2-Hy-droxy-anilinium 3,5-dinitro-benzoate.

Acta Crystallogr Sect E Struct Rep Online. 2012 May 1;68(Pt 5):o1535

Authors: Zhao Q

Abstract
In the title molecular salt, C(6)H(8)NO(+)·C(7)H(3)N(2)O(6) (-), which crystallizes in the chiral monoclinic space group P2(1), the achiral components assemble by three different N-H⋯O, one O-H⋯O and one C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds into two-stranded chains running parallel to [010]. The dihedral angles between the carboxy group and the two nitro groups and the mean plane of their attached benzene ring are 24.5 (9), 6.1 (6) and 13.0 (1)°, respectively..

PMID: 22590399 [PubMed - in process]

3-Benzyl-2H-chromen-2-one.

Acta Crystallogr Sect E Struct Rep Online. 2012 May 1;68(Pt 5):o1504

Authors: Li GQ, Li YL, Jiang T, Jiang RW, Wang GC

Abstract
The title compound, C(16)H(12)O(2), is a coumarin which was isolated from stones of the Chinese traditional medicine Clausena lansium. The pyrone ring is almost planar, with a mean deviation of 0.0135 (4) Å. The benzene ring (A) of the benzopyrone unit forms dihedral angles of 1.82 (5) and 72.86 (2)° with the pyrone ring and the substituent benzene ring, respectively. The crystal structure is stabilized by weak π-π stacking inter-actions, with a minimum centroid-centroid distance between benzene rings of 3.6761 (7) Å.

PMID: 22590375 [PubMed - in process]

Poly[[diaqua-bis-(μ(3)-3,5-dicarb-oxy-benzo-ato-κ(3)O(1):O(3):O(5))bis-(μ(3)-5-carb-oxy-ben-zene-1,3-dicarboxyl-ato-κ(3)O(1):O(3):O(5))tetrakis(methylformamide-κO)tri-man-ganese(II)] dimethyl-formamide tetra-solvate].

Acta Crystallogr Sect E Struct Rep Online. 2012 May 1;68(Pt 5):m697-8

Authors: Lei JW, Xie CX, Yang HX

Abstract
In the title complex, {[Mn(3)(C(9)H(4)O(6))(2)(C(9)H(5)O(6))(2)(C(3)H(7)NO)(4)(H(2)O)(2)]·4C(3)H(7)NO}(n), one Mn(II) ion sits on an inversion center, and is six-coordinated by four O atoms from four anions (monoanionic and dianionic) derived from benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid and by two dimethyl-formamide (DMF) mol-ecules in a slightly distorted octa-hedral geometry. The other Mn(II) ion is six-coordinated by four O atoms from four monoanionic and dianionic ligands, one DMF mol-ecule and one water mol-ecule in a distorted octa-hedral geometry. The monoanionic and dianionic ligands bridge the Mn(II) ions, resulting in the formation of a layered structure parallel to (111) in which all of the carboxyl-ate groups of the anionic ligands coordinate the Mn(II) ions in a monodentate manner. Intra- and inter-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds are present in the structure.

PMID: 22590176 [PubMed - in process]

4-Chloro-N-methyl-benzamide.

Acta Crystallogr Sect E Struct Rep Online. 2012 Apr 1;68(Pt 4):o937

Authors: Yuan J, Liu YJ

Abstract
There are two mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit of the title compound, C(8)H(8)ClNO, which are linked in the crystal structure via N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds into chains along the b axis. C-H⋯O contacts also occur. The benzene ring makes dihedral angles of 5.9 (1) and 16.7 (1)°with the attached amide group in the two independent molecules.

PMID: 22590000 [PubMed - in process]

Tanshinone IIA Prevents Uric Acid Nephropathy in Rats through NF-κB Inhibition.

Planta Med. 2012 May 15;

Authors: Wu X, Liu L, Xie H, Liao J, Zhou X, Wan J, Yu K, Li J, Zhang Y

Abstract
The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of tanshinone IIA, an extract of the Chinese medicine Que Xie Hua Yu Tang, on uric acid nephropathy (UAN) and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. UAN rat model was established. Fifty UAN rats were randomly allocated into 5 groups: adenine-treated group, allopurinol-treated group, and low/middle/high dose of tanshinone IIA-treated groups. Meanwhile, another 10 rats were used as normal controls. Serum uric acid (UA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), MCP-1, and IL-1β levels were measured. Histological staining was performed. Comparison between the adenine group and treatment (allopurinol and tanshinone IIA) groups showed compound treatment could attenuate the inflammation status of the kidneys and decrease serum UA levels. Among different kinds of medicine, tanshinone IIA had similar effects as allopurinol and exerted anti-inflammatory and renal protective effect in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, we found tanshinone IIA alone could also inhibit urate-induced MCP-1 and IL-1β overexpression both in vivo and in vitro, accompanied with inhibition of NF-κB translocation from cytosome to nucleus. Tanshinone IIA could protect rats from uric acid-induced kidney damage, probably by attenuating renal inflammatory status.

PMID: 22588836 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

In vitro and in vivo Evaluation of Triptolide-loaded Pluronic P105 Polymeric Micelles.

Arzneimittelforschung. 2012 May 15;

Authors: Li H, Wen XS, Di W

Abstract
Thin film method was applied successfully to prepare Triptolide (TP)-loaded micelles system. With a dynamic light scattering sizer and a transmission electron microscopy, it was shown that the TP-loaded micelles had a mean size of 84.3±6.4 nm with a spherical shape. The in vitro release profiles indicated that the release of TP from the micelles exhibited a sustained release behavior. A similar phenomenon was also observed in a pharmacokinetic study in rats, in which AUC of the micelles formulation were 4.7-fold higher than that of TP injection. The biodistribution study in rats showed that the TP-loaded micelles not only decreased drug uptake by liver, but also increased distribution of drug in ovary. The present work demonstrated the feasibility of controlled delivery of TP utilizing micelles system.

PMID: 22588630 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

[Issues on translation of terms in traditional Chinese medicine clinical practice].

Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2012 May;10(5):591-6

Authors: Li ZG

PMID: 22587983 [PubMed - in process]

[Effects of Chinese herbal medicine Feiyanning Decoction on the ratio of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and expression of transcription factor Foxp3 in mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma].

Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2012 May;10(5):584-90

Authors: Guo J, Wang JY, Zheng Z, Wang Q, Dong CS

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Feiyanning Decoction, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on the ratio of CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells and expression of transcription factor Foxp3 in mice with Lewis lung cancer.
METHODS: Thirty-two male wild-type C57BL/6 mice aging from 6 to 8 weeks were inoculated with Lewis lung cancer cells to establish the tumor-bearing model of Lewis lung carcinoma and were randomly divided into model group, Chinese medicine group, chemotherapy group and Chinese medicine combined with chemotherapy group. After intervention for 14 d with corresponding drugs, behaviors, physical signs and changes of feed consumption of the mice were observed. All mice were sacrificed after drug treatment, and tumors and organs were removed to weigh and calculate organ indexes (lung index, spleen index and thymus index). The percentages of CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells in the thymus, spleen and tumor were determined by flow cytometry. The expression of Foxp3 mRNA in the thymus, spleen and tumor tissues was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.
RESULTS: Compared with those in the model group, the mice in the Chinese medicine group showed significant reductions in spleen and thymus indexes and tumor weight, and elevation in the body weight without tumor (P<0.05). The numbers of CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells in spleen, thymus and tumor were lower in the Chinese medicine group than in the model group (P<0.05). The expression of Foxp3 mRNA in spleen, thymus and tumor was significantly down-regulated in the Chinese medicine group compared with the model group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cell ratio and Foxp3 mRNA expression between the Chinese medicine combined with chemotherapy group and the chemotherapy group.
CONCLUSION: Feiyanning Decoction can enhance the antitumor immune response and thus play a role in antitumor therapy by reducing the ratio of CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells and down-regulating the expression of Foxp3 mRNA.

PMID: 22587982 [PubMed - in process]

[Effects of the effective component group of Chinese herbal medicine Xiaoxuming Decoction on brain mitochondria in rats with chronic cerebral ischemia].

Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2012 May;10(5):569-76

Authors: Wang YH, He XL, Li XX, Qin HL, Du GH

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of the effective component group of Xiaoxuming Decoction (XXM), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on cerebral mitochondria in rats with chronic cerebral ischemia.
METHODS: Rats were subjected to permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion to induce chronic cerebral ischemia. Then, the rats with chronic cerebral ischemia were randomly divided into five groups: model group, extract of Ginkgo biloba group and low-, medium- and high-dose effective component group of XXM groups. Another 11 rats without common carotid artery occlusion were used as a sham control. Gradient centrifugation was used to obtain the mitochondria from the rat brain. Clark oxygen electrode method was used to determine mitochondrial respiratory function. Photometric determination was used to measure mitochondrial swelling. Rodamine 123 was used to measure mitochondrial membrane potential. Western blotting was used to detect mitochondrial apoptosis.
RESULTS: Compared with the sham group, the mitochondria dysfunction was caused by chronic cerebral ischemia associated with the decrease of oxidative phosphorylation parameters and the mitochondrial membrane potential, the increase of the mitochondrial degree, the elevation of reactive oxygen species level, the decrease in Bcl-2/Bax ratio, and the release of cytochrome c. The effective component group of XXM could reduce mitochondrial damage induced by chronic cerebral ischemia by improving the indexes mentioned above.
CONCLUSION: The effective component group of Xiaoxuming Decoction can protect brain mitochondrial homeostasis and improve the function of mitochondria in rats with chronic cerebral ischemia, which may be the mechanism of its protection against chronic cerebral ischemia.

PMID: 22587980 [PubMed - in process]

[Chinese herbal medicine Fuzheng Huayu recipe inhibits liver fibrosis by mediating the transforming growth factor-β1/Smads signaling pathway].

Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2012 May;10(5):561-8

Authors: Wang QL, Tao YY, Shen L, Cui HY, Liu CH

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of Fuzheng Huayu recipe (FZHY), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, against liver fibrosis related to transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smads signaling transduction.
METHODS: The research consisted of in vitro and in vivo experiments. In the in vivo experiment, 37 male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: 5 rats in normal group, 18 and 14 rats respectively in model and FZHY groups. Liver fibrosis was induced in rats of the model group and the FZHY group by intraperitoneal injection of dimethylnitrosamine with a dose of 10μg/kg body weight for 4 weeks. Rats in the FZHY group were administered with FZHY for 4 weeks after liver fibrosis was induced. After the treatment of FZHY, hydroxyproline (Hyp) content in rat liver tissue was assayed by Jamall's method and protein expressions of TGF-β1, TGF-β1 receptor I (TβR-I), Smad2, Smad3 and phosphorylated-Smad2/3 were analyzed by Western blotting. In the in vitro experiment, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were isolated from normal rats by in situ pronase/collagenase perfusion followed by density gradient centrifugation. On the 4th day of cell culture, HSCs were stimulated by 2.5 ng/mL TGF-β1 for 24 h, then incubated with the medium containing 10% FZHY-medicated serum or 10μmol/L SB-431542 (a potent and specific inhibitor of TGF-β1 receptor I kinase) for 24 h. And the HSCs without TGF-β1 stimulating were used as control group. Protein expressions and location of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and Smad3 in HSCs were assayed by immunofluorescent staining, and the image was analyzed by Image-Pro Plus 6.1 System.
RESULTS: In the in vivo experiment, liver Hyp content in the FZHY group was reduced significantly compared with the model group. FZHY also down-regulated the protein expressions of TGF-β1, TβR-I and p-Smad2/3 in fibrotic liver tissue. In the in vitro experiment, FZHY-medicated serum incubated with TGF-β1-stimulated HSCs significantly down-regulated the protein expression of α-SMA. It also inhibited Smad3 nuclear translocation in TGF-β1-stimulated HSCs.
CONCLUSION: The mechanism of FZHY against liver fibrosis is related to the regulation of TGF-β1 signaling transduction pathway by inhibition of TGF-β1 and TβR-I expressions and Smads activation in fibrotic liver tissue and HSCs.

PMID: 22587979 [PubMed - in process]

Can heat and cold be parameterized? Clinical data of a preliminary study.

Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2012 May;10(5):532-7

Authors: Doenitz CA, Anjos A, Efferth T, Greten T, Greten HJ

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to demonstrate whether it is possible to objectively assess the effects of acupuncture by microcirculation-related parameters in the given clinical scenario, to evaluate the significance of the status of capillary perfusion prior to acupuncture for the treatment of a clinical cold pattern, and to evaluate the possible role of microcirculation-related parameters for the future parameterization of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnosis.
METHODS: This prospective, uncontrolled, unblinded preliminary clinical trial included 32 elderly patients after surgical treatment for femoral fractures. For acupuncture treatment the patients received acupuncture with the "leopard spot technique" on the stomach meridian (Liangqiu, S34/ST34). Measurements of microcirculation-related parameters (velocity, blood flow, haemoglobin, oxygen saturation) by white light spectroscopy and laser Doppler were performed prior to and after acupuncture treatment.
RESULTS: Two subgroups of patients after femur fracture could be identified: a low- and a high-perfusion group. Capillary flow velocity and blood flow were significantly augmented by acupuncture in the low-perfusion group only. In the high-perfusion group, there was no significant change of perfusion after acupuncture. The statistical analysis of all patients regardless of their pre-acupuncture perfusion status revealed no statistically significant alteration after acupuncture. The acupuncture effect may have been masked by the inhomogeneity of the overall group.
CONCLUSION: Microcirculation-related parameters may be valuable to measure acupuncture effects objectively and to characterize the vegetative functions prior to acupuncture so as to homogenize the comparison groups in clinical trials. In our example, a local cold pattern (low capillary perfusion of the leg) could be treated successfully by a point which enhances qi and blood flow, whereas in heat pattern (high capillary perfusion) this intervention had no such effect. Future studies may be directed to correlate the vegetative status as measurable by TCM vegetative parameters with the key symptoms of TCM diagnosis.

PMID: 22587975 [PubMed - in process]

[Investigation on traditional Chinese medicine syndrome distribution of 4 618 hepatitis B virus infection subjects in Qidong of Jiangsu Province, China].

Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2012 May;10(5):525-31

Authors: Lang QB, Zhai DX, Huang F, Chen JG, Zhang YH, Liu Q, Zhai XF, Li B, Ling CQ

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To study the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome distribution in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Qidong region of Jiangsu Province, China.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was performed. Subjects from Qidong of Jiangsu Province of China were screened among the locally enrolled residents by detecting hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) from May 2007 to May 2011 and were assigned to HBsAg-negative cohort or HBsAg-positive cohort. Then, the subjects were diagnosed according to alanine aminotransferase, alpha-fetoprotein and B ultrasound. The syndrome of the subjects was determined using a TCM questionnaire consisting of signs and symptoms.
RESULTS: A total of 5 908 subjects were enrolled in this survey, among whom, 4 718 were diagnosed with HbsAg infection (positive result of HbsAg detection) and 1 147 were negative. 143 subjects were excluded for not receiving the blood examination. The final diagnoses of the subjects were non-HBV infection (n=1128), HBV carrier (n=4019), chronic hepatitis B (n=225), posthepatitic cirrhosis (n=263) or liver cancer (n=111). The TCM syndrome differentiation results showed that there were differences in syndrome distribution between HBV-infected and non-HBV-infected patients. The main syndromes of the HBV-infected patients were qi deficiency, qi stagnation, blood stasis and dampness heat, related to the Zang of liver and spleen. The distribution principles of TCM syndrome among patients of HBV carrier, chronic hepatitis B and cirrhosis were similar. Moreover, with the progression of the patients' condition, the scores of syndromes increased, and the number of accompanying syndromes increased as well. The main syndromes of patients with liver cancer were blood stasis and excess heat, which was slightly different from that of the other HBV-infected patients.
CONCLUSION: The TCM syndrome distribution in patients of HBV infection in Qidong region of Jiangsu Province shows regularity. The disorder is mainly due to qi stagnation and blood stasis and is also related to deficiency of healthy qi, especially deficiency of spleen qi.

PMID: 22587974 [PubMed - in process]

[Acupuncture treatment programs for post-stroke motor rehabilitation in community hospitals: study protocol of a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial].

Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2012 May;10(5):516-24

Authors: Fu QH, Pei J, Jia Q, Song Y, Gu YH, You XX

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Stroke is responsible for increasingly high rates of mortality and disability worldwide. Approximately two million people suffer from stroke for the first time in China each year. The high incidence (50%) of post-stroke disability brings a heavy burden to patients and their caregivers. Acupuncture has been widely used in the communities for post-stroke rehabilitation in China. The objective of this trial is to apply our acupuncture research achievement to treatment and evaluation of post-stroke hemiplegic patients in community.
METHODS AND DESIGN: A multicenter, randomized, controlled trial will be performed in Longhua Hospital and a number of community health service centers in Shanghai. A total of 124 patients (estimated sample size) with post-stroke hemiplegia will be randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a control group. The patients undergoing randomization should be stratified according to National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at baseline. Within the acupuncture group, different acupuncture protocols are administered to patients with flaccid paralysis or spastic paralysis based on the Ashworth Scale. Patients in the acupuncture group will also be treated with comprehensive rehabilitation therapy. The control group will be treated with comprehensive rehabilitation therapy only. The primary outcome measures are the Simplified Fugl-Meyer Motor Scale, the Modified Barthel Index, and the Burden of Stroke Scale. Secondary outcome measures are the modified Rankin Scale, the modified Ashworth Scale and the Stroke Scale of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Outcome measures will be performed after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. The patients will be followed up after 6 months.
DISCUSSION: The results of this study are expected to demonstrate that our standardized acupuncture protocol for treating and evaluating post-stroke hemiplegic patients will improve motor function and lessen the burden of post-stroke patients within the communities. This will provide the evidence to support successful translation of acupuncture therapy for post-stroke hemiplegic patients in community hospital use.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry with the registration number ChiCTR-TRC-11001347.

PMID: 22587973 [PubMed - in process]

[Analysis of composite traditional Chinese medicine constitution: an investigation of 974 volunteers].

Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2012 May;10(5):508-15

Authors: Yao SL, Zhang ZZ, Yang XS, Xu X, Cao J, Xie GY, Zhang Q

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore the analysis methods for composite traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitutions.
METHODS: The epidemiological data of TCM constitutions were collected from 974 volunteers via a cross-sectional survey. The samples were classified into 9 constitution types according to the maximal standardized scores of imbalanced constitutions. The correlation matrix of 9 constitutions was computed. The standardized scores of 9 constitutions of all the volunteers were ranked respectively, and the composite status of every two constitutions was observed using cross tabulation. The constitution types of all the volunteers were transformed into ternary code of 9 digits, and the composite status of 3 or more than 3 kinds of constitution types was analyzed.
RESULTS: According to the maximal standardized scores of imbalanced constitutions, of 974 volunteers, 227, 148, 218, 102, 31, 81, 44, 97 and 26 volunteers had balanced constitution, qi-deficiency constitution, yang-deficiency constitution, yin-deficiency constitution, phlegm-dampness constitution, heat-dampness constitution, blood stasis constitution, qi-stagnation constitution, and inherited special constitution, respectively. The standardized scores of balanced constitution were negatively correlated with those of imbalanced constitutions, while there was a positive correlation between the standardized scores of every two imbalanced constitutions. Among the 8 imbalanced constitutions, one kind of imbalanced constitutions was usually complicated with another kind of imbalanced constitutions. The number of qi-deficiency constitution complicated with yang-deficiency constitution, qi-deficiency constitution complicated with yin-deficiency constitution, and yin-deficiency constitution complicated with yang-deficiency constitution ranked the top three. The constitution types of 974 volunteers were transformed into a total of 465 ternary codes, showing a total of 465 kinds of constitution types; the simplex constitution, the approximately simplex constitution, and the composite constitution of two or more than two types were found in 259, 130, and 585 volunteers, respectively.
CONCLUSION: Cross tabulation can show the composite status of every two constitutions, while the ternary code can show the composite status of three or more than three constitutions.

PMID: 22587972 [PubMed - in process]

Cancer stem cells and the impact of Chinese herbs, isolates and other complementary medical botanicals: a review.

Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2012 May;10(5):493-503

Authors: Weber DA, Wheat JM, Currie GM

Abstract
To elucidate the connection between the origin of certain cancers and stem cells, cancer stem cells, the stem cell niche and the tumor microenvironment, and to examine the ability of traditional Chinese herbal medicines and isolates in treating these types of cancers, the existing literature was examined and eight studies regarding Chinese herbal medicines and the prevention of cancer recurrence were critically analyzed and evaluated. Tumor stem cells may be the final target of traditional Chinese medicine. Soy flavones, ginsenoside Rg3, parthenolide, berbamine and curcumin are several examples of Chinese herbal medicines, which have been shown to be effective in the treatment of cancer, and seem to act by targeting cancer stem cells and associated pathways resulting in tumorigenesis. The treatment approaches combined with an overall treatment protocol for the tumor microenvironment and chronic systemic inflammation are likely to provide a more successful outcome than a single tactical approach. As shown in numerous studies in the literature, using complementary disciplines with orthodox treatments may enhance treatment outcomes.

PMID: 22587968 [PubMed - in process]

[A controlled study on the treatment of acute progressive cerebral infarction by continuous anticoagulation with small doses of heparin].

Zhongguo Wei Zhong Bing Ji Jiu Yi Xue. 2012 May;24(5):290-3

Authors: Wang ZY, Wang LC, Chen C, Ge JY, Gao YS, Lin SF, Yan RP, Li BD

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To discuss the treatment of acute progressive cerebral infarction by continuous anticoagulation with small doses of heparin.
METHODS: A prospective, randomized, and controlled clinical research was conducted. Three hundred and fifty-one patients were randomly divided into three groups. Group A (n = 119) was treated with heparin, which was controlled by an infusion pump with a speed of 18 U×kg(-1)×h(-1) for 24 hours, and the dosage was regulated according to the changes in activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) which was determined every 8 hours. Group B (n = 115) was treated with intravenous drip of 12 500 U of heparin with a speed of 18 U×kg(-1)×h(-1) once a day. Group C (n = 117) was treated with 5000 U of low-molecular-weight heparin calcium injection twice a day. After 14 days, nerve function defect according to the National Institutes of Heath stroke scale (NIHSS) score was determined, the adverse events (e.g. intracranial hemorrhage, subcutaneous ecchymosis, gingival bleeding, hematuria and occult blood in stools) were observed. After 6 months, the recurrence rate and Barthel index (BI) would be determined.
RESULTS: The total efficiency in group A (95.80%) was significantly higher than that in group B (85.22%) and group C (85.47%). Recurrence rate in group A (1.68%) was significantly lower than group B (8.70%) and group C (8.33%) with significant differences (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), while there was no significant difference between group B and group C (both P > 0.05). The BI of group A (89.27 ± 8.56) was significantly higher than group B (72.57 ± 9.77) and group C (71.66 ± 9.37) with significant difference (both P < 0.01), while there was no significant difference between group B and group C (P > 0.05). Adverse event rate in group A (5.88%) was slightly higher than that of group B (3.48%) and group C (4.27%), but the difference was not significant (both P > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Continuous infusion of low dosage of heparin could significantly reduce neurologic impairment score in patients with progressive cerebral infarction, increase cure rate, reduce the recurrence rate, and raise the BI of patients, and it dose not increase the risk of intracranial and extracranial hemorrhage.

PMID: 22587925 [PubMed - in process]

Phenolic compounds from the rhizomes of Dioscorea bulbifera.

Chem Biodivers. 2011 Nov;8(11):2110-6

Authors: Liu H, Tsim KW, Chou GX, Wang JM, Ji LL, Wang ZT

Abstract
One new bibenzyl, 7, and one new diarylheptanone, diobulbinone A (18), together with sixteen known compounds, 1-6 and 8-17, have been isolated form the rhizomes of Dioscorea bulbifera. Their structures were elucidated by NMR and MS analyses. Compound 7 showed high antioxidant capacity in FRAP assay and DPPH radical-scavenging activity.

PMID: 22083923 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Microsatellite markers in the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Cucurbitaceae).

Am J Bot. 2011 Mar;98(3):e61-3

Authors: Liao H, Zhao Y, Zhou Y, Wang Y, Wang X, Lu F, Song Z

Abstract
PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Microsatellite primers were developed for Gynostemma pentaphyllum, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, to investigate its population genetic diversity. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using the Microsatellite Sequence Enrichment protocol, 14 polymorphic primers sets were identified in four Chinese Gynostemma pentaphyllum populations. The primers amplified di- and trinucleotide repeats with 1-6 alleles per locus, and the observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.000 to 1.000 per population. CONCLUSIONS: These markers will facilitate further studies on genetic structure and gene flow of Gynostemma pentaphyllum populations.

PMID: 21613126 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Characteristics of Pediatric Traditional Chinese Medicine Users in Taiwan: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Pediatrics. 2012 May 14;

Authors: Chen HY, Lin YH, Wu JC, Chen YC, Thien PF, Chen TJ, Yang SH, Chen JL, Lo SS

Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Traditional chinese medicine (TCM) is one of the most commonly used complementary and alternative medicines. However, there is a paucity of epidemiologic reports on features of pediatric TCM users. As TCM services are fully reimbursed by National Health Insurance in Taiwan, this study used a nationwide cohort database to investigate demographics, diseases patterns, and parents' characteristics of pediatric TCM users.METHODS:Children aged <12 years were extracted from the National Health Insurance Research Database for analysis. These pediatric TCM users' demographics, medical conditions, and reasons for medical services were compared with users of Western medicine by Poisson regression. Children who did not use any medical services were excluded.RESULTS:Of 107 337 children who were enrolled and followed up in 2005, 19 669 children (18.3%) used TCM. Compared with Western medicine-only users, school-age children (aged 6-12 years), preschool age children (3-5 years), and toddlers (1-2 years) were more likely to use TCM than infants (<1 year; rate ratio = 4.47, 3.66 and 2.59, respectively; P < .001 for all). Parental factors were associated with more TCM use, including female gender, age >35 years, past experience with TCM, and higher income levels. Allergic reactions and respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and musculoskeletal problems were also associated with higher TCM use.CONCLUSIONS:The use of TCM was correlated with both patient and parental factors, among which children's age and parental TCM use were the most prominent. Additional studies on the efficacy of TCM are warranted.

PMID: 22585761 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Effects of dietary mannan oligosaccharide on growth performance, gut morphology and stress tolerance of juvenile Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei.

Fish Shellfish Immunol. 2012 May 11;

Authors: Zhang J, Liu Y, Tian L, Yang H, Liang G, Xu D

Abstract
An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) on growth performance, gut morphology, and NH(3) stress tolerance of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Juvenile Pacific white shrimp (1080 individuals with initial weight of 2.52±0.01g) were fed either control diet without MOS or one of five dietary MOS (1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0 and 8.0 g kg(-1)) diets. After the 8-week feeding trial, growth parameters, immune parameters, intestinal microvilli length and resistance against NH(3) stress were assessed. Weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) were significantly higher (P<0.05) in shrimp fed 2.0, 4.0, 6.0 and 8.0 g kg(-1) MOS-supplemented diets than shrimp fed control diet. WG and SGR of shrimp fed 2.0 g kg(-1) MOS-supplemented diet was the highest (P<0.05) in all experimental groups. Survival rate (SR) of shrimp was generally similar (P>0.05) in all experimental groups. Compared with control group, TEM analysis revealed that 2.0, 4.0, 6.0 and 8.0 g kg(-1) MOS supplementation could significantly increase (P<0.05) the intestinal microvilli length of shrimp at the ultrastructural level. After NH(3) stress for 24h, SR of shrimp fed 2.0, 4.0, 6.0 and 8.0 g kg(-1) MOS-supplemented diets was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of shrimp fed control diet. Phenoloxidase (PO) activity of 4.0 g kg(-1) MOS-supplemented group was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of control group under normal conditions and NH(3) stress. PO activity significantly decreased (P<0.05) under NH(3) stress than under normal conditions. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of 4.0, 6.0 and 8.0 g kg(-1) MOS-supplemented groups was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of control group under normal conditions. After NH(3) stress for 24h, SOD activity of all experimental groups also significantly decreased (P<0.05) compared to normal conditions. These results clearly indicated that dietary MOS could improve growth performance and increase the resistance against NH(3) stress in L. vannamei, and the 2.0-4.0 g kg(-1) MOS supplementation was suitable for L. vannamei.

PMID: 22584202 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]