OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of external application of Zhuangshenling Recipe (ZR) combined with Western medicine (WM) on the heart function of chronic heart failure (CHF) patients of Xin-Shen yang deficiency, interior retention of water-fluid syndrome (XSYDIRWFS).

METHODSTotally 140 CHF patients of XSYDIRWFS were randomly assigned to two groups, the treatment group and the control group, 70 in each group. All patients received WM therapy. Those in the treatment group were applied with ZR at Xinshu (BL15) and Shenshu (BL23), while those in the control group were applied with placebos at Xinshu (BL15) and Shenshu (BL23). The therapeutic course for all was 12 weeks. The integrals of TCM syndrome, grading of cardiac function, brain natriuretic polypeptide (BNP), and 6 min walking distance were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSAfter twelve weeks of treatment, the effective rate of improved grading of cardiac function, the total effective rate of TCM syndrome efficacy, and the BNP level were obviously better in the treatment group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in 6 min walking distance between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONExternal application of ZR combined with WM could improve the heart function of CHF patients of XSYDIRWFS.

Aged ; Chronic Disease ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy

China ; Congresses as Topic ; Fatty Liver ; Humans

OBJECTIVE To analyze risk factors in order to provide scientific gist in diagnosis and treatment of central venous catheter related sepsis(CRS) in patients with total parenteral nutrition(TPN). METHODS To make comparison of the 57 cases of CRS with 423 cases of non-CRS during 1998-2002.First,monovariable chi-square test and then non-condition Logistic regression analysis of the markedly different factors in SPSS10.0 were conducted. RESULTS The major risk factors might be infectious disease,duration of central venous catheter in,location of catheter, type of catheter and material of catheter,and serum protein

ObjectiveTo analyze the prevalence and epidemic trend of human brucellosis between 2007 -2010 in Qian'an county,and to provide a basis for future prevention and control measures. Methods Epidemiological data of brucellosis between 2007 - 2010 were obtained from the national disease surveillance report on management information system, population data were from the national disease surveillance information management system for basic information reporting system, and descriptive epidemiological methods was used for statistical analysis. Results A total of 86 cases were infected with brucellosis in Qian'an county from 2007 to 2010, with 68 cases of male and 18 cases of female, and male to female ratio was 3.78 : 1. Patients were mainly in the age of 20 - 55, with 40 - ＜ 45 year-old group the highest. All patients were local residents. Most professional were livestock acquisition, processing and aquaculture personnel. The majority of patients lived in Jianchang town,with 51 cases, accounting for 59.30％. Thirteen patients were reported in 2007, incidence was 0.0201‰(13/ 647 983). Thirty-nine patients were reported in 2010, and incidence was 0.0563‰(39/657 380). There was a fluctuations increase from 2007 to 2010. In 2007 brucellosis occurred in only two townships(towns), which spread to eight townships (towns) and urban areas in 2010. ConclusionsThe epidemic of human brucellosis in Qian'an is in a spreading trend. We recommend the government to strengthen the quarantine of livestock, and the infected livestock should be timely treated. Strengthen the prevention and control in Jianchangying. At the same time increase the brucellosis propaganda, and enhance self-protection awareness of the occupational groups.

Objective To study morphological changes of rabbit artery endothelial cell injury and atherosclerosis caused by high fluoride and the role of selenium. Methods Twenty healthy male New Zealand white rabbits, body weight (2.0 ± 0.5)kg, were randomly divided into control group(drinking deionized water, fed basic diet), fluoride group(drinking fluoride 100 mg/L deionized water, fed basic diet), selenium group(drinking selenium 1 mg/L deionized water, fed basic diet), fluoride plus selenium group(drinking fluoride 100 mg/L deionized water, selenium 1 mg/L of deionized water, fed basic diet). The experimental period was 6 months. At 0, 3, 6 months of the experiment, serum fluorine and selenium levels were determined. At the end of the experiment,thoracic aorta was collected to observe its pathology and ultrastructural changes. Results Serum fluoride was significantly higher at the 3rd and the 6th month of experiment(all P ＜ 0.01 ) in fluoride group[ (0.589 ± 0.146),(0.772 ± 0.175)mg/L] and fluoride plus selenium group[ (0.502 ± 0.094), (0.693 ± 0.158)mg/L] than in control group[ (0.174 ± 0.002), (0.208 ± 0.031 )mg/L] and serum fluoride was significantly higher at 6 months than at 3 months(P ＜ 0.05 ) in fluoride group. Serum selenium was significantly higher at the 3rd and the 6th month of experiment (all P ＜ 0.01 ) in selenium group[ (0.252 ± 0.022), (0.319 ± 0.052)mg/L] and fluoride plus selenium group[ (0.239 ±0.016), (0.294 ± 0.018)mg/L] than in control group[(0.135 ± 0.014), (0.167 ± 0.019)mg/L], and serum selenium was significantly higher at the 6th month than at 3rd month of experiment in selenium group(P ＜ 0.05). Endothelial cell apoptosis indices were (4.92 ± 1.32)%, (30.30 ± 6.80)%, (6.57 ± 2.14)% and (14.29 ± 2.99)%, respectively in control group, fluoride group, selenium group and fluoride plus selenium group. Their main effect of fluorine and selenium was statistically significant (F = 106.833,20.082, all P ＜ 0.01 ). There were antagonistic effect between fluoride and selenium(F = 30.402, P ＜ 0.01 ). Pathological changes of rabbit aortic endothelial cells in fluoride group included endothelial with attached fibrin and red blood cells, and structural of the cells changed, with serious vascular injury; in fluoride plus selenium group apoptosis of endothelial cells decreased, with reduced number of attached red blood cells and fibrin, endothelial cell structure normal, the extent and scope of vascular damage significantly reduced. Conclusions Appropriate amount of selenium inhibits the apoptosis of endothelial cells induced by high fluoride, reduces aortic structural damage caused by high fluoride, and maintains the integrity of endothelial cells, thereby antagonizes the vascular damage and atherosclerosis induced by high fluoride.

Objective To investigate the expression of interleukin-33(IL-33)and vascular endothelial growth factor C(VEGF-C)in gastric cancer tissues and serum,and to explore the relationship between these two indicators and gastric cancer lymph node metastasis.Methods The levels of IL-33 and VEGF-C in the tissues of gastric mucosa and serum were detected by immunohistochemical SP method and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)in 98 patients with gastric cancer and 36 healthy subjects.Results The expression rates of IL-33 and VEGF-C in gastric cancer were 67.35％and 74.49％,which were significantly higher than the rates in normal gastric tissue(47.22％and 61.11％).The difference was statistically significant(P<0.01).The expression of IL-33 and VEGF-C was correlated with the degree of tumor differentiation,tissue infiltration,lymph node metastasis,distant metastasis and clinical stage(P<0.05).The positive rates of IL-33 and VEGF-C in gastric cancer lymph node metastasis group were higher than those in non-lymph node metastasis group(P<0.05).The serum concentrations of IL-33 and VEGF-C in patients with gastric cancer were(50.24±13.08)pg/mL and(210.73±58.35)pg/mL,respectively,which were higher than those in healthy control group(P<0.05);the expressions of serum concentration of IL-33 and VEGF-C in the cases with lymph node metastasis were higher than those without lymph node metastasis and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion High levels of IL-33 in gastric carcinoma patients might induce the secretion of VEGF-C,promote lymph node metastasis,and be applied as an important index of the appraisal to the prognosis of gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVETo observe the intervention of Shenkangling Decoction (SD) on the renal injury of primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) children patients of Shen deficiency blood stasis syndrome (SDBSS) and to explore its mechanism.

METHODSTotally 65 PNS children patients were randomly assigned to the combined group (33 cases, treated by SD +Western medicine) and the Western medicine group (32 cases, treated by Western medicine). Meanwhile, 30 healthy children were recruited as the healthy control group from the medical examination center. Those in the Western medicine group were treated with prednisone (5 mg per tablet) at the daily dose of 1.5 -2.0 mg/kg till two weeks after their urine protein turned to negative. Then the dosage was reduced once daily per every other day. The therapeutic course lasted for more than 1 year. For those with no effect of prednisone or partial effect, cyclophosphamide intravenous pulse therapy was additionally applied for 2 successive days per week, a total of 6 times, or they took cyclosporine A. Patients in the combined group additionally took SD while starting treatment of prednisone. SD was decocted in water for oral dose, once daily, taken in two portions until 2 months after prednisone was discontinued. Efficacy was evaluated based on serum levels of chemotactic factor CXCL16, disintegrin metalloproteinase 10 ( ADAM10 ), disintegrin metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17), albumin (ALB), total cholesterol (TC), and 24-h urine protein excretion (UPE) detected by ELISA before and after treatment.

RESULTSCompared with before treatment in the same group, levels of CXCL16, ADAM10, ADAM17, TC, and 24-h UPE were significantly lower in the two treatment groups (P <0. 01). Compared with the control group, levels of CXCL16, ADAM10, ADAM17, TC, and 24-h UPE significantly increased, and the serum ALB level decreased in the two treatment groups (P <0.01). Compared with the Western medicine group at the same time point, levels of CXCL16, ADAM10, ADAM17, TC, and 24-h UPE significantly decreased in the combined group. The 1 -year recurrence rate and the recurrence times decreased in the combined group (P <0.01). The complete remission rate increased in the combined group (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONSD could effectively improve the clinical prognosis of PNS children patients possibly by reducing the release of inflammatory mediators such as CXCL16, ADAM10, and ADAM17, decreasing UPE and the TC level, and elevating the serum ALB level.

Child ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; drug therapy ; Prednisone ; Syndrome

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes of behavior and amino acids in brain tissue of rats with adjuvant arthritis, and effects of Xinfeng Capsule (XFC) on them.

METHODSAA model was induced by complete Freund's adjuvant in rats. Five groups including the normal control group, the model group, the XFC group, the methotrexate (MTX) group and the Tripterygium wilfordii polysaccharide (TPT) group were set up. The changes of behavior, amino acids in brain tissue, swelling degree of joints, and arthritis index (AI) were observed and the correlation analysis on these indexes was performed.

RESULTSCompared with those in the normal control, the frequency of independent activity obviously decreased in the model rats, accompanied with increased number of step-down errors, shortened step down latency (SDL) and prolonged escape latency (EL), also the level of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in brain tissue elevated and glutamic acid (GLU)/GABA reduced (P <0.05). Compared with those in the model group, all the above indexes were improved significantly in the XFC group after treatment (P <0.05), while they changed insignificantly in the MTX and TPT groups (P> 0.05), the degree of joint swelling and AI were obviously lower in the 3 treated groups (P< 0.05). Correlation analysis showed the frequency of independent activity and SDL were negatively correlated to the swelling degree of joint, and levels of AI, glycine (GLY) and GABA respectively, but positively correlated with GLU/GABA (P<0.05); while EL and number of step-down errors were positively correlated to AI, GLY and GABA respectively, but negatively correlated to GLU/GABA (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONImmune stress could lead to the changes of rat behavior and amino acids in brain tissue. XFC treatment could improve the behavior of AA rats through regulating the levels of amino acids in brain tissue.

Amino Acids ; metabolism ; Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; physiopathology ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; physiology ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDGlucocorticoid (GC) insensitivity/GC resistance is an important etiological and prognostic factor in multiple diseases and pathophysiological processes such as scald, shock and asthma. The function of GC was mediated by glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Scald not only decreased the expression of GR but also reduced the affinity of GR, which played an important role in GC resistance in scalded rats. Whereas the molecular mechanism responsible for the decrease of GR affinity resulted from scald remains unclear. Recent studies showed that the changes of heat shock proteins (hsp) especially hsp90 and hsp70 of GR heterocomplex were associated with GR low affinity in vitro.

METHODSThe affinity of GR in hepatic cytosols and in the cytosols of SMMC-7721 cells were determined by radioligand binding assay and scatchard plot. GR heterocomplex in cytosols were captured by coimmunoprecipation and the levels of hsp90 and hsp70 of GR complex were detected by quantitative Western blotting.

RESULTSSimilar with that of hepatic cytosol of scalded rats, a remarkable decrease of GR affinity was also found in the cytosol of heat stressed SMMC-7721 cells. The level of hsp70 of GR complex in hepatic cytosol of scalded rats (30% total body surface area immersion scald) and in cytosol of heat stressed human hepatocarcinoma cell line SMMC-7721 were both increased by 1.5 fold, whereas no change of hsp90 in GR heterocomplex was found. According to the correlation analysis, there may be a positive relationship between increased hsp70 of GR complex and decreased GR affinity in the cytosols.

CONCLUSIONSThe primary results indicated that the level of hsp70 of GR heterocomplex was increased in the hepatic cytosol of scalded rats and the cytosol of heat stressed SMMC-7721 cells. The increase of hsp70 of GR complex might be associated with the decrease of GR affinity.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Burns ; physiopathology ; Cell Line ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; Heat-Shock Response ; physiology ; Immunoprecipitation ; Protein Binding ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Glucocorticoid ; metabolism

Objective To report a case of foot hyalohyphomycosis due to Fusarium subglutinans. Methods Medical history was collected and physical examination performed for this patient.Biopsy samples were obtained from the inner side of right ankle of this patient and subjected to pathological examination. Discharge was collected from the lesions for direct microscopic examination and culture.Results A 72-year-old woman presented with an ulcer on the right foot for 3 years.Physical examination disclosed an ulcer,measuring 3 cm x 1.5 cm,with a moist surface and obvious tenderness,at the inner side of the right ankle.Proliferation of dusky-red granulomatous tissue was observed at the base of the ulcer.Pathological examination revealed necrotic granulomatous tissue and slender,septate and hyaline hypha-like structure in the superficial dermis with scattered infiltration of inflammatory cells.PAS staining showed sausage-like hypha and scattered orbicular-ovate spores.Microscopic examination of lesional discharge exhibited septate, branching and hyaline hypha.The isolated fungus was identified as Fusarium subglutinans by culture,and appeared to be highly sensitive to terbinafine,nystatin and amphotericin B.The lesion completely healed after 2 months of treatment with oral terbinafine (0.25 g,twice a day).Conclusions This is a case of foot hyalohyphomycosis due to Fusarium subglutinans,and terbinafine is effective for this condition.