The quality of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the concentrated reflection of its pharmaceutical value. We should pay attention to the quality of Chinese medicine because it is the core problem for the development of traditional Chinese medicine. Thequality of traditional Chinese medicine is the important connotation of Chinese medicine professional high-level personnel training. Thequality of Chinese medicine has become a priority of degree and diploma education in different levels of traditional Chinese medicine class specialized courses. The quality of Chinese medicine is an important content of traditional Chinese medicine curriculum system and includes the knowledge of Chinese traditional medicine quality factor, quality requirements, quality characteristics, quality management and quality evaluation, etc. This paper mainly discusses thequality of Chinese traditional medicine curriculum structure, textbook compilation and talent cultivation.

AIM:To investigate whether early endothelial progenitor cells (early-EPCs) expressβ2-adrenergic receptor (β2 AR) in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD) patients and the effect of β2 AR expression on the migration of early-EPCs.METHODS:Venous blood samples (20 mL) were obtained from antecubital vein of COPD pa-tients or healthy controls .Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated by standard Ficoll gradient centrifugation , and purified by CD34 positive selection cocktail .The mRNA expression of β2 AR in the early-EPCs was detected by RT-PCR. The protein levels of β2 AR were assessed by Western blotting and flow cytometry .Chemotaxis was studied by Transwell as-say.Cultured early-EPCs were treated with ICI118551, norpinephrine (NE) or monoclonal antibody of β2AR (mAb-β2 AR) for 24 h.The number of migratory cells was counted under a light microscope .RESULTS:The level of β2 AR ex-pression in the COPD patients was higher than that in the controls .The number of migratory early-EPCs to stromal cell-de-rived factor 1αwas significantly improved by ICI 118551 compared with other COPD groups .When early-EPCs from the COPD patients or the controls were treated with different concentrations of mAb-β2 AR for 24 h, the number of migratory early-EPCs from the COPD patients and the controls treated with NE at concentration of 100 nmol/L was significantly re-duced.However, a marked decrease in the number of migratory early-EPCs from the COPD patients treated with NE was observed compared with control group .Before treated with ICI118551 or NE for 24 h, the early-EPCs were co-incubated with mAb-β2 AR for 40 min, and the number of migratory early-EPCs was not significantly different between COPD group and control group .Genetic down-regulation of β2 AR promoted the migration of early-EPCs in COPD group .CONCLU-SION:The level of β2 AR expression in the COPD patients is increased compared with the controls .The down-regulation ofβ2 AR improves the migration of early-EPCs.

Fibrinogen (Fib) is one of the most common coagulation proteins,plays an important role in the coagulation cascade,and has a closed relationship with tumor.Studies indicate that the level of Fib has elevated in many kinds of cancer,and Fib is also closely correlated with the progression,metastasis and prognosis of tumor.Though the mechanism of the interaction of Fib and tumor is still unclear,Fib as a tumor marker and new therapy for these malignancies has been a new hotspot.

Objective To investigate the effect and regulation mechanism of mimic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) cul-ture of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) on levels of tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-αand intercellular adhe-sion molecule (ICAM)-1. Methods HUVECs were randomly divided into four groups:control group (normal media cell cul-ture+control siRNA transfection), mimic I/R+control siRNA transfection group (HUVECs were transfected with control siR-NA, for 48 h ,and then received mimic ischemic media culture for 30 min followed by normal media culture for 4 h), normal culture+p65 siRNA transfection group and mimic I/R+p65 siRNA transfection group. The expression levels of TNF-αand ICAM-1 mRNA and protein were determined by real-time PCR and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respec-tively. Results The mRNA and supernatant protein levels of TNF-αand ICAM-1 were significantly increased in mimic I/R culture group (4.96±0.16 and 3.33±0.30)μg/L than those of other tree groups (P<0.05). The level of ICAM-1 mRNA was significantly higher in I/R+p65 siRNA transfection group (1.87±0.21)μg/L than that of control group (1.58±0.15) μg/L and normal culture+p65 siRNA transfection group [(1.69±0.21)μg/L, P<0.05]. The levels of TNF-αand ICAM-1proteins were (329.98 ± 12.18) μg/L and (654.74 ± 64.79) μg/L in mimic I/R+control siRNA transfection group, which were significantly higher than those of other three groups (P<0.05). The levels of TNF-αand ICAM-1 proteins were (129.65±22.42)μg/L and (185.76±11.27)μg/L in mimic I/R+p65 siRNA transfection group, which were significantly lower than those of contro group [(183.50±11.77)μg/L and (280.43±13.76)μg/L, P<0.05]. Conclusion The silencing of p65 through transfection of p65 siRNA in HUVECs inhibited mimic I/R-induced mRNA and protein expressions of TNF-αand ICAM-1.

OBJECTIVETo conduct genetic diagnosis for a family in which no exonic deletions and duplications of the dystrophin gene were detected.

METHODSPotential exonic deletions and duplications of the dystrophin gene were initially analyzed with using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). Subsequently, all of the 79 exons of the dystrophin gene of the proband and a pregnant woman from the family were analyzed with PCR amplification and DNA sequencing. Following identification of the causative mutation, prenatal diagnosis was provided.

RESULTSMLPA analysis had detected no exonic deletions and duplications of the dystrophin gene. Sequence analysis has identified a C>T mutation on the 22nd nucleotide position of the 70th exon of the dystrophin gene (c.10108 C>T), which has replaced the codon CGA to a stop codon (TGA). The patient's mother and sister were both heterozygous for the same mutation. Upon prenatal diagnosis, the fetus was found to be positive for the Y chromosome sex-determining gene (SRY) and has carried above mutation. The result of short tandem repeat linkage analysis also confirmed that the fetus has inherited the mutant X chromosome.

CONCLUSIONThe causative mutation of the dystrophin gene has been discovered in an affected family, which has enabled prenatal diagnosis of the disease.

Child, Preschool ; Dystrophin ; genetics ; Exons ; Gene Deletion ; Gene Duplication ; Humans ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Mutation

Objective:To investigate the association between the parameters of thin-section computed tomography and the invasion and histological subtypes of subsolid nodules measuring 1-2 centimeters in diameter as lung adenocarcinoma.Methods:We retrospectively reviewed the cases with subsolid nodules measuring 1-2 centimeters on thin-section computed tomography and histologically confirmed as lung adenocarcinoma.Results:A total of 135 patients were enrolled in this study, including 23 with pure ground glass nodules and 112 with part-solid ground glass nodule. We observed significant differences of nodule size, solid component size, consolidation-to-tumor ratio, nodule attenuation and attenuation ratio( P<0.0001). The receiver operating curve indicated certain predictive value of solid component size, nodule attenuation and attenuation ratio: AUC were 0.838(0.756-0.919)、0.823(0.729-0.917) and 0.820(0.726-0.914), respectively. Of the invasive adenocarcinoma, those with solid or micropapillary components merely showed a significance in solid component size( P=0.024). Conclusion:The parameters of thin-section computed tomography of 1-2 centimeters subsolid nodules showed significant differences in varied invasiveness of lung adenocarcinoma, and these could have certain predictive value.

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to determine the optimal cutoff point of Waist-to-height (WHtR) for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome (MS) in children and adolescents in six areas of China.

METHODSNinety thousand two hundred and eighty four children aged 6 to 15 years old from 6 areas, including Beijing, Tianjin, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Chongqing and Nanning in China, were surveyed in a random cluster sample. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was employed to determine the optimal cutoff values of WHtR for detecting the children and adolescents with two or more risk factors of MS.

RESULTSThe optimal WHtR cutoff values derived from the ROC analysis was 85(th) and 80(th) percentiles in males and females, with 6-15 years of age, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity under these cutoff values were 35.78% and 85.41% in males and 49.21% and 79.87% in females, for 6-9 years of age, while the sensitivity and specificity were 49.60% and 85.90% in males and 47.01% and 80.07% in females for 10-15 years of age. The areas under the ROC curves (AUCs) for WHtR 85(th) percentile were 0.61 and 0.64 in males and females for 6-9 years of age, and 0.68 and 0.63 in males and females for 10-15 years of age. The AUCs for WHtR 85(th) percentile in both genders were significantly larger than that for WHtR 90(th) percentile for 10-15 years of age.

CONCLUSIONOur findings indicated that the 85(th) percentile of WHtR (0.48 in both genders for 6-9 years of age, 0.48 in males and 0.46 in females for 10-15 years of age) might be an appropriate cutoff to predict the children and adolescents with two or more risk factors.

Adolescent ; Body Height ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; diagnosis ; Reference Values ; Waist Circumference

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of periostin on hypoxia-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts and the molecular mechanism involved. METHODS: cultured human periodontal ligament fibroblasts were placed in an anaerobic gas-producing bag for hypoxia treatment for 48 h followed by treatment with periostin at low (25 ng/mL), moderate (50 ng/mL) or high (100 ng/mL) doses. MTT assay was used to measure the cell viability, and the cell apoptosis rate was determined using flow cytometry. The contents of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the cells were determined with ELISA, and ROS levels were measured using a fluorescent plate reader. The intracellular SOD activity was detected using ELISA. The expressions of HIF-1α, P21, cyclin D1, Bax, cleaved caspase-3, Bcl-2, P38MAPK and p-p38 MAPK proteins in the cells were detected with Western blotting. RESULTS: Hypoxia treatment significantly reduced the cell viability ( < 0.05), increased P21, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3 protein levels ( < 0.05), promoted cell apoptosis ( < 0.05), and decreased cyclin D1 and Bcl-2 protein levels ( < 0.05) in the cells. Compared with the hypoxic group, the cells treated with periostin at different concentrations showed significantly increased cell viability ( < 0.05) with significantly lowered apoptotic rates ( < 0.05) and decreased expression levels of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 ( < 0.05) but significantly increased expression levels of cyclin D1 and Bcl-2 ( < 0.05). Hypoxic exposure of the cells resulted in significantly increased expression levels of HIF-1α and p-p38 MAPK ( < 0.05) and increased levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and ROS ( < 0.05) but decreased SOD activity ( < 0.05). Periostin treatment at different concentrations significantly lowered the expression levels of HIF-1α and p-p38 MAPK ( < 0.05) and the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and ROS ( < 0.05) and significantly increased SOD activity in the hypoxic cells ( < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Periostin promotes the proliferation, inhibits apoptosis, enhances cellular antioxidant capacity, and reduces inflammatory damage in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts exposed to hypoxia possibly by inhibiting the activation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; administration & dosage ; Cell Hypoxia ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; Humans ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Periodontal Ligament ; cytology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of periostin on hypoxia-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts and the molecular mechanism involved. METHODS: cultured human periodontal ligament fibroblasts were placed in an anaerobic gas-producing bag for hypoxia treatment for 48 h followed by treatment with periostin at low (25 ng/mL), moderate (50 ng/mL) or high (100 ng/mL) doses. MTT assay was used to measure the cell viability, and the cell apoptosis rate was determined using flow cytometry. The contents of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the cells were determined with ELISA, and ROS levels were measured using a fluorescent plate reader. The intracellular SOD activity was detected using ELISA. The expressions of HIF-1α, P21, cyclin D1, Bax, cleaved caspase-3, Bcl-2, P38MAPK and p-p38 MAPK proteins in the cells were detected with Western blotting. RESULTS: Hypoxia treatment significantly reduced the cell viability ( < 0.05), increased P21, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3 protein levels ( < 0.05), promoted cell apoptosis ( < 0.05), and decreased cyclin D1 and Bcl-2 protein levels ( < 0.05) in the cells. Compared with the hypoxic group, the cells treated with periostin at different concentrations showed significantly increased cell viability ( < 0.05) with significantly lowered apoptotic rates ( < 0.05) and decreased expression levels of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 ( < 0.05) but significantly increased expression levels of cyclin D1 and Bcl-2 ( < 0.05). Hypoxic exposure of the cells resulted in significantly increased expression levels of HIF-1α and p-p38 MAPK ( < 0.05) and increased levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and ROS ( < 0.05) but decreased SOD activity ( < 0.05). Periostin treatment at different concentrations significantly lowered the expression levels of HIF-1α and p-p38 MAPK ( < 0.05) and the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and ROS ( < 0.05) and significantly increased SOD activity in the hypoxic cells ( < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Periostin promotes the proliferation, inhibits apoptosis, enhances cellular antioxidant capacity, and reduces inflammatory damage in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts exposed to hypoxia possibly by inhibiting the activation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.
Apoptosis ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Hypoxia ; Oxidative Stress ; Periodontal Ligament ; Signal Transduction ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases