OBJECTIVETo explore the molecular biological mechanism of ZHU's Tiaojing Cuyun Recipe (TCR) for treating anovulatory infertility patients with Shen deficiency syndrome (SDS) by observing its clinical efficacy.

METHODSUsing randomized blocking methods, 80 patients were assigned to the treatment group (40 cases) and the control group (40 cases). Patients with regular menstrual cycle started medication from the 5th day of menstruation. Those with irregular menstrual cycle first took progesterone till withdrawal bleeding ,and then started medication from the 5th day of vaginal bleeding. Patients in the treatment group took ZHU's TCR, one dose per day, while those in the control group took Clomifene Citrate (CC), 50 mg per day. Three menstrual cycles consisted of one therapeutic course, a total of 2 courses. Clinical efficacy such as pregnancy rates and abortion rates were observed. Ovulation indices (the maximal diameter of mature follicles, luteinized follicles, ovulational follicles, and the endometrial thickness on the ovulation day), SDS, and integrals of menstrual symptoms were monitored before and after treatment. Serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) , and estradiol (E2) were determined using chemiluminescent immunoassay before treatment and after on therapeutic course. Serum levels of activin A (ACTA), inhibin B (INHB), and follistatin (FS) were detected using double antibody sandwich ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the pregnancy rate was obviously elevated and the abortion rate was obviously lowered in the treatment group (P <0. 05). Ovulation rates of mature follicles and luteinizing follicles decreased more in the treatment group (P < 0.05). Compared with before treatment, integrals for SDS were lower, the maximal diameter of pre-ovulational follicles was increased, and integrals for menstrual symptoms in non-pregnant patients of the two groups were obviously lowered. Meanwhile, the endometrial thickness on the ovulation day was increased in the treatment group after treatment, but reduced in the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, integrals for SDS were decreased, and the maximal diameter of pre-ovulational follicles was lowered in the treatment group after treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Integrals for SDS and the difference in the endometrial thickness on the ovulation day were increased, but the difference in the maximal diameter of pre-ovulational follicles were reduced (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). In the treatment group serum levels of E2 and ACTA increased more after one therapeutic course than before treatment (P < 0.01), but serum levels of INHB and FS decreased more after one therapeutic course than before treatment (P < 0.05). In the control group serum levels of FSH and ACTA increased more, and the serum level of FS decreased more after one therapeutic course than before treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, serum levels of FSH and ACTA increased more, and serum levels of INHB decreased more in the treatment group after one therapeutic course than before treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSZHU'sTCR could improve SDS of anovulatory infertility patients, regulate the follicular development, and elevate the pregnancy rate. Its actions might be associated with regulating their sex hormones, expressions of ovary local factors such as INHB, ACTA, and FS.

Activins ; Clomiphene ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Estradiol ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; Follistatin ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; complications ; therapy ; Inhibins ; Luteinizing Hormone ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Ovarian Diseases ; Ovarian Follicle ; Ovulation ; Progesterone

AIM: To establish the quality standard for Yinchai Granules (Caulis Lon icerae, Radix Bupleuri, Folium Eriobotryae, etc). METHODS: TLC was used to identify Radix Bupleuri, Folium Eriobotrya e and HPLC to determinate the chlorogenic acid content was determined by HPLC. RESULTS: The linear range of chlorogenic acid was 23.64～378.24ng, r=0.9999, respectively. The average recovery was 99.14%. CONCLUSION: The method is simple. The result is accurate and the reproducibility is good and can be used as the quality control of Yin chai Granules.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a UPLC-Q-TOF-MS method for determination of six components (guanosine, peiminine, platycodin D, platycodin D3, oleanolic acid and ursolic acid) in Zhikechuanbeipipa dropping pills. METHODS: The analysis was performed on a Waters Acquity BEH C18 column (2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.7 μm) with the mixture of acetonitrile-water-formic acid as mobile phase, and the flow rate was 0.4 mL·min-1; The PDA detection wavelength was 190-400 nm; The column temperature was room temperature (30°C). RESULTS: The linear relationship between the concentration and peak areas of the six compounds were all linear (r>0.9996). The average recoveries (n=6) were between 99%-101%. CONCLUSION: This method was simple, accurate and reliable to determine the six contents of Zhikechuanbeipipa dropping pills for the quality control. Copyright 2012 by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

Cryptococcosis ; complications ; Eosinophilia ; etiology ; Humans ; Lung Diseases, Fungal ; complications

The source of seed cells has always been the major problem in cartilage tissue engineering.Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) have gradually become an optimal source of seed cells for cartilage engineering due to their high proliferative potential,multi-lineage differentiation potential and easiness to be obtained with minute trauma.The great challenge is how to get abundant BMSCs with a high purity and how to induce them in vitro into chondrogenic phenotype.This review aims to discuss the various strategies that can induce BMSCs chondrogenic differentiation in vitro so as to offer beneficial reference for constructing cartilage with BMSCs as seed cells.

Articular cartilage defects are commonly found in clinics. It is always a great challenge for the repair of cartilage defects due to the limited self-regeneration after injury. Tissue engineering,a newly emerging biotechnique to regenerate cartilage with chondrogenic potential cells and biodegradable scaffolds in vivo and in vitro,provides a promising method to solve the challenge in cartilage defects repair. To regenerate cartilage with favourable structure and function,it is essential to gain a deep insight into the biochemical structure,biomechanical property and their relationship of articular cartilage. This article gives an introduction to the biochemical structure,biomechanical property and their relationship of both native and tissue-engineered cartilage.

Objective To compare the concentration of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), MCP-1 and RANTES in peritoneal fluid in women with endometriosis and normal peritonal fluid ,To explore the relationship between these cytokines with pathogenesis of endometriosis. Methods There were 2 groups:the endometriosis group and the control group.Double-antibody sandwich ABC-ELISA technique was adopted for determinating concentration of NF-кB、MCP-1 and RANTES in peritoneal fluid. Results Peritoneal fluid level of NF-κB MCP-1 and RANTES in endometriosis patients was higher than the control group (P < 0.05). NF-κB and MCP-1, NF-κB and RANTES expressed positive correlation by linear correlation analysis in both EMs group and control group , correlation coefficients were 0.385, 0.569(EMs group), 0.474, 0.388(P < 0.05). Conclusions NF-кB、MCP-1 and RANTES are mutual affection and promote endometriosis in the pathogenesis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the pathogenic causes of lower respiratory tract infections(LRTIs) in the elderly in Guangzhou area.METHODS Pathogens obtained from 107 patients with LRTIs were performed by multiple diagnostic tools that including bacterial culture,PCR and specific immunological assays.RESULTS A bacterial cause was established in 42(68.5%) and an atypical pathogen cause in 25(31.6%) of the 107 patients.Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae remained the most important pathogens for LRTIs.CONCLUSIONS In the prescription of antibiotics in the elderly with LRTIs,not only bacteria but also atypical pathogens should be taken into account.

AIM To explore the radioprotective function of Xihuang Capsules (Bovis Calculus artijactus,Moschus,Olibanum,Myrrha) in patients with acute radiation-induced oral mucositis and its mechanisms.METHODS Eighty patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma undergone radiotherapy were randomized into two groups:treatment group (radiation plus Xihuang Capsules) and control group (radiation alone).The comparison of two groups in the onset and the tolerated dose of mucositis was made according to the acute radiation injury classification standard.The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in saliva were detected by ELISA.RESULTS After the treatment with Xihuang Capsules,the onset of oral mucositis delayed significantly and the tolerated dose elevated markedly comparing with the control group (t =2.180,12.930,P ＜ 0.05).The morbidity rate of Ⅲ-N-degree of oral mucositis in the treatment group was lower than that of the control group at the dosage of 40 Gy and 70 Gy,respectively (Z =3.661,4.270,P ＜0.01).Furthermore,there was no difference in the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the pre-treatment in the two groups (t =1.010,1.469,P ＞ 0.05).With the increase in radiant dose,the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the two groups both elevated dramatically,and peaked at the dose of 40 Gy,but both levels in the treatment group were lower than those of the control group (t =8.305,6.069,P ＜ 0.05).When DT =70 Gy,the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were lower than pre-radiation,and the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the treatment group were lower than those in the radiation alone group (t =3.835,2.488,P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION Xihuang Capsules can delay and reduce acute radiation-induced oral mucositis and improve radiation tolerated dose,so it may involve the release of TNF-oα and IL-6 in saliva.

Objective To evaluate double microcatheter technique for detachable coil treatment of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms. Methods Routine endovascular coil occlusion was not achieved in 6 cases of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms. A second femoral arterial sheath was inserted on the opposite side . A second microcatheter was positioned within the aneurysm. The detachable coils were introduced via double microcatheter simultaneously or successively till the aneurysm were compactly embolized. The coils were detached after satisfactorily positioned. Results Total 6 cases of wide-necked aneurysms were successfully embolized with detachable coil. Aneurysmal sacs were 100% embolized in 2 cases, over 90% in 4 cases. 1 case suffered moderate disablement as a result of complication of. Angiographic follow-up in 5 cases revealed no recurrent or rerupture.Conclusions The double microcathter technique may be an optional method during embolization of some complicated wide-necked aneurysms.