OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Qiangji Recipe (QR) in ad- junctive treatment of axial undifferentiated spondyloarthritis (axuSpA) through a four-week open study.

METHODSFifty-four axuSpA patients of Shen-deficiency Du-channel cold syndrome (SDDCS) in line with inclusive criteria were recruited and assigned to the treatment group and the control group according to random digit table, 27 in each group. Patients in the control group took Celecoxib Capsule (0.2 g each time, twice per day). Patients in the treatment group additionally took QR (consisting of Herba Epimedii 15 g, antler glue 15 g, Cibotium Barometz 15 g, eucommia bark 20 g, dipsacus asper 10 g, two toothed achyranthes root 15 g, drynaria 15 g, Taxillus Chinensis 20 g, ground beetle 10 g, scorpion 5 g, wild celery 10 g, notopterygium incisium 10 g, cow-fat seed 10 g, white mustard seed 6 g, and licorice root 6 g, one dose per day, twice daily). The therapeutic course for all was 4 weeks. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), the Bath AS Metrology Index (BASMI), total body pain and spinal pain, patient and physician global assessment on a four-point scale, the Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured before and after 4 weeks of treatment. The primary end point in this study was the proportion of patients with a 20%improvement response accord- ing to the ASAS International Working Group Criteria (ASAS 20 responders) at week 4.

RESULTSTotally 50 patients completed this trial, 26 in the treatment group and 24 in the control group. Improvement of BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI, ASQoL, ESR, and CRP was shown in both groups after treatment. Better effect was shown in the treatment group in all indices except ESR and BASMI after treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Twenty cases (accounting for 76.92%) in the treatment group achieved ASAS 20 response at week 4, while 12 cases (accounting for 50.00%) in the control group achieved ASAS 20 response at week 4 (P < 0.05). No obvious adverse reaction occurred in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONQR combined Celecoxib Capsule showed better effect in treating axuSpA patients than using Celecoxib Capsule alone.

Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Pain ; Quality of Life ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; drug therapy

Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; physiology ; Humans ; Integrins ; metabolism ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Organ Specificity ; Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Saphenous Vein ; cytology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology

Objective To observe the effects of the compatibility of Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis in different proportion on hemodynamic and balance of Th1/Th2 cells of Qi deficiency and blood stasis rat model. Methods Qi deficiency and blood stasis rats were caused by restricted diet, forced swimming and norepinephrine subcutaneous injecting, and treated by compatibility of Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis in different proportion of 5∶1, 3∶1, 1∶1 and 1∶2 for 21 days. The indexes of hemorheology were detected with hemorheological analyser, and the level of IFN-γand IL-4 in serum were tested by ELISA. Results Compared with model group, the compatibility of Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis in proportion of 1∶1, 3∶1 and 5∶1 groups reduced the low shear blood viscosity. The spleen index of model group decreased, and compatibility of Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis in 5∶1 proportion group increased spleen index. The level of IL-4 increased and IFN-γ decreased in the serum of model group, the compatibility of Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis in proportion of 3∶1 group increased the level of IFN-γ. Astragalus angelica 5∶1 group decreased the level of IL-4 and increased the level of IFN-γ. Conclusion The compatibility of Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis can improve hemorheology, adjust the balance of Th1/Th2 cells of Qi deficiency and blood stasis rats. The effects were better when Radix Astragali’s dosage greater than that of Radix Angelicae Sinensis, and the group of 5∶1 proportion was the best.

Objective To study the diagnosis and treatment of hyperthyroidism companied with thyroid carcinoma . Methods The clinical data of 11 cases of hyperthyroidism with thyroid carcinoma were retrospectively analysed. Results 9 of 11 cases were diagnosed preoperatively,and comfirmed by frozen section intra-operatively and underwent suitable operation. In the other two cases the final diagnosis was made by pathological examination postoperatively, and re-operation was performed on 1 case . All the patients were followed up for 1～16 years and neither hyperthyroidism nor thyroid carcinoma recurred. Conclusion It is difficult to make diagnosis of hyperthyroidism with thyroid carcinoma preoperatively. B mode ultrasonography may find some nodes in enlarged thyroid; but fine needle aspisation biopsg(FNA) has high false negative diagnostic rate. Intra-operative frozen section examination is important in the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism with thyroid carcinoma .

Based on the current situation and development trend of the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, combined with three major frontier scientific problems and three major engineering and technical problems needed to be solved, the crux of the modernization problem of TCM was identified, the way to solve the modernization problem of TCM was put forward, and the decisive role of supramolecular "qi chromatography" theory of TCM in cracking these problems was elaborated. The human body and Chinese materia medica are observed clearly in the long history of biological evolution in nature, while supramolecular chemistry has played an important role in analyzing the evolutionary trajectory of life and tracing the origin of TCM theory. In the long process of biological evolution in nature, all kinds of molecules in nature follow supramolecular chemistry, forming supramolecular bodies according to "imprinted template" step by step, from simple to complex, from inanimate inorganic complexes to living enzyme systems, from single simple molecules to complex supramolecular machines, through which the interaction of the biological molecules runs in the chain of organisms composed of supramolecular bodies. Meridians, which are the result of the orderly arrangement of the "imprinted template" channel structure step by step, are the basic form to control molecules. Under the impetus of human heart beating, the small molecules substances dissolved in blood migrate into and act on according to the "imprinting template" embed in main macromolecule of meridians and viscera. It shows the anisotropy of the action of meridians and viscera on small molecules, that is visceral phenomena, on which the essential of life science and the original theory of "principle", "method", "prescription" and "medicine" for TCM will be clarified. Major scientific and engineering problems of TCM will be solved on the basis of supramolecular chemistry, and the basic theory of TCM will be reconstructed and modernized into a union with contemporary medicine.

At present, the 2019-novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is rampant all over the country, and controlling the spread of its epidemic has become a top priority. It is very difficult to control the epidemic spreading because there is no specific drug to fight against it. Therefore, it is urgent task for us to develop a specific drug as soon as possible, and attracting worldwide attention. The studies on anti-2019-nCoV drugs were generally carried out in three modes, as vaccine, chemical drugs and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Because the developing on vaccines and chemicals takes too long, it is hard to solve the urgent problem. Moreover, the RNA of coronavirus has been recombined so quickly that the vaccines and drugs studied with great efforts not only may miss the epidemic time, but also cannot be used in the next generation of new coronavirus treatment, as a result that the work of epidemic prevention is formidable. However, the prescriptions from traditional Chinese medicine theory can cure the epidemic disease, but how to develop it into a specific drug with clear chemical composition and clear pharmacologic mechanism, is also an urgent problem to be solved. In this paper, the new coronavirus and its drug development are reviewed, while the advantages and disadvantages are analyzed, and the drug dilemma research phenomenon is clarified by using the supramolecular “qi chromatography” theory. It is suggested that the strategy of anti-coronavirus drug developing should be put forward based on the impact of “qi chromatography” of biological supramolecular “imprinting template”, in order to develop new drugs against 2019-nCoV to control the spread of the epidemic as quick as we can, and establish a new research and development model of anti-coronavirus drug on integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine, turning passive into active.

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of interkeulin 10 (IL-10)in children patients with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(MP). Methods Twenty-six children patients with MP( MP group)and20 health control( contrl group)were sequentially enrolled in this study. The production of IL-10 mRNA was measured by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results Expression of IL-10 mRNA in MP group (33 893.22±5 207.60) copy/μg was significantly lower than that in control group(59 341.92 ±6 712.98) copy/μg(t = - 14. 49, P ＜ 0. 01 ). Expression of IL-10 mRNA in heavy degree MP group was significantly lower than that of mild degree MP group ( t= - 2. 20, P ＜ 0. 05 ). Conclusion The expression of IL-10 was low, and played an important role in the development of patients with MP.

In the present study, packaging system composed of pAAV-CMV-GFP, pAAV-RC and pHelper were transfected into human embryonic kidney 293 cells (HEK293 cells) mediated by polyethyleneimine (PEI) to explore an optimal transfection condition. Different total plasmid DNA dosages (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 μg) and different PEI/Plasmid ratios (1:1, 3:1, 5:1, 7:1) were tested with detection of green fluorescence protein (GFP) with ImagePro Plus6. 0 Software. Then transfection efficiency of the optimized transfection system was further observed for different time periods(12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 h). The results showed that total plasmid dosage of 4 μg/well with PEI/plasmid ratio of 3 : 1-5 : 1 was an efficient transfection condition. Transfection efficiency-time curve was an S-shaped curve. Transfection efficiency reached a plateau at 60 h after transfection. The optimized conditions for PEI-mediated transfection at the optimal time result in enhanced transfection efficiency of triple plasmid into HEK293 cells.
Green Fluorescent Proteins ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Plasmids ; Polyethyleneimine ; Transfection ; methods

OBJECTIVETo compare the effects of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD) and its active regions combination on brain heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression.

METHODSCerebral ischemia model gerbils produced by ligating bilateral common carotid artery were injected intraperitoneally by BYHWD and its active regions combination separately. HSP70 mRNA expression was determined by Northern blot test and protein expression determined by Western blot test 48 hrs after ischemia for 15 min and reperfusion.

RESULTSThe level of HSP70 mRNA and protein expression in ischemic/reperfusion brain tissue increased significantly. BYHWD and its active regions combination could decrease the HSP70 mRNA expression obviously, the inhibition effect of BYHWD was more significant than that of its active regions combination, but neither of them showed any effect on HSP70 protein expression.

CONCLUSIONBYHWD and its active regions combination might down-regulate HSP70 mRNA expression in ischemic brain tissue through its anti-ischemic effect.

Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Brain Ischemia ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Gerbillinae ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in the quantity of colonizing Streptococcus mutans(S. mutans) and Actinomyces on the root surface plaque before and after post-core crown restoration of the mandibular first molars in the elderly patients.

METHODSA total of 30 elderly patients, each with one post-core crown restoration of the mandibular first molar, were randomly chosen to participate in the studies. Patients with mandibular first molars with post-core crown restoration and those with healthy contralateral mandibular first molars were divided into the test and control groups, respectively. Root surface plaques of the two groups were collected before tooth preparation, 72 h after preparation, one week after preparation, and one month after restoration. S. mutans, Actinomyces naeslundii (A. naeslundii) and Actinomyces viscosus (A. viscosus), were identified using colony morphology, biochemical techniques, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Plaque count was measured using microbial colony count.

RESULTSThe number of S. mutans and A. viscosus and A. naeslundii in the test group, which was statistically significant (P<0.05), increased 72 h after preparation. The quantities of S. mutans, A. viscosus, and A. naeslundii one week after preparation were significantly different (P<0.05). The plaque count of S. mutans, A. viscosus, and A. naeslundii in the test group decreased one month after restoration (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe quantities of S. mutans, A. viscosus and A. naeslundii increase one week after preparation but decrease one month after restoration. The finding suggests that dentists should educate patients about plaque control during the early period after tooth preparation.

Actinomyces ; Actinomyces viscosus ; Aged ; Bacteria ; Crowns ; Dental Plaque ; Humans ; Post and Core Technique ; Streptococcus mutans ; Tooth Root