Human embryonic stem(hES) cells can self-renew and have the ability to differentiate into any type of cells of the body. These characteristics make hES cells a good candidate for cell-based therapies. Current techniques for derivating and culturing embryonic stem cells are very mature. However, concerns arise that pathogen contamination may make these cells unsuitable for therapeutic purposes. An optimal growth environment is greatly needed. Through various in vitro differentiation methods, human embryonic stem cells can be induced into many specialized cell types. However the mechanism of committed differentiation is still unknown.

Objective:To study new dosage form of Bingpeng powder referring to oversea patent. Methods: To disperse Bingpeng powder, adhesive and viscosity builders (such as gelatin, carboxymethylcellulose, hypromellose or carbomer), nonionic emulsifier (gluceryl monostearate) and white vaseline into liquid paraffin, stir to attain paste. The formulation was screened by adhesive strength, shape keeping characteristic and water asorbing value. Results: The better formulation: Bingpeng powder 5.0g, hypromellose 21.0g, carbomer 14g, gluceryl monostearate 3.0g, white vaseline 7.0g, liquid paraffin to 100.0g; the paste getting rabbits' artificial ulcers healed more quickly than powder does. Conclusion: The paste is applied more expediently and more effective for oral ulcer.

Objective: To determinate the genome size and complexity of Astragalus membranaceus by using flow cytometry (FCM) and K-mer analysis, which can lay the foundation for the screening of functional genes of A. membranaceus. Methods Lycopersicon esculentum was served as an internal reference in this study. The mixed sample of A. membranaceus cell nucleus and L. esculentum cell nucleus was stained using propidium iodide (PI). The PI fluorescence intensities of the sample were measured by FCM. The genome size of A. membranaceus was calculated by comparing the multiple relationship between the peak of DNA content in the cells of A. membranaceus and L. esculentum. The genome of A. membranaceus was sequenced by using high-throughput sequencing technologies. The genome size of A. membranaceus was calculated by K-mer analysis. The hybridity percentage, repetitive sequence, and GC of A. membranaceus were estimated by bioinformatics analysis. Results The genome size of A. membranaceus was about 1 426 Mb. For K-mer analysis, more than 95 Gb high quality data from the genome was generated. The average genome size and sequencing coverage depth of A. membranaceus was about 1 456 Mb and 39 times respectively. The genome of A. membranaceus had obvious hybridity peak by K-mer method, and the hybridity percentage as high as 2.1%. Conclusion The genome size of A. membranaceus was about 1.45 Gb and the heterozygosity is high. These data would provide a reference for the genomic research in A. membranaceus.

Objective To establish a rat model of pulmonary hypertension induced by left-to-right shunt and explore the influence of high pulmonary blood flow on pulmonary vascular collagen remodeling.Methods Abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava shunting was produced in rats. Pulmonary artery meanpressure (PAMP) of each rat was measured by using a right cardiac catheterization.Pulmonary artery collagen Ⅰ and Ⅲ were detected using immunohistochemisty.Results After 11 weeks of shunting the Qp/Qs was 3.3∶1.0,indicating a large shunt. Pulmonary artery mean pressure was increased as compared with controls[(23.0?0.9) mm Hg vs (15.7? 1.1) mm Hg,P

To observe the clinical effect of Yisui decoction plus western medicine in treating multiple system atrophy patients, totally 65 patients from China-Japan Friendship hospital during 2008-2012 with complete clinical data and received consecutive traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine treatment for more than 3 months were observed changes of traditional Chinese medicine symptom score, part 1 of unified multiple system atrophy rating scale, orthostatic hypotension before treatment and after 3 months treatment. After 3 months treatment, total effective rate of traditional Chinese medicine symptom was 70.8%. Compared with before treatment, score of part 1 of unified multiple system atrophy rating scale was obviously reduced after 3 month treatment (P < 0.001). Ex- cept swallow function without significant improvement, the remaining projects of unified multiple system atrophy rating scale were im- proved obviously (P < 0.05), of which the most obvious differences were orthostatic symptoms, falls and intestinal function (P < 0.001). Orthostatic hypotension after 1 month treatment and 3 month treatment was obviously better than before treatment (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in orthostatic hypotension between 1 month treatment and 3 month treatment. The research results show that Yisui decoction plus western medicine has a certain effect on improving clinical symptoms of multiple system atrophy patients, especially has a significant effect on orthostatic hypotension, and can maintain a stable clinical effect in a certain period of time.
Adult ; Aged ; Humans ; Hypotension, Orthostatic ; drug therapy ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; adverse effects ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Multiple System Atrophy ; drug therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the relationship between carotid intima media thickness (IMT) and pulse pressure index (PPI) in elderly hypertensive patients.PPI was defined as 24 h mean pulse pressure(PP)/24 h mean SBP.Methods One hundred and three elderly hypertensive patients were categorized by PPI level:group A (PPI

OBJECTIVE To analyze the resistant rates of Staphylococcus spp and Enterococcus spp isolated from clinical infections to antibiotics,and to provide reference method for effective control infections of Staphylococcus.METHODS The Staphylococcus spp and Enterococcus spp were identified with VITEK-32 automicrobiology system(AMS) and GPI card,drug resistance was detected with VITEK-32 AMS and GPS-107 card.Laboratory data were analyzed by WHONET-5 statistic software.RESULTS Among 1 445 Staphylococcus spp and Enterococcus spp strains isolated from clinical samples,330 strains(22.8%) were Staphylococcus aureus,872 strains(60.3%) were coagulase negative Staphylococcus,213 strains(14.7%) were Enterococcus faecalis,and 30 strains(2.1%) were E.faecium.From S.aureus 223 strains(67.6%) were MRSA,718 strains(82.3%) of coagulase negative Staphylococcus were MRCNS.The detectable rates of MRSA and MRCNS in 2004 were 75.3% and(82.3%,) which were higher than those in 2003(48.4% and 78.4%).Neither strains of S.aureus nor strains of coagulase negative Staphylococcus were found resistant to vancomycin.MRSA and MRCNS resistant rates were found(higher) than MSSA and MSCNS.From the isolated strains of E.faecalis in 2004,the resistance rates to(ciprofloxacin,) nitrofurantoin,gentamicin-500,levofloxacin,and penicillin G were found higher than that in 2003.(E.faecium)(resistant) rates were found significantly higher than E.faecalis.CONCLUSIONS Staphylococcus spp and Enterococcus spp are the main pathogens leading to clinical infections.The findings of these(surveillance)(studies) will enhance our knowledge regarding the problem of antimicrobial resistance and will serve as a basis for future policies and practice styles.

Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; pathogenicity ; Influenza, Human ; diagnosis ; Pregnancy ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; diagnosis ; virology

OBJECTIVETo optimize the prescription dose of Mahuang decoction in a multi-target manner, in order to provide reference for the quantitative optimization of the prescription dose of the traditional Chinese medicine compound.

METHODThe number of diaphoretic spots in rats, the tracheal antispasmodic rate in guinea pigs and the writhing times by acetic acid in mice were taken as the indexes for evaluating the diaphoretic, antispasmodic and analgesic effects. According to the experimental results of the 16 orthogonal combination prescriptions, a mathematical dose-effect model was built by support vector regression (SVR) and quadratic response surface regression (RSR) respectively. The multi-target optimization was achieved by elitist non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) and entropy weight TOPSIS method.

RESULTThe optimal dose of Mahuang decoction after being optimized by SVR modeling contained 17.71 g of Ephedrae Herba, 9.57 g of Cinnamomi Ramulus, 11.75 g of Armeniacae Semen Amarum and 4.39 g of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata Cum Melle. The optimized result by RSR modeling contained 13.37 g of Ephedrae Herba, 11.61 g of Cinnamomi Ramulus, 11.98 g of Armeniacae Semen Amarum and 5.67 g of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparate Cum Melle. SVR was superior to RSR in both of the forecast capacity and optimization results.

CONCLUSIONSVR-NSGA-II-TOPSIS method could be adopted for the multi-target optimization for the dose of Mahuang decoction and other traditional Chinese medicine compounds. It is proved to be the optimal prescription with the best efficacy, and could provide scientific quantitative basis for determining the dose of traditional Chinese medicine compound prescriptions and developing new traditional Chinese medicines.

Animals ; Cinnamomum ; chemistry ; Drug Compounding ; methods ; Drug Dosage Calculations ; Drug Prescriptions ; Ephedra ; chemistry ; Ephedra sinica ; chemistry ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Guinea Pigs ; Mice ; Rats

Objective To observe the expression of STEAP4 gene(a novel obesity-related gene) during the period of human preadipocyte differentiation and to explore the relationship between the STEAP4 gene expression and adipocytes differentiation,adipogenesis.Methods Human preadipocytes were cultured and differentiated into the matured adipocytes in vitro.Adipocytes morphology and lipid accumulation were observed during this process.Total RNA was extracted from adipocytes at various time points (preadipocyte,Day 0,Day 4,Day 6,Day 8,Day 11,Day 14,and Day 17) and the level of STEAP4 mRNA expression was measured by fluorescent real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polyme-rase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results The level of STEAP4 mRNA expression remained high in preadipocytes.In the presence of differentiation medium (Day 4),there was a transient upregulation in the expression of STEAP4 gene.After that,with the human preadipocytes being differentiated into matured adipocytes,the expression of STEAP4 mRNA was downregulated and reached the lowest level in fully differentiated adipocytes.There was a significant difference between any 2 detected phases in the level of STEAP4 mRNA expression (Pa