OBJECTIVE To analyze the antimicrobial activity of recombinant human ?-defensin 3(rhBD-3) on clinically isolated multidrug-resistant bacterial strains.METHODS The antimicrobial activity of rhBD-3 on clinically isolated multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus,Enterococcus faecium,Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from the wards of burns department was measured by turbidity method.RESULTS rhBD-3 Demonstrated antimicrobial activity against all the strains in a dose-dependent manner.The minimal inhibitory concentration(MIC) to Gram-positive strains and Gram-negative strains was 4 ?g/ml and 8 ?g/ml,respectively.CONCLUSIONS rhBD-3 Has significant antimicrobial activity against clinically isolated multidrug-resistant strains and thus implies therapeutic potential as an effective substitute for the present drug-resistant bacteria.

Forty-five patients with burn area exceeding 30% TBSA were studied prospectively. Among these 45 patients, 13 developed multiple organ failure (MSOF). Blood superoxide, dismutase (SOD) activity and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were sequentially determined to assess the role of excessive release of oxygen radicals and lipid peroxidase injury in the mechanism of pathogenesis of postburn MSOF. The results showed that the anti-oxidation capacity of the body was markedly depressed and lipid peroxidase injury markedly increased after a severe burn injury. These changes were not only related to hypovolemic shock after the injury, but also the severity of the burn injury and infection.

Objective:To investigate the value of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography(MRCP)in the diagnosis of pancreas divisum by comparing with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP).Methods:The MRCP and ERCP images of 8 patients with pancreas divisum were retrospectively analyzed.The diagnostic accuracy and findings by MRCP were compared with those by ERCP.Results:MRCP had a diagnostic accuracy of 87.5%(7/8)based on the result of ERCP.ERCP displayed the dominant dorsal pancreatic ducts in all 8 cases and ventral pancreatic ducts in 6 cases;MRCP also displayed the dominant dorsal pancreatic ducts in all 8 cases,but the ventral pancreatic ducts only in 3 cases.Conclusion:As a non-invasive technique,MRCP has important clinical value in the diagnosis of pancreas divisum.

Objective To investigate the effects of donor-specific regulatory T cells (Treg) transfusion on islet allograft survival. Methods Allogeneic fresh islets from Balb/c mice were transplanted to streptozotocin-induced diabetic C57 mice. The survival of islet allografts was observed. The experiment was divided into 3 groups: control group, nothing had been done to the recipients; simple islet transplantation group, the recipients received the islet transplantation only; experimental group, the recipients were given 1 ×106 Treg, then received islet transplantation. Results Blood glucose (BG) was above 16. 7 mmol/L after islet transplantation in control group; In simple islet transplantation group,BG level returned to normal level 1 to 2 days after transplantation, and hyperglycemia appeared 7 to 11 days after transplantation and maintained as the same as that before transplantation; In experimental group, BG level returned to normal level 2 days after transplantation and maintained at a low level,and at the 21st day after transplantation BG level was over 16. 7mmol/L in some recipients. Islet allograft survival in experimental group was significantly prolonged as compared with simple islet transplantation group. Conclusion Donor-specific Treg transfusion could prolong the islet allograft survival,and maybe have positive effect on tolerance induction of islet transplantation.

According to the 2010 Chinese pharmacopeia, salt processed and charcoal processed Eucommiae Cortex were pre- pared. HPLC-DAD analysis of the content of the bark and leaf of Eucommiae Cortex showed that the bark of Eucommiae Cortex mainly contained lignans such as pinoresinol glucose and iridoid including genipin, geniposide, geniposidic acid, while the leaf of Eucommiae Cortex consisted of flavonoids such as quercetin and phenolic compound such as chlorogenic acid. The content of pinoresinol diglucoside in the bark of Eucommiae Cortex was about 18 times more than that in the leaf of Eucommiae Cortex. The content of pinoresinol diglucoside in salted and charcoal processed Eucommiae Cortex decreased approximately by 30% and 85%, respectively. The content of genipin, geniposide and geniposidic acid in the bark of Eucommiae Cortex was about 3 times, 23 times, 28 times more than that in the leaf of Eucommiae Cortex. The content of genipin, geniposide and geniposidic acid in salted Eucommiae Cortex were reduced by 25%, 40% and 40%, respectively. The content of genipin, geniposide and geniposidic acid in charcoal processed Eucommiae Cortex were reduced by 98%, 70%, 70%, respectively. The content of caffeic acid in bark of Eucommiae Cortex was about 3 times more than that in the leaf of Eucommiae Cortex. The content of caffeic acid was decreased by about 50% in the salted Eucommiae Cortex. While the content of caffeic acid in charcoal processed Eucommiae Cortex was decreased approximately 75%; the content of chlorogenic acid in bark of Eucommiae Cortex was about 1/6 of that in the leaf of Eucommiae Cortex. The content of chlorogenic acid in salted and charcoal processed Eucommiae Cortex decreased by 40% and 75%, respectively; the content of quercetin in bark of Eucommiae Cortex was only 1/40 of that in the leaf of Eucommiae Cortex. The content of quercetin in salted and charcoal processed Eucommiae Cortex were reduced by 60% and 50%, respectively.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Eucommiaceae ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; Plant Bark ; chemistry ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry

Objective To study the percutaneous permeability through mouse skin of lidocaine hydrochloride-loaded destran-based niosomes(LID-HLD-BNs)in vitro and in vivo. Methods HPLC was employed to exam lidocaine hydrochlo?ride. Lidocaine hydro-chloride-loaded conventional liposomes (LID-CLs) and lidocaine hydrochloride injection (LID-IJ) were used as control. Isolated mouse skin was added into Franz diffusion cell to evaluate the permeability of LID-HLD-BNs in vitro. Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy(CLSM)was used to observe the permeation depth of mouse skin in vivo. Re?sults The permeation rate and cumulative permeation amount were significantly higher in LID-HLD-BNs group than those of LID-CLs and LID-IJ groups (P<0.05). CLSM studies also confirmed that HLD-BNs reached deeper layers of the skin. Conclusion LID-HLD-BNs has good transdermal ability.

Objective To determine chromosomal localization of the primary gout susceptibility gene in a pedigree.Methods The clinical data and the peripheral blood samples were collected in the pedigree members and the genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood.A genome-wide screening was performed using 400 micro-satellite DNA markers in this family,and linkage analysis was used to determine the chromosomal location of the primary gout susceptibility gene.Results Linkage analysis showed that the maximum LOD score reached 1.50 at marker D4S1572 (at recombination fraction?=0.00).Conclusion Since D4S1572 is localized at 4q25,the primary gout susceptibility gene of this pedigree is localized at 4q25.

Osteoporotic fractures represent the most severe complications of osteoporosis,characterized by insidious onset,high mortality and disability rates,and a steadily increasing incidence,imposing a significant socioeconomic burden.Western medicine has advantages in diagnosis and surgical interventions,while traditional Chinese medicine excels in holistic manage-ment and the restoration of bodily equilibrium.The integration of both traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and western medicine emerges as an effective therapeutic strategy for osteoporotic fractures.In order to propagate the concept of integrated diagnosis and treatment,foster the advancement of integrated medical techniques for osteoporotic fractures,and establish standardized and nor-mative protocols for disease prevention,diagnosis,and treatment,a consensus expert group,led by Geriatric Branch of Chinese Geriatrics Society,the Young Osteoporosis Group of Orthopedics Branch of Chinese Medical Association,Osteoporosis Group of Orthopedics Branch of Chinese Physician Association,and Osteoporosis Professional Committee of the Shanghai Society of Inte-grated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine,was established.This group engaged in deliberations and formulated the"Ex-pert Consensus on Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment of Osteoporotic Fractures"elu-cidating the concept of integrated medicine and offering recommendations in the domains of prevention,diagnosis,and treatment,with the aspiration of ameliorating the prognosis of osteoporotic fractures and enhancing the quality of life for these patients.

On account of the dense cuticles of the fresh stem and the light, hard and pliable texture of the dried stem, Dendrobii Caulis is difficult to dry or pulverize. So, it is very important to the ancient doctors that Dendrobii Caulis should be properly treated and applied to keep or evoke its medicinal effects. The current textual research results about the preliminary processing, processing and usage methods of Dendrobii Caulis showed that: (1) In history the clinical use of fresh or processed Dendrobii Caulis as teas and tinctures were very common. (2) Its roots and rhizomes would be removed before using. (3) Some ancillary approaches were applied to shorten drying times, such as rinsing with boiling mulberry-ash soup, washing or soaking with liquor, mixing with rice pulp and then basking, etc. (4) According to the ancients knowledge, the sufficient pulverization, by means of slicing, rasping, hitting or pestling techniques, was necessary for Dendrobii Caulis to take its effects. (5) The heat processing methods for Dendrobii Caulis included stir-baking, stir-frying, steaming, decocting and stewing techniques, usually with liquor as an auxiliary material. Among above mentioned, steaming by pretreating with liquor was most commonly used, and this scheme was colorfully drawn in Bu Yi Lei Gong Pao Zhi Bian Lan (Ming Dynasty, 1591 CE) ; moreover, decocting in advance or long-time simmering so as to prepare paste products were recommended in the Qing Dynasty. (6) Some different processing programs involving stir-baking with grit, air-tightly baking with ondol (Kangs), fumigating with sulfur, which appeared in modern times and brought attractive outward appearance of the drug, went against ancients original intentions of ensuring drug efficacy.
Dendrobium ; History, Ancient ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; history ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; history

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of auricular acupuncture on the learning and memory abilities of model rats with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and investigate its mechanism.

METHODSThirty SD rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group and an auricular acupuncture group, 10 rats in each group. The model rats with AD were established by multiple injections with Okadaic Acid into the CA1 region of hippocampus. In the control group, the same quantity injection with Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) was applied on experimental rats. The auricular acupoints of "Nao" (brain) and "Shen" (kidney) were used for treating in the auricular acupuncture group, in contrast, the auricular region were not treated in the model and the control groups. The learning and memory capabilities of the rats were assessed with Morris Water Maze behavioral test, and the expressions of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were examined by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSComparing with the model group, the treated AD rats with auricular acupuncture was showed that the average escape latency was obviously shortened in the place navigation test (P<0.01), the movement time in plateform quadrant was obviously prolonged in the spatial probe test (P<0.05), and the number of traversing platform obviously increased (P<0.01) after the platform was taken away. The expression of ChAT increased in the hippocampus and cortex (P<0.01, P<0.05), but the expression of GFAP obviously decreased in the CA1 region of hippocampus (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONAuricular acupuncture can improve the learning and memory capability of the model rats with AD. Its mechanism might be related with decreasing cholinergic neuron damage and reducing the abnormal activation and hyperplasia of astrocyte.

Acupuncture, Ear ; Alzheimer Disease ; genetics ; metabolism ; psychology ; therapy ; Animals ; Choline O-Acetyltransferase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gene Expression ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Memory ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley