Tanshinone IIA - loaded pellets developed for angina chronotherapy: Deconvolution-based formulation design and optimization, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluation.

This paper put forward a deconvolution-based method for designing and optimizing tanshinone IIA sustained-release pellets (TA-SRPs) with improved efficacy in the treatment of variant angina. TA-SRPs were prepared by coating TA ternary solid dispersion immediate-release pellets (TA-tSD-IRPs) with the blends of polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene glycol (PVA-PEG) using fluidized bed technology. The plasma concentration-time curve of TA-tSD-IRPs following oral administration as a weight function was investigated in New Zealand white rabbits.

Chinese herbal medicine as adjuvant treatment to chemotherapy for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB): A systematic review of randomised clinical trials.

Introduction: Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been increasingly used as an adjuvant treatment for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in China. To inform clinical practice, we performed a systematic review on the beneficial effect and safety of CHM for MDR-TB.

Methods: We searched six electronic databases for randomised clinical trials (RCTs) of CHM for MDR-TB.

Evidence base of clinical studies on Tai Chi: a bibliometric analysis.

Background: The safety and health benefits of Tai Chi mind-body exercise has been documented in a large number of clinical studies focused on specific diseases and health conditions. The objective of this systematic review is to more comprehensively summarize the evidence base of clinical studies of Tai Chi for healthcare.

Methods And Findings: We searched for all types of clinical studies on Tai chi in PubMed, the Cochrane Library and four major Chinese electronic databases from their inception to July 2013.

Necessity of harvesting at least 25 lymph nodes in patients with stage N2-N3 resectable gastric cancer: a 10-year, single-institution cohort study.

A minimum of 15 lymph nodes (LNs) has been recommended as an adequate number for radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer (GC). This study aimed to investigate whether the harvesting of at least 25 LNs was a better criterion for stage N2-3 GC based on the 10-year experience of a high-volume hospital. A total of 1363 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer between 2000 and 2010 were included in this study.

A rapidly progressive giant tumor with one year growth on breast: a rare size breast mass.

Primary rapidly progressive malignant tumor on breast is a very rare disease. We report a 62-year-old postmenopausal patient with history of one year breast lump and progressive increase in a period of two months. The giant breast tumor with a rare size about 7.

[Acupuncture clinical trials published in high impact factor journals].

Acupuncture clinical trials are designed to provide reliable evidence of clinical efficacy, and SCI papers is one of the high-quality clinical efficacy of acupuncture research. To analyze these papers published in high impact factor journals on acupuncture clinical trials, we can study clinical trials from design to implementation, the efficacy of prevention and cure, combined with international standard practices to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture. That is the core of acupuncture clinical trials, as well as a prerequisite for outstanding academic output.

Empirical evidence for outcome reporting bias in randomized clinical trials of acupuncture: comparison of registered records and subsequent publications.

Background: Outcome reporting bias has received widespread recognition and been considered to pose two threats to the validity of clinical decision making because they overestimate the effect of treatments or distort the results of trials. However, the problem of outcome-reporting bias has not been systematically studied among randomized clinical trials of acupuncture. Our objectives were to evaluate the consistency between the registered records and subsequent publications with respect to outcomes and other data as well as to determine whether outcome-reporting bias favors significant primary outcomes.

Complementary therapies for acne vulgaris.

Background: Acne is a chronic skin disease characterised by inflamed spots and blackheads on the face, neck, back, and chest. Cysts and scarring can also occur, especially in more severe disease. People with acne often turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, and dietary modifications, because of their concerns about the adverse effects of conventional medicines.

Immunohistochemical HER2 expression not associated with clinicopathological characteristics of stage I-III gastric cancer patients.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression with clinicopathological characteristics of resectable gastric cancer patients.

Methodology: A total of 394 stage I-III surgical gastric cancer patients who were detected of immunohistochemical (IHC) HER2 expression postoperatively were included in this retrospective study. Association of IHC HER2 over-expression (3+) rate with clinicopathological characteristics was tested by univariate and multivariate analyses.

Association of selenoprotein S gene polymorphism with ischemic stroke in a Chinese case-control study.

Previous studies showed that selenoprotein S (SELS) was associated with a range of inflammatory markers, and its gene expression was influenced by a polymorphism in the promoter region. The genetic basis of the ischemic stroke has now been largely determined, so the aim of the study was to examine the role of SELS genetic variants in the ischemic stroke risk in a Chinese population. We conducted a case-control study with 239 ischemic stroke patients and 240 controls.

Chinese proprietary herbal medicine listed in 'China national essential drug list' for common cold: a systematic literature review.

Objective: Chinese proprietary herbal medicines (CPHMs) have long history in China for the treatment of common cold, and lots of them have been listed in the 'China national essential drug list' by the Chinese Ministry of Health. The aim of this review is to provide a well-round clinical evidence assessment on the potential benefits and harms of CPHMs for common cold based on a systematic literature search to justify their clinical use and recommendation.

Methods: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, SinoMed, CNKI, VIP, China Important Conference Papers Database, China Dissertation Database, and online clinical trial registry websites from their inception to 31 March 2013 for clinical studies of CPHMs listed in the 'China national essential drug list' for common cold.

[Chinese medicine clinical trial protocol design and report specifications].

Clinical trial protocol is the document that illustrates the background of a clinical trial, theoretic basis, objective, design, methods, and organization, as well as statistical calculating, implement, and conditions for completion. Clinical trial protocol is the basic measure for ensuring the validity of scientific results and reducing bias. In order to optimize the design of clinical trial protocol, we generalize main problems in Chinese medicine clinical trials, key points of clinical trial protocol, as well as report standards.

G measurements with time-of-swing method at HUST.

We review the G measurements with time-of-swing method at HUST. Two independent experiments have been completed and an improved experiment is in progress. The first G value was determined as 6.

[Vitro study on gene transfection efficiency of hyaluronic acid modified core-shell liponanoparticles in human retinal pigment epithelium cells].

The aim of this study is to prepare hyaluronic acid (HA) modified core-shell liponanoparticles (pHA-LCS-NPs) as gene delivery system and investigate its gene transfection efficiency in human retinal pigment epithelium (ARPE-19) cells in vitro. The pHA-LCS-NPs was prepared by firstly hydrating dry lipid film with CS-NPs suspension to get LCS-NPs, then modifying the lipid bilayer with HA by amidation reaction between HA and dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE). Its morphology, particle size and zeta potential were investigated.

Traditional Chinese medicine for chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials.

Background: There is no curative treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is widely used in the treatment of CFS in China.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of TCM for CFS.

Conditional expression of the type 2 angiotensin II receptor in mesenchymal stem cells inhibits neointimal formation after arterial injury.

Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) are an effective treatment for obstructive coronary artery diseases. However, the procedure's success is limited by remodeling and formation of neointima. In the present study, we engineered rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to express type 2 angiotensin II receptor (AT2R) using a tetracycline-regulated system that can strictly regulate AT2R expression.

Chinese patent medicines for the treatment of the common cold: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials.

Background: Many Chinese patent medicines (CPMs) have been authorized by the Chinese State of Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of the common cold. A number of clinical trials have been conducted and published. However, there is no systematic review or meta-analysis on their efficacy and safety for the common cold to justify their clinical use.

Ulcerative colitis as a polymicrobial infection characterized by sustained broken mucus barrier.

To reduce medication for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), we need to establish the etiology of UC. The intestinal microbiota of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been shown to differ from that of healthy controls and abundant data indicate that it changes in both composition and localization. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth is significantly higher in IBD patients compared with controls.

Using a partially randomized patient preference study design to evaluate the therapeutic effect of acupuncture and cupping therapy for fibromyalgia: study protocol for a partially randomized controlled trial.

Background: Conducting randomized controlled trials on traditional Chinese non-drug therapies has been limited by factors such as patient preference to specific treatment modality. The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of applying a partially randomized patient preference (PRPP) trial model in evaluating the efficacy of two types of traditional Chinese medicine therapies, acupuncture and cupping, for fibromyalgia while accounting for patients' preference of either therapeutic modality.

Methods: This protocol was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of affiliated Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (approval number: 2013052104-2).

Molecular identification and interaction assay of the gene (OsUbc13) encoding a ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme in rice.

The ubiquitin (Ub)-conjugating enzyme, Ubc13, has been known to be involved in error-free DNA damage tolerance (or post-replication repair) via catalyzing Lys63-linked polyubiquitin chains formation together with a Ubc variant. However, its functions remain largely unknown in plant species, especially in monocotyledons. In this study, we cloned a Ub-conjugating enzyme, OsUbc13, that shares the conserved domain of Ubc with AtUBC13B in Oryza sativa L.

[Framework analysis method in qualitative research].

In recent years a number of qualitative research methods have gained popularity within the health care arena. Despite this popularity, different qualitative analysis methods pose many challenges to most researchers. The present paper responds to the needs expressed by recent Chinese medicine researches.

Chinese herbal medicine for cancer-related fatigue: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness and safety of Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of cancer-related fatigue.

Methods: We systematically searched seven electronic databases and two trial registries for randomized clinical trials of Chinese herbal medicine for cancer-related fatigue. Two authors independently extracted data and assessed the methodological quality of the included trials using the Cochrane risk of bias tool.

Preparation and in vitro/in vivo evaluation of esomeprazole magnesium-modified release pellets.

To reduce the drug plasma concentration fluctuation without being destroyed by gastric fluid, novel Esomeprazole magnesium modified-release pellets (EMZ-MRPs) with suitable in vitro release profiles and good in vitro and in vivo correlation (IVIVC) were developed. Fluid-bed was used to obtain EMZ-loaded pellets by spraying drug suspension onto blank sugar pellets. The drug-loaded pellets were subsequently coated with Eudragit® RS30D/RL30D (ERS/ERL) aqueous dispersion to achieve sustained-release (SR) characteristics.