Objective To study the effects and the therapeutic mechanism of Humulus scandens particles ( HSP ) on the mice with chronic bronchitis ( CB ) . Methods Mice were divided into normal control group, dextromethorphan group or ammonium chloride group, the high-, middle-and low-dose of HSP groups ( These three groups received gavage administration of HSP at 3.00 g??kg-1, 1.50 g??kg-1 and 0.75 g??kg-1,respectively) randomly.The effects of HSP on ammonia-induced cough and trachea phenol red excretion in mice were observed.CB mouse model was established by inhaling smoke and formaldehyde.In total, 60 mice were divided into 6 groups by the method of random digits table: normal control group, model control group, Guilong kechuanning capsule group, the high-, middle-and low-dose HSP groups (n=10 each group).After modeling for 18 days, mice in normal control group and model control group were administered intragastrically with 0. 9% sodium chloride solution. Mice in the high-, middle-and low-dose HSP groups were daily treated with HSP at 3.00, 1.50 and 0.75 g??kg-1 ,respectively, by intragastric administration.Mice in Guilong kechuanning Capsule group were administered with Guilong kechuanning Capsule (600 mg??kg-1), once a day, for 15 days.The tumor necrosis factor alpha ( TNF-α) & interleukin-8 ( IL-8) contents in lung tissues of each group were determined. Results By hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, it was found that HSP alleviated the damage of CB in mice.The frequency of cough in 2 min in the normal control group, the high-, middle- and low-dose HSP groups were (17.50±5.38), (11.90±4.46), (12.60±3.47), (9.50±3.24), respectively, and the ecretion of phenol red were (0.52±0.11), (0.65±0.15), (0.64±0.14), (0.67±0.19) μg??mL-1, respectively.The content of TNF-α in lung tissues of the normal control group, model control group,the high dose HSP group was (25.8±6.9), (66.3±11.7), (43.5±7.7) ng??mg-1, respectively.The content of IL-8 in lung tissues of the normal control group, model control group, the high-dose HSP group were (27.1±9.1), (48.2±11.4) and (36.5±8.2) ng??mg-1, respectively.The contents of TNF-α and IL-8 in lung tissues of the model control group were significantly higher than those in normal control group (both P<0.01).Compared with the model control group, high-dose HSP could obviously decrease the contents of TNF-α and IL-8 in lung tissues (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Conclusion HSP can obviously alleviate the pathomorphological changes in mice with CB and has antitussive and expectorant effecs.The therapeutic mechanism of HSP for CB may be related to decreasing the contents of TNF-αand IL-8 in lung tissue.

Objective To observe the effect of the reinforcing kidney,nourishing and activating blood on promoting ovulation and improving the endometrium thickness and pregnancy rate in the process of in vitro fertilization-embryo transplantation(IVF-ET).Methods The 63 cases receiving IVF-ET were randomly divided into two groups: the treatment group(n=31) treated with GnRHa/r-FSH/HMG/HCG combined with the herbs of kidney-reinforcing,blood-nourishing and blood-activating in different periods of IVF-ET,and the control group(n=32) with GnRHa/ r-FSH/HMG/HCG alone.The dose of gonadotropin(Gn),endometrium thickness,follicular oocyte number,high-quality oocyte rate,fertilization rate,high-quality embryo rate and pregnancy rate of both groups were observed.Results In the treatment group,Gn dose was significantly lower(P

In this paper, the advances of the treatment for the most common pulmonary mycosis is introduced, and the recommended medications described. It is indicated that amphotericin B is still the first choice for the treatment of severe and rapidly progressive pulmonary mycosis. Lipid formulations of AmB can be used for those refractory or intolerant to the conventional amphotericin B. Fluconazole has proved effective in treating pulmonary candidosis, cryptococosis and coccidioidomysis. Itraconazole has been widely used in the treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis, histoplasmosis ans coccidioidomycosis.

Elderly individuals make up a considerable large part of the breast cancer population.There are many different biological and pathological characteristics for this population as compared with the younger ones.Evidences on the treatment of elder patients with breast cancer are scarce.This article reviews the studies in the treatment and provides suggestions for the care of elder women with breast cancer.

Objective To develop and verify a multiplex fluorescence quantitative PCR(Taqman probe) method for the detection of telomerase activity.Methods Specific reverse transcription primers,two pairs of quantitative primers and probes were designed for the CDS sequence of telomerase catalytic subunit telomerase reverse transcriptase(TERT).After optimization of the reverse transcription primers(specific reverse transcription primers and random primers) and quantitative primers(two pairs of quantitative primer probes used alone or in combination) in the reaction system,with the primer probe of internal reference gene GAPDH,multiplex fluorescence quantitative PCR was performed in a single tube.In addition,telomerase positive standard and negative standard were prepared with 293T and MRC-5 cells respectively,and the stability and precision of the method were verified.The telomerase activity in 19 normal mesenchymal cell samples and 32 breast cancer cell samples were detected by the developed method.Results The optimum reaction system was as follows:using cDNA synthesized with specific reverse transcription primers as the template,2 pairs of quantitative primer probes of TERT gene were mixed with internal reference gene GAPDH primer probes for multiplex fluorescence quantitative PCR reaction in a single tube.After optimization,the sensitivity and TERT fluorescence signal quantity of the system were greatly improved,and the ΔRn was enhanced by 3 times.The amplification curve of positive standard TERT gene was normal,and the ΔCt between TERT gene and GAPDH gene remained stable.The amplification curve of GAPDH gene in negative standard was normal,while there was no amplification curve of TERT gene.There was a little difference in ΔCt between TERT and GAPDH genes in the positive standard frozen and thawed for 3 and 5 times repeatedly and the positive standard without freezing and thawing,and the CVs of precision in intra-and inter-groups were all less than 1%.Telomerase activity was negative in 19 normal mesenchymal cell samples and positive in 32 breast cancer cell samples,and significant difference in Ct value of TERT gene between them was observed(t=4.236,P <0.001).Conclusion The developed multiplex fluorescence quantitative PCR(Taqman probe) method for the detection of telomerase activity has good stability and precision,which is expected to be used in early diagnosis and gene therapy of tumors.

Acupuncture Points ; classification ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hiccup ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the molecular biological mechanism of ZHU's Tiaojing Cuyun Recipe (TCR) for treating anovulatory infertility patients with Shen deficiency syndrome (SDS) by observing its clinical efficacy.

METHODSUsing randomized blocking methods, 80 patients were assigned to the treatment group (40 cases) and the control group (40 cases). Patients with regular menstrual cycle started medication from the 5th day of menstruation. Those with irregular menstrual cycle first took progesterone till withdrawal bleeding ,and then started medication from the 5th day of vaginal bleeding. Patients in the treatment group took ZHU's TCR, one dose per day, while those in the control group took Clomifene Citrate (CC), 50 mg per day. Three menstrual cycles consisted of one therapeutic course, a total of 2 courses. Clinical efficacy such as pregnancy rates and abortion rates were observed. Ovulation indices (the maximal diameter of mature follicles, luteinized follicles, ovulational follicles, and the endometrial thickness on the ovulation day), SDS, and integrals of menstrual symptoms were monitored before and after treatment. Serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) , and estradiol (E2) were determined using chemiluminescent immunoassay before treatment and after on therapeutic course. Serum levels of activin A (ACTA), inhibin B (INHB), and follistatin (FS) were detected using double antibody sandwich ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the pregnancy rate was obviously elevated and the abortion rate was obviously lowered in the treatment group (P <0. 05). Ovulation rates of mature follicles and luteinizing follicles decreased more in the treatment group (P < 0.05). Compared with before treatment, integrals for SDS were lower, the maximal diameter of pre-ovulational follicles was increased, and integrals for menstrual symptoms in non-pregnant patients of the two groups were obviously lowered. Meanwhile, the endometrial thickness on the ovulation day was increased in the treatment group after treatment, but reduced in the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, integrals for SDS were decreased, and the maximal diameter of pre-ovulational follicles was lowered in the treatment group after treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Integrals for SDS and the difference in the endometrial thickness on the ovulation day were increased, but the difference in the maximal diameter of pre-ovulational follicles were reduced (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). In the treatment group serum levels of E2 and ACTA increased more after one therapeutic course than before treatment (P < 0.01), but serum levels of INHB and FS decreased more after one therapeutic course than before treatment (P < 0.05). In the control group serum levels of FSH and ACTA increased more, and the serum level of FS decreased more after one therapeutic course than before treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, serum levels of FSH and ACTA increased more, and serum levels of INHB decreased more in the treatment group after one therapeutic course than before treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSZHU'sTCR could improve SDS of anovulatory infertility patients, regulate the follicular development, and elevate the pregnancy rate. Its actions might be associated with regulating their sex hormones, expressions of ovary local factors such as INHB, ACTA, and FS.

Activins ; Clomiphene ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Estradiol ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; Follistatin ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; complications ; therapy ; Inhibins ; Luteinizing Hormone ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Ovarian Diseases ; Ovarian Follicle ; Ovulation ; Progesterone

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal human cancers in China. The specific molecular mechanism of its occurrence and development is unclear. Krüppel-like factor family (KLF), which includes 17 members, is a highly conserved transcrip-tion factor family with zinc finger structure. The mechanism of KLFs and the pathogenesis of HCC have been studied in recent years. Re-search revealed that KLF2, KLF4, KLF5, and other KLF family members could be involved in the progression of proliferation, differentia-tion, invasion, and metastasis of HCC. This review summarizes the function and the mechanism of transcription factors KLF in the oc-currence and development of HCC.

Objective To evaluate the effect of the early goal-directed therapy (EGDT) on mortality in patients with septic shock, and to analyze the risk factors of mortality.Methods A retrospective controlled study was conducted.Complete clinical data of patients with septic shock admitted to emergency intensive care unit (EICU) of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital from May 1994 to December 2014 were recorded and analyzed.According to the International Guidelines for Management of Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock (SSC) with the time of promulgation as dividing point, the patients were divided into two groups as before and after the publication of the guideline, i.e.early group (from May 1994 to April 2004) and late group (from May 2004 to December 2014).The patients of the late group were subdivided into 6-hour and 24-hour reaching standard groups and non-reaching standard group according to the time of reaching standard of EGDT.All patients were divided into death group and survival group according to the 28-day survival.The patients in early group were not treated according to EGDT guidance, so only age, the case history of chronic disease, the main site of infection, organ dysfunction, vital signs, urine output, the amount of fluid for resuscitation, blood routine, blood gas analysis, time for starting antibiotics treatment, the use of vasoactive drugs and hormone, etc.were recorded.The central venous pressure (CVP), central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2), blood lactate (Lac), and the monitor of other parameters of patients in late group were consummated late.The relationship of EGDT compliance standard time and tissue perfusion index recovery time between the two groups of patients was observed.The risk factor for mortality was analyzed by multiple factors logistic regression.Results ① 134 patients were included,and the overall 28-day mortality was 49.25％.② The 6-hour EGDT compliance rate of early group was 0 (0/58),and it was 28.95％ (22/76) in late group (x2 =20.087, P =0.000).Compared with the early group, the 6-hour urine volume in the late group was significantly increased (mL·h-1·kg-1: 1.72± 1.04 vs.0.89±0.24, t =11.950, P =0.001),6-hour mean arterial pressure (MAP, mmHg, 1 mmHg =0.133 kPa) was elevated (64.24±3.90 vs.56.21 ±5.95, t =6.444, P =0.012), the use of antibiotics within 1 hour was increased (76.32％ vs.48.28％, x2 =11.250, P =0.001), the use of vasocative drugs (21.05％ vs.89.66％, x 2 =61.942, P =0.000) and hormone (8.57％ vs.34.48％, x 2 =14.871,P =0.000) were lowered, and the 28-day mortality rate was lowered significantly [34.21％ (26/76) vs.68.96％ (40/58),x2 =15.897, P =0.000].The difference was not statistically significant in the total recovery of liquid volume between late group and early group (mL: 1 856.31±805.81 vs.1 903.1 ± 897.11, t =0.101, P =0.752).③ In all patients, it was shown by single factor analysis that the age, infection sites, altered mental status at admission, white blood cell (WBC) before treatment, 6-hour urine output after treatment, the number of organ with failure, the use of antibiotics within 1 hour, and incidence of acute renal injury (AKI) or acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) within 24 hours were risk factors of 28-day death (P ＜ 0.05 or P ＜ 0.01).In the late group, it was shown by single factor analysis that the age, the case history of chronic disease, infection sites, WBC, pH value, Lac, and ScvO2 before treatment, 6-hour urine output after treatment, the number of organ with failure, the use of antibiotics within 1 hour,and incidence of AKI or ALI/ARDS within 24 hours were risk factors of 28-day death (P ＜ 0.05 or P ＜ 0.01).It was shown by the logistic regression analysis that aging [odds ratio (OR) =4.81, P =0.02], failure of 2 organs (OR =28.63,P =0.00) or ≥ 3 organs (OR =62.69, P =0.00) were the independent risk factors for mortality in patients with septic shock.④ The 76 patients of late group were subdivided into three groups, namely 6-hour reaching standard of EGDT group (n =22), 24-hour reaching standard of EGDT group (n =28), and non-reaching standard of EGDT group (n =28).Compared with those before treatment, the Lac after therapy was decreased obviously both in 6-hour EGDT group and 24-hour EGDT group, and the CVP, MAP, and ScvO2 were increased significantly.The Lac in 6-hour EGDT group was lowered more significantly as compared with that in 24-hour EGDT group (mmol/L: 1.64 ± 0.40 vs.3.01 ± 1.13, P ＜ 0.01),while MAP and ScvO2 were increased significantly [MAP (mmHg): 81.82 ± 8.01 vs.69.01 ± 9.63;ScvO2:0.718 ± 0.034 vs.0.658 ±0.036, P ＜ 0.05 and P ＜ 0.01].The urine output in both reaching standard of EGDT groups was more than 0.5 mL·h-1·kg-1, without statistically different significance.The 28-day mortality rate of 24-hour EGDT group was 14.29％, and it was 0 in 6-hour EGDT group.Conclusions Mortality was as high as 68.96％ during 10 years when the period before the use of 2004 SSC, and the mortality rate was lowered to 34.21％ during 10 years during which the early fluid resuscitation treatment was based on EGDT.Aging and failure of more than 2 organs were independent risk factors for mortality in patients with septic shock.Compared with reaching the standard of EGDT within 24 hours,reaching the standard of EGDT within 6 hours can rapidly reverse hypoxic-ischemic tissue, thereby improving the prognosis of the patient with lowering of mortality rate.

Objective To identify candidate regions of sporadic pheochromacytoma (PCC).Methods Totally 42 patients who were clinically diagnosed as sporadic PCC from 2011-9 to 2013-5 in PUMCH were enrolled .To extract whole genome DNA from their tumors as well as peripheral blood leukocytes and to exclude inherited cases by San-ger sequence mutation .Within 14 verified cases of sporadic PCC , we applyed single nucleotide polymorphism ( SNP) chip to detect whole genome DNA copy number variations ( CNV) and loss of heterozygosity ( LOH) to ini-tiallylocatethehotregions.FinallyapplyQ-PCRtoconfirmthehotregionsinleftcases.Results 38caseswere identified as sporadic PCC , and 4 as inherited cases .CNV were found in 14/14 tumors, of which deletions were more common.Missing regions occurred in 1p,3q,17p,22q,11p.On the other hand, of the 3 inherited cases, de-letion was also detected.The loss of parts of arm 1p is the most common, including chr1:74 957 006 ~86 132 879 , chr1:58 096 424~67 700 471 , and chr1:98 902 091~107 622 430 .The result of Q-PCR confirmed the above-mentioned three regions , and the three segments are final candidate regions .Conclusions Partially de-letion of 1p in most cases is the most striking phenomenon , we believe that the deletion of 1p may occur with PCC development , and there may be some tumor suppressor gene ( s) within these areas .