Although Yin-Yang Wu-Xing (Yin-Yang and Five-Elements, subsystems of human body) has been the theoretical basis of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for more than 5 000 years, it has been primarily analytical or empirical in nature without a formal scientific foundation. Based on bipolar set theory, an equilibrium/non-equilibrium computational model of Yin-Yang Wu-Xing is proposed. The Yin-Yang Wu-Xing dynamical systems are formulated so that equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions can be established and proved. Computer simulations of equilibrium and non-equilibrium processes show that this new approach can provide diagnostic decision support in TCM. Thus, this equilibrium-based approach provides a unique scientific basis for future research in TCM, Qi (vital energy), QiGong, Meridians and Collaterals (acupuncture channels) and herbal treatment. On the other hand, it provides a basic Yin-Yang cellular network architecture for modem scientific research in genomics such that regulation mechanisms of the ubiquitous YY1 protein for cell processes can be explained.

Hypoxia inducible factor-1αis a kind of hypoxia response factor. Acute cerebral ischemia and anoxia can induce up-regula-tion of hypoxia inducible factor-1α, and the downstream genes, which plays a role in both the energy metabolism and collateral circulation after cerebral ischemia. Neural stem and progenitor cells regeneration also benefit the functional outcome after ischemic stroke. Hypoxia in-ducible factor-1αmay induce proliferation and differentiation of neural stem and progenitor cells through Notch, Wnt/β-catenin pathways, etc., in the ischemic stroke model.

Objective To investigate the effect ofmiR-27a-3p on proliferation,apoptosis and cell cycle of hepatoma cells.Methods A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect differential expression of miR-27a-3p in normal hepatic epithelial cells (L02) and hepatoma cells (HepG2 and PLC).Cell experiment was divided into four groups:HepG2 overexpression cells,Mi-27a-3p overexpression group (Mi-27a) and negative control group (Mi-Con);PLC knockdown cells,Mi-27a-3p knockdown group (Miinhibitor-27a) and negative control group (Mi-inhibitor-Con).The expression of microRNA-27a-3p in each group after transfection was detected by qPCR analysis.MTT assay was used to detect the cell proliferation.Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis and cell cycle.One-way ANOVA was used for multiple comparisons,and t-test was used to compare two groups.Results qPCR results showed that the expression levels of miR27a-3p in L02,HepG2 and PLC increased sequentially,and the relative expression levels were 1.07 ± 0.04,4.81 ± 0.64 and 11.31 ± 0.92,respectively (P ＜ 0.05).MTT assay showed that the cell viability of HepG2 cells transfected with miR-27a-3p overexpression plasrnid was significantly deereased compared with the negative control group (P ＜ 0.05).The apoptosis assay showed that the apoptosis rate of miR-27a-3p overexpression group was higher than the negative control group (P ＜ 0.05).The cell cycle results showed that the proportion of S phase cells in the miR-27a-3p overexpression cell group was significantly lower than the negative control group (P ＜ 0.05).Furthermore,microRNA-27a-3p knockdown validation in PLC cells showed that MTT,apoptosis and cell cycle tests results were opposite to the results of HepG2 overexpression cells,and the differences were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion miR-27a-3p can significantly inhibit the proliferation of hepatoma cells,promote cell apoptosis,alter the cell cycle distribution,and may become a potential target in hepatocellular carcinoma therapy.

Objective To evaluate cerebral perfusion through brain computed tomography perfusion imaging (CTP) in order to investigate the relationship between cerebral perfusion and vascular cognitive impairment (VCI).Methods A total of 103 patients with ischemic stroke were recruited, who received thrombolytic therapy and CTP test in the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University from December, 2016 to May, 2017. The patients were divided into normal cognitive function group (control group, n=43), vascular cognitive impairment-no dementia group (VCIND group, n=48), and vascular dementia group (VD group, n=12) according to the degree of impairment in cognitive function after the assessment of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Clock Drawing Test (CDT). The characteristics of cerebral blood flow perfusion in region of interest of brain CTP were analyzed.Results There was difference in incidence of diabetes among three groups (χ2=7.556, P<0.05). The rate of diabetes was higher in VCIND group and VD group than in the control group. Age and diabetes were the independent risk factors for VCI (OR>1, P<0.05). There was difference in cerebral blood volume (CBV) in frontal lobe, temporal lobe, and parietal lobe among three groups (F>3.216, P<0.05). CBV in frontal lobe, temporal lobe, and parietal lobe reduced in VD group than in the control group (P<0.05), while CBV in frontal lobe and temporal lobe reduced in VD group than in VCIND group (P<0.05). There was difference in mean transit time (MTT) in left temporal lobe, left parietal lobe, and centrum semiovale among three groups, while there was difference in left occipital lobe in time to peak (TTP) among three groups (F>3.116, P<0.05). MTT and TTP were higher in VD group than in the control group and VCIND group (P<0.05). There was no difference in cerebral blood flow (CBF) in both left and right brain, and MTT and TTP in right brain among three groups (P>0.05). CBV in frontal lobe, parietal lobe and right temporal lobe demonstrated positive relationship with the scores of MMSE (r>0.203, P<0.05). CBV in parietal lobe and left frontal lobe also demonstrated positive relationship with the scores of CDT (r>0.214, P<0.05).Conclusion The cerebral blood flow perfusion reduced in different levels of VCI, especially in frontal lobe, temporal lobe and parietal lobe. Cerebral blood flow perfusion reduced with the progress of cognitive impairment, and the left hemisphere injured earlier than the right one. Brain CTP may be applied in the early recognition of VCI.