OBJECTIVE To explore the efficacy of Sour Jujube Seed Decoction combined with Huanglian Wendan Decoction on adult chronic insomnia and its effect on hypnotic withdrawal.METHODS 187 patients with chronic insomnia were included for anal-ysis,including 102 in the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)group and 85 in the western medicine group.The TCM group was trea-ted with Sour Jujube Seed Decoction combined with Huanglian Wendan Decoction,while the western medicine group was treated with benzodiazepine under the consideration of doctor.The intervention period was 1 month,with assessments using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)conducted before and after the intervention.Follow-up evaluations were performed at 3 months and 6 months re-spectively after the intervention.RESULTS There was no significant difference between the two groups at baseline.After the inter-vention,the PSQI scores of patients in both groups were significantly improved(P<0.01).Among them,the TCM group was better than the western medicine group in the improvement of sleep quality and sleeping pills,total PSQI score reduction(P<0.01).The re-sults of linear regression analysis showed that after controlling for confounding factors,the regression coefficients of the TCM group in two different models were1.821 and 1.922 respectively,and the former was statistically significant(P<0.05).By screening patients who took hypnotics at baseline in the TCM group and comparing them with those in the western medicine group,the influencing factors of hypnotic withdrawal were analyzed.During the 3-month follow-up,25 out of 39 patients in the TCM group and 17 out of 80 patients in the western medicine group had hypnotic withdrawal(χ2= 19.25,P<0.001);during the 6-month follow-up,23 of the 39 patients in the TCM group and 18 of the 79 patients in the western medicine group had hypnotic withdrawal(χ2= 13.53,P<0.001),the with-drawal rate of patients in the TCM group was significantly higher than that in the western medicine group.Further regression analysis showed that after adjusting for confounding factors,the results showed that the western medicine group had a significantly higher rate of not withdrawal than the TCM group at 3 months(OR=5.50,95%CI:2.30～13.72)and 6 months(OR=6.43,95%CI:2.54～17.77),and the results were statistically different(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Sour Jujube Seed Decoction combined with Huangli-an Wendan Decoction is effective in treating adult chronic insomnia and assisting in hypnotic withdrawal.

The aim of this paper was to study the improvement effect of ethanol extract from Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium(CRP) on triglyceride of hyperlipidemia model rats, and to explore the possible mechanism. SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, positive control group, and high, medium and low-dose CRP ethanol extract groups, with 10 rats in each group. During the experiment, except for the normal group that was fed with distilled water and ordinary feed, rats in the other groups were given different concentrations of alcohol and fed with high-sugar and fat diets. All rats were given free diets. While being modeled, each group was administered with 0.01 mL·g~(-1) by gavage once a day for six weeks. Blood samples were collected after two weeks, four weeks and six weeks of drug treatment. After the completion of the experiment, blood, liver and adipose tissue were collected. Triglyceride(TG), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alkaline phosphatase(ALP) in serum, TG in liver tissue and TG in fecal were detected. Free fatty acid(FFA) and triglyceride-related hydrolase, such as adipose tiglyceride lipase(ATGL), lipoprotein lipase(LPL), hepatic lipase(HL), hormone-sensitive triglyceride lipase(HSL) were detected by ELISA. The mRNA expressions of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors(PPARγ), sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 c(SREBP-1 c) and farnesoid X receptor(FXR) were determined by RT-PCR. Compared with the model group, each administration group could reduce TG levels in serum and liver to varying degrees, reduce serum ALT, AST, ALP activities, significantly reduce free fatty acid content in serum, significantly increase triglyceride metabolism-related enzymes, including fat ATGL, LPL and liver HL content, and significantly reduced the content of fat HSL. According to the study of transcriptional regulation genes relating to triglyceride metabolism, extract from CRP could significantly increase the mRNA expressions of PPARγ and FXR. In conclusion, ethanol extract from CRP could ob-viously reduce the TG level of hyperlipidemia model rats, and might reduce plasma TG content by increasing PPARγ-LPL/ATGL and FXR-HL triglyceride hydrolysis pathways.
Animals ; Ethanol ; Hyperlipidemias/genetics* ; Liver ; Plant Extracts ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Triglycerides

The polysaccharides of different germplasm resources of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus〓(cultured Astragalus Radix (RA) and natural RA) and A. membranaceus (MJ) (cultured RA and natural RA) were studied by using the optimal enzymatic conditions of endo-1,4-β-mannanase. Saccharide fingerprints were obtained for the identification and evaluation of the germplasm resources of RA by Fluorophore-assisted Carbohydrate Electrophoresis (FACE). The data were analyzed by principal component analysis to obtain the difference between RA of different germplasm resources. The results showed that trisaccharide, tetrasaccharide and pentasaccharide of endo-1,4-β-mannanase hydrolyzate could be used as the differential fragments to distinguish MG (cultured RA and natural RA); the pentasaccharide and hexasaccharide can be used as differentially expressed carbohydrate fragments that distinguish MJ (cultured RA and natural RA); the trisaccharide and tetrasaccharide can be used as the differential fragments to distinguish the cultured MG and cultured MJ. Studies have shown that polysaccharide products degraded by endo-1,4-β-mannanase can well distinguish RA species (MG and MJ), growth mode (cultured RA and natural RA). This study laid the foundation for the quality evaluation of Astragalus medicinal herbs and screening of active oligosaccharides.

Currently, the specification grading standard for Astragali Radix can not accurately reflect growth years. The aim of this study is to identify the growth ring number of different parts of 1 to 6 year Hengshan imitative wild culture Astragali Radix, in order to get a different absolute growth years, to classify the accumulation rules of the content of flavonoids and saponins, and to lay the foundation for evaluating quality of Astragali Radix. Observing growth ring numbers of 1-6 years Astragali Radix by means of hand sections and paraffin sections in the study, and analyzing the number of different growth years and different diameter. At the same time, HPLC-UV-ELSD was used to analyze the 12 index components of the samples with absolute growth years of 2 to 6 years. The results indicated that the growth ring number excepting hollow part is consistent with the actual growth period of Astragali Radix and the number of growth rings gradually decreased from the upper to lower. The results of HPLC-UV-ELSD determination showed that the saponins content of 3-year-old Astragali Radix was the highest while the flavonoids content of the 4-year-old reached the maximum. The study provided the basis for foundation of the specification grading standard for Astragali Radix and clinical rational use drug.

Due to the difference in structure and chemical properties of amino acids, it is difficult to determine amino acids with different properties by GC-MS. A method was established for the simultaneous determination of 20 amino acids by using ethyl chloroformate (ECF) as the derivatization reagent and adjusting pH 9-10 in the second derivatization in this study. The results showed that 20 amino acids were well separated and the compounds in the 2-20 μg·mL^-1 concentrations were detected with a good linear response correlation coefficient r² greater than 0.99. The results of precision and system adaptability show that RSD<10%, the average recovery of samples in the 78.3%-109.9%. The results showed that the method was simple and easy to use, and the derivatization method could be carried out in aqueous solution. The derivatization product was stable with wide linear range, thus this method could be used for the determination of a variety of biological samples such as Astragalus mongolicus, mouse urine sample and mouse serum sample.

The CO I gene sequences of Qianghuoyu, Pachytriton labiatus and Gehyra mutilata were achieved by PCR amplification and bi-directional sequencing. Furthermore, a pair of specific primers SJYW1 and SJYW2 in the non-conservative district were designed through sequence alignment. The PCR reaction condition was established by changing the annealing temperature and cycle numbers. The results showed that 350 bp DNA fragment was amplified from Qianghuoyu in PCR with annealed temperature at 54 °C and the cycle number was 25 cycles, whereas not any DNA fragment was amplified from P. labiatus and G. mutilata under the same reaction condition. This method is well-performed in the identification of Qianghuoyu for its excellent specificity and repeatability.
Animals ; Drug Contamination ; Medicine, Tibetan Traditional ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a human herpesvirus associated with important human diseases, including infectious mononucleosis syndrome, malignant lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The mechanism of EBV entry into host cells remains a subject of intensive research. After decades of study, researchers have identified several key proteins and different patterns of EBV intrusion into host cells. The viral surface glycoproteins, gp350/220, gp42, gB, gH, and gL, are involved in interactions with the CR2 receptor on the surface of B lymphocytes during viral entry. However, the majority of epithelial cells lack CR2 receptor expression, which makes viral invasion much more complex than in B lymphocytes. Three different models have been proposed to explain how EBV enters epithelial cells: (1) "transfer of infection", mediated by B lymphocytes or Langerhans cells; (2) EBV utilizes its own proteins during the process of fusion with the cell membrane; and (3) progeny virions arising from EBV-infected epithelial cells cross lateral membranes into adjacent epithelial cells. This review will discuss the relevant mechanism of viral entry into B lymphocytes and epithelial cells during EBV infection.
Animals ; B-Lymphocytes ; virology ; Epithelial Cells ; virology ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; virology ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; Viral Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Virus Internalization

OBJECTIVEBotanical characters of germplasm resources of Dioscorea were observed and compared, which could to offer reference for its genetic improvement, germplasm resource identification and classification.

METHODBased on field cultivation, twenty-four morphological traits of ninety-four Dioscorea germplasm resources were observed or determined. And the morphological differences among germplasm resources were compared by principal component analysis and cluster analysis.

RESULTThere were ample morphological diversity in the twenty-four traits, in especially in leaf size and tuber characters of the ninety-four Dioscorea germplasm resources. The first seven principal components which accounted for 80. 957% of total variance were extracted from the principal component analysis. The ninety-four germplasm resources could be divided into four clusters, which belonging to Dioscorea opposite, D. persimili, D. fordii and D. alata respectively.

CONCLUSIONThere were large morphological variation among germplasm resources on Dioscorea. Identification of germplasm resources of Dioscorea should focus on leaf size and tuber characters.

China ; Cluster Analysis ; Dioscorea ; classification ; genetics ; growth & development ; Geography ; Phylogeny ; Plant Leaves ; anatomy & histology ; genetics ; growth & development ; Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; genetics ; growth & development ; Plant Stems ; anatomy & histology ; genetics ; growth & development ; Principal Component Analysis

Objective To analyze the clinical pathological characteristics and prognosis of brain metastatic alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) and observe the expression of anti-translocation factor E3 (TFE3) antibodies to evaluate the application value of anti-TFE3 antibodies in the diagnosis of ASPS.Methods The clinical data,imaging characteristics and morphology of 8 patients with brain metastatic ASPS were collected and analyzed; comparative study of the immunohistochemical expressions of TFE3 antibodies,rhabdomyosarcoma markers (MyoDl),synaptophysin (Syn),Chromogranin A (CgA) and S-100 was performed in the 8 cases of ASPS and 10 cases of paraganglioms.Results Eight patients with brain metastatic ASPS were found primary foci before their 30 years,and primary tumors were detectable in lower extremity in 4.Follow-up of 7 patients,6 were alive after craniotomy for 77,56,41,31,20 and 4 months.MR imaging showed single or multiple masses with clear boundary,peripheral edema,and inhomogeneous enhancement.Immunohistochemistry showed TFE3 antibodies positive expressions in all the 8 cases,MyoD1,desmin and CgA were positive in 4 and NSE in 3.PAS positive crystalline substances were noted in 4 cases.CgA and Syn were positively expressed in all 10 cases of paraganglioma.Conclusions Brain metastases from ASPS show prevalence for the male.TFE3 antibody has important value in diagnosis of ASPS.TFE3 antibodies,Syn protein may help to differentiate ASPS from paraganglioma.

OBJECTIVETo explore the status of child neglect among rural areas children aged 0 - 6 years in China.

METHODSA total of 7411 rural children aged 0 - 6 years old who were composed of two age groups (3315 children aged 0 - 2 years old and 4096 children aged 3 - 6 years old) were multistage stratified randomly sampled from 84 villages which were representative of 10 provinces of China, in accordance with sex and age in November 2010. To identify the child neglect based on the Neglect Norms for Children Aged 0 to 2 and 3 to 6 Years Old in Rural Areas of China, SPSS 13.0 was employed for analyzing neglect frequency and degree for every group of different age, sex and neglect type (including physical, emotional, educational, medical, safety and social neglects). χ(2) test and analysis of variance were also used.

RESULTSThe degree of child neglect for the children aged 0 - 2 years old was 45.01 ± 7.56, the neglect frequency was 54.9% (1819/3315); the degree of child neglect for the children aged 3 - 6 years old was 44.42 ± 7.57, the neglect frequency was 53.8% (2203/4096). The neglect frequency of children aged 0, 1, 2 years old were 58.5% (654/1117), 52.2% (597/1144), 53.9% (568/1054) (P < 0.05). For children aged 3 - 6 years old, the degrees of emotional and safety neglect for males (44.60 ± 7.86, 36.82 ± 9.03) were higher than females (44.03 ± 7.72, 36.25 ± 9.05) (P < 0.05); and the frequencies of emotional and social neglect for males (16.8% (349/2072), 28.3% (586/2072)) were also higher than females (14.1% (286/2024), 24.8% (503/2024)) (P < 0.05). All children of two age groups suffered neglect mainly on one of the six neglect types (incidences were 20.6% (683/3315) and 22.7% (931/4096)). For 0-2 age groups, the higher neglect frequencies happened in the single-parent family and the remarried family (62.5% (15/24) and 63.2% (12/19)), but for children aged 3 - 6 years old groups, it happened in the single-parent family (60.0%, 27/45).

CONCLUSIONDegree and frequency of child neglect among children aged 0 to 6 years old in the rural areas of China are high, and we should find out risk factors and provide efficient prevention measures.

Child Abuse ; prevention & control ; statistics & numerical data ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Rural Population ; Surveys and Questionnaires