Apolipoproteins A ; therapeutic use ; Coronary Disease ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Recombinant Proteins ; therapeutic use

Objective To study the adverse effect of house indoor air pollution on children respiratory system health in Lanzhou city.Methods A retrospective questionnaire investigation on 1 700 children respiratory health was carried out in three kindergartens,three elementary schools involving lower grade pupils in three districts in Lanzhou city.At the same time,the information about the home environment of the children and family background was collected.Applying logistic regression model, the influencing factors were analyzed.Results The over-standard rates of indoor air quality were from 12.4% to 43.8% in Lanzhou.In the non-heating period,the over-standard rates of formaldehyde,benzene,SO_2,NO_2,CO and PM10 in indoor air were 22.6%,14.5%,13.3%,12.4%,0% and 23.3% respectively.In the heating period,the over-standard rates of the pollutants were 27.3%,16.4%,34.6%,28.5%,32.3% and 43.8% respectively.Indoor air pollution was statistically associated with children respiratory symptoms and diseases,the related risk factors were someone smoking in home,house decorated,opening windows, ventilation,heating in winter,sharing bedroom and maternal education.The outdoor air pollution was one of the influencing factors. Conclusion Children respiratory diseases and symptoms are related to many air pollution factors,such as outdoor and indoor air pollution,personal characteristic and family factors,so to prevent and control indoor air pollution,a comprehensive way should be taken in Lanzhou city.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of sevoflurane on the brain against focal ischemia-reperfusion(I/R)injury and its mechanism.Methods Twenty-four male SD rats weighing 250-300 g were randomly allocated into 3 groups(n=8 each):group Ⅰ sham operation;grouop Ⅱ I/R and group Ⅲ I/R + sevoflurane.The rats were anesthetized with intraperitoneal chloral hydrate 300 mg?kg~(-1).Middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)was produced by insertion of a 4-0 mono-filament nylon thread with rounded tip at bifurcation of right common carotid artery into internal carotid artery.The nylon thread was advanced cranially until resistance was felt.The depth of insertion was 18-20 mm.After 3 h MCAO the thread was withdrawn to allow reperfusion.In group Ⅲ the animals inhaled 1.0 MAC sevoflurane for 30 min at 30 min before reperfusion.The rectal temperature of the animals was kept at 36.5-37.5℃.At the end of 24 h reperfusion the animals were weighed again.The animals'neurological deficit was evaluated using Zea Longa score(0=no defcit,4=unable to walk and unconscious).The animals were then killed.The neuronal apoptosis in striatum was assessed(TUNEL)and the PKC protein expression in striatum was determined by immunocyto-chemistry.Results The body weight of the animals in I/R group was significantly reduced after 24h reperfusion as compared to the body weight before ischemia (P＜0.01),while in control group and sevoflurane group there was no significant difference in the body weight before and after sham operation or I/R.The neurological deficit scores were significantly higher in I/R group than in sevoflurane group.The number of apoptotic neurons in striatum was significantly higher in I/R group than in sevoflurane group.The PKC expression in striatum was significantly higher in sevoflurane group than in I/R group (P＜0.01).Conclusion 1.0 MAC sevoflurane inhalation has protective effect on the brain against I/R injury. Upregulation of PKC expression in striatum decreased by I/R is involved in the mechanism.

Objective:A fingerprint of raw material, extract ed and injections of radix notoginseng has been studied and provides the quality information.Method:Polaris C18-A column was used, with mixtu res of acetonitrile and water as mobile phase in a gradient mode. The wavelength of measurement was 203nm.Result:According to the selected chr omatographic conditions, a good fingerprint of radix notoginseng and its extract , preparation has been described.Conclusion:The method is simp le, accurate with good reproducibility. It may be practical value for the qualit y control of sample for radix notoginseng and its preparation.

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect of massage alone or in combination with pricking collateral blood therapy (PCBT) on mild carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

METHODSSixty cases with mild CTS were randomly assigned into two groups, the control group treated with massage therapy alone, and the treated group with PCBT at the six Jing points of the affected upper limb combined with massage, 30 cases in each group. The therapy was conducted in all patients for 3 courses. The therapeutic effect was observed and the differential value (D-value) of sensory conduction velocity (SCV) between the median and ulnar nerves of the fourth digit (D4) was detected before and after each course of therapy.

RESULTSAfter 3 treatment courses, excellent, therapeutic effect was shown in 26 patients and good effect in 4 of the treated group, while in the control group, the effect was excellent in 8, good in 20, and improved in 2. The effect was better in the former group than that in the latter (P<0.05). Marked difference in the D-value of SCV was shown at the end of each course in both groups (P<0.05). As compared it between the two groups, significant difference was shown at the end of the 1st and 3rd course respectively (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONCombined treatment of massage and PCBT showed better effect on mild CTS than massage therapy alone, and the onset time may positively correlated to the frequency of applying PCBT.

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Massage ; Middle Aged

Objective To study the effects of abiotic elicitors methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA) on the alkaloids accumulation and related enzymes metabolism inPinellia ternata suspension cell cultures. Methods Using the leaf petioles-derived suspension cell cultures as the study object, the culture duration, concentrations of MeJA and SA were determined to get the optimal alkaloids accumulation, and the activities of metabolic enzymes IMP dehydrogenase and sAMP synthase were also measured.Results A 9-fold of dried biomass and a 3-fold of alkaloids accumulation were observed inP. ternata suspension cell cultures after culture for 21 d. Both MeJA and SA could significantly promote the accumulation of alkaloids inP. ternata suspension cells. 150 μmol/L MeJA enhanced alkaloids content (4.7 mg/gDW) by 3.6 folds in comparison with control group, whereas 50 μmol/L SA showed a 2.5-fold increase. Meanwhile, 100 μmol/L MeJA and 50 μmol/L SA promoted the increase in IMP dehydrogenase activity by 3.0 and 3.7 fold respectively, and 150 μmol/L MeJA and 100 μmol/L SA showed the increase by 2.6 and 4.4 fold respectively.Conclusion Proper adding exogenous MeJA and SA can promote the accumulation of alkaloids inPinellia ternata suspension cell cultures.

Background and purpose: Ovarian lymphoma (OL) is usually misdiagnosed as ovarian cancer with bulk lymph node invasion (OC-BLN), and vice versa. Therefore, to distinguish these two types of disease, we compared their clinical characteristics in this study. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed 14 OL and 14 OC-BLN patients from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Shanghai Eighth People's Hospital. The clinical char-acteristics, image and laboratory examination data were compared. Results: There was no significant difference in age, symptom, fever, weight loss and volume of ascitic fluid between the two groups. Comparing with OC-BLN, OL patients have larger tumor in ovaries [(13.04±5.94) cm vs (7.78±6.38) cm, P=0.033], and higher percentage of solid ovarian tumor (85.71% vs 28.5%, P=0.006). Lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)/CA125 was higher in OL (7.66±8.03) than OC-BLN (0.31±0.27, P=0.009). Using LDH/CA125 to diagnose OL, area under the curve (AUC) was 0.952. When the threshold value was set at 1, the sensitivity and specificity was 91.7% and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: OL and OC-BLN are easily to be misdiagnosed. OL has larger and more solid tumor than OC-BLN. LDH/CA125 can help to distinguish these two diseases and guide clinical decision making.

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of Jiangzhi Tiaoya Granule (JZTYG) in treating essential hypertension and its protection on function of vascular endothelial cells (VEC).

METHODSFifty-nine patients of essential hypertension divided into two groups were treated with JZTYG (the treated group) and Jinjia Yixintong (the control group) respectively. The changes of symptoms, signs, blood pressure, heart rate were observed and the levels of endothelin (ET), calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) content were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA).

RESULTSThe total effective rates of JZTYG in lowering blood pressure and improving symptoms were both 90.0%, markedly effective rate in lowering blood pressure and improving symptoms was 36.7% and 60.0% respectively. The symptom improved in the treated group was better than that in the control group (P < 0.05). It also could reduce the plasma ET level (P < 0.05) and ET/CGRP ratio (P < 0.01), and increase the CGRP level (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONJZTYG has a promising clinical therapeutic effect in treating essential hypertension and is able to protect the VEC function.

Adult ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Endothelin-1 ; blood ; Endothelium, Vascular ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Hypertension ; blood ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of total flavonoids of Herba Epimedium (FHE) on BMP-2/RunX2/OSX signaling pathway in promoting osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs).

METHODSPassage 3 BMSCs were randomly divided into the control group, the experimental group, and the inhibitor group. BMSCs in the control group were cultured in 0.2% dimethyl sulfoxide + Osteogenuxic Supplement (OS) fluid + DMEM/F12 culture media. BMSCs in the experimental group were intervened by 20 microg/mL FHE. BMSCs in the inhibitor group were intervened by 20 microg/mL FHE and 1 microg/mL NOGGIN recombinant protein. At day 9 alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was measured. Calcium nodules were stained by alizarin red staining and the density was observed. The transcription expression of osteogenic differentiation-related proteins (type I collagen, osteocalcin, and osteopontin) and related factors of BMP-2/RunX2/OSX signaling pathway was assayed by RT-PCR.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, ALP activities were enhanced and the density of calcium nodules significantly increased; type I collagen, osteocalcin, and osteopontin expression levels were increased in the experimental group. The expression of osteogenesis-related transcription factor was also increased in the experimental group. Noggin recombinant protein inhibited FHE promoting BMSCs osteogenesis in the inhibitor group. Compared with the experimental group, ALP activity decreased (P < 0.05), the density of calcium nodules was lowered, expression levels of type I collagen, osteocalcin, osteopontin significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in the inhibitor group.

CONCLUSION20 microg/mL FHE promoted osteogenic differentiation process of BMSCs by BMP-2/RunX2/OSX signaling pathway.

Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Osteocalcin ; metabolism ; Osteogenesis ; drug effects ; Osteopontin ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Sp7 Transcription Factor ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate antisense technology for human telomerase inhibition in the treatment of endometrial cancer.

METHODSAn antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (AODN) directed against the human telomerase transcriptase (hTERT), designed and synthesized to serve as a telomerase inhibitor, was transfected into endometrial carcinoma cell line HEC-1A by lipofectin. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot were used to test the expression of hTERT mRNA and hTERT protein before and after transfection. Telomerase activity was tested by telomeric repeat amplification protocol. The proliferation and growth of HEC-1A were also studied by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium and cell growth curve before and after transfection.

RESULTSAODN could down-regulate the expression of hTERT mRNA and protein, inhibiting telomerase activity and proliferation of endometrial cancer cell line in a dose- and period-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONAntisense oligodeoxynucleotides of human telomerase transcriptase definitely inhibits the proliferation of endometrial cancer cell line. Telomerase inhibitor may thus become a new gene therapeutic agent for endometrial carcinoma.

Caspases ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Female ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Telomerase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics