Shuyu Pill is the representative prescription for treating deficiency-essence. This article discussed the consistency of diabetes and deficiency-essence from TCM syndromes and etiology and pathogenesis, and probed into the correlation between Shuyu Pill and diabetic Western medicine of pathomechanism diabetes from the modern pharmacological research on Shuyu Pill. Therefore, it proposed that diabetes has the essence of deficiency-essence;the pathogenesis of diabetes should meet the efficacy of Shuyu Pill; pharmacological effects of Shuyu Pill can affect various pathological mechanism of diabetes, with a purpose to provide new ideas for the clinical treatment of diabetes.

A simple and sensitive assay for rapid detection of human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63) was developed by colorimetic reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP). The method employed six specially designed primers that recognized eight distinct regions of the HCoV-NL63 nucleocapsid protein gene for amplification of target sequences under isothermal conditions at 63 degrees C for 1 h Amplification of RT-LAMP was monitored by addition of calcein before amplification. A positive reaction was confirmed by change from light-brown to yellow-green under visual detection. Specificity of the RT-LAMP assay was validated by cross-reaction with different human coronaviruses, norovirus, influenza A virus, and influenza B virus. Sensitivity was evaluated by serial dilution of HCoV-NL63 RNA from 1.6 x 10(9) to 1.6 x 10(1) per reaction. The RT-LAMP assay could achieve 1,600 RNA copies per reaction with high specificity. Hence, our colorimetric RT-LAMP assay could be used for rapid detection of human coronavirus NL63.
Colorimetry ; methods ; Coronavirus Infections ; diagnosis ; virology ; Coronavirus NL63, Human ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; DNA Primers ; genetics ; Humans ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques ; methods ; Reverse Transcription ; Sensitivity and Specificity

This study was aimed to apply the electronic nose (E-nose) in the research of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The discussion was made on difficulties of using E-nose. The solution plan was proposed and the discrimination model was established. It provided a simple, rapid and effective analysi method in the identification of TCM. It also provided new ideas for the research and application of gas sensor arrays. E-nose was used in the ex-traction of TCM scent characteristics. Based on ion mobility spectrometry of MOS sensor, the fingerprint of TCM scent was established. The maximum response value of the sensor was used as analysis index. According to the diffi-culties of identification, two solution plans were proposed. Firstly, different detectors were employed to complete the classification. Secondly, radial basis function (RBF) and random forests (RF) were combined and then a cascade classifier was constructed in order to achieve the maximum of information obtained in conditions where the number of measurements, metal oxide semiconductor sensors in E-nose was limited. The results showed that both plans were accurate and practical with relatively high upper correct judge rate and better cross-validation (The highest upper correct judge rates were 95% and 100%, 96% and 80%, respectively). It was concluded that this study firstly ap-plied cascade classifier in the establishment of TCM identification by E-nose. With limited amount of sensors, the maximum information was received through data mining. Using E-nose in the identification of TCM was rapid and accurate. The established pattern recognition method was maneuverable with accurate identification rate and stability compared to conventional sensory identification method. It provided a simple and rapid analysis method for the iden-tification of TCM.

Objective To investigate the effects of peptidoglycan (PGN) with different concentrations on Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2),Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression in corneal epithelial cells of mice.Methods Corneal epithelial cells of c57 mice were cultured in vitro.Cells were divided into blank control group and 10 mg · L-1 group,30 mg · L-1 gruop and 80 mg · L-1 group (treated by different concentration of PGN for 12 hours).In the meantime,the cells in 30 mg · L-1 group were cultured for different times(named 12 hours group,24 hours group,36 hours group).Expressions of TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA and protein in different group were measured by RT-PCR and flow cytometry.Results Compared with control group (1.00 ± 0.14,1.00 ± 0.01),the expression of TLR2,LR4 mRNA in 10 mg · L-1 group (4.35 ± 0.46,3.53 ± 0.50),30 mg · L-1 group (8.06 ±0.72,5.31 ±0.34),80 mg · L-1 group (2.93 ±0.46,2.23 ±0.04) were increased,the differences were statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.05).Compared with control group,the expression of TLR2,TLR4 protein in different concentration group and 12 hour group were increased,the differences were statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion PGN can up-regulate both mRNA and protein expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in corneal epithelial cells of mice,suggest that TLR2 and TLR4 in the corneal epithelial cell can recognize some exogenous pathogen and regulate the inflammatory reaction,which are closely related to the occurrence and development of infectious keratitis.

Abstract: Objective　To analyze the treatment outcomes of elderly patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Chongqing, so as to provide reference for the prevention and control strategies of the epidemic of elderly pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods　The data of tuberculosis cases aged ≥65 years in Chongqing from 2015 to 2020 were collected from the National Health Insurance Information Project Disease Prevention and Control Information system. Descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze the data. Results The registration rates of elderly active pulmonary tuberculosis patients and etiological positive patients were 110.95/10-5and 32.25/10-5 in 2015 and 84.06/10-5 and 57.29/10-5 in 2020. The annual decline rate of active tuberculosis registration was 5.40%, and the annual increase rate of pathogenic-positive tuberculosis registration was 12.18%. The registration rates of active tuberculosis patients and etiological positive patients in the whole population were 70.75/10-5 and 17.63/10-5 in 2015 and 50.34/10-5 and 29.14/10-5 in 2020. The annual decline rate of active tuberculosis registration was 6.58%, and the annual increase rate of pathogenic-positive tuberculosis registration was 10.57%. From 2015 to 2020, a total of 25 931 cases of elderly pulmonary tuberculosis were registered, of which 21 374 (82.43%) cases were successfully treated and 4 010 (15.80%) cases had unfavorable outcomes. The proportion of cured and death patients showed an increasing trend year by year (χ2trend=313.853, 100.502, P<0.01). From 2015 to 2020, the average annual successful treatment rate of elderly pulmonary tuberculosis in the whole city was 82.43%, with the lowest rate in southeast Chongqing (74.23%), followed by urban areas (81.99%). The success rate of elderly pulmonary tuberculosis treatment in the whole city, west Chongqing, northeast Chongqing and southeast Chongqing showed a downward trend year by year (χ2trend=230.199, 35.278, 108.076, 112.130, all P<0.01), with annual decline rates of 2.77%, 2.26%, 3.0% and 4.12%, respectively. Among the registered elderly patients, female, 65-<75 years old, Han nationality, newly diagnosed, no complications, and negative for etiology (χ2=15.234, 255.910, 146.842, 179.998, 25.575, 131.170, P<0.01) had higher success treatment rates. Conclusions The prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis in the elderly population in Chongqing City is declining, but the positive registration rate of etiology is increasing annually, and the success rate of treatment is decreasing. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the systematic management, publicity and education of elderly patients (especially those in southeast Chongqing, male, positive patients and severe patients) to effectively control the epidemic of tuberculosis in the elderly.

Objective To find the effective therapeutic arrangement through investigating the clinical characteristics of chronic cardiac insufficiency with anaemia. Methods A total of 46 cases of anemia from 315patients who had been admitted to department of cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University for chronic cardiac insufficiency with anaemia were selected. They were divided into two groups. There were 22 patients in the first group who only accepted treatment to improve cardiac function (normal cardiac, diuretic,vasodilator therapy, etc.), and 24 patients in the second group who accepted treatment to improve cardiac function while receiving anti-anemia therapy treatment, oral ferrous sulfate tablets(0.3 g/tablet), 1 tablet each time, 3 times a day and(or) 2 times per week subcutaneous erythropoietin 3000 U. The hemoglobin(Hb), red blood cell(RBC) ,hematocrit (HCT), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), fractional shortening (FS), stroke volume (SV) , cardiac output(CO) and E peak and A peak ratio(E/A) were observed before and after treatment. By logistic regression, grade grade Ⅱ , Ⅲ , Ⅳ, the incidence of anaemia were 7.9% (10/126), 19.2% (23/120) and 24.6% (17/69),respectively. Grade Ⅱ compared with grades Ⅲ, Ⅳ, the difference was statistically significant (x2 = 4.08, 3.12, all (3.49 ± 0.17) × 1012/L, (0.36 ± 0.08)%, (48.9 ± 3.11)%, (15.6 ± 1.8)%, (38.9 ± 3.7)%, (4.4 ± 1.6)% and (130.7 ±5.75)g/L, (4.12 ± 0.25) × 1012/L, (0.43 ± 0.02)%, (58.5 ± 2.65)%, (18.0 ± 2.5)%, (49.1 ± 7.7)%, (5.1 ± 1.2)%in the first and second groups, respectively. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant(t =value of Hb, RBC, HCT, LVEF, FS,SV, CO were (102.7 ± 6.93)g/L, (3.41 ± 0.12) × 1012/L, (0.35 ± 0.07)%,(47.5 ± 2.86)%, (16.0 ± 2.4)%, (38.2 ± 7.9)%, (3.7 ± 1.4)%, respectively. Compared with those after treatment,the difference was statistically significant (t = 15.632, 13.325, 5.569, 17.182, 3.186, 2.999, 3.074, all P ＜ 0.05);Ⅳ-level relative risk were 1.62, 3.14(P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01) . Conclusions Based on the standard treatment with treatment of anemia, cardiac contractile function can be improved.

Based on the transcriptome database of Salvia miltiorrhiza, specific primers were designed to clone a full-length cDNA of ent-kaurene oxidase synthase (SmKOL) using the RACE strategy. ORF Finder was used to find the open reading frame of SmKOL cDNA, and ClustalW has been performed to analysis the multiple amino acid sequence alignment. Phylogenetic tree has been constructed using MEGA 5.1. The transcription level of SmKOL from the hairy roots induced by elicitor methyl jasmonate (MeJA) was qualifiedby real-time quantitative PCR. The full length of SmKOL cDNA was of 1 884 bp nucleotides encoding 519 amino acids. The molecular weight of the SmKOL protein was about 58.88 kDa with isoelectric point (pI) of 7.62. Results of real-time quantitative PCR analyses indicated that the level of SmKOL mRNA expression in hairy roots was increased by elicitor oMeJA, and reached maximum in 36 h. The full-length cDNA of SmKOL was cloned from S. miltiorrhiza hairy root, which provides a target gene for further studies of its function, gibberellin biosynthesis and regulation of secondary metabolites.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Computational Biology ; methods ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; chemistry ; genetics ; Models, Molecular ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Protein Structure, Tertiary ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; enzymology

Objective: To evaluate the prognostic value of kinetic changes in minimal residual disease (MRD) status, as well as its relationship with risk stratification, therapeutic response and treatment in patients with newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) . Methods: A total of 135 patients with newly-diagnosed MM were screened, and 105 patients who achieved VGPR or more as the best responses were included into this study. The MRD status was determined by multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) at multiple intervals after two cycles of treatment until clinical relapse, death, or last follow-up. The statistical methods included Kaplan-Meier analysis, Cox regression, etc. Results: ①In all 135 patients, 57.8% (78/135) patients achieved MRD negativity (MRD(-)) after treatment. In 105 patients who achieved VGPR and thus included in this study, the MRD(-) rate was 72.4% (76/105) , with a median interval of 3 months from starting treatment to achievement of MRD(-) status. ②The 2-year PFS rate of patients with MRD(-) status was significantly higher than that of MRD(+) status (62.2% vs 41.3%, P=0.001) , while MRD persistence (MRD(+)) was an independent factor for poor prognosis (multivariate analysis for PFS: P=0.044, HR=3.039, 95%CI 1.029-8.974) . ③Loss of MRD(-) status (i.e., MRD reappearance) showed inferior outcomes compared with MRD sustained negative ones, the PFS was 18 months versus not reach (P<0.001) and the OS was not reach for both (P=0.002) . ④The 2-year PFS and OS rates of patients with duration of MRD(-)status≥12 months were significantly higher than those of the control group (PFS: 77.7% vs 36.7%, P<0.001; OS: 96.4% vs 57.9%, P<0.001 respectively) . Duration of MRD(-) status was associated with a marked reduction in risk of relapse or death (univariate analysis for PFS: P<0.001, HR=0.865, 95%CI 0.815-0.918; for OS: P=0.001, HR=0.850, 95%CI 0.741-0.915 respectively) . ⑤Moreover, even in patients carrying high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities (CA) or ineligible for ASCT, MRD negativity remained its prognostic value to predict PFS (high-risk CA medianPFS: not reach vs 19 months, P=0.006; ineligible for ASCT medianPFS: not reach vs 25 months, P=0.052 respectively) . ⑥Last, treatment with the bortezomib-based regimens contributed to prolonged MRD(-) duration (median MRD(-) duratio: 25 months vs 10 months, P=0.034) . Conclusion: Our findings supported MRD(+) status as an independent poor prognostic factor in MM patients, which implicated that duration of MRD(-) status also played a significant role in evaluation of prognosis, while loss of MRD(-)status might serve as an early biomarker for relapse. Therefore, monitoring of MRD kinetics might more precisely predict prognosis, as well as guide treatment decision, especially for when to start retreatment in relapsed patients.
Bortezomib/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Multiple Myeloma/therapy* ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm, Residual/diagnosis* ; Prognosis ; Risk Assessment ; Treatment Outcome

The seeds of Rabdosia rubescens were as the materials to research the impacts of different lead (Pb2+) concentrations(0, 135, 270, 540, 1 080 mg x L(-1)) on seed germination and seedling growth. The results show that: Low concentration of lead had no obvious effect on early germination of the seed, the germination vigor and germination speed were lightly higher but not significantly differed at the level of Pb concentration 135 mg x L(-1) with control group; Mid-high concentration of Pb solution (270-1 080 mg x L(-1)) significantly inhibited the seed germination and seedling growth, which reduced the seed germination rate, germination vigor, germination index, embryo root length and shoot length, growth index with increasing of Pb concentrations. There was a inhibitory effect on embryo shoot length and root length at mid-high lead concentrations stress, and stronger inhibitory effect on root , which was more sensitive than shoot to Pb stress(P < 0.05). Pb bioaccumulation coefficient (BC) was 0.76-2.59, increased with concentration of Pb; Pb enrichment in seedling mainly caused the growth inhibition. The fitting model predictive analyses show, the critical concentration of Pb, which causes the germination rate and biomass fresh weight reducing 10%, is 195.18, 101.65 mg x L(-1).
Germination ; drug effects ; Isodon ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Lead ; toxicity ; Seedlings ; growth & development ; Seeds ; growth & development ; Stress, Physiological

A total of 121 subjects comprising 40 normal subjects,58 patients with overweight or obesity and 23 patients with Cushing's syndrome were recruited in the study.The modified radioimmunoassay (RIA) for salivary cortisol test was established'and its normal range was determined.Then the diagnostic value of the salivary cortisol for the initial diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome was evaluated and single midnight salivary cortisol test demonstrated a sensitivity of 100.0% and specificity of 91.4 %.Salivary cortisol test can be recommended as a first-line diagnostic parameter for Cushing's syndrome.