According to the international accepted criteria, some suggestions were provided in this paper on the clinical study of traditional Chinese medicine. Firstly, allocate the participants randomly, rather than deliberately perform that to balance the baseline characteristics in groups. Secondly, use the international standard to evaluate the clinical effectiveness, rather than just use the simple criteria as cure rate, markedly effective rate, and effective rate. Thirdly, record and manage the missing data with proper statistical methods. Fourthly, objectively report the results of study, especially avoiding selective bias. In addition, the low limit effects should be avoided when assessing the effects of TCM in treating difficult and uncertain diseases; furthermore, the ethical problems should also be considered.
Clinical Medicine ; methods ; standards ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Research Design

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthrogryposis ; genetics ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedigree

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of fluoride on Fas expression, caspase-3 and caspase-8 activity and apoptosis in rat incisor cells.

METHODSForty male SD rats were divided into 4 groups randomly and provided with distilled water containing NaF at the doses of 0, 10, 50 and 100 mg/L respectively. Each group had 10 animals. Five animals were sacrificed at 60 and 90 days respectively. Fas expression was measured with immunohistochemistry, and colorimetric assay was used to examine caspase-3 and caspase-8 activity with enzyme-labelled meter. The apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry in mandibular incisor cells.

RESULTSNaF at the doses of 10, 50 and 100 mg/L for 60 d and 90 d caused Fas overexpression, promoted activity of caspase-3 and caspase-8, increased apoptosis rate in mandibular incisor cells. At 60 days, the value of Fas expression was 0.1819 ± 0.0025 for control, 0.2120 ± 0.0084 for 10 mg/L NaF group, 0.2283 ± 0.0183 for 50 mg/L NaF group, 0.2818 ± 0.0233 for 100 mg/L NaF group. At 90 days, the value of Fas expression was 0.2077 ± 0.0289 for control, 0.2216 ± 0.0105 for 10 mg/L NaF group, 0.2377 ± 0.0059 for 50 mg/L NaF group, 0.2775 ± 0.0088 for 100 mg/L NaF group. Statistics analysis yielded close relationship between the dose of NaF in water and the Fas expression, and also between the dose of NaF in water and caspase-3 activities, and the relative coefficient was 0.9728 (60 d, P < 0.01) and 0.9889 (90 d, P < 0.01) for Fas expression, 0.9533 (60 d, P < 0.01) and 0.9849 (90 d, P < 0.01) for caspase-3 activity respectively. Apoptosis rate and caspase-8 activity also had close relationship with the NaF doses, and the relative coefficient was 0.9733 (90 d, P < 0.01) for apoptosis, 0.9928 (90 d, P < 0.01) for caspase-8. At the doses of 10, 50 and 100 mg/L NaF for 60 d and 90 d, obvious relationship was found between Fas expression and caspase-3 activity, and the relative coefficient was 0.9619 (60 d, P < 0.01) and 0.9912 (90 d, P < 0.01). Obvious relationship between Fas expression and apoptosis, between Fas expression and caspase-8 activity was found in groups for 90 d, and the relative coefficient was 0.9841 (P < 0.01) for apoptosis, 0.9767 (P < 0.01) for caspase-8.

CONCLUSIONSFluoride could induce Fas overexpression and mediate caspase activation and apoptosis at the doses of 10, 50 and 100 mg/L for 60 d and 90 d in rat mandibular incisor cells.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cariostatic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 8 ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Incisor ; cytology ; metabolism ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; Sodium Fluoride ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; fas Receptor ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the expression and significance of hypoxia inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha) in epithelial ovarian tumors.

METHODSThe expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA in 295 patients with epithelial ovarian tumor was analyzed retrospectively by high-throughput tissue microarray and in situ hybridization, which was compared with 13 normal ovarian tissue samples.

RESULTSThe expression rates of HIF-1alpha mRNA were 0, 13.2%, 42.1% and 81.9% in normal ovarian tissue, benign, borderline and malignant ovarian tumors. Expression rate of HIF-1alpha mRNA in borderline and invasive tumor was significantly higher than those in normal ovarian tissue and benign tumor (P < 0.001). Statistical analysis revealed that the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA was not related to FIGO stages or histological subtypes. Close negative relation was observed between the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA and tumor histological differentiation (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe overexpression of HIF-1alpha may play an important role in oncogenesis of epithelial ovarian tumor. Tissue microarray is an efficient technique of molecular biology.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; analysis ; genetics ; In Situ Hybridization ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Ovary ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Tissue Array Analysis ; methods

Objective: To assess the 3-year antibody persistence after vaccination of domestic measles, mumps and rubella combined attenuated live vaccine (MMR) with different program. Methods: Children from three different vaccination strategies (Group 8 m MR: 8 months and 18 months vaccinated with measles-rubella combined attenuated live vaccine and domestic MMR,respectively; Group 8 m MMR: 8 months and 18 months both vaccinated with domestic MMR; Group 12 m MMR: 12 months and 22 months both vaccinated with domestic MMR ) were followed up in Zhejiang province in July 2015. There were 170 participants in Group 8 m MR, 171 participants in Group 8 m MMR and 173 participants in Group 12 m MMR selected by simple random sampling method .Blood samples (venous blood 2-3 ml) were collected 1 month after the first dose vaccination of MMR (only in Group 8 m MMR and Group 12 m MMR) and 3 years (36-38 months) after the last dose vaccination of MMR and tested for antibody IgG against Measles, Mumps and Rubella using ELISA. Seropostive rate and Geometric mean concentration (GMC) were calculated and compared among different groups by Chi-square test or Fisher exact test and Kruskal-Wallis H test. Results: A total of 514 participants (8 m MR: 170; 8 m MMR:171; 12 m MMR:173) were enrolled. The overall seropositivity rate of measles, mumps and rubella was 98.1% (504), 93.4% (480) and 88.1% (453), respectively, with corresponding GMC was 1 012.33 mU/ml, 502.87 U/ml and 50.53 U/ml respectively. There was no significant difference of seropositivity rate for measles among three groups (all groups were>97%). The highest seropositivity rate for mumps was found in the Group 12 m MMR with the rate of 98.8% (171/173), followed by Group 8 m MMR and Group 8 m MR with 93.0% (159/171) and 88.2%(150/170) respectively (Fisher exact test, P<0.001). The highest seropositivity rate for rubella was also found in the Group 12 m MMR with the rate of 94.8% (164/173), followed by Group 8 m MMR and Group 8 m MR with 86.6%(148/171) and 82.9%(141/170) respectively (Fisher exact test, P=0.002). The highest GMC of antibody against measles, mumps and rubella were all found in Group 12 m MMR, with 1 217.30 (1 119.35-1 323.82) mU/ml, 717.07 (643.83-798.65) U/ml and 62.54(56.21-69.58) U/ml respectively. The lowest GMC of antibody against measles and mumps were both in Group 12 m MR with 812.01 (734.52-897.67) mU/ml and 363.28 (305.42-432.11) U/ml respectively. The lowest GMC of antibody against rubella was in Group 8 m MMR with 44.10 (39.08-49.76) U/ml. These differences of GMCs among three groups were all reach significant means (P<0.05). Conclusion High level seropostive rates and GMCs were exist against measles and rubella after 3-year vaccination of domestic MMR among different program. Higher antibody level against mumps were found in those children with two doses vaccination of MMR.

Objective To explore the construction and visualization for knowledge graph of Ling Shu(Spiritual Pivot),with a view to providing ideas for the structured storage and display of the theoretical knowledge of the ancient Chinese medical books.Methods Using the professional idea of constructing knowledge graphs for reference,text mining technology was applied to construct the thesaurus,and then word division,entity recognition,and relationship extraction for the original text of Ling Shu were performed to get the elements of knowledge graph construction.The graph database Neo4j was used for the storage and query of the knowledge graph,and then the visual display of the knowledge graph was achieved.Results The 1 216 high-quality words consisting of the thesaurus of Ling Shu were obtained,and the construction of the knowledge graph of the theory of Ling Shu was realized.The constructed knowledge graph basically displayed the traditional Chinese medicine theories such as the correlation of visceral manifestations with essence qi,and the relationship between emotions and the five-zang organs described in Ling Shu,which made the retrieval and utilization of the related entities and relationships possible,and provided ideas for the structured storage and display of the theoretical knowledge of the ancient books of Chinese medicine.Conclusion The knowledge graph construction technology can be used to obtain the Chinese medicine theoretical knowledge graph of Ling Shu,and to display the knowledge connections of yin-yang and the five elements,and the internal organs and meridians expressed in the Ling Shu.The construction of the knowledge graph and its storage in the graph database enable the knowledge graph involved in the text of Ling Shu to be displayed in the form of visualized semantic network graph,and also make the embedding of other search systems such as the semantic search and semantic wiki possible,which will be helpful for the development of Chinese medicine intelligent medical services.

Medical insurance payment model is transforming from project-based purchases to service bundle-based strategic purchases. The new form of bundled purchases should found on a scientifically-led design process of such bundles. The core to bundled purchase would be the payment standard, and the key to its success would be process control. Establishment of such a foundation, a core, and a key, would promote the current price standards, and lead service providers to a standardized medical service standard, so as to ensure a precise rewarding system of payment and service. The big data diagnosis-intervention packet(DIP)is able to fulfill mentioned ambitions by integrating insurance payment and supervision into one management. DIP is a full-process payment mode that encompasses pre-service estimation, in-service process control, post-service grading, and resource allocation. It is an innovative practice in line with China′s national conditions for the modern governance of medical security and medical services.

Objective:To study the effect of Fuzheng Qufeng prescription （FZQP） on transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁）/Smad signaling pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of podocyte in membranous nephropathy （MN） rats and to explore its molecular mechanism for podocyte protection. Method:The rats were randomly divided into normal control group （NC） and modeling group. Rats in modeling group induced by bovine serum albumin （C-BSA） were randomly divided into model group （MN）， losartan potassium group （LP， 0.05g·kg^-1）， and FZQP high dose （FZQPH， 41 g·kg^-1）， medium dose （FZQPM， 20.5 g·kg^-1）， and low dose （FZQPL， 10.25 g·kg^-1） groups. The administration lasted for 4 weeks. In week 0， 2， and 4 of administration， the levels of 24 hours urine protein （24 h-Upro） were tested. At the end of 4th week， the levels of blood urea nitrogen （BUN） and serum creatinine （SCr） were detected， and the rats in each group were sacrificed and the renal pathological morphology changes were observed by light microscope with hematoxylin-eosin （HE）， Masson and periodic acid-silver metheramine （PASM） staining. The deposition of immune complex， the thickening of glomerular basement membrane （GBM） and podocyte foot process were observed by transmission electron microscope （TEM）. The distribution and expression intensity of Desmin in renal tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. The mRNA and protein expression levels of TGF-β₁， Smad2/3， phospho（p）-Smad2/3， Smad7 and Desmin in renal tissues were respectively detected by Western blot （WB） and Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. Result:Compared with NC group， the levels of 24 h-Upro， BUN and SCr significantly increased in model group （P<0.01）， with increased deposition of immune complex， significantly thickened GBM and fusion of foot processes， significantly increased Desmin mRNA and protein expression （P<0.01） and increased TGF-β₁， Smad2， and Smad3 mRNA and protein expression （P<0.05）， and decreased Smad7 mRNA and protein expression （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Compared with model group， 24 h-Upro and BUN decreased in FZQP groups and LP group （P<0.05）， levels of serum SCr in FZQPM group decreased （P<0.05）， deposition of immune complex， thickening of GBM and fusion of foot process were all alleviated in FZQP groups and LP group. Distribution of Desmin along GBM decreased in FZQPH group， FZQPM group and LP group （P<0.05）. Both mRNA and protein expression levels of TGF-β₁ and p-Smad2/Smad2 in FZQPM group decreased， while mRNA and protein expression levels of Smad7 increased （P<0.05）. Both mRNA and protein expression levels of p-Smad3/Smad3 in FZQPH group decreased （P<0.05）. Both mRNA and protein expression levels of Desmin in podocyte in FZQPH group， FZQPM group and LP group decreased （P<0.05）. Conclusion:FZQP might realize podocyte protection effect in MN via suppressing EMT mediated by overactivated TGF-β₁/Smad signaling pathway.

Cardiovascular diseases， with high incidence and high mortality， belong to the category of "chest impediment and heart pain" in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. Chinese medicines have unique effect on the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases with little side effects. Huoxin pills， one of the National Essential Drugs， is formulated based on the basic pathogenesis of weak pulse at Yang and wiry pulse at Yin and the pathological basis of myocardial ischemia and hypoxia and used for treating angina pectoris of coronary heart disease （Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome）. This medicine is derived from the classic famous prescription and is composed of ten precious Chinese medicinal herbs. It can replenish Qi， activate blood， and warm collaterals to diffuse impediment by enhancing myocardial contractility and cardiac output to improve micro-circulation and increase coronary blood flow， regulating immune functions， alleviating inflammation， detoxifying， and tranquilizing mind. Clinically， it is suitable for patients with angina pectoris caused by the lack of heart Yang， chest tightness， shortness of breath， palpitation， fear of cold for limbs and so on， especially for the elderly with Yang deficiency or the patients with a history of myocardial infarction. On the basis of the available research reports， this paper explains the formula meaning of Huoxin pills from the perspective of the basic pathogenesis of coronary heart disease and predicts its action targets， location and links. Furthermore， we expound the mechanism of action of Huoxin pills based on basic research and clinical evidence-based research， aiming to provide data support and evidence for the clinical application of this medicine.