BACKGROUND: Anti-virus therapy is not suitable for the patients who have asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); otherwise, it is significant for early intervention of Chinese herbs to cure asymptomatic HIV.OBJECTIVE: To observe the interventional effects of fuzheng paidu pian on level of CD4+T lymphocytes and changes of plasma viral vector expression in early phase of asymptomatic HIV infection.DESIGN : Observational contrast study.SETTING: Institute of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Henan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 69 asymptomatic HIV patients, who were infected by paid blood, were randomly selected from some countryside in November 2005. There were 39 males and 30 females. Their ages ranged from 30 to 61 years and the mean age was (43±8) years, and the mean course was (13±3) years. Inclusion criteria: ① coincident with diagnostic criteria of asymptomatic HIV infection published by National AIDS committee (modified in 2005); ②from 18 to 65 years old; ③ 200/mm3 ≤CD4+T lymphocyte count ＜ 600/mm3; ④ Patients did not treat with antiviral and other drugs; ⑤ All patients provided the confirmed consent. Exclusion criteria: ① severe liver and renal malfunction,combining with cardio-cerebral vascular disease and severe primary diseases of lung and hematopoietic system,mental diseases; ② primary immunodeficiency, secondary immunodeficiency induced by hormone and radiation therapy, hematologic disease; ③ pregnant or lactational women. Another 25 asymptomatic HIV patients were randomly selected.and regarded as the blank group. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were as the same as those in the treatment group.METHODS: Patients in the treatment group were treated with fuzheng paidu pian (consisting of huangqi, raw baizhu,fangfeng, baihuashe shecao, ganca o, etc.; Aolinte Pharmaceutical Factory of Henan Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine; batch number: 050601) by using warm boiled water, 5 tablets once (eqUal to 6.6 g raw materials) for three times a day. Three months were regarded as a course and the treatment was performed four courses in total. Patients in the blank group were not treated with any drugs.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Values of CD4+, CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+ in the treatment group before and after treatment;CD4+T lymphocyte count in the blank group after 6 months; ② Viral vector was detected by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCT) in the treatment group.RESULTS: All 69 patients in the treatment group and 25 patients in the blank group were involved in the final analysis. ①CD4+ value was decreased in the blank group after 6 months, and there was significant difference before and after 6 months based on α =0.05 level (P ＜ 0.05).However, CD4+ value was increased in the treatment group. ② Viral vector was randomly detected from 23 patients in the treatment group. As compared with before treatment, plasma viral vector was decreased in 9 patients at 6 months after treatment and in 12 patients at 1 year after treatment. The effective rate was 91.30%.CONCLUSION: Fuzheng paidu pian can improve immunological function of asymptomatic HIV patients and decrease viral vector in some cases during early interventional period.

The optic nerve disease is a kind of diseases that seriously affect the visual function. In recent years, magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging ( DTI ) technology has been widely applied in the field of optic nerve diseases. Compared with the ophthalmic testing, such as optical coherence tomography imaging, visual evoked potential, field of vision, this method has obvious advantages. It not only can directly show the morphology changes of the optic nerve, visual pathway and visual cortex, but also can quantitatively analyze the morphological and pathological changes of the optic nerve, visual pathway and the visual cortex. This article reviews the imaging principle of diffusion tensor imaging, the progress and development prospect of diffusion tensor imaging in the study of the optic nerve diseases.

OBJECTIVETo research the distribution characteristics of Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome and syndrome elements of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) by analyzing literature in recent 20 years.

METHODSRelevant literature on treating CFS by syndrome differentiation of CM at home were retrieved by computer and manual ways. Database were established by using EpiData 3.1 to conduct frequency analysis of syndrome and syndrome elements.

RESULTSThe most common clinical syndromes were Xin-Pi deficiency syndrome, Gan stagnation Pi deficiency syndrome, Gan-Shen yin deficiency syndrome, Gan qi stagnation syndrome, and Pi-Wei qi deficiency syndrome. Disease locations were sequenced as Pi, Gan, Shen, and Xin. The clinical pathogenesis of CFS was characterized by deficiency of vital energy, complicated with intermingled excess and deficiency. Asthenia of healthy energy was mainly manifested as qi deficiency, blood deficiency, and yin deficiency, while excess of sthenia was mainly manifested as qi stagnation, phlegm dampness, and static blood.

CONCLUSIONSResearch of CM syndrome starting from syndrome elements can better unify and standardize clinical syndrome differentiation. Results of literature analysis can provide reference for further studies.

Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Yang Deficiency ; Yin Deficiency

Objective Through establishing a rat model of atrial fibrillation,to study myocardial angiotensin type Ⅰ (AT1R) and type Ⅱ receptor (AT2R) mRNA expression levels in of the state atrial fibrillation and Artemisia annua extract on its expression.Methods Rat model of atrial fibrillation was established,Artemisia annua extract was used for intervention and captopril was adopted as controls.AT1R,AT2R mRNA and protein expression were observed by PCR and Western-blot technology.Results Compared with the control group (0.36±0.05),myocardial AT1R mRNA expression was significantly increased in the model group (0.84±0.04) (P＜0.05).BothArtemisia annua (0.56±0.03) and captopril (0.53±0.04) could significantly reduce the myocardial AT1R mRNA expression in the atrial fibrillation rats (P＜0.05).Captopril showed obvious AT1R mRNA reduction trend,but there was statistical significance compared with Artemisinic extract (P＞0.05).Artemisinic extract showed no impact on AT2R mRNA expression.Conclusion AT1R was closely related to the incidence of atrial fibrillation.AT1R expression was significantly increased in atrial fibrillation rat.The artemisinic extract can be effectively reduced fibrillation myocardial AT1R expression,which may link with its artemisinic antiarrhythmic mechanism.

AIM: To investigate the effects of polidatin on phospholipase A_2(PLA_2),nitric oxide(NO),and endothelin-1(ET-1) levels in serum and lung homogenate of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension rats.METHODS: 29 healthy Spraugue-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group,chronic hypoxic group and hypoxic plus polidatin group.The model of chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension was made by method of intermittent isobaric hypoxia for 21 days.The mean pulmonary arterial pressure(mPAP) was measured by inserting a microcatheter into the pulmonary artery.The ratio of right ventricular wall and that of left ventricular wall and ventricular septum weight(R/L+S) was measured as well.RESULTS: After exposed to hypoxia for 21 days,the mPAP,R/L+S,PLA_2 and ET-1 activities in blood and lung homogenate increased significantly. The NO concentration decreased significantly.Pretreatment with PD attenuated these changes mentioned above.CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with PD effectively prevents the formation of chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.Its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of PLA_2 and ET-1 and promotion of NO production.

Objective To study the changes and significance of the frequencies of circulating follicular helper T cells (cTfh) and circulating regulatory follicular T cells (cTfr) as well as the cTfh/cTfr ratio in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).Methods The frequencies of cTfh,cTfr and B cells in patients with NMOSD and health controls(HCs) were measured by flow cytometry.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the level of IL-21 and AQP4-Ab in patients and HCs.Results The frequencies of cTfh and B cells,the cTfh/cTfr ratio and the plasma level of IL-21 werc significantly higher in the relapsing patients than those in the remitting patients and HCs(P ＜ 0.05),and the cTfr level in the relapsing patients was lower than that in the remitting patients and healthy population (P ＜ 0.05).But no statistical differences were observed in the above indexes between the remitting paticnts and HCs.There was also no significant difference in AQP4-Ab level between the patients with relapse and remission (P ＞ 0.05).The frequency of cTfh in the patients wasc positively correlated with the level of B cells and IL-21(P ＜ 0.05),and the frequency of cTfr was negatively correlated with B cells and IL-21 (P ＜ 0.05).The ratio of cTfh/cTfr was positively correlated with B cell frequency and IL-21 level (P ＜ 0.05).AQP4-Ab level had no correlation with the frequencies of cTfh cells and B cells,cTfh/cTfr ratio and IL-21 concentration (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The changes in the frequencies of cTfh and cTfr as well as the imbalanced cTfh/cTfr ratio may promote the activation of humoral immunein NMOSD and participate in the pathogenesis of this disease.

OBJECTIVETo observe the inhibiting effect of acupuncture on blood lipid, myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis in mice with hyperlipemia, and explore its possible action mechanism.

METHODSTen inbred mice (C57) were applied. Forty ApoE(-/-) mice who removed gene of apolipoprotein E were randomly divided into a control group, a non-acupoint group, an acupoint group and a medication group. The points 0. 5 cm and 1 cm next to the end of mice tail were respectively punctured in the non-acupoint group; "Neiguan" (PC 6) and "Fenglong" (ST 40) were punctured in the acupoint group; intragastric administration of simvastatin was applied in the medication group. After 8 weeks of treatment, the changes of total cholesterol (TC) and ratio of heart to body mass in each group were measured; changes of cardiac muscle fiber and ventricular wall thickness were observed; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to test the level of angiotensin II (Ang I ) in plasma, and western blotting method was used to test protein content of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and endothelin-1 type A receptor (ETAR) in the heart.

RESULTSAfter 8 weeks of intervention, compared with the control group, rising range of blood lipid was obviously decreased (P<0.01) in the acupoint group and medication group, ratio of P<0.01), myocardial heart to body mass was decreased (P<0.05), thickness of ventricular wall was reduced (P fibrosis was relieved, levels of Ang II and ET-1 in plasma were decreased (P<0. 05), content of NO was increased (P<0. 05), and protein content of AT1R and ETAR was decreased in the heart (P<0. 05).

CONCLUSION40) could inhibit the rising of blood lipid in ApoE(-/-) mice, lower the levels of Ang II and ET-1 in peripheral blood, increase the content of NO and inhibit the expression of AT1R and ETAR in heart tissue, which could relieve myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis to play a protective role on heart.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Angiotensin II ; metabolism ; Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Disease Models, Animal ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Heart Diseases ; etiology ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; complications ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Myocardium ; metabolism

Objective To study the effects of.breathing booster training and aerosol inhalation with terbutaline and ambroxol on pulmonary function in postoperative lung cancer patients. Methods A total of 84 patients requiring resection operations for lung cancer were randomly divided into treatment and control groups.In the peri-operative period,breathing booster training and terbutaline and ambroxol aerosol inhalation were given to the treatment group,while only aerosol inhalation was given to the control group.Therapeutic effects were evaluated according to patients pulmonary function and postoperative complications 2 weeks and 1 day before the operation,and again 2 weeks after the operation.Postoperative quality of life (QOL) was evaluated with St.George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) 1 month after the operation. Results There was no statistically significant difference in average pulmonary function between the two groups 2 weeks before the operation.Two weeks after the operation,pulmonary function had decreased in both groups,but it was significantly better in the treatment group than in the control group.The treatment group also had significantly fewer pulmonary complications.The QOL of patients in the treatment group had improved significantly 1 month after the operation. Conclusion Breathing booster training and inhalation of terbutaline and ambroxol aerosol during the peri-operative period can significantly improve pulmonary function,reduce respiratory complications and improve the QOL of patients requiring lung cancer resection operations.This is most important for promoting their early recovery.

Objective To establish sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) animal models by using neurobiology score,electroencephalography (EEG),somatosensory evoked potentials in order to provide evidence for early clinical diagnosis of SAE.Methods A total of 30 rats were weighted,numbered,and monitored with EEG electrodes 10 days before modeling.Ten days later,rats were weighted,numbered,and divided randomly (random number) into groups.Rat models of sepsis were made by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP).The changes of their neurological behaviors were observed and EEG was used to monitor at 4,6,8,12 and 24 hours after CLP.The changes of EEG waveform and somatosensory evoked potentials were analyzed and recorded.Rat models of sepsis were divided into sepsis + non-SAE group and SAE group based on the presence or absence of EEG or somatosensory evoked potentials changes ~thin 24 hours.Rats were sacrificed 24 hours later,and histopathological changes of brain tissue were observed under electronic microscopy.Thus,the feasibility of establishing early SAE animal model by monitoring the changes of neurological behaviors,EEG and somatosensory evoked potentials was evaluated.Results SAE could be early diagnosed by using neurobiology score,reduced α wave and markedly increased δ wave on EEG,reduced amplitudes of evoked potentials P1,and significantly prolonged latency of S-P1 and NI-P1.In survived septic rats,6 had changes on neurological behaviors,EEG and somatosensory evoked potentials,and thus were diagnosed as SAE.The incidence of SAE was 46％.Conclusions SAE can be diagnosed in early stage by using neurobiology score,EEG and somatosensory evoked potentials,confirming the SAE rat models to be successfully established.

The amino group PEGylation of rhIFNomega with monomethoxy polyethylene glycol succinimidyl succinate (mPEG-SS, 20 000) was investigated, and the modified mixture was separated and purified by ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration chromatography. Under the optimized purification conditions, the average content ofmono PEG-rhIFNomega in the collect liquid reached 182 microg x mL(-1). The average purified yield of mono PEG-rhIFNomega exceed to 22%, and the purity of mono PEG-rhIFNomega was greater than 98% by SDS-PAGE and RP-HPLC. Relative molecular mass of mono PEG-rhIFNomega was 43 790 detected by MALDI-TOF MS. The apparent molecular mass measured by SDS-PAGE was about 60 810. The purified PEG-rhIFNomega has the characteristics of typical PEGylated protein. Activity reservation rate of mono PEG-rhIFNomega was 15.0%, while the antigenicity decreased by at least 64 folds. In addition, the acid stability, thermal stability and stability in serum and trypsin solution of mono PEG-rhIFNomega were markedly better than those of the rhIFNomega. The pharmacological properties of mono PEG-rhIFNomega were significantly improved. The prepared PEG-rhIFNomega might be developed to a novel safe and long-acting interferon.