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 effect of 1, 25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 (1, 25 (OH)2D3) on adipocyte differen-tiation and the underlying mechanism. Methods The mesenchymal stem cell line C3H10T1/2 was randomly divided into 6 groups including control group, differentiation group and 4 different doses of 1, 25(OH)2D3 groups. The control group was treated with vehicle. The differentiation group was supplemented with adipocyte differentiation reagent. And the 1,25(OH)2D3 groups were treated with adipocyte differentiation reagents and 10-9, 10-8, 10-7 and 10-6 mol/L of 25(OH)2D3. After culturing for 5 days, the cells were stained with oil red O, and the expression levels of adipocyte-specific transcription factors and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway related genes were examined by RT-PCR or Western blot methods. Results 1,25(OH)2D3 sig-nificantly reduced the number of differentiated adipocytes and blocked the mRNA levels of adipocyte specific transcription factor PPARγ(peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma), C/EBPα(CCAAT enhancer binding proteinα) and adipo-cyte characterization factor aP2 (fatty acid binding protein 4). These were paralleled by the decreased mRNA expression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway inhibitor sFRP1 (Secreted frizzled-related protein 1) and the increased level ofβ-catenin protein. Conclusion 1, 25(OH)2D3 inhibits adipocyte differentiation, which may be related to the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

Background:Helicobacter pylori( Hp)is listed as Group 1 human carcinogen. Transcription factor FOX family plays important role in the development of tumor,and FOXA1 is a key target transcription factor of some microRNAs( miRNAs). Aims:To investigate the relationship of Hp infection with expression of FOXA1 in gastric mucosal tissues. Methods:Eighty patients undergone gastroscopy from Jan. 2014 Sept. 2014 were enrolled. Hp infection was detected by 14 C-urease breath test( 14 C-UBT),modified Giemsa staining and bacterial culture. Expression of FOXA1 in gastric mucosal tissues was determined by immunohistochemical SP method. Results:FOXA1 expression in Hp positive tissues was significantly higher than that in Hp negative tissues(73. 8% vs. 47. 4%;χ2 =4. 81,P<0. 05). Conclusions:High expression of FOXA1 in gastric mucosal tissues suggests that miRNAs pathway may be one of the molecular mechanisms of Hp infection leading to gastric intraepithelial neoplasia even gastric cancer.

Objective To investigate the clinicopathological features,diagnosis,treatment,prognosis and causative agent of a case of eumycetoma on the submaxilla.Methods A case of eumycetoma diagnosed in our department was assessed for its clinical and pathological features as well as mycologic and molecular identification.Related literature was reviewed.Results The patient was primarily characterized by swelling of the submaxilla,with multiple sinuses draining many black granules.Pathologic examination revealed a pyogenic granulomatous inflammation,and a number of lotus rhizome node-like hypha were observed in tissue samples through PAS staining.Sequence analysis of multiple loci of the isolates,including ITS 1,ITS2 and D1/D2,showed that it was mostly similar to Madurella mycetomatis with a homology of 97%.Conclusion This is a case ofeumycetoma on the submaxilla induced by a novel species of Madurella.

OBJECTIVETo select the optimum purification process of all tubeimosides from Bolbostemma paniculatum by macroporous resin.

METHODStatic absorption test and deabsorption test were carried out to screen the best macroporous resin for all tubeimosides. The single factor test, orthogonal experimental designs and variance analysis were applied to optimize the manipulation parameters of macroporous resin.

RESULTThe macroporous resin NKA possessed the strongest absorption ability to all tubeimosides among the 9 resins studied, in addition to an easy de-absorption property. The optimum absorption conditions were A2B3C1, namely concentration of feed 30 mg x mL(-1), diameter: height of the chromatography column 1:7, the weight ratio of raw material and resins 1:2.

CONCLUSIONThe above experimental results can provide experimental basis for large-scale purification process of all tubeimosides.

Cucurbitaceae ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Resins, Synthetic ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Saponins ; isolation & purification ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Triterpenes ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo evaluate biomechanical properties in different methods of internal fixation combined with distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury, in order to provide a theoretical basis for clinical choice.

METHODSSix lower limbs specimens were collected and divided into 5 groups, including normal group, distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury (injury group), 3 cortexes group, 4 cortexes group and hook-plate fixation group. Neutral position, plantar flexion position (30°), dorsiflexion (20°) supination external rotation position of foot movement were simulated on universal materials tester. Strength, stiffness and stability of ankle joint in 4 kinds of motion conditions were measured.

RESULTSThere was significant differences in strength and stiffness of ankle joint between injury group and normal group in 4 different kinds of motion conditions (P<0.05). Strength and stiffness of ankle joint in 3 cortexes group, 4 cortexes group and hook-plate fixation group were improved obviously in 4 different kinds of motion conditions, and biomechanical indexes were recovered normally or better than normal group. Stiffness of the three fixation groups were better than normal group,but there was no significant differences among three groups (P > 0.05), while stiffness of hook-plate fixation group was closed to normal group.

CONCLUSIONFor distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury, 1 screw with 3 cortexes, 4 cortexes and hook-plate had a positive impact on strength, stiffness and stability of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury stress,and could restore the normal stabllity of ankle joint after reconstruction. While fixing by screw fixation would limit the rototary motion of ankle joint,ankle mortise could not adapt to changes of talus bone, thus induces screw breakage and traumatic arthritis. Hook-plate fixation is more suitable than 3 cortexes or 4 cortexes fixation for bilmechanical properties,and its' stress is more balance and can reduce postoperative complcations.

Ankle Injuries ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Fibula ; injuries ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Tibia ; injuries ; surgery

Objective To establish the ischemic precondition ([PC) model of PC12 cell line in vitro, and to explore the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on the IPC cerebral protection. Method PC12 cells were cultured and used for producing the model of ischemie precondition by the way of oxygen-glucose deprivation. Twenty dishes of cells were randomly divided into four groups (5 dishes for each group): control group, ischemic precondition group (IPC),non-ischemic precondition group (NIPC) and L-NAME treatment group (L-NAME). In control group, the cells were in-cubated with low glucose (<1 g/L) and2% FBS medium in normal oxygen; in IPC group, the cells were administrated with oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) for 6 hours, and then subjected with reperfuaion before OGD 15 hours; in NIPC group, the cells were treated the same as control group for 6 hours, and then subjected with reperfusion before OGD 15 hours; in L-NAME group, the cells received L-NAME (1 mmol/L) and cocultured for 30 minutes before OGD 6 hours, and then received the same treatment as the IPC group. To test whether the model was established, metabolic rate of MIT, LDH release were measured and the apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry following oxygen-glucose deprivation 15 hours. The activity of nitric oxide synthases (NOS) was as-sessed by biochemical assay. One-way ANOVA and LSD multiple comparison test were used to analyze differences among different groups, and P<0.05 was considered different. Results Compared with NIPC group, the metabolic rate of MTT increased (94.9%±35.1%, P<0.05), while LDH release and the cell apoptotic rate decreased significantly in IPC group (279.1%±28.1%, P<0.03). Compared with control group(100.0%± 13.5%),the activities of NOS increased both in NIPC and IPC groups (390.0%±14.6%, P<0.01;126.3% ±10.6%, P<0.01). Moreover, the apoptosis rates in each group (control group, IPC group, NIPC group and L-NAME group) were 5.90, 8.73, 38.62 and 11.73%,respectively. Conclusions IPC reduces the death and apoptosis rate of PC12 cell after oxygen-glucose deprivation injury. NO might be involved, but it is not the only factor.

Objective To investigate the functional changes of dendritic cells (DC) in elderly patients with sepsis. Method Elderly patients (n = 20), ages 75 to 86 years, treated in the department of internal medicine for cadres and the medical intensive care unit (MICU), were selected to participate in the study. Patients with ma-ligoant tumors, hematological diseases, immune diseases, or a history of receiving drugs known to interfere with immune functions were excluded. Using the American College of Chest Physicians/Society of Critical Care Medicine (ACCP/SCCM) definition of sepsis, the patients were categorized into four groups: non-sepsis (group A) (n = 5) ; sepsis (group B) (n = 5) ; severe sepsis (group C) (n = 5) ; and septic shock (group D) (n = 5). The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of each patient were isolated and cultured with human re-combinant granuloceyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in vitro for 10 days. The cells were examined under an inverted microscope, scanning electron microscopy, and flow cytometry. The MTT colorimetric assay was used to observe the abilities of the dendritic cells to stimulale an allogeneic T lym-phocyte response in vitro. Paired t -test was used to compare changes in the surface markers among the different groups, Results The PBMCs in the four groups of patients differentiated into cells with typical dendritic configura-tions after in vitro cuhure with combined cytokines. The CD40, CD80, CD86, and HLA-DR expressions on the cell surfaces increased after culture,with (43.2±12.5)%/(27.3±9.3)%, (31.4 ± 10.1)%/(22.5 ± 8.7)%, (39.3±15.7)%/(21.9±7.7)%, and (75.4±25.6)%/(58.7±16.7)%, respectively. The stimulation index (the abilities of the dendritic cells to stimulale the allogeneic T lymphocyte response in vitro) in the four groups of patients after culture were (23.3±7.9) in group A, (18.9±8.3) in group B,(11.4±5.1) in Group C,and (5.5 ± 3.7) in Group D. Conclusions The immune functions of the dendritic cells of elderly patients with sepsis decrease in a linear manner with the severity of their septic state.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play a crucial role in T cell dysfunction, which is related to poor outcome in patients with severe trauma. Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) contributes to immune disorder in trauma and infection via production of prostaglandin E2. However, the role of Cox-2 in the accumulation and function of MDSCs after traumatic stress has not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we treated murine trauma model with NS398, a selective Cox-2 inhibitor. Then the percentages of CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells, proliferation and apoptosis of CD4+ T cells were determined. Arginase activity and arginase-1 (Arg-1) protein expression of splenic CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells, and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response were analyzed. The results showed that Cox-2 blockade significantly decreased the percentages of CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells in the spleen and bone marrow 48 and 72 h after traumatic stress. NS398 inhibited arginase activity and down-regulated the Arg-1 expression of splenic CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells. Moreover, NS398 could promote proliferation and inhibit apoptosis of CD4+ T cells. It also restored DTH response of traumatic mice. Taken together, our data revealed that Cox-2 might play a pivotal role in the accumulation and function of MDSC after traumatic stress.

Development of the disease is the result of several factors involved in biological network changes. The nature of drug intervention is to regulate these pathological changes to the normal range. Advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are to integrally and systematically regulate this biological networks and systematic pathology through multi-targets, multi-levels, multi-channels. Structural components TCM provides the controlled and precise basis "substance" for this regulation and also to clarify the "truth" of the nature of the regulation by the network pharmacology. Network pharmacology provides new strategy for the research on mechanism of structural components TCM. This study not only reflects the overall characteristics of the development of the disease, but also fully embodies the essence of TCM for preventing and treating diseases through changing traditional model on "one drug, one gene, one disease". This paper explores systematically the integration essence, features and research strategies of structural components TCM and the network pharmacology, understand the interaction of structural components TCM and body from the perspective of the overall concept of improving or restoring the balance of.biological networks. It is effective measure to reveal the structure of a multi-component for regulating biological networks mechanisms, and also provide new ideas and methods for further scientific research and innovation of structural component TCM.
Drug Interactions ; Drug Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; drug effects ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional