To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Qinghouyan lozenge in the treatment of acute pharyngitis due to Lung-heat and Yin-deficiency, and compare with Qinghouyan oral Liquid. Totally 144 subjects were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups (72 in the test group and 72 in the control group). The participants in the test group were given Qinghouyan lozenge for 5 days, and those in the control group were given Qinghouyan oral Liquid for 5 days. The effectiveness evaluation indexes were pharyngalgia/odynophagia disappearance rate, overall efficacy of TCM syndromes, TCM syndrome scores, and single syndrome and sign disappearance rate. During the test, the safety was evaluated by vital sign, lab examination indexes and adverse events. The results for the full analysis set showed that the couth disappearance rate, the incidence rate of TCM syndromes, and the throat/uvula congestion disappearance rate of the test group were higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05), with significant differences in the changes in syndrome scores between the two groups (P < 0.05). Altogether 3 adverse events were observed in the test group while 6 adverse events in the control group, without significant differences in the adverse event rate between the two groups (P < 0.05), serious abnormal laboratory examinations and vital signs. In conclusion, Qinghouyan lozenge has better efficacy in treatment of acute pharyngitis due to Lung-heat and Yin-deficiency than Qinghouyan oral liquid, with good safety.
Acute Disease ; Double-Blind Method ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Pharyngitis ; drug therapy

Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; metabolism ; Hypothalamus ; metabolism ; Male ; Physical Conditioning, Animal ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

ObjectiveTo investigate the differences of whole blood chemical elements and urinary fluorine between patients with endemic fluomsis and patients without endemic fluorosis,and to find out the elements associated with endemic fluorosis and further lay a theoretical basis for clarify the pathogenesis of the disease.MethodsUsing case-control study,100 children aged 8 - 12 with dental fluorosis in Wushan and Fengjie counties of Chongqing from December 2010 to February 2011,and 30 adults with skeletal fluorosis were enrolled as case group; 100 children aged 8 - 12 without dental fluorosis and 30 adults without skeletal fluorosis were enrolled as internal control group; and 50 children without dental fluorosis and 30 healthy adults were selected as external control group in non-epidemic areas in Yubei district.Whole blood copper,zinc,calcium,magnesium,iron and urinary fluorine of all subjects were determined,and differences of these indexes were compared between groups.ResultsThe levels of copper,zinc,calcium,magnesium,iron and urinary fluorine of children in the case group were (30.08 ± 2.83),(74.04 ± 9.75)μmol/L,(1.65 ± 0.29),(1.37 ± 0.17),(6.79 ± 1.27)mmol/L,and (0.73 ±0.37)mg/L,respectively; the levels of these elements of children in internal control group were (28.65 ± 3.96),(72.83 ± 11.35)μmol/L,(1.62 ± 0.27),(1.36 ± 0.18),(6.73 ± 1.22)mmol/L,and (0.48 ± 0.21)mg/L,respectively; in external control group were (32.03 ± 2.99),(77.78 ± 10.85)μmol/L,(1.41 ± 0.11),(1.43 ± 0.13),(7.66 ±0.55)mmol/L,and (0.49 ± 0.26)mg/L,respectively(all P＜ 0.05),the comparison between any two groups indicated the levels of copper,zinc,magnesium,iron of the case group were lower than that of external control group,urinary fluorine was higher than that of internal and external control groups(all P ＜ 0.05).The levels of copper,zinc,calcium,magnesium,iron and urinary fluorine of adult case were (26.93 ± 4.37),(95.89 ± 12.45)μmol/L,(1.50 ± 1.76),(1.56 ± 1.96),(8.15 ± 1.00)mmol/L,and (2.17 ± 0.99)mg/L; internal control group were (26.26 ±4.96),(94.86 ± 12.18)μmol/L,(1.57 ± 0.12),(1.46 ± 0.16),(7.64 ± 1.00)mmol/L,and (1.44 ± 1.22)mg/L;external control group were (26.20 ± 2.96),(96.52 ± 11.11)μmol/L,(1.48 ± 0.14),(1.45 ± 0.16),(7.81 ±0.91 )mmol/L,and (0.55 ± 0.21 )mg/L,respectively.The levels of magnesium,iron and urinary fluorine of case group were higher than that of internal control group,magnesium and urinary fluorine were higher than that of external control group(all P ＜ 0.05).ConclusionsIn vivo anti-fluorine elements are deficient in the areas with endemic fluorosis.Other chemical elements,the environment and genetic factors may be related to the pathogenesisof the disease,which needs a further comprehensive analysis.

To develop a cell-penetrating chimeric apoptotic peptide AVPI-LMWP/DNA co-delivery system for cancer therapy, we prepared the AVPI-LMWP/pTRAIL self-assembled complexes containing a therapeutic combination of peptide drug AVPI and DNA drug TRAIL. The chimeric apoptotic peptide AVPI-LMWP was synthesized using the standard solid-phase synthesis. The cationic AVPI-LMWP could condense pTRAIL by electrostatic interaction. The physical-chemical properties of the AVPI-LMWP/pTRAIL complexes were characterized. The cellular uptake efficiency and the inhibitory activity of the AVPI-LMWP/pTRAIL complexes on tumor cell were also performed. The results showed that the AVPI-LMWP/pTRAIL complexes were successfully prepared by co-incubation. With the increase of mass ratio (AVPI-LMWP/DNA), the particle size was decreased and the zeta potential had few change. Agarose gel electrophoresis showed that AVPI-LMWP could fully bind and condense pTRAIL at a mass ratio above 15:1. Cellular uptake efficiency was improved along with the increased ratio of W(AVPI-LMWP)/WpTRAIL. The in vitro cytotoxicity experiments demonstrated that the AVPI-LMWP/pTRAIL (W:W = 20:1) complexes was significantly more effective than the pTRAIL, AVPI-LMWP alone or LMWP/pTRAIL complexes on inhibition of HeLa cell growth. Our studies indicated that the AVPI-LMWP/pTRAIL co-delivery system could deliver plasmid into HeLa cell and induce tumor cell apoptosis efficiently, which showed its potential in cancer therapy using combination of apoptoic peptide and gene drugs.
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; Cell-Penetrating Peptides ; chemistry ; DNA ; chemistry ; Drug Delivery Systems ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Particle Size ; Plasmids

BACKGROUNDThe induction of immune tolerance and suppression of allograft rejection has become the focus in the study of liver transplantation. The effect of immune therapy with anti-CD40L mAb alone or in combination with cyclosporine A (CsA) on the recipient survival and Th1/Th2 cytokine profile was studied to elucidate its immunological mechanism and role in rat orthotopic liver transplantation.

METHODSThe model of rat orthotopic liver transplantation was established by modified Kamada's technique. Recipients were divided into group A (control group): SD-->SD; group B (group of rejection): SD-->Wistar without any treatment; group C: SD-->Wistar with CsA monotherapy from day 1 to day 5; and group D: SD-->Wistar with CsA from day 1 to day 5 and anti-CD40L mAb on day 0 and day 2. The survival of the recipients in all groups was observed and ELISA technique was used to detect the level of cytokines in peripheral blood on post-transplant day 7.

RESULTSThe survival period of recipients in groups A (> 60 days) and D (> 60 days) was significantly longer than that in group B (13.8 +/- 2.4 days). The serum levels of interleukin 2 (IL-2) and interferon gamma in group B were significantly higher than those in other groups; the level of tumor necrosis factor alpha was higher but not statistically significant. In contrast, the serum levels of IL-4 and IL-10 in group D were elevated more significantly than those in group B (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCombined immune therapy can prolong the survival of allografts. Increased expression of Th2 cytokines, which is closely related to the induction of tolerance and suppression of rejection, is beneficial to the long-term survival of recipients and allografts.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; therapeutic use ; CD40 Ligand ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Cyclosporine ; therapeutic use ; Cytokines ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Graft Survival ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Th1 Cells ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; immunology

UNLABELLEDOBJECTIVE; To evaluate the clinical value of different CT diagnostic criteria for peripancreatic artery and vein invasion in pancreatic carcinoma through comparison with the findings on surgical exploration.

METHODSOf 72 patients of having suspected pancreatic carcinoma were examined by multiplane spiral CT. Among 43 confirmed by surgical pathology; 15 underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy; 28 were found to have unresectable tumors. The peri-pancreatic major vessels including the superior mesenteric artery, celiac artery, hepatic artery, superior mesenteric vein and portal vein were explored carefully during surgical exploration.

RESULTSThe criteria for peri-pancreatic artery invasion was the presence of one of the following signs: artery embeded in tumor, or more than half of the artery circumference involved by tumor with wall irregularity or stenosis. The sensitivity of the above described criteria was 75.0% (12/16). If the criteria of tumor involvement exceeding half of the vessel circumference were adhered to, the sensitivity was 87.5% (14/16), which was high than the former, but the specificity was lower than that of the former one (90.2% versus 95.1%). The criteria for peri-pancreatic vein invasion was presence of any of the following signs: vein obliteration, more than half of the vein circumference involved by tumor, vein wall irregularity, vein stenosis, tear-drop sign of superior mesenteric artery. The sensitivity of the above described criteria was 92.9% (39/42), higher than that of the criteria that more than half of the vessel circumference was involved by the tumor (69.0%, 29/42), but the specificity of both criteria was the same (97.4%, 37/38).

CONCLUSIONFor assessing peri-pancreatic artery and vein invasion, using the combination of different CT diagnostic criteria has higher accuracy than when using only criteria of more than half of vessel circumference involved by tumor.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Celiac Artery ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Hepatic Artery ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior ; diagnostic imaging ; Mesenteric Veins ; diagnostic imaging ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; Portal Vein ; diagnostic imaging ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of c-kit mutation on the prognosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

METHODSA search of studies in PubMed and MedLine (from 1999 to 2008) was performed to assess the effect of c-kit mutation on the prognosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors. The articles were retrieved with the entries of "gastrointestinal stromal tumors", "imatinib", "c-kit" and "mutation". A meta-analysis was performed to assess the data included.

RESULTSA total of 15 articles were collected in this analysis. No significant differences was found in incidence of mitoses (> 5/50 HPF) between the patients with wild type c-kit (wild type group) and the ones with mutated c-kit (mutation group) (P = 0.710); tumor recurrence and metastasis rate after surgery was significant higher in the mutation group than that in wild type group (P = 0.010); as for imatinib response with different c-kit mutation types, the results showed the incidence of clinical response (complete response + partial response) was significantly higher in mutation group than that in wild type group (P = 0.009), but the imatinib resistance rate was lower in mutation group (P = 0.000); three studies provided data for imatinib resistance with c-kit second mutations, the results showed the second mutations mainly focus on exon 13, 14, 17.

CONCLUSIONSC-kit mutation is related closely with the incidence of recurrence and metastasis in GIST after surgery. The mutations of c-kit influences the therapeutic effects of imatinib.

Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Benzamides ; Case-Control Studies ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; Mutation ; Piperazines ; therapeutic use ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; genetics ; Pyrimidines ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of group II metabotropic glutamate receptors in the modulation of basic respiratory rhythm.

METHODSNeonatal (0-3 days) SD rats of either sex were used. The medulla oblongata brain slice containing the medial region of the nucleus retrofacialis (mNRF) and the hypoglossal nerve rootlets was prepared, and the surgical procedure was performed in the modified Kreb's solution (MKS) with continuous carbogen (95% O2 and 5% CO2) within 3 min. The brain slices were quickly transferred to a recording chamber and continuously perfused with oxygen-saturated MKS at a rate of 4-6 ml/min at 27-29 degrees celsius. Eighteen medulla oblongata slices were divided into 3 groups and treated for 10 min with group II metabotropic glutamate receptor-specific agonist 2R,4R-4-aminopyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylate (APDC) (at concentrations of 10, 20, 50 micromol/L), group II metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist (2S)-alpha-ethylglutamic acid (EGLU) (300 micromol/L), or APDC (50 micromol/L)+EGLU (300 micromol/L) after a 10 min APDC (50 micromol/L) application. Respiratory rhythmical discharge activity (RRDA) of the rootlets of the hypoglossal nerve was recorded by suction electrodes.

RESULTSAPDC produced a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the RRDA, prolonging the respiratory cycle and expiratory time and decreasing the integral amplitude and inspiratory time. EGLU induced a significant decrease in the respiratory cycle and expiratory time. The effect of APDC on the respiratory rhythm was partially reversed by the application of APDC+EGLU.

CONCLUSIONGroup II metabotropic glutamate receptors are probably involved in the modulation of the RRDA in isolated neonatal rat brainstem slice.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; In Vitro Techniques ; Medulla Oblongata ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate ; physiology ; Respiratory Center ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo screen anti-c-Met Fab from a phage antibody library and identify its binding activity.

METHODSThe expression of c-Met of HCC lines was identified by Western blot and immunofluorescence. Antibodies against c-Met were screened with immobilized antigen. After five rounds of panning, 30 randomly selected clones were identified by phage ELISA to select specific clones with high affinity. The positive clones were selected for Fab soluble expression in TOP10F and the binding activities were analysed in HCC lines.

RESULTSc-Met expressed in HCC membrane was confirmed by Western blot and immunofluorescence. A Fab fragment named AM2-26 with fine activity to c-Met was selected. AM2-26 binding specificity was confirmed by IP, FACS and immunofluorescence.

CONCLUSIONThe anti-c-Met Fab binding to c-Met in HCC provides a promising candidate for the biotherapy of hepatoma.

Antibodies ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cloning, Molecular ; Gene Library ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin Variable Region ; immunology ; Peptide Library ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met ; immunology ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of high-dose dexamethasone-based regiments in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients with renal impairment.

METHODSThe clinical data of 22 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients with renal impairment who received high-dose dexamethasone-based regiments from August 2006 to August 2008 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTSAfter receiving a median 4 cycles of high-dose dexamethasone-based regiments, renal impairment was reversed in 7 patients (31.8%) with a median time to reversal of 31 days. Sixteen patients (72.7%) achieved overall response, including 7 patients (31.8%) had complete remission / near complete remission. The grade 3 or 4 adverse events included neutropenia (13.6%), infections (22.7%), peripheral neuropathy (9.1%), and ileus (4.5%).

CONCLUSIONThe high-dose dexamethasone-based regiments are safe and effective for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients with renal impairment.

Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Dexamethasone ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; complications ; drug therapy ; Prognosis ; Renal Insufficiency ; complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome