Poria(Fu Ling) is a bulk traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)with a long history and complex varieties. The royal medical records of the Qing Dynasty include multiple medicinal materials of Fu Ling, such as Bai Fu Ling(white Poria), Chi Fu Ling(rubra Poria), and Zhu Fu Ling(Poria processed with cinnabaris). The Palace Museum preserves 6 kinds of specimens including Fu Ling Ge(dried Poria), Bai Fu Ling, Chi Fu Ling, Zhu Fu Ling, Bai Fu Shen(white Poria cum Radix Pini), and Fu Shen Mu(Poria cum Radix Pini). After trait identification and textual research, we found that Fu Ling Ge was an intact sclerotium, which was processed into Fu Ling Pi(Poriae Cutis), Bai Fu Ling and other medicinal materials in the Palace. The Fu Ling in the Qing Dynasty Pa-lace was mainly from the tribute paid of the officials in Yunnan-Guizhou region. The tribute situation was stable in the whole Qing Dynasty, and changed in the late Qing Dynasty. The cultural relics of Fu Ling in the Qing Dynasty Palace confirm with the archival documents such as the royal medical records and herbal medicine books, providing precious historical materials for understanding Fu Ling in the Qing Dynasty and a basis for the restoration of the processing of the Fu Ling in the Qing Dynasty Palace.
Animals ; Poria ; China ; Books ; Coleoptera ; Medical Records ; Wolfiporia

Electronic tongue is one kind of bionic detection technologies, which can objectively reflect the taste of drugs based on electrochemical principle. In this paper, the development histories of electronic tongue both of potential type and voltammetry type were introduced, including their detection principles and key innovation technologies. In order to comprehensively improve the understanding of electronic tongue, its technological progresses, such as the study of dedicated sensors or biosensors for specific tastes, and the development of miniaturized or hybrid devices, were also discussed in detail. And the challenges and countermeasures in the application of electronic tongue were analyzed to provide some suggestions for its further technology promotion.

1-Deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR) is the second rate-limiting enzyme of terpenoid biosynthesis in the methylerythritol-4-phosphate pathway. According to the transcriptome database of Cinnamomum camphora, the DXR cDNA was cloned by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) from C. camphora, and was named CcDXR1 (GenBank number:KU886266). The ORF of CcDXR1 is composed of 1 413 bp, and it encodes 470 amino acids. The bioinformatics analysis suggests that the molecular weight of the encoded protein is 51.1 kD and the theoretically isoelectric point is 6.62, and there is no signal peptide and transmembrane structure in putative protein. The analysis of sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree showed that the CcDXR1 belonged to the DXR family. The results of the realtime PCR indicated that expression level of CcDXR1 in mature leaves was higher than tender leaves, which in roots was similar to leaves and the lowest in branches. The camphor is divided into five chemotypes, according to the main chemical compounds in C. camphora. It also showed that the expression level of CcDXR1 in borneol C. camphora was highest than that in cineol, iso-nerolidol, camphor and linalool. Our results revealed that the expression level of CcDXR1 exhibits diversity among plant tissues, growth periods and five chemical types, and the research provides foundation for further study of the terpenoids biosynthetic pathway in C. camphora.

OBJECTIVETo compare changes of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) in different rat models of Gan stagnation (GS), Pi deficiency (PD), Gan stagnation Pi deficiency (GSPD) syndromes, and to observe interventional effect of Chaishu Sijun Decoction (CSD, capable of soothing Gan-qi invigorating Pi) on them.

METHODSSeventy Wistar rats were divided into the normal control group (group 1), the GS group (group 2), the PD group (group 3), the GSPD group (group 4), the GS intervention group (group 5), the PD intervention group (group 6), and the GSPD intervention group (group 7) according to random digit table, 10 in each group. Rats in group 1 received no treatment. Rats in group 2 and 5 were modeled by chronic restraint method. Rats in group 3 and 6 were modeled by excess fatigue plus alimentary abstinence method. Rats in group 4 and 7 were modeled by chronic restraint, excess fatigue, and alimentary abstinence method. At the 2nd weekend of modeling, CSD at 2.86 g/kg was fed to rats in group 5, 6, and 7 by gastrogavage for 2 successive weeks. Equal volume of distilled water was given to rats in the rest 4 groups. On the 29th day, rats were killed, adrenal weight weighed, and adrenal index calculated. Levels of plasma and hypothalamus corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), plasma and pituitary adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), and plasma corticosterone (CORT) were determined using radioimmunity.

RESULTSCompared with group 1, adrenal index significantly decreased in group 2, 3, and 4 (P < 0.05). Of them, plasma and hypothalamus CRH, plasma CORT increased significantly in group 2 and 4 (P < 0.05). Besides, plasma and pituitary ACTH increased in group 4 (P < 0.05). Plasma and pituitary ACTH, as well as plasma CORT decreased significantly in group 3 (P < 0.05). Compared with group 2, 3, and 4, adrenal index increased significantly in group 5, 6, and 7 (P < 0.05). Compared with group 2, plasma CORT, hypothalamus CRH, and pituitary ACTH decreased significantly in group 5 (P < 0.05). Compared with group 3, plasma ACTH and CORT increased significantly in group 6 (P < 0.05). Compared with group 4, plasma CRH, ACTH, CORT, hypothalamus CRH, and pituitary ACTH decreased in group 7 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe function of HPA .axis was damaged to varying degrees in rats of the three models in this experiment. Hyperactivity of HPA axis existed in GS syndrome and GSPD syndrome. Impairment of feedback regulation in hypothalamus and pituitary was accompanied in GSPD syndrome. Hypofunction of HPA axis existed in PDS. CSD, capable of soothing Gan-qi invigorating'Pi, showed improvement on disarranged HPAA, but with optimal effect on GSPD syndrome. CSD had higher correlation with GSPD syndrome.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; metabolism ; Animals ; Corticosterone ; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System ; metabolism ; Hypothalamus ; metabolism ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Models, Animal ; Pituitary Gland ; metabolism ; Pituitary-Adrenal System ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy and related factors of pegylated-interferon alpha-2a (PEG-IFN-2a) treatment in patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who achieved partial viral response with nucleoside analogue (NA) therapy.

METHODSPatients with HBeAg-positive CHB and partial viral response to NA treatment were administered a PEG-IFN-2a therapy regimen of 180 g subcutaneous injection once weekly for a personlized duration of time. The existing NA therapy was continued in combination with the new PEG-IFN-2a treatment for 12 weeks. Measurements of serum HBV DNA load, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), HBeAg and hepatitis B e antibody (anti-HBe) were taken at baseline (prior to addition of the PEG-IFN-2a therapy) and every 3 months afterwards.For determining response to treatment, primary efficacy was defined as undetectable HBsAg and seroconversion, and secondary efficacy was defined as HBsAg less than 10 IU/mL and HBeAg seroconversion.Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS statistical software.

RESULTSA total of 81 consecutive patients with an average of 12.0 months (range: 6.0-24.0 months) of NA therapy were included in the study and received an average of 19.6 months (range: 15.5-33.3 months) of PEG-IFN-2a treatment. At the end of PEG-IFN-2a therapy, 7 (8.6%) of the patients achieved undetectable HBsAg and seroconversion, and 14 (17.3%) showed HBsAg less than 10IU/mL. In addition, 40.7% achieved undetectable HBeAg and seroconversion, a rate that was slightly higher than that (38.3%) seen in treatment-naive patients who received PEG-IFN-2a. Statistical analyses suggest that baseline level of HBsAg at less than 1500 IU/mL may predict end of PEG-IFN-2a treatment response for HBsAg less than 10 IU/mL, as evidenced by the area under the curve measure of 0.747, sensitivity measure of 87.3%, specificity measure of 33.3%, positive predictive value of 82.1% and negative predictive value of 42.8%.

CONCLUSIONPatients with HBeAg-positive CHB and partial viral response to NA therapy can achieve undetectable HBsAg and HBeAg seroconversion after switching to PEG-IFN-2a treatment. Baseline HBsAg level may be predictive of response to this therapeutic strategy.

Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Nucleosides ; therapeutic use ; Polyethylene Glycols ; therapeutic use ; Recombinant Proteins ; therapeutic use ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Treatment Outcome ; Viral Load

OBJECTIVETo investigate the malondialdehyde (MDA) level and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) activity in the serum and seminal plasma of infertile men with chronic viral hepatitis and their influence on the semen parameters of the patients.

METHODSWe collected serum and semen samples from 42 infertile men, 45 infertile males with chronic viral hepatitis, and 50 healthy fertile men as controls. We measured the MDA level in the serum and seminal plasma by spectrophotometry, detected the PON-1 activity by spectrophotometry, and determined the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) by acridine orange fluorescence staining.

RESULTSThe MDA level was significantly higher but the PON-1 activity remarkably lower in the serum and seminal plasma of the infertile males with chronic viral hepatitis than in the healthy controls and infertile patients (P <0.01 or P <0.05). Total sperm motility and sperm survival rate were significantly lower while the sperm DFI markedly higher in the former than in the latter two groups (P <0.01 or P <0.05). No statistically significant difference was found among the three groups in sperm concentration (P >0.05). The WBC counts in the semen of the infertile and infertile with chronic viral hepatitis groups were significantly higher than that in the health controls (P <0.05). The MDA level and PON-1 activity in the seminal plasma were positively correlated with those in the serum in the infertile males with chronic viral hepatitis (r=0.57 or 0.48, P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONVirus-induced chronic active hepatitis enhances oxidative stress in the reproductive system, aggravates sperm damage, and affects sperm quality parameters.

Adult ; Aryldialkylphosphatase ; analysis ; Case-Control Studies ; DNA Fragmentation ; Fertility ; Hepatitis, Viral, Human ; complications ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; blood ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; analysis ; blood ; Oxidative Stress ; Semen ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa

OBJECTIVETo analyze the prevalence and risk factors of multiple musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in auto workers and the associations between MSDs at different sites.

METHODSA cross-sectional survey was conducted in 3998 workers, who were selected from a Chinese auto corporation by cluster random sampling, using the revised Nordic MSDs standard questionnaire; 3800 completed questionnaires were returned. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the risk factors for multiple MSDs. The logbinomial model was used to calculate the prevalence ratios (PRs) of MSDs at different sites and evaluate the associations between MSDs at different sites.

RESULTSOf the 3800 subjects, 2452 (64.5%) had MSDs at two or more sites, and 469 (12.3%) had MSDs at one site. The PRs varied from 1.5 to 6.7, with significant differences among different sites (P < 0.01). Relatively close associations were found between the MSDs at neck and shoulders, back and shoulders/waist, elbows and wrists/hands, waist and neck, wrists/hands and waist, hip and waist, knees and waist, and ankles/feet and elbows. The multinomial logistic regression analysis indicated that the highest risk factor for MSDs was poor posture, including often working in an uncomfortable posture, neck bending forward, and neck twisting (ORs = 3.39, 1.93, and 1.38), followed by labor organization, in which break between tasks could decrease the risk of MSDs at three or more sites to 31%, staff shortage, which could increase the risk of MSDs by 75%, and pushing and pulling heavy objects (> 20 kg) (OR = 1.76).

CONCLUSIONMost auto workers with MSDs have multiple sites affected, and there are high associations between the MSDs at different sites. The major risk factors for multiple MSDs in auto workers include poor posture, labor organization, and heavy physical labor.

Adult ; Automobiles ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective To explore the retreatment of CHC patients with initial treatment failure and how to achieve SVR.Methods 54 patients who had experienced treatment failure were enrolled and retreated with standard treatment of pegylated interferon and ribavirin or intensive treatment,respectively.Their SVR rates were statistically compared,to decide two therapies' application.Results 54 patients had been retreated,and total SVR rate was up to 75.92％,with 88.46％ in relapsed patients and 64.29％ in non-responders.After retreatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin,SVR rate was 95.45％ in patients with prior interferon monotherapy,and 64.71％ in patients with prior interferon and ribavirin,and 60％ in patients with prior pegylated interferonα-2a monotherapy.SVR rate of relapsed patients was significantly higher than that of non-responders.Conclusions In CHC patients with treatment failure,SVR rate of retreatment with standard treatment or intensive treatment still can be up to 60％-90％.Retreatment with standard therapy can be applied to patients who had received interferon monotherapy or interferon plus ribavirin.Three types of patients who need intensive retreatment were as following:patients nonresponsive to interferon plus ribavirin or pegylated interferon α-2a monotherapy,and patients with treatment failure who had received prior standard treatment.

OBJECTIVEHBsAg loss and seroconversion in patients with chronic hepatitis B leads to long-lasting good clinical outcomes. The aim of this paper was to investigate to improve the rate of HBsAg loss and seroconversion in chronic hepatitis B patients by prolonged treatment of PEG-IFNa-2a. 217 cases of HBeAg-positive or negative patients were collected from inpatient and outpatient in Beijing Ditan Hospital from May 2005 to October 2009 and subcutaneous injection of 135 ug or 180 ug PEGASYS were given once a week according to body weights. The drug doses were adjusted according to the neutrophilic granulocyte and platelet counts during treatment course. Quantitative HBV DNA test was conducted using a commercially available real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR kit. The serum HBsAg/anti-HBs and HBeAg/anti-HBe were quantitatively detected by Abbott i 2000 chemiluminescent kit before and during treatment every three months. Patients with HBsAg steadily decreased and reached serum HBsAg level below 200 IU/ml after 48 weeks of treatment would receive prolonged treatment. Patients with more than 12 weeks of treatment entered into analysis. Main efficacy of prolonged treatment was evaluated by the incidences of HBsAg loss and seroconversion.

RESULTSThe treatment courses of the 217 patients ranged from 12.0 to 197.6 weeks with an average of 53.1+/-33.4 weeks, 118 cases took more than 48 weeks and another 89 cases less than 48 weeks. 13.4% (29/217) of patients achieved HBsAg loss or HBsAg seroconversion with treatment courses from 17.6 to 197.6 weeks (average 75.4+/-42.8 weeks). Among these 29 patients 24 (82.8%) received more than 48 weeks of treatment, but the treatment courses of HBV DNA reached undetectable level were 20.8+/-8.9 weeks. In this study, 9.5% (14/148) of HBeAg-positive patients achieved HBsAg loss or seroconversion, all of them treated more than 48 weeks, from 48 to 194 weeks, average 81.32+/-39.36 weeks. 21.7% (15/69) of HBeAg-negative patients achieved HBsAg loss or seroconversion, significantly higher than that of HBeAg-positive patients (9.5%) (x2 = 6.129, P = 0.013). The average treatment course for HBeAg-negative patients with HBsAg loss was 70.2+/-48.0 weeks, shorter than that of HBeAg-positive patients with HBsAg loss (81.3+/-39.4 weeks), but no significant difference (t = -0.522, P = 0.602) found between.

CONCLUSIONHigher rate of HBsAg loss and seroconversion could be obtained by individual extended treatment courses in patients with rapid HBV DNA and HBsAg response to PEG-IFNa-2a treatment and the HBeAg-negative patients could got higher rate of HBsAg loss than HBeAg-positive patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Infant ; Interferon-alpha ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyethylene Glycols ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Recombinant Proteins ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe serum TGF-beta1 and TNF-alpha in silicosis patients and workers exposed to silica dust to study the role of TGF-beta1 and TNF-alpha in the development of silicosis.

METHODSOne hundred non-exposed workers were selected as control group, 200 workers exposed to silica dust for more than 1 year as exposed group, 32 suspected silicosis patients (originally diagnosed as 0+) as observing group, 130 silicosis patients were as silicosis group. Serum TGF-beta1 and TNF-alpha in each group were determined with ELISA.

RESULTSSerum TNF-alpha in exposed group [(47.86 +/- 16.52) pg/ml], observing group [(109.11 +/- 31.08) pg/ml], silicosis group [(216.35 +/- 51.03) pg/ml] were significantly higher than that in control group [(6.90 +/- 2.24) pg/ml] (P < 0.01); Silicosis group and observing group were also higher than exposed group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Compared with control group [(23.28 +/- 12.24) pg/ml] and exposed group [(29.31 +/- 14.52) pg/ml], serum TGF-beta1 in silicosis group was much higher (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTGF-beta1, and TNF-alpha were essential in the development of silicosis, so the detection of TGF-beta1 and TNF-alpha in peripheral blood was very useful for occupational health surveillance and early diagnosis of silicosis.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; Silicosis ; blood ; diagnosis ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; blood ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood