The five-flavor theory of traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) and the flavor efficacy generation mechanism has long been focuses and difficulties in studies on traditional Chinese medicinal properties. In this paper, by using the pharmacophore-based virtual screening technique, the authors discussed the relations between the pungent property and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) by studying the TCM components' role in regulating TRPV1 ion channel. The results showed that the matching relationship between TRPV1 agonist pharmacophore model and TCM chemical components could identify the active ingredients from pungent herbs. Therefore, the authors proposed that TRPV1 is one of the potential targets for efficient pungent herbs. The pungent property of TCMs is decided by its chemical components, and consistent with the inherited and additive characteristics.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Smell ; TRPV Cation Channels ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Taste

Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum as a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. Flavonoid compounds are main chemical constituents of Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum, which exert anti-inflammatory property. However, the underlying anti-inflammatory mechanisms of flavonoid compounds are incompletely understood. It has been reported that isoliquiritigenin, liquiritigenin, naringenin and butein possess anti-inflammatory property. The purpose of this study is to illuminate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of flavonoid compounds based on the protein interaction network (PIN) analysis on molecular network level. 130 targets of the main medicinal ingredients of flavonoid compounds were gained though database retrieval. A protein interaction network of flavonoid compounds was constructed with 589 nodes and 216 interactions. By a graph theoretic clustering algorithm Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE), 26 modules were identified and analyzed by Gene ontology (GO) enrichment. Two modules were associated with anti-inflammatory actions. The most interesting finding of this study was that the anti-inflammatory effect of flavonoid compounds may be partly attributable to inhibite FOS, PTGS2 expression, inhibite of IL-1beta release, and block the MAPK pathway and toll-like receptor pathway.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Dalbergia ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Protein Binding ; drug effects ; Protein Interaction Maps ; drug effects ; Proteins ; metabolism

Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Pneumoconiosis ; microbiology ; Sputum ; microbiology ; beta-Lactam Resistance ; beta-Lactamases ; analysis

Panax notoginseng (PN) is one of the commonly used clinical medicines for cardiovascular diseases and possesses a variety of pharmacological effects. P. notoginseng saponins (PNS) are the most important bioactive components in PN. The purpose of this study was to explain the mechanism of PNS on molecular network level. 18 targets of the main medicinal ingredients of PNS were gained by virtual screening based on pharmacophores and data mining. A protein interaction network of PNS was constructed with 189 nodes and 721 interactions. By a graph theoretic clustering algorithm Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE), 14 modules were detected. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of the modules demonstrated that the roles of PNS played in cardiovascular disease related to multiple biological processes, which could represent the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a whole to regulate the disease. The results showed that the blood circulation and hemostasis efficacy of PN related with the biological processes such as positive regulation of cAMP metabolic and biosynthetic process, platelet activation and regulation of blood vessel size, regulation of T cell proliferation and differentiation and so on. Therefore, the module-based network analysis will be an effective method for better understanding TCM.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Humans ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; Protein Interaction Maps ; drug effects ; Proteins ; chemistry ; Saponins ; chemistry

The influences of the calmodulin antagonist chlorpromazine (CPZ), and calcium chanmel blocker nimodipine (NLMO) and their combination on cadmium (Cd) poisoning of mice were studied.A series of biochemical parameters including urinary enzyme activities, blood and urine Cd levels, metallothionein (MT) contents in liver and kidney, hepatic ultrastructure and Ca2+ -Mg2- AT Pase activitv in erythrocyte membrane were determined. Animal models for Cd poisoning were established by peritoneal injection of 1/5 LD50 CdCl2. The experimental groups were protected by administration of CPZ, NIMO and CPZ and NIMO in combination I h before the injection of CdCl2. Five days later, samples were collected for analysis. The data showed that CPZ could protect kidney tissue against Cd-induced damage, as the urinary y-glutamyl-traspeptidase (γ-GT) and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activities were reduced significantly. There was neither evidence of the protective effect of NIMO on kidney tissue nor an indication of a synergistic effecf of CPZ and NIMO.Both CPZ and NIMO showed a considerable protective effect against the decrease in Ca2+ -Mg2+ AT-Pase activity, and a synergistic action was observed. Cd content in blood was reduced significantly by CPZ or the combination of CPZ and NIMO, but elevated by NIMO. Both CPZ and NIMO considerably increased MT contents in livers and kidneys and ameliorated damaged to the hepatic ultrastructures caused by Cd. The results indicated that these inhibitors could protect mice against the toxic effects of Cd in liver and kidney tissues, while CPZ was more efficient than NIMO. The combination of CPZ and NIMO excrted a synergistic action. The protective action of these two drugs might be relevent to the function of MT.

Objective To investigate the effects of early activities combined with evodia hot salt pack applying to the navel in prophylaxis against abdominal distension after surgery for gynecological malignancies.Methods 318 patients suffered from gynecological malignancies were randomly divided into three groups,activity group (n =102),vitamin B1 group ( n =110) and evodia group ( n =106 ).The activity group began activities within 24 hours after surgery; the vitamin B1 group,in addition to the traditional nursing,received injection of vitamin B1 through tsu-san-li meridians,each side with 50mg; the evodia group,besides the activities,was managed with evodia mixed with hot salt pack applied to the navel.The incidence of abdominal distension,the average time of bowel sound recovery,the first time of flatus passing and defecation of the three groups were compared.Results The incidence of abdominal distension in the evodia group ( 16.9％ ) was significantly lower than that in the activity group (55.9％) and the vitamin B1 group (67.3％) ( x2 =70.50,P ＜ 0.01 ).The average time of bowel sound recovery,the first time flatus passing and defecation in the evodia group [ (30.02 ±4.37)h,(42.16 ± 16.03 )h,(72.62 ± 20.79 )h] was significantly shorter than those in the activity group [ (40.57 ±5.27)h,(74.25 ± 12.14)h,(135.33 ±40.18) h] and the vitamin B1 group [ (44.23 ± 12.16)h,(77.25±16.32)h,(139.71 ±38.25)h] (F=8.88,4.37,5.49; P＜0.01).Conclusions Early activities after surgery combined with evodia hot salt pack applying to the navel could effectively facilitate the recovery of gastrointestinal function for patients suffered from gynecological malignancies and prevent abdominal distension.

Objective To understand clinical distribution and antimicrobial resistance characteristics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa(P.aeruginosa)isolated from hospitalized patients, so as to provide reference for the empiric use of antimicrobial agents and control of healthcare-associated infection(HAI).Methods Clinical distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility testing results of P.aeruginosaisolated from patients in a hospital between 2012 and 2016 were analyzed retrospectively, statistical analysis were conducted based on different wards, specimen types and age groups.Results A total of 2 432 strains of P.aeruginosa were isolated from2012 to 2016, most of which were isolated from intensive care unit(ICU)(n=727, 29.89％), the main specimen was sputum(n=2 064, 84.87％). Resistance rates of P.aeruginosa to other antimicrobial agents except piperacillin/tazobactam in each year from 2012 to 2016 were significantly different(all P＜0.05).Resistance to piperacillin, ceftazidime, cefepime, imipenem, meropenem, levofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin decreased after peaked in2014;resistance rates to amikacin, gentamicin, and tobramycin were all low, showing decreased trend year by year(all P＜0.05).Except resistance rates to cefepime and tobramycin, resistance rates of P.aeruginosafrom sputum specimen were all higher than other specimens(all P＜0.05).Resistance rates of P.aeruginosaisolated from patients aged≥65 years to most antimicrobial agents were significantly higher than those isolated from patients aged＜65 years(all P＜0.05).Except resistance rates to gentamicin and tobramycin, resistance rates of P.aeruginosaisolated from ICU were higher than those isolated from other departments, which were 7.71％-66.02％.Resistance rate of P.aeruginosaisolated from department of surgery were relatively low, which were 1.69％-11.86％.Conclusion Clinical distribution of antimicrobial resistance of P.aeruginosais obviously heterogeneity, empiric antimicrobial use and formulation of HAI monitoring measures should be based on the data of antimicrobial resistance in different wards, different infection sites, and different age.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics, the association with the risk factors of macrovascular complications, the prevalence of microvascular complications between LADA patients and Type 2 diabetes(T2DM). Methods A cross-sectional study of 30 cases of LADA(ICA positive) patients and 60 cases of ICA negative T2DM subjects matched with age, sex and duration.Results As compared with T2DM, LADA cases showed a lower BMI(21 3?0 5 vs 23 3?0.4kg/m 2, P

Objective To investigate the CT and MRI findings of inflammation and lymphadenosis of lacrimal gland and to assess their diagnostic value.Design Retrospective case series study.Participants 46 patients with inflammation or lymphadenosis of lacrimal gland.Methods CT and MRI findings were analyzed retrospectively in 46 patients with inflammation or lymphadenosis of lacrimal gland,which were confirmed by pathology or clinical follow-ups.Main Outcome Measures Configuration,signal intense(or density)and extent of lesions.Results Of the 46 patients,32 patients with inflammatory pseudotumors demonstrated enlargement of the lacrimal gland,showing homogenous moderate density on CT,isointense or hypointense signal on T_1WI and T_2WI of MRI,and marked contrast enhancement.Multiple cystic components could be seen in one case.In 4 patients with Mikulicz disease,there were bilateral diffuse enlargment of the entire glands.CT scans showed homogenous moderate density.MRI showed hypointense signal on T_1WI and T_2WI,and marked contrast enhancement.Five patients with reactive lymphoid hyperplasia demonstrated enlargement of the lacrimal gland,homogenous moderate density on CT,hypointense or isointense signal on T_1WI and T_2WI(one case was hyperintense signal on T_2WI),and marked contrast enhancement.One patient with atypical lymphoid hyperplasia demonstrated bilateral diffuse enlargment of the entire glands,and homogenous moderate density on CT.4 patients had malignant lymphomas(B-cell lymphoma 3,histocytic sarco- ma 1,all 4 patients had bilateral disease),Those patients with malignant lymphomas showed bilateral diffuse enlargment of the entire glands.Conclusions The CT and MRI findings were similar in inflammation and lymphadenosis of lacrimal gland.CT and MRI may contribute to differentiate inflammation and lymphadenosis with epithelial tumors and may demonstrate the extent of the lesion.(Oph- thalmol CHN,2007,16:308-311)

Objective To investigate the influence of thiamine deficiency(TD)at early pre- pathological lesion stage on cognitive function and the correlation between cognitive dysfunction and hippocampal neurogenesis.Methods TD mouse model was prepared by feeding a thiamine-depleted diet. Learning and memory functions of TD mice were tested with Y-maze.Hippoeampal neurogenesis was studied with bromodeoxyuridine(BrdU),proliferative cell nuclear antigen(PCNA),and Doublecortin(Dcx) immunohistochemical staining on the 7th(TD7),9th,14th and TD25th day.Results TD9 mice without pathological impairment and cholinergic nerve degeneration needed more times of training(22.3?2.2)in the learning test of Y maze compared with the controls(13.5?3.5).Correspondingly,the numbers of BrdU-positive ceils and the immunoreactivity of Dcx decreased significantly in the TD9 mice(19.8?0.4, 1537.2?50.2 vs 23.9?0.3,2688.9?127.9 pixels/mm~2).Thiamine re-administration reversed the declined hippocampal neurogenesis:the number of BrdU-positive cells was 23.6?1.9 and Dcx immunoreactivity was 2052.3?269.6 pixels/mm~2:the impaired learning ability was simultaneously restored,with the number of total training trial being 16.8?0.5.Conclusion The decreased hippocampal neurogenesis contributes to retarded learning ability at early pre-pathological lesion stage of TD.