Analysis on Advantages of New Integration Processing Method in Producing Area of Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo analyze the effects of new integration processing method in producing area and traditional method on the composition and pharmacological action of Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata（PMRP）， and to illustrate the advantages of toxicity reducing and efficacy enhancing of the decoction pieces prepared by the new method. MethodFresh Polygoni Multiflori Radix（PMR） was taken from Dao-di producing area， and was processed by new integration processing method in producing area（steaming with black bean juice under pressure of 0.1 MPa and temperature at 120 ℃ for 10.5 h） and traditional method（steaming with black bean juice under water for 36 h）， respectively. Samples were collected during the processing process of the two methods， For new method， the samples were collected at 0.5， 3， 5.5， 8， 10.5 h， separately. For traditional method， the samples were collected every 4 h. High performance liquid chromatography（HPLC） was used to establish fingerprint and identify common peaks， the content of polysaccharides was determined by anthrone-sulfuric acid colorimetry at 627 nm， and the contents of anthraquinones and stilbene glycosides in different processed products were determined according to the methods under the item of determination of PMR and PMRP in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. In pharmacological experiments， 90 SD rats were randomly divided into 9 groups with 10 in each group（half of male and half of female）， including the blank group， and raw products， 24 h processed products under atmospheric pressure， 30 h processed products under atmospheric pressure， 8 h processed products under high pressure groups with low and high dosages（4.125， 16.5 g·kg-1）. Rats were given the drug by gavage for 29 d with once a day， blood was collected from the abdominal aorta after the last administration， and the serum was isolated， the body mass and liver mass of rats were weighed and the organ index was calculated. The pathological change of liver tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining， and biochemical methods were used to detect the contents of aspartate aminotransferase（AST）， alanine aminotransferase（ALT）， alkaline phosphatase（ALP）， γ-glutamyltransferase（GGT）， lactic dehydrogenase（LDH） in serum which used as liver function indicators and the levels of superoxide dismutase（SOD）， malondialdehyde（MDA）， glutathione peroxidase（GSH-Px） in brain tissues which used as oxidation indicators. ResultA total of 14 common peaks were identified in the fingerprint of PMR， PMRP prepared by new method and traditional method， and three of the peaks were designated as stilbene glycoside， emodin and emodin methyl ether， respectively. The characteristic peak areas of each processed products changed significantly from 0 min to 25 min， indicating that different processing methods had an effect on the contents of components with high polarity in PMRP， and the trend of the changes of the two methods was similar， with the higher degree of change in the new method. The determination results showed that compared with the traditional method， the content of polysaccharide（a kind of beneficial component in PMRP obtained by the new method） significantly increased， while the contents of stilbene glycoside and bound anthraquinone（liver-damaging ingredients） significantly decreased. The pharmacological results showed that compared with the blank group， AST and LDH levels of male rats in the low and high dose groups of 24 h processed products under atmospheric pressure and AST level of male rats in the low and high dose groups of 8 h processed products under high pressure were significantly reduced（P<0.05， P<0.01）， while compared with the raw product groups with the same dose， AST and LDH levels of male rats in the low dose group of 30 h processed products under atmospheric pressure were significantly reduced（P<0.05， P<0.01）， the AST levels of male rats in the low and high dose groups of 8 h processed products under high pressure were significantly decreased（P<0.01）， and there was no statistical significance in the differences of biochemical indexes of female rats in each administration group as compared with those of the blank group. ConclusionThe new integration processing method in producing area of PMRP can reach the quality of relevant regulations in 8 h. The processed products obtained by this method have more advantages than the traditional method in terms of toxicity reducing and efficacy enhancing， and energy saving to avoid the loss of ingredients， which can provide ideas for the production of high-quality decoction pieces of PMRP， and the integration processing method in producing area of other roots and rhizomes of traditional Chinese medicines.

Genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic analysis of a medicinal snake, Bungarus multicinctus, to provides insights into the origin of Elapidae neurotoxins

The many-banded krait, Bungarus multicinctus, has been recorded as the animal resource of JinQianBaiHuaShe in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Characterization of its venoms classified chief phyla of modern animal neurotoxins. However, the evolutionary origin and diversification of its neurotoxins as well as biosynthesis of its active compounds remain largely unknown due to the lack of its high-quality genome. Here, we present the 1.58 Gbp genome of B. multicinctus assembled into 18 chromosomes with contig/scaffold N50 of 7.53 Mbp/149.8 Mbp. Major bungarotoxin-coding genes were clustered within genome by family and found to be associated with ancient local duplications. The truncation of glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor in the 3'-terminal of a LY6E paralog released modern three-finger toxins (3FTxs) from membrane tethering before the Colubroidea divergence. Subsequent expansion and mutations diversified and recruited these 3FTxs. After the cobra/krait divergence, the modern unit-B of β-bungarotoxin emerged with an extra cysteine residue. A subsequent point substitution in unit-A enabled the β-bungarotoxin covalent linkage. The B. multicinctus gene expression, chromatin topological organization, and histone modification characteristics were featured by transcriptome, proteome, chromatin conformation capture sequencing, and ChIP-seq. The results highlighted that venom production was under a sophisticated regulation. Our findings provide new insights into snake neurotoxin research, meanwhile will facilitate antivenom development, toxin-driven drug discovery and the quality control of JinQianBaiHuaShe.

Quality evaluation of Commelina communis from different origins based on multicomponent content determination combined with chemometrics / 中国中药杂志

This research established a high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) method for simultaneous determination of isoorientin, orientin, vitexin, and isovitexin in Commelina communis to conduct content difference analysis and quality evaluation of 62 batches of C. communis from different origins. The HPLC content determination was performed on a Dikma Platisil ODS chromatographic column(4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm), with acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid(14∶86) as the mobile phase. The detection wavelength was set at 348 nm, the flow rate was 1.0 mL·min~(-1), and the column temperature was 35 ℃. The differences in origins and quality of 62 batches of C. communis were studied by chemometrics. The results showed that the determination of four components mani-fested a good linear relationship in the range of mass concentration(r>0.999 9), and the average recovery rate was 96.17%-103.0%. The relative standard deviations(RSDs) of precision, stability, and repeatability were all less than 2.0%. The content of four components from high to low was isoorientin>isovitexin>orientin>vitexin. Forty-seven batches of C. communis with clear origins were classified into six categories by chemometrics. C. communis from different origins had different qualities. Generally, C. communis from Western China, Central China, and South of China had superior qualities. The HPLC method established in this study is specific, simple, and efficient, which provides references for the comprehensive evaluation of the quality of C. communis. The chemometrics shows that the qualities of C. communis from different origins are largely different. Isoorientin can be used as an index to determine the content of C. communis, and its content limit should be set no less than 0.023%.

The effects of "rain classroom" wisdom teaching on nursing students′ self-learning and self-efficacy / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To explore the effects of "rain classroom" wisdom teaching on geriatric students′ autonomous learning ability and self-efficacy.Methods:From June to August, 2021, 61 nursing students who practiced in the department of gerontology of the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University were selected as research subjects, and divided into experimental group (30 students) and control group (31 students) by random number table method. In the experimental group, wisdom teaching based on "Rain classroom" was carried out at the same time as conventional teaching, while in the control group, conventional teaching was carried out, and the teaching effect was evaluated by the independent learning ability measurement scale and academic self-efficacy scale of nursing students.Results:The score of autonomous learning ability of nursing students in the experimental group was 68.55 ± 11.06, and that in the control group was 74.29 ± 9.16. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( t = -2.01, P<0.05). The academic self-efficacy scores of nursing students in experimental group and control group were 52.27 ± 11.56 and 52.64 ± 9.28 respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The wisdom teaching of "rain classroom" improves the independent learning ability of geriatric nursing students, and attaches importance to the cultivation of self-efficacy of nursing students, and the improvement of self-efficacy needs further research.

Analysis on herbal medicines utilized for treatment of COVID-19

As coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic poses a substantial global public health threat, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) was used in 91.50% of the COVID-19 cases in China, showing encouraging results in improving symptom management and reducing the deterioration, mortality, and recurrence rates. A total of 166 modified herbal formulae consisting of 179 single herbal medicines were collected for treating COVID-19 in China. Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizome, Scutellariae Radix, and Armeniacae Semen Amarum are the most frequently utilized in clinics, most of which are antipyretic (47, 26.26%), expectorant and cough-suppressing (22, 12.29%), and dampness-resolving (21, 11.73%) from traditional descriptions. A total of 1212 chemical components containing -sitosterol, stigmasterol, and quercetin were primarily selected. Additionally, using complex system entropy and unsupervised hierarchical clustering, 8 core herbal combinations and 10 new formulae emerged as potentially useful candidates for COVID-19. Finally, following scaffold analysis, self-organizing mapping (SOM) and cluster analysis, 12 clusters of molecules yielded 8 pharmacophore families of structures that were further screened as pharmacological targets in human metabolic pathways for inhibiting coronavirus. This article aims to make more easily accessible and share historical herbal knowledge used in contemporary treatments in a modern manner to assist researchers contain the global spread of COVID-19.

Effects of exercise on inflammation and apoptosis of hippocampal neurons in post-stroke depression / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective:To compare using a rat model of post-stroke depression (PSD) the effect of 28 days of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with that of medium-intensity continuous training (MICT) on inflammation and neuron apoptosis induced by phosphatase and the deletion of a tensin homolog on chromosome ten (PTEN).Methods:Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a SHAM, a PSD, an MICT and an HIIT group. Except in the SHAM group, blood flow in the middle cerebral artery was blocked for 90 minutes followed by reperfusion. Repeated but unpredictable mild stimulation was then applied to induce depression. The rats in the HIIT and MICT groups started 28 days of training 24 hours after the successful modeling. The running platform speed was adjusted according to the lactic acid threshold and the maximum speed was measured weekly. In the SHAM group the common carotid artery, internal carotid artery and external carotid artery were only separated without occlusion and there was no depressive stimulation. Any improvements in depression were detected using the sucrose preference test and the forced swimming test. The expression of PTEN, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) were detected using western blotting. The expression of cysteine-containing, aspartate-specific proteases (caspase-3) was detected immunohistochemically.Results:Compared with the SHAM group, the PSD group′s average immobility time in the swimming test was significantly longer and its average sucrose consumption was significantly less. Compared with the PSD group, the rats in the MICT and HIIT groups showed, on average, significantly more sucrose consumption and shorter immobility time, indicating that their depression was ameliorated. The expression of PTEN, NF-κB and NLRP3 in the MICT and HIIT groups was, on average decreased significantly compared with the PSD group. The HIIT group′s averages were at the same time significantly lower than those of the MICT group. Average caspase-3 levels in the dentate gyrus of the MICT and HIIT group rats were significantly lower than in the PSD group, with the HIIT group′s average significantly lower than that of the MICT group.Conclusions:Both high- and medium-intensity interval training show neuroprotective effects. They inhibit activation of the PTEN/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway, reducing the expression of apoptotic proteins in the hippocampus. Higher intensity training has a more obvious antidepressant effect.

Comparison of clinical pregnancy rates between two types of endometrial preparation protocols for patients with thin endometrium in frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles / 中国实用妇科与产科杂志

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical pregnancy rates between two types of endometrial preparation protocolsnatural cycle（NC）and hormone replacement cycle（HRT）-in patients with thin endometrium in the frozen-thawed embryo transfer（FET）cycles.METHODS: From January 2012 to December 2018,FET patients with endometrial thickness ≤7 mm on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin（h CG）trigger in Reproductive Medicine Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were selected as research subjects.According to the endometrial preparation protocols,they were divided into NC group and HRT group.Totally 117 pairs were successfully matched using the propensity score matching method.The matching variables were age,embryo type and number of transferred embryos,and the embryo implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate of the two matched groups were compared.RESULTS: There was no significant difference in embryo implantation rate（36.47% vs. 39.03%）or clinical pregnancy rate（44.40% vs. 52.10%）between NC group and HRT group（P> 0.05）.CONCLUSION: NC group and HRT group had similar pregnancy rate in patients with thin endometrium in FET cycles.Individualized protocols can be adopted according to the characteristics of patients with thin endometrium.

Correlation between diameter of sciatic nerve and symptoms or prognosis in patients with lumbar disc herniation / 中华骨科杂志

Objective To explore the effect of single level lumbar disc herniation on the morphology and diameter of sciatic nerve,and to identify the correlation between the diameter change in sciatic nerve and severity of clinical symptoms,as well as the prognosis of surgical treatment in patients with lumbar disc herniation.Methods From January 1,2017 to December 31,2017,Seventy lumbar disc herniation (LDH) patients who underwent single-level posterior lumbar spine surgery were recruited in this retrospective analysis study.Specific data including age,gender,the level of a disc herniation,the type of disc herniation,symptomatic side,surgical procedure were recorded respectively.In addition the morphological changes and the diameter of bilateral sciatic nerve were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively by B-mode ultrasound.Furthermore,the pain in patients and neurological function were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS,back pain and leg pain),Japanese orthopaedic association scores-lumbar (JOA) and Oswestry disability index (ODI).The correlation between the diameter of sciatic nerve and clinical features,as well as clinical prognosis of patients were identified in the present study.Results For patients with acute lumbar disc herniation,the diameter of sciatic nerve in affected side was 5.19±1.03 ram,which is significantly higher than that in the unaffected side (4.57±0.64 mm,t=6.735,P=0.000).In addition,preoperative ratio of the affected side to the healthy side of the sciatic nerve showed strong correlation with the VAS of leg pain (r=0.838,P=0.001),JOA (r=-0.857,P=0.001),and ODI score(r=0.881,P=0.000),but not with the VAS of back pain (r=-0.061,P=0.614).Three months after surgery,the diameter of sciatic nerve in the affected side decreased to 4.58±0.63 mm (t=6.865,P=0.000),while the unaffected side showed no significant change(t=0.300,P=0.765).Clinical improvement was observed in all the patients postoperatively.The changes in the diameter of sciatic nerve postoperatively in affected side showed strong correlation to the rate of improvement in VAS of leg (r=0.624,P=0.003),JOA(r=0.615,P=0.003) and ODI scores (r=0.722,P=0.002),but not to the rate of improvement in VAS of back (r=-0.025,P=0.836).Conclusion Single root compression in patients with single level disc herniation might cause morphological changes such as thickening and edema in sciatic nerve,which were closely related to the severity of clinical symptoms and the prognosis of surgical treatment.

RAM study on general standard of maximum residue limits for pollution-free traditional Chinese medicine based on Chinese Pharmacopoeia formula / 中国中药杂志

The excessive pesticide residues and heavy metals in traditional Chinese medicine seriously endanger human health and the sustainable development of Chinese medicine industry. In order to improve the quality of traditional Chinese medicine and establish a general standard for maximum residue limits(MRL) of pesticides in pollution-free traditional Chinese medicine and decoction pieces, and to ensure the safety of clinical medication from its origin, MRLs were calculated based on the formula(MRL=A×W/100M) from Chinese Pharmacopeia, comparing it with the current Chinese and international standards as well as literature review, the RAND/UCLA appropriateness method(RAM) was applied to determine the categories and MRLs of pesticides in pollution-free traditional Chinese medicine and decoction pieces. Two questionnaires were drafted for expert panel and appropriateness analysis was carried out with the 9-point Likert scale to determine the general standard for MRLs of pollution-free traditional Chinese medicine and decoction pieces. The results showed that a total of nine experts from different fields scored the necessity of standard-setting and 206 pesticide residue limits respectively. The appropriateness scores of 206 pesticides were greater than 7, and appropriateness rate was 100%, which signifies that the expert panel has reached consensus. In summary, based on the RAM, the general standard for maximum residue limits of pesticides in pollution-free Chinese medicines and decoction pieces has reached an expert consensus. Comparing with the MRLs of medicinal plants and plant-sourced food from CAC, Europe Union, the United States, South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, 206 MRLs from this general standard share 88.8% in common, 4.4% of which is higher and 6.8% lower than those international standards. This has provided a basis for standardizing the use of pesticides in pollution-free traditional Chinese medicine.

Diagnostic value of serum miRNA let-7a for laryngeal carcinoma and effects of let-7a on proliferation and apoptosis of laryngeal carcinoma cells / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective@#To investigate the diagnostic value of serum miRNAlet-7a in laryngeal carcinoma and the effect of let-7a on proliferation and apoptosis of laryngeal carcinoma cells.@*Methods@#Real-time quantitative PCR was used to determine the expression level of serum miRNAlet-7a. The miRNA let-7a mimetic was synthesized and transiently transfected into the laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 cell line by cationic liposome method. The effects of up-regulation of let-7a expression on laryngeal cancer Hep-2 cells were detected by FCM and MTT assays,respectively. The association of let-7a levels with laryngeal cancer and the diagnostic value for laryngeal cancer were analyzed. Measurement data were taken by t test or analysis of variance; Counting data were analyzed by χ2 test and Fisher exact probability method. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to analyze the diagnostic value of let-7a for laryngeal cancer.@*Results@#The relative expression of serum let-7a in healthy subjects was significantly higher than that in patients with laryngeal cancer (0.931±0.094) vs (0.380±0.113) (t=26.507,P<0.01). The relative expressions of serum let-7a in patients with laryngeal cancer before and after surgery were (0.380±0.113) vs(0.493±0.164),with significant difference (t=3.848,P<0.01).The relative expression of serum let-7a was related to lymph node metastasis (t=2.946, P<0.01). There was a positive correlation between the relative expression of let-7a in laryngeal carcinoma and that in serum (r=0.466,P=0.003). After transfection of let-7a mimics, Hep-2 cells showed an increased significant increase in the expression of let-7a (P<0.01), proliferation (P<0.01) and apoptosis (P<0.01). ROC curve analysis showed that the best critical value for relative expression of let-7a in the diagnosis of laryngeal carcinoma was 0.557 with a sensitivity of 0.794,a specificity of 0.727,an area under curve(AUC) of 0.859,and a 95%CI of 0.773-0.926.@*Conclusions@#miRNA let-7a can inhibit the proliferation of laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 cells and promote apoptosis. Serum let-7a is down-regulated in patients with laryngeal cancer and the level of let-7a is related to lymph node metastasis,which would help early diagnosis and postoperative disease monitoring of laryngeal cancer,but further research is needed.

Effect of Different Hormone Ratios on Callus Induction and Flavone Accumulation in Polygala tenuifolia / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To study the effect of different hormone ratios on the callus induction of roots,stems and leaves of Polygala tenuifolia,and determine and analyze the amount of flavonoids in roots,stems and leaves of P. tenuifolia. Method:With MS as the basic medium and roots,stems and leaves of P. tenuifolia sterile seedings as explants,the effects of 2,4-D,NAA and 6-BA on callus induction and flavonoid accumulation in different parts of roots,stems and leaves of P. tenuifolia were determined by orthogonal test. Result:2,4-D,NAA and 6-BA had significant effects on the callus induction rate of roots,stems and leaves of P. tenuifolia. The optimal callus induction combination of leaves was MS+3.0 mg·L-1 2,4-D+1.0 mg·L-1 NAA+1.5 mg·L-1 6-BA,the optimal callus induction combination of stems was MS+1.0 mg·L-1 2,4-D+3.0 mg·L-1 NAA+1.5 mg·L-1 6-BA,the optimal callus induction combination for roots was MS+1.0 mg·L-1 2,4-D+1.0 mg·L-1 NAA+1.0 mg·L-1 6-BA. And 2,4-D,NAA and 6-BA had significant effects on flavonoid accumulation in the stem callus of P. tenuifolia,and MS+3.0 mg·L-1 2,4-D+1.0 mg·L-1 NAA+0.5 mg·L-1 6-BA was the best flavonoid accumulation combination.NAA,6-BA had significant effects on flavonoid accumulation in the leave callus of P. tenuifolia,while 2,4-D had no significant effect,and MS+3.0 mg·L-1 2,4-D+2.0 mg·L-1 NAA+1.0 mg·L-1 6-BA was the optimal flavonoid accumulation combination,the three hormones had no significant effect on the accumulation of flavonoids in the root callus of P. tenuifolia,and MS+2.0 mg·L-1 2,4-D+1.0 mg·L-1 NAA+1.5 mg·L-1 6-BA was the best flavonoid accumulation combination. Conclusion:Under the conditions,the callus induction rate of roots,stems and leaves of P. tenuifolia is 100%, especially, the callus of P. tenuifolia leaves was the optimal,which is followed by P. tenuifolia stems and P. tenuifolia roots. Under the conditions,the amount of flavonoids in roots,stems and leaves of P. tenuifolia reach 21.31,24.56,23.61 mg·g-1,respectively.

Effect of Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) on Content of Total Phenol Flavonoids and Activity of Related Enzymes in Polygala tenuifolia Callus / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To study the changes in total phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant enzyme activity of Polygala tenuifolia callus in MS medium with different concentrations of H2O2,in order to explore the physiological mechanism of Polygala tenuifolia callus in adapting to H2O2 environmental stress at the cellular level. Method:Five gradients of 0,5,10,15,20 mmol·L-1 were set for H2O2 concentration and added to MS medium, with P. tenuifolia callus as the experimental material. Total phenols,total flavonoids and antioxidant enzyme activities of callus were determined after 5,10,15,20,25 d of culture,respectively. Result:The contents of total phenols and flavonoids were the highest when the concentration of H2O2 was 5 mmol·L-1 for 15 d. The SOD activity was the highest when the callus was cultured for 5 d and the exogenous H2O2 concentration was 5 mmol·L-1. POD activity was the highest at 25 d and 5 mmol·L-1 concentration of exogenous H2O2.CAT activity was the highest at 25 d and 15 mmol·L-1 concentration of exogenous H2O2. Conclusion:P. tenuifolia callus has the ability to adapt to the environmental stress of H2O2 at a certain concentration. When it is subjected to the environmental stress of H2O2,P. tenuifolia callus can alleviate the damage by regulating its secondary metabolites and protecting enzyme system. It can significantly promote the content of total phenols and flavonoids in secondary metabolites at 5-10 mmol·L-1. SOD activity was significantly increased at 5 d and the concentration of exogenous H2O2 of 5 mmol·L-1. POD activity was significantly increased at 25 d and the concentration of exogenous H2O2 of 5 mmol·L-1. CAT activity was significantly increased at 25 d and concentration of exogenous H2O2 of 15 mmol·L-1.

The effects of electromyographic biofeedback on the swallowing function of stroke survivors with dysphagia / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect of intensive electromyographic biofeedback ( EMGBF ) on swallowing and the velocity of hyolaryngeal excursion among stroke survivors with dysphagia. Methods Forty-two stroke survivors with dysphagia were randomly divided into a conventional rehabilitation group ( group A, n=15) , an EMGBF group (group B, n=14) and an intensive EMGBF group (group C, n=13).In addition to routine medica-tions and motor function rehabilitation training, all received 30 minutes of conventional swallowing training once a day, 5 days per week for 4 weeks. Group B additionally received 15 minutes of EMGBF once daily and group C twice daily. Videofluoroscopy was conducted to measure the superior and anterior excursion distances and the movement time of the hyoid bone when swallowing semi-liquid food, and the velocity was calculated. The swallowing dysfunction evaluation and a penetration-aspiration scale ( PAS) were also employed to evaluate the subjects'swallowing function before and after the treatment. Results There were no significant differences among the 3 groups in any of the measurements before the treatment. After the 4 weeks of treatment the average swallowing dysfunction evaluation and PAS scores of all three groups had improved significantly, as had the superior and anterior excursion velocity of the hyoid bone. Compared with group A, the average swallowing dysfunction evaluation and PAS scores of groups B and C had improved significantly more. The average swallowing dysfunction evaluation scores of groups B and C were not sig-nificantly different, but the average anterior and superior excursion velocity of the hyoid bone in group C was signifi-cantly higher than in group B. Conclusion EMGBF therapy has advantages over routine rehabilitation training in improving swallowing function after a stroke and speeding the velocity of the hyoid bone's excursions.

Species identification of poisonous medicinal plant using DNA barcoding / 中国天然药物

The aim is to select a universal DNA barcode for identifying all poisonous medicinal plants in Chinese pharmacopoeia and their poisonous related species or adulterants. We chose 4 commonly used regions as candidate DNA barcodes (ITS2, psbA-trnH, matK and rbcL) and compared their identification efficiency in 106 species from 27 families and 65 genera totally. Data analysis was performed including the information of sequence alignment, inter/intra-specific genetic distance and data distribution, identification efficiency and the situation of Neighbor-Joining (NJ) phylogenetic trees. We found ITS2 sequence region had high variation, stable genetic distance and identification efficiency relatively. The topological structure of NJ phylogenetic tree showed monophyletic. Our findings show that ITS2 can be applied as a universal barcode for identifying poisonous medicinal plants in Chinese pharmacopoeia and their poisonous related species or adulterants.

Enhancement of Aggression Induced by Isolation Rearing is Associated with a Lack of Central Serotonin / 神经科学通报·英文版

Isolation rearing (IR) enhances aggressive behavior, and the central serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) system has been linked to IR-induced aggression. However, whether the alteration of central serotonin is the cause or consequence of enhanced aggression is still unknown. In the present study, using mice deficient in central serotonin Tph2 and Lmx1b, we examined the association between central serotonin and aggression with or without social isolation. We demonstrated that central serotonergic neurons are critical for the enhanced aggression after IR. 5-HT depletion in wild-type mice increased aggression. On the other hand, application of 5-HT in Lmx1b mice inhibited the enhancement of aggression under social isolation conditions. Dopamine was downregulated in Lmx1b mice. Similar to 5-HT, L-DOPA decreased aggression in Lmx1b mice. Our results link the serotoninergic system directly to aggression and this may have clinical implications for aggression-related human conditions.

Epidemiologic characteristics of Norovirus outbreak in schools and kindergardens in China during 2014-2018 / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of norovirus clustering and outbreaks in schools and kindergartens in China, so as to provide references for prevention and control of outbreaks.@*Methods@#A descriptive epidemiological method was used to analyze outbreaks of Norovirus in schools and kindergartens in China during 2014-2018 , the indicators which was analyzed and compared including attack rate, duration of the outbreak, reporting interval.@*Results@#A total of 832 Norovirus outbreaks were reported by schools and kindergartens in China from 2014 to 2018. The total number of outbreaks showed an upward trend with an average annual growth rate of 58%. The number of reported cases was 40 445 but there was no death. Norovirus outbreaks mainly occurred in primary schools (42%), followed by kindergartens and middle schools (both 24%), university (6%) and 77 outbreaks (4%) were reported in universities and other schools. The peak seasons were March to May, November and December each year. Jiangsu Province and Guangdong Province (both 22%) reported the largest number of outbreaks. The main transmission of norovirus outbreaks was through direct person contact (72%), foodborne (4%) and waterborne (3%) caused fewer outbreaks than direct person contact. The duration of the epidemic was positively correlated with the reporting interval (r=0.63, P<0.05) and the number of cases per outbreak (r=0.51, P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#Disinfection treatment of vomitus should be standardized in schools and kindergartens. Timely detection, reporting, disposal of the epidemic can effectively control the spread of norovirus outbreaks.

Comparison of the etiological constitution of two and three or more recurrent miscarriage / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective To compare the etiological constitution of recurrent miscarriage (RM) between patients with consecutive two and three or more miscarriages through combining the routine examination results and embryonic karyotype. Methods Patients with a history of two or more consecutive clinical miscarriages(≤12 weeks of gestation)consulting in the RM clinic of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from March 2011 to January 2016 were collected. Six hundred and ninety-six with detailed history recorded, routine clinical examinations of RM and at least once embryonic karyotype were ultimately enrolled in this study. Their etiological constitution of RM were analyzed in groups of consecutive two and three or more miscarriage. The etiologies of RM in analysis consisted of women age, body mass index (BMI), chromosome abnormalities of couples, uterine abnormalities, endocrinology abnormalities and antiphospholipid syndrome(APS). Results (1)Among 696 patients, the abnormal embryonic karyotypes was 60.6%(422/696)and routine RM etiologies was 32.2%(224/696), leaving the ratio of unexplained RM was only 29.0%(202/696).(2)A total of 717 embryo karyotype were found in 696 patients, included 21 cases with twice embryo karyotype results the percentage of normal embryo was 39.7%(285/717), while abnormal ones was 60.3%(432/717). Among the types of abnormal karyotype, the most common ones (>10%)were trisomy 16(19.2%, 83/432), monosome X(11.3%, 49/432)and trisomy 22(10.9%, 47/432). (3)Among the 696 RM patients, the number of two and three or more miscarriages were respectively 446(64.1%,446/696)and 250(35.9%,250/696). Comparing groups of three or more miscarriages with two miscarriages, there were significant differencein older age as well as uterine adhesion(P<0.05). But no difference was found in body mass index(BMI), the rates of chromosome abnormalities of couples, uterine abnormalities except uterine adhesion, endocrinology abnormalities and APS (all P>0.05) between two groups. Conclusions The abnormal embryonic karyotype is the most common cause of first-trimester RM. The etiological constitution of two and three or more recurrent miscarriages is accordant, suggesting that routine clinical examination and the embryonic karyotype should be started following two consecutive clinical early miscarriages.

Characteristics of sperm donors and the eligibility rate of screening for sperm donation / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>To investigate the relationship of the characteristics of sperm donors with the results of screening and provide some reference for the screening of sperm donors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We statistically analyzed the screening data about 12 362 sperm donors at the Guangdong Human Sperm Bank from January 2003 to June 2017 and the relationship of the eligibility rate of screening with the donors' age, education, occupation, marriage, and fatherhood.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 12 362 sperm donors, 3 968 (32.1%) met the standards of semen quality and 3 127 (25.3%) filled all the requirements of sperm donation. The eligibility rate of screening was 27.7% in the donors aged 20－24 years, 24.3% in those aged 25－29 years, 23.8% in those aged 30－34 years, and 17.5% in those aged =≥35 years (P < 0.01); 23.5% in the senior high school students, 24% in the junior college students, 25.9% in the undergraduates, and 30.3% in the postgraduates (P < 0.01); 29.3% in the students versus 22.9% in the others (P < 0.01), 41.5% in the married versus 20.7% in the unmarried (P < 0.01), and 45.6% in the fathers versus 20.9% in the childless husbands (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>A higher eligibility rate of screening was found among the sperm donors aged <35 years or with a bachelor's or higher degree, particularly among students.</p>

Current development of acupuncture-moxibustion in India:a case study of West Bengal / 中国针灸

Acupuncture-moxibustion was introduced to India in mid-20th century and has been legislated in two provinces in India where the registration of acupuncture practitioners is implemented at present. In India, the central government recognizes that acupuncture-moxibustion is an approach of treatment and is permitted by the licensed doctor. Because of the weakness of the basic development of acupuncture-moxibustion in India, the go-vernment put great effort to support and protect their national traditional medicine. Acupuncture-moxibustion development is mainly in the folk and in the progression for the provincial and governmental legislation. In the paper, by taking West Bengal as example, the legislation, clinical application, education and scientific research of acupuncture-moxibustion are analyzed so that an approach is explored for the further development of acupuncture-moxibustion in India.

Strategy programming for acupuncture development along One-Belt-One-Road countries / 中国针灸

Acupuncture has been applied in 183 countries and regions and gradually become a name card as TCM spreads across the world. The international influence of which plays a significant role in enhancing TCM development. The laws and regulations of TCM acupuncture along One-Belt-One-Road countries were compared and analyzed in this article. With comprehensive research and analysis, the international development strategy of acupuncture was rationally proposed. Combined with the historical background of China's national initiative One-Belt-One-Road, the acupuncture was taken as a breakthrough to lead the global spreading of TCM culture and Chinese herbs, so as to enhance China's soft strength, which could further create a fine cultural environment for the economic prosperity of One-Belt-One-Road countries. In addition, the strategy selection for China regarding TCM acupuncture development along One-Belt-One-Road countries was proposed, and the suggestive solution and implementation strategy for the essential missions and significant issues were provided.