Samples of sediments and the overlying water were collected in the Qi＇ao Island coastal zone,the Zhujiang（Pearl River） Estuary（ZE）.Denitrification rates,sediment oxygen demand（SOD）,and fluxes of inorganic nitro...Samples of sediments and the overlying water were collected in the Qi＇ao Island coastal zone,the Zhujiang（Pearl River） Estuary（ZE）.Denitrification rates,sediment oxygen demand（SOD）,and fluxes of inorganic nitrogen compounds were investigated with N2 flux method,using a self-designed continuous flow through and auto-sampling system.The results indicate that the denitrification rates varied between 222 and 908 μmol/（m2·h） with an average of 499 μmol /（m2·h）.During incubation,the sediments absorbed dissolved oxygen in the overlying water with SOD ranging from 300 to 2 363 μmol/（m2·h）.The denitrification rates were highly correlated with the SOD（r2=0.77） regardless of the NO-3＋NO-2 concentrations in the overlying water,organic carbon contents in sediments and water temperature,suggesting that the SOD was probably the main environmental factor controlling the denitrification in the Qi＇ao Island coastal zone.There was a net flux of NO-3＋NO-2 into the sediments from the overlying water.The NH＋4 flux from sediments into water as the result of mineralization was between 12.3 and 210.3 μmol/（m2·h）,which seems limited by both organic carbon content in sediment and dissolved oxygen concentration in the overlying water.展开更多
The concept of Zheng Qi in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) refers to the vital energy produced by the interaction of Yin and Yang forces in the body. Zheng Qi performs two main functions: Wei Qi (defensive Qi), whi...The concept of Zheng Qi in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) refers to the vital energy produced by the interaction of Yin and Yang forces in the body. Zheng Qi performs two main functions: Wei Qi (defensive Qi), which shields the body from external pathogens, and Ying Qi (nutritive Qi), which sustains the internal organs and enhances their functionality. In TCM, Chinese tonifying herbs can help restore the balance of Yin/Yang and Qi/Blood function in visceral organs (i.e., optimal physiological functions), thereby fostering the efficient production of Zheng Qi and enhancing health. To ensure the quality of Chinese herbal products, functional assays to measure Yin/Yang, Qi/Blood functions, and Zheng Qi production should be implemented. The efficacy of Yang and Qi herbs can be evaluated by their ability to increase mitochondrial ATP in cultured mouse cardiomyocytes, while Yin and Blood herbs are tested through their immunostimulatory effects on antigen-induced T/B cell proliferation in mouse splenocytes and the production of erythropoietin/nitric oxide in hepatocytes/vascular endothelial cells, respectively. Additionally, Zheng Qi’s effect can be gauged by examining natural killer cell activity and antigen-induced T/B cell proliferation in mice ex vivo. These assays act as biomarkers for assessing the quality and effectiveness of herbal health products within TCM theory.展开更多
Human metabolism is intricately linked to an individual’s health status. Regardless of living habits, it will be reflected in the metabolic characteristics of urine. The utilization of the 1H NMR-based metabolomics m...Human metabolism is intricately linked to an individual’s health status. Regardless of living habits, it will be reflected in the metabolic characteristics of urine. The utilization of the 1H NMR-based metabolomics method has enabled examine the metabolomic changes in urine under various physiology conditions, providing valuable insights into metabolites. In this particular study, volunteers were divided into two groups based on the strength of their spleen pulses, using the pulse diagnosis method employed in traditional Chinese medicine. Subsequently, their urine samples were analyzed, revealing notable variances in urea, creatinine, citric acid, succinic acid, trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), alanine, hippuric acid, and glycine between the two groups. Interestingly, individuals with weak spleen pulses showed significant improvements after consuming herbal tea. Furthermore, we conducted LC-MS analysis on herbal tea and performed adenosine triphosphate (ATP) activity tests on the C2C12 mouse skeletal muscle cell line. The results indicated that within a reasonable concentration range, exposure to herbal tea led to an increase in the mitochondrial ATP production capacity of C2C12 cells. These findings shed light on the relationship between traditional Chinese medicine pulse diagnosis and urine metabolites, highlighting their potential as non-invasive and straightforward health assessment indicators. They can aid in the preliminary determination of necessary dietary and lifestyle changes to enhance overall bodily health.展开更多
Schisandrae Fructus, containing schisandrin B (Sch B) as its main active component, is recognized in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for its Qi-invigorating properties in the five visceral organs. Our laboratory ha...Schisandrae Fructus, containing schisandrin B (Sch B) as its main active component, is recognized in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for its Qi-invigorating properties in the five visceral organs. Our laboratory has shown that the Qi-invigorating action of Chinese tonifying herbs is linked to increased mitochondrial ATP generation and an enhancement in mitochondrial glutathione redox status. To explore whether Sch B can exert Qi-invigorating actions across various tissues, we investigated the effects of Sch B treatment on mitochondrial ATP generation and glutathione redox status in multiple mouse tissues ex vivo. In line with TCM theory, which posits that Zheng Qi generation relies on the Qi function of the visceral organs, we also examined Sch B’s impact on natural killer cell activity and antigen-induced splenocyte proliferation, both serving as indirect measures of Zheng Qi. Our findings revealed that Sch B treatment consistently enhanced mitochondrial ATP generation and improved mitochondrial glutathione redox status in mouse tissues. This boost in mitochondrial function was associated with stimulated innate and adaptive immune responses, marked by increased natural killer cell activity and antigen-induced T/B cell proliferation, potentially through the increased generation of Zheng Qi.展开更多
Background: Although a number of studies have reported that the hot and humid compress from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is effective in treating lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with qi stagnation and blood stasis,...Background: Although a number of studies have reported that the hot and humid compress from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is effective in treating lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with qi stagnation and blood stasis, clinical evidence is limited. Objective: The purpose of this study is to provide high-quality evidence to support the effectiveness of the traditional Chinese hot and humid compress in the treatment of LDH with qi stagnation and blood stasis. Methods: From October 2021 to November 2023, 86 patients with LDH of qi stagnation and blood stasis type were recruited in our hospital and divided into a control (n = 43) and an observation group (n = 43) according to the random number table method. The control group was given routine clinical treatment, and the observation group was treated with the hot and humid compress therapy for two weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, TCM syndrome score, serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were observed and compared between the two groups before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated. Results: After treatment, the VAS score, TCM symptom score, and serum IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels decreased in both groups (P P P P P Conclusions: The hot and humid compress of traditional Chinese medicine can effectively relieve pain, restore lumbar function, improve TCM syndromes, reduce the level of inflammatory factors, and have a curative effect in treating LDH.展开更多
基金The Key Program and General Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract Nos 40532011 and 40406010COMRA’s 11th Five Year Program under contract No. DYXM115-02-4-04the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province under contract No.04300822
文摘Samples of sediments and the overlying water were collected in the Qi＇ao Island coastal zone,the Zhujiang（Pearl River） Estuary（ZE）.Denitrification rates,sediment oxygen demand（SOD）,and fluxes of inorganic nitrogen compounds were investigated with N2 flux method,using a self-designed continuous flow through and auto-sampling system.The results indicate that the denitrification rates varied between 222 and 908 μmol/（m2·h） with an average of 499 μmol /（m2·h）.During incubation,the sediments absorbed dissolved oxygen in the overlying water with SOD ranging from 300 to 2 363 μmol/（m2·h）.The denitrification rates were highly correlated with the SOD（r2=0.77） regardless of the NO-3＋NO-2 concentrations in the overlying water,organic carbon contents in sediments and water temperature,suggesting that the SOD was probably the main environmental factor controlling the denitrification in the Qi＇ao Island coastal zone.There was a net flux of NO-3＋NO-2 into the sediments from the overlying water.The NH＋4 flux from sediments into water as the result of mineralization was between 12.3 and 210.3 μmol/（m2·h）,which seems limited by both organic carbon content in sediment and dissolved oxygen concentration in the overlying water.
文摘The concept of Zheng Qi in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) refers to the vital energy produced by the interaction of Yin and Yang forces in the body. Zheng Qi performs two main functions: Wei Qi (defensive Qi), which shields the body from external pathogens, and Ying Qi (nutritive Qi), which sustains the internal organs and enhances their functionality. In TCM, Chinese tonifying herbs can help restore the balance of Yin/Yang and Qi/Blood function in visceral organs (i.e., optimal physiological functions), thereby fostering the efficient production of Zheng Qi and enhancing health. To ensure the quality of Chinese herbal products, functional assays to measure Yin/Yang, Qi/Blood functions, and Zheng Qi production should be implemented. The efficacy of Yang and Qi herbs can be evaluated by their ability to increase mitochondrial ATP in cultured mouse cardiomyocytes, while Yin and Blood herbs are tested through their immunostimulatory effects on antigen-induced T/B cell proliferation in mouse splenocytes and the production of erythropoietin/nitric oxide in hepatocytes/vascular endothelial cells, respectively. Additionally, Zheng Qi’s effect can be gauged by examining natural killer cell activity and antigen-induced T/B cell proliferation in mice ex vivo. These assays act as biomarkers for assessing the quality and effectiveness of herbal health products within TCM theory.
文摘Human metabolism is intricately linked to an individual’s health status. Regardless of living habits, it will be reflected in the metabolic characteristics of urine. The utilization of the 1H NMR-based metabolomics method has enabled examine the metabolomic changes in urine under various physiology conditions, providing valuable insights into metabolites. In this particular study, volunteers were divided into two groups based on the strength of their spleen pulses, using the pulse diagnosis method employed in traditional Chinese medicine. Subsequently, their urine samples were analyzed, revealing notable variances in urea, creatinine, citric acid, succinic acid, trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), alanine, hippuric acid, and glycine between the two groups. Interestingly, individuals with weak spleen pulses showed significant improvements after consuming herbal tea. Furthermore, we conducted LC-MS analysis on herbal tea and performed adenosine triphosphate (ATP) activity tests on the C2C12 mouse skeletal muscle cell line. The results indicated that within a reasonable concentration range, exposure to herbal tea led to an increase in the mitochondrial ATP production capacity of C2C12 cells. These findings shed light on the relationship between traditional Chinese medicine pulse diagnosis and urine metabolites, highlighting their potential as non-invasive and straightforward health assessment indicators. They can aid in the preliminary determination of necessary dietary and lifestyle changes to enhance overall bodily health.
文摘Schisandrae Fructus, containing schisandrin B (Sch B) as its main active component, is recognized in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for its Qi-invigorating properties in the five visceral organs. Our laboratory has shown that the Qi-invigorating action of Chinese tonifying herbs is linked to increased mitochondrial ATP generation and an enhancement in mitochondrial glutathione redox status. To explore whether Sch B can exert Qi-invigorating actions across various tissues, we investigated the effects of Sch B treatment on mitochondrial ATP generation and glutathione redox status in multiple mouse tissues ex vivo. In line with TCM theory, which posits that Zheng Qi generation relies on the Qi function of the visceral organs, we also examined Sch B’s impact on natural killer cell activity and antigen-induced splenocyte proliferation, both serving as indirect measures of Zheng Qi. Our findings revealed that Sch B treatment consistently enhanced mitochondrial ATP generation and improved mitochondrial glutathione redox status in mouse tissues. This boost in mitochondrial function was associated with stimulated innate and adaptive immune responses, marked by increased natural killer cell activity and antigen-induced T/B cell proliferation, potentially through the increased generation of Zheng Qi.
文摘Background: Although a number of studies have reported that the hot and humid compress from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is effective in treating lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with qi stagnation and blood stasis, clinical evidence is limited. Objective: The purpose of this study is to provide high-quality evidence to support the effectiveness of the traditional Chinese hot and humid compress in the treatment of LDH with qi stagnation and blood stasis. Methods: From October 2021 to November 2023, 86 patients with LDH of qi stagnation and blood stasis type were recruited in our hospital and divided into a control (n = 43) and an observation group (n = 43) according to the random number table method. The control group was given routine clinical treatment, and the observation group was treated with the hot and humid compress therapy for two weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, TCM syndrome score, serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were observed and compared between the two groups before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated. Results: After treatment, the VAS score, TCM symptom score, and serum IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels decreased in both groups (P P P P P Conclusions: The hot and humid compress of traditional Chinese medicine can effectively relieve pain, restore lumbar function, improve TCM syndromes, reduce the level of inflammatory factors, and have a curative effect in treating LDH.
