As a life sciences professional, you need precise medical translations. Accuracy is essential, as even the smallest error or omission in a medical document could have serious consequences. My medical translation process involves a number of steps to assure quality: A native English speaker drafts the translation, performs several editing passes to check language, numbers, and overall formatting, and then carries out final proofreading and careful spellcheck.
To give you a sense of how my expertise meets the diverse needs of my clients, here are a few of my recent Chinese to English medical translation projects.
To give you a sense of how my expertise meets the diverse needs of my clients, here are a few of my recent Chinese to English medical translation projects.
Clinical study translation
International clinical trials are growing – approximately 50% of clinical trials are conducted outside of North America. My experience in clinical study translations for pharmaceutical companies includes translation of a bioequivalence study on the fasting and postprandial pharmacokinetics of a fluoroquinolone antibiotic in healthy Chinese subjects and translation of Chinese data on the clinical efficacy of an HCN channel blocker in congestive heart failure.
International clinical trials are growing – approximately 50% of clinical trials are conducted outside of North America. My experience in clinical study translations for pharmaceutical companies includes translation of a bioequivalence study on the fasting and postprandial pharmacokinetics of a fluoroquinolone antibiotic in healthy Chinese subjects and translation of Chinese data on the clinical efficacy of an HCN channel blocker in congestive heart failure.
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Pesticidal agent technical summary
Plants are extremely susceptible to fungal infection in the flowering stage. A major agrochemical company asked me to translate Chinese PowerPoint slides on a novel fungicide, for which I researched affected crops (strawberry, apple, grape, potato), the role of calcium levels in plant tissues, opportunistic plant diseases, modes of infection, resistance to pathogenic fungi, and the fungicide’s mode of action and safety to plants and pollinators. |
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Integrative medicine: Western pharmaceutical administered with active herbal ingredients
My client needed translation of a randomized, controlled study of the effects of panax notoginseng saponins on the efficacy of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in acute ischemic stroke. The integrative therapy reduced ischemia-reperfusion injury after rt-PA intravenous thrombolysis.
I approach integrative medicine translations in stages, first preparing a style sheet (to ensure the internal consistency of the translated document) covering generic and trade names of pharmaceuticals, updated technical terms, advancements in medical technology, and consistent rendering of herbs as Latin binomials or as Chinese pinyin + Latin binomial. For confirmation, I consult traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) websites and glossaries, as well as print references from U.S. and Chinese publishers.
Traditional Chinese medicine has a language of its own with a highly text-based cultural and scholarly tradition. Texts in Chinese medicine are distinctive in that, even for contemporary texts, some knowledge of literary Chinese and classical grammar patterns is essential to translate quotes from classic treatises. As a translator, I strive to find concise and specific translations. A single term may have more than one meaning and context is key. I deal with multiplicity and objectively identify distinct meanings. TCM texts require the handling of technical terms that are loan words (qi, yin, or yang), loan translations such as “kidney yang vacuity,” and English equivalents, which can be terms borrowed from biomedicine or general terms in regular use. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that the translation of technical terms from ancient Chinese medical literature into English is extremely challenging, as the original meanings of the classical Chinese characters and the unique nuances of concepts in traditional Chinese medicine must be incorporated. With this in mind, I employ generally accepted, authoritative TCM materials and maintain consistency of translated terms within the document.
My client needed translation of a randomized, controlled study of the effects of panax notoginseng saponins on the efficacy of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in acute ischemic stroke. The integrative therapy reduced ischemia-reperfusion injury after rt-PA intravenous thrombolysis.
I approach integrative medicine translations in stages, first preparing a style sheet (to ensure the internal consistency of the translated document) covering generic and trade names of pharmaceuticals, updated technical terms, advancements in medical technology, and consistent rendering of herbs as Latin binomials or as Chinese pinyin + Latin binomial. For confirmation, I consult traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) websites and glossaries, as well as print references from U.S. and Chinese publishers.
Traditional Chinese medicine has a language of its own with a highly text-based cultural and scholarly tradition. Texts in Chinese medicine are distinctive in that, even for contemporary texts, some knowledge of literary Chinese and classical grammar patterns is essential to translate quotes from classic treatises. As a translator, I strive to find concise and specific translations. A single term may have more than one meaning and context is key. I deal with multiplicity and objectively identify distinct meanings. TCM texts require the handling of technical terms that are loan words (qi, yin, or yang), loan translations such as “kidney yang vacuity,” and English equivalents, which can be terms borrowed from biomedicine or general terms in regular use. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that the translation of technical terms from ancient Chinese medical literature into English is extremely challenging, as the original meanings of the classical Chinese characters and the unique nuances of concepts in traditional Chinese medicine must be incorporated. With this in mind, I employ generally accepted, authoritative TCM materials and maintain consistency of translated terms within the document.
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Chinese data on acupuncture therapy combined with carotid artery surgery
A life sciences company requested translation of a clinical study on the use of Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture and carotid endarterectomy to treat carotid artery stenosis. I researched TCM and pharmaceutical terms as detailed above, with the addition of surgical terminology for the carotid endarterectomy, as well as acupuncture points and quotes from classical Chinese references. |
Randomized study on the effects of acupoint stimulation on depression in late pregnancy
Approximately one-fifth of women suffer from depression in pregnancy, and incidence rates are high in late pregnancy. Untreated depression may increase the risk of complications during pregnancy and in the perinatal period, which are significantly correlated to postpartum depression. Depression treatment in pregnancy poses challenges in maternal healthcare. The advantages of electroacupuncture treatment of depressive disorders include multiple target sites, rapid onset, and few adverse reactions. Efficacy is equal to that of conventional antidepressant drugs. This is the premise of a recent Chinese randomized controlled study I translated on the effects of acupoint stimulation on depression and inflammatory cytokines. This treatment may offer a safer option in pregnancy at a time when many pharmaceutical medications are contraindicated.
Approximately one-fifth of women suffer from depression in pregnancy, and incidence rates are high in late pregnancy. Untreated depression may increase the risk of complications during pregnancy and in the perinatal period, which are significantly correlated to postpartum depression. Depression treatment in pregnancy poses challenges in maternal healthcare. The advantages of electroacupuncture treatment of depressive disorders include multiple target sites, rapid onset, and few adverse reactions. Efficacy is equal to that of conventional antidepressant drugs. This is the premise of a recent Chinese randomized controlled study I translated on the effects of acupoint stimulation on depression and inflammatory cytokines. This treatment may offer a safer option in pregnancy at a time when many pharmaceutical medications are contraindicated.
Chinese Stroke Rehabilitation Treatment Guidelines
A pharmaceutical client sought translation of updated guidelines on stroke diagnosis and treatment from the Chinese Medical Association and the Stroke Screening and Prevention Project of the Chinese Ministry of Health, for drug formulation, marketing, and regulatory purposes.
A pharmaceutical client sought translation of updated guidelines on stroke diagnosis and treatment from the Chinese Medical Association and the Stroke Screening and Prevention Project of the Chinese Ministry of Health, for drug formulation, marketing, and regulatory purposes.
COVID-19 pharmacovigilance
Since the start of the pandemic, demand for reports on the efficacy and safety of the antimalarial drug chloroquine has increased. Chinese medical journals have reported such serious adverse reactions as cardiotoxicity (even at low doses), neurotoxicity, and ophthalmological toxicity (irreversible macular disease and in some cases permanent blindness). Chloroquine has been used to treat SARS, MERS, and COVID-19, and it is important to monitor global evidence of its adverse drug reactions.
I translated a 2021 clinical observation of Liushen pills (components include Forsythiae fructus, Rhizoma atractylodis macrocephalae, and Flos lonicera) in the treatment of influenza. In China, COVID-19 is fought using integrated TCM and Western medicine, and herbal remedies are incorporated into treatment regimens based on historic successes in fighting respiratory disorders.
Since the start of the pandemic, demand for reports on the efficacy and safety of the antimalarial drug chloroquine has increased. Chinese medical journals have reported such serious adverse reactions as cardiotoxicity (even at low doses), neurotoxicity, and ophthalmological toxicity (irreversible macular disease and in some cases permanent blindness). Chloroquine has been used to treat SARS, MERS, and COVID-19, and it is important to monitor global evidence of its adverse drug reactions.
I translated a 2021 clinical observation of Liushen pills (components include Forsythiae fructus, Rhizoma atractylodis macrocephalae, and Flos lonicera) in the treatment of influenza. In China, COVID-19 is fought using integrated TCM and Western medicine, and herbal remedies are incorporated into treatment regimens based on historic successes in fighting respiratory disorders.
Chromatographic fingerprinting in quality control of natural products
As the manufacture of herbal medicines grows, information on the latest quality control techniques is critical. A pharmaceutical client requested translation of a Chinese journal article discussing the sensitivity of evaluation indicators in similarity system theory to compare chromatographic fingerprints of Chinese herbal products, as well as chapters from the Chinese Pharmacopoeia on determination of herbal extracts by chromatographic fingerprinting.
As the manufacture of herbal medicines grows, information on the latest quality control techniques is critical. A pharmaceutical client requested translation of a Chinese journal article discussing the sensitivity of evaluation indicators in similarity system theory to compare chromatographic fingerprints of Chinese herbal products, as well as chapters from the Chinese Pharmacopoeia on determination of herbal extracts by chromatographic fingerprinting.
Treatment of type 2 diabetes with polysaccharides
Polysaccharides may hold promise in novel therapies that reduce glucose levels by regulating glucose metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and intestinal flora. For my translation of a Chinese article on a polysaccharides therapy isolated from the Chinese medicinal herb Ganoderma lucidum, I researched the latest developments in the study of intestinal microbiota, healthy bacteria, and the production of short-chain fatty acids.
Polysaccharides may hold promise in novel therapies that reduce glucose levels by regulating glucose metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and intestinal flora. For my translation of a Chinese article on a polysaccharides therapy isolated from the Chinese medicinal herb Ganoderma lucidum, I researched the latest developments in the study of intestinal microbiota, healthy bacteria, and the production of short-chain fatty acids.
Biomarkers in cardiovascular disease
I translated a Chinese study on CMTM5 gene expression as a biomarker for re-stenosis in coronary artery disease. The use of biomarkers in predicting coronary artery disease has risen over the last two decades and has significant value in clinical decision making for assessing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death worldwide, and research on the predictive value of serological biomarkers is on the rise.
You require accurate medical translations. I research the latest medical technology and medical articles – and take a deep dive into the terminology of traditional Chinese medicine as necessary – in order to achieve accurate and consistent medical language to meet the translation needs of my clients. My Chinese to English translations provide the information you need, in your language, the language of medical technology.
I translated a Chinese study on CMTM5 gene expression as a biomarker for re-stenosis in coronary artery disease. The use of biomarkers in predicting coronary artery disease has risen over the last two decades and has significant value in clinical decision making for assessing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death worldwide, and research on the predictive value of serological biomarkers is on the rise.
You require accurate medical translations. I research the latest medical technology and medical articles – and take a deep dive into the terminology of traditional Chinese medicine as necessary – in order to achieve accurate and consistent medical language to meet the translation needs of my clients. My Chinese to English translations provide the information you need, in your language, the language of medical technology.