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

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 .

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.

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 evaluate the anti-schistosomiasis effect of World Bank loan for schistosomiasis control project 1992-2001 in Jingzhou City, Hubei Province, and observe the endemic situation after two years of the end of the project.Methods By a retrospective longitudinal survey, information from annual reports was collected, which included disease screening, treatment and extended chemotherapy for human population and livestock, the distribution of Oncomelania hupensis and health education information from eight counties in Jinzhou prefecture from 1992 to 2003.Statistical u test was used for phased retrospective dynamic analysis.Results In the year 2001, schistosomiasis patients(77 009 cases)were 45.2% less than that of 1992(140 438 cases), The number of acute and advanced cases(63 and 1 032 cases, respectively)was 74.2% and 43.9% less than those of 1992(244 and 1 841 cases, respectively).The average infection rate among residents was also reduced from 7.8% of 1992 to 4.7%(u=28.864, P

Objective To report the clinical and peripheral neuropathological findings in two patients with autosomal recessive Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease 2K(AR-CMT2K).Methods Case one was a nine year-old girl.She had distal weakness of lower limbs for six years, with calf atrophy and contracture of Achilles tendon for three years.Case two was an eight year-old boy.He had distal weakness of lower limbs with contracture of Achilles tendon and calf muscle atrophy for three years, and proximal weakness of low limbs for two years.The motor nerve conduction velocities in median nerves were 48.1 m/s in case one and 47.6 m/s in case two.The compound motor action potential amplitude of median nerves decreased by 46% in case one and 69% in case two.Sural nerve biopsies and gene targeted next-generation sequencing were performed in both patients.Results Density of myelinated fibers was 8 407/mm2 in case one and 7 714/mm2 in case two.The ratio of myelinated fibers with diameter over 8 μm was 2.6% in case one and 0 in case two.Both patients had small regenerating cluster of myelinated fibers.Thin myelinated fibers appeared in case one.In case two, atypical onion bulb formations with focal folded myelin appeared, and electromicroscopy revealed mitochondrial aggregate in axons.Compound heterozygous mutations of ganglioside-induced differentiation associated protein 1 gene were detected in both patients, including c.767A>G(p.H256R) and c.466G>A (p.A156T) in case one and c.767A>G and 845G>A(p.R282H) in case two.Conclusions Contracture of Achilles tendon may appear in early childhood of AR-CMT2K patients.The main pathological changes in sural nerve are loss of large myelinated fibers, mitochondrial aggregate in axons and myelin abnormalities.

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

Objective To evaluate the clinical and biochemical characteristics of pregnant women with different glucose tolerance status,and their secretion characteristics of insulin,glucagon and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) after oral glucose challenge.Methods We analyzed 74 cases pregnant women with positive results of 50 g glucose challenge test in 24-28 gestational weeks,who received regular obstetrical follow-up in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2009 to June 2012.A further 100 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed,based on which the included women were divided into three groups,namely gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) group (n =25),impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) group (n =25) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) group (n =24).The general clinical data and biochemical indexes of the three groups were compared,and the indexes about insulin resistance and the function of pancreatic islet beta cells were calculated.Glucose,insulin,glucagon and GLP-1 were measured in OGTT.The secretion characteristics of each of these hormones and their correlation with other indicators were evaluated.Results Compared with the NGT group,the GCT [(9.21 ±0.75) mmol/L vs.(8.52 ±0.50) mmol/L,P ＜0.05] and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c [(5.39±0.34)％ vs.(5.18 ±0.20)％,P＜0.05] were significantly higher in the GDM group.In OGTT,the area under curve (AUC) of glucose in the GDM group was significantly higher than that inthe IGT group and NGT group [(26.58 ±2.02) mmol/(L · h) vs.(23.20 ± 1.51) mmoL/(L · h),(26.58 ± 2.02) mmol/(L · h) vs.(19.84 ± 1.95) mmol/(L · h),both P ＜ 0.05].The peak values of insulin secretion in the GDM group and IGT group were delayed to 2 hours after OGTT.The 3-hour insulin level in the GDM group was significantly higher than that in the NGT group (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the NGT group,the glucagon levels in each time point after OGTT and the AUC of glucagon levels were reduced in the GDM group and the IGT group,but with no significant differences.The peak glucagon levels in the 3 groups all appeared at 3 hours after OGTT.The GLP-1 levels in each time point of OGTT were gradually increased from the NGT group to the IGT group to the GDM group,but no significant differences were found.The peak value of GLP-1 level was presented at 1 hour after OGTT in the NGT group and the IGT group and at 2 hours after OGTT in the GDM group.The valley values of GLP-1 level in the 3 groups all appeared at 3 hours after OGTT.In comparison with the NGT group,the ratios of GLP-1 to blood glucose levels (GLP/BG) at 1-hour and 2-hour were significantly decreased in the GDM group (P ＜ 0.05).The AUC of glucagon levels in OGTT were negatively correlated with fasting blood glucose (r =-0.287,P =0.013) and 1-hour glucose levels (r =-0.266,P =0.022) in OGTT and positively correlated with insulin secretion sensitivity index (ISSI) (r =0.297,P =0.010) and HOMA-β (r =0.236,P =0.043).Moreover,the AUC of GLP-1 levels in OGTT was negatively correlated with the levels of C-reactive protein (r =-0.264,P =0.035).The AUC of GLP/BG in OGTT was positively correlated with ISSI (r=0.406,P＜0.001).Conclusions Pregnant women with GDM and IGT in the second trimester have insulin resistance and dysfunction of pancreatic islet β cells.Potential GLP-1 resistance and inadequate secretion may exist in GDM patients.GLP/BG may be a better parameter to evaluate the secretion function of L cells in pregnancy and an effective parameter to estimate the compensatory function of pancreatic β cells indirectly.Glucagon levels may not start to change obviously before 28 gestational weeks.