Disease Outbreaks ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; virology

OBJECTIVETo compare clinical effects of spinal leveraging manipulation and medicine for the treatment of degenerative scoliosis in pain and function.

METHODSFrom July 2010 to June 2013, 38 patients with degenerative scoliosis were randomly divided into spinal leveraging manipulation group and medicine group by coin tossing. In manipulation group, there were 9 males and 11 females aged from 58 to 74 years old with an average of (66.63±7.73), the courses of diseases ranged from 3 to 8 months with an average of (5.65±2.58), spinal leveraging manipulation(following meridian to straighten tendon,relieving spasm, osteopathy and massage, clearing and activating the channels and collaterals) were performed for 30 min, once a day, 4 days for a period treatment, totally 9 courses. In medicine group, there were 8 males and 10 females aged from 57 to 70 years old with an average of (63.51±6.61) the courses of diseases ranged from 3 to 5 months with an average of (4.82±1.43), celecoxib with eperisone hydrochloride were orally taken, 4 days for a period treatment, totally 9 courses. VAS score, Cobb angle and ODI score were measured.

RESULTSAfter treatment, VAS score in manipulation group was (5.38±0.99), (6.36±1.31) in medicine group,and had significant meaning (t=2.618, P<0.05); there was significant differences in Cobb angle between manipulation group (16.51±4.89)° and medicine group (19.85±5.03) °(t=2.074,P<0.05); and had obviously meaning in ODI score between manipulation group (20.20±2.93) and medicine group (26.01±3.11) (t=5.592, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSpinal leveraging manipulation for degenerative scoliosis could regulate muscle balance on both side of spine, correct coronal imbalances in spine, recover normal sequence of spine, reduce and remove opperssion and stimulation of nerve root, relieve pain in leg and waist and further improve quality of life.

Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Celecoxib ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Manipulation, Spinal ; Middle Aged ; Propiophenones ; administration & dosage ; Pyrazoles ; administration & dosage ; Scoliosis ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Sulfonamides ; administration & dosage ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the relationship between the risk stratification of cardiovascular diseases and the outcome of 64-slice helical computed tomography (MSCT) coronary angiography. Methods A total of 470 cases suspected to have coronary heart disease were enrolled.They all received 64-slice MSCT coronary angiography, and they were divided into groups according to the range of disease, degree of calcium scoring, degree of stenosis and characteristic of plaque. Among them, 80 patients underwent both MSCT and selective coronary angiography (CAG) at one time, and they were grouped according to the range of disease and degree of stenosis. All the 470 cases were classified as five levels according to the risk stratification of cardiovascular diseases. The lesions of coronary artery in different risk stratifications were observed, and the correlations were analyzed.Results In the 80 patients who underwent both MSCT and selective CAG, there were no significant differences in the range of coronary artery diseases(χ2=3.631, P=0.067) and coronary arterystenosis (χ2=1.639, P=0.200) between MSCT and CAG. Along with the increased level of the risk stratification, there were the more ranges of the coronary artery diseases (λvery high risk. multi-vessel disease=1.09,λhigh risk. double-vessel disease=0.91, λlow-risk. single-vessel disease=1.07)and the more degrees of coronary artery stenosis(λvery high risk. severe stenosis=0.96,λhigh risk. moderate stenosis=1.03,λlow-risk. mild stenosis=0.78). The degrees of calcium scoring in different risk stratifications of cardiovascular diseases showed significantly differences (F=256.20,123.76,62.50, 98. 24,52.36,P＜0.01). There was the highest percentage of soft plaque in very high risk patients.Higher percentages of fiber plaque, calcified plaque and mixed plaque were found in moderate risk and low risk patients(λvery high risk. soft plaque=1.01,λlow-risk. calcium plaques=1.17). Conclusions The 64-slice MSCT coronary angiography could provide a basis for assessing risk stratification of cardiovascular diseases. The complicated coronary artery disease, moderate-severe calcification, more severe stenosis, higher percentage of soft plaque are found in the very high risk patients. The lower level of the risk stratification is found in patients with the less range of the coronary artery disease and less severe degree of the coronary artery calcification and stenosis. The calcified plaque and mixed plaque are found in moderate risk and low risk patients.

Animal models with kidney disease are generally divided into two types. One belongs to the models which imitate human kidney disease by the artificial operations, such as anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody nephritis, Heymann nephritis, anti-Thyl. 1 antibody nephritis, BSA nephritis and puromycin nephropathy. The other one pertains to the models which make themselves kidney disease, and appear the pathological characteristics naturally as like as human, such as HIGA mice with IgA nephropathy and NZB/WF1 and MRL/1pr mice with lupus nephritis. In addition,the transgenic animal models with kidney disease can also be established by the modern molecular biologic techniques including gene knockout and siRNA transfection. As for the studies related with kidney disease in pharmacodynamics and pharmacology of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), it is important to understand deeply the features of each animal model with kidney disease, and select accurately the proper models according to the different experimental objectives, and then, build the special models provided with the combination of disease with syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Therefore,it is the developmental direction for the further study to establish animal models with kidney disease, which should possess the characteristics of syndrome in TCM.
Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; etiology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases ; etiology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mice ; Streptozocin

Targeting rRNA of bacteria is a new strategy for antibiotic agent development. The rRNA such as mRNA are naturally self-folded molecules which expose only limited accessible target-sites for binding. These accessible sites are pivotal for designing the effective antisense oligonucleotides, ribozymes, and DNAzymes. MAST, an RNA accessible site screening method, illustrated 6 accessible sites on 16S rRNA by immobilizing 16S rRNA and hybridizing with oligonucleotide library. 5 of the accessible sites were identified valid, and the antisense oligonucleotides targeted to which showed inhibition effectiveness on the proliferation. Among the 5 target sites, one showed the priority of accessibility. Ribozyme designed to this site showed obvious inhibition to the growth when induced expressing in the transfection E.coli.

Objective To explore hypermethylation of RARβ2, GSTP1 and DAPK gene in prostate cancer tissues, and to explore its correlation with clinicopathological features of prostate cancer and its diagnostic value. Methods Hypermethylation of RARe2, GSTP1 and DAPK gene was detected by nested methylation-specific PCR (NMSP) in 57 prostate cancer (PCa) tissues and 35 benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) tissues. The correlation between hypermethylation and clinicopathological features of prostate cancer and its diagnostic value were analyzed. Results The hypermethylation frequencies of RARβ2, GSTP1 and DAPK gene in PCa were significantly higher than those in BPH (RARβ2: 52.6% vs. 0% GSTP1: 61.4% vs. 2.9%;DAPK: 43.9% vs. 8.6%;all P<0.01). The methylation rate of RARβ2 gene was directly correlated with distinct Gleason scores and clinical stage (4～7 score vs. 8～10 score: 34.8% vs. 64.7%;stage B, C vs. stage D: 37.0% vs. 66.7%;x2=4.927 and 5.004, P=0.026 and 0.025). The methylation rate of GSTP1 gene was significantly different in patients with different Gleason scores (4～7 score vs. 8～10 score: 43.5% vs. 73.5%;x2 =11.530, P=0.001), but had no difference in patients with distinct clinical stage (stage B, C vs. stage D: 51.9% vs. 70.0%;x2=1.975, P=0.16) . There was no difference in DAPK gene methylation rate among patients with different Gleason scores and distinct clinical stage (4 ～7 score vs. 8～10 score: 39.1% vs. 50.0%;stage B, C vs. stage D: 33.3% vs. 53.3%;x2= 1.290 and 2.309, both P～0.05). GSTP1 gene showed the highest sensitivity of 61.4% (35/57)with specificity of 97.1%(34/35), while RARβ2 gene had the highest specificity of 100% (35/35) with the sensitivity of 52.6% (30/57). The sensitivity and specificity of DAPK gene were 43.9% and 91.4% (25/57 and 32/35), respeetively. When the hypermethylation of RARβ2, GSTP1 and DAPK gene were detected together, the diagnostic sensitivity was increased, but the specificity was decreased. Conclusions The aberrant methylation of RARβ2, GSTP1 and DAPK gene is correlated with tumorigenesis and progression of prostate cancer, which may be used as an effective diagnostic marker for prostate cancer.

n be used as a potential marker in the diagnosis of PCa. However, it can not be used as an index to monitor tumor progression or prognosis in PCa patients.

OBJECTIVETo demonstrate the effects and mechanisms of Huangkui capsule (HKC) on renal fibrosis in rats with diabetic nephropathy (DN).

METHODRats were randomly divided into 5 groups, the sham-operated group (Sham group, n = 5), the vehicle-given group (Vehicle group, n = 7), the low dose of HKC-treated group (L-HKC group, n = 7), the high dose of HKC-treated group (H-HKC group, n = 7) and the lipoic acid (LA)-treated group (LA group, n = 7). DN models were induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ,35 mg x kg(-1)) twice and unilateral nephrectomy. After models were successfully established, the rats in HKC and LA groups were daily administrated with HKC suspensions (0.75, 2 g x kg(-1)) or LA suspensions (60 mg x kg(-1)) respectively, and at the same time, the rats in Vehicle group were daily administrated with distilled water (2 mL) for 8 weeks. All rats were sacrificed at the end of week 8 to collect blood and renal tissues. UAlb, renal function, renal fibrotic morphologic characteristics, as well as oxidative stress (OS)-related markers, the protein expressions of the key signaling molecules in p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) signaling pathway, fibrogenic cytokines and inflammatory factors were examined respectively.

RESULTHKC, similar to LA, improved the general state of health, body weight, UAlb, BUN, UA and Alb in DN model rats. Of note, renal fibrosis was ameliorated in HKC groups,especially in H-HKC group which was better than that in LA group. In addition, HKC not only improved the main indexes of OS in the kidney like LA, but also down-regulated the protein expressions of phosphorylated-p38MAPK (p-p38MAPK), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α in the kidney, whereas, LA only decreased the protein expression of TNF-α in the kidney in DN model rats.

CONCLUSIONHKC, similar to LA, has the actions of anti-OS in vivo. Moreover, HKC could attenuate renal fibrosis by suppressing the activation of p38MAPK signaling pathway and the protein expressions of fibrogenic cytokines and inflammatory factors in the kidney in DN model rats, which is different from LA.

Abelmoschus ; chemistry ; Animals ; Capsules ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fibrosis ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects and mechanisms of multi-glycoside of Tripterygium wilfordii (GTW) on improving glomerular inflammatory lesion in rats with diabetic nephropathy (DN).

METHODDN model was induced by unilateral nephrectomy and intraperitoneal injection of STZ (35 mg x kg(-1)) twice. The rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, the sham-operated group (Sham group, n = 5), the vehicle-given group (Vehicle group, n = 5 ) and GTW-treated group (GTW group, n = 5). After the model was successfully established, the rats in GTW group were daily oral administrated with GTW suspension (50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), meanwhile, the rats in Vehicle group were daily oral administrated with distilled water (2 mL) for 8 weeks. From the beginning of the administration, all rats were killed 8 weeks later. Blood and renal tissues were collected,and then UAlb, renal function, glomerular morphology characteristics and glomerular macrophages (ED1 + cells) infiltration, as well as the protein expressions of inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α and interleukin(IL)-lβ, and the key molecules in p38MAPK signaling pathway including p38 mitogenactivated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphorylated p38 (p-p38MAPK) and transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1 were investigated respectively.

RESULTGTW not only ameliorated the general state of health and body weight,but also attenuated UAlb, glomerulosclerosis, the infiltration of glomerular ED1 + cells and the protein expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, p-p38MAPK and TGF-β1 in the kidney in DN model rats.

CONCLUSIONBy means of DN model rats, we demonstrated that GTW has the protective effect on renal inflammatory damage in vivo via inhibiting inflammatory cells infiltration and inflammatory cytokines expression. Furthermore, GTW could improve renal inflammatory lesion through down-regulating the expressions of the key signaling molecules in p38MAPK pathway such as p-p38MAPK and TGF-β1 ,and inhibiting the activation of p38MAPK signaling in the kidney.

Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Glomerulonephritis ; drug therapy ; Glycosides ; pharmacology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; analysis ; Tripterygium ; chemistry ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; physiology

Glomerular hypertrophy is the main pathological characteristic in the early stage of diabetic nephropathy (DN), and its regulatory mechanism is closely related to mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway activity. mTOR includes mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2(mTORC2), in which, the upstream pathway of mTORC1 is phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/serine-threonine kinase(Akt)/adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase(AMPK), and the representative signaling molecules in the downstream pathway of mTORC1 are 4E-binding proteins(4EBP) and phosphoprotein 70 S6Kinase(p70S6K). Some Chinese herbal extracts could improve cell proliferation via intervening the expressions of the key molecules in the upstream or downstream of PIK/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in vivo. As for glomerular mesangial cells(MC) and podocyte, mTOR plays an important role in regulating glomerular inherent cells, including adjusting cell cycle, energy metabolism and matrix protein synthesis. Rapamycin, the inhibitor of mTOR, could suppress glomerular inherent cell hypertrophy, cell proliferation, glomerular basement membrane (GBM) thickening and mesangial matrix deposition in model rats with DN. Some Chinese herbal extracts could alleviate glomerular lesions by intervening mTOR signaling pathway activity in renal tissue of DN animal models or in renal inherent cells in vivo and in vitro.
Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; pathology ; Kidney Glomerulus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism