Sulfur fumigation (SF) is a universal phenomenon in primary processing of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in modern times. In the process, fumigation, sulfur or both of them act on the TCMs. Some active components of TCMs change quantitatively or qualitatively during the processing. At the same time, the sulfur dioxide and heavy metal would remain and cause a serious influence on quality and future development of TCM. This article reviews the chemical compositions change after SF to study the change law and their influence on quality. This article provide references for SF in TCMs' processing for a better and safer quality.
Drug Contamination ; Fumigation ; methods ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Quality Control ; Sulfur ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

Objective To investigate the relationship between the promoter of IL-12B gene polymorphism and the susceptibility and clinical features of chronic gastritis and duodenal ulcer with or without Helicobacter pylori(Hp) infection in children and adolescent.Methods Mucosal biopsies were obtained from 132 children and adolescent (patient group),including 100 children with chronic gastritis and 32 children with duodenal ulcer,undergoing an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for dyspeptic symptoms.Biopsy specimens were stained with hematoxilin and eosin (HE),and gastritis was graded according to the Sydney system.Serology,urease test and histology were taken to assess Hp status.Genomic DNA was obtained from peripheral blood or gastric biopsies of patients and 102 healthy children as normal control group.The promoter of IL-12B +1188A/G gene polymorphism was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and sequencing.The genotype distributions and allele frequencies were compared between the study group and the normal control group,and the association of genotypes with clinicopathological features was studied.IL-12B mRNA level expressions in gastric mucosa were confirmed by reverse transcription PCR biopsy-based tests.Results The genotype distributions and allele frequencies of IL-12B +1188A/G gene polymorphisms were similar in gastric upper gastrointestinal diseases and healthy subjects.The IL-12B +1188A/G gene polymorphisms were not associated with Hp status.IL-12B+1188A/G gene polymorphisms did not affect IL-12B mRNA level expressions and were not associated with the degree of antrum chronic inflammation.Conclusions These data suggest that IL-12B+1188A/G gene polymorphisms are not associated with susceptibility to chronic gastritis and duodenal ulcer in children and adolescent.

This study was to investigate the chemical constituents of the aerial part of Zygophyllumfabago, by phytochemical methods. The compounds were isolated by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies from the EtOAc extract. Their structures were characterized by various spectroscopic data (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, MS) and comparison with the literature. As a result, thirteen compounds were isolated and their structures were identified as 1-hydroxyhinesol(1), hinesol(2), atractylenolactam(3), beta-eudesmol (4), 5alpha-hydroperoxy-beta-eudesmol(5), 12-hydroxy-valenc-1(10)-en-2-one(6), pubinernoid A(7), (6S,7E)-6-hydroxy-4,7-megastigmadien-3,9-dione(8), 3-hydroxy-5alpha, 6alpha-epoxy-beta-ionone (9), (3S,5R, 6S, 7E)-3, 5, 6-trihydroxy-7-megastigmen-9-one(10), (6R,7E,9R)-9-hydroxy-4,7-megastigmadien-3-one(11), (S)-3-hydroxy-beta-ionone(12), and blumenol A(13). Compounds 1-7 were sesquiterpenoids and 8-13 were megastigmane type norsesquiterpenoids. All the compounds were obtained from Z. fabago for the first time, and compound 1 was a new natural product.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Terpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Zygophyllum ; chemistry

Sulfur fumigation, which is traditional method for preservation, pest control, insecticide and sterilization, has long been widely used in processing and storage and played a positive role of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). As some businesses sided pursuit of profit, abused and repeated use of sulfur fumigation, have resulted in a large number of harmful residues, such as sulf dioxide (SO2) and harmful heavy metals, which brings a significant impact and danger on human health. This article summarizes the sulfur species and the sulfur fumigation methods and analyzes the harmful substances in TCM after sulfur fumigation, to provide a reference of the choice of species for the sulfur, the optimization of sulfur fumigation process and the standardized processing of TCM after sulfur fumigation.
Animals ; Drug Contamination ; Fumigation ; methods ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Safety ; Sulfur ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

Regular physical activity (PA) is a key element in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Participation in regular PA improves blood glucose control and can prevent or delay T2DM and its complications, along with positively affecting lipids, blood pressure, cardiovascular events, mortality, and quality of life. However, most people with T2DM are not active and show poor adherence. This paper reviews the possible barriers to PA and strategies to improve the adherence to PA. Based on the currently available literature, it is concluded that self-efficacy and social support from family, friends, and health care providers play the important role in adoption and maintenance of regular PA. Here we also highlight some new modern and innovative interventions that facilitate exercise participation and improve the adherence.
Adoption ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Friends ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Motor Activity ; Quality of Life ; Self Efficacy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the hereditary tendency of varicocele.

METHODSWe included in this study 112 varicocele patients, 117 direct male relatives of the patients, and 100 healthy men as controls. We compared the incidence of varicocele tween the direct relative group and the control group.

RESULTSThe direct male relatives of the varicocele patients had a significantly higher incidence of varicocele than the healthy controls (36.8% vs 17%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe increased incidence of varicocele in the direct male relatives of the patients indicated a hereditary tendency of the disease.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedigree ; Varicocele ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Stragalus membranaceus injection on nitric oxide and endothelin levels of intestinal mucosa in reperfusion injury after hemorrhage shock.

METHOD32 SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal group, model group, low dosage group, (treated with Astragalus membranaceus 10 g x kg(-1)); high dosage group (treated with Astragalus membranaceus 20 g x kg(-1)). Models of hemorrhagic shock for 60 minutes and reperfusion for 90 minutes were created. The animals were administrated 3 mL therapeutic solution before reperfusion. At the end of study, intestinal pathology was observed, and the concentration of lactic acid (LD), nitric oxide (NO), endothelin (ET) of intestinal mucosa were detected.

RESULTThe intestinal pathology showed that intestinal mucosa epithelial cells damage in model group was severe, in low dosage group was medium, in high dosage group was slight, and no obvious damage was found in normal group. The concentration of LD and NO of small intestine mucous membrane in model group and low dosage group were significantly higher than those in high dosage group and normal group (P < 0.05), but there were no significant differences between high dosage group and normal group (P > 0.05). The concentration of ET of small intestine mucous membrane in model group was the highest of the four groups (P < 0.05). The concentration of ET in low dosage group was significantly higher than that in high dosage group and normal group (P < 0.05), but there were no significant differences between high dosage group and normal group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONStragalus membranaceus injection can reduce small intestine mucous damage by protecting endothelium function in injury after hemorrhage shock-reperfusion.

Animals ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Endothelins ; metabolism ; Ileum ; metabolism ; pathology ; Injections, Intravenous ; Intestinal Mucosa ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lactic Acid ; metabolism ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Shock, Hemorrhagic ; complications

OBJECTIVETo introduce the technique of minimally invasive percutaneous pedicle screws osteosynthesis (MIPPSO) and compare the preliminary clinical outcomes of the treatment of thoraco-lumbar vertebra fracture with traditional open pedicle screws osteosynthesis (TOPSO).

METHODSUsing the "C" arm fluoroscopic guidance, the pedicle screws were put through new-designed instrumentation and inserted percutaneously with fifty cases of thoraco-lumbar vertebra fracture. Semi-Laminectomy were made in the heavy-occupation side through the incision of 4 cm. Vertebroplasty were made through pedicle of disease vertebrae. perioperative parameter and the index of image were compared with the treatment of traditional open pedicle screws osteosynthesis in other fifty cases.

RESULTSThe consumed time of operation in the MIPPSO group and the TOPSO group made no significant difference (P >0.05), but the length of incision, injury of paraspinal muscles, bleeding of operation, drain of postoperation, pain of postoperation, spending time of hospitalization were all significantly different between the two group (P <0.05). Each group compared to itself between preoperation and postoperation, the vertebral height, the height of intervertebral disk, Cobb's angle and the occupation index of vertebral canal were all significantly different (P <0.05). however compared to each other, whether preoperation or postoperation, there were not significant different in the index of image (P >0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe technique of minimally invasive percutaneous pedicle screws osteosynthesis (MIPPSO) has the advantages of simple manipulation, safety, small trauma, less bleeding, light pain, quickly recovery and short hospitalization time.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; methods ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; methods ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

·AIM: To study the therapeutic method of XL -radiofrequency ablation skin apparatus (invented by Rehabilitation medicine, PLA General Hospital) in micro-resecting the lacrimal punctum neoplasm and to observe its clinical effects. ·METHODS:XL-radiofrequency ablation skin apparatus was performed on 7 cases (7 eye lesions) of lacrimal punctum neoplasm including 3 intradermal nevus, 1 boundary nevus, 1 mixed nevus with inflammatory granuloma,1 inflammatory granuloma,and 1 squamous papillary cell tumor by separating layer, point and flake removing methods. The clinical effect was investigated 2-6mo postoperatively and leftover was removed by twice. The postoperative follow- up durations ranged from 6 to 60mo. ·RESULTS: Totally 6 cases (6 eye lesions) were cured successfully by once but 1 case by twice. They were all without recurrence, cicatrix, palpebral margin deformity, obstruction of lacrimal punctum, stenosis of lacrimal punctum or epiphora. Micro - resecting the lacrimal punctum neoplasm using the XL-radiofrequency ablation skin apparatus had several advantages, such as high accuracy,no cicatrix,no bleeding,no epiphora,no damage to the structure of lacrimal canaliculus, short operation time, little pain during the procedure, without hospitalization, slight inflammation reaction after procedure. ·CONCLUSION: The efficacy of XL - radiofrequency ablation skin apparatus is significantly more evident and highly accurate in micro - resecting lacrimal punctum neoplasm.

Objective To establish the feasibility of performing an endoscopic anterior approach for upper cervical spine in a clinical setting.Methods Application of this method on 13 Chinese cadavers was conducted to verify the practicability of this technique.Anatomic data were obtained by measuring the anterior cervical specimens,and anatomic observation was conducted in the neighboring structure through below the su- perior thyroid artery.Results The superior thyroid vascular-nerve plexus was neighbor to the puncture can- nula.But there has a quite large distance between the hypoglossal,the glossopharyngeal,the lingual artery, the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve and the puncture cannula.There has enough space between the posterior wall of the pharynx and the prevertebral fascia to put the MDE canuula.Conclusion This ca- daver and clinical study demonstrates that an endoscopic anterior approach to the upper cervical spine is safe and feasible,and can be a valid alternative to the conventional transoral approach.