The re-evaluation of clinical post-marketing herbs in special populations, such as children, the aged, pregnant women, lactating women, has attracted attention in our country. The media is drug adverse reaction reports and package insert. The safety of combined administration in aged and children's growth should have been taken long-term follow-up study. Perfecting traditional chinese medicine FDA system will be beneficial to the re-evaluation of clinical postmarketing herbs in pregnant women. Dose-effect study in children also should cause the concern of researchers.
Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems ; Aged ; Child ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; adverse effects ; Polypharmacy ; Pregnancy ; Product Surveillance, Postmarketing

BACKGROUNDThe mutation of the tyrosinase (TYR) gene results in oculocutaneous albinism type 1 (OCA1), an autosomal recessive genetic disorder. OCA1 is the most common type of OCA in the Chinese population. Hence, the TYR gene was tested in this study. We also delineated the genetic analysis of OCA1 in a Chinese family.

METHODSGenomic DNA was isolated from the blood leukocytes of a proband and his family. Mutational analysis at the TYR locus by DNA sequencing was used to screen five exons, including the intron/exon junctions. A pedigree chart was drawn and the fundus of the eyes of the proband was also examined.

RESULTSA novel missense mutation p.I151S on exon 1, and homozygous TYR mutant alleles were identified in the proband. None of the mutants was identified among the 100 normal control subjects. Genetic analysis of the proband's wife showed normal alleles in the TYR gene. Thus, the fetus was predicated a carrier of OCA1 with a normal appearance.

CONCLUSIONThis study provided new information about a novel mutation, p.I151S, in the TYR gene in a Chinese family with OCA1. Further investigation of the proband would be helpful to determine the effects of this mutation on TYR activity.

Adult ; Albinism, Oculocutaneous ; genetics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Monophenol Monooxygenase ; genetics ; Mutation, Missense ; genetics ; Pedigree

OBJECTIVETo explore a treatment program for increasing therapeutic effect on rheumatoid arthritis at active stage.

METHODSOne hundred and forty-six cases were randomly divided into treatment group (n = 74) and medicine control group (n = 72). The treatment group were treated by electroacupuncture at Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4), Yanglingquan (GB 34), etc. , combined with meloxicam, sulfasalazine and MTX. The control group treated by simple the Western medicines. Their therapeutic effects were compared.

RESULTSThe effective rate was 79.73% in the treatment group and 51.39% in the control group with a significant difference between the two groups (P< 0. 05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture combined with medicine has a better therapeutic effect than the simple medicine on rheumatoid arthritis at active stage.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Medicine

OBJECTIVETo investigate mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) immunosuppressive activity in the presence of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) to reveal synergistic immunomodulatory effects of IFN-γ and MSCs.

METHODS① MSCs were cultured in the presence or absence of IFN-γ（100 ng/ml）, the supernatants were collected for measurements of PGE2、HGF and TGF-β1 by ELISA kits. ② MSCs were cultured in the presence or absence of IFN-γ （100 ng/ml）for 48 h. The cDNA was analysed for the expression of human indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase（IDO）mRNA by semiquantitative RT-PCR. ③ Mononuclear cells (MNCs) were extracted from peripheral blood of healthy donors. The T cell proliferation was tested in the co-culture system added with MSCs, recombinant human IFN-γ (100 ng/ml) and anti-IFN-γ mAb (5 μg/ml) by BrdU ELISA kit.

RESULTS①The immunosuppressive cytokines PGE2、HGF and TGF-β1 were detectable within 24-48 h in the supernatants. Their expressions were significantly up-regulated in the presence of IFN-γ. Concentrations of these cytokines were as of (1715.5±628.6) pg/ml vs (1344.5±709.4) pg/ml (P=0.001);(4031.8±1496.8) pg/ml vs (2452.4±1375.3) pg/ml（P=0.011）;(1753.5±413.8) pg/ml vs (1026.6±450.5) pg/ml（P<0.001）,respectively. ②The expression of IDO mRNA was undetectable when MSCs were cultured alone. In contrast, The IDO mRNA expression was remarkably enhanced in the presence of IFN-γ. ③Bone marrow-derived MSCs remarkably suppressed allogeneic T cell proliferation in vitro. Addition of exogenous IFN-γ had no significant effect on the inhibitory capacity of MSCs, the inhibitory ratios of T cell proliferation were （40.4±10.9）% vs（36.7±7.4）% (P=0.272). By contrast, the inhibitory ratio of T cell proliferation was significantly decreased in the presence of anti-IFN-γ mAb[(40.4±10.9)% vs (23.9±7.6)%,P=0.002].

CONCLUSION①Human MSCs constitutively expressed immunosuppressive concentrations of PGE2, HGF and TGF-β1, and their expressions were significantly up-regulated by IFN-γ. ②IFN-γ-induced expression of IDO on MSCs involved in tryptophan catabolism. ③MSCs notably suppressed allogeneic T cell proliferation in vitro. IFN-γ promoted the immunosuppressive capacity of human MSCs, indicating the synergistic immunomodulatory effect of IFN-γ and MSCs.

Bone Marrow Cells ; immunology ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Coculture Techniques ; Cytokines ; immunology ; Humans ; Immune Tolerance ; Interferon-gamma ; pharmacology ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology

OBJECTIVEThis study was aimed to observe the efficacy of autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and investigate related prognostic factors.

METHODSA total of 86 adult ALL patients underwent ASCT in Institute of Hematology and Blood Disease Hospital from November 2001 to January 2012 were followed up. Clinical characteristics and outcomes of all patients were retrospectively analyzed. Survival and univariate prognosis were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate analysis by COX regression model.

RESULTSOutcomes were assessed in 81 cases, including 47 standard-risk and 34 high-risk patients. 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year leukemia-free survival (LFS) of standard-risk patients were (82.3±5.7)%, (76.9±6.5)%, (74.1±6.8)%, (67.4±8.9)% respectively,and relapse rates (RR) were as of (13.6±5.2)%, (21.6±6.4)%, (24.5±6.8)%, (31.3±9.0)% respectively. 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year LFS of high-risk patients were (55.8±8.9)%, (39.8±9.3)%, (39.8±9.3)%, (39.8±9.3)% respectively, and relapse rates (RR) were (38.8±9.2)%, (56.4±10.0)%, (56.4±10.0)%, (56.4±10.0)% respectively. T-ALL, white blood cell count(WBC) more than 30×109/L when first visited, increased LDH, positive fusion gene of TCR and bone marrow transplantation were the adverse prognostic factors. Multivariate analysis showed bone marrow transplantation was an independent adverse prognostic factor.

CONCLUSIONASCT was a choice for adult ALL patients when suitable donors were unavailable.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; therapy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE To find a promising candidate for anti- Alzheimer disease (AD) with multiple targets in multiple pathways. METHODS A series of classifiers were constructed for predicting the active compounds against 51 key targets toward Alzheimer disease (AD) using the multitarget-quantitative structure- activity relationships (mt- QSAR) method. While drug screening assays were established to evaluate the predicted active molecules. In addition, various cellular models and animal models related with AD were set up to further study the effects of the active compounds. RESULTS A system for the discovery of Multitarget-Directed Ligands against AD was set up and applied, the predicted active compounds were validated by the drug screening assays, and several active compounds with multiple targets were discovered. Among them, DL0410 exerted high activity on H3R, α7nAChR, AChE and ERα, also displayed the most significant effect in improving the ability of memory and learning in several AD animal models. The study on its action mechanisms showed that it's effect may partially through increasing neurotransmitter, inhibiting oxidative emergency, inhibiting the expression of APP, and promoting long- term potentiation. Besides, DL0410 is of more safety than the first- line clinical medicines. CONCLUSION DL0410 is a promising candidate for further development for AD treatment.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Dansen injection on the experimental emphysema in rabbits.

METHODThirty-six rabbits were randomized into emphysema group (n = 12), Dansen injection treated group (n = 12) and alpha1-antitrypsin(alpha1-AT) treated group (n = 12). The animal model of emphysema was induced by intratracheal instillation of porcine pancreatic elastase. Dansen injection and alpha1-ATwere instilled intratracheal in two treated group after 14 days with porcine pancreatic elastase, respectively, once a week, to continue for four weeks. The level of alpha1-AT in serum and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were analyzed in different times. The mean linear intercept value (MLIV) and the numbers of alveolar per square (NAPS) of all groups were compared after eight weeks with porcine pancreatic elastase.

RESULTThe levels of alpha1-AT in BALF were significantly different between treated groups and emphysema group after two weeks treatment, alpha1-AT levels of treated groups were more increased than those of emphysema group (P < 0.01). The levels of alpha1-AT in serum were similar at same times in different groups (P > 0.05), but were great different in different times. The MLIV and the NAPS were significantly different from emphysema group to treated groups in sixth and eighth weeks (P < 0.01), there is no difference between dancen group and alpha1-AT group.

CONCLUSIONThe contents of alpha1-AT in local pulmonary tissue could be improved by Dansen injection through intratracheal instillation during the information of emphysema in rabbits. The effect of Dansen injection and alpha1-AT on preventing formation of emphysema is similar.

Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Injections ; Lung ; pathology ; Male ; Pancreatic Elastase ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Pulmonary Emphysema ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry ; alpha 1-Antitrypsin ; blood ; metabolism ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo suggest a chemical surface treatment for titanium and to initiate the formation of hydroxycarbonated apatite (HCA) on titanium surface during in vitro bioactivity tests in simulated body fluid (SBF).

METHODSTo improve the bone-bonding ability of Ti implants, commercially pure titanium (cpTi) by a simple chemical pre-treatment in orthophosphoric acid (H(3)PO(4)) with different density was activated, and then the phosphorylation specimens were soaked in SBF to investigate the function of biomineralization.

RESULTSThe scanning electron microscope (SEM) photographs showed that the surfaces of the pre-treated samples were characterized by a complex construction, which consisted of a mesh-like morphology matrix (a micro-roughened surface) and an uniform surface with different morphous of titanium dihydrogen orthophosphate [Ti(H(2)PO(4))(3)] crystal. After 14 days in SBF a homogeneous biomimetic apatite layer precipitated.

CONCLUSIONSThese data suggest that the treatment of titanium by acid etching in orthophosphoric acid is a suitable method to provide the titanium implant with bone-bonding ability.

Acid Etching, Dental ; methods ; Biomimetics ; Body Fluids ; Coated Materials, Biocompatible ; Dental Bonding ; Dental Implants ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Phosphoric Acids ; chemistry ; Phosphorylation ; Surface Properties ; Titanium ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the pathologic diagnosis of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EH) in needle biopsy specimens.

METHODSFive cases of hepatic EH diagnosed in needle biopsies encountered during the period from 1999 to 2010 in Beijing Cancer Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The specimens were formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Immunohistochemical study was also carried out.

RESULTSAll the 5 patients were females. The age ranged from 23 to 47 years (mean = 39 years). The tumors in 4 patients were multiple and diagnosed as "metastasis" on ultrasound examination. The blood test results in all of the 5 patients were normal. Histologically, the tumor cells had an epithelioid appearance and were arranged in cords, solid nests or isolation, amongst a myxoid or hyaline matrix. The tumor cells contained scattered intracytoplasmic vacuoles which sometimes harbored red blood cells. There was no evidence of significant cellular pleomorphism, high mitotic activity and necrosis. Immunohistochemically, all of the 5 cases were positive for at least two endothelial markers (CD31, CD34 and factor VIII-related antigen). Smooth muscle actin was expressed in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONSThe diagnosis of hepatic EH can be established in needle biopsy specimens. The histologic pattern, when coupled with immunohistochemical findings, is useful in arriving at the correct diagnosis.

Actins ; metabolism ; Adult ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Biopsy, Needle ; Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Hemangioendothelioma, Epithelioid ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; Hemangiosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; Melanoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; secondary ; Middle Aged ; Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult ; von Willebrand Factor ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDThe postremission therapies for adult patients generally contain consolidation chemotherapy, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT). Because of the various results from different centers, the optimal therapy for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients is still uncertain. This study aimed to better understand predictive factors and role of auto-HSCT in the postremission therapy for adult ALL patients.

METHODSThe outcomes of 135 adult patients with ALL, who received the first auto-HSCT in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Center of Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 1, 1994 to February 28, 2014, were retrospectively analyzed. Survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and simultaneous effects of multiple covariates were estimated with the Cox model.

RESULTSOverall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) at 5 years for the whole cohort were 59.1 ± 4.5% and 59.0 ± 4.4%, respectively. The cumulative nonrelapse mortality and relapse rate at 5 years were 4.5 ± 0.03% and 36.6 ± 0.19%. For both OS and DFS, acute T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia, high lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) at diagnosis, blast cell proportion ≥5% on the 15 th day of induction therapy, and extramedullary infiltration before HSCT were the poor prognosis factors. In addition, age ≥35 years predicted poor DFS. Only T-ALL and high LDH were the independent undesirable factors associated with OS and DFS in Cox regression model. For 44 patients who had results of pretransplantation minimal residual disease (MRD), positive MRD (MRD ≥0.01%) indicated poor OS (P = 0.044) and DFS (P = 0.008). Furthermore, for the standard risk group, the patients with negative MRD (MRD <0.01%) had better results (OS at 18 months was 90.0 ± 9.5%, while for the patients with positive MRD OS was 50.0 ± 35.4%, P = 0.003; DFS at 18 months was 90.0 ± 9.5%, while for the positive MRD group DFS was 0%, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSThis study confirmed that auto-HSCT combined with posttransplantation maintenance chemotherapy could be an option for adult ALL patients and pretransplantation MRD may play a significant role in the direction of therapy for adult ALL patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm, Residual ; mortality ; therapy ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; mortality ; therapy ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Retrospective Studies ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Young Adult