OBJECTIVETo explore the objective special features and role of various indexes of treadmill exercise test (TET) in patients of coronary heart disease (CHD) caused angina pectoris with Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome (QYD) with or without accompanied phlegm and blood stasis syndrome (PBS), to provide references for preventing and treating CHD in clinical practice.

METHODSOne hundred and one patients, whose diagnosis measured to the diagnostic standard and the inclusion criteria of angina pectoris and CHD, were classified according to their TCM syndrome type to two groups, the QYD without PBS group (49 cases) and the QYD with PBS group (52 cases). TET was conducted on all the patients. The relative parameters were measured and compared.

RESULTSAs compared with the QYD without PBS group, in the QYD with PBS group, (1) the TET positive rate was higher; (2) total exercise time was lesser; (3) the maximal metabolic equivalent (Max MET) was lower; (4) the average depression of ST segment at the exercise endpoint of test (mV) was higher; (5) the time of ST segment depressed for 0.1mV (min) was longer; (6) the metabolic equivalent during ST-segment depressed by 0.1mV was shorter; and (7) the change of QRS wave time-limit before and immediately after TET was more evident. Moreover, in the testing time more patients revealed angina episode after exercise, and less patients had their heart rate reached the requirement in the QYD with PBS group than those in the QYD without PBS group. Comparison between the two groups in all the above-mentioned indices showed significant difference respectively (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPatients with CHD caused angina pectoris of QYD with PBS are worse in the tolerance for exercise and severer in pathological change of coronary artery than those in those without PBS, they belong to the severe phase of TCM syndrome.

Angina Pectoris ; physiopathology ; Coronary Artery Disease ; physiopathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Exercise Test ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Qi ; Yin Deficiency

Objective The combination of vasopressin and epinephrine has long been thought to be more effective then epinephrine alone in cardiopulrnonary resuscitation (CPR), evidence is not enough to make such a clinical recommendation. This meta-analysis compared the efficacy of vasopressin and epinephrine used together versus epinephrine alone in cardiac arrest (ca) in order to verify the truth. Method MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for the data of randomized trials in comparing the results of co-administration of vasopressin and epinephrine with epinephrine alone in adults with cardiac arrest. The primary outcome was the restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Results Six randomized trials in 485 articles were analyzed. We failed to get the results supporting the effectiveness of this combination therapy, except for the rate of 24 hours survival (OR: 2.99,95%CI:1.43 ~ 6.28). No evidence supported that vasopressin combined with epinephrine was better than epinephrine alone in ROSC. Conclusions This systematic review indicates the combination of vasopressin and epinephrine is better for the rate of 24 hpurs survival in only 122 patients. Further investigation is needed to support the use of combination therapy for cardiac arrest.

Objective To investigate the clinic effect of Linezolid for community acquired methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRS A) pneumonia. Methods The clinic data of the patient- were collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, in addition, the body temperature and white blood cell counts were obtained as the index of treatment. Results It was proved that Linezolid was effective in treating community acquired MRSA pneumonia and showed well tolerance with few adverse events. Conclusion Linezolid demonstrated good clinical and antibacterial activity but very few adverse reactions in elderly patients with community acquired MRSA pneumonia.

Objective An investigation of new cultivars of Amomum villosum Lour.(AVL) with high yield and good quality was carried out,thus to supply evidences for the identification of AVL cultivars in accordance with the morphological features of their flowers and fruits.Methods An investigation of AVL species from the genuine producing areas of Yangchun city of Guangdong province was performed.The morphological features of flowers and fruits of two cultivars(Changguo and Yuanguo) as well as one breeding type(Chunxuan type) were examined.Results Specific and significant features were screened out in different cultivars of AVL.Conclusion There exit specific features in flowers and fruits of different cultivars of AVL from Yangchun.

Objective To investigate the usefulness of 99Tcm-MDP whole body bone scintigraphy (WBBS) in patients with synovitis,acne,pustulosis,hyperostosis,osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome.Methods 99Tcm- MDP WBBS was performed in 25 patients (6 males,19 females,mean age =(55.1 ±9.8) years)with SAPHO syndrome.Bone lesions were classified into five categories:anterior chest wall,spine,mandible,sacroiliac joint,and limbs.The typical scintigraphic manifestations of SAPHO syndrome were summarized and compared to other radiological imaging data.Results Among 25 patients,32％ of cases (8/25)were associated with skin lesion; 48％ ( 12/25 ) were pathologically diagnosed with chronic nonspecific bone inflammation by bone biopsy.On 99Tcm-MDP WBBS,abnormal metabolic foci at anterior chest wall were found in all cases,most of which located in the sternocostoclavicular region (96％,24/25 ),including sternoclavicular joints (60％,15/25),first costosternal junctions (48％,12/25),and manubriosternal junctions (44％,11/25 ).Only 20％ of the patients (5/25) demonstrated the typical scintigraphic characteristic:“bull's head” sign.The second most frequent part was spine (44％,11/25).Appendicular skeleton was affected in 16％ (4/25) patients.WBBS also demonstrated additional skeletal lesions in 68％ (17/25 ) of the patients,mainly in first costosternal junctions (7 patients),sternoclavicular joints (6 patients),manubriosternal junctions (5 patients) and spine (4 patients).Conclusions Abnormal metabolic foci in sternocostoclavicular region and other imaging manifestations on 99Tcm- MDP WBBS can be used to diagnose,differentiate,and localize the insidious lesion and evaluate the lesion activity in patients with SAPHO syndrome.

Objective To investigate the relationship between human leukocyte antigen-G( HLA-G) gene Exon 8 14 bp deletion polymorphism and the pathogenesis of severe pre-eclampsia.Methods Forty-two pregnant women with severe pre-eclampsia,who admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from October 2008 to February 2009,and their newborns were chosen as the severe pre-eclampsia group.Another 45 healthy gravidas at the third trimester and their newborns were chosen as the control.All gravidas in both groups were Han Nationality.HLA-G Exon 8 genotyping was detected by PCR in both groups and the allele frequencies and genotype frequencies were compared between the two groups.The genotype frequencies of maternal-neonatal pairs were also analyzed.Results ( 1 ) In the severe pre-eclampsia group,14% of the maternal-neonatal pairs were homozygote of 14 bp deletion,and significantly higher frequency 33% (15/45) was found in the control group (P =0.038).(2) No significant difference was found in the allele frequencies and genotype frequencies of HLA-G 14 bp deletion polymorphism among all the mothers between the two groups (P >0.05).(3) The + 14 bp and-14 bp allele frequencies of HLA-G 14 bp deletion polymorphism in newborns in the severe pre-eclampsia group were 44% (37/84) and56% (47/84),respectively,and 30% (27/90) and 70% (63/90) in the control group.Although there was no significant difference between the two groups,but differences in trends was identified (χ2= 3.678 P = 0.055) ; The genotype (-14 bp/-14 bp) frequency of neonates in the severe pre-eclampsia group showed no difference compared with that in the control group[29% (12/42) vs 49% (22/45)],but differences in trends was also found (P =0.052).Conclusions HLA-G 14 bp deletion polymorphism is associated with the susceptibility of severe pre-eclampsia in Chinese Han nationality.Maternal-fetal genotype pairs of-14 bp/-14 bp may have reduced risk of severe pre-eclampsia.

OBJECTIVETo identify the relationship between the expression of BMP/Smads in condylar cartilage and condylar growth modifications in rabbits during mandibular forward positioning.

METHODSSixty male rabbits with 8 weeks of age were randomly divided into the experimental group (n=36) and control group (n=24). The mandibles of rabbits in the experimental groups were induced to forward position by a functional appliance. The rabbits in the experimental group and control group were sacrificed after 3 days and 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 weeks, respectively. The expression of BMP-2, Smad1/5, 4 and 6 in condylar cartilage was examined by immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTThe expression of BMP-2, Smad1/5, 4 and 6 was mainly found in the chondrocytes from the transitional zone and hypertrophic zone, and was also found in the chondrocytes and osteoblasts of the mineralized zone. Compared with those of the age-matched controls, the positive signals for BMP-2, Smad1/5, 4 and 6 in the experimental animals were stronger at early stage (P<0.05), coinciding with the remodeling in condylar cartilage after functional appliance.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of BMP-2, Smad1/5, 4 and 6 is associated with the adaptive remodeling of the condylar cartilage after functional appliance.

Animals ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cartilage ; metabolism ; Chondrocytes ; metabolism ; Male ; Mandibular Advancement ; methods ; Mandibular Condyle ; metabolism ; Orthodontic Appliances, Functional ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Signal Transduction ; Smad Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Stress, Mechanical ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; biosynthesis ; genetics

Hepatitis B virus infection is a serious threat to human life and health. The approved anti-HBV drugs including interferons and nucleos(t)ide analogues have serious adverse effect, rebound phenomena after drug withdrawal, and drug resistance. And the cccDNA cannot be completely eliminated by both of them, which is the reason why a complete cure for hepatitis B cannot be achieved. Therefore, developing anti-HBV drugs directly targeting protein or nucleic acid of HBV remains a current public health priority. Based on the analysis of representative literature from the last decade, this article reviews recent developments in small molecule inhibitors directly targeting HBV from a medicinal chemistry perspective.

OBJECTIVETo explore the regulatory effect of arginine on the secretion of hepatic insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I), and the mechanism of enhancing the immune function by arginine.

METHODSWistar rats were randomly divided into normal control (NC), wound control (WC), and wound with arginine (Arg) groups, with 8 rats in each group. The rats in WC and Arg groups were inflicted with soft tissue trauma on the back. The rats in Arg group were fed a diet supplemented with 5% arginine for one week, while those in NC and WC groups were fed with glycine. The serum contents of arginine, ornithine, growth factor (GH), NO and IGF-I were determined 7 days after feeding. T cell proliferation and IGF-I mRNA expression in hepatic tissue were also measured. Meanwhile, the rat hepatocytes were cultured in serum-free medium containing different concentrations of arginine. The supernatant was collected for the determination of IGF-I level.

RESULTS1). There was no obvious difference of the serum level of arginine and ornithine between NC and WC groups (P > 0.05), but the contents of them were obviously higher in the Arg group compared with other two groups (P < 0.01). 2). No difference in the serum GH level was found among all the groups (P > 0.05), but the serum NO content in WC and Arg groups was significantly lower than that in NC group (P < 0.01), and the serum IGF-I content in WC group decreased obviously compared with that in NC group (P < 0.01). 3). The thymocyte proliferation rate in WC group was also markedly lower than that in NC group (P < 0.01), but that in Arg group was improved compared with WC group (P < 0.01). 4). The expression of hepatic IGF-I mRNA: The relative value of IGF-I mRNA was 1.19 +/- 0.06, 1.08 +/- 0.06 and 1.29 +/- 0.06 in NC, WC and Arg, respectively, while the value in WC was lower than that in NC (P < 0.05) group, and that in Arg group was much higher than that in WC group (P < 0.01). 5). The IGF-I level in the supernatant of cultured hepatocytes: When Arg concentration was 0.0750, 0.7500, 7.5000 mmol/L in the culture medium, the IGF-I level in the supernatant of hepatic cell medi-um was obviously higher than that in the medium without arginine (P < 0.01). Although IGF-I level decreased in the culture medium with arginine in the dose of 37.5000 mmol/L, it was still obviously higher than that in the medium without arginine (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONArginine could also produce the immune enhancing effect by stimulating hepatic IGF-I secretion.

Animals ; Arginine ; pharmacology ; Enteral Nutrition ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; secretion ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; metabolism ; therapy

OBJECTIVEThis research intends to amplify the entire coding region sequences of SLC25A13 mRNA which encodes citrin, and to investigate sequence features of the transcripts for this gene in cultured human amniocytes. This study will provide laboratory evidence for prenatal diagnosis of neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by citrin deficiency (NICCD) at mRNA level.

METHODSOne amniocyte sample was collected from a pregnant woman who underwent prenatal diagnosis of citrin deficiency and whose fetus has proven a carrier of 851del4 mutation by genomic DNA analysis. Another amniocyte sample, as a control, was from a fetus without family history of citrin deficiency. Total RNA was extracted from cultured amniocytes, cDNA was synthesized, and then nested-PCR was performed to amplify the entire coding region sequences of SLC25A13. The PCR products were cloned and analyzed by sequencing.

RESULTSThe entire coding region of SLC25A13 gene was successful amplified from two cultured human amniocytes. The splice variant of SLC25A13, SLCA (normal mRNA), was identified in the two samples. SLCB (CAG insertion between exon 9-10) was identified in the control. SLCC (exon 5-11 skipping), but not transcriptional product from the allele with 851del4 mutation, was identified in the 851del4 mutation carrier.

CONCLUSIONSThis study demonstrated that the entire coding region of SLC25A13 cDNA can be successfully amplified from two cultured human amniocytes, and revealed exon 5-11 skipping as a novel SLC25A13 transcript. Normal mRNA predominated in the transcripts in normal control and 851del4 mutation carrier, suggesting that the two fetuses were not at risk for NICCD. These SLC25A13 transcription features provided laboratory evidence for prenatal diagnosis of NICCD.

Amniotic Fluid ; cytology ; metabolism ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; deficiency ; Cholestasis, Intrahepatic ; diagnosis ; Cloning, Molecular ; Female ; Humans ; Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Organic Anion Transporters ; deficiency ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; methods ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Transcription, Genetic