OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy of comprehensive treatment of Chinese medicine in treating ulcerative colitis (UC) according to syndrome differentiation therapy and the stage of disease.

METHODSFifty-three patients with mild or moderate, initial onset or relapsed active UC of large intestinal dampness-heat syndrome were randomly assigned to two groups, the treatment group (27 cases) and the control group (26 cases). The treatment group was treated with oral Qingchang Huashi Recipe (QHR) and external application of Guanchang Recipe (GR) in the active stage, oral administration of Fuzheng Qingchang Recipe in the remission stage. Symptomatic modification was performed according to the features of the symptoms. Patients in the control group were treated with oral Mesalazine enteric coated tablet (MSRT, 1.0 g, 4 times daily) in the active stage, oral administration of MSRT (0.5 g, three times daily) in the remission stage. The main clinical symptoms, Chinese medicine syndrome, induced remission rate, and changes of quality of life were observed on the 28th, 56th, and 84th day after treatment.

RESULTSAfter 84 days of treatment, the scores of the symptoms such as diarrhea, passing stool with pus and blood, and the abdominal pain in the treatment group were obviously improved when compared with before treatment (P < 0.05). The scores of the symptoms such as diarrhea, and passing stool with pus and blood in the treatment group were better than those in the control group (P < 0.05). After 28, 56, and 84 days of treatment, the clinical efficacy of Chinese syndromes were 77.78%, 77.78%, and 88. 89%, respectively, and the induced remission rates were 63.0%, 77.8%, and 88.9%, respectively in the treatment group, better than those in the control group of the same phase (P < 0.05). After 84 days of treatment, the scores of the quality of life, the general symptoms, the emotional capacity, and the social capacity, tc. in the treatment group and the control group were improved than before treatment (P < 0.05). Besides, the scores of the quality of life in the treatment group were superior to that in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSComprehensive treatment of Chinese medicine in treating ulcerative colitis based on two steps according to the stage of disease can effectively improve the main symptoms of UC patients, improve the Chinese syndromes, elevate the clinical remission rate and patients' quality of life. It showed favorable clinical efficacy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate clinical features of lower motor neuron lesion (LMNL) caused by the single level lower thoracic disc protrusion (LTDP),and to observe clinical outcomes of surgical treatment.Methods Between January 1997 and December 2009,17 patients with LMNL caused by single level LTDP underwent en bloc resection of the superior articular process,Cave-in 360° circumferential decompression and internal fixation in our hospital.MRI and CT scans were taken to confirm lesion levels:T10-11 in 4 patients of whom 3 had patellar clonus and ankle clonus,T11-12 in 5 patients of whom 4 had ankle clonus,and T12L1 in 8 patients who only had positive Babinski sign.The neurologic status was assessed using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scoring system.The muscle strength of the tibialis anterior was assessed using the Manual Muscle Test (MMT).Sagittal Cobb angle and cross-sectional area of the dural sac at the level of maximal compression in MRI were also observed.Results All patients were followed up for 22 to 76 months (average,48.6 months).The mean JOA score increased from preoperative 5.88±1.11 to 9.53±0.94 at final follow-up (t=16.143,P＜0.05).The muscle strength of the tibialis anterior recovered to more than grade 4 in all patients.Postoperative Cobb angle was unchanged compared with that before operation.MRI indicated that the cross-sectional area of the dural sac at the level of maximum compression increased from preoperative 35.8±7.3 mm2 to postoperative 132.9±6.5 mm2 (t=70.78,P＜0.05).Conclusion LMNL can be caused by LTDP.The eu bloc resection of the superior articular process,Cave-in 360° circumferential decompression and internal fixation can provide a satisfactory decompression effect and marked recovery of neurological function.

To explore the effective ingredients and mechanism of Ligusticum wallichii in treating brain ischemia. Four brain ischemia-related target proteins were selected in the joint screening for the 45 component in L. wallichii reported in literatures based on molecular docking by reference to the corresponding drugs in the market. According to the docking results, multiple components in L. wallichii, such as phthalides, were superior to the corresponding drugs in the market, suggesting that they may be the major effective components in L. wallichii for treating brain ischemia. The method can be used to study the material base and molecular mechanism of traditional Chinese medicines.
Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; Ligusticum ; chemistry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Peroxidase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Phytotherapy ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; antagonists & inhibitors

Objective To explore the relationship between X - linked spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda (SEDL) gene escaping X chromosome inactivation( XCI) and SEDL phenotype. Methods RT - PCR was performed on total RNA which was isolated from blood samples of patients, female carriers and controls. Patients and female carriers were selected from the pedigree with SEDL caused by the mutation (IVS2 - 2A→C) of the gene. cDNA was analyzed by polyacrylamide gelelectrophoresis(PAGE). Results PAGE data indicateed that female carriers expressed both normal and mutant SEDL mRNA,meaning the SEDL gene escaping XCI. Family investigation showed carrier females in the SEDL pedigree presented no symptoms. Conclusions The SEDL gene escaping X chromosome in-activation is firstly identified from human body. This may explain that carrier females present no symptoms.

Objective To observe the expression of cardiotrophin-1(CT-1) in ischemia-reinfusion cardiac muscle of rats and the effect of neuregulin-1(NRG-1).Methods The model of ischemia-reinfusion cardiac muscle of rats were prepared,35 rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:model group(n=8),NRG-1 pretreatment group(n=9),pseudo-surgery group(n=8) and normal control group(n=10).The CT-1 mRNA in the observed cardiac muscle of all groups was measured by RT-PCR and the relative amount of CT-1 mRNA were calculated,and for statistical treatment.Results The CT-1 mRNA of model group was(63.96?9.34),and it was higher than that of pseudo-surgery group(36.16?5.43)and normal control group(36.84?4.64).The significant differences were found in 3 groups(F=47.37 P

Action mechanism and material base of compound Danshen dripping pills in treatment of carotid atherosclerosis were discussed based on gene expression profile and molecular fingerprint in this paper. First, gene expression profiles of atherosclerotic carotid artery tissues and histologically normal tissues in human body were collected, and were screened using significance analysis of microarray (SAM) to screen out differential gene expressions; then differential genes were analyzed by Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and KEGG pathway analysis; to avoid some genes with non-outstanding differential expression but biologically importance, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) were performed, and 7 chemical ingredients with higher negative enrichment score were obtained by Cmap method, implying that they could reversely regulate the gene expression profiles of pathological tissues; and last, based on the hypotheses that similar structures have similar activities, 336 ingredients of compound Danshen dripping pills were compared with 7 drug molecules in 2D molecular fingerprints method. The results showed that 147 differential genes including 60 up-regulated genes and 87 down regulated genes were screened out by SAM. And in GO analysis, Biological Process ( BP) is mainly concerned with biological adhesion, response to wounding and inflammatory response; Cellular Component (CC) is mainly concerned with extracellular region, extracellular space and plasma membrane; while Molecular Function (MF) is mainly concerned with antigen binding, metalloendopeptidase activity and peptide binding. KEGG pathway analysis is mainly concerned with JAK-STAT, RIG-I like receptor and PPAR signaling pathway. There were 10 compounds, such as hexadecane, with Tanimoto coefficients greater than 0.85, which implied that they may be the active ingredients (AIs) of compound Danshen dripping pills in treatment of carotid atherosclerosis (CAs). The present method can be applied to the research on material base and molecular action mechanism of TCM.
Carotid Artery Diseases ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Tiancan Zhuangyang Powder (TCZYP) on the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (stAR protein) expression of Leydig cells in model rats with partial androgen deficiency of aging male (PADAM).

METHODSPADAM rat model was prepared by cyclophosphamide induced reproductive system damage. Rats were randomly divided into four groups, i. e. the normal control group, the model group, the testosterone propionate group, and the TCZYP group. The general condition, body weight, tail suspension experiment and exhaustion swimming test, and the testicular index, etc. were observed to assess the state of rats. The serum total testosterone (TT), and free testosterone (FT) levels were detected by radioimmunoassay before and after treatment. The stAR protein expression level of Leydig cells were determined using immunohistochemical assay. Statistic analyses were performed.

RESULTSBy modeling with cyclophosphamide, serum TT and FT levels decreased (P<0.01), behavior changes were basically similar to PADAM (by tail suspension test), indicating a successful modeling. After treatment serum rTT and FT levels in the testosterone propionate group and the TCZYP group significantly increased when compared with before treatment and with the model group after treatment (P<0.01). There was no statistical difference between the TCZYP group and the testosterone propionate group (P>0.05). The immobility time in the tail suspension test were significantly shortened in the testosterone propionate group and the TCZYP group (P<0.05). The exhausted swimming time was more significantly prolongated than that of the model group (P<0.05). The stAR protein gray value significantly decreased (P<0. 01).

CONCLUSIONTCZYP could prevent serum TT and FT levels from decrease, improve stAR protein activities, and attenuate the depression state and muscular tension in PADAM rats. Its action was equivalent to that of testosterone propionate.

Androgens ; deficiency ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Leydig Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Phosphoproteins ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testis ; drug effects ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the rehabilitation effects ergometry on COPD patients.

METHODSThirty COPD out-patients in our Hospital were randomly divided into 2 groups. Rehabilitation group, 15 patients, performed leg ergometry exercise of 80% peak Watt x 30min/d x 3d/w x 12w. Another 15 patients were control group without exercise. All patients received conventional therapy. Pulmonary function testing (PFT), cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), arterial blood gas analysis (ABG), Borg and CAT sores were done at both baseline and 12 w.

RESULTSThere was no statistically difference in lung function testing, blood gas analysis and cardiopulmonary exercise test when pre- exercises between 2 sub-groups. The IC, peak VO2 and peak, W of rehabilitation group significantly increased (P < 0.05); and Borg and CAT.scores significantly decreased (P < 0.05) from baseline; and other PFT and ABG did not change (P > 0.05). While there was no difference in control group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLeg submaximal ergometry rehabilitation improves health condition and ameliorate dyspnea symptoms in COPD patients.

Blood Gas Analysis ; Dyspnea ; therapy ; Exercise Test ; Exercise Therapy ; Humans ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; therapy ; Respiratory Function Tests

OBJECTIVETo observe clinical effects of posterior short-segment fixation with undermining decompress by posterior ligament complex for the treatment of upper lumbar burst fractures.

METHODSFrom October 2010 to March 2013,23 patients with upper lumbar burst fractures (Denis B type) were treated by posterior short-segment fixation with undermining decompress by posterior ligament complex. There were 18 males and 5 females aged from 26 to 64 years old with an average of 45.7 years old. Twelve patients were caused by falling down, 5 cases were caused by traffic accident, 4 cases were the bruise injury caused by heavy object and 2 cases were caused by other injury. Fourteen patients were L1 fracture and 9 patients were L2 fracture. Thirteen patients were combined with nerve injuries (degree D according to ASIA classification). Internal fixation were removed from 12 to 20 months with an average of 14.3 months. JOA scores and imaging changes were recorded and compared at different time points.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 18 to 24 months with an average of 20.4 months. Thirteen patients with nerve injuries were completely recovered at 3 to 6 months after operation. JOA score at 1 year after operation was 20.63 ± 0.92, and 20.38 ± 1.06 at 3 months after removal of internal fixation,which were improved obviously than 9.90 ± 2.73 at 3 months after operation. (P > 0.05) Anterior height of injured vertebrae, vertebral body angle and local Cobb angle was (95.0 ± 0.53)%, (2.78 ± 1.36) and (2.43 ± 1.52) °respectively, and improved obviously than that of before operation (P < 0.05). There was no statistical significance in JOA scores at 3 months after removal of internal fixation and 1 year after operation (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONposterior short-segment fixation with undermining decompress by posterior ligament complex for the treatment of upper lumbar burst fractures has advantages of minimally invasive, could effective recover vertebrae height, maintain stability of spine, decrease low back pain. It is a safe and effective operative method.

Adult ; Decompression, Surgical ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery

Tumor necrosis factor(TNF-alpha) plays an improtant role in the process of anti-infection and anti-cancer. It can both protect and make damage to the host. In order to find new way of inhibiting its host-damaging activity, An E. coli flagella displayed random peptide library was constructed and TNF-alpha antagonist peptides were screened using the peptide library. After 5 rounds of panning and DNA sequencing, six peptide sequences were obtained. Two of them(TBP2, TBP3) have the same sequence frame of V--N-WG. After primary comparation of TNF-alpha binding ability, four peptides were synthesised and purified with RP-HPLC. The activity of inhibiting TNF-alpha was detected with L929 cell and MTT method. The data show that TBP2 and TBP3 can inhibit 90% of TNF-alpha activity when TNF-alpha gives about 30% cell toxicity on L929. The two sequences have not been reported.
Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Peptide Library ; Peptides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; antagonists & inhibitors