Automatic labeling and extraction of terms in natural language processing in acupuncture clinical literature / 中国针灸

The paper analyzes the specificity of term recognition in acupuncture clinical literature and compares the advantages and disadvantages of three named entity recognition (NER) methods adopted in the field of traditional Chinese medicine. It is believed that the bi-directional long short-term memory networks-conditional random fields (Bi LSTM-CRF) may communicate the context information and complete NER by using less feature rules. This model is suitable for term recognition in acupuncture clinical literature. Based on this model, it is proposed that the process of term recognition in acupuncture clinical literature should include 4 aspects, i.e. literature pretreatment, sequence labeling, model training and effect evaluation, which provides an approach to the terminological structurization in acupuncture clinical literature.

Discussion of novel mode of acupuncture and moxibustion based on identifying the acupoint sensitization / 中国针灸

On the base of the paradigms of clinical studies on modern moxibustion by identifying the acupoint sensitization, the records of ancient literature in successive dynasties were collected on "identifying the sensitization" of acupoints in acupuncture. In association with acupoint detection of acupuncture recorded in current textbooks, a novel concept, "exerting acupuncture by identifying the acupoint sensitization" is proposed. Acupoint sensitization is the common initial link of effect achieved by both acupuncture and moxibustion. Hence, on the basis of the routine acupoint selection by differentiating syndrome, the state of acupoint must be considerably emphasized in either acupuncture or moxibustion. The clinical curative effect may be improved by selecting the sensitized points and identifying sensitization. This novel mode of diagnosis and treatment focuses on identifying acupoint sensitization by unifying acupuncture with moxibustion and in coincidence with the modern clinical characteristics of either acupuncture or moxibustion.

The effect of age and abstinence time on semen quality: a retrospective study / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

This study analyzed the effects of male age and abstinence time on semen quality and explored the best abstinence time for Chinese males among different age groups. Semen parameters, including sperm kinetics, morphology, and DNA fragmentation index (DFI), were reviewed from 2952 men. Samples were divided into six age groups (≤25 years, 26-30 years, 31-35 years, 36-40 years, 41-45 years, and >45 years) and were divided into six groups according to different abstinence time (2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, and 7 days). The differences in semen quality between the groups were compared, and the effect of age and abstinence time on semen quality was analyzed. Significant differences were observed in semen volume, progressive motility (PR), and DFI among the age groups (all P < 0.05), and no significant differences were observed in sperm morphological parameters (all P > 0.05). There were significant differences in semen volume, PR, and DFI among different abstinence time groups (all P < 0.05) and no significant differences in sperm morphological parameters (all P > 0.05). Pearson analysis showed that male age and abstinence time were both significantly correlated with sperm kinetics and DFI (both P < 0.05), while no significant correlation was found with sperm morphological parameters (all P > 0.05). The box plots and histograms of men's age, abstinence time, and semen quality show that most semen quality parameters differ significantly between the 2 days and 7 days abstinence groups and other groups at different ages. Except for the sperm morphology parameters, sperm kinetic parameters and sperm DFI are linearly related to male age and abstinence time.

Preparation and stability evaluation of artemether-loaded mixed micelles composed of the sodium glycocholate and soybean lecithin / 药学学报

In this study, artemether (ARM)-loaded mixed micelles (MM) composed of the sodium glycocholate (SGC) and soybean lecithin (SL) were prepared by film dispersion method. The effects of hydration medium, SL mass ratio and total concentration of excipients on the solubilization of ARM were investigated and the stability of MM was evaluated. Results showed that the particle size distribution of SGC-SL-MM prepared by phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH 7.4, 0.05 mol·L-1) was uniform, with an average size of 3.58 ± 0.14 nm and the polydispersity index (PDI) value was 0.16 ± 0.04. The solubility of ARM increased significantly from 0.64 ± 0.04 mg·mL-1 to 13.7 ± 0.13 mg·mL-1 along with the concentration of total excipient increasing from 1.0% to 30.0% (w/w). The calculated results of Arrhenius parameter and storage stability showed that the degradation rate constant of ARM in MM was smaller than that in acetonitrile-PBS (pH 7.4) at either 37 ℃ or 60 ℃. The experimental ARM-MM was clear after storing for two months at 25 ℃ and the degradation of ARM was less than 7.0%. In conclusion, the SGC-SL-MM can not only improve the solubility of ARM in aqueous solution, but also improve its chemical stability in aqueous solution at low temperature.

Effects of Outdoor Temperature on Blood Pressure in a Prospective Cohort of Northwest China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Objective@#The relationship between outdoor temperature and blood pressure (BP) has been inconclusive. We analyzed data from a prospective cohort study in northwestern China to investigate the effect of outdoor temperature on BP and effect modification by season.@*Methods@#A total of 32,710 individuals who participated in both the baseline survey and the first follow-up in 2011-2015 were included in the study. A linear mixed-effect model and generalized additive mixed model (GAMM) were applied to estimate the association between outdoor temperature and BP after adjusting for confounding variables.@*Results@#The mean differences in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) between summer and winter were 3.5 mmHg and 2.75 mmHg, respectively. After adjusting for individual characteristics, meteorological factors and air pollutants, a significant increase in SBP and DBP was observed for lag 06 day and lag 04 day, a 0.28 mmHg (95% @*Conclusions@#This study demonstrated a significant negative association between outdoor temperature and BP in a high-altitude environment of northwest China. Moreover, BP showed a significant seasonal variation. The association between BP and temperature differed by season and individuals' demographic characteristics (age, gender, BMI), unhealthy behaviors (smoking and alcohol consumption), and chronic disease status (CVDs, hypertension, and diabetes).

Efficacy of endovascular treatment of distal aortic dissection involving abdominal visceral segment with bare-metal stents related technique / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To investigate the effect of bare-metal stent related technique on distal aortic dissection involving abdominal visceral segment. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data of 33 patients with distal aortic dissection involved abdominal visceral segment, who hospitalized in the Vascular Surgery Department of Shanghai Changhai Hospital from July 2012 to September 2019. The effect of the treatment was evaluated according to the clinical and preoperative, intraoperative and follow-up imaging data derived from (aorta computed tomography angiography (CTA) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA)) as well as the changes of the maximal diameter of the aorta and the thrombosis of the false lumen of the dissection. The criteria were as follows: the maximum diameter change of aortic dissection<5 mm was defined as stable; the maximum diameter decrease of aortic dissection≥5 mm was defined as effective reduction; the maximum diameter increase of aortic dissection≥5 mm was defined as expansion; the definition of diameter change of false lumen was the same as above. The hospital complications, clinical symptoms and survival were recorded. Results: There were 28 male patients in this cohort, the mean age was (57.6±4.9) years old. Twenty-one patients were treated with bare-metal stent and coils technique, of which 8 patients were jointly treated with stent grafts. Twelve patients were treated with multi-layer bare-metal stent technique, of which 4 patients were jointly treated with stent grafts. Intraoperative DSA image results showed that the visceral arteries were patent during the treatment, and the blood flow velocity of the false lumen was reduced in all 33 patients. There were no adverse events such as distal outflow tract embolism and coil displacement during the operation. During the period of hospitalization, one patient developed intimal rupture of subrenal abdominal aortic dissection on the fourth day after operation and emergency endovascular graft exclusion was performed for abdominal aortic dissection, and the patient recovered well from the emergency operation. The follow-up time was (16.7±14.0) months. One patient died 1 year after surgery due to non-disease-related factors. Follow-up CTA imaging results showed that the maximum diameter of the aorta in abdominal visceral segment tended to be smaller ((39.1±13.4) mm vs. (41.3±11.9) mm, P=0.469), and the maximum diameter of the false lumen was significantly reduced ((16.2±12.9) mm vs. (23.5±10.7) mm, P=0.014). The maximum diameter of the aortic dissection was reduced in 12 cases, stable in 19 cases, expanded in 2 cases. The maximum diameter of the false lumen was effectively reduced in 22 cases, stable in 10 cases, and expanded in 1 case. Four patients developed small endoleak in the false lumen, one of them was nearby the renal artery stent, and the remaining patients experienced complete thrombosis of the false lumen. Conclusions: Endovascular treatment of distal aortic dissection involving abdominal visceral segment with bare-metal stents related technique could promote the shrink and the thrombosis of the false lumen, and slow down the blood flow from the tear into the false lumen in the setting of patency of visceral arteries.

Large- scale prospective clinical study on prophylactic intervention of COVID-19 in community population using Huoxiang Zhengqi Oral Liquid and Jinhao Jiere Granules / 中国中药杂志

To scientifically evaluate the intervention effect of Chinese medicine preventive administration(combined use of Huo-xiang Zhengqi Oral Liquid and Jinhao Jiere Granules) on community population in the case of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19), a large cohort, prospective, randomized, and parallel-controlled clinical study was conducted. Total 22 065 subjects were included and randomly divided into 2 groups. The non-intervention group was given health guidance only, while the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) intervention group was given two coordinated TCM in addition to health guidance. The medical instructions were as follows. Huoxiang Zhengqi Oral Liquid: oral before meals, 10 mL/time, 2 times/day, a course of 5 days. Jinhao Jiere Granules: dissolve in boiling water and take after meals, 8 g/time, 2 times/day, a course of 5 days, followed up for 14 days, respectively. The study found that with the intake of medication, the incidence rate of TCM intervention group was basically maintained at a low and continuous stable level(0.01%-0.02%), while the non-intervention group showed an overall trend of continuous growth(0.02%-0.18%) from 3 to 14 days. No suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case occurred in either group. There were 2 cases of colds in the TCM intervention group and 26 cases in the non-intervention group. The incidence of colds in the TCM intervention group was significantly lower(P<0.05) than that in the non-intervention group. In the population of 16-60 years old, the incidence rate of non-intervention and intervention groups were 0.01% and 0.25%, respectively. The difference of colds incidence between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.05). In the population older than 60 years old, they were 0.04% and 0.21%, respectively. The incidence of colds in the non-intervention group was higher than that in the intervention group, but not reaching statistical difference. The protection rate of TCM for the whole population was 91.8%, especially for the population of age 16-60(95.0%). It was suggested that TCM intervention(combined use of Huoxiang Zhengqi Oral Liquid and Jinhao Jiere Granules) could effectively protect community residents against respiratory diseases, such as colds, which was worthy of promotion in the community. In addition, in terms of safety, the incidence of adverse events and adverse reactions in the TCM intervention group was relatively low, which was basically consistent with the drug instructions.

Bioinformatics analysis of safflower WD40 transcription factor family genes / 中国中药杂志

The WD40 transcription factor family is a gene superfamily widely found in eukaryotes, which is closely related to plant growth and development regulation. It has been reported that the WD40 transcription factor was involved in the synthesis of anthocyanins, which is one of the vital components of safflower flavonoid compounds. In this study, 40 CtWD40 members in the safflower genome were identified though bioinformatics tools and gene expression analysis methods. According to the WD40 protein sequence and phylogenetic characteristics of Arabidopsis and other plants, the safflower CtWD40 family was classified into 7 subfamilies. Conservative motif analysis was used to reveal the specific conserved motifs and gene structures of each subfamily member, and there exist a certain degree of similarities in the conserved motifs and gene structure between the closely related family members. Subsequently, the search for cis-acting elements of gene promoters found CtWD40-specific promoter elements, revealing the metabolic pathways which may involve. Next, enrichment of function analysis was employed to analyze the functional categories and cellular localization of the CtWD40 protein. Furthermore, the interactions between CtWD40 proteins predicted its potential regulatory function. Finally, 19 members of the safflower CtWD40 subfamily were analyzed by qRT-PCR, the result showed the expression patterns of these members were different in diverse tissue and flowering period. This study provides a basis for the functional and expression research of the CtWD40 genes.

Cloning and expression analysis of PLR gene in Schisandra chinensis / 中草药

Objective: To obtain more information for further researches on mechanism of pinoresinol lariciresinol reductases (PLR) gene, which is the key enzyme gene involved with lignans synthesis in Schisandra chinensis, ScPLR gene and its promoter were cloned and analyzed, and the expression pattern of ScPLR gene at fruit development stages was also illustrated. Methods: On the basis of PLR gene sequence obtained by transcriptome sequencing, specific primers were designed, the open reading frame (ORF) of ScPLR gene was then cloned, and the bioinformation of ScPLR gene was analyzed through online software. Meanwhile, the promoter of ScPLR gene was amplified by TAIL-PCR method and analyzed. The expression patterns of ScPLR from fruits at different development stages were analyzed preliminarily. Results: The length of ScPLR gene ORF was 837 bp, which encoded 278 amino acids residues with molecular weight of 31419.85 and theoretical pI of 8.97; ScPLR consisted of a membrane structure, which was a hydrophobic stable protein without signal peptide, and mainly composed of α-helix and random curl; Subcellular localization prediction result showed that ScPLR protein is mainly located in cytoplasm; The results of phylogenetic analysis revealed that ScPLR is closest related to Ricinus communis PLR. The length of ScPLR gene promoter was 994 bp, which had regulatory elements including TATA-box, CAAT-box, also cis-regulatory elements related to light regulation, auxin response, anaerobic induction, defense and stress response, the presence of various cis-acting elements fully reflected the high efficiency and complexity of promoter regulation on gene expression at the transcriptional level. qRT-PCR results showed that ScPLR expression level displayed obvious up-regulation at fruit swelling stage, then down-regulation at fruit coloring period. Conclusion: The ScPLR gene and its promoter were cloned and analyzed, the trend of high expression level of ScPLR before fruit coloring period was consistent with the dynamic change of lignans accumulation in S. chinensis, which will lay foundation for the further research on function and expression regulation of ScPLR gene in lignans biosynthesis pathway.

Two Novel Mutations at the CD36 Gene Splicing Sites and Their Molecular Basis for the CD36 Deficiency / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study two novel CD36 gene mutations at the CD36 splicing sites found in Guangxi population, as well as the molecular basis and population incidence of them.@*METHODS@#DNA sequencing and cDNA clonal sequencing were used to detect CD36 exon sequence and the protein coding region sequence of CD36 mRNA for 2 CD36 deficient individuals (HHC and WGM) found in Guangxi population. Eukaryotic expression cell lines were established for the discovery of CD36 mRNA abnormal transcripts and Western blot assay was used to verify the effect of abnormal CD36 mRNA transcripts on CD36 expression. A DNA PCR-SSP genotyping method was established for the two CD36 novel mutations, and the population distribution was investigated among 110 CD36 deficient individuals in Guangxi region and 296 random individuals in Guangxi population.@*RESULTS@#Novel mutation of c.430 -1G>C was found at the CD36 splicing site in HHC and WGM individuals, and novel mutation of c.1006 +2T>G at the CD36 splicing site was also found in the WGM individual. CD36 cDNA clonal sequencing showed that CD36 c.430 -1G>C could lead to the production of the two CD36 mRNA transcript variants: c.429_430ins［430-17_430-2;C］(p.Ala144fsTer1) and c.430_609del(p.Ala144_Pro203del)(GenBank:HM 217023.1); and CD36 c.1006 +2T>G could lead to the production of CD36 mRNA transcript variant of c.819_1006 del (p.Ser274GlufsTer16) (GenBank: HM217025.1). It was verified that all the three transcript variants could lead to CD36 deficiency by establishment of eukaryotic expression cell lines and Western blot assay. A study of the population incidence of two novel CD36 splicing site mutations found showed that in 110 CD36 deficient individuals and in 296 random individuals in Guangxi region, the mutation rate of CD36 c.430 -1G>C was 10.91% (12/110) and 1.35% (4/296), respectively, while CD36 c.1006 +2T>G was 2.73% (3/110) and 0 (0/296), respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#This study identifies two novel CD36 mutations at CD36 splicing site, and preliminary clarified their molecular basis for the CD36 deficiency and the distribution characteristics in Guangxi population as well. It provides an experimental and theoretical basis for studying the molecular mechanism and characteristics of CD36 deficiency in Chinese population.

Cloning and expression analysis of 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase from Schisandra chinensis / 药学学报

The 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase (2-ODD) gene is regarded as the key enzyme gene involved with aryl naphthalene lignan-podophyllotoxin synthesis. To study the expression pattern and function of the Sc2-ODD gene, a full-length cDNA of the gene was cloned. Bioinformatic analysis, the expression pattern, and prokaryotic expression and purification were implemented. The open reading frame of Sc2-ODD gene was 1 077 bp and encoded 358 amino acids with a molecular weight of 40.16 kD. The Sc2-ODD protein contained the conserved 2OG-FeII-oxy sequence of the 2-ODD protein. The results of phylogenetic analysis revealed that Sc2-ODD is most closely related to Corchorus olitorius 2-ODD. qRT-PCR results showed that Sc2-ODD expression displayed obvious up-regulation at the fruit-swelling stage, then down-regulation in the fruit-coloring period. The Sc2-ODD gene was cloned into the bacterial expression vector pGS21T, the recombinant Sc2-ODD protein was expressed in Escherichia coli Rosetta (DE3) cells and the fusion protein was obtained and purified by GST fusion protein purification technology. This study will lay a foundation for further research on the function and expressional regulation of the Sc2-ODD gene in the aryl naphthalene lignans biosynthesis pathway, and also provides a scientific basis for improving the lignan content and the medicinal quality of Schisandra chinensis using plant genetic engineering.

Cloning and expression analysis of CtbHLH transcription factor gene from Carthamus tinctorius and construction of plant expression vector / 中国中药杂志

To clone bHLH( basic helix-loop-helix) gene from Carthamus tinctorius,analyze the expression level in different plant tissues and construct the plant expression vector. The bHLH1 gene was cloned by RT-PCR techniques,and the protein characteristics were analyzed by bioinformatics,and phylogenetic tree was constructed. The expression of bHLH1 gene in different tissues and the roots after inoculated by Fusarium oxysporum were analyzed using real time-PCR,and the plant expression vector p BASTA-bHLH1 was constructed. The obtained ORF sequence of bHLH1 gene was 897 bp,encoded a protein of 298 amino acids. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree analyses showed that C. tinctorius bHLH1 had a certain homology with other species of amino acids,and was the most similar to the amino acid sequence of tobacco. Real-time PCR results showed significant differences,CtbHLH1 gene in red flower petals in different tissues and different flowering period had remarkable difference in expression level,its high amount expressed in petals,flowers third day after blossom expressed the highest quantity,at the end of the flowering the expression quantity is low. In addition,it is expressed in the root,and the expression in the stem and leaves is extremely low. The bHLH1 gene of C. tinctorius is successfully cloned,and the expression is analyzed. The plant expression vector p BASTA-bHLH is constructed.

Influence factors and predictive ability of a risk prediction model for carotid atherosclerosis in a follow-up population / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To explore factors influencing the incidence of carotid atherosclerosis in different genders so as to provide reference for the specific prevention of the disease. Methods A nested case-control study was conducted to analyze factors influencing the incidence of carotid atherosclerosis in Jinchang cohort population who were randomly selected through stratified sampling by age and followed up. A risk prediction model was established and the goodness of fit was evaluated by the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC). Results The standardized incidence of carotid atherosclerosis in this follow-up population was 12.32%, and the incidence rate of males (13.65%) was greater than that of females (11.29%). The difference was statistically significant ( 2=4.267, P<0.001). Age, education, elevated systolic blood pressure, and elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were common risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis in both men and women. Elevated fasting plasma glucose (OR=2.556, 95% CI: 1.618-4.038) and elevated triglyceride (OR=1.535, 95% CI: 1.058-2.227) were only associated with men. Abdominal obesity (OR=1.414, 95% CI: 1.013-1.974) was only associated with women. The area under ROC of male and female prediction models was 0.835 (95% CI: 0.815-0.856) and 0.809 (95% CI: 0.788-0.831), respectively. The sensitivity was 78.0% and 78.9%, the specificity was 78.8% and 73.1%, and the diagnostic coincidence rate was 91.3% and 82.4%, respectively. Conclusions There are different risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis in males and females, and targeted prevention and control measures should be taken according to gender. The risk prediction model established by Logistic regression had certain guiding value.

Three-dimensional structure of beads self-assembled by cyclodextrin using synchrotron radiation X-ray microcomputed tomography / 药学学报

Beads, a novel drug delivery system self-assembled by cyclodextrins (CDs) and oil, has potential applications in the solidification of oil drugs and improving the bioavailability of lipid-soluble drugs. However, very few researches were dedicated to the mechanism of beads formation. In this study, three-dimensional structures of beads were visualized and investigated using synchrotron radiation X-ray microcomputed tomography (SR-μCT). The structural changes of beads attributed by drying process were analyzed and confirmed via visualization results of SR-μCT. Productively, it was proposed that Pickering emulsion droplets obtained during beads formation process were spatially localized orderly. Moreover, the effects of loading lipid soluble drug, namely, vitamin K1, on the structural changes of beads were also analyzed. It is well known that the surface tension of oil phase could be changed by the addition of lipid soluble constituents. It was reasonable that the three-dimensional structure of beads might be altered during the drug loading of vitamin K1 into the beads. However, although the morphologies of beads were changed to some extent, the ordered Pickering emulsion droplets during the process of beads formation was successfully illustrated based on the SR-μCT results. Conclusively, according to the three-dimensional structural analysis of the beads, this study revealed the organized architecture for Pickering emulsion droplet assembly and beads formation in cyclodextrin semi-inclusion complex, which significantly complements the formation mechanism of beads, and provides a structural basis for the further study of beads.

Design and implementation of Traditional Chinese Medicine-Paper Influence Evaluation System / 中华医学图书情报杂志

Evaluation of paper academic influence is an important component part for the scientific and technological evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine,and plays an important role in promoting the scientific and technological innovative development of traditional Chinese medicine. The Traditional Chinese Medicine-Paper Influence Evaluation System (TCM-PIES), which was thus designed according to the existing problems in scientific and technological evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine and in evaluation of papers on traditional Chinese medicine,and the characteristics of academic papers on traditional Chinese medicine by analyzing their data with information technology as its support, is applied in selection of excellent institutions and professional academic interests.

Effect of curcumin on expression of SLPI,TNF-αand IL-1βin BEAS-2B cells induced by Streptococcus pneumoniae / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To explore the effect of curcumin(Cur)and curcuminoids(Y20 and 6B)on the expression of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor(SLPI), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)induced by Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP)and the possible mechanism.METHODS:BEAS-2B cells incubated with SP were set up as an inflammation model of pneumonia.The mRNA levels of SLPI at 1 h,3 h,6 h and 9 h,and the mRNA expression of TNF-αand IL-1βat 3 h,6 h and 9 h in control group,SP infection group,Cur treatment group,Y20 treatment group and 6B treatment group were measured by qPCR.The protein levels of TNF-αand IL-1βin the culture supernatant were measured by ELISA.The protein levels of Toll-like receptor 2(TLR2)and phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB(p-NF-κB) p65 at 3 h,6 h and 9 h were determined by Western blot.RESULTS:The mRNA level of SLPI was increased in Cur, Y20 and 6B treatment groups compared with SP group(P<0.05).The protein levels of TLR2 and p-NF-κB p65 were sig-nificantly increased after SP stimulation.After treatment with Cur,Y20 and 6B,the protein levels of TLR2 and p-NF-κB p65 were significantly decreased(P<0.05).The levels of TNF-αand IL-1βwere significantly increased after SP stimula-tion.Cur,Y20 and 6B significantly decreased the levels of TNF-αand IL-1βin the supernatant(P<0.05).CONCLU-SION: Cur, Y20 and 6B increase SLPI expression, reduce the expression of inflammatory cytokines TNF-αand IL-1β. The possible mechanism might be associated with inhibiting TLR 2 expression and down-regulating the transcriptional activity of NF-κB.

Therapeutic effect of metoprolol combined trimetazidine on ischemic heart failure and its influence on inflammatory factors / 心血管康复医学杂志

Objective: To study therapeutic effect of metoprolol combined trimetazidine on ischemic heart failure (IHF) and its influence on inflammatory factors. Methods: A total of 172 IHF patients treated in our hospital were collected. They were randomly and equally divided into trimetazidine group and combined treatment group (received metoprolol combined trimetazidine), and both groups were treated for 30d. Cardiac function, levels of inflammatory factors, N terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), heart type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) and quality of life (QOL) before and after treatment, and cerebral infarction rate after one-year treatment were compared between two groups. Results: Compared with trimetazidine group after treatment, there were significant rise in left ventricular ejection fraction [(44. 68±4. 51) ％ vs. (49. 79±4. 99) ％], significant reductions in left ventricular end-diastolic dimension [(50. 41± 5. 06) mm vs. (47. 28±4. 83) mm], left ventricular end-systolic dimension [(41. 57±4. 22) mm vs. (36. 72±3. 71) mm], levels of NT-proBNP [(3. 48±0. 35) ng/L vs. (3. 06±0. 32) ng/L], H-FABP [(11. 41±1. 26) μg/L vs. (8. 55±0. 86) μg/L], interleukin 6 [(53. 21±5. 36) ng/L vs. (43. 58±4. 44) ng/L], tumor necrosis factorα [(161. 97±16. 28) ng/L vs. (108. 27±10. 11) ng/L]and C reactive protein [(15. 72±1. 59) ng/L vs. (11. 10±1. 12) ng/L]and QOL score [(48. 75±4. 89) scores vs. (43. 15±4. 33) scores]in combined treatment group, P＜0. 05 or＜0. 01. Total effective rate of combined treatment group was significantly higher than that of trimetazidine group (90. 70％ vs. 72. 09％, P=0. 002); after one-year treatment, incidence rate of cerebral infarction in combined treatment group was significantly lower than that of trimetazidine group (2. 33％ vs. 10. 47％, P=0. 029). Conclusion: Metoprolol combined trimetazidine can significantly improve myocardial blood supply, correct immune imbalance, improve cardiac function and quality of life in IHF patients. The therapeutic effect is significant, and it can prevent cerebral infraction, which is worth extending.

Defining Acupuncture-Moxibustion: A Delphi Study Protocol / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>With the worldwide use and modern development of acupuncture-moxibustion, there is disagreement on its basic definition. There has been an obstacle for clinical practice, research, and legislation. Considering this challenge, the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies proposes to develop the definition and basic scope of acupuncture-moxibustion with a Delphi study.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A reactive Delphi method will be used to ask a group of experts to rate the relevance and clarity of a predesigned initial item list. This list was generated by the steering committee through a literature review and group discussion. Forty experts will be selected from many disciplines and continents to ensure appropriate representation. Predefined rules will be applied to modify the items until a consensus is achieved. After achieving the consensus on all items through the survey round, the steering committee will form the definition and basic scope of acupuncture-moxibustion by organizing a literal statement with a detailed explanation.</p>

Expression of oleosin-rhFGF9 fusion protein in Carthamus tinctorius and determination of hair regeneration and wound repair potential in mice / 中国中药杂志

The expression of fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) recombinant fusion protein in Carthamus tinctorius was used to identify its effect on hair regrowth and wound repair system in mice, providing a basis for C. tinctorius as a plant bioreactor, and establishing a foundation for commercial applications of FGF9 fusion protein in hair regrowth and wound repair. The identified pOTBar-oleosin-rhFGF9 plasmid was transformed into Agrobacterium tumefaciens EHA105 by freeze-thaw method, and the oleosin-rhFGF9 gene was transformed into safflower leaves by A. tumefaciens mediated method. Transgenic safflower seedlings were then obtained by tissue culture. After basta screening, transgenic T₃ safflower seeds were obtained by grafting method, PCR verification and propagation. The expression of oleosin-rhFGF9 was detected by Western blot, and the content of oleosin-rhFGF9 fusion protein was 0.09% by using ELISA quantitative method. It was observed that 60 μg·L⁻¹ transgenic safflower oil had better effect on promoting NIH/3T3 cells proliferation in a certain dose-dependent manner. Sixty C57BL/6 mice were used to establish alopecia model and wound model respectively, and then were randomly divided into control group (treated with PBS or saline), negative group (treated with wild type safflower seed oil bodies, 60 g·L⁻¹), positive group (treated with FGF9, 0.054 g·L⁻¹), low dose group (treated with transgenic safflower oil bodies, 10 g·L⁻¹) and high dose group (treated with transgenic safflower oil bodies, 60 g·L⁻¹). The skin of all above-mentioned mice models were coated with soft adhesive manner every other day, 100 μL/time. After 15 days, the mice skin was cut and embedded for histological analysis. The hair regrowth experimental results showed that the hair of mice grew well, and the mice in high dose group had bushy hair, with significant effect on regeneration hair number as compared with the positive group. The healing was obvious in wound experiment, with significant healing effect in positive group, high dose group and low dose group as compared to blank control group. Furthermore, high dose group remarkably showed a better and higher healing effect than the positive group at day 5. Oleosin-rhFGF9 was successfully transformed into safflower, and T₃ transgenic safflower oil bodies expressed oleosin-rhFGF9 fusion protein were obtained, with the role of promoting hair regeneration and wound repair in mice.

Expression of sB7-H4 in Serum and Lymphoma Tissues of Patients with Malignant Lymphoma and Its Value for Diagnosis and Re-Examine of Lymphoma / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the soluble B7-H4 (sB7-H4) expression in serum and lymphoma tissues of patients with malignant lymphoma (ML) and its value for diagnosis and re-examination lymphoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The serum samples from 83 cases of ML were collected, among them 69 cases of newly diagnosed ML were enrolled in group A including 11 cases of Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL group) and 58 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL group), the serum samples from 14 cases of relapsed ML were enrolled in group B; at the same time the serum samples of 50 healthy persons conformed by physical examination were collected and enrolled in control group. The double antibody sandwich ELISA was used to detect the serum level of sB7-H4 in each group, and immunohistochemistry method was used to detect the expression of sB7-H4 in malignant lymphoma and reactive lymphoid hyperplasia tissues.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The serum level of sB7-H4 in the group A was significantly increased in comparison with the group B and control group, and the level of group B was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05); the serum level of sB7-H4 in the NHL group was significantly increased in comparison with HL group and control group, and the level of HL group was higher than that of control group (P<0.05). The expression of sB7-H4 in reactive lymphoid hyperplasia tissues was negative, but the positive expression rate in malignant lymphoma tissues was 47.50%, suggesting the positive rate of sB7-H4 in malignant lymphoma tissues was significantly higher than that of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia tissues (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The high expression of sB7-H4 in serum and lymphoma tissues of patients with malignant lymphoma has a certain value for the diagnosis and re-examination of patients with malignant lymphoma.</p>