Diagnosis, Differential ; Heart Failure ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Data Collection ; methods ; Metabolomics ; methods

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of treating depressive patients with somatic symptoms with combined TCM and western medicine.Methods 69 patients were randomly divided into 2 groups:a combined therapy group (treated with Yangyin-Qinggan decoction and paroxetine) and mono-therapy (treated with paroxetine alone as an active control),The depressive and somatic symptoms were assessed before (0 week),during (2 weeks and 4 weeks) and at the end point (8 weeks) of the treatment.Results ①Both therapies alleviated the depressive symptoms:HAMD assessed among patients receiving combined therapy are listed as:(0 week:19.29±2.38),(2 weeks:17.38 ± 2.37),(4 weeks:15.27 ± 2.15),(8 weeks:13.35 ± 2.09) ;combined therapy started to ease the depressive symptoms after 2 weeks of treatment (2 week compared with 0weeks),similar improvements could also be noticed after 4 weeks of treatment 4 weeks with 2 weeks:P＜0.05)and at the end of this research (after 8 weeks of treatment:8 weeks with 4 weeks:P＜0.05).HAMD for mono-therapy are as:(0 week:18.69±3.03),(2 weeks:16.63±3.09),(4 weeks:15.20±2.95),(8 weeks:14.60±2.72) ; mono-therapy started to alleviate the depressive symptoms also,after 2 weeks of treatment (2 weeks compared with 0 week:P＜0.05),yet only slight improvements could be seen after 4 weeks (4 weeks with 2 weeks:P＞0.05) and 8 weeks of the treatment (8 weeks with 4 weeks:P＞0.05).The combined therapy turned to be more effective in alleviating depressive symptoms at the end point of the treatment (P＜0.05).②In terms of improving the somatic symptoms,the Somatization Symptom Scale (SSS) among patients with combined therapy were as follows:(0 week:48.74±4.07),(2 weeks:46.74±4.16),(4 weeks:43.74±3.77),(8 weeks:41.18 ± 3.50) ; Combined therapy was witnessed to start to ease those symptoms after 2 weeks o f treatment (2week compared with 0 weeks,P＜0.05),similar patterns were found again,after 4 weeks (4 weeks with 2 weeks:P＜0.05) and 8 weeks of the treatment (8 weeks with 4 weeks:P＜0.05).Mono-therapy was found to ease the somatic symptoms in a less-effective way,yet no difference was found between any two SSS after 2 weeks,4weeks or 8 weeks of treatment (P＞0.05,respectively).Combined therapy was better at improving the somatic symptoms (P＜ 0.01).Conclusion Combined therapy proved to be more effective in both relieving depression and somatic symptoms.

Objective To study the influence of HBV replication regulator,enhancer I and Pre- S2,on the immune response of HBV DNA vaccine.Methods DNA fragments of HBsAg,PreS2 HBsAg,HBsAg-enhancer I and PreS2-HBsAg-enhancer I region of HBV were amplified by PCR using the complete genome DNA of HBV adr subtype,and inserted into VR1012 vectors,respective- ly.The recombinant plasmids were transfected into HepG2 cells,and injected into Balb/C mice.The expression of HepG2 cells and the cellular and humoral immune response of mice were tested by cell immuno-chemistry,ELISA and ELISPOT.Results The target protein were expressed by transfected HepG2 cells,enhancer I and Pre-S2 can promote the expression of HBsAg in transfected cells.The HBsAb and the HBsAg specific CTL in inoculated mice were found in the second week after injection, PreS2 but not enhancer I can promote the immune response in inoculated mice.Conclusions When inserted into HBV DNA vaccine,enhancer I and PreS2 can promote the expression of HBsAg in transfected HepG2 cells,PreS2 can promote the immune response in inoculated Balb/C mice.

Objective To explore the TCM syndrome characteristics of cardiac syndrome X(CSX).Methods The signs and symptoms of 51 patients with CSX were analyzed according to the diagnosis of TCM syndromes to summarize their syndrome character- istics.Results of the 51 CSX cases,the following signs and symptoms took dominance:chest pain,fullness in chest,epigastric and abdominal distention,emotional distress,dark purple tongue with petechia,greasy coating,string-taut pulse.The syndromes were mainly of Biao-Superficial excess,including qi stagnation,phlegm retention and blood stasis,occupying 66. 7%,accompanied with Benroot deficiency,including qi deficiency,yin deficiency,qi and yin both deficiency,occupying 33.3%.Conclusion Qi stagnation, phlegm retention and blood stasis are the primary syndromes of CSX.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Yangxue Qingnao Granule (YQG) on the expression of CD11b in CA1 region of hippocampus of vascular dementia rats, and to explore its regulation on microglias.

METHODSTotally 144 SD rats were randomly divided into the sham-operation group, the vascular dementia model group (model), and the YQG treated group (treated). The vascular dementia rat model was prepared by modified Pulsinelli's four-vessel occlusion. Rats in the sham-operation group and the model group were administered with normal saline -(at the daily dose of 10 mL/kg) by gastrogavage, while those in the treated group were administered with YQG (0.32 g/mL, at the daily dose of 10 mL/kg) by gastrogavage. All administration was performed once per day for 8 successive weeks. The expression of CD11b in CA1 region of hippocampus of vascular dementia rats was detected at week 1, 2, 4, and 8, respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the sham-operation group, the expression of CD11b in CA1 region of hippocampus of vascular dementia rats were significantly enhanced in the model group at each time point (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression of CD11b in CA1 region of hippocampus of vascular dementia rats significantly decreased in the treated group at each time point (P < 0.01), especially at week 2.

CONCLUSIONObvious activation and proliferation of microglias could be seen in CA1 region of hippocampus of vascular dementia rats, and YQG could inhibit activation and proliferation of microglias.

Animals ; CA1 Region, Hippocampal ; drug effects ; metabolism ; CD11b Antigen ; metabolism ; Dementia, Vascular ; drug therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Microglia ; drug effects ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of tetrandine on gene expression of collagen type I, collagen type III, transformation growth factor-beta1 and to investigate the inhibitory effect of tetrandine on the scar tissue hyperplasia in rabbits' ears.

METHODSAfter the scar model was formed on the rabbits' ears, the rabbits were divided into 4 groups to receive intro-lesion injection with saline, or prednisolone (Pre) or tetrandrine in low concentration (L-Tet, 1.0 mg/ml) or tetrandrine in high concentration (H-Tet, 7.5 mg/ml). The morphological changes of scar tissue were observed. The changes of fibroblasts quantity and collagen expression were observed with HE and Masson staining. Immunohistochemical study was used to observe the expression level of collagen type I and collagen type III and TGF-beta1. Collagen type I and collagen type III and TGF-beta1, and signal factor Smad 3 mRNA were detected with RT-PCR.

RESULTS(1) 24 days after injury, all the wounds healed completely with formation of red, tough and hypertrophic scar. HE and Masson staining showed significant increase of fibroblasts and collagen density with irregularly arrangement. (2) Compared with that in saline group, the scar in other groups became softer, lighter and thinner, especially in H-Tet group. (3) HE and Masson staining shows the scar in Tet and Pre groups contained less fibroblasts and lower collagen dentsity with comparatively regular arrangement than that in saline group (P < 0.01), especially in H-Tet group. (4) According to the immunohistochemical study, the expression of collage type I and III and TGF-beta was positive in all the groups, but the positive rate and the ratio of collagen density I to III decreased in the order of saline, L-Tet, H-Tet and Pre groups (P < 0.01). (5) PT-PCR detection results showed that the amplification bands brightness of collagen type I and III and TGF-beta1 and signal molecular Smad 3 mRNA in scar tissue were obviously different. Compared with that in saline group, the expression of collagen type I and III and TGF-beta1 and Smad 3 mRNA decreased in Tet and Pre groups (P < 0.01). H-Tet group showed the most obvious reduce in the expression of type I collagen and TGF-beta1 and Smad 3 mRNA. Conclusions Tetrandine can significantly suppress the expression of collagen type I and collagen type III and TGF-beta1 on hypertrophic scar of rabbit ears, and reduce signal factor Smad 3 mRNA' s expression. It may be one of the important mechanism for its inhibitory effect on scar hyperplasia.

Animals ; Benzylisoquinolines ; pharmacology ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Collagen Type I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Collagen Type III ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Ear ; Fibroblasts ; Gene Expression ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Smad3 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics ; metabolism

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a plasma marker of left ventricular dysfunction and cardiac volume overload. Currently it is mainly used in the cardiovascular field. BNP is an intrinsic regulator of the embryonic stem cell proliferation, and the reduction in BNP can increase the apoptosis rate. The epitope of N terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide-BNP is most stable. BNP1-32 has the strongest biological activity but with lower plasma level in heart failure patients. The plasma BNP level plays an important role in the diagnosis, prognosis, hospital admission and mortality of heart failure, and can be used as a monitoring indicator in the treatment of heart failure. The deficiency of corin enzyme in patients with heart failure can cause the increase of cracking pro-BNP. BNP can also provide diagnostic and prognostic information for other populations and diseases. Genetic studies on BNP and its receptors also provide important information. Nesiritide, neutral endopeptidase inhibitors, and vasopeptidase inhibitors of the natriuretic peptide synthesis have been used for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. However, more reliable and accurate approaches for detecting BNP and N terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide-BNP require further investigations.
Cardiovascular Diseases ; blood ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; physiology ; therapeutic use

Objective To compare the upper airway changes after H-uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (H-UPPP) combined with transpalatal advancement pharyngoplasty (PA) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).Methods Eighty-six patients with OSAHS were selected,39 patients were treated with H-UPPP alone (control group),and 47 patients were treated with H-UPPP combined with PA (observation group).The upper airway changes were measured by CT and apnea hypopnea index (AHI) change in the 2 groups were compared before and after operation.Results The surgery effective rate in observation group was 80.9％ (38/47),in control group was 56.4％ (22/39),there was statistical difference (P ＜ 0.05).The AHI depressed value before and after operation in observation group and control group were (40.5 ± 14.6) times/h and (16.7 ± 12.0) times/h respectively,the hard palate length depressed value were (5.5 ± 3.2) mm and (1.6 ± 0.2) mm respectively,the anteroposterior diameter incremental value of hard palate were (3.6 ± 2.3) mm and (-1.6 ± 3.4) mm respectively,the anteroposterior diameter incremental value of palate and pharynx were (1.6 ± 1.2) mm and (-1.2 ± 1.8) mm respectively,the above indexes in observation group were significantly better than those in control group,there were statistical differences (P ＜ 0.05).The minimum diameter incremental value of retropalatal airway in control group was (13.2 ± 3.1) mm,in observation group was (4.9 ± 1.6) mm,there was statistical difference (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion H-UPPP combined with PA offers benefit over H-UPPP alone in patients with OSAHS,which may be achieved by increasing anteroposterior diameter of palate and pharynx.

Objective To investigate the effects of interaction between human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) which were infected with dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2) and CD4+T cells on the expression of ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1),VCAM-1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule 1),IL-10 and TGF-β1 at mRNA level for further understanding the immunological mechanism of DENV infection.Methods HUVECs were treated with CYM-5442,a selective agonist for sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1P1),for 24 hours and then infected with 103 TCID50 (50% tissue culture infective dose) of DENV-2 before co-culturing with CD4+T cells.Changes in the expression of NS1 (DENV-2 nonstructural protein),SPHK1 (sphingosine kinase 1,phosphorylating sphingosine to S1P),ICAM-1,VCAM-1,IL-10 and TGF-β1 at mRNA level were detected by real-time PCR after 4,8,12,24,48 and 72 hours of co-culturing.Results There was a certain timeliness in the expression of NS1 at mRNA level after infecting HUVECs with DENV-2 and the expression reached a peak at 24 h.Treating HUVECs with or without CYM-5442 had no significant influence on the expression of DENV-2 NS1 at mRNA level.The expression of SPHK1 at mRNA level was significantly increased after treating HUVECs with CYM-5442 and DENV-2 (P<0.05).Compared with DENV-2-infected or untreated HUVECs,Co-culturing DENV-2-infected HUVECs with CD4+T cells increased the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in HUVECs at mRNA level (P<0.01) as well as the expression of IL-10 in CD4+T cells at mRNA level (P<0.05),but had no significant influence on the expression of TGF-β1 in CD4+T cells at mRNA level.Conclusion This study shows that DENV-2 can replicate and proliferate in HUVECs,but CD4+T cells inhibit the replication and proliferation.CD4+T cells play an important role in promoting the expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in DENV-2-infected HUVECs at mRNA level,activating HUVECs and increasing inflammation,which may be associated with increased vascular permeability induced by DENV-2 infection.Co-culturing CD4+T cells with DENV-2-infected HUVECs promotes the expression of IL-10 in CD4+T cells at mRNA level,but has no significant effect on TGF-β1.