OBJECTIVETo realize quadratic formula optimization of Renshen Jianxin Capsule (RJC) by screening Chinese herbs with major anti-myocardial ischemia effect in RJC and optimize their optimal dosages.

METHODSBy following "uniform design-pharmacodynamic experiment-mathematical modeling-formula optimization", authors employed U10(10(8)) uniform design in the experiment. Eight Chinese herbs contained in RJC were taken as observatory factors. Electrocardiograph (ECG) changes of myocardial ischemia induced by isoproterenol were taken as pharmacodynamic indices. The mathematical model between herbal factors and pharmacodynamic indices was established using stepwise regression analysis to screen Chinese herbs with major anti-myocardial ischemia effect. Their optimal dosages were optimized using the grid algorithm.

RESULTSThe regression equation was y =1. 7889 -0. 3247 Ginseng xSalvia Miltiorrhiza -0. 0663 Astragalus membranaceus xOriental Waterplantain tuber. Forecasting factors included were Ginseng, Salvia Miltiorrhiza, Astragalus membranaceus, and Oriental Waterplantain tuber. The optimal formula dosage calculated by the grid algorithm was Ginseng 1. 62 g, Astragalus membranaceus 4. 62 g, Salvia Miltiorrhiza 2. 43 g, and Oriental Waterplantain tuber 1. 66 g.

CONCLUSIONUniform design combined with stepwise regression analysis and grid algorithm were able to realize quadratic formula optimization of RJC.

Astragalus membranaceus ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; standards ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Electrocardiography ; Humans ; Isoproterenol ; Myocardial Ischemia ; drug therapy ; Panax ; Salvia miltiorrhiza

Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) is a systematic, semi-structured activity carried out in the field by a multidisciplinary team that is designed to obtain new information and hypotheses about rural life. This article reports the results of an RRA conducted in Kampung Paris 1 (KGP1), Kinabatangan, Sabah under the Annual Health Promotion Program of the School of Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Sabah. A systematic random sampling was used to recruit the villagers and data was obtained through compilation of pre-existing data, field observation, structured interviews with key informants and villagers. Cardiorespiratory diseases were prevalent in KGP1. Common water sources such as rain water collected in dug wells in KGP1 were unhygienic. Dangerous toxic fumes were produced by the burning of municipal wastes nearby village houses. The villagers of KGP1 were exposed to various farm animals, which may harbor zoonoses. Health care services are limited in KGP1. Villagers who were not poor (>RM897) represented 48% of the population, followed by the poor (RM503-897), 20% and the hardcore poor (1.00 person per bedroom. Poor water hygiene, polluted air from open burning, exposure to farm animals, poverty, poor education, overcrowding and inadequate health care services were among the few possible factors affecting the health of villagers in KGP1. Formal rigorous research should be conducted in the future to facilitate specific health interventions in areas of need such as KGP1.
Rural Population ; Rural Health ; Rural Health Services ; Health Status ; Malaysia

Levothyroxine remains the standard therapy for patients with hypothyroidism worldwide. Levothyroxine allergy is rarely seen and alternative therapies are less efficacious and scarcely available. The use of liothyronine (LT3) monotherapy is less favoured due to its short half-life and unpredictable pharmacological profile. We report a 59-year-old male with a hypersensitivity reaction to levothyroxine who was successfully desensitized with oral levothyroxine within a day using a 14-step protocol.
Thyroxine ; Hypersensitivity ; Hypothyroidism