BACKGROUND: It is thought in traditional Chinese medicine that dogday moxibustion (DDM) has good clinical effect in treating bronchial asthma. Study of its influence on soluble cellular adhesion molecules in patients with bronchial asthma can help to well understand its mechanism.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of dog-day on soluble cellular adhesion molecules in patients with bronchial asthmaDESIGN: Self-control, case-control observationSETTING: College of Acupuncture and Manipulation and Clinic of the Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion of the First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.PARTICIPANTS: Totally 28 patients with bronchial asthma receiving dog-day moxibustion in the Clinic of the Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from July to August 2004 were set as dog-day moxibustion group, and 10 concurrent health volunteers were set as normal control group.METHODS: According to the principle of "treating winter diseases in summer", the Chinese medicine which consists of such herbs as Baijiezi(Semen Sinapis Albae ), Mahuang(Herba Ephedrae ), Xixin (Herba Asari ),Gans ui (Radix Kansui ), Yanhu (Rhizoma Corydalis ) was stuck on the points such as Feishu, Dingchuan, Fengnen, Bailao, Shenshu. Point selection was at the two sides, and a lumpy salve was stuck on the point with adhesive tape. Three to six hours for adult and one to two hours for children in each sticking duration; and the operation was respectively done on the first (July20), second (July 30) and third (August 9) dog-day.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Short-term effect 3 months later was observed, the levels of soluble cellular adhesion molecules and IgE were assayed before and 10 days after treatment, and comparison with normal control group was performed. The indexes of the patients before treatment were performed Pearson correlation analysis.RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients and 10 healthy persons all entered result analysis. [1] Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 level was significantly higher before treatment in dog-day moxibustion group than that after treatment in the dog-day moxibustion group and that in the normal control group [(281.39±64.58 ), (256.95±44.22), ( 194.30±39.05 ) μg/L,P ＜ 0.01].[2]Vaso-cellular adhesion molecule-1 level was significantly higher before treatment in the dog-day moxibustion group than that after treatment in the dog-day moxibustion group and that in the normal control group [(234.79±89.75), (185.80±84.41), (128.85±51.28)μg/L,P ＜ 0.01]. [3]IgE level was significantly higher before treatment than that after treatment in the dog-day moxibustion group and that in the normal control group [(482.61±123.43), (418.96±134.18), (161.53±43.64)μg/L,P＜ 0.01]. [4]Pearson correlation analysis result: Intercellular adhasion molecule-1 level is significantly positively correlated with IgE and vascular intercellular adhesion molecule-1 level (r =0.641,0.449 ,P ＜ 0.01,0.05). [5]Effect: Total effective rate was 93% (26/28)in the treatment of bronchial asthma with dogday moxibustion . The type of the symptoms, with blister or not, course of disease and condition of disease had no significant influence on effect (P＞ 0.05).CONCLUSION: Dog-day moxibustion may effect through inhibiting the expression of adhesion molecule or inhibiting leukocyte to adhere endothelial cell directly so as to reduce the infiltration of inflammatory cells.

The regulation mechanism of arecoline on rat hepatic CYP2E1 was studied in vivo. After oral administration of arecoline hydrobromide (AH; 4, 20 and 100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) to rats for one week, the hepatic CYP2E1 mRNA level remained unchanged, but the hepatic CYP2E1 protein content was dose-dependently increased. Additionally, although the hepatic CYP2E1 activity was induced by AH treatment, the induction was attenuated with the increase in dosage. The results indicate that the effect of arecoline on rat hepaticdoes not involve transcriptional activation of the gene, but largely involves the stabilization of CYP2E1 protein against degradation or increased efficiency of CYP2E1 mRNA translation, and additionally involve the post- ranslational modification of CYP2E1 protein. Furthermore, the CYP2E1 response is fairly equal among the different species, the induction of rat hepatic CYP2E1 by arecoline suggests that there is a risk of metabolic interaction among the substrate drugs of CYP2E1 in betel-quid use human.

Objective To explore the effects of low density lipoprotein(LDL) containing immune complexes(IC) on the mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1) and matrix metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1) in U937 cells.Methods U937 cells were incubated with native LDL,oxidized LDL or LDL-IC,respectively.mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1) in U937 cells were measured by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(PT-PCR).Results Normal U937 cells hardly expressed MMP-1,but highly expressed TIMP-1.N-LDL had no effect on the expression of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 mRNA.Ox-LDL can induce slightly expression of MMP-1 and markedly down-regulate expression of TIMP-1.Similarly,nature and oxidized LDL-IC had significantly more effect on the mRNA expressions of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 than that of control(P

OBJECTIVE To provide references for clinical diagnosis of catheter-related bloodstream infections(CRBSIs) and focus on studying the spectras of pathogenic bacteria and the drug sensitiveness. METHODS A total of 137 patients enrolled from Jan 2005 to Dec 2007 in our hospital with positive catheter cultures were admitted to our retrospective analysis.Pathogenic bacteria,contaminant bacteria and the drug sensitiveness of main pathogenic bacteria were analyzed. RESULTS From them 80 patients were diagnosed CRBSIs.Among 92 strains of pathogenic bacteria,43(46.7%) strains were Gram-positives,31(33.7%) coagulase negative staphylococci(CNS) strains,31(33.7%) Gram-negative bacilli strains and 18(19.6%) were Candida strains. CONCLUSIONS CNS are the most common bacteria of CRBSIs,and the second are Candida.The common pathogen show multi-drug resistance.

Objective To explore whether ischemic tolerance exists in patients of cerebral infarction following transient ischemic attacks (TIA). Methods Thirty-eight patients with cerebral infarction following TIA(with TIA group) and 98 patients with cerebral infarction without TIA (without TIA group)were studied. The positive expression rate of CD62P in platelet and the size of cerebral infarction on admission was measured. The scores of activities of daily living were evaluated on admission and after a month. Results The positive expression rate of CD62P in platelet was lower in with TIA group than that in without TIA group [ (4.21 ± 0.43 )% vs (6.01 ± 0.03)%,P< 0.05 ]. The area of cerebral infarction and the scores of activities of daily living were lower in with TIA group than those in without TIA group(P< 0.05 ). Conclusion Cerebral infarction following TIA has ischemic tolerance.

Objective To explore the effect of inferior hypothermy treatment on serum TNF and IL-6 in patients with severe cerebral trauma.Methods 46 patients were randomly divided into two groups:inferior hypothermy group(24 C88e8)and normal group(22 cases).There are the same basic treatments within the two groups,in the inferior hypothermy group we also sive them hypothermy treatment rectal temperature:32～34℃ which need to last for nearly 4～5 days,at the same time we give patients the lyric cocktail.the TNF,IL-6 and GCS grades on the lst and 14th day were tested.Results TNF and IL-6 as compared with normal group are higher than the inferior hypothermy group,the differences between the two groups are of statistical significance(P＜0.01).The difference of GCS grades between the two groups are of stafictical significance(P＜0.05).Conclusion The inferior hypothermy tbempy which inhibits TNF and IL-6 releasing after severe cerebral trauma and the following damages plays a very important role in the cerebral trauma therapy.

Objective To establish a gas chromatographic method for the determination of 41 organophosphorus pesticide retention in ginseng. Methods Samples were extracted with acetonitril, purified by PSA solid phase extraction column, eluted by acetone-normal hexane, detected by FPD, and separated by ZB-1701 capillary column. Temperature for the samples was increased through program and the samples were determined by gas chromatography. Results 41 organophosphorus pesticides showed good linear relation in the range of 5-1000 μg/kg, and correlation coefficient was 0.991-0.998. The average recoveries at the three fortification levels (50, 100, 500μg/kg) were between 69.8% and 99.7% with the RSD between 1.9% and 15.3%. The limits of quantification (LOQ) of the 41 pesticides were between 9μg/kg and 45μg/kg. Conclusion The method developed in this study is with high degree of accuracy, good sensitivity, easy and simple to handle.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of matrine on proliferation and apoptosis of human renal cell carcinoma cell line GRC-1 in vitro, and to explore its mechanism. METHODS: The human renal cell carcinoma cell line GRC-1 was treated with matrine of different concentrations for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h respectively. The MTT assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of matrine on GRC-1 cells. The transmission electron microscope and flow cytometry were utilized to observe and detect the apoptosis of GRC-1 cells induced by matrine. The expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins were evaluated by streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase method. RESULTS: The matrine of different concentrations all have cytotoxic effects on GRC-1 cells, with obvious dose- and time-dependent effects. The apoptosis induced by matrine was confirmed in GRC-1 cells. With intervention of matrine (1.5 g/L) for 12 h, the expression level of Bcl-2 in GRC-1 cells was decreased while the expression level of Bax was increased as compared with those in the untreated group. CONCLUSION: The proliferation-inhibiting effects of matrine on human renal cell carcinoma cell line GRC-1 may be related to down-regulating the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax protein expression and promoting the apoptosis.

Objective To compare and analyze the curative effects of mediopatellar plica syndrome under different therapies. Methods 147 patients with mediopatellar plica syndrome were enrolled in the study from January 2011 to January 2015 and divided into three groups refer to treatment: Group A, B and C. Each group was also divided in the youth group and the mid-age group. Different treatments were used in the three groups. Group A: drug therapy and physicotherapeutics; Group B: intraarticular injection regularly; Group C: arthroscopic surgical treatment. All patient conditions were assessed with Lysholm score. Results All patients received an average of 11 (9 ~ 13) months follow-up. No blood-vessel and nerve injured and infection occurred. Before receiving treatment, difference in Lysholm score of the three groups showed no statistical difference (F = 0.08, P = 0.926); after treatment, difference revealed significant difference (F = 15.48, P = 0.001). Compared with those before operation and after operation among the three groups, the Lysholm score was improved (tA = 3.43, tB = 6.74, tC = 7.99, P = 0.001). In the rangeability of Lysholm score, the Group C > B > A (F = 66.43, tAB = 5.97, tAC = 11.52, tBC = 5.55, P = 0.001);The general youth group > the general mid-age (t = 7.91, P = 0.001). Conclusion The best therapeutic method for mediopatellar plica syndrome is the arthroscopy. As for mid-age patients, it is necessary to inform them of possibility that prognosis is not well in preoperative planning.

Aim To examine the effect of Nampt over-expression on cardiac hypertrophy,and elucidate the role of NF-κB.Methods The cultured neonatal car-diomyocytes were pretreated with 100 μmol · L-1 PE or transfected with Nampt.The mRNA and protein ex-pression of Nampt were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blot respectively.The cardiomyocyte hy-pertrophy was monitored by measuring cell-surface area and the mRNA levels of ANP and BNP,which were biomarkers of hypertrophic response.Moreover,we te-sted the effects of Nampt on NF-κB-dependent tran-scription activity through luciferase reporter gene as-says.Results Nampt overexpression significantly in-creased cardiomyocyte surface area and the mRNA ex-pression of ANP and BNP.In addition,Nampt overex-pression could markedly increase NF-κB-dependent transcription activity. Moreover, when p65 was knocked down,cardiomyocytes with Nampt overexpres-sion could not induce cardiac hypertrophy.Conclusion
Overexpression of Nampt induces cardiac hypertro-phy by increasing NF-κB-dependent transcription activ-ity.