Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Systems Theory

Objective To investigate the roles of myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) and TIR domain-containing adaptor inducing interferon-β (TRIF) in sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction, and to analyze whether strain rate (SR) can be early sensitive evaluation for septic heart failure.Methods Sixty-four healthy male C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups by random number table (n = 16 in each group): sham group, cecum ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis model group, anti-MyD88 group and anti-TRIF group. The anti-MyD88 group and anti-TRIF group were injected with 5μL/g of anti-MyD88 antibody or anti-TRIF antibody through the tail veins 2 hours before CLP. Eight animals in each group were used to observe the survival of 24 hours, and the other 8 myocardial tissues were harvested for examination. The cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography before and 6 hours and 12 hours after operation. The mRNA expressions of MyD88, TRIF and inflammatory factors in myocardium were measured by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at 24 hours after operation, and the degree of neutrophils infiltration was detected by myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity.Results The number of 24-hour survive in anti-MyD88 group and anti-TRIF group were higher than that in CLP group (number: 4, 3 vs. 2,P = 0.044,P = 0.047). Compared with sham group, the cardiac function was significantly decreased, the mRNA expressions of myocardial tissues MyD88, TRIF, interleukin (IL-1, IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were significantly increased, and the infiltration of neutrophils were obvious in CLP group. Compared with CLP group, the left ventricular short axis fractional shortening rate (FS) and SR were significantly increased after 12 hours in anti-MyD88 group and anti-TRIF group [FS: (49.52±1.78)%, (49.89±1.49)%vs. (41.11±1.63)%, SR (s-1): 17.63±2.16, 17.85±1.64 vs. 12.55±1.84]; the mRNA expressions of MyD88, TRIF and inflammatory factors were significantly decreased [MyD88 mRNA (A value): 0.463±0.046, 0.505±0.048 vs. 0.638±0.102, TRIF mRNA (A value): 0.413±0.031, 0.410±0.021 vs. 0.625±0.057, IL-1 mRNA (A value):0.569±0.101, 0.570±0.091 vs. 0.946±0.171, IL-6 mRNA (A value): 0.551±0.143, 0.431±0.157 vs. 0.850±0.194, TNF-α mRNA (A value): 0.471±0.082, 0.444±0.093 vs. 0.707±0.094]; and the infiltration of neutrophils were significantly decreased [MPO (U/L): 62.34±2.60, 60.87±2.40 vs. 73.83±4.90], with statistically significant differences (allP < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in above parameters between the anti-MyD88 group and anti-TRIF group (allP > 0.05).Conclusions Blocking MyD88 and TRIF expression play significant and similar roles in protecting cardiac deterioration from sepsis by attenuating cytokine release, reducing neutrophil infiltration. SR can sensitively assess septic cardiac dysfunction.

Objective To evaluate the value of ventilation and perfusion scintigraphy for predicting the postoperative pulmonary function in patients with lung cancer. Methods Twenty-six patients with lung cancer, male 21 and female 5, aged from 44 to 86 ys, were recruited into the study. Before surgery, 21 patients underwent 99Tcm-DTPA aerosol ventilation and 99Tcm-macroaggregated albumin ( MAA ) perfusion scintigraphic imaging. The other five patients were studied with perfusion imaging only. Pulmonary function was measured as forced expiratory volume in the first second ( FEV1 ) at about one week before surgery for all patients, and at two months after surgery. The predicted postoperative FEV1 ( ppoFEVt ) was calculated by Neuhaus' formula based on the ventilation or perfusion function obtained from scintigraphy studies, and compared with the measured post surgery FEV1. Eighteen patients underwent the surgical resection successfully. The t-test and correlation analysis were used. Results The ppoFEV1 values of ventilation and perfusion were (1.347±0.539) Land (1.410±0.543) L, respectively (n=21, t =0.062, P＞0. 05). Both the ppoFEV1 values of ventilation and perfusion showed no significant difference with the respective post-surgeryFEV1(n=13, (1.545 ±0.588) Lvs (1.45 ±0.521) L, t=0.092, P＞0.05; n=18, (1.697±0. 546) L vs ( 1.457±0.488) L, t =0. 017, P ＞0.05, respectively). Both the ventilation ppoFEV1 (n =13) and perfusion ppoFEV1 (n = 13, n = 18) correlated well with the post-surgery FEV1 respectively (r =0. 950, 0. 937, 0. 922, all P ＜ 0. 01 ). Conclusion Ventilation and perfusion imaging can predict the postoperative pulmonary function for patients with lung cancer, especially for those with borderline pulmonary function, thus useful for selection of suitable candidates for surgical resection.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome(SSNS) and interleukin-18(IL-18) and to approach the inhibitive role of dexamethasone(DEX) on expression of IL-18 of peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC) in children with SSNS in vitro.Methods IL-18 levels of serum, urine and supernatants of PBMC cultured in vitro were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) in 23 children with SSNS who were either before or after treatment. Fifteen age-matched healthy children served as normal control group, and another 18 children with respiratory infections as infectious control group.Results There were signi-ficant differences of IL-18 in serum and urine before and after treatment in children with SSNS (t=15.072,16.149 Pa

Objective To investigate the production and removal of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) by HaCaT cells after UVB irradiation, and the effect of baicalin in this process. Methods HaCaT cells were cultured and irradiated with given dosages of UVB, and the production and removal of CPD by HaCaT cells at given time points after UVB irradiation were assessed by immunohistochemical method. In parallel studies, HaCaT cells were preincubated with baicalin, and the effect on CPD was evaluated. Results The damage to HaCaT cells was dependent on the dosage of UVB radiation. After irradiation with 30 mJ/cm2 of UVB, CPD formation peaked at 0.5 h. CPD was removed rapidly from HaCaT cells during the first 4 h; the rate of removal decreased thereafter, and the removal was almost complete by 24 h after the irradiation. The amount of CPD decreased significantly in HaCaT cells that were preincubated with baicalin solution before UVB irradiation than that in those without the preincubation (U = 2.324, P

Objective To analyze the inherent quality of non-cited papers published in Chinese Journal of Endemiology, so as to identify the direction of invitation for contributions, and to provide the evidence for improving the academic quality and the cited rates. Methods Scientific papers published in Chinese Journal of Endemiology from 2004 to 2006, with zero cited rates were retrieved in China National Knowledge Infrastructure by March 24, 2011. These articles were statistically analyzed according to publication year, section type, download frequency, etc. Results A total of 200 papers were not cited, accounting for 23.04% (200/868) of the total number of papers published in the journal in the three years. Respectively, 17.23% (46/267), 24.39% (70/287)and 26.75% (84/314) of the papers published in 2004, 2005 and 2006 did not receive a single citation. The number of non-cited papers in editorial and expert forum column was zero, all articles in those column had been cited;followed by review column, non-cited rate was 6.98% (3/43);articles published in the column of short reports were seldom cited and non-cited rate was the highest of 54.02%( 121/224);all the columns of experimental study, field epidemiological investigation, clinical medicine, detection method and sanitary control had a certain percentage of non-cited papers. All of the 200 non-cited papers were downloaded, the download frequency ranged from 1 to 109, with an average of 27.21 times. Conclusions Adequate space should be given to the columns of editorial, expert forums, review, experimental study and field epidemiological investigation;the number of short reports should be reduced appropriately. The journal should enhance cited rate of published papers, comprehensively improve the academic quality of the articles, and contribute to the academic exchange and discipline development.

Objective:To observe the effect of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on the expressions of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK1/2) and extracellular regulatory protein kinase (ERK1/2) in gastric tissues of rats with spleen deficiency syndrome, and to explore the possible mechanisms of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion in treating spleen deficiency syndrome. Methods:Sixty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank control group (group A), a model group (group B), a ranitidine group (group C), and a herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group (group D) by random digit, 15 rats in each group. Rat models of spleen deficiency syndrome were made by intragastric administration of 4℃ 200% concentrated Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei). After successful modeling, the rats in group C were treated with 25 mg/(kg·bw) ranitidine by intragastric adminstration and rats in group D were treated with herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) and Zhongwan (CV 12), for 8 d. Excepted for rats in group A, all the other rats were treated with indomethacin at 5 mg/(kg·bw) at 8:00 a.m. on the second day after finishing all the intervention and sacrificed 7 h later to isolate the stomach. Histopathological changes of the gastric tissues were observed under light microscope after hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The protein expressions of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in the gastric tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results:After intervention, the gastric mucosal injury in group B was significantly severer than that in group A, with large breakage and ablating; the damage of gastric mucosa was decreased in group C compared with group B; the gastric mucosal surface remained relatively complete, and the status of breakage and ablating was significantly improved. After intervention, compared with group A, the protein expressions of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in gastric tissues of the other groups were significantly higher (P<0.01). Compared with group B, the protein expressions of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in group C and D were significantly higher (allP<0.01). Compared with group C, the protein expressions of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in group D were significantly higher (P<0.01). Conclusion: Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion promotes the repair of gastric mucosa in rats with spleen deficiency syndrome, via improving protein expressions of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in gastric tissues, as well as activating MEK/ERK signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Fuzheng Jianpi Decoction (FJD) combined chemotherapy on the quality of life (QOL) and the survival time of children with solid tumor.

METHODSRecruited were 167 solid tumor children patients at Department of Tumor, Beijing Children's Hospital from Jan. 2005 to Jan. 2008. They were randomly assigned to the treatment group (83 cases) and the control group (84 cases) according to the random digit table. All had chemotherapy. Those in the treatment group additionally took FJD, 50 -100 mL each time, twice daily. After chemotherapy those in the treatment group took modified FJD. The WBC, Hb, and PLT were detected in all patients before treatment, 6 months after treatment, and 1 year after treatment. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year QOL, 3-year survival rate, and the survival life of dead children patients were observed.

RESULTSCompared with the control group of the same period, the 6-month and 1-year WBC and Hb increased, the 1-year PLT increased in the treatment group, showing statistical difference (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with 1-year treatment in the treatment group, the 2-and 3-year psychological functions and the general symptoms scores decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the control group of the same period, the 2-and 3-year somatic functions, psychological functions, and the general symptoms scores decreased in the treatment group; the 2-year somatic functions and psychological functions decreased in the treatment group; the 3-year psychological functions and the general symptoms scores decreased in the treatment group, all with statistical difference (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the death number decreased, the survival rate increased, the life span of dead children was prolonged in the treatment group, showing statistical difference (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONFJD combined chemotherapy could effectively improve the QOL of solid tumor children patients, elevate their survival rate, and prolong their life spans.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Integrative Medicine ; Male ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Phytotherapy ; Quality of Life ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome

By analyzing the present situation and existing problems in the material bases of syndrome and Chinese materia medica, we think that either syndrome or prescription is a complex whole system. Studies of the material bases of syndrome and prescription should be established on the combination of disease and syndrome, following the holistic and dynamic principles. Departure from the holistic principle, separating the syndrome from the prescription, ignoring the dynamic concepts may possibly lose the features and advantages of syndrome typing and Chinese medicine preparations. The metabolomics research bridges the study of prescription and syndrome. It is of great significance in finding out the agreeable point of disease-syndrome-efficacy, establishing a dynamic research method with combination of disease and syndrome, correspondence of prescription and syndrome.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Research

Abstract Social network of adolescents is one of the important factors affecting the initiation and development of their unhealthy eating behaviors, and different types of social networks shows varied influences on adolescents eating behaviors through divergent mechanisms. In the context of the new media era, social networks of adolescents establish via social media appear more complex and extensive. Based on relevant previous literature, the paper explores the impact and possible mechanisms of social network on eating behavior of adolescents, as well as its development and application in the new media era to provide references for better intervention strategies and healthier eating behaviors among adolescents from the perspective of social network.