Research progress in pharmacological effectsand mechanism of Fel Ursi against cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases / 中国中药杂志

Fel Ursi is a dried product obtained from the gallbladder of Ursidae animals, such as Selenarctos thibetanus or Ursus arctos, through gallbladder surgery for bile drainage. It is one of the rare animal medicinal materials in China and is known for its therapeutic effects, including clearing heat, removing toxins, extinguishing wind, relieving spasms, clearing the liver, and improving vision. Research has also found that Fel Ursi has pharmacological effects against cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidant stress properties. Recently, numerous studies have confirmed the close relationship between cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and the gut microbiota as well as gut metabolites. Fel Ursi contains bile acid components that may have bidirectional regulatory effects on the gut microbiota and gut metabolites. This aspect could represent a potential therapeutic pathway for Fel Ursi in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. This article comprehensively summarized relevant literature in China and abroad, reviewed the research progress on the pharmacological effects of Fel Ursi against cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and explored the impact of Fel Ursi on gut microbiota and gut metabolites, thereby aiming to provide references for further in-depth research and clinical application of Fel Ursi.

Hello, kitty: could cat allergy be a form of intoxication?

The relationship between slow loris (Nycticebus spp.) venom (BGE protein) and the major cat allergen (Fel d 1) from domestic cat (Felis catus) is known for about two decades. Along this time, evidence was accumulated regarding convergences between them, including their almost identical mode of action. Methods: Large-scale database mining for Fel d 1 and BGE proteins in Felidae and Nycticebus spp., alignment, phylogeny proposition and molecular modelling, associated with directed literature review were assessed. Results: Fel d 1 sequences for 28 non-domestic felids were identified, along with two additional loris BGE protein sequences. Dimer interfaces are less conserved among sequences, and the chain 1 shows more sequence similarity than chain 2. Post-translational modification similarities are highly probable. Conclusions: Fel d 1 functions beyond allergy are discussed, considering the great conservation of felid orthologs of this protein. Reasons for toxicity being found only in domestic cats are proposed in the context of domestication. The combination of the literature review, genome-derived sequence data, and comparisons with the venomous primate slow loris may point to domestic cats as potentially poisonous mammals.(AU)

Adaptive evolution analysis of squalene synthase in medicinal plants of Araliaceae / 中草药

Objective: To analyze the adaptive evolution of squalene synthase (SS) in the medicinal plants of Araliaceae. Methods: The adaptive evolutionary analysis of 23 SS genes of seven medicinal plants of Araliaceae was carried out by using the branch model, site model, branch-site model, MEC model, SLAC, FEL, and REL of PAML software. Results: In the analysis of PAML and MEC models, most of the branches and loci were found to be under strong negative selection, and no positive selection sites were found. The analysis by SLAC, FEL, and REL also showed that there were a large number of negative selection sites, only 412P, 413N, and 415K were positive selection sites. Conclusion: This indicates that negative selection plays a leading role in SS gene of Araliaceae. The 412P, 413N, and 415K sites found may be involved in the activity of SS.

Identification of Fel Serpentis and its adulterants with specific PCR method / 中国中药杂志

The study aims at developing a convenient and specific method for the identification of Fel Serpentis DNA. The methods of Fel Serpentis genomic DNA purification were tested and optimized, four pairs of specific primers for the amplification of COⅠ, Cyt b and 16S were designed. Then the best pair of primers were selected according to the specificity and efficiency. The DNA fragment about 400 bp was amplified from 20 kinds of Fel Serpentis, whereas no DNA fragment was amplified from other animal samples under the same condition. This method is specific,accurate and reproducible, which provides a useful tool for the quality control of Fel Serpentis.

Sensitization to cat allergen and its association with respiratory allergies: cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Cats are a significant source of allergens that contribute towards worsening of allergic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between sensitization to cat allergens and allergic respiratory diseases.This was an observational retrospective study based on the skin pricktests results of patients at a tertiary-level hospital in São Paulo. A total of 1,985 test results were assessed. The prevalence of sensitization to cat allergen was 20% (399 patients). Our data indicated that in this population of atopic patients, a positive skin prick test result for cat allergen was not associated significantly with a diagnosis of respiratory allergy.

Metodologia TECLIM para uso racional de água na indústria: o banco de ideias no contexto da metodologia front-end loading / TECLIM method for rational water use in industry: the bank of ideas in the context of the front-end loading methodology

RESUMO O banco de ideias (BI) é uma ferramenta da metodologia TECLIM para otimização ambiental de processos industriais. Está conceitualmente associado com a metodologia front-end loading (FEL), a qual considera que forte atenção nas etapas iniciais de identificação e seleção de alternativas aumenta as chances de sucesso de um projeto, evitando que recursos sejam desperdiçados ou mal alocados. O BI abrange a etapa FEL 1, na qual é feito o levantamento de ideias, e segue até parte da etapa FEL 2, na qual as oportunidades selecionadas são desenvolvidas a projetos conceituais. O método para priorização de oportunidades no BI é apresentado demonstrando-se a sinergia com a FEL. A aplicação do BI permitiu o cadastro e processamento de 500 ideias com potencial de redução do consumo de água em 1,4 x 103 t.h-1 e de efluentes em pelo menos 0,5 x 103 t.h-1. O BI direciona recursos para projetos conceituais mais atrativos e sustentáveis.

ABSTRACT The bank of ideas (BI) is a TECLIM tool for environmental optimization of industrial processes. It is conceptually associated with the front-end loading (FEL) methodology, which pays particular attention to the initial stage of identification and selection of alternatives of water use, increasing the chances of a project´s success, avoiding wasted or badly allocated resources. The BI covers FEL 1 stage, in which the ideas are invited, followed by stage FEL 2, in which the opportunities selected are developed into conceptual projects. The method of giving priorities to the opportunities in the BI is presented, showing the synergy with FEL. The application of the BI enabled the register and process of 500 ideas with the potential to reduce water consumption by 1.4 x 103 t.h-1 and effluents by at least 0.5 x 103 t.h-1. The BI tool helps to identify the most attractive and sustainable conceptual projects.

Measurement of Dog and Cat Allergens Detected During Normal Domestic Activity; in Seoul Metropolitan Area / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: Allergens that cause asthma include those derived from indoor allergens such as animal dander (dog and cat). The aim of the study is to provide baseline data on characteristics of home environments in Korea, which will be used for future comparative studies of indoor environmental factors between populations with contrasting asthma prevalence. METHODS: The study was performed during September through November (Autumn) 1999. A total of 206 residential homes were volunteers from different districts in Seoul. They participate in home environment survey and skin prick tests. The dust specimens were collected by vacuum cleaner (V-582T, 520W; LG). We detected animal dander (Can f 1 and Fel d 1) by monoclonal-antibody based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). RESULTS: The average indoor temperature was 25.1+/-2.9 degrees C and the relative humidity was 54.0+/-9.6%. The positive rate of dog (Can f 1) was 35.4% and cat (Fel d 1) was 33.5%. It is the same between Can f 1 and Fel d 1 distributed within dust samples from the four sites of the homes. And the distribution level of Can f 1 and Fel d 1 was, for the living room 26.2%, 17%, for the bedroom 20.9%, 15%, for the children's room 20.4%, 10.2%, for the kitchen 16%, 8.7 %, in descending order. CONCLUSION: The positive rate of Can f 1 was higher than Fel d 1 in dust samples. The living room has highest distribution of dust samples among the four sites of a home. And it has similar distribution between Can f 1 and Fel d 1.

A case of bear's gall induced rhabdomyolysis / 대한내과학회지

We report a case of rhabdomyolysis in a 29-year-old man, presenting pain on neck and shoulder and dark urine, which developed after taking Bear's gall and swimming. Laboratory studies revealed serum creatinine 0.9 mg/dL, creatinine kinase 83,045 IU/L, serum myoglobin 794.6 ng/mL, urine myoglobin 220.2 ng/mL. Tc-99m MDP whole bone scan showed diffuse increased uptake confined to the soft tissue of upper chest. The condition resolved spontaneously when consumption of the product ceased, he was recovered with normal creatine kinase. Generally, the Bear's gall is termed gall bladder of bear dried under the air-flow, which has been applied as versatile treatment in oriental medcine. Rhabdomyolysis is a well known complication of HMG-CoA inhibitor therapy, the Bear's gall has not yet been reported as a cause of rhabdomyolysis. We postulate that the Bear's gall may result in muscle injury.

A Preliminary Pharmacodynamic Study on the Preparation of Artificial Fel Serpentis and Bulbus Fritiliariae Cirrhosae / 中药新药与临床药理

The preliminary pharmacodynamic studies of the prepar ation of artificial Fel Serpentis and Bulbus Fritiliariae Cirrhosae and Shedan Chuanbei San (composed of natural Fel Serpentis and Bulbus Fri tiliariae Cirrhosae) were reported.The results showed that both of the above pre parations could prolong the cough latency and decrease cough frequeucies induced by ammonia within 3 min,promote the excretion of respiratory tract,increase the excretion of phenol red and inhibit auricular edema induced by xylol in mice. M eanwhile, the above two preparations could also inhibit Ach-induced tracheospasm in vitro.Therefore,the replacement of natural Fel Serpentis with the artificial in the preparation of Shedan Chuanbei San is reasonable.

Study on extracting purified active components of Picria fel-terrae, Scutellaria baicalensis and Phellodendron chinense with macroporous resins / 中草药

Object To study the application of macroporous resins to the purified active components of Picria fel-terrae Lour., Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, and Phellodendron chinense Schneid. Methods With the purified active components of Chinese materia medica (CMM) as a standard, we selected the suitable macroporous resins and studied the optimum technological parameters of the adsorption and elution. Results The suitable three types of macroporous resins which were used to the purified active components of CMM were HPD500 for P. fel-terrae., HPD300 for S. baicalensis, and HPD100 for P. chinense. In the absorption course, when the ratios between the medicinal materials amount and the volume of macroporous resins were 1.5 for P. fel-terrae, 0.5 for S. baicalensis and 1 for P. chinense, the purified active components of CMM appeared leaking, and were no more absorbed when the ratios were 11 for P. fel-terrae, 2 for S. baicalensis and 4.75 for P. chinense. In the elution course, the optimum alcohol concentrations were 50% for P. fel-terrae, 30% for S. baicalensis and 50% for P. chinense. Conclusion It is obviously different to refine the active components of CMM, while using the diverse types of macroporous resins.

A Preliminary Pharmacodynamic Study on the Preparation of Artificial Fel Serpentis and Bulbus Fritiliariae Cirrhosae / 中药新药与临床药理

The preliminary pharmacodynamic studies of the preparation of artificial Fel Serpentis and Bulbus Fritiliariae Cirrhosae and Shedan Chuanbei San (composed of natural Fel Serpentis and Bulbus Fritiliariae Cirrhosae) were reported.The results showed that both of the above preparations could prolong the cough latency and decrease cough frequeucies induced by ammonia within 3 min,promote the excretion of respiratory tract,increase the excretion of phenol red and inhibit auricular edema induced by xylol in mice. Meanwhile, the above two preparations could also inhibit Ach-induced tracheospasm in vitro.Therefore,the replacement of natural Fel Serpentis with the artificial in the preparation of Shedan Chuanbei San is reasonable.