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 analyze monitoring results of iodized salt and distribution characteristics of problem areas with non-iodized salt in Gansu province during 2001 - 2009 and to provide a basis to develop countermeasures to iodine deficiency disorders. Methods According to the criterion of "The National Scheme of Iodized Salt Surveillance", two levels of monitoring were carried out on production and wholesale-level(during 2001 -2007) and household-level(during 2001 - 2009). Salt iodine was determined by direct titration method (GB/T13025.7-1999), and Sichuan salt or special salt was determined with an arbitration method. Criteria for qualified iodized salt was (35 ± 15)mg/kg(20 - 50 mg/kg), and for non-iodized salt was ＜ 5 mg/kg. Results During 2001 - 2007, a total of 4900 salt samples at production and wholesale-levels were examined, with a qualification rate of 97.80% (4792/4900). Non-iodized salt rates were all below 5% in Gansu province, consumption rate of qualified iodized salt was higher than 90% after 2003. During 2001 - 2009, cities(states) with non-iodized salt problems appeared 23 times, with Linxia accounting for 39.1%(9/23), Wuwei accounting for 21.7%(5/23). During 2001 -2009, counties(districts) with non-iodized salt problem appeared 123 times, including 68 times of ethnic minorities and state poverty counties, accounting for 55.3%(68/123). During 2001 - 2005 and 2006 - 2009, ethnic minorities and state poverty counties were accounting for 49.4%(44/89) and 70.6%(24/34) in counties with non-iodized salt problem. Conclusions The quality of iodized-salt at production and wholesale level is satisfactory in Gansu province, household consumption rate of qualified iodized salt have reached national standard for eliminating iodine deficiency disorders. But ethnic minorities and state poverty counties are main regions with non-iodized salt problem,these areas will be the key areas of prevention of iodine deficiency disorders in Gansu province in the future.

Objective To study the clinical application of the peak expiratory flow rate( PEFR) in children with asthma.Methods The PEFRs of 43 cases of asthma at the acute stage were measured to guide the clinical grading and therapy by the optimum individual PEFR of the patients at the remission stage, and the descending rate and warning value of individual PEFR were determined to investigate the relationship between the individual PEFR descending rate and the asthma attack conditions in the standard and nonstandard monitoring groups.Results At the asthma attack stage, the clinical symptoms became severe with PEFR declining; at the remission stage, the preventive application of drugs was based on the changes of the individual PEEF descending rate . The case number and frequency of asthma attack and the cases subjected to moderate or severe attacks in the standard group were 15 %,23.5 % and 25 % respectively; while those in the nonstandard group were 43.5 %, 75.5 % and 76.9 % respectively, which showed a significant difference( P

Objective To investigate the expression of MUC1 in primary liver carcinoma (PLC) and in cirrhotic liver tissue and its clinical significance in the diagnosis and immuotherapy of PLC. Methods The expression of MUC1 was examined by immunohistochemical analysis in 43 samples of primary liver carcinoma (PLC) , incluing 34 samples of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 9 samples of cholangiocarcinoma (CC) ;and 12 samples of cirrhotic liver tissue and 6 samples of normal liver tissues. Results Immunohistochemical analysis showed over- expression of MUC1 in PLC , which aberrantly localized in the cancer cell membrane; while expression of MUC1 was detected only in 2 cirrhotic liver samples,and no expression in normal liver tissue. The expressional level of MUC1 in PLC was significantly higher than that in cirrhotic and normal liver tissue ( P 0.05),but the expressional levels between with portal cancer emboli group and without portal cancer embloli group was significant difference( P