Comparison of Thyroglobulin and Thyroid Function in Pregnant Women between Counties with a Median Urinary Iodine Concentration of 100-149 µg/L and 150-249 µg/L / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#This study explored whether thyroglobulin and thyroid disease prevalence rates were higher in pregnant Chinese women with a median urinary iodine concentration of 100-149 µg/L, compared with those with a median urinary iodine concentration of 150-249 μg/L maintained through sustainable universal salt iodization.@*METHODS@#This was a cross-sectional study in which 812 healthy pregnant women were enrolled to collect samples of their household edible salt, urine, and blood during their routine antenatal care in the 18 counties in Fujian Province, China. The levels of salt iodine concentration, urinary iodine concentration (UIC), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroid hormone (FT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroglobulin (Tg), thyroid peroxidase antibody and thyroglobulin antibody were assessed during the routine antenatal care visits.@*RESULTS@#The median UIC (mUIC) in pregnant women was 130.8 μg/L (interquartile range = 91.5-198.1 μg/L) in the counties with an mUIC of 100-149 μg/L (Group I), and 172.0 μg/L (interquartile range = 123.5-244.4 μg/L) in the counties with an mUIC of 150-249 μg/L (Group II). Goiter prevalence and thyroid nodule detection rates showed no difference between Group I and Group II ( P > 0.05). Except for FT4 values, the TSH, FT4, FT3, Tg and Tg values > 40 (μg/L) and the thyroid diseases prevalence rate (TDR) showed no significant differences between Group I and Group II ( P > 0.05), whether or not iodine supplementation measures were taken.@*CONCLUSION@#Compared with an mUIC of 150-249 μg/L, not only there was no difference in thyroid morphology, but also the Tg value, rate of Tg values > 40 µg/L, and TDR were not higher in pregnant women in the counties with an mUIC of 100-149 μg/L achieved through sustainable universal salt iodization in Fujian Province, China.

A Virtual Reality Platform for Context-Dependent Cognitive Research in Rodents / 神经科学通报·英文版

Animal survival necessitates adaptive behaviors in volatile environmental contexts. Virtual reality (VR) technology is instrumental to study the neural mechanisms underlying behaviors modulated by environmental context by simulating the real world with maximized control of contextual elements. Yet current VR tools for rodents have limited flexibility and performance (e.g., frame rate) for context-dependent cognitive research. Here, we describe a high-performance VR platform with which to study contextual behaviors immersed in editable virtual contexts. This platform was assembled from modular hardware and custom-written software with flexibility and upgradability. Using this platform, we trained mice to perform context-dependent cognitive tasks with rules ranging from discrimination to delayed-sample-to-match while recording from thousands of hippocampal place cells. By precise manipulations of context elements, we found that the context recognition was intact with partial context elements, but impaired by exchanges of context elements. Collectively, our work establishes a configurable VR platform with which to investigate context-dependent cognition with large-scale neural recording.

The protective effect of puerarin on MIN6 cell injury induced by palmitic acid / 中国药理学通报

Aim To evaluate the effects of puerarin (PR) on pancreatic islet MIN6 cell injury and apopto- sis induced by palmitic acirl ( PA).Methods MIN6 cells pretreated with 2 h different concentrations of PR were then co-cultured with 120 (xmol • L"1 PA for 24 h to establish the cell injury and apoptosis model.MTT, LDH,MDA and GSH were used to determine the dam¬age of MIN6 cells.AOEB fluorescence staining was used to detect the apoptosis of MIN6 cells.Western blot was used to detect the expressions of inflammation- related protein NF-kB , apoptosis-related factors Bcl-2 and Bax.Results Compared with model group, cell viability and GSH activity of puerarin administration groups increased, LDH and MDA contents decreased.the protein expressions of p-NF-KB and Bax were down-regulated, and the protein expressions of Bcl-2 were up-regulated (P <0.05).Conclusions Puerar- in ean improve the function of pancreatic islet cells by inhibiting apoptosis and inflammation, and ameliorate pancreatic islet MIN6 cell injury and apoptosis induced by palmitic acid-induced, alleviate MIN6 cell injury in¬duced by inflammatory factors, which may be achieved by down-regulating the expression of p-NF-KB and Bax proteins,and up-regulating the expression of Bcl-2 pro¬tein.

Dual kidney transplantation from infant donors to adult recipients: a report of 42 cases / 中华器官移植杂志

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of single-center infant kidney donor adult dual kidney transplantation to explore the difference of different operation methods and the operation options of different donor kidney conditions so as to improve the success rate of children kidney donor adult dual kidney transplantation and reduce complications.Methods:A total of 42 cases of infant and adult dual kidney transplantations at Department of Kidney Transplantation in The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from December 2012 to May 2019 were divided into two groups according to whether or not donor kidney fulfilled the criteria of three " 5" . According to different surgical approaches, they were divided into three groups of A (classical En-Bloc operation), B (separated dual kidney transplantation) and C (modified operation). The clinical data and prognoses were analyzed.Results:The median follow-up period was 55(11-92) months. The estimated glomerular filtration rate was 123.4(92.2-156.6) ml/min for operation A, 97.2(81.3-116.6) ml/min for operation B and 133.9(133.9-133.9) ml/min for operation C. In donor group not fulfilling the " 5" principle, no thrombotic event occurred for operation A/C and 3 cases of transplantation for operation B. There were single renal embolism ( n=2) and dual renal embolism ( n=1)(3/5, 60%)( P<0.05). Urinary protein was positive in the last follow-up: operation A (1/2, 50%) and operation B (3/5, 60%) ( P<0.05). The estimated glomerular filtration rate at the last follow-up was 82.4(80.9-83.9) ml/min for operation A, 71.8(46.1-114.2) ml/min for operation B and 122(83.3-142.4) ml/min for operation C. The 1-year graft survival rate was 100% and 89.5% in three " 5" donor group and 3-year graft survival rate was 100% and 84.2% respectively. Conclusions:Satisfactory outcomes might be obtained during dual kidney transplantation for infants and adults. The incidence of thrombosis, urine leakage and urinary protein is lower in improved kidney transplantation group than that in previously operated group. The problem of graft hyperperfusion injury is well solved. And the long-term follow-up outcome is excellent.

Averrhoa Carambola L. Roots DMDD alleviates myocardial injury in diabetes mellitus mice by regulating ROS-mediated autophagy pathway / 中国药理学通报

Aim To evaluate the protective effect of Averrhoa Carambola L. Roots DMDD alleviating myocardial injury in diabetes mellitus (DM) mice and its mechanism. Methods SD mice were given high-glucose-high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin to induce DM model, and were administered with DMDD. The fasting blood glucose (FBG) was recorded. The left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), maximum upstroke velocity of left ventricular pressure (+ dp/dt

Genetic Polymorphism of Antigens in Twelve Rare Blood Group Systems of Li Nationality in Hainan Province / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the distribution characteristics of main antigen gene frequencies of Duffy,Diego,Kidd,Dombrock,MNS,Lutheran,Kell,Colton,Scianna,Yt,Knops and Indian in red blood cell blood group system of Li nationality in Hainan Province.@*METHODS@#Antigens in twelve rare blood group systems of 214 Li people in Hainan Province were genotyped and analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP).@*RESULTS@#The gene frequency of antigens in twelve rare blood group systems of 214 Li people in Hainan Province including: the gene frequency of Duffy blood group system: fy@*CONCLUSION@#The genetic distribution and genetic status in twelve rare blood group systems of Li nationality in Hainan Province are relatively stable. The gene distribution of Duffy, Diego, Kidd, Drombrock, MNS and Lutheran blood group systems are polymorphic and show unique distribution characteristics compared with other regions and different nationalities. The gene frequency distribution of Kell、Colton、Scianna、Yt、Knops、Indian blood group systems are monomorphic.

Establishment of Material Benchmark Characteristic Spectrum of Houpu Qiwutang / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To establish a characteristic spectrum to reflect the efficacy of Houpo Qiwutang. Method:Based on the correlation between the efficacy and the pharmacological action of each herb in prescription，the target substances of characteristic map were screened. The extraction solvent，detection wavelength and gradient of the active ingredients were optimized. Peak assignment was made by comparing individual drugs. Q-TOF was used to infer the molecular formula of each peak in the characteristic atlas，and the reference substance was identified by the reference substance. The reference substance was screened out according to the correlation of main efficacy and medicine. Result:The characteristic spectrum of material standard of Houpu Qiwutang was established. Five of the seven herbal medicines were attributed. Nine characteristic peaks were selected and identified by Q-TOF as glycyrrhizin，including naringin，neohesperidin，ammonium glycyrrhizinate，rhein，honokiol，magnolol. According to the main efficacy of Houpo Qiwutang，neohesperidin was selected as reference substances. According to the separation of characteristic peaks and the retention time，the mark peak of the characteristic spectrum was determined. Conclusion:The characteristic spectrum of the material basis of Houpo Qiwutang was established by selecting the characteristic peaks and controlling the key components. This method not only reflects the situation of all the effective chemical components，but also focuses on the control of the key efficacy，so as to provide a theoretical basis for the subsequent development and quality control of Houpu Qiwu Tang.

Re-examination of malaria diagnosis in Hubei Provincial Malaria Diagnostic Reference Laboratory from 2017 to 2019 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

ObjectiveTo analyze the re-examination results of malaria cases captured from the National Notifiable Communicable Disease Reporting System in Hubei Provincial Malaria Diagnostic Reference Laboratory from 2017 to 2019, so as to pro- vide the scientific evidence for improving the malaria control capability in the province. MethodsMicroscopy and nested PCR assay were performed to re-examine the diagnosis of malaria cases registered in the National Notifiable Communicable Disease Reporting System in Hubei Provincial Malaria Diagnostic Reference Laboratory from 2017 to 2019, and the coincidences of ma- laria diagnosis and malaria parasite species were evaluated. Results A total of 410 malaria cases were reported in Hubei Province from 2017 to 2019 according to the data retrieved from the National Notifiable Communicable Disease Reporting System. Among the 407 samples re-examined by Hubei Provincial Malaria Diagnostic Reference Laboratory from 2017 to 2019, the diag- nosis 374 malaria cases were confirmed, with an overall coincidence of 91.89% (374/407) for malaria diagnosis and 89.04% (333/374) for parasite species identification. The coincidence rates of malaria diagnosis and parasite species identification were 50.00% to 100.00% and 66.67% to 100.00% in 16 cities (prefectures) of Hubei Province during the re-examinations, which both varied in regions (χ2 = 40.46 and 42.30, both P values < 0.01). The coincidence rates of Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae and P. ovale identification were 95.80%, 100.00%, 58.33% and 51.92% during the re-examinations, respectively (χ2 = 76.66, P < 0.01). The consistency rate between microscopic and nested PCR results was 89.83% (362/403). Conclusions The overall diagnostic quality of malaria is high in medical institutions at all levels in Hubei Province; however, the diagnostic capability of malaria remains to be improved in some regions.

Recent advances in research on delayed corneal epithelial wound healing in diabetes / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#Delayed healing of diabetic corneal epithelial wound is a commonly encountered condition, and persistent corneal epithelial defects may give rise to recurrent epithelium erosion, corneal ulceration, and subsequent perforation as well as affecting visual loss. The current review focused on the pathological basis, updates of the pathogenesis, and recent advances in the treatment of delayed healing of diabetic corneal epithelial wounds, wherein the roles of hyperglycemia, tear film, proteases, cytokines, corneal nerves and genes were elaborated, and the latest views on treatment strategies, for the delayed healing were summarized as well. Recent advances in research on delayed corneal epithelial wound healing in diabetes mellitus.

Evaluation the triage performance of p16/Ki-67 dual staining for HR-HPV positive women / 中华预防医学杂志

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical performance of p16/Ki-67 dual staining for triage high risk HPV (HR-HPV) infected women. Target objects were women who infected HR-HPV and received colposcopy examination between April and December of 2016 at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Gynecologists collected the cervical exfoliated cells from eligible women for p16/Ki-67 dual staining, LBC testing and HPV DNA testing. Histology diagnosis were used as gold standard. Sensitivities, specificities, positive predictive values (PPVs), negative predictive values (NPVs) of p16/Ki-67 dual staining, LBC testing and HPV16/18 testing for triage of HR-HPV positive population were calculated and compared. A total of 295 HR-HPV infected women were selected, and the mean age was (44.29±11.48) years old. Positive rates of p16/Ki-67 dual staining, HPV16/18 testing and LBC testing were 70.17% (207), 56.95% (168) and 85.76% (253), respectively. When CIN2+as the endpoint, among the three triage methods, sensitivity of p16/Ki-67 dual staining was 90.00% (95: 85.06%-93.43%), higher than the value of HPV 16/18 testing, but lower than the value of LBC testing. Specificity, PPV and NPV of p16/Ki-67 dual staining were the highest [71.58% (95: 61.81%-79.67%), 86.96% (95:81.69%-90.88%) and 77.27% (95: 67.49%-84.78%)]. When detection for CIN3+, sensitivity of p16/Ki-67 dual staining was 92.90% (95: 87.74%-95.99%), lower than the value of LBC testing, but higher than the value of HPV16/18 testing. Specificity of p16/Ki-67 dual staining was 55.00% (95: 46.74%-63.00%), lower than the value of HPV16/18 testing, but higher than the value of LBC testing. PPV of p16/Ki-67 dual staining was 69.57% (95: 62.99%-75.43%), lower than the value of HPV 16/18 testing, but higher than the value of LBC testing. NPV of p16/Ki-67 dual staining was 87.50% (95: 78.99%-92.87%), higher than value of HPV 16/18 testing, but lower than the value of LBC testing. p16/Ki-67 dual staining has better clinical effects than HPV 16/18 testing and LBC testing for triage women with HR-HPV infection.

Surveillance of Anopheles populations in different periods in Suizhou City / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect of malaria vector control measures so as to provide the evidence for consolidating the control effectiveness of malaria and carrying out the vector surveillance in Suizhou City. Methods The distributions of Anopheles sinensis and An. anthropophagus were investigated by the combination of retrospective review and field survey. The changes of density and population of mosquito vectors were investigated and compared among various years. Results From 1985 to 1996, both An. sinensis and An. anthropophagus were found in 18 towns, and An. anthropophagus mosquitoes accounted for 52.3% of the total Anopheles mosquitoes. Only An. sinensis mosquitoes were found in other 26 towns. In 2003 and 2004, An. anthropophagus mosquitoes were found in the original 18 towns, and they accounted for 47.0% and 38.1% respectively, but in 2005, An. anthropophagus mosquitoes were not found in this city. However, the density of An. sinensis presented an upward trend. Conclusions An. anthropophagus population has gradually disappeared in Suizhou City, and currently, An. sinensis is the main Anopheles population, which might be the malaria vector in suitable conditions. Therefore, the surveillance and control of Anophe les vector should be strengthened in order to consolidate the achievements of malaria elimination.

Surveillance of Anopheles populations in different periods in Suizhou City / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect of malaria vector control measures so as to provide the evidence for consolidating the control effectiveness of malaria and carrying out the vector surveillance in Suizhou City. Methods The distributions of Anopheles sinensis and An. anthropophagus were investigated by the combination of retrospective review and field survey. The changes of density and population of mosquito vectors were investigated and compared among various years. Results From 1985 to 1996, both An. sinensis and An. anthropophagus were found in 18 towns, and An. anthropophagus mosquitoes accounted for 52.3% of the total Anopheles mosquitoes. Only An. sinensis mosquitoes were found in other 26 towns. In 2003 and 2004, An. anthropophagus mosquitoes were found in the original 18 towns, and they accounted for 47.0% and 38.1% respectively, but in 2005, An. anthropophagus mosquitoes were not found in this city. However, the density of An. sinensis presented an upward trend. Conclusions An. anthropophagus population has gradually disappeared in Suizhou City, and currently, An. sinensis is the main Anopheles population, which might be the malaria vector in suitable conditions. Therefore, the surveillance and control of Anophe les vector should be strengthened in order to consolidate the achievements of malaria elimination.

HPLC Fingerprint and Chemical Constituents of Menthae Haplocalycis Herba Standard Decoction / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To establish an HPLC fingerprint of Menthae Haplocalycis Herba standard decoction,in order to identify the main chemical component of common peaks,and determine the content of rosmarinic acid. Method: The chromatographic fingerprints of 10 batches of Menthae Haplocalycis Herba standard decoction from different areas were determined,and the chromatographic separation was carried out on Kromasil C18 (4.6 mm×250 mm,5 μm) at the temperature of 30℃. The mobile phase was acetonitrile and 0.1%formic acid solution for gradient elution,with a flow rate of 1 mL·min-1,and the detection wavelength was 330 nm. The 10 batches of fingerprints were imported into Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of TCM (2012.130723) for chromatographic peak matching, the reference fingerprint was established with the average method,and the similarities of 10 batches were evaluated. Result: The HPLC fingerprint of Menthae Haplocalycis Herba showed 13 common peaks. The similarities of 10 batches from different areas were all more than 0.90.At the same time,9 common peaks of the fingerprint were identified by using Q-TOF-MS spectrometry. Rosmarinic acid content was also determined by using the HPLC fingerprint method. Conclusion: The method is simple,rapid and accurate,with a good reproducibility, and can be used to rapidly and effectively evaluate the quality of Menthae Haplocalycis Herba standard decoction and lay a foundation for the quality control of Menthae Haplocalycis Herba formula granules.

Analysis on health literacy and its influencing factors about cancer prevention and control among urban residents in Guangxi / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To investigate health literacy and its influencing factors about the cancer prevention and control among urban residents in Guangxi. Methods Guangxi urban residents were selected by using multi-stage hierarchical cluster random sampling. Health Literacy resident cancer prevention and health literacy questionnaire, which was provided by National Urban Cancer Early Diagnosis and Treatment Project, were used for the face-to-face interview among participants. Results Among all the residents included in this study, 7.5 % had health literacy. Univariate analysis showed that gender, age, education, occupation, family income were influencing factors of health literacy(all P<0.05). The level of health literacy of female was higher than that of male. People aged 40-59 years old had the highest health literacy levels, while people aged 60 years old and above had the lowest health literacy levels. Business personnel and civil servant had higher health literacy levels than other professional staffs. The level of health literacy of residents with annual household income more than 8 ten thousand yuan was higher than that of other residents. Those with higher educational levels had better health literacy levels. Cancer prevention awareness and early detection, early diagnosis, early treatment awareness, two dimensions of cancer prevention and health literacy, was 57.2% and 17%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis indicated that gender, household income and occupation were independent factors influencing cancer prevention and health literacy in Guangxi urban residents. Conclusion The cancer prevention and health literacy levels of Guangxi urban residents are low and the development of cancer prevention awareness and early detection, early diagnosis, early treatment awareness is unbalanced. Gender, household income and profession are three independent factors influencing cancer prevention and health literacy.

Effect of calcium dobesilate on fundus microcirculation in patients with diabetic retinopathy and cataract / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To analyze the effect of calcium dobesilate combined with hypoglycemics for patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and cataract, and the influence on microcirculation of eye fundus, hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level. METHODS: Totally 98 DR patients with cataract (126 eyes) from January 2013 to December 2015 in our hospital were selected as the research objects, and were divided into two groups randomly(treatment group:64 eyes in 49 patients, control group: 62 eyes in 49 patients). The control group was treated with acarbose tablet and metformin, while treatment group was treated with calcium dobesilate additionally. The clinical effect, the glycemic control effect, serum HIF-1α and VEGF level, eye function and fundus microcirculation of two groups after 12mo were compared. RESULTS: After 12mo, the total effective rates of two groups were 87.5%,61.3% respectively, which indicated significantly difference (P<0.05); the vision of treatment group was significantly higher than that of control group (P<0.05). Two groups' blood glucose level decreased significantly, and no significant difference between two groups(P>0.05). After 1-month treatment, the plasma viscosity, erythrocyte aggregation index, erythrocyte deformability index, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and hematocrit in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The PSV and EDV of the posterior ciliary artery and central artery in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0. 05), and RI was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). After 12-month treatment, the HIF-1α level of two groups were 35 90士11.36mmol/L, 46.75士12.08mmol/L respectively;the VEGF of two groups level were 89.72士13.61mmol/L, 110.30士16.74mmol/L, respectively, the treatment group's HIF- 1α level and VEGF were significantly lower than control group (P<0.05), and both decreased significantly after treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Calcium dobesilate combined with hypoglycemics can effectively increase the clinical effect in the treatment of retinopathy diabetic cataract, effectively control blood glucose, improve microcirculation of eye fundus, decrease HIF - 1α, VEGF level, inhibit angiogenesis.

Chemical constituents and bioactive activities of Eleutherine americana / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of Eleutherine americana. Methods: The compounds were isolated by various chromatographic techniques, including silica gel, TLC, sephadex LH-20, and semi-preparative HPLC, and their structures were identified by their physicochemical properties and 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR data. Results: Fifteen compounds were isolated from E. americana, which were germacrenin B (1), phaffiaol (2), 4,8-dihydroxy-3-methoxy-l-methylonthra-9,10-quinone-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester (3), 3-heptadecyl-5-methoxyphenol (4), ethyl linoleate (5), 3,5-dimethoxybiphenyl-4’-ol (6), karwinaphthol A (7), 5-hydroxylkarwinaphthol A (8), 3,4-dimethoxy-8-hydroxy-1-methyl-anthra-9,10-quinone-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester (9), isoeleutherin (10), eleutherin (11), isoeleutherol (12), naphtho-γ-lactone (+)-9-hydroxyeleutherol (13), senkyunone (14), and palmitoleic acid (15). Conclusion: Compounds 2, 4-7, and 13-15 were isolated from the genus for the first time. The compounds 3, 8, and 13 had strong vasodilator effects with diastolic rate of 85.3%, 81.8%, and 89.5%, respectively, which were basically equivalent to the positive drug of tanshinone IIA (86.3%).

Real-time shear wave elastography and multimodal imaging for analyzing anatomical features of foot plantar fascia / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: In the clinic, 25%-35% heel pain is mostly caused by plantar fasciitis. Previous studies mainly focused on plantar fasciitis with heel pain caused by flat foot and the growth of calcaneus bone spur. There are no reports on other reasons for plantar fasciitis in large-sample studies. OBJECTIVE: Using the real-time shear wave elastography, CT scan and X-ray, the anatomic site and thickness of normal two-dimensional ultrasound standard flat plantar aponeurosis were identified to analyze the relationship between plantar elastic characteristics and plantar arch angle from non-weight-bearing to weight-bearing position so as to explore the correlation of plantar fasciitis with plantar elastics and plantar arch angle. METHODS: Fifty healthy volunteers (feet) were selected as the healthy control group. 100 cases of plantar fasciitis (one foot) were selected as the case group. Plantar arch angle from non-weight-bearing to weight-bearing position was obtained using X-ray and CT scan to identify anatomic site of plantar aponeurosis in both groups. Two-dimensional ultrasound and real-time shear wave elastography were utilized to obtain thickness and elastic modulus of plantar aponeurosis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) From non-weight-bearing to weight-bearing, arch angle change value was (16.4±4.5)° in the healthy control group and (10.5±3.5)° in the case group. Significant differences in arch angle change were detected between the two groups (P <0.01). (2) Thickness of plantar fascia was obviously smaller in the healthy control group (2.4±0.3) mm than in the case group (3.5±0.9) mm. Elastic modulus of plantar fascia was obviously larger in the healthy control group (30.1±1.3) kPa than in the case group (9.1±1.2) kPa. Thickness of plantar fascia and elastic modulus of plantar fascia were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.01). (3) In summary, real-time shear wave elastography combined with CT and X-ray images can investigate the morphological and elastic characteristics of the plantar aponeurosis from many aspects. Arch angle change is strongly associated with elastic modulus of plantar fascia. The decreased elastic modulus of plantar fascia is possibly one of the reasons for arch angle change from non-weight-bearing to weight-bearing conditions, and is probably one of reasons for plantar fasciitis with heel pain.

Effect of total flavonoids in Scutellaria barbata in mediating autophagy in tumor cells via PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway / 中国中药杂志

To investigate the effect of the total flavonoids in Scutellaria barbata(TF-SB) against autophagy in tumor cells in vivo, and further determine whether the mechanism is correlated with the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, which lead to autophagy-induced tumor cell death. Melanoma-bearing mice were prepared and divided into control group, rapamycin group (Rap 1.5 mg•kg⁻¹), and high, middle and low-dose TF-SB (200, 100, 50 mg•kg⁻¹) groups. The groups were given drugs once a day for successively 11 days. The inhibitory effect of TF-SB on the growth of melanoma was determined by measuring tumor volume and tumor inhibition rate. TUNEL method was used to detect the apoptosis of tumor cells to further verify the antitumor activity of TF-SB. The protein expressions of LC3-Ⅰ and LC3-Ⅱ were detected by Western blot, and the relative expression of LC3-Ⅱ was calculated based on LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ. In addition, the effect of TF-SB on autophagy of tumor cells, the underlying molecular mechanism of TF-SB in inducing autophagy and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway marker protein phosphorylation were also studied. According to the results, TF-SB effectively inhibited melanoma growth in mice, reduced tumor volume, increased the tumor inhibition rate, and significantly increased tumor cell apoptosis index and the ratio of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-I (P<0.05, P<0.01 or P<0.001). The protein expressions of p-PI3K, p-AKT and p-mTOR were also suppressed dramatically compared with those in control group (P<0.05, P<0.01 or P<0.001). In conclusion, the total flavonoids in S. barbata could inhibit the growth of melanoma in vivo by inducing autophagy and apoptosis of tumor cells, which may be correlated with suppression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Pivotal factors concerned in design of acupuncture clinical research: From two articles in JAMA / 中国结合医学杂志

Two randomized controlled trials of acupuncture concerning polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) were published simultaneously in the 24th issue, 2017 of The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). A trial involving PCOS indicated that active acupuncture did not increase live birth compared with sham acupuncture; meanwhile, another trial referring to SUI showed that electroacupuncture resulted in less urine leakage compared with sham electroacupuncture. With an eye to the negative and positive results of acupuncture, three pivotal factors should be contemplated: (1) proper illness for acupuncture, that is, a problem need to be solved in current medical science, and acupuncture may really work for it; (2) proper pre-studied primary outcome, which is better be objective and repeatedly measurable to reveal the therapeutic effect of acupuncture truly and objectively; (3) proper sham control, which can blind the patients to the upmost extent with minimal biological effects. Through the publication of clinical trials of acupuncture in high-impact journals in recent years, researchers should have confidence in their clinical trials by pondering over these three pivotal factors.

Optimization of preparation procedures of tanshinone-ⅡA /β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex and dissolution study of tanshinone-ⅡA in vitro / 中国中药杂志

In this paper, tanshinone-ⅡA (Tan-IIA)/β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) inclusion complexes were prepared by saturated aqueous solution method. Based on the single factor experiment, Box-Benhnken design and response surface method were utilized to optimize the preparation procedures of tanshinone-ⅡA/β-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes. The ratio of β-CD to Tan-ⅡA, experimental temperature and time were defined as independent variables, while the yield of the inclusion complexes, encapsulation efficiency and the generalized "normalized value" were set as the response value. In addition, the inclusion complexes were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The results showed that optimum preparation conditions for Tan-ⅡA/β-CD inclusion complex were as follows: Tan-ⅡA/β-CD ratio of 1:7, the temperature of 48 ℃ and the time of 3 h. Under the optimized conditions, the encapsulation efficiency of Tan-ⅡA/β-CD inclusion complex was 84.75%. The Tan-IIA and β-CD inclusion complex can significantly improve the dissolution of Tan-ⅡA.