In the present study, the antibacterial spectrum of turmeric extract was analyzed by measuring the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and the antibacterial mechanism of turmeric extract was elaborated by determining its effects on the permeability and integrity of the cytoplasmic membrane, energy metabolism, and the morphology of the tested bacteria (Bacillus subtilis) with the highest susceptibility to the extract. The results showed that turmeric extract possessed broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi, especially against Bacillus subtilis, with the MIC of 0.5 mg·mL^-1. Turmeric extract disrupted the liposome membrane and released calcein encapsulated within it. The permeability of the bacterial cell membrane was increased, leading to leakage of intracellular K⁺, Ca²⁺and cell wall proteins, and the integrity of the cell membrane was broken down, causing leakage of intracellular proteins and polysaccharides. Scanning electron microscope observation confirmed that the bacteria treated with turmeric extract was severely deformed. Simultaneously, cellular energy metabolism was affected, resulting in a significant reduction in the intracellular ATP content and ATPase activity in bacteria. In summary, the antibacterial mode of turmeric extract is closely related to its disruption of bacterial membrane structure.

Objective:To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at Jiaji (EX-B 2) points plus hydro-acupuncture with sinomenine hydrochloride for low back pain caused by compression fractures in the elderly.Methods:Ninety-five elderly in-patients with low back pain caused by compression fractures were randomly divided into an observation group and an EA group according to the visit sequence.Both groups received the same basic treatment.In the EA group,48 cases were treated with EA at Jiaji (EX-B 2) points plus the basic therapy;47 cases in the observation group received the basic treatment plus EA and hydro-acupuncture with sinomenine hydroch｜oride at Jiaji (EX-B 2) points.The levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in peripheral blood were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) before and at the 21st day of treatment in both groups.Oswestry disability index (ODI) and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were used to analyze the clinical efficacy.Results:After treatment,the OPG content in the observation group was higher with statistical significance compared with that before treatment in the observation group and after the treatment in the EA group,respectively (both P＜0.05);the content of IL-1β,ODI and VAS scores were lower than those before treatment in the observation group and after treatment in the EA group with statistical significances (all P＜0.05).Conclusion:The combination of EA and hydro-acupuncture with sinomenine hydrochloride at Jiaji (EX-B 2) points is effective for low back pain caused by compression fractures in the elderly,and is superior to EA at Jiaji (EX-B 2) points alone.

Objective To detect levels of serum platelet activating factor(PAF),thrombomodulin(TM) and white blood cell(WBC),platelet count(PLT) in neonates with meconium aspiration syndrome(MAS),and observe changes of mediators of inflammation and function of endotheliocute.Methods All cases were taken vein blood in 24 h and 72-96 h after birth.Surm PAF and TM were detected by EILSA technique,at the same time,blood cell counts were determined.Results PAF and WBC in neonates with MAS increased,which were relevant to the patients′ condition.TM of neonates with MAS increased significantly,especially in 72-96 h after birth and(aggrava)-ted with the patients′ condition.Conclusion Neonates with MAS have inflammatory reaction and injured endotheliocyte,which are(inte)-raction.

OBJECTIVETo calculate the latent period of lung cancer induced by air pollution.

METHODSThe degree of grey incidence (DGI) between the concentrations of TSP or SO(2) and the mortality of lung cancer were assessed through a grey system model. According to the maximum values of DGI, the total latent period of lung cancer was calculated. Data was collected in H city.

RESULTSThe maximum DGI value of TSP was 0.886 while the relationship between the comparison sequence from 1985 to 1989 and the reference sequence from 1994 to 1998 was greatly correlated. The maximum DGI value of SO(2) was 0.919 while the relationship between the comparison sequence from 1986 to 1990 and the reference sequence from 1994 to 1998 was most correlated.

CONCLUSIONSThe latent periods of lung cancer induced by TSP and SO(2) were 7 and 8 years respectively in H city. The model of grey system was less affected by the confounding factors, and the calculation process was relatively simple. A feasible and useful new way was provided by the model of grey system for quantitative analysis of the latent period of lung cancer induced by air pollutants.

Air Pollutants ; adverse effects ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; etiology ; mortality ; Models, Biological ; Particle Size ; Risk Factors ; Sulfur Dioxide ; adverse effects

Chromogranin A ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Duodenal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Ganglioneuroma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurofibroma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Paraganglioma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; metabolism ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism

Purpose:To clarify the perioperative management for living-related kidney donors. Methods:Thepre, mid, and postoperative clinical manifestations of 5 living related donors were analyzed retrospectively. Re-sults:5 living-related kidney donors were dismissed 15 days after the operations on average. Following up for 3～10 months, their postoperative blood routine, urine routine, hepatic function, renal function, the amount oturine protein in 24 hours were all within normal range. Conclusions:The safety of operation for living-related kid-ney donors is high and the donors can recover well.

OBJECTIVEAcute interstitial pneumonia (AIP) is a rare lung interstitial disease in children. This study was conducted to understand the clinical features of the AIP in children.

METHODThe data of the three cases with AIP admitted to our hospital from March 2008 to November 2009 were reviewed. Of the 3 cases, 2 were male, one was female. Their age ranged from 1 year and 4 months to 10 years. The clinical manifestation, pulmonary function test and the high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and pathology of the lung were studied retrospectively. Tissue specimens of the lung were obtained by video-assisted thoracoscopic biopsy. Viral etiologic examinations for the respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, influenza virus, parainfluenza viruses, EB virus, cytomegalovirus, enterovirus and herpes simplex virus were performed. The IgM antibody to Mycoplasma pneumoniae in the serum was also detected.

RESULTAll the 3 cases rapidly developed respiratory failure of unknown origin, none of these cases had failure of any other organs. All three cases had cough and dyspnea. No case had the rales and digital clubbing. The examinations for viruses, bacteria and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection were all negative. No evidence for the diagnosis of connective tissue disease was obtained. The HRCT of the chest showed diffuse alveolar consolidation, air bronchogram and ground glass appearance in the bilateral lungs, and the traction-associated bronchiectasis in areas. All the three cases had the histological proof of diffuse alveolar damage by the biopsy. All the three cases were treated with CPAP and corticosteroid. Two cases were treated with corticosteroid in early stage of the disease, the condition of these cases were improved obviously. The third case was treated with high-dose steroid pulse therapy days, the condition of this case was improved slightly in a month. One year follow-up showed that case 1 and case 2 had no hypoxemia and the HRCT of the chest showed obvious improvement. The pulmonary function of case 2 had restrictive deficiency.

CONCLUSIONAIP has a rapidly progressive clinical course leading to respiratory failure. The HRCT of the chest showed alveolar consolidation and ground glass-like change. The pathology of the lung includes diffuse alveolar damage. The prognosis of the AIP in children may be improved by the treatment with respiratory assistance and corticosteroids.

Acute Disease ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Respiratory Insufficiency

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at twelve meridians acupoints on general anxiety disorder and explore its mechanism.

METHODSEighty patients were randomized into an acupuncture group and a clonazepam group, 40 cases in each one. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture at twelve meridians acupoints was applied, meaning quick needling at the specific acupoints of each meridian, such as Lieque (LU 7) of the Lung Meridian, Hegu (LI 4) of the Large Intestine Meridian and Shenmen (HT 7) of the Heart Meridian. After arrival of qi, the reinforcing or reducing technique was applied accordingly and the needles were not retained. In the clonazepam group, clonazepam was prescribed for oral administration. The course of treatment was 6 weeks. Before treatment and in 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment, respectively, Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) was evaluated in two groups and the changes in the basic electrical activity of brain waves before and after treatment were observed.

RESULTSHAMA score was reduced apparently after treatment as compared with that before treatment in two groups (all P < 0.01). The improvements of the total HAMA scores in 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment in the acupuncture group were superior obviously to those in the clonazepam group (all P < 0.05). After treatment, the activity of brain waves was improved remarkably, manifested as reducing of wave a frequency, increasing of wave alpha rhythm and reducing of wave theta (all P < 0.05). The efficacy was similar in comparison between the two groups (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at the twelve meridians acupoints achieves the superior and quick effect on general anxiety disorder as compared with clonazepam and the efficacy mechanism is related to the improvements of brain waves in the patients.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Anxiety Disorders ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Brain Waves ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meridians ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the safety and efficacy of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody in treatment of severe pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (PSLE).

METHODThe diagnosis of PSLE was made according to the criteria for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus revised by the American College of Rheumatology in 1997. Severe cases with PSLE was selected by the following criteria: age ≤ 16 years, number of important organs involved > 1, SLEDAI score > 10 points and poor response to conventional immunosuppressive treatment. These patients received 2 doses of 375 mg/m(2) rituximab (RTX), 2 weeks apart. Clinical, laboratory findings and drug side effects were recorded at RTX initiation, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3, 6 and 12 months after infusion.

RESULTA total of 20 patients. Male to female ratio was 1:3, were enrolled. They were 5-16 years old. The course of disease was (3.0 ± 2.5) years (range: 1 month-7 years), patients were followed up for 12 - 36 months [median: (27.0 ± 7.8) months]. Delirium and cognitive disorders were significantly improved in 10 cases of lupus encephalopathy after 1 month. Lupus nephritis in children were eased slowly, 14/15 patients with lupus nephritis were improved after 2-3 months. Four cases of lupus pneumonia were significantly improved within 1 month. Decreased blood cells counts were relieved at 1 month in 16/18 cases. Cellular immune function was assessed 2 weeks after application of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody; we found B-cell clearance in 19 patients (95%). B lymphocyte count of 18 patients (90%) was restored within one year. SLEDAI score was reduced obviously. Dose of corticosteroid ranged from (45.0 ± 4.7) mg/m(2) before drug use to (12.0 ± 2.7) mg/m(2) 12 months later (P < 0.001). After the drug use, 5 patients had pneumonia within 6 months; 2 cases who suffered from aspergillus pneumonia and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia respectively were severe. They accepted mechanical ventilation and anti-inflammatory support after being transferred to the intensive care unit, and their conditions improved at last. No death occurred. In 2 patients the disease recurred with B-cell recovery after 15 months and 18 months. Administration of another cycle of rituximab resulted in remission again in one case but not in the other.

CONCLUSIONAnti-CD20 monoclonal antibody is effective and safe in treatment of severe PSLE. But severe infections may occur in some cases. Focusing on prevention and early treatment can reduce the probability of adverse reactions.

Adolescent ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; B-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; immunology ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cyclophosphamide ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glucocorticoids ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunologic Factors ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; complications ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Lupus Nephritis ; etiology ; pathology ; Male ; Pneumonia ; etiology ; pathology ; Prednisolone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Rituximab ; Severity of Illness Index ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe the expressions of α-SMA, integrin α5 and fibronectin (Fn) in acute paraquat poisoned rats and the effect of PDTC. To investigate the mechanism of paraquat-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

METHODSSprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups: Control group (6 rats), PQ group (36 rats) and PQ+PDTC group (36 rats). On the 1st, 3rd, the 7th, the 14th, the 28th and the 56th day after exposure, the protein expression of α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was evaluated by western blot. The mRNA levels of integrin α5 and fibronectin (Fn) were analyzed with real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR). Meanwhile, the lung pathological changes were observed and semi-quantified.

RESULTST With the time passing, the expression of α-SMA in PQ group increased gradually compared with control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The increasing extent was gently on the 3 rd, the 7 th day. While increasing extent was rapidly from the 28 th to the 56 th day. RT-PCR showed PQ significantly increased Fn mRNA level on all time points and increased integrin α5 mRNA level from the 7 rd to 56 th day compared with control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). PDTC treatment significantly deceased α-SMA, Fn, and integrin α5 levels compared with PQ group in corresponding time points (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) Noteworthy, in PQ+PDTC group, the occurrence of pathological changes were drastically attenuated and pathologic score significantly decreased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSα-SMA, integrin α5 and fibronectin could play an important role in the development of pulmonary fibrosis caused by paraquat poisoning. PDTC, asa strong NF-κB inhibitor, may inhibit NF-κB activity and further significantly decreased expressions of α-SMA, integrin α5 and fibronectin which were important part of ECM, leading to drastically attenuated pulmonary fibrosis. However, the mechanisms of PDTC intervention still remains to be explored.

Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fibronectins ; metabolism ; Integrin alpha5 ; metabolism ; Male ; Paraquat ; poisoning ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Pyrrolidines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Thiocarbamates ; pharmacology