Editor's note: The research on effective constituents of traditional Chinese medicine is one of the crucial areas of basic research of traditional Chinese medicine. It is also a research hotspot which gains widespread attention and active application of projects of national natural science funds in the discipline of traditional Chinese medicine. In 2013, the National Natural Science Foundation of Chinese traditional medicine in the application code H2803 in the research field of effective constituents of traditional Chinese medicine , the direction of gener-al project , Youth Science Foundation and the regional Science Foundation project application 449 , which accept-ed 425 . In this paper , the general situation of the application and approved projects of national natural science funds in the research field of effective constituents of traditional Chinese medicine in 2013 has been introduced. The research strategies and plans of the approved projects have been summarized , and the problems of the ap-plications have been also analyzed .

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Yishen Zhongzi Pill (YZP) on the sperm motility of Shen-essence deficiency syndrome (SEDS) patients.

METHODSTotally 144 patients were randomly assigned to the treatment group (71 cases) and the control group (73 cases). Ten cases dropped out during the therapeutic course. A total of 134 patients completed this clinical study, 67 in each group. Patients in the treatment group took YZP (6 g each time, twice daily), while those in the control group took Wuzi Yanzong Pill (6 g each time, twice daily). The therapeutic course for all was one month. Changes of the sperm motility, clinical efficacy, and Chinese medical symptoms scores were observed between the two groups before and after treatment.

RESULTSCompared with before treatment in the same group, percentages of class a spermatozoa and class a + b spermatozoa were enhanced in the two groups after treatment (P <0. 01). Besides, they were higher in treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 05). The total effective rate of the treatment group was 77. 61 % (52/67 cases), while it was 58. 21 % (39/67 cases) in the control group. It was better in the treatment group than in the control group (Z= -2. 914, P =0. 004). Compared with before treatment in the same group, scores for Chinese medical symptoms decreased in the two groups (P <0. 01). The difference of pre-post integrals was higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 01).

CONCLUSIONYZP showed favorable effect in treating asthenospermia patients with SEDS and could effectively elevate the motility of sperm.

Asthenozoospermia ; therapy ; Biomedical Research ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Oils, Volatile ; Phytotherapy ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; Syndrome

Microarray has become a popular biotechnology in biological and medical research.However, systematic and stochastic variabilities in microarray data are expected and unavoidable, resulting in the problem that the raw measurements have inherent "noise" within microarray experiments. Currently, logarithmic ratios are usually analyzed by various clustering methods directly, which may introduce bias interpretation in identifying groups of genes or samples. In this paper, a statistical method based on mixed model approaches was proposed for microarray data cluster analysis. The underlying rationale of this method is to partition the observed total gene expression level into various variations caused by different factors using an ANOVA model, and to predict the differential effects of G V (gene by variety)interaction using the adjusted unbiased prediction (AUP) method. The predicted G V interaction effects can then be used as the inputs of cluster analysis. We illustrated the application of our method with a gene expression dataset and elucidated the utility of our approach using an external validation.

Objective To examine the induction effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs) transfected with bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) gene differentiating into chondrocytes. Methods We observed the phenotype of cells which were stained with alcian blue and HE climbing to the six pore plate with invert microscope. The glycosaminoglycan (GAG) value in culture medium was detected in control group,BMP7 transfect and culture medium induced groups after 7,14 and 21 days using standard curve method. Standard curve was described using galacturonic-acid as reference substance. The content of collagen Ⅱ was detected by ELISA method. Results HE and Alcian blue staining showed that BMP7 gene transfection group and the group induced by fluid possess the characteristics of chondrocyte. BMP7 induced BMSCs differentiation to chondrocyte which secrete specific protein called collagen Ⅱ and GAG. Content of GAG were (17.1±3.4),(39.5±5.4),(40.8±6.1)mg/L in control group,BMP7 gene transfected group and induced group,collagen Ⅱ were (89.7±14.3),(152.8±14.5),(155.5± 19.3)μg/L in these three groups separately. Comparing with control group,GAG and collagen Ⅱ of BMP7 gene transfected group and culture medium induced group increased obviously(all P < 0.05),but there was no significant difference between BMP7 gene transfeeted group and culture medium induced group (P > 0.05). Conclusion This active protein induces BMSCs differentiating into chondrocyte,in a level similar to that of inducing medium.

Induced the mouse embryonic stem(ES)cells into neural cells on silk fibroin via the improved 4-/4+ RA method to explore the effect of the silk fibroin to the ES-derived neurons' growth,adherence and differentiation.Suspended the ES cells into EBs and then transferred them to three different substrates-coated 35 mm dishes including gelatin,Bombyx mori silk fibroin(SF) and Tussah silk fibroin(TSF) to identify the adherence and proportion of ES cells-derived neurons under these three substrates.The results showed that the EBs adhered to the gelatin and TSF are faster than to the SF.The average adhesive rate on gelatin and TSF are 90.3% and 84.4% respectively,and only 38.5% on SF,all the proportion of ?-Ⅲ-Tubulin positive cells is approximately 40%.It may provide important experimental information for tissue engineering,in which ES cells-derived neuron cells and silk fibroin materials are scaffolds,and also offer a source for cell therapy research of neurodegenerative disease.

12E7 Antigen ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Brain Neoplasms ; secondary ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Extremities ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Infant ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Male ; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive ; metabolism ; pathology ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; metabolism ; Repressor Proteins ; metabolism ; Sarcoma, Ewing ; metabolism ; pathology ; Sarcoma, Synovial ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Vimentin ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Objective To understand the expiration date of alcohol-based hand disinfectant after it is opened for use,and provide reference for rational clinical application of alcohol-based hand disinfectant.Methods 20 bottles of the same brand alcohol-based hand disinfectant which opened at the same time by the clinical departments were selected as the study object,hand hygiene compliance in theses departments ranked fourth from the end in the hospital,specimens were taken on the first day after opening,and repeated every 10 days until the disinfectant was used up.Hand specimens were also taken after disinfected by disinfectant.Qualified condition of disinfectant and hand specimens was detected.Results A total of 98 disinfectant specimens were collected,by naked eye observation,20 bottles of alcohol-based hand disinfectant were free of discoloration,precipitation,and suspended matter during the whole study period.The qualified detection rates of alcohol-based hand disinfectant within 60 days after opening were all 100%.44 hand specimens were taken and detected after disinfection,3 of which were unqualified(all were disinfected by alcohol-based hand disinfectant 50 days after opening),then detected again after disinfected by the same batch of disinfectant,all were qualified,which suggested that unqualified detection result of hand specimens was not due to disinfectant.Conclusion Alcohol-based hand disinfectant still has a good bactericidal effect on the sixth day after opening.

Objective To evaluate the expressions of MMP-7, E-cadherin in gastric carcinoma, and their relationship with tumor cell invasion and metastasis. Methods The MMP-7 mRNA and E-CD mRNA were detected by hybridization in situ in 78 gastric cancer tissues. Then analyze the relationship between the expression of MMP-7, E-CD and clinicopathological features. Results The expressions of MMP-7 and Ecadherin were significantly related with the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer cell. The E-CD mRNA expression rate in MMP-7 mRNA positive gastric carcinoma tissue was much lower than that in negative carcinoma tissue (9.09 % vs 66.70 %). Conclusion Expression of MMP-7 mRNA and E-CD mRNA is associated with invasion, metastasis. Detection of MMP-7 mRNA and E-CD mRNA in bioptic specimens may be helpful in predicting tumor metastatic and recurrent potential and prognosis for patients with gastric carcinoma.

Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of serum levels of ProGRP, TPS and NSE in diagnosis and therapy monitoring in small cell lung cancer patients. Methods The levels of serum ProGRP, TPS and NSE in 51 SCLC patients (SCLC group), 60 benign pulmonary disease patients (benign disease group ) and 60 healthy people (healthy group ) were determined using chemiluminescent immunoassay, ELISA and electrochemiluminescent immunoassay respectively. Blood samples were collected and detected prior to therapy, before the second course of chemotherapy and the third course of chemotherapy consecutively in all the 51 SCLC patients. Results The serum ProGRP, TPS and NSE concentrations prior to chemotherapy in limited stage SCLC (LSCLC) were 136. 9(22.8-631.7)ng/L, 78. 2(56.4-114.6) U/L and 28.1(20.9-46.1)μg/L, respectively; And in extensive stage SCLC patients (ESCLC) were 1 106.6(41.2-2161.1) ng/L, 230. 9( 143.5-259.0) U/L and 81.1 (34.3-140.0)μg/L, respectively. The serum concentrations of the 3 markers in benign disease group were 19. 7 ( 9. 5-29. 1 )ng/L, 48. 7 ( 17.9-95.4) U/L and 12. 1(1.2-13.9) μg/L; and in healthy group were 20.3(10.7-30.6) ng/L, 50.3(19.5-70.7) U/L and 11.7 (1.1-13.4)μg/L, respectively. The Kruskal-Wallis test showed significantly statistical difference in different groups of the 3 tumor markers, Chi-Square were 51. 368,36. 532 and 81. 645( P ＜0. 01 ). Significant statistically differences showed when the concentrations of the 3 marks of the 2 control group were compared with that of the LSCLC group ( U =491, 827, 609 and 476, 831, 585,respectively, P ＜ 0. 05 ). Differences were also statistically significant when the 2 control group compared with that of the ESCLC group ( U = 314,532,456 and 302,553,430, respectively, P ＜ 0. 01 ). The AUC of ProGRP was 0.832 +0.029(95% CI:0.774-0.890). When cutoff value of ProGRP set as 37.7 ng/L, the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and Youden's index were 71% (36/51), 97% (116/120), 90% (36/40), 89% ( 116/131 ) and 67%, respectively; show good detection performance. The sensitivity increased to 92%, 86%, 92% and 88%, when combination detection of ProGRP + TPS + NSE, ProGRP + TPS, ProGRP + NSE and TPS + NSE were used, and the specificities were 77%, 77% , 92% and 77% accordingly. The Fridman test showed significantly statistical difference in the 3 tumor markers at different stages of treatment, x2 were 49. 120, 10. 614 and 44. 392, P ＜0. 01. After the first chemotherapy course, all the tumor marker levels except TPS decreased significantly in comparison with the pretreatment concentrations. However, only ProGRP levels showed a progressive drop during the two consecutive courses of therapy, and the median concentrations were 68.0 ( 18. 6-158.4 ) and 21.0( 14. 9-63.5) ng/L (compared to the level before therapy,Z=-4. 889 and -5. 594, P ＜0. 01 ). The median of serum TPS increased slightly to 105.2 (54. 1-181.2 ) U/L after the first chemotherapy course (Z=-1.248, P＞0.05), and decreased significantly to 79.0(48.7-155.3) U/L after the second chemotherapy course (Z=-2.484, P＜0. 05 ). As to the NSE, the median concentration decreased to 11.8(8.0-16.0)μg/L after the first chemotherapy course ( Z= - 5. 568, P ＜ 0. 01 ). However, the median was 10. 6(9.0-12.7)μg/L, which showed no significant decrease after the second chemotherapy course (Z=-1.851, P＞0.05).Forty-six SCLC patients evaluated as clinical remission ( 3 CR and 43 PR) after the second chemotherapy course, among them there were 38 patients (83%) with normal serum ProGRP, TPS and NSE level ( 19 patients) or with only 1 abnormal tumor level ( 19 patients). There were only 2 patients with all abnormal serum ProGRP, TPS and NSE level, and both patients were evaluated as clinical PD. Two patients with 2 abnormal tumors results were classified as SD, the only 1 patient without therapy evaluation also had 2 abnormal tumor marker results. Conclusions The serum ProGRP, TPS and NSE are valuable tumor markers for diagnosis and treat monitoring of SCLC, particularly the ProGRP + NSE shows the highest clinical value. Combing detection of the 3 tumor markers are valuable for therapy monitoring and prognosis in SCLC patients.

OBJECTIVETo establish a near-infrared qualitative analysis model to identify the authenticity of Polygonum multiflo- rum and distinguish processed products Polygoni Multiflori Radix.

METHODThe NIR spectra were peformed on over 30 batches of P. multiflorum and Polygoni Multiflori Radix samples and the adulterants Cynanchum bungei, Pteroxygonum giraldii, Polygonum cillinerve to establish the qualitative discriminant model and the conformity test model of Polygonum multifiorum , and cluster analysis was used to analyze the samples from different origins.

RESULTThe model is able to identify correctly P. multiflorum with its counterfeit, and distinguish between P. multiflorum and Polygoni multiflori Radix.

CONCLUSIONNear-infrared spectroscopy can be applied in the identification of P. multiflorum, which could be used to screen Chinese herbal medicine preliminarily.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Polygonum ; chemistry ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; methods