BACKGROUND: Embryonic stem cells can be induced to differentiate into neural precursors under certain conditions, and they can effectively integrate with host cells after transplanted into healthy or injured central nervous system, and then repair and rebuild the injured nerve tissue.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of transplantation of neural precursors induced by embryonic stem cells on the recovery of neurological function in mice with spinal cord injury.DESIGN: A randomized controlled animal trial.SETTING: Research Center of Developmental Biology, Shanghai Second Medical University.MATERIALS: Twenty-eight C57/BL6J mice of 6-8 weeks old, both sexes, were used. Mice embryonic stem cell strain S8 and carrier LacZ labeling genes were provided by Shanghai Research Center of Developmental Biology. High-glucose Dulbecco's modified Eagle media (DMEM), β-mercaptoethanol (BME), mice leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and mitocin-C were all from GIBCO attachment induction medium, which were provided by Shanghai Research Center of Developmental BiologyMETHODS: The experiment was carried out in the central laboratory of developmental biology of Shanghai Second Medical University from April 2003 to April 2004. The embryonic stem cells were cultured and induced to differentiate into neural precursors by means of attachment induction. The mice were anesthetized and made into models of spinal cord hemisection on the T9-T10 plan. The mice were randomly divided into three groups: sham operated group (n =9): Only T9-T10 spinous process and corresponding lamina of vertebra were removed, then the skin was sutured layer by layer;ransplantation group (n =10): After spinal cord hemisection, embryonic stem cells were injected into the vertebral canal about 1 cm away from the injured site; model group (n =9): DMEM was injected into the region around the injured site.The mice were evaluated with Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale to observe the recovery of neurological function at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks (the score ranged from 1 to 21 points, the higher the scores, the better the recovery of neurological function). At 8 weeks, the survival and differentiation of embryonic stem cells at the injured site of spinal cord were observed using X-Gal staining in each group. The positively stained sections with X-Gal at the injured site of spinal cord were detected with fluorescent immunohistochemical staining.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Recovery of neurological function; ② Survival and differentiation of embryonic stem cells at the injured site of spinal cord; ③ Results of fluorescent immunohistochemical staining.RESULTS: ① The BBB scores in the transplantation group at 1, 2 and 4 weeks were higher than those in the model group (P ＜ 0.01). ② Survival and differentiation of embryonic stem cells at the injured site of spinal cord: In the transplantation group, there were X-Gal positively stained cells in the tissue sections of the injured spinal cord of mice,the cytoplasm was blue with nucleoli in it, i.e. the cells derived from embryonic stem cells, which were not observed in the sham-operated group and model group. In the transplantation group, the cells derived from embryonic stem cells, which were implanted to the injured spinal cord, distributed around the injured sites, and integrated with the surrounding tissue and had similar form with the surrounding cells. ③ At the injured site, X-Gal positively stained cells in the transplantation group aiso expressed neurofilaments (the specific marker of neurons), but did not express GFAP.CONCLUSION:The embryonic stem cells were cultured and induced to differentiate into neural progenitors, and they could survive, migrate and differentiate into neurons after transplantation, but there was no obvious improvement of neurological function.

BACKGROUND: Embryonic stem cell (ESC) is a kind of highly undifferentiated totipotent cell. It can proliferate and maintain its totipotency in the system cultured in vitro. It is one of most promising stem cells in thetreatment of central nerve injury.OBJECTIVE: To observe the survival and migration of induced transplanted ESC in mice with spinal injury and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.DESIGN: A completely randomized grouping design, controlled animal experiment.SETTING: Laboratory of Developmental Biology Research Center of Shanghai Second Medical University.MATERIALS: Sixty C57/BL6J mice, of clean grade and either gender, aged 6 to 8 weeks (n =30) and 7 days (n =30)were provided by the Shanghai Experimental Animal Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences [Permission No, SCXK (hu)2003-0003]. This animal experiment was approved by Animal Ethics Committee. Mouse ESC strain S8, labeled LacZ marker gene (Provided by Shanghai Developmental Biology Research Center). X-gal dyeing reagent (Sigma Company).METHODS: This experiment was carried out in the laboratory of Shanghai Developmental Biology Research Center (Shanghai Key Laboratory) from October 2002 to December 2003. ① Experimental grouping of spinal injury: Sixteen C57/BL6J successful mice models, aged 6-8 weeks, were randomized into 2 groups: experimental group (n =8), in which, following right spinal semi-sectioning, derivated cell suspension for inducing the in vitro differentiation of ESC was injected at 1 cm away from injury through vertebral canal, and control group (n =8), in which, following right spinal semi-sectioning, phosphate buffer solution (PBS) was injected at the peripheral region of injury. ② Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy experimental grouping: Sixteen successful C57/BL6J mice models, aged 7 days, were randomized into 2 groups: experimental group (n =8), following ligation of right common carotid artery, mice were placed in the closed container containing 0.08 volume fraction of oxygen and 0.92 volume fraction of Nitrogen gas, and taken out 1.5 hours later; 3 μL ESCs were injected into the right cerebral ventricle at about 1 week, and control group (n =8), in which, the same amount of PBS was injected into the right cerebral ventricle. ③ At 12 weeks after transplantation, the survival and migration of induced ESCs labeled by Lac-Z in the spinal cord and brain were observed by zymologic method.MATN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survival and migration of ESCs in the central nervous system.RESULTS: ①After being induced in vitro and transplanted to spinal injured region, ESCs differentiated into neural precursor cells. Neural precursor cells could survive in the injured region and migrate to 5 mm away from injured region.Immunohistochemistry proved that the neural precursor cells of transplanted ESCs could differentiate into neurons.Morphologically, it was proved that neural precursor cells-derived from ESCs could well integrate peripheral tissue. ② The induced ESCs were injected into the lateral cerebral ventricle of mice. Derived ESCs widely distributed in the injured hippocampal region, cerebral cortex ventricle choroid plexus, vascular endothelium and other regions, and integrated peripheral tissue, which were similar to adjacent cells in morphology, suggesting that induced ESCs also could survive for long time and far migrate.CONCLUSION:The induced ESC can survive and migrate in the host injured brain and spinal cord, and the migration of ESCs is more obvious in the brain than in the spinal cord.

OBJECTIVE This objective of this study was to investigate intranasal anatomic abnormalities in cases of contact point headaches caused by contact between the nasal septum and the lateral nasal wall,as well as the clinical outcomes in these cases treated by endoscopic sinonasal surgery. METHODS A retrospective review was performed on 58 cases that met the criteria of having contact points between the septum and the lateral nasal wall, as demonstrated by CT scans of the sinuses and endoscopic examinations. These patients underwent surgical intervention in order to correct the contact points. They were re-evaluated for clinical parameters three months after the surgical correction of their anatomic abnormalities. RESULTS Abnormal nasal septa, enlarged turbinates and other anatomic abnormalities were the most common findings in contact point headaches. Fifty-eight patients underwent surgical correction of intranasal anatomic abnormalities. After follow-up periods of 3-18 mouths, 32 patients were cured, 23 were relieved to an extent, and 3 did not benefit. A significant decrease in the severity and frequency of headaches was noted after surgery. CONCLUSION Pressure from mucosal contact between the septum and lateral nasal wall mucosa is the key cause of contact point headaches, as seen in CT scans of the sinuses and endoscopic examinations. Clinically significant pain may improve after surgical correction of intranasal anatomic abnormalities.

Objective:To study the clinical effect of herba Houttuyniae Injection by aerosol inhalation for respiratory tract infection. Methods: 107 patients with respiratory tract infection (the main symptoms were cough and expectoration) were treated with Herba Houttuyniae Injection by aerosol inhalation. The conditions of symptom improvement and bacteria in sputum before and after treatment were observed. The case control studies on parts of patients in acute attack and delayed peroids of chronic bronchitis were carried out. The treatment processes patients were given 25mL Herba Houttuyniae Injection and 25mL normal saline by aerosol inhalation for 30 minutes, twice a day. Results: The effective rates were 91.59% for cough symptom, 85.06% for expectoration symptom. 98.13% patients experienced comfort of pharyngeal and thoracic protions after treatment. Among 55 patients whose cough symptom wasn't improved after they were treated with anti inflammatory agent and antitussive the effective rate was 72.72% after treatment with Herba Houttuyniae Injection by aerosol inhalation. The 45 case control studies of acute attack and delayed periods of chronic brochitis showed no statistically difference between them. The clearance rate of bacteria in sputum after treatment was 80.39%. Conclusions: Herba Houttuyniae Injection by aerosol inhalation is effective for respiratory tract infection with the main symptoms of cough and expectoration.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at cranial sutures (cranial acupuncture) plus rehabilitation training in treating cerebral infarction.MethodSixty patients with cerebral infarction were randomized into an acupuncture-rehabilitation group (cranial acupuncture plus rehabilitation training) and a rehabilitation group (dryrehabilitation training), 30 cases in each group, to respectively receive cranial acupuncture plus rehabilitation training and dry rehabilitation training. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and Barthel Index (BI) were adopted to respectively evaluate the motor function of limbs and activities of daily living (ADL); the content of hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was also observed before and after treatment for the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy.ResultThe acupuncture-rehabilitation group wassuperior to the rehabilitation group in improving the motor function and ADL, and down-regulating the hs-CRP content (P<0.05).ConclusionCranial acupuncture plus rehabilitation training is the optimal protocol in treating cerebral infarction, and it canproduce a more significant efficacy than dry rehabilitation training.

With the emergence of drug resistance in Western medicine, the repeated administration of clinical first-line drugs becomes more severe. There are many factors leading to multidrug resistance(MDR), so it is very difficult to solve the problem. Since traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has been used in the field of MDR in recent years, the research on the transporter-associated drug resistance and intervention of TCM has gradually become a hot spot. Therefore, in order to further explore the relationships among drug resistance, transporters, and TCM intervention, we review the relevant research progress in recent years and comb the achievements and limitations of this research at present. In the end, we put forward the research direction of changing body's ADME through the host's transporters and gastrointestinal flora, which provides new ideas for future research.
Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Membrane Transport Proteins/genetics*

In this paper, 2 cases of collagen Type Ⅲ glomerulopathy were analyzed. The clinical manifestations mainly included nephrotic syndrome, proteinuria, hypertension and renal dysfunction. One patient showed that the complement factor H-related protein 5 (CFHR5) gene was likely a disease-causing mutation. The pathological examination of renal tissues showed hyperplasia of mesangial matrix, sub-endothelial insertion, and double-track formation. Immunohistochemistry of Type III collagen was positive. Electron microscopy revealed that massive collagen fibers (40-70 nm in diameter) deposited in the mesangial matrix and basement membrane. As for the follow-up results, the normal renal function had kept steady and the proteinuria was moderate in 1 case treated with angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blocker. Due to other system disease, another case developed into acute kidney injury and then received hemodialysis. The clinical manifestations of collagen Type Ⅲ glomerulopathy was atypical, the light microscope pathological features were various, and the disease was mainly diagnosed by electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry.
Collagen Type III ; genetics ; Glomerular Mesangium ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases ; Kidney Glomerulus ; Proteinuria

The safety of traditional Chinese medicine is affected by many factors, and the influence of exogenous harmful substances has been concerned and become a hot spot in recent years, especially heavy metals, pesticide residues and some other harmful substances. In order to explore the effects of non-soil and non-pesticide treatment on residues of these two harmful substances, the heavy metals and agricultural residues of Lilii Bulbus were detected, and the correlation of the data was analyzed. In this experiment, heavy metals and pesticide residues of Scrophulariae Radix were detected, and correlation analysis was conducted for their data. The mechanism of transport phase was interpreted with statistical moment similarity tool of total fingerprint by supramolecular chemistry theory. A large number of experimental data in this paper showed that heavy metals and pesticide contents in Lilii Bulbus basaltifolia had a positive correlation, which was closely related to supramolecular phenomena. Moreover, the similarity of fingerprints between Lilii Bulbus and Scrophulariae Radix suggested that Lilii Bulbus and Scrophulariae Radixa had a high selectivity in absorption of agricultural residues, which proved that the absorption of pesticides in Lilii Bulbus and Scrophulariae Radix from different habitats had the function of supramolecular imprinting template. It was considered that medicinal plant was a giant complex supramolecule with various levels of " imprinted template" . Heavy metals and agricultural residues were also involved in plant growth, forming an " imprinted template" for the formation of supramolecules between agricultural residues and heavy metals. After heavy metals and agricultural residues formed supramolecules, their liposolubility and permeability changed in varying degrees, and their transport in medicinal plants was promoted. Finally, the heavy metal supramolecules of pesticides were absorbed, distributed, aggregated and accumulated in plants. The purpose of the study was to reveal the mechanism of heavy metal and pesticide supramolecule transport, provide a new direction for the treatment of heavy metals and pesticide residues, and ensure the safety of traditional Chinese medicine.

OBJECTIVES: There is less clinical data on multiple myeloma (MM) in China, and the aim of this study was to collect and analyze the clinical data of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients in Hunan Province during 1 year, to understand the real clinical features and treatment outcome for Hunan Province patients with MM, and to strengthen the understanding of the standardized diagnosis process and treatment plan of MM. METHODS: The clinical data of 529 patients with NDMM in 12 large-scale general hospitals in Hunan Province from January 1 to December 31, 2019 were collected and analyzed, including baseline data, treatment regimens, duration of treatment, and adverse reactions. The clinical characteristics, treatment, and safety of patients were analyzed by SPSS 21.0. RESULTS: Among the 529 NDMM patients, the age was 33-90 (median 64) years and the male-female ratio was 1.38꞉1. The clinical features ranged from high to low were as follows: Bone pain (77.7%), anemia (66.8%), renal insufficiency (40.6%), hypercalcemia (15.1%). Typing: IgG 46.5%, IgA 24.6%, IgD 2.6%, IgM 0.8%, light chain 15.7%, double clone 3.0%, no secretion 0.6%, absence 6.2%. Staging: Durie-Salmon stage I, II, and III were 4.5%, 10.6%, 77.3%, respectively, and 40 cases (7.6%) missed this data. International Staging System (ISS) stage I, II, and III were 10.4%, 24.4%, and 47.6%, respectively, and 93 cases (17.6%) were missing. Revised International Staging System (R-ISS) stage I, II, and III were 5.5%, 27.0%, 23.1%, respectively, and 235 cases (44.4%) missed this data. Among the 98 NDMM patients in the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Durie-Salmon (DS) stage missing 2.0%, ISS stage missing 12.3%, and R-ISS stage missing 12.3%.Treatment: Among the 529 patients,475 received treatment, the rate of treatment was 89.8%; 67.4% of the patients were able to complete four courses of chemotherapy at induction phase, 90.3% of the patients received proteasome inhibitor based combination chemotherapy regimen more than once, 67.2% received immunomodulator based regimen more than once, and 59.8% of the patients received proteasome inhibitor and immunomodulator based combination chemotherapy regimen more than once. Curative: Overall response rate (ORR) and high quality response rate (HQR) of the 4-course group were better than those of the 2-course group (ORR: 85% vs 65%, P=0.006; HQR: 68.3% vs 24.0%, P<0.001). The HQR of the standard chemotherapy group was better than that of the non-standard chemotherapy group (65.1% vs 48.2%, P=0.035). Adverse reactions during treatment included hematologic toxicity (17.5%), peripheral neuropathy (24.8%), gastrointestinal adverse events (23.8%), pulmonary infection (25.9%), herpes zoster (4.6%), and venous thrombotic events (1.7%). CONCLUSIONS In 2019, the missed diagnosis rate of MM patients was high, the medium age of diagnosis was older, and the accuracy of patient diagnosis was not high. There is a great difference among medical centers, especially in the stage and risk stratified, nearly half of NDMM patients are not diagnosed with R-ISS stage; the lack of cytogenetic data needs to be supplemented by follow-up studies. A high proportion of patients with NDMM present with bone pain and anemia.Patients received treatment have higher use of chemotherapy regimens containing proteasome inhibitors and/or immunomodulators, but there is a significant gap among different medical centers, and standardized treatment needs to be strengthened. The safety during chemotherapy is controllable.
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Female ; Humans ; Immunologic Factors/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma/therapy* ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pain ; Prognosis ; Proteasome Inhibitors/therapeutic use*

Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma, ZR) and Jiangtan (Carbonized Zingiberis Rhizoma, CZR) have long been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with a rich history in the treatment of various ailments. While ZR and CZR obviously stem from the same botanical source, their attributes, chemical compositions, pharmacological behaviors, and clinical applications are different owing to variations in the extent of drying and processing they undergo. In this paper, data pertaining to ZR and CZR were retrieved from databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. These sources were scrutinized to elucidate the distinctions between ZR and CZR arising from carbonization processing in terms of their ethnopharmacology, quality control, chemical compositions, biological activities, pharmacological mechanisms, and clinical uses. In this study, a total of 56 chemical constituents were identified and isolated from ZR and CZR, which primarily encompassed volatile oils, gingerols, and diphenylheptane compounds. CZR's pharmacological effects include hemostatic, anti-oxidant, analgesic, antibacterial, anti-cancer, and other biological activities. ZR has pungent and warm properties. It is a Yang-supplementing herbal medicine for ailments exacerbated by cold or damp climatic influences. CZR is a product of ZR after undergoing high temperature, with diminished intensity of its pungent and warm attributes. This change leads to a more gradual treatment efficacy, renowned hemostatic effects and its ability to gently invigorate the spleen and effectively alleviate diarrhea. Currently, research on the pharmacological mechanism of CZR is mainly focused on the effects of CZR on coagulation and fibrinolysis. Although the healing effect of CZR has long been known, and some correlation has been found between the changing composition and the changing color of the decoctions, people still lack relatively clear processing mechanisms to reflect the characteristics and specific quality standards of the ingredients of CZR's hemostatic effect. This review provides a systematic summary on quality control, chemical composition, ethnopharmacology, and pharmacology of CZR, offering novel perspectives for advancing the exploration of additional carbonized herbal medicine and fostering their application in clinical settings