500 years of Old Chinese phonology

This article introduces research on Old Chinese phonology before the Qing dynasty by reviewing the important relevant literature of recent intellectual historians. The article has six parts. The first section is an introduction. The second through fourth parts review the views and arguments over how to understand the works of several important linguists, treating respectively the Southern Song (§ 2, containing Wú Yù 吳棫, Zhū Xī 朱熹 etc.), the Yuan (§ 3, containing Dài Tóng 戴侗, Liú Yùrǔ 劉玉汝, Xióng Pénglái 熊朋來 etc.), and the Ming (§ 4, containing Yáng Shèn 楊慎, Jiāo Hóng 焦竑, Chén Dì 陳第 etc.). Section 5 discusses several methodological issues that concern researchers today, including the historical emergence of three methodologies and methodological issues in researching the history of scholarship. Finally, I point out those topics in need of further investigation.

Protective effects of Pai-Du-Yang-Shen formula on chronic renal failure in rats

This study aimed to elucidate the therapeutic effects of a traditional Chinese medicine, Pai-Du-Yang-Shen (PDYS) Formula, in 5/6 nephrectomy-induced chronic renal failure (CRF). The CRF model was established via 5/6 nephrectomy (Nx) in rats. Then, PDYS (0.9 and 1.8 g/kg/day), or an equal amount of normal saline, was administrated to the rats in respective groups. Our results showed that PDYS treatment improved degeneration, fibrosis, and histopathological abnormalities of renal tissues in 5/6 Nx rats. Furthermore, the increase in serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and total urinary protein (TUP) in 5/6 Nx rats was reduced by PDYS treatment. In addition, the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), fibronectin (FN), and laminin (LN) that were induced in 5/6 Nx rats were also decreased by PDYS treatment. Finally, relative mRNA expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), FN, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and TNF as well as protein levels of TGF-β, NF-κB p65, and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 (p-p65) in renal tissues correlated with the concentration of TNF. In conclusion, PDYS shows therapeutic effects against CRF as determined by a reduction in markers for inflammation and fibrosis.