ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of Yuxingchangzhi Decoction on level of norepinephrine (NE) and 5-hydroxyptamin (5-HT) in serum of patients with post-stroke depression. Methods76 patients with post-stroke depression were treated with Yuxingchangzhi Decoction or placebo for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, all the patients were evaluated with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD),while the level of NE and 5-HT in serum of patients were measured.ResultsThe total score of HAMD of the patients of Yuxingchangzhi Decoction group was significantly different before and after treatment (P<0.01),while that of the placebo group was not significantly different (P>0.05). The NE and 5-HT level in serum of patients of the Yuxingchangzhi Decoction group were significantly different before and after treatment (P<0.01),but that of the placebo group was not significantly different (P>0.05). ConclusionYuxingchangzhi decoction can raise NE,5-HT level in patients with post-stroke depression and alleviate symptoms of depression significantly.

Objective To investigate the clinical effects of Shugan Jieyu Capsule combined with sertraline in the treatment of postpartum depression (PPD), to improve the postpartum depression and quality of life.Methods 72 cases of postpartum depression treated in our hospital were retrospectively chosen.They were randomly divided into two groups, each group was of 36 patients, and they were taken with different drug regimen.The control group was treated with conventional treatment drug sertraline, and the study group was taken with Shugan Jieyu capsule on the basis of the control group.six weeks of treatment were as the observation period, and the differences of scores of HAMD, TESS and Quality of Life Index for the two groups on admission, four and six weeks after treatment were compared.Results After treatment, the scores of HAMD, TESS and QL-Index of the study group were (0.92 ±0.58), (1.36 ±0.46), (7.83 ±1.68), significantly better than the control group of (1.67 ±0.43), (2.48 ±0.72), (6.79 ±1.24), ( P <0.05 ) .Conclusion The combination of Shugan Jieyu Capsule and sertraline can improve the patients'quality of life after the treatment of postpartum depression, the depression is improved, and with few adverse reactions.It has a positive effect in improving the quality of life of patients.

ObjectiveTo study the characteristic of apoptosis and the expression of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and caspase-3, as well as the relation among them after spinal cord injury(SCI) in rats.MethodsAdult SD rats were divided into two groups randomly: sham group and spinal cord injury group. The rats were killed at 1 h, 8 h, 24 h, and 72h after surgery. The expression of IL-1β and caspase-3 was determined with immunohistochemistry and the apoptosis was labeled by TUNEL.ResultsThere was only a few cells that expressed low level IL-1β and caspase-3 in sham group, but they both enhanced in SCI group within 8 h after operation, and then decreased to the level similar to sham group 72 h after operation. The rates of TUNEL-positive cells were similar with that of IL-1β and caspase-3 after SCI. There was positive correlation among expression of IL-1β and caspase-3 and apoptosis index.ConclusionExpression of IL-1β and caspase-3 increase and a large number of TUNEL-positive cells present after SCI in rats, and there is positive correlation among them.

Traditional processes are mostly adopted in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparation production and the quality of products is mostly controlled by terminal. Potential problems of the production in the process are unpredictable and is relied on experience in most cases. Therefore, it is hard to find the key points affecting the preparation process and quality control. A pattern of research and development of traditional Chinese medicine preparation process based on the idea of Quality by Design (QbD) was proposed after introducing the latest research achievement. Basic theories of micromeritics and rheology were used to characterize the physical property of TCM raw material. TCM preparation process was designed in a more scientific and rational way by studying the correlation among enhancing physical property of raw material, preparation process and product quality of preparation. So factors affecting the quality of TCM production would be found out and problems that might occur in the pilot process could be predicted. It would be a foundation for the R&D and production of TCM preparation as well as support for the "process control" of TCMIs gradually realized in the future.
Drug Compounding ; methods ; standards ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; standards ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; standards ; trends ; Quality Control ; Research ; standards ; trends ; Research Design ; standards ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; instrumentation ; methods ; standards

Objective To study the expression and clinical significance of Wnt10b gene in tissue samples of Hirschsprung disease (HD).Methods Sixty samples of stenotic intestines and 60 samples of normal intestines were collected from 60 patients with sporadic HD who were admitted to the Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University from 2003 to 2010.Tissue samples were stained by hematoxylin and eosin (HE),and then the expression of Wnt10b gene in the tissues was detected by immunohistochemical staining.The mRNA and protein expressions of Wnt10b in HD were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot.All data were analyzed by two independent sample t test.Results The results of HE staining confirmed HD in the 60 patients,and the samples met the requirement of the study.The expressions of Wnt10b were strong positive in the plasma of intramuscular and submucosal cells in stenotic intestines,while weak positive or negative in normal intestines.The results of immunohistochemical staining showed that the percentages of positive proteins in the stenotic intestines and the normal intestines were 0.061％ ± 0.014％ and 0.006％ ± 0.005％,respectively,with a significant difference (t =2.955,P ＜ 0.05).The results of qRT-PCR showed that the relative quantification of mRNA of Wnt10b was 23.5 ± 1.6 in the stenotic intestines,which was significantly higher than 13.1 ± 1.7 in the normal intestines (t =1.687,P ＜0.05).High mRNA expressions of Wnt10b were observed in 45 patients with HD,and low mRNA expressions of Wnt10b were observed in 15 patients.The results of Western blot showed that the relative protein expression of Wnt10b was 35.2 ± 2.3 in the stenotic intestines,which was significantly higher than 19.1 ± 1.3 in the normal intestines (t =2.046,P ＜ 0.05).High protein expressions of Wnt10b were observed in 43 patients,and low protein expressions of Wnt10b were observed in 17 patients.Conclusion There is a close relationship between the abnormal mRNA and protein expressions of Wnt10b in the intestines,which might play a role in the pathogensis congenital malformation of the alimentary tract.

Objective:To compare the modified Qjng Long Bai Wei needling method and ordinary acupuncture method in the effects of improving the levels of interleukin (IL)-1β,IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA),and to determine the advantage of the modified Qing Long Bai Wei needling method for KOA.Methods:One hundred KOA patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group by using the random number table,with 50 cases in each group.The treatment group was intervened by the modified Qing Long Bai Wei needling method,and the control group was given ordinary acupuncture.The two groups were observed before and after the treatment to determine the changes in the levels of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α in synovial fluid,and the clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups.Results:The total effective rate and clinical recovery rate were 97.9％ and 52.1％ respectively in the treatment group,versus 85.1％ and 25.5％ in the control group,and the between-group differences were statistically significant (both P＜0.01).After the treatment,the levels of Ib1β,IL-6 and TNF-cα in synovial fluid changed significantly in both groups (all P＜0.01);there were significant differences in the levels of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α in synovial fluid between the two groups (all P＜0.01).Conclusion:The modified Qjng Long Bai Wei needling is an effective method for KOA and it can significantly improve the levels of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α in synovial fluid.

ObjectiveTo study the therapeutic effect and mechanisms of nourishing Piyin Remedy (nPR) on experimental rat spinal cord injury.MethodsThirty-two healthy SD rats were divided into 2 equal groups randomly: nPR group and injured group. Animal model of incomplete injury of spinal cord was made by Allen's equipment on rat's T8—T9 segment. The spinal nerve function,SEP,retrograde and label technique of horse radish peroxidase,gross observation,histological and morphometric analysis were taken as the observed indices.ResultsThe value of observed indices of nPR group were improved evidently compared with injured group.ConclusionNourishing Piyin Remede can hold back the secondary spinal cord injury and accelerate the recovery of spinal nerve function.

The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of pretreatment with hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) senescence and the underlying mechanism. Cultured HUVECs at twelfth and fourth passages were taken as old and young groups, respectively. Sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, donor of H2S) group was treated with NaHS from fourth to twelfth passage. The cell senescence was determined by senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA β-gal) staining. DAPI fluorescent dye was used to detect cellular apoptosis. Western blot was used to analyze the expression levels of xanthine oxidase (XOD), manganese-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) and the subunits p67(phox) of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase in the HUVECs. Colorimetric method was used to detect SOD activity and cellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) level. The results showed that, compared with young group, the old group exhibited higher SA β-gal positive rate and cellular apoptosis, while NaHS pretreatment decreased SA β-gal positive rate and cellular apoptosis. Compared with the young group, the old group showed increased expression levels of XOD and p67(phox), as well as lower Mn-SOD expression level. With the pretreatment of NaHS, the up-regulations of XOD and p67(phox) levels and down-regulation of Mn-SOD level were inhibited. Compared with the young group, the old group showed lower SOD activity and higher H2O2 level, whereas NaHS pretreatment reversed the changes of SOD activity and H2O2 level. These results suggest that H2S delays senescence of HUVECs through lessening oxidative stress.
Apoptosis ; Cellular Senescence ; drug effects ; Down-Regulation ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; metabolism ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; pharmacology ; Oxidative Stress ; Phosphoproteins ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Xanthine Oxidase ; metabolism ; beta-Galactosidase ; metabolism

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness and safety of manual acupuncture for memory loss and sleep quality in chronic insomniacs.Methods:A total of 60 eligible participants were enrolled and randomized into either a treatment group or a control group,with 30 cases in each group.The treatment group was intervened by manual acupuncture whereas the control group was given sham acupuncture.In the two groups,the interventions were offered once every other day and three times a week,for 8 weeks in total.Before and after the treatment,Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and eventrelated potentials (ERPs) were used to assess the patients' sleep quality and memory,respectively.Meanwhile,adverse events were monitored and recorded.Results:After 8-week treatment,both the treatment group and the control group showed a significant decrease in the PSQI global score (P＜0.001,P＜0.01),and the decrease in the treatment group was more significant than that in the control group (P＜0.001).The intra-group comparisons of ERPs indicated that,the latencies of N1 and P3 were shortened and the amplitudes of N1 and P3 were increased in the treatment group after the intervention,and the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.05,P＜0.001);in the control group,there were no significant changes in the latency and amplitude after the treatment (P＞0.05).The between-group comparisons of ERPs showed that the treatment group was more effective than the control group in shortening the latency of P3 (P＜0.01).Conclusion:Acupuncture can be a safe and effective treatment option for chronic insomnia coupled with memory impairment.

BACKGROUNDCathepsin S and its endogenous inhibitor cystatin C are implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, especially in the plaque destabilization and rupture leading to acute coronary syndrome. However, whether circulating cathepsin S and cystatin C also change in association with coronary plaque morphology is unknown yet.

METHODSWe recruited 98 patients with unstable angina (UA, n = 6) or stable angina (SA, n = 2) who had a segmental stenosis resulting in > 20% and < 70% diameter reduction in one major coronary artery on coronary angiography. Thirty-one healthy subjects served as controls. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) was used to evaluate plaque morphology. Plasma cathepsin S and cystatin C were measured as well.

RESULTSAt the culprit lesion site, plaque area ((7.85 +/- 2.83) mm(2) vs (6.53 +/- 2.92) mm(2), P = 0.027), plaque burden ((60.92 +/- 11.04)% vs (53.87 +/- 17.52)%, P = 0.025), remodeling index (0.93 +/- 0.16 vs 0.86 +/- 0.10, P = 0.004) and eccentricity index (0.74 +/- 0.17 vs 0.66 +/- 0.21, P = 0.038) were bigger in UA group than in SA group. Plasma cathepsin S and cystatin C were significantly higher in patients than in controls (P < 0.01). Plasma cathepsin S was higher in UA group ((0.411 +/- 0.121) nmol/L) than in SA group ((0.355 +/- 0.099) nmol/L, P = 0.007), so did the plasma cystatin C ((0.95 +/- 0.23) mg/L in UA group, (0.84 +/- 0.22) mg/L in SA group; P = 0.009). Plasma cathepsin S positively correlated with remodeling index (r = 0.402, P = 0.002) and eccentricity index (r = 0.441, P = 0.001), and plasma cystatin C positively correlated with plaque area (r = 0.467, P < 0.001) and plaque burden (r = 0.395, P = 0.003) in UA group but not in SA group.

CONCLUSIONSPlasma cathepsin S and cystatin C increased significantly in UA patients. In angina patients, higher plasma cathepsin S may suggest the presence of vulnerable plaque, and higher plasma cystatin C may be a clue for larger atherosclerotic coronary plaque.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cathepsins ; blood ; Coronary Artery Disease ; blood ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Cystatin C ; blood ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography, Interventional ; methods