Chinese medicine has been used for centuries to treat a range of health conditions.This history has produced a wealth of classical literature,case studies and clinical research data detailing its use and effectiveness...Chinese medicine has been used for centuries to treat a range of health conditions.This history has produced a wealth of classical literature,case studies and clinical research data detailing its use and effectiveness.However,high-quality and conclusive evidence that meets modern requirements for clinical decision support is lacking.This evidence gap limits the integration of Chinese medicine with contemporary medicine,which in turn limits global access and acceptance of Chinese medicine as a form of safe and effective health care.Over the past 20 years,researchers and organisations around the world,including the World Health Organization(WHO)and United Nations,have worked to support the integration of traditional medicines,such as Chinese medicine,with conventional medicines to improve global health care.This paper provides an overview of Chinese medicine studies published in the top four general medical journals(BMJ,JAMA,Lancet and New England Journal of Medicine)from February 2005 to February 2024 in the past 20 years to highlight the progress in the development of this evidence base.It also highlights key actions taken to promote evidence-based clinical Chinese medicine,including product and practitioner regulation,formalising education standards,and international collaborations.Research conducted at the China-Australia International Research Centre for Chinese Medicine demonstrates the benefits of such a collaboration.Through development of its unique and inclusive‘whole-evidence’approach,plus clinical studies and systematic reviews,the Centre has significantly contributed to the evidence base for clinical Chinese medicine.In addition,its high-impact papers and groundbreaking monographs have been cited in international conventional medicine guidelines.While progress has certainly been made during the past 20 years to build a stronger evidence base for clinical Chinese medicine,there is still a considerable gap that limits its integration with conventional medicine.Future funding and research are needed to continue this work and achieve to safe,effective and accessible traditional medicine as part of the WHO’s Universal Health Coverage strategy.展开更多
Taxadiene synthase, a diterpene cyclase, catalyzes the conversion of geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) to taxadiene, a key intermediate in Taxol biosynthesis in yew. A 2 151 bp cDNA fragment encoding taxadiene synthas...Taxadiene synthase, a diterpene cyclase, catalyzes the conversion of geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) to taxadiene, a key intermediate in Taxol biosynthesis in yew. A 2 151 bp cDNA fragment encoding taxadiene synthase of Taxus chinensis (Pilg.) Rehd. was cloned by homology-based PCR and cDNA library screening. The 5′-terminal 611 bp cDNA fragment of taxadiene synthase was isolated by PCR. The two fragments were ligated together and gave a 2*!712 bp cDNA fragment with a 2*!586 bp open reading frame (ORF), encoding 862 amino acid residues including a presumptive plastidial transit peptide. The taxadiene synthase of T. chinensis most closely resembles the one from T. brevifolia (97% identity). Heterologous overexpression of 2.5 kb cDNA fragment from T. chinensis was obtained using a fusion expression vector pET-32a and the Escherichia coli strain BL21trxB. The expressed proteins from E. coli BL21trxB were present as inclusion bodies. After the inclusion bodies were denatured, renatured and refolded, the recombinant enzyme was purified by a single step with a His-binding metal affinity column. The catalytic product of taxadiene synthase of T. chinensis was detected by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and identified as taxa-4(5),11(12)-diene.展开更多
In order to well protect Chinese ancient buildings, aseismic behaviors of Chinese ancient tenon-mortise joints strengthened by carbon fibre reinforced plastic （CFRP） are studied by experiments. Based on the actual s...In order to well protect Chinese ancient buildings, aseismic behaviors of Chinese ancient tenon-mortise joints strengthened by carbon fibre reinforced plastic （CFRP） are studied by experiments. Based on the actual size of an ancient building, a wooden frame model with a scale of 1 ： 8 of the prototype structure is built considering the swallow-tail type of tenon-mortise connections. Low cyclic reversed loading tests are carried out including three groups of unstrengthened structures and two groups of structures strengthened with CFRP. Based on experimental data, moment-rotation angle hysteretic curves and skeleton curves for each joint are obtained. The energy dissipation capability, stiffness degradation and deformation performance of the joints before and after being strengthened are also analyzed. Results show that after being strengthened with CFRP, the tenon value pulled out of the mortise is reduced; the bending strength and the energy dissipation capabilities of the joint are enhanced; stiffness degradation of the joint is not obvious; and the deformation performance of the joint remains good. Thus, the CFRP has good effects on strengthening the tenon-mortise joints of Chinese ancient buildings.展开更多
China has entered a crucial period of further growth and restructuring that will last until 2025. Based on a review of the major factors affecting China＇s potential economic growth, this paper has created an integrat...China has entered a crucial period of further growth and restructuring that will last until 2025. Based on a review of the major factors affecting China＇s potential economic growth, this paper has created an integrated economic system model consisting of system dynamics, econometrics, and input-output for the forecast of China＇s economic size and structure by 2025. Analysis shows that prior to 2025, China will be able to maintain a potential annual economic growth rate of 5.7%-7.2%. Faced with an international environment of a possible slowdown of advanced economies and diminishing demographic dividends, China needs to further expedite its urbanization process, enhance R＆D and education spending, increase total factor productivity （TFP）, vigorously develop the tertiary sector, and expand consumption in order to achieve the optimistically estimated growth of 6.6%-7.4% during the period of 2015-2025. Economic growth should be accompanied by the upgrade of industry structure and improvement of investment and consumption structures.展开更多
Based on statistics, this paper reviews China＇s economic growth and industrial upgrade since the reform and opening up in 1978 and estimates the contribution of industrial restructuring to economic growth. With the y...Based on statistics, this paper reviews China＇s economic growth and industrial upgrade since the reform and opening up in 1978 and estimates the contribution of industrial restructuring to economic growth. With the years of schooling as the proxy variable of human capital, this paper describes changes in China＇s labor competence during the industrial restructuring process. Then, this paper estimates China＇s future human capital demand and shortage based on economic and demographic forecast. Lastly, this paper proposes recommendations for improving human capital in China with skills development and education.展开更多
This article, by using mathematical expressions, offers a scientific framework for understanding how the grading system of Qing′s structural carpentry determines the design and construction in the grand style timber...This article, by using mathematical expressions, offers a scientific framework for understanding how the grading system of Qing′s structural carpentry determines the design and construction in the grand style timber architecture.The Qing′s grand style timber structure, which is ready for prefabrication and assembly, is extremely hierarchical oriented and significantly standardized. The general procedure in designing a grand style timber structure is to start with the grade that defines the basic module (dou kou); next comes with the number of bracket set (cuan), the number of longitudinal bays and the number of purlins which affect its plan and cross section; thirdly choose a roof type that determines its longitudinal section and the facade as well. A series of formulae are conducted to help depict the layout, cross sectional roof curvature and special longitudinal treatments in 4 sloped and 9 spined roofs respectively.展开更多
Sandy forest-steppe ecotone in Baiyinaobao Natural Reserve of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China is one of the special landscape types in forest-steppe vegetation zone in China. Vegetation landscape types, land...Sandy forest-steppe ecotone in Baiyinaobao Natural Reserve of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China is one of the special landscape types in forest-steppe vegetation zone in China. Vegetation landscape types, landscape patches, and patch size were measured by the field investigation, forest photograph, and airscape. The structure of landscape patches in sandy forest-steppe ecotone, including composition structure, and size structure, was studied and the dynamics and transformation of landscape patches were analyzed. The data obtained in this study could provide theoretical basis for the research on vegetation landscape in forest-steppe ecotones and other vegetation types.展开更多
AIM： To assess the reliability and validity of the translated version of Nepean Dyspepsia Index （NDI） in Chinese patients with documented functional dyspepsia （FO）. METHODS： The translation process included forw...AIM： To assess the reliability and validity of the translated version of Nepean Dyspepsia Index （NDI） in Chinese patients with documented functional dyspepsia （FO）. METHODS： The translation process included forward translation, back translation, pretest and cross-cultural adaptation. Reliability and validity of the translated version were examined by asking 300 subjects to complete the Chinese version of the NDI. The mean age of subjects was 39.24 years and 68.7% of the subjects were women. Internal consistency analysis with Cronbach＇s α was performed to test the reliability. Correlation analysis was used to assess the content validity. Factor analysis and structural equation models were used to assess the construct validity. RESULTS： The Cronbach＇s α coefficients ranged 0.833-0.960, well above the acceptable level of 0.70. Correlation analysis showed that each item had a strong correlation with the corresponding domain, but a weak correlation with other domains. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the comparative fit index was 0.94, higher than the acceptable level of 0.90.CONCLUSION： The Chinese version of the NDI is a reliable and valid scale for measuring health-related quality of life and disease severity in Chinese patients with FD.展开更多
AIM： To analyze the frequency of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer （HNPCC） in Chinese colorectal cancer （CRC） patients, and to discuss the value of microsatellite instability （MSI） and/or immunohistoch...AIM： To analyze the frequency of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer （HNPCC） in Chinese colorectal cancer （CRC） patients, and to discuss the value of microsatellite instability （MSI） and/or immunohistochemistry （IHC） for MSH2/MLH1 protein analysis as pre-screening tests in China. METHODS： The Amsterdam criteria Ⅰ and Ⅱ （clinical diagnosis） and/or germline hMLHI/hMSH2 mutations （genetic diagnosis） were used to classify HNPCC families. Genetic tests, including microsatellite instability, immunohistochemistry for MSH2/MLH1 proteins and hMSH2/hMLH1 genes, were performed in each proband. RESULTS： From July 2000 to June 2004, 1988 patients with colorectal cancer were analysed and 114 CRC patients （5.7%） from 48 families were categorized as having HNPCC, including 76 from 26 families diagnosed clinically and 38 from the other 22 families diagnosed genetically. The sensitivity and specificity of high MSI and IHC for predicting mutations were 100% and 54%, and 79% and 77%, respectively. CONCLUSION： The frequency of HNPCC is approximately 10% among all Chinese CRC cases. The MSI and IHC detections for hMSH2/hMLH1 proteins are reliable prescreening tests for hMLHI/hMSH2 germline mutations in families suspected of having HNPCC.展开更多
文摘Chinese medicine has been used for centuries to treat a range of health conditions.This history has produced a wealth of classical literature,case studies and clinical research data detailing its use and effectiveness.However,high-quality and conclusive evidence that meets modern requirements for clinical decision support is lacking.This evidence gap limits the integration of Chinese medicine with contemporary medicine,which in turn limits global access and acceptance of Chinese medicine as a form of safe and effective health care.Over the past 20 years,researchers and organisations around the world,including the World Health Organization(WHO)and United Nations,have worked to support the integration of traditional medicines,such as Chinese medicine,with conventional medicines to improve global health care.This paper provides an overview of Chinese medicine studies published in the top four general medical journals(BMJ,JAMA,Lancet and New England Journal of Medicine)from February 2005 to February 2024 in the past 20 years to highlight the progress in the development of this evidence base.It also highlights key actions taken to promote evidence-based clinical Chinese medicine,including product and practitioner regulation,formalising education standards,and international collaborations.Research conducted at the China-Australia International Research Centre for Chinese Medicine demonstrates the benefits of such a collaboration.Through development of its unique and inclusive‘whole-evidence’approach,plus clinical studies and systematic reviews,the Centre has significantly contributed to the evidence base for clinical Chinese medicine.In addition,its high-impact papers and groundbreaking monographs have been cited in international conventional medicine guidelines.While progress has certainly been made during the past 20 years to build a stronger evidence base for clinical Chinese medicine,there is still a considerable gap that limits its integration with conventional medicine.Future funding and research are needed to continue this work and achieve to safe,effective and accessible traditional medicine as part of the WHO’s Universal Health Coverage strategy.
文摘Taxadiene synthase, a diterpene cyclase, catalyzes the conversion of geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) to taxadiene, a key intermediate in Taxol biosynthesis in yew. A 2 151 bp cDNA fragment encoding taxadiene synthase of Taxus chinensis (Pilg.) Rehd. was cloned by homology-based PCR and cDNA library screening. The 5′-terminal 611 bp cDNA fragment of taxadiene synthase was isolated by PCR. The two fragments were ligated together and gave a 2*!712 bp cDNA fragment with a 2*!586 bp open reading frame (ORF), encoding 862 amino acid residues including a presumptive plastidial transit peptide. The taxadiene synthase of T. chinensis most closely resembles the one from T. brevifolia (97% identity). Heterologous overexpression of 2.5 kb cDNA fragment from T. chinensis was obtained using a fusion expression vector pET-32a and the Escherichia coli strain BL21trxB. The expressed proteins from E. coli BL21trxB were present as inclusion bodies. After the inclusion bodies were denatured, renatured and refolded, the recombinant enzyme was purified by a single step with a His-binding metal affinity column. The catalytic product of taxadiene synthase of T. chinensis was detected by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and identified as taxa-4(5),11(12)-diene.
基金The Cultural Ministry Foundation of China(No.17-2009)the Research Foundation of Palace Museum(No.2007-4)
文摘In order to well protect Chinese ancient buildings, aseismic behaviors of Chinese ancient tenon-mortise joints strengthened by carbon fibre reinforced plastic （CFRP） are studied by experiments. Based on the actual size of an ancient building, a wooden frame model with a scale of 1 ： 8 of the prototype structure is built considering the swallow-tail type of tenon-mortise connections. Low cyclic reversed loading tests are carried out including three groups of unstrengthened structures and two groups of structures strengthened with CFRP. Based on experimental data, moment-rotation angle hysteretic curves and skeleton curves for each joint are obtained. The energy dissipation capability, stiffness degradation and deformation performance of the joints before and after being strengthened are also analyzed. Results show that after being strengthened with CFRP, the tenon value pulled out of the mortise is reduced; the bending strength and the energy dissipation capabilities of the joint are enhanced; stiffness degradation of the joint is not obvious; and the deformation performance of the joint remains good. Thus, the CFRP has good effects on strengthening the tenon-mortise joints of Chinese ancient buildings.
基金an outcome of Study on China’s Potential Economic Growth Calculations,which is a major program of the National Social Sciences Foundation(Grant No.12AZD096)~~
文摘China has entered a crucial period of further growth and restructuring that will last until 2025. Based on a review of the major factors affecting China＇s potential economic growth, this paper has created an integrated economic system model consisting of system dynamics, econometrics, and input-output for the forecast of China＇s economic size and structure by 2025. Analysis shows that prior to 2025, China will be able to maintain a potential annual economic growth rate of 5.7%-7.2%. Faced with an international environment of a possible slowdown of advanced economies and diminishing demographic dividends, China needs to further expedite its urbanization process, enhance R＆D and education spending, increase total factor productivity （TFP）, vigorously develop the tertiary sector, and expand consumption in order to achieve the optimistically estimated growth of 6.6%-7.4% during the period of 2015-2025. Economic growth should be accompanied by the upgrade of industry structure and improvement of investment and consumption structures.
文摘Based on statistics, this paper reviews China＇s economic growth and industrial upgrade since the reform and opening up in 1978 and estimates the contribution of industrial restructuring to economic growth. With the years of schooling as the proxy variable of human capital, this paper describes changes in China＇s labor competence during the industrial restructuring process. Then, this paper estimates China＇s future human capital demand and shortage based on economic and demographic forecast. Lastly, this paper proposes recommendations for improving human capital in China with skills development and education.
文摘This article, by using mathematical expressions, offers a scientific framework for understanding how the grading system of Qing′s structural carpentry determines the design and construction in the grand style timber architecture.The Qing′s grand style timber structure, which is ready for prefabrication and assembly, is extremely hierarchical oriented and significantly standardized. The general procedure in designing a grand style timber structure is to start with the grade that defines the basic module (dou kou); next comes with the number of bracket set (cuan), the number of longitudinal bays and the number of purlins which affect its plan and cross section; thirdly choose a roof type that determines its longitudinal section and the facade as well. A series of formulae are conducted to help depict the layout, cross sectional roof curvature and special longitudinal treatments in 4 sloped and 9 spined roofs respectively.
基金The paper is supported by National Nature Science Foundation of China (grant numbers: 39900019, and 30070129).
文摘Sandy forest-steppe ecotone in Baiyinaobao Natural Reserve of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China is one of the special landscape types in forest-steppe vegetation zone in China. Vegetation landscape types, landscape patches, and patch size were measured by the field investigation, forest photograph, and airscape. The structure of landscape patches in sandy forest-steppe ecotone, including composition structure, and size structure, was studied and the dynamics and transformation of landscape patches were analyzed. The data obtained in this study could provide theoretical basis for the research on vegetation landscape in forest-steppe ecotones and other vegetation types.
基金Supported by Grant from the Major State Basic Research Development Program of China (973 Program),No.2006CB504501
文摘AIM： To assess the reliability and validity of the translated version of Nepean Dyspepsia Index （NDI） in Chinese patients with documented functional dyspepsia （FO）. METHODS： The translation process included forward translation, back translation, pretest and cross-cultural adaptation. Reliability and validity of the translated version were examined by asking 300 subjects to complete the Chinese version of the NDI. The mean age of subjects was 39.24 years and 68.7% of the subjects were women. Internal consistency analysis with Cronbach＇s α was performed to test the reliability. Correlation analysis was used to assess the content validity. Factor analysis and structural equation models were used to assess the construct validity. RESULTS： The Cronbach＇s α coefficients ranged 0.833-0.960, well above the acceptable level of 0.70. Correlation analysis showed that each item had a strong correlation with the corresponding domain, but a weak correlation with other domains. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the comparative fit index was 0.94, higher than the acceptable level of 0.90.CONCLUSION： The Chinese version of the NDI is a reliable and valid scale for measuring health-related quality of life and disease severity in Chinese patients with FD.
基金Supported in part by Tianjin Science Grant,China
文摘AIM： To analyze the frequency of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer （HNPCC） in Chinese colorectal cancer （CRC） patients, and to discuss the value of microsatellite instability （MSI） and/or immunohistochemistry （IHC） for MSH2/MLH1 protein analysis as pre-screening tests in China. METHODS： The Amsterdam criteria Ⅰ and Ⅱ （clinical diagnosis） and/or germline hMLHI/hMSH2 mutations （genetic diagnosis） were used to classify HNPCC families. Genetic tests, including microsatellite instability, immunohistochemistry for MSH2/MLH1 proteins and hMSH2/hMLH1 genes, were performed in each proband. RESULTS： From July 2000 to June 2004, 1988 patients with colorectal cancer were analysed and 114 CRC patients （5.7%） from 48 families were categorized as having HNPCC, including 76 from 26 families diagnosed clinically and 38 from the other 22 families diagnosed genetically. The sensitivity and specificity of high MSI and IHC for predicting mutations were 100% and 54%, and 79% and 77%, respectively. CONCLUSION： The frequency of HNPCC is approximately 10% among all Chinese CRC cases. The MSI and IHC detections for hMSH2/hMLH1 proteins are reliable prescreening tests for hMLHI/hMSH2 germline mutations in families suspected of having HNPCC.
