BACKGROUND: α-lipoic acid is named as “nature antioxidant” and “mitochondrial nutrition”. But it is unclear whether α-lipoic acid can be used to protect skeletal muscle with chronic hypoxia exposure, as wel as the relative mechanism. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of α-lipoic acid on the antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress in rat skeletal muscle with chronic hypoxia exposure, and to investigate the relative signaling pathway of α-lipoic acid. METHODS: Thirty-six Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: normoxia control group, hypoxia control group, and hypoxia+α-lipoic acid group. Rats in the hypoxia control group were subjected to hypoxia exposure in normobaric hypoxic tent with 11.3% oxygen concentration. Rats in the hypoxia+α-lipoic acid group were induced by adding α-lipoic acid (0.25%) in the normal diet. Al the interventions were lasted for 4 weeks. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: α-lipoic acid in hypoxia could markedly enhance the mitochondrial Sirtuin-3 expression, improve the mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate synthesis activity and membrane potential, up-regulate the mitochondrial state 3 respiratory rate, respiratory control ratio and ratio of phosphorus to oxygen, down-regulate the mitochondrial state 4 respiratory rate and promote and up-regulate the activity of mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes such as manganese superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase, thus inhibiting mitochondrial H2O2 generation rate and reducing mitochondrial malondialdehyde level. The results indicated that α-lipoic acid could improve the efficiency of energy metabolism of chronic hypoxia skeletal muscle mitochondria and inhibit reactive oxygen generation, and it could inhibit the oxidative stress through improving antioxidant enzyme activity of mitochondria. The protection mechanism of α-lipoic acid on hypoxia skeletal muscle mitochondria may be related to the increasing of mitochondrial state 3 respiratory rate.

Epidemics of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) have mainly been caused by Coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) and Enterovirus A 71 (EV-A71), which circulated alternatively or together in the affected area. CVA16 has caused numerous outbreaks and epidemics in multiple countries and geographical regions, and has become an important public health problem. Based on an analysis of the complete VP1 coding region, all CVA16 strains can be divided into genotypes A, B1, and B2. Furthermore, genotype B1 can be divided into subgenotypes B1a, B1b, and B1c. After 2000, no reports of genotype B2 virus strains have been reported. All of the CVA16 strains reported in mainland China have belonged to subgenotypes B1a and B1b. Most CVA16-associated infections cause only mild symptoms; however, some CVA16 infections can lead to severe complications and even death. Vaccination is considered to be the most effective method to control the transmission and infection rate of this virus. A number of research groups are studying various vaccine types, including inactivated vaccines, genetic engineering vaccines, and DNA vaccines, amongst others. In this review, an overview is provided of the research advances in molecular epidemiology and vaccines of CVA16.
Animals ; China ; Coxsackievirus Infections ; epidemiology ; immunology ; prevention & control ; virology ; Enterovirus A, Human ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Viral Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology

Objective To explore the clinical application of antibiotics Ceftazidime(CAZ) and Cefotetan(CTT)by analysis susceptibility and scatter of the CAZ adn CTT against Escherichia coli(ECO) and Klebsiella pneumoniae(KPN).Methods The drug sensitivity analysis of 1 311 strains of ECO and 898 strains of KPN isolated from 2012 to 2015 and the relationship between CAZ and CTT was analyzed by using the Whonet 5.6 software.Results The resistance rate of ESBL+ KPN to CAZ was 41.2％ and the rate to CTT was 14.1％,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The resistance rate of ESBL+ ECO to CAZ was 34.6％ and the rate to CTT was 1.1％,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The average value of MIC of CAZ was highest in group of ESBL+KPN,it was 6.39 μg/mL.And it was lowest in group of ESBL-KPN,it was 1.37 μg/mL.The average value of MIC of CTT was highest in group of ESBL+KPN,it was 6.8 μg/mL.And the lowest was in group of ESBL-KPN.The range of MIC of CAZ was 1-64 μg/mL,and the range of CTT was 4-64 μg/mL in all groups.The cross sensitivity of CAZ and CTT was more than 90.0％.The cross resistance was less than 5.0％.The cross sensitivity of CAZ and CTT was less than 70.0％ in ESBL+ group.And the cross resistance was up to 13.4％.Conclusion The cross resistance and cross sensitivity of the two antibiotics is very important in guiding clinical antibiotic selection or replacement.

Quality control is one of the key scientific tissues in the modernization of traditional Chinese medicines (TCM). In order to overcome the deficiencies of assessment indexes, including little systematization and quantification, as well as loose association with clinical efficacy and dosage, a new integrated method named controllability pyramid ( CP) is first proposed in this paper. In addition, some study cases are used to explain how this model is constructed. We hope the establishment of CP could promote the clinical-orien- ted integrated innovation research of TCM, and provide control strategy and technology examples for improving the quality of Chinese medicines and clinical efficacy.
China ; Drug Evaluation ; methods ; standards ; Drug Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; standards ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; standards ; Quality Control

Good medicinal herbs, good drugs. Good evaluation method and indices are the prerequisite of good medicinal herbs. However, there exist numerous indices for quality evaluation and control in Chinese medicinal materials. However, most of these indices are non-interrelated each other, as well as having little relationship with efficiency and safety. The results of different evaluatior methods may not be consistent, even contradictory. Considering the complex material properties of Chinese medicinal materials, single method and index is difficult to objectively and comprehensively reflect the quality. Therefore, it is essential to explore the integrated evaluation methods. In this paper, oriented by the integrated evaluation strategies for traditional Chinese medicine quality, a new method called integrated quality index (IQI) by the integration of empirical evaluation, chemical evaluation, and biological evaluation was proposed. In addition, a study case of hypertoxic herb Aconitum carmichaelii Debx. was provided to explain this method in detail. The results suggested that in the view of specifications, the average weight of Jiangyou aconite was the greatest, followed by Weishan aconite, Butuo aconite, Hanzhong aconite, and Anxian aconite; from the point of chemical components, Jiangyou aconite had the characteristic with strong efficacy and weak toxicity, next was Hanzhong aconite, Butuo aconite, Weishan aconite, and Anxian aconite; taking toxicity price as the index, Hanzhong aconite and Jiangyou aconite have the lower toxicity, while Butuo aconite, Weishan aconite, and Anxian aconite have the relatively higher one. After the normalization and integration of evaluation results, we calculated the IQI value of Jiangyou aconite, Hanzhong aconite, Butuo aconite, Weishan aconite, and Anxian aconite were 0.842 +/- 0.091, 0.597 +/- 0.047, 0.442 +/- 0.033, 0.454 +/- 0.038, 0.170 +/- 0.021, respectively. The quality of Jiangyou aconite is significantly better than the others (P < 0.05) followed by Hanzhong aconite, which is consistent with the traditional understanding of genuineness. It can be concluded that IQI achieves the integrated control and evaluation for the quality of Chinese medicinal materials, and it is an exploration for building the good medicinal herbs standards. In addition, IQI provides technical supports for the geoherbalism evaluation, selective breeding, the development of precision decoction pieces, high quality and favourable price in market circulation, and rational drug use.
Aconitum ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; standards ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; standards

The specification of decoction pieces and quality uniformity are the important factors to influence the efficacy of clinical medicine. Considering the deficiency of diversity, poor quality uniformity and confusion of decoction pieces specifications, we first propose a new idea of precision decoction pieces (PDP) based on clinical demands and fresh-processed technology. In order to explain the idea, a study case of aconite SUP is provided, including the optimized specification design, processing technology, extraction effects, quality uniformity, and toxic and efficacy variation and so on. The results showed that preparing 5 mm PDP by fresh-cutting is rather simple and practicable, with high efficiency and large yield; then, this technology could significantly decrease the ingredients loss and increase the efficacy components; moreover, it was helpful for achieving the quality uniformity and best extraction effects. This work revealed the quality superiority of PDP, and provided a good strategy and example for the standard of decoction pieces specification and modernization of processing technology.
Aconitum ; chemistry ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Particle Size ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Quality Control

Objective To review our single institutional 10-year experience in complex chest wall reconstruction and identify a working algorithm based on our retrospective analysis.Methods A retrospective analysis of 87 patients who underwent chest wallreconstruction in our department from January 2005 to December 2015.Fifty female patients and 37 male patients who underwent the above procedure were reviewed retrospectively.The median age of the patients is 52.3 years (24-75years).Histologic diagnosis including squamous-cell carcinoma (n =10),soft tissue sarcoma(n =22),chondrosarcomas(n =13) and metastasis from breast cancer(n =42).Type of skeletal defect including partial ribs/sternum defects in 19 cases,soft tissue defects alone in 33 cases,complicated composite chest wall defects involving multiple layers(soft tissue,ribs/sternum,and intrathoracic organs) in 35 cases.Sole methylmethacrylate/polypropylene mesh was used for small sized rib defects in 26cases.Methylmethacrylate/polypropylene mesh sandwich prostheses was used in 28 cases with extensive skeletal reconstruction after partial sternectomy and rib resection.The chest wall defects were repaired with pedicled internal mammary artery perforator flap(3 cases),pedicled deep superior epigastric artery perforator flap(4 cases),pedicled pectoralis major flap(8 cases),free anterolateral thigh perforator flap(9 cases),free deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap(17 cases),pedicled lateral thoracic flap(5 cases),pedicled latissimus dorsi flap(17 cases),pedicled rectus abdominis flap(15 cases),free deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap combined with pedicled rectus abdominis flap (4 cases),pedicled bipaddled latissimus dorsi flap(5 cases).11 cases with extensive full-thickness defects of the chest wall,the skeletal reconstruction was achieved with prosthetic sandwich and then covered with the omental flap,further free flaps were harvested for skin and soft tissue repairing.Results 1 case with pedicled rectus abdominis flap partial necrosis was noted,free anterolateral thigh flap was used for repairmen after further revision.1 case with edicled bipaddled latissimus dorsi flap,necrosis of the distal 1/4 part of one paddle was noted,healed with dressing therapy,no secondary skin grafting was required.Postoperative venous congestion occurred in 2 cases with deep inferior epigastric artery flap transplantation,in which both skin flaps exhibited venous crisis within 24 h after surgery.The reexploration procedures were successful in both cases and the flaps survived totally.All other flaps survived.The mean follow-up was 31 months,ranged from 9 to 72 months.No tumour extirpation was noted,functional and appearance results were satisfied.Conclusion According to the size and location of chest wall defect,different pedicled and free flaps should be chosen to achieve optimal outcome.Free flaps are efficient for large complex chest defects reconstruction.

Coix ; Epimedium ; Fatigue ; Humans ; Hypoxia ; Plant Leaves

OBJECTIVETo observe the inhibiting effect of acupuncture on blood lipid, myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis in mice with hyperlipemia, and explore its possible action mechanism.

METHODSTen inbred mice (C57) were applied. Forty ApoE(-/-) mice who removed gene of apolipoprotein E were randomly divided into a control group, a non-acupoint group, an acupoint group and a medication group. The points 0. 5 cm and 1 cm next to the end of mice tail were respectively punctured in the non-acupoint group; "Neiguan" (PC 6) and "Fenglong" (ST 40) were punctured in the acupoint group; intragastric administration of simvastatin was applied in the medication group. After 8 weeks of treatment, the changes of total cholesterol (TC) and ratio of heart to body mass in each group were measured; changes of cardiac muscle fiber and ventricular wall thickness were observed; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to test the level of angiotensin II (Ang I ) in plasma, and western blotting method was used to test protein content of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and endothelin-1 type A receptor (ETAR) in the heart.

RESULTSAfter 8 weeks of intervention, compared with the control group, rising range of blood lipid was obviously decreased (P<0.01) in the acupoint group and medication group, ratio of P<0.01), myocardial heart to body mass was decreased (P<0.05), thickness of ventricular wall was reduced (P fibrosis was relieved, levels of Ang II and ET-1 in plasma were decreased (P<0. 05), content of NO was increased (P<0. 05), and protein content of AT1R and ETAR was decreased in the heart (P<0. 05).

CONCLUSION40) could inhibit the rising of blood lipid in ApoE(-/-) mice, lower the levels of Ang II and ET-1 in peripheral blood, increase the content of NO and inhibit the expression of AT1R and ETAR in heart tissue, which could relieve myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis to play a protective role on heart.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Angiotensin II ; metabolism ; Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Disease Models, Animal ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Heart Diseases ; etiology ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; complications ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Myocardium ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the action research method in the effect of swallowing disorder in patients with tongue cancer recovery path. Methods Based on the recovery path construction, according to the questions, plan, action, observation and reflection, improvement of summarizing the research process, through two stages of the research, assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation and comparison of stage 1 and stage 2 swallowing disorder in patients with rehabilitation evaluation, quality of life score, spirit to adapt to the score. Results Nearly 79.69% (51/64) of first phase swallowing rehabilitation effectively, and 93.75% (60/64) effectively in the second stage. Compared to the first stage,the second stage had an obvious increase. Two stages at the university of Washington Quality of Life Score, the first phase of (770.400 ±87.299) points, (1117.100 ± 43.153) points in the second stage, two stages of life quality score comparison, the difference was statistically significant (t=-19.500, P=0.012). The comparison of two stage patients mental adjustment scale scores, the first phase of (15.933±1.285) points, (31.733±2.083) points in the second stage, two stages score spirit to adapt to the comparison, the difference was statistically significant (t=-35.357, P=0.003). Conclusions Tongue cancer patients with swallowing disorder treatment on the basis of action study method to build and implement path specification, can improve the quality of care and quality of life of patients.