ABSTRACT The taboos of man-spirit (RenShen) and bottom-spirit (KaoShen) are two kinds of time-related contraindications that are more commonly seen in the literature of acupuncture and moxibustion. The meaning of man-spirit is often extended to qi-blood or mind, or else directly equals to heaven-spirit (TianShen). It is highly possible that the bottom-spirit is subordinate to man-spirit, and both Taoist philosophy and the SanCai theory declare the importance of bottom in human body. The violation of contraindications could lead to diseases in the neighborhood where man-spirit travels. However, the results are generally recorded as ulcer, lingering disease and death in most medical texts. From Ming dynasty, more and more doctors have expressed disapproval of man-spirit and bottom-spirit.
Acupuncture Therapy ; psychology ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; psychology

Hirudin (HV) is known as the most potent and specific inhibitor of thrombin. Although hirudin has many advantages , it has the bleeding side effect and this is the great shortage of hiudin for clinical application. In order to alleviate bleeding side effect of hirudin, fusion protein, named as FHV (fusion hirudin linked with FXa recognition peptide) was designed. The fusion protein gene ( fhv) was cloned into plasmid pPIC9K. FHV engineered Pichia pastoris containing high copies was chosen for fermentation and purification at 30 L fermentor scale, finally, FHV with purity of above 97% was obtained. To investigate the function of FHV in vivo, mouse tail thrombosis model was used. In the mice thrombus tail model induced by carrageenan, FHV decreased the length of tail thrombus significantly, similar to that of HV control, and had no obvious effects on the TT, PT and APTT. In conclusion, FHV is constructed and expressed in yeast. FHV fusion proteins is obtained by fermentation and purification. FHV has antithrombotic effects not influencing IT, PT and APTT after administration immediately in animal models. Therefore, FHV is a promising anticoagulant and antithrombotic drug.

Introduction：Neonatal tetanus is a major cause of neonatal mortality in many developing countries and remains a major public health problem. This study aimed to determine risk factors associated with neonatal tetanus in Wenzhou, China.Methodology：Medical records of neonatal tetanus cases from 17 hospitals over a 13-year period (2000–2012) were reviewed for potential risk factors. Controls were selected from neonates with diseases other than tetanus who were admitted to the same facility during the same period. The potential risk factors of the neonatal tetanus group were compared with the control group using univariate analysis and an unconditional logistic regression model.Results：A total of 246 neonates with tetanus and 257 controls were included in this study. Univariate analysis showed that having untrained birth attendants, home delivery, an unsterile method of delivery and being a migrant to Wenzhou were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds of having an untrained birth attendant, home delivery and an unsterile method of delivery were significantly higher in the tetanus group than the control group (odds ratio: 1371.0; 95% confidence interval: 206.0, 9123.5).Conclusion：This study identified that the main risks of neonatal tetanus in cases from Wenzhou were having an untrained birth attendant, home delivery and an unsterile method of delivery. Preventive measures directed to these risk factors may reduce the occurrence of neonatal tetanus in the studied area.

In this article, the Chinese Traditional Medicine and Materia Medica Subject Headings, Standards of the People's Republic of China - Classification and Codes of Diseases and Zheng of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Chinese Terms in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy were compared. Three standards were compared from the terminology quantity, content and classification. Each standard has its special feature. The compatibility and consistency are not strong in these standards. More authoritative traditional Chinese medicine terminology standards need to be established for the application in the clinical practice and scientific research.

The accurate acupoint and application of acupuncture for throat diseases described in Zheng Mei-jian's book Chonglou Yuyao (Jade key to the secluded chamber) is clarified through exploration on recordings of the relative acupuncture skills in medical literatures of the mid-Qing Dynasty. It is found that the so called open-the-wind-way-acupuncture includes at least two groups of acupoints on the hand and the head, they are applied respectively for light and severe cases of sore-throat. Together with the third group of points which is used for the extremely severe cases, the three groups of points are all classified into the concept of qi-acupuncture. Although the composition of acupoints and process of application are different in recordings of various medical literatures in same periods, the treating principles are all focused on "opening the passage for elimination of the wind so as to remove the pathogenic wind-heat and promote blood circulation".
Acupuncture Therapy ; history ; China ; History, 19th Century ; Humans ; Medicine in Literature ; Pharyngitis ; therapy

Objective To study effect of excessive iodine intake on sodium-iodide symporter(NIS)mRNA and protein expression of breast in lactating rats.Methods60 Wistar rats,having been weaned for one month,were randomly divided into three groups according to their body weights,I.e,①normal iodine(NI,30 rats);②ten fold high iodine(10 HI,15 rats);③one hundred fold high iodine(100 HI,15 rats).Eating food containing iodine of 300μg/L and drinking water of iodine at 5,1845,20 295μg/L,respectively.After fed for 3 months,the rats mated and had offspring,and urine and milk iodine of lactating rats were determined by As-Ce-catalytic spectrophotometric method.Their marmnary glands were sampled at lactation day 10.Then NIS mRNA expression by RT-PCR was determined and NIS protein by immunohistochemistry(SABC)was observed.Results The urine iodine of 10 HI group(3597.5μg/L)and 100HI group(25 404.3μg/L)increased obviously compared with that of NI group(344.7μg/L).The milk iodine of 10HI group(27.1×103μg/L)and 100HI group(191.0×1μg/L)was higher than that of NI group(6.0×103μg/L),but the increased fold of milk iodine was not paralleled with that of urine iodine.Difference of NIS mRNA expression was significant(F=24.19,P＜0.01)among the groups,and the NIS mRNA expression in 10HI(1.250±0.034)and 100HI(1.272±0.039)group were less than that in NI (1.532±0.044)group(P＜0.01).The breast NIS mRNA expression in lactating rats(1.532±0.044)was significantly higher than that in unlactating rats(0.879±0.018,P＜0.01).With the increasing iodine uptake,NIS protein expression decreased.Conclusions The NIS mRNA and protein in rat breasts is down-regulated by excessive iodine intake.So increasing extent of milk iodine concentration is inhibited,which is important to prevent off-spring from getting excessive iodine intake from parental generation.

Objective To investigate the iodine nutritional status of school children, lactating women and infants in iodine deficient areas of Baicheng and Wushi Counties in Xinjiang Autonomous Region. Methods According to the geographic location of east, south, west and north of county, 10 primary schools of 8 townships were selected. In each school, 10 children among each gender and age group from 8 to 10 years old were selected. A total of 300 school children were chosen. One hundred and four infants aged 0-2 years old and their mother were selected in 8 townships. Iodine content in edible salt at household level, the urinary iodine in school children and lactating women, total goiter rate(TGR) and the status of the intelligence quotient (1Q) of school children, the status of psychological development of infants were observed. Direct titration assay for testing the salt iodine, colorimetric ceric-arsenic assay and vitriolic ammonium assimilation were used for testing urinary iodine. The size of thyroid gland was measured by palpation. The Combined Raven Test for Chinese Rural was used to test the IQ. The psychological development of infants was tested by Danver Development Screening Test (DDST). Results The coverage rate of iodized salt at household level was 73.1% (123/182), however, the proportion of households using adequately iodized salt was 64.1% (118/182). The medium of urinary iodine in school children was 103.7 μ/L, with 47.8%(75/157) less than 100 μg/L and 28.0% (44/157) less than 50 μg/L; it was 123.0 μg/L in Baieheng County, with 44.4%(28/63) less than 100 μg/L and 33.3%(21/63) less than 50 μg/L; it was 100.3 μg/L in Wushi County, 50.0%(47/94) less than 100 μg/L and 24.5%(23/94) less than 50 μg/L. The medium of urinary iodine in locating women was 143.3 μg/L, it was 119.7 μg/L and 184.6 μg/L in Baicheng and Wushi Counties, respectively. The total rate of goiter in school children was 14.3%(43/300), it was 10.8%(13/120) and 16.6%(30/180) in Baicheng and Wushi Counties, respectively. The average IQ in school children was 80.6±11.6, it was 83.0±11.6 and 79.0±11.7 in Baicheng and Wushi Counties, respectively. The proportion of mental retardation in school children (IQ≤69) was 13.0% (39/300), it was 6.7% (8/120) and 17.2%(31/180) in Baicheng and Wushi Counties, respectively. In addition, the proportion of psychological development in infants being normal, suspicious and abnormal was 78.8%(82/104), 12.5% (13/104) and 8.7%(9/104), respectively. Conclusion This study confirms the fact that there is also existence of mental retardation in children and infants, caused by iodine deficiency.

Objective To explore the feasibility of iodized Nang(bread) prepared with iodized salt and non-iodized rock salt as vehicle of iodine. Methods Two kinds of Nang, each of 10 respectively, were grilled with 30 g iodized salt water and non-iodized rock salt water mixed with 2 kg flour by the local cooker, then put inside of Nang oven using traditional methods of grilled Nang in Xinjiang. The samples were collected from different parts of Nang, including the layers facing oven wall and the fire, as well as inside of Nang. The method for determination of iodine in foodstuff by dry ashing As ~Ⅲ-Ce~(4+) catalytic spectrephotometry was used to determine iodine concentration in Nang. Results Iodine content in iodized and non-iodized Nang was (0.654 ± 0.076)mg/kg and (0.075 ± 0.022)mg/kg, respectively. In addition, Iodine content in two kinds of Nang was significantly different and iodine content of Nang with iodized salt was much higher than that with non-iodized rock salt(t = 13.520, P <0.01 ). Iodine content in two kinds of Nang from the layers facing oven wall and the fire, as well as inside of Nang were (0.700 ± 0.100), (0.064 ± 0.029)mg/kg; (0.647 ± 0.076), (0.070 ± 0.019)mg/kg; (0.659 ± 0.073), (0.073 ±0.030)mg/kg, respectively. Iodine content in two kinds of Nang of the same parts was significantly different(t =3.826,4.201,4.103, all P < 0.01 ). There was no significant difference of iodine content in different parts of the same kind of Nang(F = 0.220,0.190, all P > 0.05). Conclusions Grilled Nang with iodized salt contains sufficient iodine, and the iodine content of the same kind of Nang in different parts has no significant difference. Our studydemonstrated that Nang is a vehicle available for iodine fortification since Nang is very popular food for local population in Xinjiang.

OBJECTIVEMetabonomics researches of Scutellariae Radix interfering pyretic pulmonary syndrome had been done, to determine the specific biomarkers of pyretic pulmonary syndrome, and to approach the mechanism that Scutellariae Radix interfered the variation of these biomarkers.

METHODMetabonomics technique, UPLC-Q-TOF/MS analytical means and PCA statistical methods were utilized to investigate the trajectory change and inter-relationship of urinary metabolome of rats treated differently.

RESULTSix specific biomarkers were determined which could represent Streptococcus pneumoniae-induced pyretic pulmonary syndrome in rats. Scutellariae Radix could significantly adjust the ascended biomarkers to the normal level. Meanwhile two of these biomarkers were identified as Delta-12-prostaglandin J2 and indoxyl sulfate.

CONCLUSIONThere was a good therapeutic function of Scutellariae Radix on pyretic pulmonary syndrome, which was elucidated on the metabolic aspects. There was also a correlationship between the mechanism of Scutellariae Radix curing pyretic pulmonary syndrome and the six specific biomarkers.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Lung Diseases ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Male ; Pneumococcal Infections ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Scutellaria baicalensis ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and aspirin treatment on the functions of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in children with Kawasaki disease (KD) and possible mechanisms.

METHODSBlood samples were obtained in 10 children with KD before and 7 days after the treatment by IVIG and aspirin. MTT method, modified Boyden chamber method and cell culture plate adhesion method were used to assess the functions of EPCs, including proliferation, adhension and migration activities. The plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) were also measured.

RESULTSThe functions of circulating EPCs 7 days after IVIG and aspirin treatment were significantly improved. IVIG and aspirin treatment significantly reduced plasma TNF-α and hs-CRP concentrations. There was a significant linear regression relationship between the reduced plasma TNF-α and hs-CRP levels and the increased functions of circulating EPCs.

CONCLUSIONSIVIG and aspirin treatment can improve the functions of circulating EPCs, possibly through reducing plasma concentrations of TNF-α and hs-CRP.

Aspirin ; administration & dosage ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; administration & dosage ; Infant ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; blood ; drug therapy ; Stem Cells ; physiology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood