AIM: To investigate the expression of ET-1 mRNA in porcine pulmonary artery endothelial cells cultured in normoxic and chronic hypoxic conditions, and their different responses to acute hypoxia were also evaluated. METHODS: In situ hybridization and image -analysis system were used. RESULTS: Acute hypoxia enhanced the expression of ET-1 mRNA in both normoxic and chronic hypoxic group. The increment was more significant in the latter group. CONCLUSION: Chronic hypoxia increased the expression of ET-1 mRNA in response to acute hypoxia in porcine pulmonary artery endothelial cells.

Objective Investigation of the effect of integrin on fibroblasts from scleroderma in the production of procollagen. Methods Phosphorothioate modified antisense oligonucleotides were used to interfere with the expression of integrin ? 5 or ? 1 subunit on scleroderma fibroblasts respectively, then the changes of procollagen mRNA were detected by RT PCR. Results The expression of integrin ? 5 or ? 1 subunit could be specifically inhibited by their antisense oligonucleotides respectively. Decreased expression of fibroblast integrin ? 5 or ? 1 subunit significantly lowered mRNA of procollagen ? 1(Ⅰ) and ? 1(Ⅲ). Conclusion Overproduction of procollagen may be inhibited in the level of transcription by lowering the expression of integrin on fibroblasts in scleroderma.

Adenoma ; Adult ; Ear Neoplasms ; Ear, Middle ; pathology ; Humans ; Male

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of interventional chemotherapy and intravesical instillation for preventing postoperative recurrence and metastasis of cancer in urinary bladder.Methods One hundred and eight patients with urinary bladder cancer were divided into group A and group B.Intravesical instillations after surgical operation were performed in group A (n=52) and combined interventional chemotherapy and intravesical instillations after operation were performed in group B (n=56).The patients were followed up for 1 - 3 years.Results In group A,recurrence occurred in 5 cases (9.62%) within one year,and in 23 cases (44.23%) within 3 years after the operations metastasis developed in 21 cases (40.38%),and 18 cases (34.62%) died.In group B,recurrence occurred in 2 cases (3.57%) within one year,and in 11 cases (19.64%) within 3 years after the operation;metastasis developed in 7 cases (12.50%), and 5 cases (8.93%) died.There were statistical significant differences in recurrence,metastasis and mortality between these two groups (P

No abstract available

Objective To compare the transfection rate of AAV2-EGFP and AAV2/1-EGFP to human skin fibroblast(HFB).Methods Two recombinant adeno-associated viruses(AAV) encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein(EGFP) were constructed and transfected to HFB at multiple of infection MOI ranging from 104 to 106.Twenty-four hours after the infection,the expression rates of EGFP on cultured HFB were assessed by flow cytometry and the transfected cells were observed under fluorescence microscope.The killing effect of the virus on the infected cells was assayed by MTT.Results The transfection efficiency of AAV2-EGFP was increased as MOI increased.When MOI was 104,the transfection efficiency of AAV2-EGFP was 7.68%?1.18%;When MOI was 105,that was 52.12%?1.59%;When MOI was 106,that showed no significant increase.However,the transfection efficiency of AAV2/1-EGFP showed no obvious changes at any MOI.Conclusion AAV2 is more efficient than AAV2/1 in transfecting HFB,but neither AAV has a high transfection efficiency.

Huanglian is a commonly used Chinese medicinal herb in the ancient and the present. It has a history of 2000 years in clinical application, having the efficacy of "Clear away heat and remove dampness, purge the sthenic fire and eliminate toxic materials", therefore can be used for various diseases or syndromes in types of dampness-heat and fire-toxin by internal or external use. Compound prescriptions mainly based on Huanglian or prescribed by Huanglian, such as Puji Xiaodu Yin, Huanglian Jiedu Tang, Zhusha Anshen Wan, Qingying Tang, Angong Niuhuang Wan, Niuhuang Qingxin Wan, Jiaotai Wan, Huanglian Ejiao Tang, Zuojin Wan, Danggui Longhui Wan, Huanglian Yanggan Wan, Wu Xiexin Tang, Lianpu Yin, Gegen Huangqin Huanglian Tang, Baitouweng Tang, Xianglian Wan etc. All of these are well-known formulas for clearing away toxin of heat-fire of heart and liver, as well as dampness-heat of stomach and intestines. Nowadays, Huanglian is generally considered as a kind of antibiotic and antivirus herb and is widely used for many infective diseases. In fact, it is also used to cure cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer based on pharmacological studies. Having been using Huanglian in treating the above diseases and having conducted clinical and experimental research on cancer and liver diseases, the author observed that Huanglian and its compound prescriptions have obvious effects on liver diseases such as acute or chronic hepatitis, liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer due to types of dampness-heat and fire-toxin. Part of the effects has been proved by experimental research and it is worth carrying out more research in this area for development and clinical application.
Adult ; China ; Digestive System Diseases ; drug therapy ; Drug Prescriptions ; history ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; drug therapy ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; history ; Middle Aged

The ongoing outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as named by the World Health Organization has millions of confirmed cases around the world and has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. The virus was named SARS-CoV-2 in February by International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. COVID-19 presents as fever, dry cough, dyspnea, headache and pneumonia. In a small subset of severe cases, the disease quickly progresses to respiratory failure and even death. Since the 21st century, there have been three major outbreaks caused by human coronaviruses, including the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) that broke out in 2003, the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in 2012, and the recent pandemic of COVID-19. Since 2003, significant progress has been made in the study of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV concerning their natural origins, pathogenesis, antiviral development and vaccine design. Since SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV are closely related, previous findings on SARS-CoV are highly relevant to a better understanding as well as diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of SARS-CoV-2. In this review, we highlight recent progresses in the field; compare the biological characteristics of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2; summarize the urgently-needed diagnostic, treatment, prevention and control options; and provide future perspectives for the outcome of the outbreak and research questions to be answered, including some of the difficulties in vaccine development. Hopefully, our comments and suggestions would prove useful for the control of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in China and the world.
Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Betacoronavirus ; drug effects ; immunology ; pathogenicity ; Coronavirus Infections ; diagnosis ; prevention & control ; therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus ; drug effects ; immunology ; pathogenicity ; Pandemics ; prevention & control ; Pneumonia, Viral ; diagnosis ; prevention & control ; therapy ; virology ; SARS Virus ; drug effects ; immunology ; pathogenicity ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; diagnosis ; prevention & control ; therapy ; virology ; Viral Vaccines

OBJECTIVE: Functional constipation (FC) is a common intestinal disease worldwide. Despite the presence of criteria such as Roman IV, there is no standardized diagnosis and treatment algorithm in Hong Kong that combines both Western and Chinese medicine approaches. This study integrates current effective and safe diagnosis and treatment methods for FC and provides a clear and scientific pathway for clinical professionals and patients. METHODS: A systematic search of the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases was performed from their inception to June 30th, 2022, collecting the current evidence about the efficacious integrative management for FC. We organized a meeting of professionals in fields relevant to treatment and management of FC to develop a consensus agreement on clinical pathway process. RESULTS: We developed a clinical pathway for the treatment of FC based on the most recent published guidelines and consultation with experts. This pathway includes a hierarchy of recommendations for every step of the clinical process, including clinical intake, diagnostic examination, recommended labs, diagnostic flowchart, and guidance for selection of therapeutic drugs. CONCLUSION This pathway establishes clinical standards for the diagnosis and treatment of FC using Chinese medicine and Western medicine; it will help to provide high-quality medical services in Hong Kong for patients with FC. Please cite this article as: Wei DJ, Li HJ, Lyu ZP, Lyu AP, Bian ZX, Zhong LL. A clinical pathway for integrative medicine in the treatment of functional constipation in Hong Kong, China. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(6): 550-560.
Humans ; Hong Kong ; Integrative Medicine ; Critical Pathways ; China ; Constipation/therapy*

Objective To study the the feasibility of real-time 3D transesophageal echocardiography (RT-3D TEE) to measure the distance between the coronary ostial and the junction of left ventricle and artery.Methods The RT-3D TEE image of the aortic root was collected intraoperative in 65 cases who were refered to our center for valve replacement.The reconstruction of the aortic annulus was done in the QLAB quantitative analysis software and the height parameter of the annulus could be generated.Meanwhile the coronary artery position was observed and the distance between the coronary ostial and the junction of left ventricle and artery was measured respectively.Results In the 65 cases,49 cases clearly showed bilateral coronary ostial,three cases only showed the left coronary ostial,six cases only showed the right coronary ostial,seven cases of both sides of the coronary ostial were unclear.The shows rate of right coronary ostial was 84.61％ (55/65),with the left coronary ostial 81.54％ (52/65).The measured value of the L-AA in systole and diastole were (15.5 ± 1.9)mm,(12.8 ± 1.5)mm,the R-AA systole and diastole measured values were (13.7 ± 1.8)mm,(12.4 ± 1.7)mm,respectively,there was significant difference between systole and diastole respectively.The aortic annulus height (H) got by 3D reconstruction of the aortic annulus was lower than ventricular-arterial junction to the coronary artery distance in both systole and diastole.Conclusions Not only can RT-3D TEE reconstruct the annulus,but also can show and measure the distance between the coronary ostial and the junction of left ventricle and artery respectively.