OBJECTIVETo compare the differences in the clinical efficacy between Guan's quadruple therapy for kidney disease and the conventional western medication in the treatment of chronic renal failure (CRF).

METHODSEighty patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each one. In the observation group, besides the physician instruction of low protein and low phosphorus diet in the two groups, Guan's quadruple therapy for kidney disease was applied, including (1) the isolated herbal moxibustion at Shenshu (BL 23) and Pishu (BL 21), or Ganshu (BL 18), Zusanli (ST 36) and Guanyuan (CV 4) alternatively; (2) acupuncture at the auricular points such as shen (CO10), jiaogan (AHR6), Shenshangxian (TG2), fei (CO14) and pizhixia (AT4); (3) injection of mixture of astragalus injection and lidocaine injection at Feishu (BL 13), Pishu (BL 21), Shenshu (BL 23) and the others; (4) modified Shenshuai Yihao decoction according to syndrome differentiation. In the control group, the conventional western medication was used. After 6 months of treatment, the differences were observed between the two groups in the clinical efficacy, serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), endogenous creatinine (Ccr) and 24 h urine protein quantitation (UPQ).

RESULTSIn the observation group, after treatment, the remarkably effective rate was 50.0% (20/40) and the total effective rate was 82.5% (33/40), which were superior to 25.0% (10/40) and 45.0% (18/40) in the control group (both P < 0.05). After treatment, the levels of Scr, BUN and 24 h UPQ were reduced apparently (all P < 0.05), and the level of Ccr was increased apparently in the two groups (both P < 0.05). After treatment, the levels of Scr, BUN and 24 h UPQ were reduced much more apparently in the observation group as compared with those in the control group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONGuan's quadruple therapy for kidney disease achieves a better efficacy on CRF compared with the conventional western medication. This therapy improves renal functions, relieves clinical symptoms and physical signs and benefits the life quality of patients.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Kidney Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

The status of marine bioresources and the marine eco-environment issues were summarized and discussed, and the strategies for the development of Chinese marine bioresources in the future were proposed. The degradation of marine eco-environment and unreasonable exploitation of the resources resulted in acute decline of Chinese marine bioresources. The feasible stratagies for the sustainable use of marine bioresources should be to intensify the basic research on marine bioresources science, to strengthen the protection of the marine environment and conservation of marine living resources, and to exploit and utilize marine bioresources scientifically and reasonably by using high-technology including marine biotechnology.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Methicillin ; pharmacology ; Methicillin Resistance ; genetics ; Sequence Homology ; Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects ; genetics

This study is to investigate the effect of the effective components group of Xiaoshuantongluo (XECG) on neuronal injury induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) in primary cortical cultures isolated from SD rat cortex at day 3 and the possible mechanism. Cells were divided into control group, OGD model group and XECG group (1, 3 and 10 mg x L(-1)). The cell viability was assessed with MTT assay and the LDH release rate was measured by enzyme label kit. The cell apoptosis was analyzed using Hoechst staining. RT-PCR was applied to detect the mRNA levels of JAK2 and STAT3. Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 proteins. Results showed that XECG resulted in an obvious resistance to oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced cell apoptosis and decrement of cell viability, decrease the cell LDH release rate. XECG could adjust the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins and increase Bcl-2/Bax ratio, up-regulate the expression of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3. In conclusion, XECG could protect against the neuronal injury cells exposed to OGD, which may be relevant to the promotion of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, and impact the expression of Bax and Bcl-2.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Survival ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Glucose ; Janus Kinase 2 ; metabolism ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Oxygen ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the potential regulatory role played by the hormone resistin in lipid metabolism and expression of nuclear factor (NF)-kB and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a during hepatic steatosis.

METHODSA non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) cell model was established by treating the normal human hepatic cell line, L02, with palmitic acid. Four research groups of L02 cells were generated: C group (control, no palmitic acid treatment), P group (NAFLD model, treated with 20 microg/ml palmitic acid), CR group (C group treated with 50 microg/L recombinant human resistin), and PR group (P group treated with 50 microg/L recombinant human resistin). All treatments were carried out for 72 hours. Oil red O staining was used to detect the intracellular changes in lipid drops. Biochemical assays were used to measure triglycerides (TGs), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) levels in culture medium. The mRNA and protein expression levels of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-2, NF-kB, and TNF-a were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis, respectively.

RESULTSThe TG, ALT, AST, and GGT levels were higher in the P, CR, and PR groups than in the C group. The NF-kB mRNA level was also higher in the P, CR, and PR groups (Student's t = 17.64, 22.03, 26.06 respectively) than in the C group, as was the TNFa mRNA level ( t = 5.67, 5.38, 11.64), but the IRS-2 mRNA level was lower ( t = 8.19, 9.23, 20.93) (all, P less than 0.05). In addition, no significant difference in these mRNA levels were found between the P group and the CR group (NF-kB: t = 1.75, TNFa: t = 0.58, IRS-2: t = 2.14; all, P more than 0.05). The detected protein levels of NF-kB, TNFa, and IRS-2 were consistent with the mRNA levels.

CONCLUSIONResistin can promote steatosis in LO2 cells through the NF-kB signaling pathway, thereby contributing to the NAFLD pathogenic process.

Cell Line ; Fatty Liver ; metabolism ; Humans ; Liver ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; Resistin ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the impact of maternal weight gain during pregnancy on the risk of infant obesity within 1 year old.

METHODSA total of 785 infants who were born in Hefei and participated children medical care in one district health center and their mothers were chosen as the research subjects from September 2010 to September 2011. Three groups were classified by weight gain during pregnancy according to the percentiles: excessive pregnancy weight gain group of 126 pairs, adequate pregnancy weight gain group of 542 pairs and inadequate pregnancy weight gain group of 117 pairs. Mother's general demographic information was collected. The height and weight were measured when the infant was 42 days, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of physical examination. Z score was calculated. The differences of Z score in different groups were compared and the RR values of different weight gain during pregnancy on infant obesity were computed.

RESULTSThe weight-for-age Z score (WAZ) of infant at 42 days 3, 6, 9 and 12 months in excessive pregnancy weight gain group were 0.23 ± 0.93, 0.25 ± 1.03, 0.23 ± 0.99, 0.28 ± 1.09, 0.26 ± 1.14, respectively, all higher than that of the corresponding age in adequate pregnancy weight gain group (-0.04 ± 1.02, -0.07 ± 0.99, -0.05 ± 0.98, -0.06 ± 0.97, -0.07 ± 0.95, respectively). The differences were statistically significant (all P values < 0.05). In excessive pregnancy weight gain group, infant body mass index (BMI) at 9 months ((18.01 ± 0.15) kg/m(2)) and 12 months ((17.66 ± 0.15) kg/m(2)) were higher than that of adequate pregnancy weight gain group ((17.63 ± 0.13) and (17.22 ± 0.15) kg/m(2), respectively). The differences were statistically significant (all P values < 0.05). Differences of infant Height-for-age Z score (HAZ) among three groups were not statistically significant (all P values > 0.05). Compared to adequate pregnancy weight gain group, RR (95%CI) value of infant obesity in excessive pregnancy weight gain group was 1.86 (1.14 - 3.03).

CONCLUSIONExcessive maternal weight gain during pregnancy increased the risk of infant obesity within 1 year old.

Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Obesity ; epidemiology ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimesters ; Weight Gain

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the therapeutic effects of bicyclol combined with ganciclocir on infantile cytomegalovirus hepatitis.

METHODSSeventy infants with cytomegalovirus hepatitis were randomized into treatment group (n=35) and control group (n=35) for a 2-week-long treatment with ganciclocir (5 mg/kg) with and without oral bicyclol (3 mg/kg, twice daily), respectively.

RESULTSIn both groups, significant changes occurred in the levels of alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, serum total bilirubin, serum total bile acid, and glutamyl transpeptidase after the 2-week treatment (P<0.01); these parameters differed significantly between the two groups after the treatment (P<0.01). Compared with those in the control group, the infants in the treatment group showed significantly better responses to the treatment (P<0.05) with a significantly higher rate of serum anti CMV IgM negativity (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBicyclol combined with ganciclocir can reduce glutamic pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and serum total bilirubin, and decrease bile acid levels to lessen liver cell damage and promote the recovery of liver cells.

Alanine Transaminase ; metabolism ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Bilirubin ; blood ; Biphenyl Compounds ; therapeutic use ; Cytomegalovirus ; Cytomegalovirus Infections ; drug therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Ganciclovir ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis ; drug therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Infant ; Liver Function Tests

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the proliferation and adipogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells in vitro.

METHODSHuman adipose-derived stem cells were obtained by enzymatic digestion and PRP was prepared by dual centrifugal method. The ADSCS were interfused with 5%, 10%, and 20% PRP in conditioned culture media, using the untreated cells as the control group. The morphology of the cells were observed and their proliferative ability was detected using XTT colorimetric assay. The adipogenic differentiation ability of the cells was evaluated using oil Red O staining.

RESULTSThe ADSCS treated with PRP showed better morphology with higher density than the control cells. XTT colorimetric assay demonstrated obviously stronger proliferative activity of PRP-treated cells than the control group (P<0.01). Interfusion with PRP caused a significant increase in adipogenic differentiation of the cells as compared to the control cells (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONPRP treatment produces obvious effects on the proliferation and adipogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells in vitro.

Adipocytes ; cytology ; Adipose Tissue ; cytology ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; Humans ; Lipectomy ; Platelet-Rich Plasma ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; Tissue Engineering ; methods

Objective To investigate the role of aquapofin 1(AQP1)in he migration of eosinophils (EOS)and to determine if AQP-1 can be viewed as the chemotactic activity marker of EOS.Methods Asthma model of guinea pigs were developed and EOS were purified from both peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF).The smears of EOS were studied by in situ hybridization for determining AQP1 mRNA and immunofluorescence under laser scanning confocal microscope for determining AQP1 protein.Results AQP1 was found expressed in EOS both from peripheral blood and from BALF.Compared with the expression of AQP1 mRNA(mean grey value 109.200+-5.756,-x±s)and protein (average fluorescence intensity 279.926+-11.293)in EOS from BALF,there was stronger expression of AQP1 mRNA(92.904±3.290)and protein(425.081±17.474)in EOS from peripheral blood.The difference both of AQP1 mRNA(t=9.519,P<0.05)and protein(t=27.020,P<0.05)were considered statistically significant respectively.Conclusions AQP1 plays a crucial role in EOS movement.It is possible that EOS produce more AQP1 protein to accelerate its migration to inflammatory tiusse under allergic disease and EOS with AQP1 highly expressed are activated.AQP1 can be viewed as the chemotactic activity marker of EOS.

Objective：This study was designed to establish and optimize the research methods for proteome,and to analyze the proteome components of human lung squamous carcinoma cell line NCI H520. Methods： A series of methods, including immobilized pH gradient two dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(2DE), silver staining, PDQuest 2DE analysis software, peptide mass fingerprint based on matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flying mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF MS) and SWISS PROT database searching, were used to separate and indentify the proteome of human lung squarmous carcinoma cell line NCI H520. Results： The good 2DE pattern including resolution and reproducibility was obtained. After silver staining, the 2DE image analysis by PDQuest 2DE software had detected average of 1146± 116 spots, and 851± 95 spots were matched. The average matching rate was 73.3％ . There had a good reproducibility of spot position in 2DE map, with average deviation in IEF direction of 1.52± 0.22 mm， while in SDS PAGE direction it was 1.97± 0.13 mm. Sixty spots were incised from silver staining gel randomly and digested in gel by TPCKtrypsin. Fifty four peptide mass fingerprints (PMF) maps were obtained by MALDI TOF MS. The typic peptide masses were searched in the SWISS PROT database by PeptIdent software. Forty four proteins were preliminarily identified. Some of them were cell cycle related proteins such as Cyclin H, some were signal transduction related proteins such as mitogen activated protein kinase, protein kinase C and receptor protein tyrosine kinase ERBB 2, some were oncogene related proteins such as Ras related protein RAB 36, etc. Conclusions： The main proteome research system including IPG 2DE, image analysis, MALDI TOF MS derived PMFs and database searching has been established. The data of NCI H520 obtained by above methods will be useful for the establishment of human lung squamous cell proteome database.