Objective To investigate the role of serum osteopontin in the occurrence of pemphigus vulgaris (PV).Methods Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was conducted to determine serum levels of osteopontin in 31 patients with PV and 35 healthy human controls.Statistical analysis was carried out by t test and Spearman rank correlation analysis with the SPSS 17.0 software and Excel.Results Serum levels of osteopontin were significandy higher in patients with PV than in healthy controls (P ＜ 0.01),in patients with mucocutaneous involvement than in those with only cutaneous involvement (P ＜ 0.05),and in patients with complicated infections than in those without (P ＜ 0.01).There was a positive correlation between serum levels of osteopontin and anti-Dsg3 antibody in patients with PV (rs =0.489,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Serum levels of osteopontin are increased in patients with PV,especially in those with mucocutaneous involvement,and positively correlated with PV-related antibody titers.

Objective To improve the knowledge about controlling plague in cadres, masses, and the medical staff in plague affected area in Dinghian county of Shaanxi province and to assess the efforts of health education activities. Methods In 2008, the education activities carded out by the government-related departments were investigated. The awareness of plague control and assessment was obtained through a written survey, questionnaire and interviews on clinic. Results Some education activities were carried out in plague area of Dingbian county, such as training, issuing educational materials, broadcasting plague scientific educational films and arranging knowledge grand prix. The rates of knowing plague clinic, epidemiology, prevention and the "three prohibitions and three alerts to report" were as follows: the cadres were 50.50%(101/200),63.69%(414/650),78.67%(118/150), the masses were 64.71% (66/102),87.91% (269/306),76.47% (78/102) and the medical staff were 64.18% (543/846) ,68.51%(322/470),67.02%(63/94). The passing rates of the cadres, the masses and the medical staff were 70.00% (35/50),92.16% (47/51),74.47% (35/47). Conclusions Health education can strengthen health consciousness of cadres and masses and improve the ability of the medical stalf on controlling sudden epidemic situation. Reinforcing plague control knowledge and training of medical staff are still important for health education in the future.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of Jinying Capsule (JC) in treating pelvic inflammatory disease patients with accumulated damp-heat syndrome (ADHS).

METHODSTotally 328 patients were recruited in a prospective, positive drug parallel controlled, and multi-center clinical trial. Of them 213 patients in the treatment group took JC (0.5 g per capsule), 4 capsules each time, 3 times per day, while 115 patients in the control group took Kangfuyan Capsule (KC, 0.4 g per capsule), 3 capsules each time, twice per day. The course of treatment was 4 weeks for all. Scores of Chinese medical syndromes, visual analogue scale (VAS) of the lower abdominal pain, and European quality of life-five dimension scale (EQ-5D) were observed before treatment and after 4 weeks of treatment.

RESULTSThere were 204 patients in the treatment group and 109 in the control group who completed this trial. The total effective rate of Chinese medical syndrome was 89.71% (183/204 cases) in the treatment group and 76.15% (83/109 cases) in the control group (P < 0.01). Compared with before treatment in the same group, EQ-5D scores increased, and VAS scores of the lower abdominal pain decreased in the two groups after treatment. EQ-5D scores was 0.857 ± 0.157 in the treatment group, obviously higher than that in the control group (0.753 ± 0.126, P < 0.05). VAS scores of the lower abdominal pain was 2.14 ± 1.23 in the treatment group, lower than that in the control group (2.33 ± 1.24), but with no statistical difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). No adverse reaction occurred in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONJC was superior to KC in improving Chinese medical syndrome and quality of life of pelvic inflammatory disease patients with accumulated damp-heat syndrome.

Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Safety ; Syndrome

Chemical constituents of Chlorella sorokiniana were isolated and purified by repeated column chromatographies, over silicagel and Sephadex LH-20. Their structures were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic data analysis. Five compounds were obtained from the petroleum ether extract of Chlorella sorokiniana, and their structures were identified as (22E, 24R)-5alpha, 3beta-epidioxiergosta-6, 22-dien-3beta-ol(1),(24S)-ergosta-7-en-3beta-ol(2), loliolide(3), stigmasta-7,22-dien-3beta,5alpha,6alpha-triol(4), and 3beta-hydroxy-5alpha,6alpha-epoxy-7-megastigmen-9-one(5). The main liposoluble fractions from Chlorella sorokiniana maiuly contain fatty acids, alkyl acids and olefine acids. Components 1-5 were isolated from the genus Chlorella for the first time.
Biological Factors ; chemistry ; Chlorella ; chemistry ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Structure

ObjectiveTo investigate the iodine nutritional status of residents in Shanxi province,and to provide a scientific basis for adjustment of control strategies and measures to iodine deficiency disorders (IDD).MethodsIn the 11 cities and 119 counties(cities,districts),except high water iodine townships,9 townships were selected in each county according to their sub-area positions of east,west,south,north and center,4 villages were sampled in each chosen township,and 8 households were selected in each chosen village in every chosen county (cities,districts ) with 9 or more townships.In every chosen county (cities,districts) with 6 to 9 townships,1 township was selected respectively in east,west,south,north and center sub-areas of the township,4 villages were sampled in each chosen township,and 15 households were selected in each chosen village.In the county (cities,districts) with 5 or less townships,all township were selected,4 villages were sampled in each chosen township,and 15 households were selected in each chosen village.Edible salt samples from these households were collected; iodized salt was determined by direct titration.In the 119 counties(cities,districts),1 township was selected,respectively,in east,west,south,north and center sub-areas in each county,and 20 children aged 8 - 10 in each of the selected townships were selected to collect urine samples and urinary iodine was determined by As-Ce catalytic spectrophotometry.Evaluation criteria:median urinary iodine ＜ 100 μg/L was iodine deficiency,100 - 199 μg/L as appropriate,200 - 299 μg/L as more than appropriate,and ≥ 300 μg/L as iodine excess.ResultsMedian iodine of the 34 808 household salt samples was 31.55 mg/kg.The coverage rate of qualified iodized salt was 99.18％(34 521/34 808) and the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt was 97.12％(33 805/ 34 808).In the 11 cities,119 counties(cities,districts),the median of urinary iodine of 11 967 children aged 8 -10 was 244.0 μg/L,of which ＜ 50 μg/L acoounted for 2.6％(312/11 967),50 - 99 μg/L accounted for 6.9％(823/11 967),100- 199 μg/L accounted for 26.3％(3145/11 967),200 - 299 μg/L accounted for 28.7％(3440/11 967),and 300 μg/L or higher accounted for 35.5％(4247/11 967).The medians of urinary iodine in the 9 municipal cities were 200 - 300 μg/L,and other 2 cities were 300 - 400 μg/L At the county level,the medians urinary iodine of children of the 119 counties(cities,districts) were 100 - 199 μg/L that accounted for 15.1％(18/119),200 - 299 μg/L accounted for 63.9％(76/119),and 300 μg/L or higher accounted for 21％(25/119).Conclusions The iodine nutrition level of residents in Shanxi province is more than appropriate.The salt iodine concentration in Shanxi province needs to be reduced,but the space is not wide.

Objective To investigate the constitution,density changes and carrier rate about Yersinia pestis of rodents in plague foci,and to provide the scientific evidence for plague prevention.Methods According to the program of national monitoring plague,two survey procedures,namely quadrat of single-ha for 24 h and 5 m mouse jam,were used to monitor the host animals; culture and identification of Yersinia pestis in liver or spleen of the experimental animals was carried out by using self-made medium in the north of Beiyuanzi village in Dingbian town Shaanxi province.Results One hundred twelve rodents were captured using the first procedures and the rodent average density was 8.62 ind./hm2 and six species of rodents were found namely Meriones unguiculatus ( 100 individuals),Microtusfortis(5 individuals),Ochotona daurica(3 individuals),Meriones meridianus (2 individuals),Mus musculus Linnaeus (1 individual) and Cricetulus barabensis (1 individual).One hundred seventy-three field mouses were captured using the second procedures including Mus musculus Linnaeus (136 individuals),Cricetulus barabensis (36 individuals),and Microtus fortis ( 1 individual ).Among them,Microtus fortis was found in the salt marshes in the southern edge of Ordos Plateau steppe in plague area of Dingbian county.Yersinia pestis was not identified in all animals.Conclusions Microtus fortis is found in natural foci of plague in Shaanxi province for the first time,and a new geographic region was found.Its epidemiological significance needs further study.

Objective To analyze the outcome of the epidemiological investigation on an animal plague in Dingbian County of Shaanxi Province.Methods The region of 25 square kiolmeters(km2)in Hongliugou Town was selected as monitoring point of plague to investigate on host animals,etiology and serology.The epidemic area was classified,deratization and depulization were correspondingly adopted.Health education was carried out for prevention knowledge of plague,and questionnaire survey was conducted among residents and medical staff in the epidemic area.Result The average rat density in monitoring site was 8.38 rats per hectare in Hongliugou Town.Average rate infected with flea and flea index were 50.4%(56/111)and 1.81,respectively.The epidemic area was classified 3 types,and came up to the demand after corresponding measures adopted.In the epidemic area,the pass rate of the prevention and control knowledge were 62.00%(31/50)in residents and 92.98%(53/57) in medical staff.Conclusions Plague epizootic can be discovered by exercising regular monitoring and controlledimmed iately and effectively by taking the appropriate control measures.

OBJECTIVETo analyse the trace elements presented in the same germplasm of Flos Lonicerae with the soil in different producing areas of crude drugs and to investigate, the relationship between the trace elements and the characteristics of the geo-authentic Flos Lonicerae in the soil and crude drugs.

METHODThe analyses on the trace elements of soil and crude drugs were made by ICP-AES.

RESULTThe contents of Sr, K, Na, Mg and Ca were higher in the geo-authentic areas, and the contents of Ca, Sr and Fe were higher, but the Cr and Pb were lower in the geo-authentic Flos Lonicerae. The geo-authentic crude drugs had a strong tendency to accumulate P and Cu.

CONCLUSIONThere are no direct relationship between the concentrations of trace elements in Flos Lonicerae and those in their corresponding soil. There are good relationship between the absorption and accumulation of Ca and Cr, Co, Na and Fe; Zn and Co, Cr, Mn; Na and Co; Mg and Mn.

China ; Ecosystem ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Lonicera ; chemistry ; Pharmacognosy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Soil ; analysis ; Trace Elements ; analysis

Objective To investigate the clinical, cerebrospinal fluid and imaging characteristics of 5 cases of diffuse meningeal melanomatosis.Methods The clinical manifestation, features of cerebrospinal fluid and image of 5 patients with meningeal melanomatosis diagnosed by biopsy or autopsy were retrospectively summarized.Results Clinical manifestations of these 5 cases included intracranial hyperpressure, meningeal irritation sign, intracranial nerves impairment, root pain of spinal nerve.In all of these 5 cases, retina hyperpigmentation above left discus opticus was found by funduseope in one case, and congenital melanocytic nevi were found in 4 patients, in which 2 cases were giant congenital melanocytic nevi.Increased lumbar puncture cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)pressure occurred in all cases.Subarachnoid hemorrhage was found in 3 cases.Analysis of CSF revealed increased protein in 4 cases and decreased glucose in 3 cases.Cranial MRI obtained after the intravenous administration of Gd-DTPA showed leptomeningeal enhancement.Malignant melanoma cells were found in CSF of 3 cases.Metastatic malignant melanoma cells were found by biopsy of axillary fossa lymph node in one case.Autopsy of one case revealed diffuse black pigmentation of the leptomeninges, especially in base of skull.Two cases were diagnosed as metastatic meningeal melanomatosis and 3 cases were possible primary meningeal melanomatosis. Conclusions Menings, root of cranial nerve and spinal nerve are impaired in meningeal melanomatosis, which is usually accompanied by congenital melanocytic nevi.Subarachnoid hemorrhage implies meningeal melanomatosis.Diagnosis can be identified when malignant melanoma cells are found in CSF.