Objective To explore the curative efficacy of astragalus injection on blood lipids and bone mineral density in patients with hemiplegia after ischemic stroke. Methods From January, 2014 to June, 2015, 116 patients with hemiplegia after ischemic stroke were col-lected and radomly divided into control group (n=54) and observation group (n=62). The control group received acupuncture based on con-ventional treatments, while the observation group received astragalus injection in addition. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NI-HSS) and Ability of Daily Living Scale (ADL) were used to assess the neurologic impairment and the ability of daily living. The curative ef-ficacy and the levels of blood lipids and bone mineral density were observed. Results Compared with the control group, the curative efficien-cy increased (χ2=3.960, P<0.05). The score of NIHSS decreased (t=3.490, P=0.001), and the score of ADL increased (t=2.820, P=0.006). The levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol significantly decreased (t>4.190, P<0.001), however, the lev-el of high density lipoprotein cholesterol did not change (P>0.05). The densities in forearm, femur and Ward's area in the hemiplegia side in-creased (t>2.060, P<0.05). Conclusion Astragalus injection is effective on hemiplegia after ischemic stroke, which can increase the curative efficacy, alleviate the neurologic impairment, promote the ability of daily living, improve the blood lipids and increase the bone mineral den-sity.

Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on the rehabilitation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and level of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β). Methods 140 cases of RA meeting the inclusion criteria were divided into control group and observation group equally according to therapeutic schemes. All the patients accepted medicine and rehabilitation training, while the observation group accepted electroacupuncture in addition. The effective rate and the symptoms were observed, the serum level of rheumatoid factor (RF), antistreptolysin O antibody (ASO), C-reactive protein (CRP), NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-1β were tested before and after treatment. Results The effective rate was 92.8% in the observation group, which was significantly more than that of 80.0% in the control group (P<0.05). The joint pain index, joint tenderness index and joint swollenness index reduced in the observation group compared with those in the control group (P<0.05), as well as the serum level of RF, ASO, CRP, NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-1β (P< 0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture may improve the effects of rehabilitation training for RA and inhibit the inflammation, which may associate with the inhibition of activation of NF-κB.

The stable and controllable quality of decoction pieces is an important factor to ensure the efficacy of clinical medicine. Considering the dilemma that the existing standardization of processing mode cannot effectively eliminate the variability of quality raw ingredients, and ensure the stability between different batches, we first propose a new strategy for Chinese medicine processing technologies that coupled with individuation processed and cybernetics. In order to explain this thinking, an individual study case about different grades aconite is provided. We hope this strategy could better serve for clinical medicine, and promote the inheritance and innovation of Chinese medicine processing skills and theories.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; standards ; Cybernetics ; standards ; Drug Therapy ; standards ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; standards ; toxicity ; Humans ; Quality Control

The specification of decoction pieces and quality uniformity are the important factors to influence the efficacy of clinical medicine. Considering the deficiency of diversity, poor quality uniformity and confusion of decoction pieces specifications, we first propose a new idea of precision decoction pieces (PDP) based on clinical demands and fresh-processed technology. In order to explain the idea, a study case of aconite SUP is provided, including the optimized specification design, processing technology, extraction effects, quality uniformity, and toxic and efficacy variation and so on. The results showed that preparing 5 mm PDP by fresh-cutting is rather simple and practicable, with high efficiency and large yield; then, this technology could significantly decrease the ingredients loss and increase the efficacy components; moreover, it was helpful for achieving the quality uniformity and best extraction effects. This work revealed the quality superiority of PDP, and provided a good strategy and example for the standard of decoction pieces specification and modernization of processing technology.
Aconitum ; chemistry ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Particle Size ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo prepare andrographolide composite particles, and evaluate their particle structure and dissolution.

METHODThe mechanical crushing method was adopted to prepare andrographolide and polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 composite particles. The structures were characterized by the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The contact angles were determined by the contact angle analyzer. The in vitro dissolution curve was detected.

RESULTAndrographolide and PEG 6000 gave rise to coated composite particle structures, with the decrease in the crystallinity of andrographolide. The in vitro dissolution rate of composite particles was significantly obvious than that of its raw materials, ultrafine powder and their physical mixtures.

CONCLUSIONAndrographolide composite particles based on the mechanical crushing method could notably enhance the in vitro dissolution of andrographolide.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Diterpenes ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Solubility ; Torsion, Mechanical

In this paper, Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma extract,with high hygroscopic,was selected as research model, while lactose was selected as modifiers to study the effect of the grinding modification method on the hygroscopic. Subsequently, particle size distribution, scannin electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy and surface properties were adopted for a phase analysis. The results showed that the modified extract, prepared by Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma extract grinding 5 min with the same amount of lactose UP2, which hygroscopic initial velocity, acceleration, and critical relative humidity moisture were less than that of Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma extract and the mixture dramatically. In addition, compared with the mixture, the size distribution of modified extract was much less, the microstructure was also difference, while the infrared spectroscopy and surface properties were similar with that of lactose. It is the main principle that lactose particle adhered to the surface of Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma extract after grinding mofication to decress the moisture obviously.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Lactose ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Rhodiola ; chemistry ; Spectrophotometry, Infrared ; Surface Properties ; Wettability

Objective To determine whether cleavage developmentally retarded embryos have not cleaved during a 24 hour period could develop into blastocysts and produce hESC cell lines.Methods A total of 120 such embryos were cultured to blastocyst stage by sequential culture.Blastocysts formation rate and quality of blastocyst were detected under microscope.The relation between blastocyst formation rate and blastomere number,the fragment of blastomere and blastomere symmetry were analyzed by stepwise Logistical regression analysis.Inner cell masses(ICMs)were isolated by immunosurgery.Colonies derived from the ICMs were passed every 4-7 days and the derivatives were passaged and identified.Results A total of 22 blastocysts were obtained from 120 embryos.The blastulation rate was 18.7%.Early blatocyst, blastocyst,full blastocyst,expanded blastocyst,hatching blastoeyst and hatched blastocyst accounted for 5.9%,23.5%,35.3%,23.5%,5.9%,and 5.9% respectively.The grade of ICM and trophoblast was mostly scored C or B.Blastocyst formation rate was related to cell number and blastomere symmetry but not fragment.Immunosurgery resulted in the formation of 7 ICMs and 3 primary colonies,which produced 2 cell lines.The cell lines satisfied the criteria that characterize pluripotent hESC cells.Undifferentiated cells were positive for AKP,SSEA-4,TRA-1-60,and TRA-1-81.It could continue to proliferate in vitro and form embryoid bodies when cultured in suspension.It had capability to form teratoma in SCID mice.Both cell lines had normal karyotypes after 45 and 34 passages respectively.Conclusions Our results suggest that a subset of developmentally retarded embryos can form blastocysts and give rise to hESC cell lines.

Objective　To investigate the expression of LPS receptor-CD14(CD14) on the membrane of Kupffer′s cells (KCs) induced by Lipopolysaccharide (LPS )and its role in activation of KCs and production of cytokines. Methods　KCs were isolated by collagenase perfused Wistar rats and routinely cultured in 24-well dishes for 12 h. Cells were harvested and adjusted to a concentration of 1×106/ml/well and were devided into two groups. Group of LPS: KCs were induced with different concentration of LPS (0, 100 ng/ml, 1 μg/ml and 100 μg/ml). Group of PI-PLC: KCs were pre-incubated for 30 min with one unit of phophatidy linositol specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) before different concentrations of LPS were added. KCs were cultured for 30 and 60 min respectively. Supernatants were then collected for measuring the level of TNFα and IL-6. Cells were stained by indirect immunofluorescent method ( rabbit anti-CD14 antibody and goat anti-rabbit IgG conjugated with FITC ) and analyzed with flow cytometer (FCM). The percentage and mean fluorescence intensity (FI) of CD14-positive cells were taken as the indexes. Results　In LPS group, after incubation of cells with increasing concentration of LPS, a significant increase in the percentage of CD14 positive KCs were found and the mean FI was stronger when compared with the control points or the group of PI-PLC. The levels of TNFα and IL-6 in supernatant also increased (P<0.01). In group of PI-PLC, decreased percentage of CD14 positive KCs and weakened mean FI were found when compared with group of LPS. The increasing production of TNFα and IL-6 slowed down in the group of PI-PLC. Conclusion　CD14 expression of KCs might be up-regulated by LPS with increase of some cytokines. The production of cytokines in KCs induced by LPS is partially inhibited by PI-PLC.

Hookworm infections are widely prevalent in tropical and subtropical areas, especially in low income regions. In the body, hookworms parasitize the proximal small intestine, leading to chronic intestinal hemorrhage and iron deficiency anemia. Occasionally, hookworms can cause overt gastrointestinal bleeding, but this is often ignored in heavily burdened individuals from endemic infectious areas. A total of 424 patients with overt obscure gastrointestinal bleeding were diagnosed by numerous blood tests or stool examinations as well as esophagogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, capsule endoscopy or double-balloon enteroscopy. All of the patients lived in hookworm endemic areas and were not screened for hookworm infection using sensitive tests before the final diagnosis. The patients recovered after albendazole treatment, blood transfusion, and iron replacement, and none of the patients experienced recurrent bleeding in the follow-up. All the 31 patients were diagnosed with hookworm infections without other concomitant bleeding lesions, a rate of 7.3% (31/424). Seventeen out of 227 patients were diagnosed with hookworm infections in the capsule endoscopy (CE), and 14 out of 197 patients were diagnosed with hookworm infections in the double balloon enteroscopy (DBE). Hookworm infections can cause overt gastrointestinal bleeding and should be screened in patients with overt obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) in endemic infectious areas with sensitive methods. Specifically, the examination of stool specimens is clinically warranted for most patients, and the proper examination for stool eggs relies on staff's communication.
Albendazole ; Ancylostoma ; Ancylostomatoidea* ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; Blood Transfusion ; Capsule Endoscopy ; Colonoscopy ; Diagnosis ; Double-Balloon Enteroscopy ; Eggs ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematologic Tests ; Hemorrhage* ; Hookworm Infections* ; Humans ; Intestine, Small ; Iron ; Necator americanus ; Ovum

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MI/RI) by observing the dynamic expression changes at mRNA and protein levels early after myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/ R).

METHODSThe Wistar rats were randomly divided into Sham and I/R group (n = 42), and killed according to different reperfusion time (1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24 h and 7 d). Structural and morphous changes of myocytes were observed under optical microscope. The mRNA and protein levels of TLR2 and TLR4 were detected using real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Monocyte chemokine protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukine-6 (IL-6) mRNA levels were measured by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR).

RESULTS(1) With the extension of reperfusion time, the myocardial infarct size increased smoothly, and reached the plateau at 4 h, then stayed in the platform. After reperfusion for 7 d, the ventricular had been remodeled. (2) At the beginning of reperfusion, myocardial structure showed no significant change in Sham group, but had different degrees of injury in I/R group. In rats of the group reperfused for 7 d the left ventricular remodeling could be visible. (3) Compared to sham group,TIR2, TLR4, MCP-1, IL-6 mRNA level were increased in myocardium in I/R group. TLR2 and TLR4 both peaked at 4 h of reperfusion, IL6 peaked at 6 h, followed by a gradually decrease. TLR4 and IL-6 mRNA levels rose again at 7 d. MCP-1 level in I/R group remained fairly with sham group at the beginning of reperfusion, and markedly elevated at 7 d.

CONCLUSIONExpression of TLRs mRNA in myocardium during early after myocardial ischemia/reperfusion increased rapidly and activated TLRs might play an important role in MI/RI through promoting the generation of inflammatory factors. At the late reperfusion, TLRs levels raise again and the expression of inflammatory factors increase once again, Those may probably affect the remodeling of ventricular, and injure myocardial structure and function.

Animals ; Chemokine CCL2 ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Male ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; metabolism