In order to investigate the therapeutic effect of traditional chinese medicine "Re Du Qing" on silicosis, the cultured and purifiel peritoneal macrophages in five groups obtained from mice were observed dynamically with cytochemical me- thods and scanning electron microscope. The results showed that the survival times of cell cultures were 2-3 weeks, 24-48, 72, 48-72 and 48-72 hr in normal, silica, "Re Du Qing", P204 and joint action group respectively in vitro. The characteristics of cell morphology with a series of cell surface ultrastructural changes in different times of culturd and the stages of various function were different in five groups. The cell surface ultrastructural changes of "Re Du Qing" group were similar to the normal group. The macrophages in the silica group phagocytosed silica dusts rapidly died and broken down much earlier than the cells in "Re Du Qing" group. The cell surface ultrastructural changes in P204 group were less than that of the cells in silica group, whereas the eell surface ultrastructural changes in joint action group were between the cells in "Re Du Qing" and P204 groups. The activities of intracellular acid phosphatase (AcP) and succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) in silica group were also much lower than that of "Re Du Qing" one. This study suggested that traditional chinese medicine "Re Du Qing" is evidently more effective on therapy of experimental silicosis.

The biological effects mediated by vitamin D and vitamin D receptor (VDR) are involved in the regulation of multiple pathophysiologic processes,including calcium phosphorus metabolism,immune regulation,anti-inflammation,anti-infection and cancer prevention,etc.Autophagy is a eukaryotic cell lysosome-mediated catabolic pathway,which is classified into 3 different types:macroautophagy,microautophagy,and chaperone-mediated autophagy.Since autophagy is vital to maintain energy and metabolism in cells,autophagy dysfunction is closely associated with various pathological processes such as inflammation,infection and tumor.Studies have shown that vitamin D/VDR can affect the different stages of autophagy and regulate inflammation in autophagy.Moreover,vitamin D/VDR and autophagy play an important role in autoimmune disease,diabetes,cardiovascular disease,cancer and other inflammatory diseases.

OBJECTIVETo confirm the inhibitory effect of Chinese herbs of acid taste on melanin synthesis.

METHODSActive ingredients of 22 kinds Chinese herbs of acid tastes were extracted by alkali extraction and acid precipitation, alcohol extraction, and water extraction, respectively, which was then dispensed into 25.00, 12.50, and 6.25 g/L suspension. Their effects on activities of tyrosinase were detected using mushroom-tyrosinase-DOPA speed oxidation. Their inhibition rates on activities of tyrosinase were respectively compared with inhibition rates of 1.0, 0.5, and 0.1 mmol/L arbutin.

RESULTSThe 22 kinds Chinese herbs of acid taste included Cornus Officinalis, Crataegus pinnatifida, dark plum fruit, Schisandra Chinensis, Chaenomeles sinensis Koehne, Reynoutria japonica Houtt, Achyranthes Bidentata, Sanguisorba officinalis L., Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, Herba Ecliptae, blueberry, immature bitter orange, submature bitter orange, Prunus mume Var, Hovenia acerba Lindl., Fructus Mori, Pomegranate Rind, white paeony root, Rosa laevigata Michx., Portulaca oleracea L, Terminalia chebula Retz, Rhus chinensis Mill. Their alkaline extractions showed inhibition to activities of tyrosinase to different degrees except Herba Ecliptae. Of them, the highest inhibition rate (88.49% ± 9.98%) was got by dark plum fruit at 25 g/L, while the lowest inhibition rate (11.22% ± 3.36%) was got by immature bitter orange at 6.25 g/L. Their alcohol extractions showed inhibition to activities of tyrosinase to different degrees except Herba Ecliptae. Of them, the highest inhibition rate (75.92% ± 5.57%) was got by Hovenia acerba Lindl. at 25 g/L, while the lowest inhibition rate (9.60% ± 1.15%) was got by submature bitter orange at 6.25 g/L. Their water extractions all had inhibition on activities of tyrosinase. Of them, the highest inhibition rate (54.23% ± 3.56%) was got by Fructus Mori at 25 g/L, while the lowest inhibition rate (10.25% ± 1.83%) was got by Semen Ziziphi Spinosae at 6.25 g/L. Compared with 1 mmol/L arbutin water solution, alkaline extractions of dark plum fruit, Schisandra Chinensis, Rhus chinensis Mill., Rosa laevigata Michx., blueberry, Chaenomeles sinensis Koehne, Portulaca oleracea L, Fructus Mori, Achyranthes Bidentata, Pomegranate Rind; alcohol extractions of dark plum fruit, Rhus chinensis Mill., Pomegranate Rind, Hovenia acerba Lindl., Crataegus pinnatifida, Achyranthes Bidentata; water extractions of Chaenomeles sinensis Koehne, blueberry, and Fructus Mori at 25 g/L got obviously higher inhibition rates (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with 0.5 mmol/L arbutin water solution, alcohol extraction of Chaenomeles sinensis Koehne and alcohol extraction of dark plum fruit at 12.5 g/L got obviously higher inhibition rates (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONChinese herbs of acid taste could inhibit melanin synthesis, and its mechanism was related to inhibiting activities of tyrosinase.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Melanins ; metabolism ; Monophenol Monooxygenase ; metabolism ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Schisandra ; Taste

Objective To investigate the impact of adding folic acid and vitamin B12 combined with standard antihypertensive medication on plasma homocysteine (Hcy) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA),serum NO and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) of essential hypertensive patients.Methods One hundred and fifty-six patients with essential hypertension were divided into control group and experimental group with 78 cases by random digits table method.Control group received conventional antihypertensive therapy,while experimental group were treated with folic acid and vitamin B12 based on the treatment of control group.Plasma Hcy and ADMA,serum NO and eNOS levels were observed at baseline 2 and 12 weeks after treatment.Results In control group,the level of Hcy and ADMA showed no significant difference before and 2,12 weeks after treatment (P ＞ 0.05).The level of Hcy and ADMA before treatment was significantly higher than that 2,12 weeks after treatment in experimental group (P＜ 0.05).The level of NO and eNOS 12 weeks after treatment in experimental group was significantly higher than that in control group[(77.35 ± 9.55)μmol/L vs.(64.26 ± 11.49) μ mol/L,(30.05 ±6.88) μ mol/L vs.(19.92 ± 10.24) μ mol/L,P ＜ 0.05].The level of ADMA was positively correlated with Hcy at baseline(r =0.612,P ＜ 0.05),and was negatively correlated with NO and eNOS (r =-0.557,-0.529,P ＜0.05).Conclusions Supplementation of folic acid and vitamin B12 helps to improve endothelial function and reduce plasma Hcy and ADMA levels as well as improve serum NO and eNOS levels in patients with essential hypertension,which helps to prevent from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents.

Objective To analyze the pathogenesis,therapy and outcome of pediatric cases with coagulation disorders (CD).Methods All these 137 patients were diagnosed as CD with the methods of hemoglutination five items and/or disseminated intravascular coagulation indexes.Then activity of specific coagulation factors,morphology of bone marrow,hepatorenal function and some other relative tests were performed to find out the cause of CD or the primary disease.Results Forty-three cases were diagnosed as genetic CD with 29 as hemophilia A,4 as hemophilia B and 10 as Von Willebrand disease;while the other 94 patients as acquired CD with 15 as vitamin K-dependence coagulation factor deficiency,22 as hepatic dysfunction,30 as disseminated intravascular coagulation and 1 as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.Genetic CD was treated with replacement therapy to reduce the complication.There was 1 case in this group died of intracranial hemorrhage.Acquired CD was treated with short-term,specific and necessary replacement therapy on the basis of reasonable treatment of primary diseases.Eleven cases died finally in this cohort with 7 cases as liver failure and the other 4 cases as terminal leukemia or lymphoma.Conclusion Pediatric patients with CD were caused by genetic or acquired diseases.In clinic the reason of CD was mainly acquired.The treatment of genetic CD is the replacement of specific coagulation factor for life-long term.The outcome dependes on the lack of degree.While the therapy for acquired CD aims at the primary disease.The principle of blood transfusion is short-term and the outcome dependes on the therapic effects of primary diseases.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of normal hematopoietic and without causing the increase of relapse rate of amifostine in patients with acute myeloid chemotherapy.Methods One hundred and forty-two acute myeloid leukemia(AML) patients were selected and divided into combination group(n =56) and chemotherapy alone group (n =86).Hematological toxicity and non-hematologic toxicity,response rate,duration of response of patients were prospective,non-randomized,case-control study.Results Fifty-six patients in combined group included 30 male and 26 female patients,and 18 patients in high risk stage and 32 patients in intermediate risk stage and 6 patients in low risk.The median age was (35.14 ± 14.42) year in combination group.Chemotherapy alone group included 58 male 28 female patients,and 14 patients in high risk and 64 patients in intermediate risk and 8 patients in low risk.The median age was (46.58 ± 16.99) year.There were no significant difference between two groups in terms of gender (P =0.318) and risk stage(P =0.262).But more young patients were in combination group compared with chemotherapy alone group and there was significant difference(P =0.004).In combination group,42.9％ (24 cases)patients got high Ara-C dose and 32.1％ (18 cases) patients got high HAA dose chemotherapy compared with control group (14.9％ (12 cases)and 20.9％ (18 cases)).The during periods of platelet with ＜20 × 109/L in combination was 0(0,7) day,lower than that in chemotherapy alone group (9 (4,14),P =0.01).Meanwhile the volume of platelet infusion in combination group was less than that in chemotherapy alone group and the nadir of platelet4(0(0,3) U vs.4(1,6) U,P =0.02).No statistic difference was found in two groups regarding of non-hematological side effects and the relapse rate (before and after treatment,combination group:96.4％ (54/56) ; Chemotherapy alone group:98.8 ％ (85/86) ; P=0.062).Conclusion Amifostine may provide protection for AML patients,can short duration of thrombocytopenia,reduce platelet transfusions,and other side effect was no significant difference.

Objective:A study was conducted to observe and compare the efficacy and safety of endostar combined with peme-trexed in elderly patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma. Methods:Sixty advanced lung adenocarcinoma (ⅢB-Ⅳ) patients who never received any therapy were included. The patients were divided into two groups. One group comprised endostar treatment com-bined with pemetrexed (26 cases of males, 15 cases of females, and 11 cases of individuals aged 65 years old to 78 years old), and the other group comprised pemetrexed only (34 cases of males, 20 cases of female, and 14 cases of individuals aged 65 years old to 78 years old). The two groups were treated for 4 to 6 cycles, and evaluation of treatments was performed every two cycles. Results:The endostar group was re-treated for 80 cycles, and the average cycle was 3.1. The group without endostar was re-treated for 115 cycles. The short-term effects are as follows. The total effective rates (RRs) in the experimental and control groups were 23.1%and 14.7%, re-spectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The disease control rate (DCR) was not significantly different (P>0.05). For pleural effusion, RR and DCR were significantly better in the experimental group than in the control group (P<0.05). In the experimental group, compared with PD, the microvessel density (MVD) in the DCR showed higher expression, and a statistically signif-icant difference (P=0.03) was observed. In the control group, compared with PD, the MVD in the DCR also showed higher expression, but no significant difference (P=0.73) was observed. The long-term effects were as follows: median progression-free survival (PFS), median survival, and side effects between the two groups were not significantly different (P>0.05). Conclusion: Endostar combined with pemetrexed showed increase in total efficiency in elderly patients with lung adenocarcinoma, and malignant pleural effusion was controlled without increasing the toxicity of chemotherapy. MVD can be used as a predictor of Endostar application.

Objective To implore the characteristics of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) in human prostate cancer stem progenitor (S/P) cells isolated from LNCaP cell lines.Methods The S/P cells were obtained through florescence-activated cell sorting (FACS).Western blot and immunofluorescence assay were used to detect the S/P cells' EMT markers expression,such as E Cadherin,N Cadherin,Vimentin and Snail.Soft agar assay was used to detect the tumorigenesis ability of S/P cells.Cell migration assay was used to detect the migration ability of S/P cells.Results Compared with non S/P cells,the expressions of EMT markers,such as N Cadherin,Vimentin and Snail,were increased in S/P cells,while the expressions of epithelial marker and E Cadherin were decreased in S/P cells.After cultured for three weeks,S/P cells and non S/P cells both clonally grew.The colony numbers were (18.34±1.21) and (82.27±7.54),respectively (t =8.617,P =0.001).After cultured for 48 hours,the migration cells number was (25.33±5.13) in non S/P cells and (74.33±7.64) in S/P cells (t =7.953,P =O.001).Conclusions Human prostate cancer S/P cells isolated from LNCaP cell line have some characteristics of EMT,such as stronger tumorigenesis and migration ability,which could promote tumor invasion and metastasis.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the hs-c-reactive protein and the severity of coronary artery disease.Methods All the 67 patients underwent coronary angiography and measured risk factors,the Gensini score was used to determine the results of the coronary angiography.The t test,One-Way ANOVA and multiple linear regression analysis were used to predict hs-CRP.Results Coronary artery disease group hs-CRP levels were significantly higher than those in non-coronary artery disease group(P

Objective To investigate the characteristics of CD8+ stem memory T cells (CD8+Tscm) in patients with chronic HIV-1 infection before and after antiretroviral therapy (ART) and to analyze their associations with progression of HIV-1 infection.Methods Thirty-six patients with chronic HIV-1 infection and 20 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study.Flow cytometry was performed to detect the percentages and absolute numbers of CD8+Tscm in patients with chronic HIV-1 infection before and after antiretroviral therapy (ART) as well as in healthy subjects.Correlation analysis was used to demonstrate the relationships between CD8+Tscm and markers for progression of HIV-1 infection (CD4+T cell count, HIV-1 viral load and level of activated T cells).Results The percentages and the absolute numbers of CD8+Tscm in patients with chronic HIV-1 infection had no significant change before and after ART.They were respectively positively correlated with the percentages and the absolute numbers of CD4+Tscm.The percentage of CD8+Tscm was proportional to the percentage of CD8+ central memory T cells (CD8+Tcm), but was inversely proportional to the percentage of CD8+ effector memory T cells (CD8+Tem).In addition, the percentages of CD8+Tscm in patients with HIV-1 infection were negatively correlated with the viral loads before ART.Conclusion CD8+Tscm are responsible for maintaining the homeostasis of other CD8+T cell subsets.CD8+Tscm play an important role in inhibiting viral replication.