Objective To detect the levels of plasma soluble vascular cell adhesion molecular(sVCAM-1) and soluble intercellular mo-lecule-1(sICAM-1) in children with Henoch-Schoenlein purpura(HSP) and its clinical significance.Methods The plasma levels of sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) in 53 children with HSP(37 cases in acute stage and 16 cases in recovery stage)and in 25 healthy subjects respectively,and the change that in acute stage and recovery stage was analyzed,at the same time,the 2 factors in children with renal injury and without injury were analyzed.Results The serum levels of sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 in acute stage HSP children were significantly higher than those in recovery stage and normal controls(Pa

Objective To explore the effect of exogenous adrenomedullin(ADM) on expressions of glutathion in plasma and brain tissue inneonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemia reperfusion brain damage(HIRBD) and the mechanism of action.Methods Fifty-six cases of 7 d SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups including normal control group(without any treatment),HIRBD group(the model with hypoxia for 2 h and ischemia for 1 h),primed group(abdomen infusion of ADM at 0.5 h before making model,the other was same to the HIRBD group)and treatment group(abdomen infusion of ADM at onces after making model,the other was same to the HIRBD group).The neonatal rats in 4 groups were derived blood and brain tissue after decapitation at either 4 h or 24 h after reperfusion.The levels of gtutathion(GSH) in plasma and brain tissue were determined by using chromatometry.Results In HIRBD group,the affection areas at 24 h after reperfusion enlarged compared with those at 4 h after reperfusion.Meanwhile,the affection of punctiform degeneration or necrosis at 4 h after reperfusion transformed into the affection of lamellar or diffuse degeneration or necrosis at 24 h after reperfusion.The levels of GSH in plasma and brain tissue in HIRBD group at either 4 h or 24 h after reperfusion were significantly lower than that in normal control group(Pa0.05).Meanwhile the pathology score of brain section in primed group and treatment group were significantly lower than that in HIRBD group at either 4 h or 24 h after reperfusion(Pa0.05).Conclusion Exogenous ADM can induce the neuroprotection in HIRBD by adjusting the expression of GSH.

Objective To explore the relationship of the ratio of plasma adrenomedullin(AM)and endothelin-1(ET-1)with serum concentration of neuron-specific enolase(NSE)in full-term neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy(HIE).Methods Plasma concentrations of AM,ET-1 and serum NSE from 32 full-term neonates with HIE were detected by radioimmunoassay(RIA)on the 1,3 and 7 d after parturition,30 neonates in the corresponding periods in our hospital were employed as controls.The infants with HIE were divided into mild,moderate or severe group in terms of diagnostic standard of HIE.Results 1.Plasma concentrations of AM and ET-1 in newborns with mild,moderate or severe HIE were significantly higher than that of control group at 1 d after life with a decline from 3-7 d(Pa

Leaves of Chrysanthemum morifolium were potential medicinal resource. The present study aims to estimate the main bioactive components: total flavonoids (TF), galuteolin (GA), quercitrin (QU), chlorogenic acid (CA) and 3 ,5-O-caffeoylquinic acid ( CQ), which were considered to be the main effective components, in leaves of C. morfolium cultivars in China. The TF content was estimated hy UV-VIS spectrophotometry, while GA, QU, CA, and CQ were quantitatively determined by HPLC. The highest TF content (7. 13% w/w) was found in cultivar Wan Cong (Shexian county). Cultivar Da Bo ( Bozhou county) had the highest GA content (33. 45 mg - g-1); Cultivar Hong Xin (Sheyang county) contained the highest QU content (29.25 mg · g(-1)); Cultivar Chang Ban (Sheyang county) had the highest CA content (13.14 mg ·(-1)). The maximum CQ content (7.35 mg · g(-1)) was observed in culti- r Da Yang ( Tongxiang county). Different cultivars of C. morfolium had significant difference in components, but the leaf and capitulum of C. morifolium. were found to possess similar chemical compositions. The high content of bioactive components in several cultivars suggested the potential utilization of C. morifolium leaves.
China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chrysanthemum ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry

Objective To evaluate the role of late course accelerated fractions.ted irradiation(LCAF) combined with concurrent chemotherapy in the management of esophageal carcinoma.Methods From March 1998 to July 2000,111 eligible patients were randomized into LCAF alone group(LCAF,57 patients)or LCAF plus concurrent chemotherapy group(LACF-CT,54 patients).The radiotherapy regimen was identical in the two groups,consisting of conventional fractionation in the first 2/3 course and accelerated fractionation in the second 1/ 3 course to a total dose of 68.4 Gy/41 Fx/44 d.Chemotherapy regimen consisted of four eycles of cisplatin 25 mg/ (m~2?d)plus fluorouracil 600 mg/(m~2?d)on day 1 to 3 every 4 weeks and was delivered on the first day of radiotherapy.Results The median follow-up time was 67.1 months(range 47.6-76.4 months).The 1-,3-,5- year survival rate was 67%,44% ,40% and 77%,39% 28% in LACF-CF and LEAF group,respectively(P =0.310).Grade 3+4 acute side-effact was 42% and 25% in LCAF-CT and LCAF group,respectively(P＜0. 05),with 3 treatment-related deaths in the LCAF-CT group.Conclusions Late course accelerated fractionated irradiation combined with concurrent chemotherapy has a trend towards improving the survival,at the cost of increasing acute side-effect.Its role needs further confirmation by larger sample studied in randomization.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of silicon dioxide (SiO(2)) on the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in THP-1 cell line.

METHODSTHP-1 cells were incubated with a series of doses of SiO(2) (0, 100, 200 micro g/ml). The location of NF-kappaB p65 subunit (NF-kappaB/p65) in THP-1 cells was detected by immunofluorescence and laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM). The expression of NF-kappaB/p65 in nuclei was measured by Western blot analysis.

RESULTSThe majority of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labelled NF-kappaB/p65 located in the nuclei 30 min after stimulation by 100 micro g/ml SiO(2), whereas the FITC-labelled NF-kappaB/p65 were mainly seen in the plasma of normal control cells. The expression of NF-kappaB/p65 in THP-1 nuclear protein was low in control group (0 micro g/ml SiO(2)) while it increased after stimulation by 100 micro g/ml SiO(2) and 200 micro g/ml SiO(2) for 15 min and 30 min. The level of NF-kappaB/p65 was comparatively increased with the increasing of doses and time. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), an activator of NF-kappaB, had similar effect as SiO(2) on the activation of NF-kappaB/p65 in THP-1 cells.

CONCLUSIONSiO(2) could activate and internalize NF-kappaB in the THP-1 cell line.

Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; Cell Nucleus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Humans ; Microscopy, Confocal ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Silicon Dioxide ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of short-term forest bathing on human health.

METHODSTwenty healthy male university students participated as subjects and were randomly divided into two groups of 10. One group was sent on a two-night trip to a broad-leaved evergreen forest, and the other was sent to a city area. Serum cytokine levels reflecting inflammatory and stress response, indicators reflecting oxidative stress, the distribution of leukocyte subsets, and plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) concentrations were measured before and after the experiment to evaluate the positive health effects of forest environments. A profile of mood states (POMS) evaluation was used to assess changes in mood states.

RESULTSNo significant differences in the baseline values of the indicators were observed between the two groups before the experiment. Subjects exposed to the forest environment showed reduced oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory level, as evidenced by decreased malondialdehyde, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor a levels compared with the urban group. Serum cortisol levels were also lower than in the urban group. Notably, the concentration of plasma ET-1 was much lower in subjects exposed to the forest environment. The POMS evaluation showed that after exposure to the forest environment, subjects had lower scores in the negative subscales, and the score for vigor was increased.

CONCLUSIONForest bathing is beneficial to human health, perhaps through preventive effects related to several pathological factors.

Baths ; China ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; blood ; Life Style ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; Male ; Nature ; Recreation ; Stress, Physiological ; Testosterone ; blood ; Trees ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of eucalyptus globulus oil on the activity of nuclear factor-kappaB(NF-kappaB) in THP-1 cell line.

METHODSTHP-1 cells were cultured with or without eucalyptus globulus oil at different concentrations (1, 10, 100 mg x L(-1), 30 min) before being stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 mg x L(-1), 30 min). The location of NF-kappaB p65 subunit (NF-kappaB/p65) in THP-1 cells was detected by indirect immunofluorescence and laser scanning confocal microscope. The expression of NF-kappaB/p65 in nuclei was measured by Western-blot analysis.

RESULTThe FITC-label NF-kappaB/p65 was mainly located in the nuclei after THP-1 cells were stimulated with LPS. Whereas, no fluorescence were seen in the nuclei of cells pretreated with eucalyptus globulus oil. This effect on NF-kappaB/p65 nuclear translocation was in a concentration dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONEucalyptus globulus oil inhibits the nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB induced by LPS in THP-1 cells.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus ; drug effects ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Eucalyptus ; chemistry ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; NF-kappa B ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Plant Oils ; pharmacology ; Tosyllysine Chloromethyl Ketone ; pharmacology

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical value of plasma thrombomodulin (PTM) in different diseases or in different severity or complications of diseases, PTM in 979 patients and 60 healthy controls was determined by ELISA method. The results showed that the PTM level in the control group was 20.40 +/- 7.72 microg/L, there was no difference in sex and ages. In chronic primary glomerular disease, the PTM level in chronic renal failure (CRF) group was higher than that in non-CRF group (P < 0.01). PTM level > 70 microg/L was defined as its positive criterion. The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value in PTM were 85.7%, 82.4% and 77.8% respectively. The PTM level in septemia group was higher than that in non-septemia group (P < 0.01), the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value were 86.6%, 89.5% and 76.5% respectively (> 50 microg/L as its positive criterion). With respect of multiple trauma, the PTM level in multiple organ failare (MOF) group was higher than that in non-MOF group (P < 0.01), while the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value were 77.8%, 77.3% and 73.7% respectively (> 40 microg/L as its positive criterion). For systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the PTM level in the patients with albuminuria was higher than that in the patients without albuminuria (P < 0.01), and the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value were 77.8%, 92.3% and 93.3% respectively (> 35.54 microg/L as its positive criterion). For diabetes, the PTM level in complication group was higher than that in group without complications, the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value were 53.4%, 97.1% and 98.6% respectively (> 35.54 microg/L as its positive criterion). The PTM level in microangiopathy group was higher than that in macroangiopathy group (P < 0.01). The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value were 71.2%, 97.1% and 97.9% respectively. Acute leukemia (AL) and multiple myeloma (MM) had higher PTM level and PTM level was extremely high when renal failure developed (P < 0.01). As compared the acute stage with the restoration stage in stroke, pre-chemotherapeutics with post-chemotherapeutics in AL and MM, and pre-operation with post-operation in cancer, the PTM level was connected with clinical development. The PTM level in the patients with microangiopathy was higher than that in the patients with macroangiopathy (P < 0.01). The defined PTM level was higher than its normal upper limit as PTM positive criterion in microangiopathy diseases, the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value were 77.7%, 71.2% and 75.6% respectively. It is concluded that PTM level is a good criterion in evaluating the microangiopathy, and PTM is also a valuable indicator in prediction or assessment of the severity of diseases, or evaluation of therapeutic effectiveness.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Organ Failure ; blood ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prognosis ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sepsis ; blood ; Severity of Illness Index ; Thrombomodulin ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effects of putative AGEs (advanced glycation endproducts) inhibitor salidroside against aging in an accelerated mouse aging model induced by D-galactose.

METHODSA group of 5-month-old C57BL/6J mice were treated daily with D-galactose, D-galactose combined with salidroside, salidroside alone, and control buffer for 8 weeks. At the end of the treatment, serum AGEs levels, neurological activities, expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) in the cerebral cortex, as well as lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 production were determined.

RESULTSD-galactose induced mouse aging model was developed as described before. As expected, salidroside blocked D-galactose induced increase of serum AGEs levels. It also reversed D-galactose induced aging effects in neural and immune system, as evidenced by improving motor activity, increasing memory latency time, and enhancing lymphocyte mitogenesis and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production. Furthermore, elevated expression of GFAP and NT-3 in the aged model mice was also reduced upon salidroside treatment.

CONCLUSIONSalidroside inhibits AGEs formation in vivo, which at least partially contributes to its anti-aging effect in D-galactose induced aging model.

Aging, Premature ; blood ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Animals ; Cerebral Cortex ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Galactose ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Glycation End Products, Advanced ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; metabolism ; Memory ; drug effects ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Motor Activity ; drug effects ; Nerve Growth Factors ; metabolism ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; metabolism ; Phenols ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Spleen ; drug effects ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects