Acupuncture Therapy ; Massage

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the leading causes of death. Safflower attracts great attention owing to its anti-ischemia/reperfusion injury effect. Ninety-three patients with CAD were included and randomized into safflower treatment group, PCI group and control group. Low-dose dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) was performed to measure end-systolic volume (ESV), end-diastolic volume (EDV), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and wall motion score index (WMSI) to determine the recovery of hibernating myocardium and cardiac function in all patients before treatment and after 3-month follow-up. The study was to investigate the effects of safflower on hibernating myocardial revascularization and cardiac function. It was found that LVEF was significantly improved, while the ESV and WMSI were significantly reduced after 2-week treatment in safflower and PCI treatment groups. No significant differences were found between safflower and PCI treatment groups in ESV, EDV, WMSI and LVEF after treatment Safflower injection effectively improved hibernating myocardial function.
Aged ; Carthamus tinctorius ; chemistry ; Coronary Artery Disease ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Heart ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Revascularization ; Myocardial Stunning ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Recovery of Function

Through introducing mutations into ribosomes by obtaining spontaneous drug resistance of microorganisms, ribosome engineering technology is an effective approach to develop mutant strains that overproduce secondary metabolites. In this study, ribosome engineering was used to improve the yield of butenyl-spinosyns produced by Saccharopolyspora pogona by screening streptomycin resistant mutants. The yields of butenyl-spinosyns were then analyzed and compared with the parent strain. Among the mutants, S13 displayed the greatest increase in the yield of butenyl-spinosyns, which was 1.79 fold higher than that in the parent strain. Further analysis of the metabolite profile of S13 by mass spectrometry lead to the discovery of Spinosyn α1, which was absent from the parent strain. DNA sequencing showed that there existed two point mutations in the conserved regions of rpsL gene which encodes ribosomal protein S12 in S13. The mutations occurred a C to A and a C to T transversion mutations occurred at nucleotide pair 314 and 320 respectively, which resulted in the mutations of Proline (105) to Gultamine and Alanine (107) to Valine. It also demonstrated that S13 exhibited genetic stability even after five passages.
Genetic Engineering ; Macrolides ; metabolism ; Point Mutation ; Ribosomal Proteins ; genetics ; Ribosomes ; metabolism ; Saccharopolyspora ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect and mechanism of Erigeron Injection (EI) on renal interstitial fibrosis in rats.

METHODSUnilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model rats were taken as the subject of study. Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the control group (A), the UUO model group (B) and the treatment group (C) treated with intraperitoneal injection of EI 5 mL/kg per day from 24 h before to 9 days after the operation. On the 10th day of UUO, rats were killed and their kidneys were processed to paraffin sections with HE, PAS and picro-sirius-red staining. The pathological change of renal tubular interstitial tissue and relative cortical/interstitial volume (C/I) as well as the relative content of collagen (RC) were observed by light microscope. The expression of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1), alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and collagen I in the renal mesenchyma were examined by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSMarked renal interstitial fibrosis changes were found in Group B and C, but the changes were milder in Group C. C/I and RC were higher in Groups B and C as compared with those in Group A (P < 0.01), but they were much lower in Group C than in Group B (P < 0.01). The expression of TGF-beta1, alpha-SMA and collagen I were higher in Group B and C than those in Group A (P < 0.05), but they were lower in Group C than in Group B (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEI could ameliorate renal interstitial fibrosis in rats, which might be partially realized by down-regulating the expression of TGF-beta1 to prevent the renal epithelial cell differentiation and reducing the synthesis of collagen I.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Erigeron ; chemistry ; Fibrosis ; Immunohistochemistry ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Kidney Diseases ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; biosynthesis ; Ureteral Obstruction ; complications

OBJECTIVETo develop a reliable assay for simultaneous sequence-based typing (SBT) of HLA-DPA1 and HLA-DPB1, and to apply it for the study of allelic polymorphisms in southern Chinese Han population.

METHODSBased on full-length HLA-DPA1 and HLA-DPB1 allelic sequences, locus-specific PCR primers were designed and applied to amplify the target sequence encompassing the entire exon 2 of HLA-DPA1 and HLA-DPB1. PCR products were purified with magnetic beads, and run through an ABI 3730 DNA sequencer. Genotypes were assigned with an Assign 3.5 SBT software.

RESULTSThe target sequences of HLA-DPA1 and HLA-DPB1 were both amplified with the PCR procedure. Little background and noise was observed in the derived sequences. Among 176 non-related healthy individuals, 4 HLA-DPA1 alleles with the frequencies of DPA1*02:02 (0.589) > DPA1*01:03 (0.284) > DPA1*02:01 (0.096) > DPA1*04:01 (0.031) were identified. In addition, 14 HLA-DPB1 alleles, including 4 common alleles (with a frequency of more than 5%, namely DPB1*05:01, DPB1*02:01, DPB1*04:01 and DPB1*02:02), 7 alleles with a frequency ranging from 1%-5% and 3 alleles with a frequency of less than 1% were identified. The results of HLA-DPB1 genotyping were all in accordance with the typing results derived from an Atria AlleleSEQR HLA-DPB1 kit.

CONCLUSIONA reliable technique has been established for simultaneous genotyping of HLA-DPA1 and HLA-DPB1, which may have a broad application in population and disease association studies.

Alleles ; Base Sequence ; DNA Fingerprinting ; methods ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; HLA-DP alpha-Chains ; genetics ; HLA-DP beta-Chains ; genetics ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; methods ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo explore the best acupoint combination of acupuncture-assisted anesthesia in gynecologic laparoscopy operation.

METHODSNinety patients, with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I - II, and scheduled for elective gynecologic laparoscopy operation, were randomly divided into 3 groups, 30 cases in each group. Group I received only general anesthesia, group II and group III received general anesthesia after Han's acupoint nerve stimulator (HANS) administered for 30 min, bilateral Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were selected for group II, and bilateral Hegu (LI 4) and Taichong (LR 3) were selected for group III. During operation, the concentration of Seveflurine was adjusted to maintain NTS at D1-D2. The change of ETsev value was recorded, the heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were observed, and the time from the end of operation to extubation, awake time were recorded adverse events such as restlessness, shivering, postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting, cases of respiratory depression, the analepsia quality, the time of first anus exhaust, the awaking of patient in operation and satisfactory of patients after surgery were recorded so as to evaluate the effect of acupuncture anesthesia.

RESULTSCompared with group I, the ETsev in group II was decreased 35% (P < 0.05), group ifi was decreased 25% (P < 0.05), with a significant difference between group II and group III (P < 0.05). BP and HR had more stability in group II and group III, the best in group II. As for the time from the end of operation to extubation and the time from the end of operation to open the eye on command, group I was the longest (all P < 0.05), group III was longer, group II was the shortest. The score of restlessness, postoperative pain, vomiting and in analepsia were the highest in group I (all P < 0.05), higher in group III and the lowest in group II. Consciousness score was lowest in group I (P < 0.05). As for the satisfactory of patient after operation, it was higher in group II and group IIII (both P < 0.05 ) than group I. The time of first anus exhaust in group II and group III were significantly shorter than that in group I (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHan's acupoint nerve stimulator has a certain adjuvant action for general anesthesia and analgesia and acupuncture point combination with both Zusanli (ST 36)and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) have the best effect in gynecologic laparoscopy operation. It can decrease the dosage of anaesthetic, has a stable effect on HR and BP during the surgery and has a better quality of analepsia.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; Acupuncture Points ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Female ; Genital Diseases, Female ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

In order to elucidate the expression and molecular genetic background of ABO gene seven samples with ABO discrepancy further identified as bi-specific ABO gene were studied. All these samples were subjected to phenotyping by monoclonal and polyclonal antisera and were then genotyped by direct DNA sequencing and haplotype-sequencing at the exon 6 and 7 of ABO gene. As a result, six ABO dual-specific alleles were identified in Chinese population. An antigen expressed by these B (A) or Cis-AB individuals varied from very low level to the normal level, compared with common A blood group samples. In conclusion, molecular genetic backgrounds of two pairs out of four samples in all samples were the same, however, the ABO expression showed diverse.
ABO Blood-Group System ; genetics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Erythrocytes ; cytology ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Exons ; genetics ; Glycosyltransferases ; chemistry ; genetics ; Humans

OBJECTIVEDiagnosing neonatal asphyxia solely according to Apgar score may lead to misdiagnosis. The aim of this study was to explore new and more accurate diagnostic criteria for neonatal asphyxia.

METHODSTotally 10 376 live born neonates in our hospital were consecutively enrolled into the study. The following five items related to birth asphyxia, i.e., antepartum high-risk factors, Apgar scores, umbilical artery blood pH, organ injury, differential diagnosis on the causes of low Apgar score cases were examined and registered. The relationship among the first 4 items were analyzed. By differential diagnosis, the sensitivity and specificity of each index on diagnosing asphyxia and their complementary value on each other were investigated.

RESULTSThe items correlated well with each other (P < 0.01 or < 0.05) but were not entirely parallel and consistent; they could complement but could not substitute for each other. The sensitivity of antepartum high-risk factors, low Apgar scores, umbilical artery blood pH < 7.00 and organ injury was 100%, 100%, 44.44% and 100%, while the specificity was 17.99%, 98.90%, 96.05% and 96.62%, respectively. Of the 230 low Apgar score cases in this series only 50.9% coincided with asphyxia. For the 230 cases, when low Apgar score was combined with umbilical artery blood pH < 7.00, the sensitivity and specificity were 41% and 99.1% and when low Apgar score was combined with umbilical artery blood pH < 7.20, the sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 29.20%, respectively. After organ injury was added, the specificity was increased to 65.49%. When differential diagnosis was further added to exclude the other causes of low Apgar score cases, the misdiagnosis rate was minimized.

CONCLUSIONUp to now, no single accurate index for diagnosing neonatal asphyxia is available. In order to increase diagnostic bases and reduce misdiagnosis, the criteria of sole Apgar score should be replaced by multi-index diagnostic criteria. Based on the present study, a set of integrated diagnostic criteria for neonatal asphyxia is proposed: (1) prenatal high-risk factors, (2) low Apgar scores (respiratory depression must present), (3) umbilical artery blood pH < 7.00, if only pH < 7.20, the items (2) (4) (5) must be present, (4) hypoxic-ischemic organ injury (at least one organ dysfunction), (5) the other causes of low Apgar scores should be excluded. The last 4 indexes should all be met and the first one serves as reference. If multi-organ (three or more organs) dysfunction and (or) hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy are present, severe asphyxia can be diagnosed.

Apgar Score ; Asphyxia Neonatorum ; blood ; diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diagnostic Errors ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Infant, Newborn ; Multiple Organ Failure ; Risk Factors ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVEThe study aimed to evaluate the value of plasma NT-proBNP in diagnosing heart failure in patients with previous myocardial infarction.

METHODSPlasma concentration of NT-proBNP was measured in patients with previous myocardial infarction by ELISA method at admission. Patients were divided into non heart failure group (NYHA class I) and heart failure group (NYHA class II-IV). The NT-proBNP levels were compared between NYHA class I, II, III and IV, and between heart failure group and non heart failure group. ROC analyses were performed to evaluate the diagnosing value of plasma NT-proBNP for heart failure and to identify the optimal cut-off point for diagnosing heart failure patients.

RESULTSTotal 586 patients [aged from 25 - 83 (58 ± 11) years, 80% male] with previous myocardial infarction were enrolled in his study (n = 374 of NYHA class I, n = 99 of NYHA classes II, n = 82 of NYHA class III, n = 31 of NYHA class IV). Plasma NT-proBNP levels in these four NYHA classes were 484.7 (381.6, 647.8) pmol/L, 907.6 (516.6, 1290.3) pmol/L, 1420.2 (879.5, 2336.2) pmol/L, 2442.6 (1695.4, 3670.7) pmol/L, respectively (P < 0.01). The plasma NT-proBNP level in heart failure group was significantly higher than in non heart failure group [1148.2 (707.9, 2145.3) pmol/L vs. 484.7 (381.6, 647.8) pmol/L, P < 0.01]. Plasma NT-proBNP level in patients with age ≥ 60 years was significantly higher than patients with age < 60 years [702.3 (472.4, 1208.5) pmol/L vs. 526.6 (392.1, 855.6) pmol/L, P < 0.01]. ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for diagnosing heart failure was 0.844 (95%CI: 0.809 - 0.880, P < 0.01), the optimal plasma NT-proBNP cut-off point for diagnosing heart failure was 700 pmol/L with a sensitivity of 75.9%, a specificity of 79.9%, an accuracy of 78.3%, a positive predictive value of 67.9% and a negative predictive value of 85.3%. The optimal plasma NT-proBNP cut-off point was 600 pmol/L for patients ≥ 60 years old and 800 pmol/L for patients < 60 years old.

CONCLUSIONPlasma NT-proBNP level is a valuable parameter for diagnosing heart failure in patients with previous myocardial infarction.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Heart Failure ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; diagnosis ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Peptide Fragments ; blood ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo report the postmortem findings of a case of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus occurring in human beings.

METHODSPostmortem examination was carried out in a deceased caused by highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus. Detailed light microscopy of major organs, including heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys and brain, was performed. The lung tissue was further investigated by histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy.

RESULTSMajor histopathologic changes in lungs secondary to highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus included diffuse alveolar damage, hyaline membrane formation and focal hemorrhage. Some of the alveolar spaces contained lightly eosinophilic liquid, lymphocytes, macrophages, plasma cells and small number of neutrophils. Congested capillaries were commonly seen in the alveolar septa which were focally rimmed by hyaline membrane. Immunohistochemical study showed that the lymphocytes were mainly of T lineage and macrophages were also demonstrated.

CONCLUSIONSHighly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus causes pathologic changes mostly in lungs, including diffuse alveolar damage and acute exudative changes (involving mainly T lymphocytes and macrophages). The resulting parenchymal destruction, consolidation, pulmonary edema and hemorrhage eventually lead to respiratory distress and death.

Adult ; Autopsy ; CD3 Complex ; analysis ; Fatal Outcome ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; isolation & purification ; Influenza, Human ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Leukocyte Common Antigens ; analysis ; Lung ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; virology ; Microscopy, Electron