BACKGROUND: Drug use is the most significant risk factor for viral hepatitis B and C infection. Female drug users present different drug-using characteristics from the other sex. And what about the influence of these characteristics on hepatitis B and C virus(HBV and HCV) double infection?OBJECTIVE:To explore the relationship of characteristics of drug using in female drug users on the incidence of HBV and HCV double infection.DESIGN: It is a cross section investigation of female drug users in January 2002.SETTING: A laboratory separtment, an epidemiological department in a university and a drug dependency treatment unit.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 320 female drug users who were in Baimalongdrug dependency treatment unit in Zhuzhou city were recruited in this study.METHODS: The drug-using characteristics were investigated through a questionnaire and the surface antigen of HBV(HBsAg) and antibody against HCV(anti-HCV)in serum were checked with ELISA.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Relationship between HBV and HCV infection and injection of drug, injecting career and abstaining history.RESULTS:The incidence of HBV and HCV double infection in the 320 female drug users was 9. 37%. All of those with double infection were injection drug users, which was different from non-injection drug users(x2 = 6. 276,P ＜ 0. 05 ) . Longer career of drug-using meant higher possibility of double infection. The incidence of double infection (10. 3% ) in those of 5 - 10 years of drug-using career was higher than that (4.5%) of 1 - 5 years of drug-using career (x2 = 8. 344, P ＜ 0.05) . And that in those experienced more than 4times of abstaining was also higher than that less than in those experienced 3times (x2 =9. 418, P ＜ 0. 05) . Long career of drug using and repeated abstention abstaining were factors that leaded to HBV and HCV double infection (OR = 1. 923, 1. 597, 95% CI = 0. 964 - 3. 838, 0. 962 -2. 652).CONCLUSION: Injection drug use is the predominant factor that causes double infection of HBV and HCV and long career of drug using and rising in the number of times of abstaining also increase the double infection.

BACKGRUND:The high prevalence of hepatitis B virus(HBV) is related with the sexual characteristics in drug abusers.How about the relationship between prevalence of HBV/hepatitis C virus(HCV) co infection and the sexual characteristics in drug abusers? OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between sexual characteristics and HBV/HCV co infection in drug abusers. DESIGN:A cross sectional survey taking the drug abuser as the subjects. SETTING:A department of clinical laboratory of a municipal hospital,an epidemiological department of the college of public health of a university,a professional drug abuser treatment center. PARTICIPANTS:Totally 452 male and 320 female drug abusers were randomly selected from the Changsha Xinkaipu Drug Abusers Treatment Center and Zhuzhou Baimalong Female Drug Abusers Treatment Center as the subjects from 1st to 31st January 2001. INTERVENTIONS:A self designed questionnaire was used to investigate the sexual characteristics of drug abusers.HBV surface antigen and HCV antibody were detected in the serums of the participants with ELISA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:The relationship between HBV/HCV co infection and the sexual behavior, numbers of sexual partners,and the usage of condom in drug abusers. RESULTS:The total prevalence of HBV/HCV co infection in drug abusers was 21.24% ; the prevalence of HBV/HCV co infection in male drug abusers was 29.6% ),which was significantly higher than that in females(9.4% )(χ 2=46.016,P< 0.01).There was no significant difference in the prevalence of HBV/HCV co infection between male and female drug abuser whether they had or had not sexual behaviors(χ 2=3.775,P >0.05).The prevalence of HBV/HCV co infection was in an ascending tendency with the increase of sexual partner(χ 2=9.846,P< 0.05).The using frequency of condom was significantly higher in females than in males(U=14.80,P< 0.01). CONCLUSION:There is no correlation between sexual experience and prevalence of HBV/HCV co infection;male drug abusers have higher prevalence of co infection than females;the number of sexual partners is correlated with the prevalence of HBV/HCV co infection,the more sexual partners,the higher prevalence is.The protective effect of condom is greater in female drug abusers than in males.

Objective To observe the effects of secreted protein,acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) on the expression of TGF-β1 and collagen type Ⅰ in cultured human keloid fibroblasts by real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR.Methods In vitro keloid fibroblasts were stimulated by different concentrations of recombinant human SPARC,and with the control group for comparison,real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR to detect expression of TGFβ1 and collagen type Ⅰ.Results Compared with the control group,the expression of TGF-β1 and collagen type Ⅰ was significantly increased in the experimental group.Conclusions SPARC could enhance the expression of TGF-β1 and collagen type Ⅰ in keloid fibroblasts significantly.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of total flavones of Epimedium leptorrhizum (YYH-C) on osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats.

METHODOvariectomized female rats were randomly divided into the model group, YYH-C lower, middle and high dose (0.7, 1.4, 2.8 g x kg(-1)) groups, the positive drug Bujiale (0.15 mg x kg(-1)) group, and the sham group. The rats were orally ad-ministrated with drugs for three months. Parathyroid hormone (PTH), procollagen I N-terminal peptide (PINP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium (Ca) and phosphrous (P) in serum were detected. Femur bones and vertebrae bones of left side were collected to determined bone metrological indexes, including bone mineral density (BMD), bone Ca, and bone ash weight/dry weight percentage. Femur bones of right side were collected to for a morphological observation of bone.

RESULTCompared with the sham group, the model group showed significantly higher PTH and ALP content but obviously lower PINP and Ca content. The three YYH-C 3 groups could resist the decrease of PINP. Specifically, low and middle dose groups could remarkably inhibit the increase of PTH, and the high dose group could increase the Ca content in serum, but without significant effect on the rise in ALP. There was no significant difference in P content in serum in each group. BMD, ash weight/dry weight percentage, Ca and P content of the model group were significantly lower than those in the sham group. The high dose YYH-C group could significantly increase BMD. All of the three YYH-C groups could notably increase ash weight/dry weight percentage and Ca, P content in femur bones and vertebrae bones. YYH-C could significantly increase average thickness, area, area percentage of bony trabeculae, cortical bone area percentage of femoral shaft and the number of osteoblasts on the surface of bony trabeculae, and decrease the number of osteoclasts.

CONCLUSIONYYH-C can effectively control the bone mass loss of rats with ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis, prevent the changes in bone microstructure, and inhibit bone absorption, so as to resist high turn-over osteoporosis after ovariectomy. [Key words] total flavones of Epimedium leptorrhizum; ovariectomized rat; osteoporosis

Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Female ; Flavones ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Ovariectomy ; Parathyroid Hormone ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

The modern physicians have different views on acupoint combination and acupuncture-moxibustion prescription and confuse them in clinical practice. It is significant to clarify the conception, connotation and relationship between them so as to normalize the therapeutic program of acupuncture and moxibustion and promote the standardization of acupuncture and moxibustion. Through the collection of relevant literature and analysis on the differences in the understandings among physicians, the conception, connotation and relationship between acupoint combination and acupuncture-moxibustion prescription are summarized. It is viewed that the acupoint combination is based on TCM theory. Under the guide of acupoint selection, in combination of the characters of clinical practice and acupoint indications, two or more than two acupoints of the same function are combined to enhance the collaborative effects of acupoints so as to achieve specific efficacy and improve clinical efficacy. Regarding acupuncture-moxibustion prescription, on the basis of disorder and syndrome differentiation of patients, the concrete therapeutic program is put forward, including acupoint composition and therapeutic method. Acupoint combination is the basic element of acupuncture-moxibustion prescription. Acupuncture-moxibustion prescription is the specific application of acupoint combination.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Moxibustion

Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. ex DC is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Among its various active components, glycyrrhizic acid is believed to be the marker component. Squalene synthase (SQS) and beta-amyrin synthase (beta-AS) are key enzymes in the biosynthetic pathway of glycyrrhizic acid in G uralensis. To reveal the effects of co-expression of SQS1 and beta-AS genes on this pathway, 7 yeast expression vectors harboring different SQS1 variants and beta-AS were constructed and expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae as fusion proteins. TLC and GC-MS results showed that co-expression of SQS1 and beta-AS enhanced the accumulation of beta-amyrin. The effects of SQS12 were more obvious than the other two SQS1 variants. This study is significant for further investigations concerned with exploring the biosynthesis of glycyrrhizic acid in vitro and strengthening the efficacy of G. uralensis by means of increasing the content of glycyrrhizic acid.
Farnesyl-Diphosphate Farnesyltransferase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Glycyrrhiza uralensis ; genetics ; Intramolecular Transferases ; metabolism ; Oleanolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; metabolism ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae ; metabolism

With the surge of high-throughput sequencing technology, it is becoming popular to perform the phylogenetic study based on genomic data. A bundle of new terms is emerging, such as phylogenomics, pharmacophylogenomics and phylotranscriptomics, which are somewhat overlapping with pharmaphylogeny. Phylogenomics is the crossing of evolutionary biology and genomics, in which genome data are utilized for evolutionary reconstructions. Pharmaphylogeny, advocated by Prof. Pei-gen Xiao since 1980s, focuses on the phylogenetic relationship of medicinal plants and is thus nurtured by molecular phylogeny, chemotaxonomy and bioactivity studies. Phylogenomics can be integrated into the flow chart of drug discovery and development, and extend the field of pharmaphylogeny at the omic level, thus the concept of pharmacophylogenomics could be redefined. This review gives a brief analysis of the association and the distinguished feature of the pharmaphylogeny related terms, in the context of plant-based drug discovery and sustainable utilization of pharmaceutical resource.
Drug Discovery ; Pharmacogenetics ; Phylogeny ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; genetics

ObjectiveTo assess the safety and efficacy of retrograde ureteroscopy lithotomy (URSL)assisted antegrade percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for complex upper ureteral calculi in semisupine-lithotomy position.MethodsFrom March 2007 to December 2010,a total of 95 patients with complex upper ureteral calculi underwent retrograde URSL assisted antegrade PCNL in semisupine-lithotomy position.Ureteral calculi size was 12 mm × 6 mm to 38 mm × 15 mm,24 cases combined with renal calculus.Firstly retrograde URSL was performed,once the stone fragments moved up to renal pelvis,a 16-22 F PCNL working channel was established under the ultrasound guidance through which lithotripsy was performed using an ureteroscope.Finally a 6-7 F double-J tube was indwelled.ResultsOperations were successfullycompleted in 93 patients.However,in it 2 patients were converted to open surgery because of significantureteral distortion due to previous open surgery.Operative time was(42.7 ± 14.9) min; estimated blood loss was(34.5 ± 26.1 ) ml.The ureteral calculi clearance rate was 100.0％,and renal calculus clearance rate inthose combined with renal calculus was 95.8％ (23/24).There were no major intraoperative and postoperative complications excepted early urinary leakage in 2 cases and fever ≥39℃ in 3 cases.ConclusionsRetrograde URSL assisted antegrade PCNL in semisupine-lithotomy position is safe and feasible for complex upperureteral calculi,especially non-opaque calculi,combined with renal calculus,easily ascending ureteral calculi and large calculi burden which has low calculi clearance rate after URSL.The outcomes are encouraging with fewer complications.It also avoids intraoperative change of patient's position.

Chinese materia medica resource (CMM resource) is the foundation of the development of traditional Chinese medicine. In the study of sustainable utilization of CMM resource, adopting innovative theory and method to find new CMM resource is one of hotspots and always highlighted. Pharmacophylogeny interrogates the phylogenetic relationship of medicinal organisms (especially medicinal plants), as well as the intrinsic correlation of morphological taxonomy, molecular phylogeny, chemical constituents, and therapeutic efficacy (ethnopharmacology and pharmacological activity). This new discipline may have the power to change the way we utilize medicinal plant resources and develop plant-based drugs. Phylogenomics is the crossing of evolutionary biology and genomics, in which genome data are utilized for evolutionary reconstructions. Phylogenomics can be integrated into the flow chart of drug discovery and development, and extends the field of pharmacophylogeny at the omic level, thus the concept of pharmacophylogenomics could be redefined in the context of plant pharmaceutical resources. This contribution gives a brief discourse of knowledge pedigree of pharmacophylogeny, epistemology and paradigm shift, highlighting the theoretical and practical values of pharmacophylogenomics. Many medicinally important tribes and genera, such as Clematis, Pulsatilla, Anemone, Cimicifugeae, Nigella, Delphinieae, Adonideae, Aquilegia, Thalictrum, and Coptis, belong to Ranunculaceae family. Compared to other plant families, Ranunculaceae has the most species that are recorded in China Pharmacopoeia (CP) 2010. However, many Ranunculaceae species, e. g., those that are closely related to CP species, as well as those endemic to China, have not been investigated in depth, and their phylogenetic relationship and potential in medicinal use remain elusive. As such, it is proposed to select Ranunculaceae to exemplify the utility of pharmacophylogenomics and to elaborate the new concept empirically. It is argued that phylogenetic and evolutionary relationship of medicinally important tribes and genera within Ranunculaceae could be elucidated at the genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic levels, from which the intrinsic correlation between medicinal plant genotype and metabolic phenotype, and between genetic diversity and chemodivesity of closely related taxa, could be revealed. This proof-of-concept study regards pharmacophylogenomics as the updated version of pharmacophylogeny and would enrich the intension and spread the extension of pharmacophylogeny. The interdisciplinary knowledge and techniques will be integrated in the proposed study to promote development of CMM resource discipline and to boost sustainable development of Chinese medicinal plant resources.
China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Knowledge ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phylogeny ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics

Appropriate selection and measurement of lead biomarkers of exposure are critically important for health care management purposes, public health decision making, and primary prevention synthesis. Lead is one of the neurotoxicants that seems to be involved in the etiology of psychologies. Biomarkers are generally classified into three groups: biomarkers of exposure, effect, and susceptibility.The main body compartments that store lead are the blood, soft tissues, and bone; the half-life of lead in these tissues is measured in weeks for blood, months for soft tissues, and years for bone. Within the brain, lead-induced damage in the prefrontal cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum can lead to a variety of neurological disorders, such as brain damage, mental retardation, behavioral problems, nerve damage, and possibly Alzheimer's disease, Parkinsons disease, and schizophrenia. This paper presents an overview of biomarkers of lead exposure and discusses the neurotoxic effects of lead with regard to children and adults.
Alzheimer Disease ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Animals ; Behavior ; drug effects ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Brain Diseases ; chemically induced ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Environmental Exposure ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Lead ; pharmacokinetics ; toxicity ; Lead Poisoning ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Neurotoxicity Syndromes ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Parkinson Disease, Secondary ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Schizophrenia ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology