"Wise men could recognize similarities, but the fool only recognizes differences" in Su-wen, which expounded clinical thinking methods of Chinese medicine (CM). "To recognize similarities and differences simultaneously" is of important clinical significance in understanding the laws of diseases. CM pays much attention to recognize similarities, while modern medicine emphasizes the differences observed. In order to develop integrative medicine (IM), similarities recognition and differences identification must be combined together to innovate new thinking methods of IM.
Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; standards ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

The contents of adenosine, gastrodin, 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, parishin and sulfur dioxide residue were compared in differently-processed Gastrodiae Rhizoma to provide the basis for a reasonable processing method of Gastrodiae Rhizoma. The analysis was performed on a Merck Purospher STAR column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 μm) with a mobile phase consisting of methanol and water (containing 0.1% formic acid) under gradient elution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). The eluates were detected at 270 nm, and the column temperature was 35°C. The content of adenosin, gastrodin, 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, 4-hydroxy-benzaldehyde and parishin in processing of boiling or sulfur-fumigated were lower than that of in processing of steaming. Furthermore, the sulfur dioxide residue of sulphur-fumigated groups exceed 400 mg x kg(-1). This stable and reliable method will contribute to the quality control of different processed Gastrodiae Rhizoma.
Drug Contamination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Gastrodia ; chemistry ; Sulfur Dioxide ; analysis ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

Objective To explore the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1?(HIF-1?) protein and its mRNA in cultured cortical neurons after hypoxia,ischemia or hypoxia-ischemia(HI) and explore the possibilities of HIF-1? gene therapy in HI neurons.Methods The in vitro models of HI,pure hypoxia and pure ischemia were established using embryonic day 16-18 rats cortical neurons.Immunohistochemical and in-situ hybridization were performed to examine the expression of HIF-1? protein and its mRNA at different reperfusion time points in neurons.Results The expression of HIF-1? protein was very week in normoxic cultured neurons,but was up-regulated while treated with hypoxia and(or) ischemia.HIF-1? expression reached peak at 4 to 8 h after reperfusion with HI,which were statistically significant higher than that at other time points(Pa=0),and decreased gradually at 12 h.Furthermore,HIF-1? protein expression was significantly higher in HI group compared with that in the pure hypoxia or ischemia group(Pa=0).HIF-1? mRNA reached peak immediately after HI,decreased gradually at 2 h,and returned to the baseline at 8 h after reperfusion.Conclusions HIF-1? expression on cortical neurons is regulated differently with hypoxia,ischemia or HI treatment,HIF-1? gene therapy for HI neurons maybe a useful method in the future studies.

OBJECTIVETo assess the reaction of cytokines induced killer (CIK) cells treatment in hematopoietic injury at different levels on patients with benzene poisoning and seek a novel, safe and effective immunotherapy for benzene poisoning.

METHODSCIK cells were in vitro activated by interleukin-2 (IL-2) and granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Thirty-two patients with benzene poisoning were treated with CIK cells. Nineteen patients with mild or moderate benzene poisoning in the control group were treated with VitB4, batilol, leucogen, inosine and stanozolol. The results for treatment of 12 patients with aplastic anemia induced by severe benzene poisoning (the efficacy rate and the case fatality rate) were analyzed. The change of T-lymphocyte subset analyzed by flow cytometry was also observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSFor mild or moderate benzene poisoning, the increase of WBC and RLT in CIK group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The CD(4)/CD(8) levels were significantly increased after CIK treatment. And for severe benzene poisoning, the effective rate of the CIK group was 91.7% and the mortality rate was 0%.

CONCLUSIONCIK treatment is safe and effective for hematopoietic injury caused by benzene poisoning. The mechanism may be related with the immune modulation of CIK treatment on immunodeficiency of patients with benzene poisoning.

Adult ; Benzene ; poisoning ; Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells ; immunology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo determine the concentrations of interleukin-18 (IL-18), IL-6, IL-8, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the synovial fluid in patients with osteoarthritis (OA), and explore the role of IL-18 in the pathogenesis of OA.

METHODSThe synovial fluid was collected from 30 patients with knee OA, and the concentrations of IL-18 and the other cytokines were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A linear regression was performed between IL-18 and the other cytokines.

RESULTSThe average IL-18 and PGE2 concentrations were 220-/+304 pg/ml and 89-/+104 pg/ml in the synovial fluid, respectively, and the two cytokines showed a positive correlation in the synovial fluid (r=0.628, P=0.001). The IL-18 concentration was also correlated to the concentrations of IL-6 (1200-/+1587 pg/ml, n=22; r=0.590, P=0.008) and IL-8 (5190-/+6024 pg/ml, n=9; r=0.776, P=0.014).

CONCLUSIONIL-18 can promote PGE2 production, which causes cartilage degradation in OA, thus therapies targeting this cytokine may prove an effective approach to early OA treatment.

Aged ; Dinoprostone ; biosynthesis ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-18 ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis ; metabolism ; Synovial Fluid ; metabolism

Adult ; Age Factors ; Athletic Injuries ; epidemiology ; Blood Group Antigens ; Body Mass Index ; Humans ; Male ; Military Personnel ; education ; statistics & numerical data ; Physical Education and Training

OBJECTIVETo study the impact of the chloride channel dysfunction of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) on the cytoskeleton of Sertoli cells in the mouse.

METHODSTM4 Sertoli cells were cultured and treated with CFTR(inh)-172 at the concentrations of 1, 5, 10 and 20 μmol/L for 48 hours. Then the cytotoxicity of CFT(inh)-172 was assessed by CCK-8 assay, the expressions of F-actin and Ac-tub in the TM4 Sertoli cells detected by immunofluorescence assay, and those of N-cadherin, vimentin and vinculin determined by qPCR.

RESULTSCFTR(inh)-172 produced cytotoxicity to the TM4 Sertoli cells at the concentration of 20 μmol/L. The expressions of F-actin and Ac-tub were decreased gradually in the TM4 Sertoli cells with the prolonging of treatment time and increasing concentration of CFTR(inh)-172 (P < 0.05). The results of qPCR showed that different concentrations of CFTR(inh)-172 worked no significant influence on the mRNA expressions of N-cadherin, vimentin and vinculin in the Sertoli cells.

CONCLUSIONThe CFTR chloride channel plays an important role in maintaining the normal cytoskeleton of Sertoli cells. The reduced function and expression of the CFTR chloride channel may affect the function of Sertoli cells and consequently spermatogenesis of the testis.

Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Benzoates ; pharmacology ; Chloride Channels ; physiology ; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Cytoskeleton ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Sertoli Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Spermatogenesis ; Thiazolidines ; pharmacology ; Time Factors

Objective To evaluate the impact of comprehensive intervention mode on osteoporosis related knowledge and behavior among city residents aged over 40-year-old and to provide reference for osteoporosis prevention and treatment. Methods Health education including self-management of osteoporosis was conducted among Chongqing city residents aged over 40-year-old for 4 consecutive months.All the subjects were asked to fill out the questionnaire during face-to-face interview before and after the intervention.The changes in knowledge and daily life style were tested by Chi-square test. Results The residents surveyed were 2 028 before the intervention and 1 986 after the intervention.After the intervention, the proportion of awareness was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than that before the intervention in the following: features of osteoporosis(33.23% vs 18.49%), sensitive population of osteoporosis(10.52% vs 3.75%), balanced diet to prevent osteoporosis (23.82% vs 11.09%), bone health supplements (51.06% vs 32.84%), recommended daily calcium intake for postmenopausal women and older people (34.89% vs 13.91%).After the intervention, the proportions of residents who never drink milk and its products, and never eat beans and their products were decreased significantly (13.49% vs 23.09%, and 4.94% vs 7.00%, P < 0.01).The proportion of residents who take average more than 30 minutes daily outdoor activity under sunlight was increased significantly after the intervention (64.25% vs 59.27%, P < 0.01).The proportion of residents preferring salty food was decreased significantly after the intervention (8.26% vs 14.89%, P < 0.01). Conclusion The comprehensive intervention mode of health education in combination with traditional and new media as well as health self-management is a cost-effective prevention measure for osteoporosis, which can improve the osteoporosis cognitive level of middle-aged and senile people and the development of good behavior.

OBJECTIVETo explore etiology, clinical manifestation and immunological changes of infectious pneumonia of neonates in Chengdu area.

METHODSSerum specimens were collected from 111 infants with infectious pneumonia. Eight viral and mycoplasmal specific serum IgM antibodies were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); C reactive protein (CRP), total IgG and its subclasses, IgA and IgM were determined by rate scattered nephelometry; T lymphocyte subpopulations were detected by biotin-streptavidin-peroxidase method, and clinical and other laboratory data were analyzed.

RESULTS(1) Etiological agents: specific serum IgM antibodies were positive in 40 of 111 cases (36.0%) with pneumonias. All the 30 control infants were negative for the specific serum IgM antibodies. Among 111 infants with infectious pneumonia, 20.7% had single viral or mycoplasmal infection, 40.5% had bacterial infection, 15.3% had viral and mycoplasmal infection with bacterial infection; 23.4% had infection with unknown agents. (2) The most common clinical manifestations were tachypnea and cyanosis. The next were cough, milk choking, rales, retractions of the supraclavicular, intercostal and subcostal areas. Roentgenographic examination commonly revealed vague opacities, increased density and patchy infiltration. (3) Immune status: (1) CD(3), CD(4) cell counts of infants with pneumonias were lower than those of the controls while their serum IgA, IgM concentrations were higher than those of the control. (2) The CD(3) and CD(4) cell counts of the group with bacterial infection were lower than those of the control group. (3) The serum IgA concentration of the group with viral and mycoplasmal infection was higher than those of the control group and the group with unknown infection. (4) The serum IgM concentration of the group with bacterial infection was higher than those of the control group. (5) There were no significant differences in CD(8) cell counts, CD(4)/CD(8), concentration of serum IgG and IgG(1 - 4) between pneumonia group and the control group, and among various infectious groups and the control.

CONCLUSIONPathogens of neonatal infectious pneumonia in Chengdu area included single viral or mycoplasmic infection or bacterial infection, viral and mycoplasmal infection with bacterial infection, and unknown infection. Immunological changes of newborn infants suffered from infectious pneumonia included declined CD(3) and CD(4) cell counts, particularly in bacterial infection.

Antibodies, Bacterial ; blood ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Bacterial Infections ; complications ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Pneumonia ; diagnosis ; etiology ; immunology ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology ; metabolism ; Virus Diseases ; complications

OBJECTIVETo prepare cytochrome (CYP)2E1-silenced hepatocytes by lentivirus-mediated RNA interference technology and to investigate the hepatotoxicity of trichloroethylene (TCE) in CYP2E1-silenced hepatocytes.

METHODSShort hairpin RNA fragments were designed and synthesized and were then ligated into the lentiviral vector; single colonies were screened; the plasmid was extracted after PCR and sequence identification and then transferred into L02 hepatocytes; the CYP2E1-silenced hepatocytes were selected; real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot were used to evaluate the interference effects. The obtained CYP2E1-silenced hepatocytes, as well as normal L02 hepatocytes, were treated with TCE (0, 0.25, 0.50, 1.00, 2.00, and 4.00 mmol/L). The cell viability and half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of TCE were measured; the apoptotic rate of cells was measured by flow cytometry; the mRNA expression levels of apoptosis genes and oncogenes were measured by real-time quantitative PCR.

RESULTSThe IC50s of TCE for L02 hepatocytes and CYP2E1-silenced hepatocytes were 15.1 mmol/L and 23.6 mmol/L, respectively. The apoptotic rate increased as the dose of TCE rose in the two types of cells; the CYP2E1-silenced hepatocytes hada significantly lower apoptotic rate than L02 hepatocytes when they were exposed to 2.0 and 4.0 mmol/L TCE (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The mRNA expression level of bcl-2 (anti-apoptosis gene) in CYP2E1-silenced hepatocytes was 15% ∼ 60% higher than that in L02 hepatocytes (P < 0.01), while the mRNA expression levels of caspase-3 and caspase-9 (apoptosis genes) in CYP2E1-silenced hepatocytes were 30% ∼ 60% lower than those in L02 hepatocytes (P < 0.01). The mRNA expression level of p53 (cancer suppressor gene) in CYP2E1-silenced hepatocytes was 81 - 278% higher than that in L02 hepatocytes (P < 0.01), while the mRNA expression levels of c-fos and k-ras (oncogenes) in CYP2E1-silenced hepatocytes were 20-68% lower than those in L02 hepatocytes (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCYP2E1-silenced cells can be successfully prepared by lentivirus-mediated RNA interference technology. Silencing CYP2E1 gene can reduce the hepatotoxicity of TCE and inhibit the expression of some apoptosis genes and oncogenes, suggesting that CYP2E1 gene plays an important role in TCE metabolism and is related to the hepatotoxicity of TCE.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; genetics ; Cell Line ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; genetics ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; Hepatocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; RNA Interference ; Trichloroethylene ; toxicity