Current Status of Standardization of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China

As an important component of traditional medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is widely spread and applied in more than 100 countries across the world. The standardization of TCM is very important for the international application of Chinese medicine. In this paper, we have explained and analyzed the standardization situations of TCM in China with the purpose of providing reference for standardization and international development of TCM

The active oxygen species promoted catalytic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural on facet-specific Pt nanocrystals

This work was supported by Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin (Grant No. 17JCYBJC22600) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.The aerobic oxidation of alcohols and aldehydes over noble metal catalysts is a critical reaction for the catalytic conversion of carbohydrates into value-added chemicals from biomass. However, to fully understand the reaction mechanism, in particular the role of O2 and the generated active oxygen species in these reactions is still a challenging target. In the present work, the sub-10 nm Pt nanocrystals with cubic (Pt-NCs), octahedral (Pt-NOs) and spherical (Pt-NSs) morphologies were synthesized and used as catalysts in aerobic oxidation of HMF. Through experimental and computational investigations, the facet-dependent O2 conversion pathway and catalytic oxidation performance were discussed. The molecular O2 tends to be dissoci-ated to generate •OH on Pt(100) surface, but prefers to be reduced to •O2- on Pt(111) surface. Moreover, Pt-NCs enclosed by the {100} facets exhibited significantly enhanced catalytic activity than Pt-NOs enclosed by the {111} facets and Pt-NSs, in particular for alcohol oxidation step. Based on the experimental data and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, an active oxygen species promoted dehydrogenation mechanism for aerobic oxidation of HMF was proposed. The dehydrogena-tion of alcohol group is more favourable on the Pt(100) surface with an assistance of •OH, which are the dominant active oxygen species on the Pt(100) surface. We anticipate that this work would provide a new insight into the role of active oxy-gen species in aerobic oxidation of alcohols and aldehydes over noble metal catalysts.PostprintPeer reviewe

The relationship between marital adjustment and personality characteristics, medical coping style of infertile patients

目的  探讨不孕不育患者婚姻调适状况与人格特征和医学应对方式的关系，为临床开展心理健康干预提供依据。方法  选取2012年8月—2015年1月某三级甲等医院生殖医学中心治疗的156例已婚不孕不育症患者。采用艾森克人格问卷表（EPQ）、Locke-Wollance婚姻调适测定量表和医学应对问卷（MCMQ），对患者进行调查，分别测评患者婚姻调适状况、人格特征和医学应对方式及其相关性。结果  患者婚姻调适状况与EPQ的P、N及MCMQ屈服呈显著负相关，与EPQ 的E和MCMQ面对则呈显著正相关；EPQ的P、N与MCMQ面对呈负相关，与MCMQ的屈服呈正相关；EPQ的E则与MCMQ面对呈显著正相关。EPQ的P、E、N和MCMQ面对、屈服在婚姻调适状况高中低分组中的比较，差异均有统计学意义（均P＜0.01）。多元逐步回归分析：面对、回避，屈服及精神质（P）等4个因素共解释了不孕不育症患者婚姻调适总变异的26.4%。结论  人格特征、医学应对方式是影响不孕不育症患者婚姻调适的重要因素。Objective: To explore the relationship between marital adjustment and personality characteristics and coping styles of patients with infertility, and to provide evidence for clinical intervention. Methods: A total of 156 patients with infertility were selected from August 2012 to January 2015 in a grade a hospital of reproductive medicine center. This research is a cross - sectional survey. The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), Locke-Wollance marital adjustment test scale and Medical Coping Questionnaire (MCMQ), were investigated, respectively, to evaluate the patient status, marital adjustment and personality characteristics and coping style and their relationship. Results: Patients marital adjustment status and EPQ P, N and MCMQ yield was significantly negative correlated, and EPQ E and MCMQ was significantly positively related; EPQ P, N and MCMQ showed a negative correlation, and MCMQ yield positively correlated; EPQ E, and MCMQ face was significantly positively related, EPQ P, E, N and MCMQ, yield in the marital adjustment the conditions of grouping, the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.01). Multiple stepwise regression analysis: 4 factors, such as confrontation, avoidance, yield and psychoticism (P), were used to explain the total variation of the adjustment of marriage in infertile patients (26.4%). Conclusion: Personality characteristics, medical coping styles are the important factors influencing the marital adjustment for infertility patients

New cell separation technique for the isolation and analysis of cells from biological mixtures in forensic caseworks

Aim To isolate mucosal cells of the perpetrator in a sexual assault case from a complex mixture of his mucosal cells and the victim’s skin by micromanipulation prior to genomic analysis. Methods To capture and analyze mucosal cells we used the micromanipulation with on-chip low volume polymerase chain reaction (LV-PCR). Consensus DNA profiles were generated from 5 replicate experiments. Results and conclusions We validated the use of micromanipulation with on-chip LV-PCR for genomic analysis of complex biological mixtures in a fatal rape case. The perpetrator’s mucosal cells were captured from nipple swabs of the victim, and a single-source DNA profile was generated from cell mixtures. These data suggest that micromanipulation with on-chip LV-PCR is an effective forensic tool for the analysis of specific cells from complex samples

Study of RNA Interference Targeting NET-1 Combination with Sorafenib for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Therapy In Vitro

The aim of this study is to explore the inhibitory effects of RNA interference (RNAi) targeting NET-1 or combined with sorafenib on HCC in vitro and in vivo and the possible underlying mechanisms. The expressions of NET-1 mRNA and protein were detected by RT-QPCR and western blot. The ability of proliferation was determined by CCK-8 assay. Apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry (FCM). Abilities of migration and invasion were measured by scratch-wound assay and transwell assay. MHCC97H cells with stable transfection of NET-1shRNA were injected subcutaneously to prepare nude mice model of HCC and Caspase-3, Caspase-8, and Caspase-9 mRNAs of tumor tissues in different groups were examined. NET-1 mRNA and protein were reduced sharply in MHCC97H cells transfected with NET-1shRNA. The abilities of proliferation and migration were inhibited and apoptosis was promoted in either NET-1shRNA or sorafenib as compared with untreated cells in vitro and in vivo (P<0.05). The mRNA levels of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 of tumor tissues were reduced in different treatment groups compared with untreated group, particularly in combination group. (P<0.05). The combination NET-1shRNA with sorafenib dramatically enhanced the effects of sorafenib antitumor ,which may involve in blocking ras signaling pathway and stimulating apoptotic pathways simultaneously

Impaired lipid metabolism in idiopathic pulmonary alveolar proteinosis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>It is well known that lipids abnormally accumulate in the alveoli during idiopathic pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP). It is unclear, however, whether lipids also abnormally accumulate in serum. This study investigated the serum lipid panels in idiopathic PAP patients and explored the relationships between serum levels and the severity of idiopathic PAP.</p> <p>Methods and Results</p> <p>Clinical data including the level of serum lipids were evaluated in 33 non-diabetic idiopathic PAP patients and 157 healthy volunteers. Serum levels of triglyceride were higher in PAP patients than in healthy subjects (median: 192.00 mg/dl (<it>P</it>₂₅: 104.36, <it>P</it>₇₅: 219.00) <it>vs </it>119.56 mg/dl (<it>P</it>₂₅: 78.81, <it>P</it>₇₅: 193.03), <it>P </it>< 0.05), while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were lower in patients than in the control group (42.50 ± 10.30 <it>vs </it>51.34 ± 12.06 mg/dl, <it>P </it>< 0.01). Forced expiratory volume in one second and forced vital capacity in hypertriglyceridemia patients were lower than those in patients with normal triglyceride. Serum LDL-C and HDL-C ratio correlated negatively with PaO₂(r = -0.403, <it>P </it>< 0.05) and positively with lactate dehydrogenase (r = 0.381, <it>P </it>< 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>PAP associates with high triglyceride and low HDL levels in the serum, and these lipids provide potential intervention strategy for treatment.</p

Structure of the Mouse TRPC4 Ion Channel

Members of the transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels conduct cations into cells. They mediate functions ranging from neuronally mediated hot and cold sensation to intracellular organellar and primary ciliary signaling. Here we report a cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of TRPC4 in its unliganded (apo) state to an overall resolution of 3.3 Å. The structure reveals a unique architecture with a long pore loop stabilized by a disulfide bond. Beyond the shared tetrameric six-transmembrane fold, the TRPC4 structure deviates from other TRP channels with a unique cytosolic domain. This unique cytosolic N-terminal domain forms extensive aromatic contacts with the TRP and the C-terminal domains. The comparison of our structure with other known TRP structures provides molecular insights into TRPC4 ion selectivity and extends our knowledge of the diversity and evolution of the TRP channels

The role of Bi-doping in promoting electron transfer and catalytic performance of Pt/3DOM-Ce1-xBixO2-δ

We thank Prof. J.-Q. Yu for a useful discussion. This work was supported by Tianjin Municipal Natural Science Foundation (Grant 17JCYBJC22600), China Scholarship Council (Grants 201606200096 and 201606200087), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities. Computational support was provided by the Beijing Computing Center (BCC).Investigation of Bi-doping effects on the catalytic performance of Pt/3DOM-Ce1−xBixO2−δ in the aerobic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural allows us to reveal the promoted catalytically active sites: the asymmetrical oxygen vacancies coordinated with one Bi and up to three Ce cations, such as Bi-□(-Ce)3, where □ represents an oxygen vacancy, which can easily gain oxygen atoms in favor of the CeO2 structure, and, when filled with oxygen, easily release oxygen anions in favor of six-coordination for Bi3+. The loss of electrons in the reduction of oxygen atoms at these sites would be replenished by electron transfer from Pt nanoparticles eventually promoting the oxidation potential of the Pt nanoparticles. The present work points out that the promoted catalytic properties in Bi-doped CeO2 are mainly due to the asymmetric structures of the oxygen vacancies, rather than simply to the number of oxygen vacancies. The newly proposed model of asymmetrical active sites and electron transfer mechanism may shed light on the physicochemical properties of other solid solution substrate-supported  metal nanoparticle catalysts.PostprintPeer reviewe