Advocating green, nature, environmental protection, safety and the pursuit of efficacy are the trends of cosmetics in the world. In recent years, more and more Chinese herbal extracts with mild, high safety and small irritation are applied to cosmetics as the natural additives. This has become a new hot spot. The recent application advances of Chinese medicine raw materials in cosmetics are overviewed according to their main functions. This review will provide useful references for the future development and application of Chinese medicinal herbs cosmetics.
Animals ; Biomedical Research ; trends ; Consumer Product Safety ; Cosmetics ; analysis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Humans

During the process of growth, harvesting, transportation, processing and storage, Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) can be easily contaminated by fungi and their metabolites like mycotoxins, which not only express negative effects on the quality and safety of CHMs and their processed products, but also pose great threats to human health. Now, some chemical synthetic fungicides have been frequently used to control the growth of fungi and accumulation of mycotoxins in the preservation of CHMs. However, the concentration and type of chemical fungicides allowed for postharvest application are restricted due to the disadvantages of their high residual toxicity, long degradation period and pollution to the environment and so on. Therefore, it is critical to research and develop some highly effective, safe and non-toxic, natural, environment-friendly fungistatic agents from plants to prevent CHMs from being contaminated by fungi and mycotoxins. The paper reviews mycotoxins and their harmfulness, the effective compounds of fungistatic plants as well as the antifungal mechanism to provide scientific evidences for developing novel and effective fungistatic agents plants. Then, the application prospect of fungistatic agents from plants in the preservation of CHMs was discussed.
Animals ; Fungi ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Fungicides, Industrial ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Mycotoxins ; metabolism ; toxicity ; Plant Diseases ; microbiology ; prevention & control ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; microbiology ; Preservation, Biological ; methods

OBJECTIVETo determine whether the ingestion of a herbal supplement called Rhodiola-Gingko Capsule (RGC) would enhance the endurance performance of healthy volunteers and change relevant hormones in a favorable manner.

METHODSSeventy healthy male volunteers (age ranges from 18 to 22 years old) were randomly assigned to RGC group (35 cases, each capsule containing 270 mg herbal extracts, 4 capsules per day) or placebo group (35 cases, equivalent placebo preparation) for 7 weeks using computer produced digital random method. The endurance performance, serum testosterone and cortisol levels were measured at the baseline and the endpoint.

RESULTSSixty-seven subjects (34 in the RGC group and 33 in the placebo group) completed a 7-week treatment. The RGC group displayed a significantly greater baseline-to endpoint increase in maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2max)) than placebo group in both absolute (P=0.020) and relative values (P=0.023). At the endpoint, the serum cortisol level was unchanged in the RGC group compared with the baseline, but it was significantly elevated in the placebo group (P<0.05). The endpoint ratio of testosterone to cortisol, a surrogate for overtraining and fatigue in endurance exercises, was also indifferent compared with the baseline in the RGC group, but significantly decreased in the placebo group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe combined herbal supplement of Rhodiola and Gingko could improve the endurance performance by increasing oxygen consumption and protecting against fatigue.

Adolescent ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Fatigue ; drug therapy ; Ginkgo biloba ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; blood ; Integrative Medicine ; Male ; Oxygen Consumption ; drug effects ; Physical Endurance ; drug effects ; Placebos ; Rhodiola ; Testosterone ; blood ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the occupational exposure levels of dust in new suspension preheated dry process (NSP) cement production line and put forward rectification measures for dust-exposed posts, and to provide ideas for the modern cement production enterprises in dust control and occupational health management.

METHODSOccupational health field investigation combined with field test were used to measure the time-weighted average concentration (C(TWA)) of the dust in the workplace. Rectification measures were taken for the dust-exposed posts with unqualified dust concentration, and the protective effects of dustproof facilities in the rectified workplace were evaluated.

RESULTSThe field investigation revealed incompletely closed dustproof facilities, improperly set dust hoods, excess of dust leakage points, and other problems in the dust-exposed posts of an NSP cement production line before rectification, and the dustproof facilities could hardly exert dust removal effect. The field test showed that the vast majority of dust-exposed posts had the dust concentrations exceeding the occupational exposure limits (OELs), with a qualified rate as low as 31.8%. A series of rectification measures were taken for these posts. After the rectification, the dust-exposed posts demonstrated dramatically dropped C(TWA), and the qualified rate of dust concentration in the dust-exposed posts rose to 90.9%.

CONCLUSIONThe dust hazards in NSP cement production line cannot be ignored. Taking appropriate protective measures are critical for curbing dust hazards in modern cement production.

Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Construction Materials ; Dust ; analysis ; Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis ; prevention & control ; Workplace

Anemia, Aplastic/drug therapy* ; Animals ; Antilymphocyte Serum ; Child ; Cyclosporine ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Swine ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To explore the operative strategy and clinical outcome of the thoracolumbar fracture dislocation. METHODS: Forty-two patients with the thoracolumbar fracture dislocation were treated with anterior approach (10 patients), posterior approach (28 patients), and anterior combined with posterior approach (4 patients) in order to construct the stabilities of the spine. The ASIA grades were used to evaluate the recovery of the neurological function, and the improvement of the kyphosis deformities was evaluated by the cobb's angle post-operation. RESULTS: All the patients had no complications of injury in the vascular and neurological system. The ASIA grades after the operation were superior to those of pre-operation, and the cobb's angle was rectified distinctly. CONCLUSION When appropriate operative strategies are adopted, thoracolumbar fracture dislocation can be treated with satisfactory outcome.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; etiology ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fractures ; complications ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: The proposed Men's Health Index (MHI) aims to provide a practical and systematic framework for comprehensively assessing and stratifying older men with the intention of optimising their health and functional status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was conducted using PubMed from 1980 to 2012. We specifically looked for instruments which: assess men's health, frailty and fitness; predict life expectancy, mortality and morbidities. The instruments were assessed by the researchers who then agreed on the tools to be included in the MHI. When there was disagreements, the researchers discussed and reached a consensus guided by the principle that the MHI could be used in the primary care setting targetting men aged 55-65 years. RESULTS: The instruments chosen include the Charlson's Combined Comorbidity-Age Index; the International Index of Erectile Function-5; the International Prostate Symptom Score; the Androgen Deficiency in Aging Male; the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe Frailty Instrument; the Sitting-Rising Test; the Senior Fitness Test; the Fitness Assessment Score; and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21. A pilot test on eight men was carried out and showed that the men's health index is viable. CONCLUSIONS: The concept of assessing, stratifying, and optimizing men's health should be incorporated into routine health care, and this can be implemented by using the MHI. This index is particularly useful to primary care physicians who are in a strategic position to engage men at the peri-retirement age in a conversation about their life goals based on their current and predicted health status.
Aging/*physiology ; *Health Status ; Humans ; Life Expectancy/*trends ; Male ; Men's Health/*standards/*trends

OBJECTIVETo compare clinical outcomes of superior labrum from anterior to posterior (SLAP) repair and biceps tenodesis in treating type I SLAP injury.

METHODSFrom March 2009 to March 2012, 38 patients with type II SLAP injury were treated with SLAP repair and biceps tenodesis, and all patients were unilateral SLAP injury. Sixteen patients treated with biceps tenodesis included 8 males and 7 females with an average age of (49.3±3.7) years old (ranged, 45 to 54); 10 cases were on the left side and 6 cases on the right side; 10 cases were caused by falling down, 2 cases were caused by throwing damage and 4 cases were caused by daily life damage; the time from injury to operation were from 3 to 8 weeks. Twenty-two patients treated with SLAP repair included 14 males and 8 females with an average age of (49.0±2.8) years old (ranged, 44 to 56); 13 cases were on the left side and 9 cases were on the right side; 14 cases were caused by falling down, 5 cases were caused by throwing damage and 3 cases were caused by daily life damage; the time from injury to operation were from 3 to 7 weeks. Preoperative, postoperative at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years' UCLA and SST score were compared between two groups.

RESULTSThere was no significant differences in UCLA and SST score between two groups before operation. At 6 months after operation, UCLA and SST score in biceps tenodesis group was higher than SLAP group, and action,range of anteflexion, strength of anteflexion, degree of satisfaction in biceps tenodesis group was higher than SLAP group. There was no significant meaning in SST and UCLA score between two groups at 1 and 2 years after operation.

CONCLUSIONShort-term efficacy of biceps tenodesis for SLAP injury is better than SLAP repair, but long-term efficacy is fairly.

Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Shoulder Joint ; injuries ; surgery ; Tendon Injuries ; surgery ; Tenodesis

The electrospray ionization-ion mobility spectrometric (ESI-IMS) technique has the potential as an analytical separation tool in analyzing polypeptides and amino acids for fast screening unknown samples in anti-chemical and biological terror attacks. A method for detecting several polypeptides and amino acids was developed based on ESI-IMS using air as drift gas at room temperature. The ion mobility of four amino acids and two polypeptides dissolved in methanol was determined on the system at elution rate of 2 mL/ min. The spectra of these compounds had characteristics of finger-printing maps. The limit of detection of this instrument for Substance P could reach 855 ng / mL in 1 min. The results showed that a small, self-contained ESI-IMS instrument with reservoirs of air could be used to quickly detect and accurately identify polypeptides and amino acids.

OBJECTIVETo develop a fast, high-throughput screening method with suspension array technique for simultaneous detection of biothreat bacteria.

METHODS16 S rDNA universal primers for Bacillus anthracis, Francisella tularensis, Yersinia pestis, Brucella spp.and Burkholderia pseudomallei were selected to amplify corresponding regions and the genus-specific or species-specific probes were designed. After amplification of chromosomal DNA by 16 S rDNA primers 341A and 519B, the PCR products were detected by suspension array technique. The sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility and detection power were also analyzed.

RESULTSAfter PCR amplification by 16 S rDNA primers and specific probe hybridization, the target microorganisms could be identified at genus level, cross reaction was recognized in the same genus. The detection sensitivity of the assay was 1.5 pg/microl (Burkholderia pseudomallei), 20 pg/microl (Brucella spp.), 7 pg/microl (Bacillus anthracis), 0.1 pg/microl (Francisella tularensis), and 1.1 pg/microl (Yersinia pestis), respectively. The coefficient of variation for 15 test of different probes was ranged from 5.18% to 17.88%, it showed good reproducibility. The assay could correctly identify Bacillus anthracis and Yersinia pestis strains in simulated white powder samples.

CONCLUSIONThe suspension array technique could be served as an opening screening method for biothreat bacteria rapid detection.

Bacillus anthracis ; isolation & purification ; Bioterrorism ; prevention & control ; DNA Primers ; DNA, Bacterial ; analysis ; Francisella tularensis ; isolation & purification ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; methods ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; genetics ; Yersinia pestis ; isolation & purification