Traditional Chinese medicine industry is China's strategic emerging industry with great potential for self-innovation. Traditional Chinese medicine industry has successively experienced four stages which are the foundation (laying stage), the core status (establishing stage), the modern system (exploring stage), and the modernization system (constructing stage). Throughout the evolution of the self-innovation in traditional Chinese medicine industry, it presents distinct characteristics which we can explore the beneficial enlightenment.
Drug Industry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Coal Mining ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; complications ; microbiology ; Male ; Methicillin Resistance ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Middle Aged ; Pneumoconiosis ; complications ; microbiology ; Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects ; isolation & purification

Objective To study the effects of different level of iodine nutrition on the thyroid function in women of reproductive age. Methods A total of 100 (50 from each) women of reproductive age but not pregnant were collected from iodine deficient and adequate areas. The questionnaire was obtained individually with items concerning personal history of thyroid diseases, goiters and category of edible salt and drinking water based on the project design. The household salt and drinking water were collected for measuring iodine content, and blood samples were obtained for TSH, FT4 and FT3 testing. Results The coverage of iodized salt and the median level of urinary iodine in iodine deficient women(72.0% and 95.5 μg/L) were obviously lower than that in iodine sufficient women(100.0% and 167.4 μg/L, χ2=16.28, U = 632.00, P < 0.01). Median level of serum TSH in iodine deficient women (2.56 m U/L) appeared in an increasing tendency compared to the iodine sufficient women (1.88 mU/L), but there was no significance (U=990.50, P > 0.05). Serum FT4 mean level in iodine deficient women [(14.7±2.0) pmol/L]was lower than that in iodine sufficient women[(17.0±3.8)pmoI/L, t=3.76, P<0.01]. There was no difference in serum FT3 between two group women[(5.1±1.4), (4.8±0.5)pmoI/L, t = 1.59, P > 0.05]; but FT3/FT4 ratio in iodine deficient women(0.33±0.04) was markedly higher than that in the iodine sufficient women(0.30±0.04, t=3.13, P<0.01). The percentage of thyroid dysfunction in iodine deficient women[20.0% (10/50)]was higher compared with the iodine sufficient women[8.0%(4/50)], but without significance(χ2=2.99, P>0.05). Conclusions Iodine deficiency is a primary cause leading to hypothyroid in women of reproductive age. Long term of iodized salt usage is an efficient way to correct iodine deficiency.

OBJECTIVETo compare the content of momordin Ic and total saponin in K. scoparia fruits from eleven producing areas.

METHODHPLC-ELSD and colorimetric method were used to determine the content of momordin Ic and total saponin, respectively.

RESULTThe content of momordin Ic in K. scoparia fruits was related to that of total saponin. In the eleven kinds of K. scoparia fruits tested, those produced in Bozhou, Baoding Anguo and Heilongjiang contained more saponins.

CONCLUSIONThe content of saponin in K. scoparia fruits from various areas is different, and attention must be paid to the effects of environment on the quality of herbs.

Chenopodiaceae ; chemistry ; Ecosystem ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Oleanolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Saponins ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo identify the relationship between coagulation factor V (FV) gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and venous thromboembolism (VTE).

METHODSThe FV clotting activity (FV: C) and FV antigen (FV: Ag) in plasma of VTE group (111 patients) and normal control (110 patients) were detected using one-stage clotting assay and ELISA, respectively. Five pairs of primers of the F V polymorphisms including Asp79His, Arg306The, Arg306Gly, Arg506Gln and Ile359The/His1299 Arg were synthesized and amplified by PCR. The PCR products were digested by restriction enzyme using PCR-RFLP. The detected polymorphisms were confirmed by direct sequencing. The samples containing the polymorphisms were screened for coding regions of all F V exons with direct sequencing.

RESULTSThe plasma levels of F V: C and F V: Ag of VTE group and normal control were (106.9 +/- 28.0)%, (110.4 +/- 33.3)% and (102.4 +/- 30.9)%, (102.1 +/- 24.1)%, respectively. The plasma level of FV: Ag was significantly different between VTE group and normal control. However, there was no difference in F V: C levels. Polymorphisms for the fore mentioned 5 primer pairs were not found in either patients or normal controls. Polymorphism of His1299Arg was identified in 5 patients with VTE and 3 normal controls. And these 5 cases also combined Met1736Val polymorphism, 3 of them combined another Asp2194Gly polymorphism.

CONCLUSIONThe higher plasma level of F V: Ag contribute to venous thromboembolism. There is no relationship between polymorphisms of Asp79His, Arg306The, Arg306Gly, Arg506Gln, Ile359The and venous thromboembolism in Chinese studied. Polymorphism His1299Arg is higher in VTE group than in normal control, but has no statistical difference. Polymorphisms of His1299Arg, Met1736Val and Asp2194Gly are linked disequilibrium in Chinese Han population.

Factor V ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Humans ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Venous Thromboembolism ; genetics

AIM:To study whether homocysteine (Hcy) inhibits the expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) and ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1) by microRNA-33 (miRNA-33) signaling, and reduces the efficiency of reverse cholesterol transport (RCT).METHODS:RAW264.7 macrophages were induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) to establish foam cell model.Oil red O staining was used to determine whether the model was established successfully.miRNA-33 mimics and miRNA-33 inhibitor were transfected into the cells by Lipofectamine 2000, and the cells were exposed to Hcy at concentration of 5 mmol/L for 24 h.The intracellular lipid droplets were observed by Oil red O staining.The expression of ABCA1 and ABCG1 at mRNA and protein levels was determined by real-time PCR and Western blot.The cellular cholesterol content was analyzed by HPLC, and effluent rate of cholesterol was detected by the method of liquid scintillation counting.RESULTS:Compared with blank control group, the lipid content in miRNA-33 mimics group was increased, and the expression of ABCA1 and ABCG1 at mRNA and protein levels was decreased (P<0.05).The intracellular cholesterol content was increased gradually (P<0.05) , and the cellular cholesterol efflux rate was gradually decreased (P<0.05) in miRNA-33 mimics group.Compared with blank control group, the testing results in miRNA-33 inhibitor group were the opposition of those in miRNA-33 mimics group (P<0.05).No difference of the above indexes among blank control group, miRNA-33 mimics-NC group and miRNA-33 inhibitor-NC group was observed.CONCLUSION:Hcy inhibits the mRNA and protein expression of ABCA1 and ABCG1 through miRNA-33 signaling, and reduces the efficiency of RCT in RAW264.7 macrophage-derived foam cells.

Chinese patent medicine (CPM) is an important part of traditional and Chinese medicine (TCM). Its quality has direct impact on the safety and effectiveness of clinical use. The quality standard is the pivotal approach to guarantee the quality of CPM. Due to the complex material basis, multitudinous quality influencing factors and unveiled active ingredients, dose-effect relationship and action mechanism, the investigation on quality standard faces many difficulties. This paper surveys the current quality status of CPM and the general situation of CPM standards. At present, the dosing problem has the crucial impact on the quality of CPM. The current quality standard system of CPM is confirmed and the limitations are indicated. Based on the above analysis, the principles and considerations on investigation of quality standard are proposed as follows: ① Adhere to safety as the bottom line, strengthen the risk-control ability of the standard of CPM; ② Adhere to theory of TCM and comprehensive quality, improve the integrative control level of the CPM standard; ③ Emphasize technological development and innovation, promote the quality control competence of CPM standard; ④ Facilitate planning and coordination, optimize the management of the CPM standard system; ⑤ Reinforce investigation on evaluation method, develop grade evaluation standard, accelerate high-quality development of CPM. Finally, the future perspective on investigation of CPM quality standard is prospected.

The present study was to explore the functional and morphological changes in cochleas of guinea pig models of early endolymphatic hydrops. Thirty albino guinea pigs were randomly divided into three groups: control, 4-week model and 8-week model groups. For each group, n = 10. Model groups were operated on the right ears to result in endolymphatic hydrops with the method of slight destruction of endolymphatic sac and duct from extradural posterior cranial fossa approach, and the animals in control group were sham operated. Electrocochleogram recorded by trans-tympanic approach and auditory brainstem response (ABR) were tested in preoperative model groups, control group, 4-week model group and 8-week model group to assess the hearing changes. Histologic morphometry was used to quantify hydrops by testing scala media area (SMA) ratio. Scanning electron microscope was used to assess the changes of cochlea hair cells. The results showed that the summating potential/compound action potential (SP/AP) ratio of electrocochleogram in 4-week model group (0.33 ± 0.14) and 8-week model group (0.43 ± 0.14) increased significantly, compared with that in control group (0.07 ± 0.06). The maximum SMA ratio in 4-week model group (2.64 ± 0.10) and 8-week model group (3.54 ± 0.13) increased significantly, compared with that in control group (1.06 ± 0.08). The results of maximum SMA ratio correlated with SP/AP ratio of electrocochleogram (r = 0.86). The results of hearing threshold of ABR revealed that the operated ears of model groups were higher than the preoperative results at frequencies of 2 kHz and 4 kHz. And the damage of cochlea hair cells in operated ears occurred in apical and subapical turns. These results suggest the increased SP/AP ratio of electrocochleogram can indicate early endolymphatic hydrops. There is low-tone hearing loss in guinea pig models of early endolymphatic hydrops, and it may be associated with the abnormalities of the stereocilia among the outer hair cells in operated ears which occurs in apical and subapical turns.
Animals ; Cochlea ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Endolymphatic Hydrops ; complications ; physiopathology ; Guinea Pigs ; Hair Cells, Auditory, Outer ; pathology ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; etiology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of surgical design for mandibular retrusion using three-dimensional software.

METHODSThree-dimensional reconstruction was performed by Mimics software based on the preoperative CT data. The model of the maxillofacial region was imported into Rapidform software for measuring the associated parameters and Geomagic software for simulation of osteotomy. The reliability of the virtual operation was validated during the surgery.

RESULTSThe model of mandibular retrusion was reconstructed and successfully used to simulate the surgery. The simulation result was applied in subsequent actual surgery and good surgical outcomes were achieved.

CONCLUSIONThe three-dimensional software can be used to simulate the surgery for mandibular retrusion and improve the predictability and accuracy of the surgery.

Computer Simulation ; Feasibility Studies ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Male ; Malocclusion, Angle Class II ; surgery ; therapy ; Mandible ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Maxilla ; diagnostic imaging ; Models, Anatomic ; Retrognathia ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Software ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) polymorphisms and endometrial hypoplasia in infertile women.

METHODSThe study was conducted in 105 primary infertile patients with endometrial hypoplasia diagnosed by pathology and the thickness of endometrium by B-mode ultrasound and 85 controls who were not pregnant and had normal fertility. The -675 4G/5G polymorphism in the PAI-1 gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymerphim analysis.

RESULTSThe frequencies of 4G/4G genotype and 4G allele of the PAI-1 gene were higher in the patient group (48.6% and 66.2%) than in the normal controls (22.4% and 47.1%) (P < 0.01). ThePAI-1 4G/4G genotype was significantly associated with endometrial hypoplasia in the infertile patients (OR=4.9, 95% CI: 2.10-10.12).

CONCLUSIONThe present findings suggest that the 4G/5G polymorphism of the PAI-1 gene was associated with endometrial hypoplasia in infertile patients.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility ; genetics ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pregnancy ; Uterine Diseases ; genetics ; Women's Health