OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical efficacy of modified Zhujing Pills in the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration(AMD)of liver and kidney insufficiency type.METHODS 64 patients with dry AMD of liver and kidney insufficiency type were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group,32 patients each.The control group was given oral treat-ment with Laishiding capsules,and the experimental group was given oral treatment with modified Zhujing Pills granules.The treatment course for both groups was 3 months.Before and after treatment,the patients in the two groups were observed for TCM syndrome scores,visual acuity,fundus autofluorescence(AF),changes in drusen area within 5 mm of the fovea,and plasma superoxide dis-mutase(SOD),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)activity and malondialdehyde(MDA)levels.RESULTS After treatment,the scores of TCM syndromes in the experimental group were significantly reduced(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and the efficacy of TCM syn-dromes was better than that of the control group(P＜0.01);the visual acuity of the patients in the experimental group was significantly improved,AF was significantly weakened and the area of drusen was reduced(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),which were better than those in the control group(P＜0.05);the plasma SOD and GSH-Px activities of the experimental group were increased,and the MDA level was significantly lowered(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),which were better than the control group(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION Modified Zhujing Pills can reduce fundus AF intensity,decrease macular drusen area,improve visual acuity,and reduce TCM syndrome scores in pa-tients with dry AMD.The therapeutic mechanism may be related to its antioxidant effect.

In traditional medicine and ethnomedicine,medicinal plants have long been recognized as the basis for materials in therapeutic applications worldwide.In particular,the remarkable curative effect of tradi-tional Chinese medicine during corona virus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic has attracted extensive attention globally.Medicinal plants have,therefore,become increasingly popular among the public.However,with increasing demand for and profit with medicinal plants,commercial fraudulent events such as adulteration or counterfeits sometimes occur,which poses a serious threat to the clinical out-comes and interests of consumers.With rapid advances in artificial intelligence,machine learning can be used to mine information on various medicinal plants to establish an ideal resource database.We herein present a review that mainly introduces common machine learning algorithms and discusses their application in multi-source data analysis of medicinal plants.The combination of machine learning al-gorithms and multi-source data analysis facilitates a comprehensive analysis and aids in the effective evaluation of the quality of medicinal plants.The findings of this review provide new possibilities for promoting the development and utilization of medicinal plants.

Objective:To study the effect of ZhuJing pill variant formula medicated serum on hydrogen peroxide (H 2O 2)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cells and its mechanism. Methods:Thirty female SPF grade SD rats aged 2 months old were selected.The rats were randomized into blank control group and Zhujing pill variant formula group according to random number table method, with 15 in each group, which were intragastrically administered with normal saline and ZhuJing pill variant formula solution for 7 days accordingly to prepare blank control serum and medicated serum.ZhuJing pill variant formula medicated serum was prepared with SD rats.ARPE-19 cells were divided into normal control group, model control group, blank serum group as well as 2.5%, 5.0% and 10.0% medicated serum groups, SB216763 group and SB216763+ medicated serum group.Normal and blank control groups were cultured in normal culture medium, while the other six groups were cultured in blank rat serum medium, medicated serum medium of corresponding concentration, 10 μmol/L SB216763 medium and 10 μmol/L SB216763+ 10.0% medicated serum medium, respectively.Normal control group was routinely cultured, while the other groups were routinely cultured for 24 hours, and then added with H 2O 2 with the final concentration of 200 μmol/L for 24 hours.Cell viability was assessed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and cell migration ability was detected by Transwell assay.Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was detected by dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) assay, and MDA level was identified by sulfhydryl barbituric acid assay.The expression levels of Nrf2 pathway related proteins including nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO-1) and EMT-related proteins including transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2), protein kinase B (AKT), glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), snail family zinc finger 1 (SNAIL1), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin) in cells were measured by western blot assay.The use and care of animals complied with Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals. Results:There was no significant difference in cell survival rate among blank serum group, 2.5%, 5.0% and 10.0% medicated serum groups ( F=0.163, P>0.05). The cell survival rates were (100.50±5.91)%, (60.87±4.30)%, (73.27±4.46)%, (80.73±5.67)% and (89.90±4.97)% in normal control group, model control group, 2.5%, 5.0% and 10.0% medicated serum groups, and the number of migrating cells was (84.67±8.33), (222.33±13.58), (215.67±10.02), (174.67±10.60), (143.67±8.02) and (107.67±6.66) pcs/visual field in normal control group, model control group, blank serum group, 2.5%, 5.0% and 10.0% medicated serum groups, respectively, with significant differences among the groups ( F=26.628, 99.289; both at P<0.01). The contents of ROS and MDA in model control group were significantly increased in comparison with normal control group (both at P<0.01). The contents of ROS and MDA of 2.5%, 5.0% and 10.0% medicated serum groups were significantly decreased in comparison with model control group (all at P<0.01). The relative expression levels of SNAIL1, α-SMA, TGF-β2, p-AKT and p-GSK-3β proteins were significantly higher and the relative expression level of E-cadherin protein was significantly lower in model control group compared with normal control group, 2.5%, 5.0% and 10.0% medicated serum groups (all at P<0.05). Compared with normal control group, the relative expression level of cytoplasmic Nrf2 in model control group was decreased, while the relative expression levels of nuclear Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO-1 were increased, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.05). Compared with model control group, the relative expression levels of cytoplasmic Nrf2 in 2.5%, 5.0% and 10.0% medicated serum groups were reduced, and the relative expression levels of nuclear Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO-1 were enhanced, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.01). Compared with model control group, the relative expression level of cytoplasmic Nrf2 in SB216763 group was decreased, and the relative expression level of nuclear Nrf2 was increased, and the differences were statistically significant (both at P<0.05). Compared with SB216763 group, the relative expression levels of cytoplasmic Nrf2, SNAIL1 and α-SMA in SB216763+ medicated serum group were decreased, and the relative expression levels of nuclear Nrf2 and E-cadherin protein were increased, and the differences were statistically significant (both at P<0.05). Conclusions:ZhuJing pill variant formula medicated serum can inhibit H 2O 2-induced EMT in ARPE-19 cells.The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of AKT/GSK-3β pathway and the activation of Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Six new tirucallane-type triterpenoids (1-6), along with ten known triterpenoids, were isolated from methylene chloride extract of the resin of Boswellia carterii Birdw. By the application of the comprehensive spectroscopic data, the structures of the compounds were clarified. The experimental electronic circular dichroism spectra were compared with those calculated, which allowed to assign the absolute configurations. Compounds 5 and 6 possesed a 2, 3-seco tirucallane-type triterpenoid skeleton, which were first reported. Their inhibitory activity against NO formation in LPS-activated BV-2 cells were evaluated. Compound 9 showed appreciable inhibitory effect, with an IC

Objective:To investigate the present situation of unintended pregnancy within two years postpartum and its influencing factors in China.Methods:Participants who delivered a live birth at 60 hospitals in 15 provinces in the eastern, central and western regions of China during July 2015 to June 2016 were interviewed by using structured questionnaire. Information on occurrence of unintended pregnancy within 2 years after delivery, postpartum contraceptive use, sexual resumption, breastfeeding, and women′s socio-demographic characteristics, and so on, were collected. Life-table analysis, cluster log-rank tests and a 2-level Cox regression model were used for data analysis.Results:A total of 18 045 postpartum women were investigated. The cumulative 1- and 2-year unintended pregnancy rates after delivery were 5.3% (95% CI: 4.5%－6.1%) and 13.1% (95% CI: 11.3%－14.8%), respectively. Cox regression model analysis showed that the risk of unintended pregnancy within 2 years postpartum were increased in younger women, ethnic minorities, women with abortion history, and those who had a vaginal delivery with short lactation time and late postpartum contraceptive initiation (all P<0.01). The risk of postpartum unintended pregnancy was not associated with geographic regions and hospitals where women gave a birth (all P>0.05). Conclusions:In China, the risk of unintended pregnancy within 2 years after delivery is relatively high. Service institutions and service providers should improve the quality of postpartum family planning services, promote the use of high effect contraceptive methods, and educate women to use a method at the time of their sexual resumption or even before.

Objective To assess the contribution of contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) in detecting breast carcinoma of dense breasts. Methods To retrospectively analyze the imaging and clinical data of 52 female patients with breast carcinoma which were confirmed by pathology in Tai'an Central Hospital of Shandong Province from April 2017 to April 2018.All cases classified as dense or uneven dense breasts by DM examination underwent Ultrasound (US), digital mammography (DM), CESM, dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI).The breast imaging report and data system (BI-RADS) and breast density classification were both evaluated using the 5th edition of BI-RADS. The efficacy of US, DM, DM+CESM, DCE-MRI in detecting breast carcinoma (BI-RADS 5) was evaluated by χ2 test. Results Histopathology confirmed that 87 lesions were malignant and 35 lesions were benign. The sensitivity of US, DM, DM +CESM, DCE-MRI were 66.67％(58/87), 64.37％(56/87), 100.00％(87/87), 100.00％(87/87) and the specificity were 94.28％(33/35), 74.28％(26/35), 85.71％(30/35), 51.43％(18/35), respectively. There was statistically significant difference in specificity (χ2=9.545, P=0.002) and BI-RADS 5 category, detection 39.08％(34/87), 22.99％(20/87), respectively (χ2=5.263, P=0.022) between the DM + CESM group and DCE-MRI group. Conclusion In dense breasts, CESM has a high application value in breast carcinoma diagnosis.

Objective: To analyze the prognostic factors of adult nonclear cell renal cell carcinoma (nccRCC). Methods: The clinical data of 286 patients with pathologically diagnosed one specific type of nccRCC after radical nephrectomy and nephron sparing surgery(NSS) in the affiliated hospital of Qingdao university followed up from January 2012 to January 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.There were 159 males and 127 females. Their age ranged from 17 to 81 years old, with an average age of 53. Based on the AJCC combination stage, 218 cases were in stage Ⅰ, 56 cases were in stage Ⅱ, 9 cases were in stage Ⅲ, 3 cases were in stage Ⅳ. Assay indicators were collected, including lymphocyte percentage(LY%)(31.5±10.5), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio(NLR)(2.6±2.8), albumin(40.9±4.7)g/L, prealbumin(255.0±74.3)mg/L, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)(201.0±174.0)U/L, creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB)(20.0±62.1)U/L, total cholesterol(4.9±1.0)mmol/L, blood urea nitrogen/creatinine (BUN/Cr)(12.9±9.9), blood glucose(5.4±1.3)mmol/L, triglyceride(1.4±1.1)mmol/L, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)(2.9±0.8)mmol/L. The optimal cut-off value of the above indexes were obtained by the receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC) in the SPSS software, and difference between high cut-off and low cut-off divided basing on the optimal cut-off value were evaluated respectively. The prognostic factors of adult nccRCC were evaluated by univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to study the survival relationship. The log-rank test were used to compare survival rate in two groups. The prognostic factors of nccRCC were analyzed after the results above were presented. Prognostic factors in renal chromophobe cell carcinoma and papillary cell carcinoma were analyzed by the same method. Results: The 286patients were followed up from 1 to 87 months, with an average of 43.9 months. The 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 93.8% and 89.3%, respectively. Results of univariate and multivariate Cox regression model revealed that AJCC combined staging (HR=2.38, 95%CI1.48-3.83), LDH(HR=2.99, 95%CI1.16-7.69), blood glucose (HR=4.13, 95%CI 1.74-9.78), CK-MB (HR=3.85, 95%CI1.63-9.08) were independent prognostic factors of nccRCC. NLR(HR=8.28, 95%CI1.66-41.35) and LDH(HR=9.82, 95%CI2.94-32.82) were the independent prognostic factor in the renal chromophobe cell carcinoma subgroup and the papillary renal cell carcinoma subgroup, separately. Conclusions AJCC combination stage, LDH, blood glucose and CK-MB are independent prognostic factors of adult nccRCC. Patients with low LDH, hypoglycemia, CK-MB and early AJCC stage have better prognosis. NLR is an independent predictor of renal chromophobe cell carcinoma, and the low NLR group has a better prognosis and higher survival rate. LDH is an independent predictor of papillary renal cell carcinoma and low LDH is beneficial to patients' prognosis. NLR and LDH can be used as a prognostic indicator for clinical evaluation in renal chromophobe cell carcinoma and papillary renal cell carcinoma, respectively.

In recent years, infrared spectroscopy (IR) caught the attention due to its advantages of convenient, fast, nondestructive and pollutionfree for simultaneous determination of multiponents. This article reviewed the application of mid-IR and near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in the authentic identification, quantitative analysis on active components, quality control on Chinese patent medicine, and detections on production process of Chinese herbal medicine both at home and abroad. Along with the IR technique and its related theoretical development, IR has a broad development prospect in Chinese medicine research field.

OBJECTIVE:To study the synthesis technology of Ligustilide dipolymer (compound Ⅰ). METHODS:Using phthalic anhydride(compoundⅡ)as raw materials,sodium borohydride was reduced to phthalide(compound Ⅲ),and then syn-thesize ligustilide dipolymer after 4 steps. Ligustilide dipolymer was characterized by 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR. The synthesis technol-ogy of fifth step was optimized by orthogonal test with catalyzer,reaction temperature and reaction time as factors using yield as in-dex. The validation test was conducted. RESULTS:The optimal synthesis technology of fifth step was as follows as aluminium mu-riate of catalyzer,reaction temperature of 150 ℃,reaction time of 5 h. The average yield of validation test was 56.16%(RSD=1.23%,n=3). Total reaction yield was 24.4%,and the purity of target product was 99.4%. CONCLUSIONS:Ligustilide dipoly-mer is synthesized successfully;synthetic process is stable,and its quality is controllable.

Objective To explore the safety and efficiency of patients with impacted upper ureter calculus combined with renal intrarenal infection treated by ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy (URL ) and minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (MPCNL) .Methods 126 cases of impacted upper ureteral calculi combined with renal intrarenal infection were treated in this hos-pita1 from July 2007 to July 2011 ,including 58 cases of URL ,68 cases of MPCNL .The success rate of primary lithotripsy ,stone-free rate ,postoperative adjuvant therapy ,operative time ,hospital stay ,incidence of postoperative complications and other data were analyzed .Results The success rate of group URL was 82 .76% (48/58) ,the success rate of group MPCNL was 100 .00% .The stone-free rate seven day after operation :URL was 62 .07% (36/58) ,MPCNL was 98 .53% (67/68)(P<0 .05) .The stone-free rate was 100 .00% in MPCNL group and 81 .03% in URL group one month After operation(P<0 .05) .In MPCNL group ,the rate of adjuvant ESWL was 1 .47% ,significantly lower than 37 .93% in URL group(P<0 .05) .In URL group the operative time (65 .34 ± 26 .72)min and hospital stay(4 .54 ± 1 .87)d were significantly shorter than those (96 .32 ± 30 .94)min and(7 .62 ± 1 .93)d in URL group(P<0 .05) .After the operation ,in MPCNL group ,6 patients developed high fever ,in URL group ,5 patients had high fever (P<0 .05) .Culture of blood after operation found 3 patients and 2 patients in MPCNL group and URL group were positive(P<0 .05) .There were no significant differences in the rates of hemoglobin decline between the two groups (P>0 .05) .Conclusion It has higher successful rate and stone-free rate in patients with upper ureter calculus combined with renal intrarenal infection by MPCNL than those treated by URL .The safety and efficency of the former is better that of the latter .MPCNL can be the first choice for the upper ureter calculus combined with renal intrarenal infection .