Propeptide-mediated protein folding: mechanism and its impact on lipase / 生物工程学报

The formation of most proteins consists of two steps: the synthesis of precursor proteins and the synthesis of functional proteins. In these processes, propeptides play important roles in assisting protein folding or inhibiting its activity. As an important polypeptide chain coded by a gene sequence in lipase gene, propeptide usually functions as an intramolecular chaperone, assisting enzyme molecule folding. Meanwhile, some specific sites on propeptide such as glycosylated sites, have important effect on the activity, stability in extreme environment, methanol resistance and the substrate specificity of the lipase. Studying the mechanism of propeptide-mediated protein folding, as well as the influence of propeptide on lipases, will allow to regulate lipase by alternating the propeptide folding behavior and in turn pave new ways for protein engineering research.

A bibliometric overview of traditional Chinese medicine research in Medline / 中西医结合学报

Objective: To analyze the publication activity in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and learn more about the development and perspective of TCM as well as its subfields. Methods: TCM-related publications (from 1964 to 2008) indexed in Medline were analyzed, including publication number and proportion of TCM papers, TCM clinical research papers, papers in TCM subfields such as Chinese medicine, Chinese herbs and acupuncture. We also analyzed the journals in which they got published. Results: A total of 34 528 TCM-related papers were indexed in Medline from 1964 to 2008. The number and proportion of publication in Medline were increased steadily. TCM articles have changed towards clinical-oriented research, especially in complementary therapies and acupuncture subfields. Before 1973 the popular content of TCM articles was acupuncture, but at present it changed to Chinese herbs. TCM papers were found in core clinical journals, specialized complementary journals and non-core journals, the last one was the majority. Conclusion: The publication activity of TCM literature increased rapidly since 1970s. TCM attracts more and more attentions and researchers. The safety and efficacy of TCM have been tried to identify by conducting modern scientific researches.

Current status of research on complementary and alternative medicine in the United States: in comparison with that on traditional Chinese medicine in China / 中西医结合学报

Researches on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), including traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), are attracting more and more attention in the United States, and their scale and investment are progressively increasing. The differences between China and the United States in application of TCM therapies, background of Eastern and Western knowledge, thinking model, as well as the recognition of TCM theories lead to the differences in content and design of TCM researches.

Analysis of international application of complementary and alternative medicine / 中西医结合学报

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an important part of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the world medical market. The basis of globalization of TCM was to make sure the current situation of CAM and the role that TCM plays. It will improve the application and reputation of TCM by analyzing the global usage rate, sort of diseases, social-demographic characteristics of users and medical economics of CAM.