Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture plus oral taking Chinese medicine compared with that of oral taking Chinese medicine only for the treatment of insomnia.Methods Totally 64 patients were randomized into treatment group(33 cases)and control group(31 cases).The treatment group was treated by acupuncture with filiform needle[Baihui(GV 20),Sishen- cong(EX-HN1),Shenting(GV 24),Neiguan(PC 6),Shenmai(BL 62)and Zhaohai(KI 6)being the main points] plus oral taking Chinese medicine.The control group was treated by oral taking Chinese medicine only.All 64 cases were examined by SPIEGEL scale. Results The treatment group was better than the control group in general therapeutic effect and improvement of quality of sleep(P

In order to affirm the cardioactive components in Fuzi, we identified a group of aminoalcohol- diterpenoid alkaloids in Fuzi using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometer (UPLC-ESI-MS) method. Among a total of forty-one isolated ingredients, thirteen major aminoalcohol-diterpenoid alkaloids were identified by comparing their retention times and MS spectra with those of the reference substances. Moreover, Fuzi samples from different places of origin and with different processing methods were examined and their components displayed a pattern of high similarity, though the relative abundance varies probably due to their different processing methods. Furthermore, the cardiac effect of each identified alkaloid was individually evaluated using the isolated bullfrog heart perfusion experiment. Among the thirteen aminoalcohol diterpenoid alkaloids tested, six of them significantly enhanced the amplitude rates. Taken together, we affirm that the cardioactive components in Fuzi are aminoalcohol-diterpenoid alkaloids, shedding light on future studies of the mechanisms and development of these cardioactive compounds.
Aconitum ; chemistry ; Alkaloids ; chemistry ; Amino Alcohols ; chemistry ; Animals ; Cardiotonic Agents ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Heart ; drug effects ; In Vitro Techniques ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Rana catesbeiana ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

OBJECTIVETo investigate the antitumor effect of apigenin on human lung cancer cells.

METHODSThe anti-proliferation and sensitization effects of apigenin on human lung cancer cells was accessed by counting cells after Trypan blue staining and MTS assay.

RESULTS(1) Apigenin significantly suppressed the proliferation of four types of human lung cancer cells (A549:P=0.041, H460:P=0.050, LTEP-a2:P=0.039, H292:P=0.016); (2) Apigenin significantly increased the susceptibility of human lung cancer cells to antitumor drugs (P<0.05 or P<0.01) in a synergistic way (almost all of the combination index values are less than 1).

CONCLUSIONApigenin widely inhibits cell proliferation of various lung cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner and the combination treatment of apigenin and antitumor drugs is very effective in human lung cancer cells, and Nrf2-ARE pathway may contribute to the mechanism.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apigenin ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drug Synergism ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of heat-sensitive moxibustion plus Western medicine in treating patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Methods: A total of 70 patients with DPN were divided into an observation group and a control group by sealed envelope method combined with the random number table method, with 35 cases in each group. The control group was treated with routine medicine, and the observation group was treated with heat-sensitive moxibustion on the basis of the treatment in the control group. After 2 courses of treatment, the scores of Toronto clinical scoring system (TCSS) and vibration perception threshold (VPT) in both groups were observed, and the clinical efficacy was compared. Results: During treatment, 3 cases dropped out in the control group and 4 cases in the observation group. After treatment, the total effective rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The scores of TCSS and VPT in both groups decreased after treatment, and the intra-group comparison showed statistical significance (both P<0.05). The scores of TCSS and VPT in the observation group were lower than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Heat-sensitive moxibustion plus Western medicine can improve the symptoms in patients with DPN, and has a better curative effect than the Western medicine alone.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vivo viability of human platelets cryopreserved at -80 degrees C by using SCID mouse model and flow cytometry. The fresh human platelets were frozen with 5% DMSO at -80 degrees C for 10 days, thawed, and centrifuged for concentration. A 100 ml aliquot of concentrated platelets was injected into the SCID mouse tail vein by using a 1 ml insulin-syringe fitted with a 29-gauge ultra-fine needle. The whole blood was collected into heparinized capillary tube at 0.5, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours after infusion via a tail vein and was labelled with CD61-PE. Then the human platelets in mouse whole blood were detected by flow cytometry. The 30 minute time point was used as 100% to calculate the survival time of human platelets. The results showed that the survival time of cryopreserved human platelets were more significantly decreased than that of fresh platelets in SCID mice. Survival rates at 4 hours after transfusion of fresh platelets and cryopreserved platelets in SCID mice were 79.5% +/- 9.1% (n = 8) and 40.6% +/- 6.6% (n = 8) respectively, and a T(1/2) estimated were 7 hours for fresh platelets, but 2.5 hours for the cryopreserved. In conclusion, platelets survival time in SCID mice was shortened after frozen with DMSO at -80 degrees C.
Animals ; Blood Platelets ; Blood Preservation ; methods ; Cell Survival ; Cryopreservation ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, SCID ; Models, Biological ; Platelet Count ; Platelet Transfusion

Abstract: Objective　To analyze the emergency response and long-term intervention effects after the detection of infectious snails epidemic by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays in Hannan District, Wuhan City, and to explore the application of LAMP in early surveillance and early-warning of schistosomiasis transmission. Methods Snails picked up by the risk monitoring system in Hannan District were examined by anatomical microscopy and LAMP technology to identify the schistosomiasis infection. Emergency response and intensive intervention were initiated in the environment where positive snails appeared, and the long-term effects were evaluated. Results In May 2018, the infectious snails were detected by LAMP technology in Hannan District, and the positive snails were located in Zhujiacha, Dongzhuang Village, Obstacles and weeds were removed and buried by machine in Zhujiacha. 12 700 m2 of snails were killed by drugs, and the mortality rate of snails was more than 80%; no new seropositive persons were found in the emergency examination within 500 m of the positive snail sites. 506 people were examined in Dong Zhuang Village at the end of the year, and 30 positive IHA cases were detected with a blood positive rate of 5.93%, no positive fecal test was found, and all positive blood test patients took preventive medication. The monitoring results of sentinel rats and wild feces were all negative. Health education was carried out, 7 warning signs were deployed and refreshed, and 500 publicity brochures were distributed. After nearly three years of intensified intervention and monitoring in the villages where the positive environment is located, and the density of snails on the stubborn snail has dropped from 0.094/frame to 0.027/frame, and the positive rate of blood test in Dongzhuang Village has steadily dropped from 5.93% to 3.74%. Conclusions The infected snails missed by microscopy were detected by LAMP in Hannan District, which created conditions for the rapid emergency treatment of environment and elimination of positive snail and improved the sensitivity of the surveillance and early warning system in transmission-interrupted areas.

OBJECTIVETo establish a stable H460 cell line with Nrf2 down-regulation to study the role of Nrf2 in Oxaliplatin resistance.

METHODSNrf2 down-regulated H460 cell line was obtained by transfecting cells with pRS-hNrf2 and followed by screening for Nrf2 expression by Western blotting. The cell lines were further characterized by analysing cellular GSH levels and cytotoxicity to anti-cancer drugs with MTS.

RESULTNrf2 down-regulated H460 cell lines were established successfully. Cellular GSH level reduced significantly in the H460-C9 and H460-C13 compared to control cells (P(C9)= 0.00249, P(C13)= 0.03944). Down-regulation of Nrf2 in H460 sensitized the anti-cancer effect of Oxaliplatin and Doxorubicin.

CONCLUSIONNrf2 plays an important role in drug resistance. Down regulation of Nrf2 in H460 cell enhances cytotoxicity of Oxaliplatin.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Down-Regulation ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; pharmacology ; Transfection

In order to reveal the cause of disease occurred in the process of Coptis chinensis growth, this paper studied the bacterial species diversity index of different aged rhizospheric and non-rhizospheric soil planting normal or sick C. chinensis by using PCR-DGGE technique. The representative DGGE bands were chosen to be cloned, and sequenced, the phylogeny were constructed. The results showed that the bacterial communities were very different between the normal and diseased soil samples of C. chinensis, and the diversity index (H) of diseased soil samples were higher than that of normal soil samples. Sequencing analysis of representative cloned DGGE bands showed that the unculturable bacteria were the dominant groups, and bacteria belonged to genus Bacillus, Acidovorax, Acinetobacter, uncultured Kluyvera, and uncultured Comamonas were also existing, but the reported plant pathogenic bacteria were not found in the C. chinensis planting soil. The density and brightness of clone band d in diseased soil samples was higher than that in normal soil sample, and sequencing analysis showed that it belonged to genus Acidovorax. Obviously, during the process of C. chinensis growth, the rhizospheric bacteria population changed, and the quantity of bacteria belong Acidovorax increased, which probably resulted in the disease occurred during C. chinensis growth.
Bacteria ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Biodiversity ; Coptis ; growth & development ; microbiology ; Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rhizosphere ; Soil Microbiology

BACKGROUNDSix provinces in China accounted for 70% - 80% of all reported HIV/AIDS cases in the country in 2009 and five provinces accounted for 78% of all reported mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV cases. Because Guangxi belonged to both groups, the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) Plus program was established there to understand better low birth weight (LBW) and preterm delivery (PD) birth outcomes and their associated risk factors better.

METHODSPregnancy outcomes were examined among HIV-infected pregnant women who enrolled in the PMTCT Plus program from June 2006 to February 2009 in Guangxi, China. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the risk factors associated with LBW (< 2500 g) and PD (gestational age < 37 weeks).

RESULTSThe prevalence of LBW and PD among 194 HIV-positive mothers was 19.6% (38/194) and 9.8% (19/194), respectively. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that CD4 cell count < 100 cell/µl (multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 5.52; 95%CI 1.11 - 25.55) and CD4 cell count 100 - 199 cells/µl (AOR 3.40; 95%CI 1.03 - 11.25, compared to CD4 cell count ≥ 350 cells/µl), gestational age < 37 weeks (AOR 4.38; 95%CI 1.29 - 14.82, compared to ≥ 37 weeks), maternal weight < 45 kg (AOR 5.64; 95%CI 1.09 - 29.07) and maternal weight 45 - 54 kg (AOR 3.55; 95%CI 1.31 - 9.60, compared to ≥ 55 kg) at enrollment, and HIV RNA ≥ 100 000 copies/ml at enrollment (AOR 4.22; 95%CI 1.24 - 14.32) and 20 000 - 99 999 (AOR 2.77; 95%CI 1.01 - 7.77, compared to < 20 000 copies/ml) were associated with a higher risk of LBW. For PD, only maternal injection drug use as the route of HIV transmission (AOR 5.30; 95%CI 1.33 - 21.14, compared to those infected with HIV through sexual transmission) was significantly associated with a higher risk of PD.

CONCLUSIONSLower CD4 cell count and higher HIV RNA viral load at enrollment were associated with LBW. Optimal antenatal care, including earlier antenatal screening and HIV diagnosis, is critical to earlier PMTCT prophylaxis and/or HIV treatment to prevent transmission of HIV to the infant and also to prevent LBW pregnancy outcomes.

Adolescent ; Adult ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Gestational Age ; HIV Infections ; complications ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; physiology ; Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious ; epidemiology ; Premature Birth ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Risk Factors ; Viral Load ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE Lychee seed, a famous traditional Chinese medicine, recently were reported to improve the learning and memory abilities in mice. However, it is still unclear whether lychee seed saponins (LSS) can improve the cognitive function and associated mechanisms. METHODS In present studies, we established the Alzheimer disease (AD) model by injecting Aβ25-35 into the lateral ventricle of rats. Then the spatial learning and memory abilities of LSS- treated rats were evaluated with the Morris water maze, meanwhile the protein expressions of AKT, GSK3β and Tau in the hippo?campal neuron were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. RESULTS The results showed LSS can improve the cognitive functions of AD rats through shortening the escape latency, increasing the number across the platform, platform quadrant dwell time and the percentage of the total distance run platform quadrant. The protein expression of AKT was significantly up-regulated and that of GSK3β and Tau were decreased remarkably in the hippocampal CA1 area. CONCLUSION Our study is the first to show that LSS significantly improve the cognitive function and prevent hippocampal neuronal injury of the rats with AD by activation of the PI3K/AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway, suggesting LSS may be developed into the nutrient supplement for the treatment of AD.