No abstract

No abstract

Using Tg2576 transgenic mice that produce endogenous beta‐amyloid (Aβ) protein in brain, we have previously reported that high dose of folic acid supplemented to Alzheimer drug memantine (MT)‐treated AD mice significantly improved the neuronal functional performance on Morris water maze test. To further study effects of folate on the brain gene expression profile of MT‐treated transgenic mice, a total of 6 Aβ mice brains (3 from MT mice and 3 from folate+MT mice) were analyzed by cDNA microarrays. Total RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis and cy3 and 5 dye labeling were performed using standard protocols. The labeled samples were hybridized to Agilent Whole Mouse Genome Oligo Microarray containing 41,000+ annotated genes and transcripts. Expression data were analyzed using GeneSpring GX 10. Only genes with net expression changes of > 2‐fold occurring among 20‐100th percentile of expression levels in each hybridized arrays were considered for further analysis. Compared to MT‐treated Aβ mice brains, folate+MT brains showed a generalized up‐regulation of 72 brain gene transcriptions involving in neurogenesis, memory, action potential production, neurotransmitter receptors, vasodilation, and immune modulation. Down regulations were only found in 9 transcripts. Validation of gene expressions by real‐time PCR and the significance of modulated expression profiles by folate will be further discussed.

Background: Uterine myoma is a common gynecological disease in women of reproductive age. Owing to surgery and treatment-related complications, many patients opt for alternative therapy, such as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, there is no standard treatment protocol for TCM. This study aimed to investigate the prescription patterns of TCM for uterine myoma and compare differences between the Chang Gung Research Database (CGRD) and the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). Methods: Data of 217040 patients newly diagnosed with uterine myoma between 2005 and 2014 were retrieved from the CGRD using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification code for myoma and related symptoms. We analyzed patient demographics, frequencies and average daily doses of prescribed Chinese herbal formulas and single herbs, and iron supplementation doses. Associations between Chinese herbal formulas and single herbs commonly used for uterine myoma were analyzed by association rule mining (ARM) and social network analysis (SNA).Results: In total 45,436 patients used TCM. Most participants (49.1%) were aged 30–44 years. Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San (28.2%; average daily dose 4.85 g) and Xiang-Fu (22.0%; average daily dose 1.10 g) were the most frequently prescribed herbal formula and single herb, respectively. Additionally, the Si-Wu-Tang decoction was often used for uterine fibroids. Common prescription patterns and herbal pairs were identified. Western medicine (WM) outpatient visits (12 ± 19.6) and iron supplement prescriptions (prescription code PLB001M, 62.5 ± 115.3 pills; PLB012M, 24.6 ± 78 pills) were more prevalent in the combined therapy group than in the WM-only group (outpatient visits: 5.9 ± 6.7 times; iron supplements: PLB001M, 48.3 ± 98.4 pills; PLB012M, 20.9 ± 67.5) in the CGRD. Conclusions: We characterized the prescription patterns for uterine myoma in the CGRD. Chinese herbal medicine prescriptions may aim to improve anemia related to hypermenorrhea caused by uterine myoma. Ours is the first study of TCM myoma treatment within the CGRD, and we compared our findings to the TCM NHIRD myoma study results. ARM and SNA of TCM prescription patterns provide an evidence base to inform medical education and medical decision-making.