OBJECTIVE:To establish the quality standard for Maikang mixture. METHODS:TLC was used for the qualitative identification of Paeonia lactiflora,Angelica sinensis,Ligusticum chuanxiong,Astragalus membranaceus,Schisandra chinensis and Ophiopogon japonicus. HPLC was used for the content determination of schisandrin:the column was Kromasil C18 with mobile phase of methanol-water (60∶40,V/V) at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min,detection wavelength was 254 nm,column temperature was 40 ℃,and the infection volume was 20 μl. RESULTS:P. lactiflora,A. sinensis,L. chuanxiong,A. membranaceus,S. chinensis and O. japonicus showed clear spots and well separated. The linear range of schisandrin was 1-50 μg/ml (r=0.999 9);RSDs of precision,stability and reproducibility tests were lower than 2%;recovery was 97.01%-98.58%(RSD=0.56%,n=6). CONCLU-SIONS:The established standard can be used for the quality control of Maikang mixture.

OBJECTIVETo verify the clinical efficacy on chronic fatigue syndrome of qi deficiency syndrome treated with acupuncture at selective time and explore the effect mechanism.

METHODSEighty patients were randomized into a selective-time-acupuncture group and an acupuncture group, 40 cases in each one. Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Zusanli (ST 36) were selected in the two groups. In the selective-time-acupuncture group, acupuncture was used at 9:00am to 11:00am. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was used at any time except in the range from 9:00am to 11:00am. No any manipulation was applied after the arrival of needling sensation. The treatment was given once every day, 10 day treatment made one session and two sessions of treatment were required. The fatigue scale was adopted to evaluate the efficacy before and after treatment in the patients of the two groups. The ratios among CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the peripheral blood were detected before ad b a after treatment.

RESULTSIn the acupuncture group, the total score of fatigue and the score of physical fatigue were reduced after treatment as compared with those before treatment (all P<0.05). In the selective-time -acupuncture group, the total score of fatigue, the s core of physical fatigue and the score of mental fatigue after treatment were reduced obviously as compared with those hefore treatment (all P<0. 01). The improvements in the scores of the selective-time-acupuncture group were superior to the acupuncture group (all P<0. 05). The ratio of CD3+ and CD8+ T cells was increased obviously after treatment in the two groups (all P<0. 05) and the ratio of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was reduced obviously in the selective-time-acupuncture group (P<0. 05), which was better than that in the acupuncture group (all P<0.05). The total effective rate was 95.0% (38/40) in the selective-time-acupuncture group, which was better than 80.0% (32/40) in the acupuncture group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe acupuncture therapy at selective time is effective in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome of qi deficiency syndrome, which is especially better at relieving mental fatigue. The effect of this therapy is achieved probably by improving the immune function via the regulation of the ratios among CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic ; immunology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Count ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Qi ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; cytology ; immunology ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Aged ; Deglutition Disorders ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Zenker Diverticulum ; complications ; pathology

Objective To investigate the role of gamma secretase inhibitor-I (GSI-I) in cell proliferation and apoptosis of human glioma cell lines U87 and U251.Methods RT-PCR and fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) were employed to evaluate the expressions of Notch receptors and their target gene Hes-I in both U87 and U251 cells treated by GSI-I,respectively.Then,MTT assay was used to examine the effects of GSI-I on cell proliferation of the 2 glioma cells.Meanwhile,flow cytometry technique was also employed to detect the cell cycle changes and apoptosis induced by GSI-I treatment.Results The activity of Notch pathway was inhibited by GSI-I treatment through down-regulating the expression of Notch receptors target gene Hes-I in both U87 and U251 cells.Treatment with 2.5μmol/L GSI-I or above concentrations could significantly induce the cell cycle arrest of U87 and U251 cells and these effects were positively concentration-dependent.Flow cytometry technique showed that GSI-I inhibited the cell proliferation by inducing the cell cycle arrest of U87 cells at GI phase and inducing the apoptosis of U251 cells.Conclusion GSI-I can dramatically inhibit the cell proliferation and induce the apoptosis of U87 and U251 cells,providing a reliable evidence for clinical glioma treatment.

Objective To investigate the relationship between expression of active form of caspase-3 and cell cycle in Fas-mediated apoptosis of B lymphocytoma cell line MML-1. Methods MML-1 cells were incubated with agonistic anti-Fas antibody for different time,and cell apoptosis was induced.Cell apoptotic rates were analysed by flow cytometry,and sensitivity of MML-1 cells to apoptosis was determined.The expression of active form of caspase-3 was analysed by double staining with PI-Triton X and FITC-active caspase-3.Cyclin A,B_1 and E were selected as cell cycle markers for S,G_2/M and G_1 phase of MML-1 cells,and the expression of active form of caspase-3 was detected by flow cytometry. Results The cell apoptotic rate reached 56% after induction by Fas for 6 h.After induction by Fas for 4 h,the active form of caspase-3 was mainly expressed in cells of G_1 phase,while rarely in cells of S and G_2/M phase.Cells with negative cyclin A and B_1 and positive cyclin E expressed active form of caspase-3. Conclusion The expression of active form of caspase-3 in MML-1 cells mediated by Fas might be cell cycle dependent.Cells entering into late G_1 and early S phase first express active form of caspase-3,and their sensitivity to Fas-mediated apoptosis is the highest.

Amyloidosis ; pathology ; Humans ; Laryngeal Diseases ; etiology ; Larynx ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharynx ; pathology

Objective To investigate the efficacy of rituximab-containing regimen in Epstein-Barr virus associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV-HLH). Methods A retrospective analysis involving 6 EBV-HLH patients who had received treatment with rituximab-containing regimen was performed. The patients who were diagnosed with lymphoma or primary HLH subsequently were not included in the analysis. Results All patients were males. The median age was 27.5 years (range 20-61 years). Two patients received rituximab-containing regimen as primary therapy, and got partial remission (PR) within 2 weeks after the first course of rituximab, but relapsed within 4 weeks. Four patients received rituximab-containing regimen as salvage therapy, but none achieved remission. The 6 patients died due to HLH and complications, such as infection and hemorrhage. Laboratory data including white blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, platelet count ferritin, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase,total bilirubin, fibrinogen and EBV-DNA did not show statistical significance (all P>0.05). Conclusion The efficacy of rituximab as a treatment for EBV-HLH is not as good as that in the previous study, and a prospective clinical trial of rituximab-based monotherapy is needed to answer the question.

Objective To elucidate the roles of TANK-binding kinase-1(TBKl)in hepatitis B virus (HBV)infection induced interferon antiviral immunity.Methods Peripheral blood monocytes were separated by CD14 magnetic microbeads from healthy volunteers(HV)and chronic hepatitis B(CHB)patients.Purified mDCs were induced and proliferated in the culture medium with human granulocyte-macrophage concentration of 25 mg/L were stimulated.The mRNA expressions of TBK1,interferon regulatory factor (IRF)3 and interferon(IFN)-βwere quantified by real time polymerase chain reaction(PCR).The levels of IFN-β in supernatants were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Reslllts The mRNA levels of TBK1,IRF3 and IFN-β did not change significantly at 0,12,24 and 48 h after the significantly at 0, 12, 24 and 48 h in CHB group, whereas, it was significantly up-regulated at 12 h in HV group. Conclusions Our results suggest that there may be some disorders in host antiviral signal transduction pathways downstream the binding between ligands and receptors on mDC surface. The insufficient IFN-β expression after HBV infection may result in persistent chronic infection.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (Skp2 ASODN) on the growth and proliferation of gastric carcinoma SGC-7901 cells and its mechanism.

METHODSThe Skp2 oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) were embedded in cationic liposome Lipofectamine 2000 reagent and transfected into SGC-7901 cells. The cell growth and proliferation were observed with light microscopy and MTT assay. Cell cycle was measured by flow cytometry. The expression levels of Skp2 and p27 mRNA were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The expression levels of Skp2 protein and its substrate p27 protein were detected by Western blot.

RESULTAfter treatment with Skp2 ASODN, the growth and proliferation of SGC-7901 cells were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner with a peak value at 48 h. The inhibition rate of 200 nmol/L group at 48 h was 42.4 % (P<0.01). In cell cycle study the percentage of S phase cells in 200 nmol/L group was significantly higher than that in normal control group (P<0.05). Both Skp2 mRNA and its protein levels in 200 nmol/L group were significantly lower than those in control group and in Skp2 nonsense oligodeoxynucleotide (Skp2 NSODN) group (P<0.05). However, p27 mRNA level remained unchanged although its protein level was significantly higher than that in control group and NSODN group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSkp2 ASODN can inhibit the growth and proliferation of SGC-7901 cells, which may be mediated by interfering with ubiquitin-proteosome pathway and cell cycle regulation.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense ; genetics ; pharmacology ; S-Phase Kinase-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical effects of the circumcision stapler, circumcision cerclage, and traditional circumcision in the treatment of phimosis and redundant prepuce.

METHODSUsing the circumcision stapler (group A), foreskin cerclage (group B), and traditional circumcision (group C), we treated 276 patients with phimosis or redundant prepuce. We made comparisons among the three groups in the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative and 24-hour postoperative pain scores, and incidence of postoperative complications. Results: The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and intraoperative pain score were (6.52 ± 2.45) min, (1.93 ± 0.82) ml, and 1.37 ± 0.68 in group A and (7.24 ± 1.86) min, (1.51 ± 0.72) ml, and 1.20 ± 0.79 in group B, all significantly lower than (28. 36 ± 4.22) min, (9.52 ± 3.29) ml, and 3.06 ± 0.75 in group C (P <0.05). The 24-hour postoperative pain score was remarkably higher in group B than in A and C (3. 18 ± 0. 82 vs 1. 85 ± 0. 63 and 1. 82 ± 0. 75, P <0. 05). The incidence rate of postoperative complications was markedly lower in group A than in B (5. 43% vs 14. 13%, P < 0.05), but with no significant differences between either A and C or B and C (P >0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe circumcision stapler, with its advantages of simple operation, minimal invasiveness, fewer complications, and better cosmetic result, deserves a wider clinical application.

Blood Loss, Surgical ; Circumcision, Male ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; methods ; Foreskin ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Pain Measurement ; Pain, Postoperative ; diagnosis ; Penis ; abnormalities ; Phimosis ; therapy ; Postoperative Complications ; Postoperative Period