Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Psoriasis ; diagnosis ; therapy

BACKGROUND: The elevation of plasma fibrinogen(Fbg) is a key risk factor of cerebrovascular diseases. The evaluation of the monomer polymerization function of fibrin has even more important clinical merit than the detection of Fbg level.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical significance of the monomer polymerization function of fibrin in patients with isehemie cerebrovascular diseases and its impacts on rehabilitative intervention.DESIGN: A case control study employing patients and healthy individual as subjects.SETTING: An Institute of Hematology and Department of Neurology of one university.PARTICIPANTS: Totally 110 patients with different ischemic cerebrovascular disease selected from the Department of Neurology, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong Science and Technology University from September 2001 to March 2002, and 50 healthy individuals were included in the study.METHODS: Rehabilitative intervention was performed in 31 randomly selected cerebral infarct patients, and the parameters indicating the monomer polymerization functions of fibrin in the plasma were detected by the measurement system for the monomer polymerization function of fibrin.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Abnormal condition of monomer polymerization function of fibrin in each parameter.RESULTS: Each parameter indicating the monomer polymerization functions of fibrin in plasma was significantly increased in ischemic cerebrovascular diseases patients than healthy individuals( P ＜ 0.01 ) . The abnormal rate of Fbg leveland fibrin monomer polymerization velocity (FMPV) was significantly elevated in ischemic cerebrovascular disease patients than healthy individuals ( P ＜ 0. 01 ) . The relative risk(RR) of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases in patients with abnormal FMP functions was 4 to 31 times more than healthy control group. In cerebral infarct group, FMPV of anterior circulation infarct subgroup was significantly elevated than that of posterior circulation infarct and lacunar cerebral infarct subgroups( P ＜ 0.05). The FMP function of anterior cerebral infarct patients was significantly higher than that of healthy group before rehabilitative intervention. Although each FMP parameter reduced after rehabilitative intervention, the difference between was not significant compared with that of before therapy.CONCLUSION: FMP function analysis can completely and objectively reflect the coagulation status of the patients with ischemic cerebrovascular diseases, and it can also reflect the range and severity of infarct to some extent. Although common rehabilitative intervention cannot effectively improve the high-coagulation of the blood, the impacts of specific rehabilitative intervention on the coagulation mechanism deserve further investigation.

The plasma levels of inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) and anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the patients with unstable angina or stable angina were determined and compared. In 30 patients with unstable angina and 22 patients with stable angina, plasma levels of IL-10 and IL-6 were detected by ELISA and plasma lipid parameters by lipid research clinical methods respectively. The results showed plasma levels of IL-10 were significantly lower in unstable angina group than in stable angina group (P = 0.005), while those of IL-6 were significantly increased in unstable angina group as compared with those in stable angina group (P = 0.039). There was a significantly negative correlation between IL-10 and IL-6 in patients with unstable angina (r = -0.41, P = 0.003). In the unstable angina group, IL-6 levels were obviously positively correlated with TC (r = 0.314, P = 0.023), but not with TG and HDL. There were no significant correlations between IL-10 and plasma lipid parameters. It was suggested that the decreased IL-10 and increased IL-6 might be associated with the atheromatous plaque stability and progression of coronary heart diseases. IL-10 may play an important role in preventing coronary vascular lesions.
Angina, Unstable/*blood ; Interleukin-10/*blood ; Interleukin-6/*blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether aristolochic acid can be transported into human kidney proximal tubular cell (HKC) and its potential mechanism.

METHODSIntracellular aristolochic acid was measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) induced by aristolochic acid in the presence of organic anion transporter inhibitor (probenecid) or organic cation transporter inhibitor (tetraethylammonium) was evaluated. The effects of probenecid on aristolochic acid induced connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mRNA and protein expression were also examined by real time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively.

RESULTSAristolochic acid was detected in the suspension of the denatured HKC after incubation with aristolochic acid sodium salt. The release of LDH from HKC, which was induced by 60 mg/L aristolochic acid sodium salt, was significantly inhibited by 1 mmol/L probenecid (P < 0.01), but not by 1 mmol/L tetraethylammonium. The increased CTGF mRNA and protein expression in HKC stimulated by 40 mg/L aristolochic acid sodium salt was significantly down-regulated by 1 mmol/L probenecid (P < 0.05), with an inhibition rate of 16% and 21%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONAristolochic acid can be transported into HKC by organic anion transport system, and then exerts its biological effects.

Aristolochic Acids ; metabolism ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; Humans ; Kidney ; physiology ; Organic Anion Transporters ; metabolism

Objective To provide scientific evidence for the effectiveness of upper limb training after stroke.Methods Surface electromyograms (sEMGs) of the triceps braehii and biceps brachii were recorded in stroke patients during maximum isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC).A total of 18 patients with hemiparesis were studied.During the elbow's MIVC,flexor and extensor peak torque were measured,and sEMGs of the biceps and tri- ceps brachii were recorded.Results During MIVC,the biceps braehius of the intact side registered a stronger EMG than that of the affected side when the elbow flexed,but the differenees in the triceps braehii readings were not significant.The triceps bracbius of the intact side gave a stronger iEMG than the affected side when the elbow extend- ed,but the iEMG form the biceps brachius of the affeeted side was higher than that of the intact side.The co-contrac- tion ratio (CCR) of the triceps brachius on the affected side was higher than that of the intact side.Though there was a tendency for the CCR of the biceps brachius on the affected side to be higher than the intact side,any difference was not statistically significant.For both flexor and extensor MIVC,the peak torque on the affected side was lower than that of the intact side.Conclusions Elbow spastieity in hemiplegic patients is mainly attributable to the flexor muscles.In the rehabilitation of the upper limb after stroke,it is important when training extensor strength to inhibit co-contraction of the antagonistic muscle.

Objective To evaluate the effects of blood-lipid report's reformat on outpatients' behavior and knowledge of dyslipidemia therapy.Methods The blood-lipid report was reformatted by adding three tables from the Chinese Guideline on the Prevention and Treatment of Adult Dyslipidemia on its back.The same questionnaire was used twice to evaluate the patients' behavior and knowledge of dyslipidemia therapy before and after reformat.Results Before and after reformat,the rates of correct deterination of their own risk stratification were 26.0％ ( 112/430 ) and 26.3％ ( 115/438 ) respectively.The awareness rates of Different LDL-C goals among different persons wcre 37.0％ (159/430) and 35.8％ (157/438).Only 0.7％ (2/306) and 1.0％ (3/299) of patients knew their blood lipid goals (P =0.557).When the report showed normal blood lipid levels,the percentages of taking lipid-lowering drug were 47.6％ ( 230/483 ) and 46.6％ ( 216/464 ),20.5％ ( 99/483 ) and 19.0％ ( 88/464 ) of patients questioned the prescription.Non-medication rates were 31.9％ ( 154/483 ) and 34.5％ ( 160/464 ) respectively before and after reformat ( P ＞ 0.05 ).For patients requiting lipid-lowering drug therapy by the guideline,treatment rate improved significantly in the low-risk group (13.3％ vs.75.0％,P =0.002).Treatment rate slightly increased in the high-risk and very high-risk groups after reformat (54.0％ vs.56.8％,62.4％ vs.69.0％,P ＞ 0.05 ).Rates of achieving lipid goal showed no change [ 41.5％ ( 102/ 245 ) vs.44.5％ ( 114/256 ),P ＞ 0.05 ] after reformat,especially among the very high-risk patients [17.9％(12/68) vs.21.6％(11/52),P＞0.05].Conclusions The blood-lipid report reformat did not improve the patient behaviors and knowledge of the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia because of poor treatment rate and medication compliance.The combination of patient education and thorough blood-lipid report reformat may help to increase the attainment rate of dyslipidemia therapy.

Abnormalities, Multiple ; diagnosis ; genetics ; pathology ; Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Humans ; Infant ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Optic Atrophies, Hereditary ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Radiography ; Septo-Optic Dysplasia ; diagnosis ; genetics ; pathology ; Septum Pellucidum ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD), a representative formula of qi benefiting blood activating method on aorta Rho associated coiled-coil forming protein serine/threonine kinase (Rhokinase, ROCK) and nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 mRNA expressions and levels of blood lipids in atherosclerosis (AS) model rats.

METHODSThe AS rat model was prepared by vitamin D3 and high fat diet. Totally 60 rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, i.e., the normal control group, the model group, the low dose BYHWD group (10 g/kg), the high dose BYHWD group (20 g/kg), the Simvastatin control group (0.6 mg/kg), and the BYHWD prevention group (10 g/kg), 10 in each group. After successful modeling all medication was intervened for 28 days. Expression levels oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) were detected by ELISA. Levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C were determined by enzyme method. Pathological changes of aortic tissue were observed under light microscope. mRNA expressions of Rho kinase and NF-κB p65 in aorta were detected by real time (RT) PCR.

RESULTSHigh fat diet and peritoneal injection of vitamin D3 could induce AS rat model. Typical atheromatous plaque formed in aorta of AS model rats. Compared with the normal control group, levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, and ox-LDL significantly increased in the model group, but the HDL-C level decreased (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, and ox-LDL all decreased, but HDL-C increased in low and high dose BYHWD groups, the Simvastatin control group, and the BYHWD prevention group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the low dose BYHWD group, above-mentioned indices were more obviously lowered in the high dose BYHWD group, the Simvastatin control group, and the BYHWD prevention group (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group, mRNA expression levels of Rho kinase and NF-κB p65 significantly increased in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, mRNA expressions of Rho kinase and NF-κB p65 obviously decreased in low and high dose BYHWD groups, the Simvastatin control group, and the BYHWD prevention group (P < 0.01). Compared with the low dose BYHWD group, the two indicators were more obviously lowered in the high dose BYHWD group, the Simvastatin control group, and the BYHWD prevention group (P < 0.05). But there was no statistical difference in blood lipids levels, mRNA expression levels of Rho kinase or NF-κB p65 among the high dose BYHWD group, the Simvastatin control group, and the BYHWD prevention group (P >0. 05).

CONCLUSIONSBYHWD could down-regulate mRNA expression levels of Rho kinase and NF-κB p65, lower levels of blood lipids, and fight against AS. Suppressing Rho kinase pathway might be one of its mechanisms.

Animals ; Aorta ; Atherosclerosis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Lipids ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Simvastatin ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism ; rho-Associated Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo optimize formulas of Quban gel.

METHODThe U6 (6(2) x 3) uniform design was adopted to optimize gel formulas, with rheological parameters, such as viscosity and yield value in room temperature, viscosity and yield value in average temperature of skin, thixlotropy.

RESULTThe optimum proportion of matrix was made of 1.0 g carbomer 940, 5 mL glycerin and pH value 5-6.

CONCLUSIONThe regression model for gel matrix quality and gel rheological parameters was established to directly reflect the impacting effect of various factors, and provide certain preference basis for the screening of gel matrix formulas. Quban gel prepared by the method was evenly distributed, moderately viscous and highly thixotropic

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Gels ; Quality Control ; Regression Analysis ; Viscosity

Objective To analyze the differential expression of microRNA-146a (miR-146a) in monocyte-macrophage cell line (THP-1 cells) after induction by Cryptococcus neoformans (C.neoformans,reference strain WM148) or Cryptococcus gattii (C.gattii,reference strain R265),and investigate the mechanism of miR-146a in regulating the inflammatory response of cryptococcal meningitis.Methods The cultured THP-1 cells were divided into two groups to be induced by C.neoformans or C.gattii,respectively.THP-1 cells were induced with inactivated WN148 (or R265) strains at multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 5 in all experiments.The supematant and the cell pellet were collected separately after incubation.The expression of miR-146a was measured by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) technique.The levels of TNF-u and IL-6 release were assayed by ELISA.Results The expression of miR-146a increased significantly in the C.neoformans induction group compared to 0 h.It reached peak at 3 h (P＜0.01),and then declined gradually.The level of TNF-α increased in supematant and reached peak at 12 h.The expression of IL-6 did not change significantly at each time point.The expression of miR-146a and TNF-α increased gradually and reached peak at 12 h in the C.gattii induction group (P ＜0.01),but the change did not reach statistical significance at 3 h,6 h time points.The expression of IL-6 gradually increased,and reached peak at 12 h time point.Conclusions Following stimulation with C.neoformans or C.gattii,the expression ofmiR-146a in THP-1 cells showed different patterns over time.The expression levels of TNF-α and IL-6 showed different patterns.These findings suggest that there may be different regulatory mechanisms in the THP-1 cells-associated inflammatory response after stimulation by inactivated C.neoformans and C.gattii strains.