As an indispensable part of minority traditional medicine, mineral medicine has used with less dosage and reliable efficacy for the last thousand years. Based on the unearthed relics and medical literatures of past dynasties, the history of Han nationality ap- years, which had been recorded in main literature. But there is less comprehensive report of its usage in the other 55-minority nationality. This article was based on the analysis of ethnic minority literature of thousands of years, and conducted a comprehensive collation and analysis of mineral medicine. It was mostly determined that there was 20 minority groups using mineral medicine, with a total of 163 species (limited our references), and the most used is the Tibetan, accounting for 141. The most serious problems of mineral medicine are that species should be further investigated and researched, and then become the legal commercial medicine, and the classification principles of mineral medicine should be established. Through the traditional processing and experimental studies, the problems of attenuation and detoxification should be solved.
China ; ethnology ; History, Ancient ; History, Medieval ; Humans ; Medicine in Literature ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; history ; Minerals ; analysis ; pharmacology

Objective To study the renal damage of patients with juvenile primary Sjgren's syndrome (pSS)and its clinical manifestations,pathologic characteristics with biopsy,treatment and prognosis.Methods Ten patients with juvenile pSS complicated with renal impairments were retrospectively analyzed.Data of these 10 patients were compared with those without renal impairments.Results Ten patients complicated with renal impairments in 24 patients with juvenile pSS,9 of them presented with type I renal tubular acidosis(RTA), 5 with hypokalemia paralysis,3 with calcification of the renal tissue,3 with positive urine protein.1 with dia- betes insipidus.There was no significant difference between patients with renal impairments and those without. Three patients underwent kidney biopsy that showed chronic interstitial nephritis(CIN)with extensive lymp- hoplasmie cell infiltration.Two patients had glomerular lesions and one of them was diagnosed as pSS over- laped with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE).Steroid and immunosuppressive agents had significantly alle- viated symptoms and the hypergammaglobulinemia was significantly improved.Conclusion Renal impairment may be the major complication in juvenile pSS.The major clinical manifestations are RTA and the glomeruli are involved occasionally.Treatment with steroid anti immunnsuppressive agents should be given to those who have evidence of systemic involvement.

Zanthoxyli Radix is a traditional Chinese medicine. It can be used for the treatment of wind-cold-dampness arthralgia, muscle and bone pain, fall fracture, hernia, sore throat, toothache and other diseases. Due to possessing many excellent and mild pharmacological properties, there are lots of reports about Zanthoxyli Radix worldwide. At present, more than 100 bioactive components have been extracted and purified from Zanthoxyli Radix. Nitidine chloride (NC), one of the most important alkaloids in Zanthoxyli Radix, has the activities of anti-tumor, anti-inflammation, anti-bacteria, etc. In this review, we summarize the chemical components of Zanthoxyli Radix, pharmacological activity and mechanism of action of NC to provide references for further research and utilization of Zanthoxyli Radix.

Objective To analyze the unmet needs of services and support, and design structured, standardrized and individualized service and support plans for people with intellectual disability using ICF framework.Methods In respective of intellectual function and adaptive behavior, a structured, standardrized and individualized service and support plan had been constructed according to process of individualized plan using ICF.Results Based on ICF model of functioning and disability, the structured and standardized service and support plan had been constructed, including functional diagnosis and service needs reporting, and individualized services protocols.Conclusion With the analysis of functioning and reporting of unmet needs of service using ICF, the structured, standardrised and individualized service and support plan can be developed to promote the total rehabilitation for people with intellectual disabilities.

OBJECTIVE: To extract sperm DNA from mixed stain by the modified differential lysis method combined with silicon bead method and to evaluate its application value. METHODS: Fifty-two mixed stains containing female STR genotypes detected by differential lysis method were collected. The sperm DNA was extracted by the modified method combined with silicon bead method, then genotyped with the Identifiler Kit, and compared with the results of genotyping by the conventional differential lysis method as control. RESULTS: Of the 52 samples, 38 samples with sole male STR genotypes in all loci were detected. The detection rate of male STR genotypes was 98.08% through the modified method combined with silicon bead method. CONCLUSION The modified differential lysis method combined with silicon bead method can be used in extraction of sperm DNA from mixed stain.
DNA/isolation & purification* ; DNA Fingerprinting ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Silicon ; Spermatozoa

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Rehmannia glutinosa oligosaccharides (ROS) on the proliferation of HepG2 and insulin resistance.

METHODThe HepG2 cells were divided into control group, rosiglitazone (3.4 mg x L(-1)) treated group and ROS (0.1-30 mg x L(-1)) treated group. The proliferation of HepG2 was detected by MTT method. Insulin resistant HepG2 cells model was induced by high concentration of insulin, then the effects of ROS on glucose consumption in insulin resistant HepG2 cells were investigated.

RESULTIn the middle glucose culture medium, the absorbance at 570 nm of HepG2 was increased by high concentration of ROS, and decreased by low concentration of ROS by using MTT method, a concentration-dependent manner. ROS increased glucose consumption in HepG2 cells, and showed a better effect at the dose of 10 mg x L(-1). ROS promoted the glucose consumption in insulin resistance of HepG2 cells, improved the sensitivity of insulin resistance of HepG2 cells to insulin.

CONCLUSIONHigh concentration of ROS can promote the proliferation of HepG2, and however low concentration of ROS inhibits the proliferation of HepG2. ROS can significantly improve insulin resistance of HepG2 cells induced by high insulin.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Glucose ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Insulin ; pharmacology ; Insulin Resistance ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Oligosaccharides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rehmannia ; chemistry

INTRODUCTIONProblem-based learning (PBL), a pedagogic concept using a student-centred approach and problem-solving through small group discussions, has been adopted in varying degrees for years at all 11 medical institutes in Taiwan. Much evidence has shown that a number of factors can seriously affect student performance in PBL courses, such as the design of PBL scenarios, the tutors' character and students' attitudes and efforts.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThe aim of this study was to examine how the personal characters or knowledge base of Taiwanese medical students influence their performance in a hybrid-PBL curriculum. A total of 309 (234 male, 75 female) high-school entry undergraduate medical students participated in this survey. Self-assessed personal traits were presented in a 44-item questionnaire with a Big Five factor structure. Knowledge base was assessed by students' score point average (SPA) based on their previous 4-year education in medical school. Peer-assessed performance of students in the PBL curriculum was carried out using a well-developed, reliable and validated evaluation form.

RESULTSEach student's peer-evaluated PBL performance can be divided into 5 principal components, which included control-lead, assist-coordinate, written organisation and compromise- comply (Eigen value >1). The consistency and reliability of the Big Five questionnaire on personal traits was analysed and discordant items were deleted (Cronbach's alpha = 0.72 to 0.86 after deletion). The relationship between the personal traits, knowledge base and PBL performance, as analysed by simple regression, showed that "extraversion" and "openness to experience" were positively related to the "assist-coordinate" characteristic in PBL performance, and "conscientiousness" was positively related to the "control-lead" characteristic in PBL performance. The SPA was positively related to the "assist-coordinate" or "control-lead" characteristic in PBL performance. The "agreeableness" was negatively correlated with the "control-lead" characteristic in PBL performance. After stepwise regression between the Big Five and each component of PBL performance, only the correlation between conscientiousness and control/lead, and between extraversion and assist/coordinate remained significant.

CONCLUSIONKnowledge and personality characteristics appear to be associated with student performance in a hybrid-PBL curriculum. The implications of this study on the future development and application of this assessment tool in medical schools are presented.

Educational Measurement ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mental Competency ; psychology ; Problem-Based Learning ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Students, Medical ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Taiwan

OBJECTIVETo provide scientific basis for natural cultivation of Fritillaria cirrhosa.

METHODThe cluster analysis to the Bray--Curtis distance coefficient of community plot was carried out to divide the community types of F. cirrhosa.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe community of F. cirrhosa's natural cultivation can be divided into six types: Sibiraea angustata community, Rhododendron litangense community, Salix sclerophylla community, Dasiphora fruticosa + Spiraea alpina + S. myrtilloides community, Sabina pingii var. wilsonii community, Polygonum viviparum + P. sphaerostachyum community, and the ecological characteristics such as the composition of community and ecological distribution have been showed.

Altitude ; China ; Climate ; Cluster Analysis ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; methods ; Ecosystem ; Fritillaria ; growth & development ; Pharmacognosy ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; Temperature

Objective To evaluate the association between total fluid intake and the time of urination per day and the risk of bladder cancer. Methods A population-based case-control study was conducted in urban Shanghai, China, during January 1996 to December 1998. The study included 608 incident cases of bladder cancer and 607 age- and sex-matched controls. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratios(ORs)and their corresponding 95%confidence intervals(95%CIs)for bladder cancer associated with frequency of urination, after adjusted for age, gender, smoking status, history of occupation with high risk, history of bladder infections, body mass index and other confounding factors. The level of statistical significance was set at 0.05(two-sided). Results No significant trend was observed for the association between total fluid intake, time of nighttime urination and the risk of bladder cancer. Increasing time of urination during daytime was associated with decreased risk of bladder cancer(P for trend=0.014). ORs(95%CIs)for subjects who voided 4 times, 5 times and 6 or more times per day[0.72(0.49-1.05),0.60(0.41-0.87)and 0.62(0.43-0.90), respectively], when compared with those with less than 4times per day after adjustment of confounding factors. Data showed that smokers and nonsmokers who voided at least 6 times per day had the ORs of 0.72(95%CI: 0.45-1.15)and 0.46(95%CI:0.25-0.87)when compared to their counterparts who voided 3 times or less per day during the daytime. Subjects who urinated at least 6 times per day and consumed more than 1500 ml of total fluid per day experienced a significant 57% reduction in risk compared to subjects who urinated 3 times or less and consumed less than 750 ml of total daily fluid intake. Conclusion Increased urination frequency and total fluid intake, especially among those who never smoked might be associated with a reduced risk of bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVETo study the changes of platelet in May-Hegglin anomaly (MHA) and the molecular pathogenesis mechanism.

METHODSPeripheral blood was drawn from the MHA proband, her father and her uncle. Platelet count and morphology were examined by automatic blood cell counter and microscopy, respectively. The platelet membrane protein was examined by flow cytometry. Membrane antibodies were determined by ELISA. PCR was used to amplify the exons 25, 31 approximately 32, 38 and 40 of the MYH 9 gene in the MHA patient and her diseased father. Furthermore, PCR products were sequenced, a specific point mutation was identified and inclusions (Dohle's body) in the neutrophil was detected by indirect immunofluorescence technique.

RESULTSIt was proved that in MHA patients, platelet count was higher by cell counter than by microscope (P < 0.01). Giant platelet was 94% but platelet membrane proteins (CD41, CD61, CD42A, CD42b) were in normal range. Membrane antibodies was undetectable. An A5521G mutation (GAG-->AAG) in the exon 38 was found in the proband and her diseased father, resulting in a characteristic change of NMMHC-A1841 (Glutamic acid-->Arginine), which was not found in other members of the family and in normal controls. Spindle-like inclusions with fluorescence were clearly displayed in neutrophil cytoplasm.

CONCLUSIONThe molecular pathogenesis mechanism of May-Hegglin anomaly is the mutation in MYH 9 gene.

Adult ; Base Sequence ; Blood Platelets ; metabolism ; pathology ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Granulocytes ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Inclusion Bodies ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Molecular Motor Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; Myosin Heavy Chains ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Platelet Count ; Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; Thrombocytopenia ; blood ; genetics ; pathology