And the effects of solubilizer (polysorbate 80),taste-masking agent (sucrose) and bacteriostatic agent (sodium benzoate) amounts on the forming process were studied as well.RESULTS The optimal aqueous extraction conditions were determined to be ten times for water addition,1 h for extraction time,and extracting twice,the comprehensive score was 91.67.The contents and retention rates of astragaloside A and calycosin-7-glucoside at normal pressure concentration were higher than those at decompression concentration.The optimal forming process was obtained at polysorbate 80,sucrose and sodium benzoate amounts of 1.43％,15％ and 0.3％,respectively.CONCLUSION This stable and feasible method can be used for the preparation of Bishutongqiao Mixture.
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AIM To optimize the preparation of Bishutongqiao Mixture.METHODS With solid total mass,contents of astragaloside A and calycosin-7-glucoside as evaluation indices,water addition,extraction time and extraction times as influencing factors,the aqueous extraction process was optimized by orthogonal test.With the contents and retention rates of astragaloside A and calycosin-7-glucoside as evaluation indices,the effects of normal pressure and decompression on the concentration process were investigated.And the effects of solubilizer (polysorbate 80),taste-masking agent (sucrose) and bacteriostatic agent (sodium benzoate) amounts on the forming process were studied as well.RESULTS The optimal aqueous extraction conditions were determined to be ten times for water addition,1 h for extraction time,and extracting twice,the comprehensive score was 91.67.The contents and retention rates of astragaloside A and calycosin-7-glucoside at normal pressure concentration were higher than those at decompression concentration.The optimal forming process was obtained at polysorbate 80,sucrose and sodium benzoate amounts of 1.43％,15％ and 0.3％,respectively.CONCLUSION This stable and feasible method can be used for the preparation of Bishutongqiao Mixture.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effects of a Chinese herbal formula, taikong yangxin prescription (TKYXP) against bone deterioration in a hindlimb unloaded (tail-suspension) rat model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups: tail-suspension group fed with 2.5 g•kg(-1)•day(-1) of TKYXP extract (high dose), tail-suspension group fed with 1.25 g•kg(-1)•day(-1) (low dose), tail-suspended group treated with water placebo (placebo control group) and non tail-suspended group. The effects of TKYXP on bone were assessed using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT), microcomputerized tomography (micro-CT) and three-point bending biomechanical test on the femur in vivo.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>TKYXP had a significant protective effect against bone loss induced by tail-suspension on day 28, as shown in the reduction in bone mineral density (BMD) loss, preservation of bone micro-architecture and biomechanical strength. The administration ofhigh dose TKYXP could significantly reduce the total BMD loss by 4.8% and 8.0% at the femur and tibia regions, respectively, compared with the placebo control group (P<0.01) on day 28. Its bone protective effect on the femur was further substantiated by the increases of the trabecular BMD (by 6.6%), bone volume fraction (by 20.9%), trabecular number (by 9.5%) and thickness (by 11.9%) as compared with the placebo control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TKYXP may protect the bone under weightless influence from gradual structural deterioration in the tail-suspension model.</p>
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Animals , Male , Rats , Biomechanical Phenomena , Bone Density , Bone and Bones , Diagnostic Imaging , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Pharmacology , Femur , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Tibia , Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed , Weightlessness , X-Ray MicrotomographyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the changes in cardiopulmonary function induced by mid/long-term simulated microgravity with 6° head down bed rest (HDBR), and the effects of Taikong Yangxin Prescription (, TYP) as a countermeasure.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fourteen healthy male volunteers were randomly divided into a control group and a Chinese medicine (CM) group (7 in each group) by a random digital table based on their body weight. Both groups underwent 6° HDBR for 60 days. Subjects in the CM group received daily TYP pills and subjects in the control group received daily placebo pills. Cardiac systolic and pumping functions were measured by echocardiography before HDBR; on days 20, 42, and 57 of HDBR; and on day 3 of recovery after HDBR (R+3). Cardiopulmonary functional reserve and exercise capacity were evaluated before HDBR, on day 29, and on day R+3 by exercise testing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The heart rate (HR) increased gradually during HDBR. The HR was significantly higher on day 57 than before HDBR in the control group (P<0.05), but did not increase significantly in the CM group. The stroke volume/stroke volume index, ejection fraction, and left ventricular fractional shortening tended to decrease over time in the control group, but not in the CM group. These parameters were significantly higher in the CM group than in the control group on day 42 (P<0.05 or <0.01). Exercise testing showed that maximum O2 consumption (VO2max), metabolic equivalents, relative O2 consumption (VO2), O2 pulse, and exercise duration were significantly lower on day 29 than before HDBR in the control group, but not in the CM group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Sixty days of 6° HDBR induced a reduction in cardiac systolic and pumping functions, and reduced cardiopulmonary functional reserve and exercise capacity. Administration of TYP significantly improved cardiac systolic and pumping functions, and maintained cardiopulmonary functional reserve and exercise capacity.</p>
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Adult , Humans , Male , Bed Rest , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Exercise Test , Heart , Physiology , Lung , PhysiologyABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and immunologic regulation function of interleukin-23 and its related cytokines in chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) patients. Levels of cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) were detected by reverse-transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction in 30 patients with chronic ITP and 15 healthy volunteers. The quantity of IL-23, IL-12, IL-17 in serum was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that low detectable mRNA levels of IL-23p19, IL-12p35, IL-27 and IL-12p40 were found in all patients and healthy persons. Trace of IL-17 mRNA were expressed in PBMNC of part of patients and normal controls. Levels of IL-12p35, IL-27, IL-17 mRNA between healthy persons and chronic ITP patients were not statistically different. Compared with normal controls, patients showed the lower expression levels of IL-23p19 and IL-12p40 mRNA (p < 0.01). The IL-12 levels of chronic ITP patients were significantly higher than that of normal controls (p < 0.01). The IL-23 and IL-17 levels of chronic ITP patients were same to that of normal controls. It is concluded that the imbalance of T cell subsets in ITP patients mainly associated with IL-12, but not with IL-23 and IL-17.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Case-Control Studies , Chronic Disease , Interleukin-12 , Metabolism , Interleukin-12 Subunit p35 , Metabolism , Interleukin-12 Subunit p40 , Metabolism , Interleukin-17 , Metabolism , Interleukin-23 , Metabolism , Interleukin-23 Subunit p19 , Metabolism , Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic , MetabolismABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of L.F04, the active fraction of Lycopus lucidus, on erythrocytes rheological property so as to investigate its mechanism in promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The effects of L.F04 (used for treatment for 10 days in different dosages) on deformability, aggregation and membrane liquidity of erythrocytes (MLE) as well as whole blood apparent viscosity (eta(b)) were examined on the basis of rat model of blood-stasis syndrome induced by venous injection of high molecular weight dextran.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>As compared with the normal control group, the model group's RBC deformability and MLE were lower, and the aggregation of erythrocytes and eta(b) were higher. Compared with the model group, both L.F04 0.612 g/kg and 0.306 g/kg showed significant effect in improving deformability and inhibiting aggregation of red blood cells (RBC) and reducing blood viscosity. The trend of improving MLE was also shown.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>L.F04 could significantly improve the abnormal rheological property of erythrocytes.</p>