BackgroundPterygium is an ocular surface disease of abnormal cell proliferative kind and angiogenesis plays an important role in its development and recurrence.Several anti-angiogenic therapies have been used to treat pterygium,but there very few studtes for the in vivo observation of the microvessles in pterygium.ObjectiveThis study was to observe angiogenesis in pterygium with a high-resolution confocal microscope in vivo and to perform immunohistochemical study in vitro.MethodsA prospective case-controlled study was designed.Twenty eyes of 20 consecutive patients with primary pterygia and 20 age- and sex-matched patients with inner eye diseases and strabismus with normal conjunctiva were enrolled in this study.An in vivo confocal microscopy imaging system (Heidelberg Retina Tomograph Ⅱ Rostock Cornea Module) was used to collect microvascular pictures from the anterior part of pterygia and normal nasal conjunctiva of controls,and then immunochemistry was performed to examine the expression of CD31 in microvessel in vitro.The vascular density values were compared between these two groups.The correlation of vascular density values between in vivo Heidelberg Retina Tomograph and in vitro immunohistochemistry was calculated.Written informed consent was obtained from pationts before any examination and surgery.ResultsUnder the in vivo confocal microscope,the microvessel density was (8929±2993) μm/mm2 and (4202 ±692)μm/mm2,respectively,in pterygium and the normal conjunctiva group with a statistically significant difference between them (t =6.881,P＜0.01 ).Immunochemistry revealed that the expression of CD31 to measure vascular density was ( 21.00 ± 4.06/400 × field ) and ( 6.07 ± 1.75/400 × field ) in pterygium and the normal conjunctiva group,showing significant difference (t =12.312,P＜0.01 ).Positive correlations were found in the vascular density values between in vivo corneal laser confocal microscopy examination and in vitro immunochemistry examination in both the pterygium group and normal conjunctiva group (pterygium group:r=0.649,P＜0.01 ;normal conjunctiva group: r=0.572,P＜0.01 ) ConclusionsIn vivo confocal microscopy imaging is superior to in vitro immunochemistry in evaluating the microvessel of pterygium.The results of this study offer a new way index for further investigation of the biological behavior of pterygium and its mechanism.

OBJECTIVE To observe the preventive effect on nosocomial infection by the herbal medicine Atractylodes chinensis disinfectant for air sterilization in cardiothoracic surgery.METHODS A.chinensis disinfectant and ultraviolet irradiation were used to disinfect the patients′ rooms of our cardiothoracic surgery department.The total number of germ and fungus in the indoor air before and after using the two methods were collected.The nosocomial infection rates of the same period were also studied.RESULTS A.chinensis disinfectant had strong effect on sterilization of indoor germs and fungi,and the sterilization rate was 92.7%.The comparison between A.chinensis disinfectant and ultraviolet irradiation showed significant difference in their disinfection effects,while no significant difference in their nosocomial infection rates.CONCLUSIONS The herbal medicine A.chinensis disinfectant can achieve good sterilization effect and prevent nosocomial infection.

1H NMR metabonomics approach was used to reveal the chemical difference of urine between patients with Xiao-Chaihu Tang syndrome (XCHTS) and healthy participants (HP). The partial least square method was used to establish a model to distinguish the patients with Xiao-Chaihu-Tang syndrome from the healthy controls. Thirty-four endogenous metabolites were identified in the 1H NMR spectrum, and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis showed the urine of patients with Xiao-Chaihu Tang syndrome and healthy participants could be separated clearly. It is indicated that the metabolic profiling of patients with Xiao-Chaihu Tang syndrome was changed obviously. Fifteen metabolites were found by S-pot of OPLS-DA and VIP value. The contents of leucine, formic acid, glycine, hippuric acid and uracil increased in the urine of patients, while threonine, 2-hydroxyisobutyrate, acetamide, 2-oxoglutarate, citric acid, dimethylamine, malonic acid, betaine, trimethylamine oxide, phenylacetyl glycine, and uridine decreased. These metabolites involve the intestinal microbial balance, energy metabolism and amino acid metabolism pathways, which is related with the major symptom of Xiao-Chaihu Tang syndrome. The patients with Xiao-Chaihu Tang syndrome could be identified and predicted correctly using the established partial least squares model. This study could be served as the basis for the accurate diagnostic and reasonable administration of Xiao-Chaihu-Tang syndrome.
Humans ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Metabolome ; Metabolomics ; Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Syndrome ; Urinalysis

To optimize indices of molecular identification for authentication of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Panacis Quinquefolii Radix, four indices, including sequence similarity, specific positions, genetic distance and phylogenetic tree, were compared based on trnL-trnF sequences. Total DNA was extracted from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Panacis Quinquefolii Radix, and trL-trnF sequences were amplified and sequenced. Sequence similarity was calculated by BLAST analysis. Specific positions were compared by DNAman software. Genetic distance and phylogenetic tree were analyzed by Mega software. The results showed that the inter-specific and intra-specific similarity of P. ginseng and P. quinquefolius respectively was 100% and 99. 6%. There were four specific positions at G153A, T463A, C732G and T818C. The inter-specific genetic distance (0) of trL-trnF sequences was lower than intra-specific genetic distance (0. 004). P. ginseng can be distinguished from P. quinquefolius based on the phylogenetic tree. It is concluded that Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Panacis Quinquefolii Radix can be authenticated by identification indices of sequence similarity, specific positions, genetic distance and phylogenetic tree. Index of specific positions based on trnL-trnF sequences is the most efficient index to authenticate Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Panacis Quinquefolii Radix.
Chloroplasts ; genetics ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; Panax ; classification ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; Rhizome ; classification ; genetics

Açaí (Euterpe oleracea) emerged as a source of herb has a long history in South America, which was approved by the Ministry of Health used in China and it has been introduced planting in Guangdong and Taiwan. This article summarized applied history of Açaí and its present status in China. Did theoretical study on the Chinese herbal properties of Açaí based on the Chinese traditional philosophical culture to analysis the function and symptom preliminary, combining with used for medical recordation, chemical component, biological activity. It is aiming at establishing the theoretical foundation for the application under the guidance of TCM theory.
Euterpe ; chemistry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Models, Theoretical ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; South America

Objective To improve the conventional method of quantitative assessment of regional cerebral blood flows(rCBF)by a perfusion CT study based on maximal slope model at the general infusion rate(

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on the expression of chemokine receptors in T lymphocytes in vitro.

METHODSMouse bone marrow MSCs were separated with Percoll, cultured and expanded in low glucose DMEM. C57BL/6 mouse spleenocytes were cultured in the 24-hole flasks by the density of 1 x10(6)/hole. Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was then added to the holes and cultured for 72 hrs. This study consisted of three groups. Groups A and B were co-cultured by adding MSCs as the ratio of 0.1 and 0.01 to spleenocytes respectively. The control group was cultured without MSCs. Three days later the suspended spleenocytes were harvested for detecting the expression of three chemokine receptors CXCR3, CCR5 and CCR7 in T lymphocytes by the flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe expression of CD3(+)CCR5(+) and CD3(+)CCR7(+) were statistically different among the three groups. Group A had the strongest expression, followed by group B and the control group. The expression of CD3(+)CXCR3(+) in group A was statistically higher than that in group B and the control group.

CONCLUSIONSMSCs could up-regulate the expression of chemokine receptors CXCR3, CCR5 and CCR7 in T lymphocytes stimulated by PHA.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; physiology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Phytohemagglutinins ; pharmacology ; Receptors, CCR5 ; analysis ; Receptors, CCR7 ; analysis ; Receptors, CXCR3 ; analysis ; Spleen ; cytology ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes ; immunology

BACKGROUND: Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) represent one of the promising cell sources for myocardial regeneration due to their easy accessibility and efficacy in the improvement of cardiac function following myocardial infarction. However, previously reported studies on the underlying mechanism of ADSCs-mediated cardioprotective effect mainly focused on the ADSCs cultured at room air. OBJECTIVE: To test the paracrine actions and anti-apoptotic effect of ADSCs under hypoxic conditions. METHODS: After isolation and culture, neonatal rat myocardial cells were injured by hydrogen peroxide and co-cultured with rat ADSCs under normoxia and hypoxia (10% O2) conditions. Ratio of reduced glutathione to oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) in the cell pellet and levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were tested by ELISA. Expression of apoptotic proteins Bax and Bcl-2 were determined by western blot. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: GSH/GSSG, VEGF, IGF-1, and bFGF were decreased in neonatal rat myocardial cells injured by hydrogen peroxide. ADSCs significantly attenuated hydrogen peroxide-induced myocardial apoptosis by increasing the ratio of GSH/GSSG and the secretion of VEGF, IGF-1 and bFGF. ADSCs also down-regulated Bax expression and up-regulated Bcl-2 expression. To conclude, hypoxic conditions can enhance the anti-apoptosis and cardioprotective effects of ADSCs through the paracrine mechanism.

OBJECTIVETo localize susceptibility loci in Chinese systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) cohort by linkage disequilibrium mapping the genomic interval in human chromosome 16 so as to understand whether the pathogenesis of human SLE is related to chromosome 16.

METHODSFive microsatellite markers in chromosome 16 spanning from 57.79 cM to 65.1 cM were used for fluorescence based genotyping in 157 SLE families. Evidence for linkage disequilibrium was assessed using the extended transmission disequilibrium test (ETDT) program and Genehunter software. Susceptibility gene was searched in the positive locus, and real-time PCR method was used to detect gene expression.

RESULTSWith the ETDT, evidence for linkage disequilibrium of the marker D16S409 (P=0.0278) and D16S517 (P<0.0001) with SLE were found. It was observed that 271 bp allele of D16S517 was much in evidence for preferential transmission, while 277 bp allele was found to be transmitted less often than expected. Genehunter analysis is concordant with ETDT. By real-time PCR, OAZ(OLF1/ EBF-associated zinc finger protein) gene which is located in the positive locus showed higher expression in SLE patients than in normal controls.

CONCLUSIONResults reveal that 16q12 (58.46 cM) is associated with Chinese SLE. OAZ is a likely susceptibility gene in this locus for SLE.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Alleles ; China ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 16 ; genetics ; Cohort Studies ; DNA ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Humans ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; genetics ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Gandou Decoction IV (GDIV) on serum indexes of hepatic fibrosis and liver function in patients with Wilson's disease (WD).

METHODSSixty-one WD patients were assigned to two groups, 30 patients in the sodium dimercaptosulphonate (DMPS) group and 31 patients in the GD IV group. Both groups received 8 courses of DMPS treatment with 6 days as one course, and the GD IV group was given GD IV additionally. Serum indexes of liver function were examined, serum matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were detected by double antibody sandwish ABC enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and serum hyaluronic (HA), laminin (LN), procollagen III (PC III) and collagen type IV (C-IV) were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA).

RESULTSAfter treatment, all indexes of hepatic fibrosis and liver function had no significant change in the DMPS group, while in the GD IV group, the serum TIMP-1 level markedly decreased (P <0.05), the ratio of MMP-1/TIMP-1 significantly increased (P <0.01), and serum indexes of liver function markedly decreased (P < 0.05), but the changes in serum levels of HA, LN and PCIII, as well as in serum MMP-1 and C-IV were insignificant (P> 0.05), though they showed a trend of decreasing or increasing, respectively.

CONCLUSIONShort-term decopper-ing treatment with DMPS alone has no significant effect on hepatic function and serum fibrosis indexes in WD patients, while combined with GD IV, it can improve liver function and display an anti-fibrosis effect through inhibiting the serum TIMP-1 level and increasing the ratio of MMP-1/TIMP-1.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Chelating Agents ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Hepatolenticular Degeneration ; blood ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; prevention & control ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 ; blood ; Phytotherapy ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; blood ; Unithiol ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult