Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; drug therapy ; immunology ; B-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; Cytokines ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; Tripterygium ; chemistry

Antagonism, esterase isozyme ployacrylamide gel electrophoretic (EST-PAGE) and cluster analysis was used in the study of 14 strains of Ganoderma. The results showed that there were 18 bands of EST with different Rf. Cluster analysis at 50% similarity level showed that all strains could be clustered into five groups, the first included Xian zhi, Da xian 823, Nan han, Yuan zhi 6, Tian zhi, Han zhi; the second included Chi zhi 10, Chi zhi 12, Chi zhi, Ri ben hong zhi; the third included Zi zhi, Hei zhi; the fourth included Xue zhi; the fifth included Bai zhi. And this result was similar to the result of antagonism and morphological characters. Because of its stablity, the technique of EST can be used for identification of Gamoderma.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the relationship between Chinese medical constitutions and chemotherapy-induced leucopenia (CIL) of primary breast cancer patients.

METHODSTotally 306 breast cancer patients undergoing adjunctive chemotherapy for the 1st time, and effective 291 breast cancer patients were recruited in this study.Nine Basic Constitutional Scale was used before first chemotherapy. Chinese medical constitutions were classified and quantitatively scored. The highest grading for any item of adverse reactions in each case during the whole chemotherapy course was recorded after chemotherapy. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS16.0.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference in CIL between different chemotherapy regimens and various Chinese medical constitutions of breast cancer patients (P > 0.05). Yang deficiency constitution is one risk factor for CIL. The higher the score of yang deficiency constitution, the more severe the CIL.

CONCLUSIONSYang deficiency constitution was correlated with the degree of CIL. The higher the score of yang deficiency constitution, the greater the risk of III-IV grade CIL in breast cancer patients.

Breast Neoplasms ; complications ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Leukopenia ; chemically induced ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Yang Deficiency

BACKGROUNDInvasive fungal infections such as candidiasis and mold infections cause significant morbidity and mortality in seriously ill patients. Micafungin is an echinocandin antifungal agent with potent activity against most species of Candida and Aspergillus. We did this meta-analysis to clarify whether micafungin offers superior efficacy and safety compared with other antifungal agent for treating infections associated with invasive candidiasis.

METHODSWe did a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to examine whether micafungin has superior efficacy and safety compared with other antifungal agents recommended by the treatment guidelines for fungal infection. Seven trials involving 2913 patients were included in this analysis. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.

RESULTSMicafungin was associated with significantly better treatment success compared with the comparator antifungal agents (modified intention to treat, 2851 patients; random-effects model, OR 1.20, 95%CI 1.00 - 1.45, P = 0.0487). In addition, micafungin was more effective than the comparators for antifungal prophylaxis of neutropenic patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (OR 1.47, 95%CI 1.08 - 2.00, P = 0.01). Although there was no significant difference between the compared regimens in terms of the incidence of adverse drug effects (OR 0.94, 95%CI 0.77 - 1.11), fewer patients treated with micafungin withdrew from the studies because of adverse events (OR 0.64, 95%CI 0.44 - 0.94).

CONCLUSIONSMicafungin has a good safety and tolerability profile, with an efficacy at least comparable to the other antifungal agents. Micafungin offers advantages over other agents for antifungal prophylaxis. Micafungin offers an appropriate alternative for antifungal prophylaxis rather than the treatment of invasive candida infections.

Antifungal Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Candidiasis, Invasive ; drug therapy ; Echinocandins ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Lipopeptides ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Treatment Outcome

The changes of microRNA expression in rat hippocampus after traumatic brain injury (TBI) were explored. Adult SD rats received a single controlled cortical impact injury, and the ipsilateral hippocampus was harvested for the subsequent microarray assay at three time points after TBI: 1st day, 3rd day and 5th day, respectively. We characterized the microRNA expression profile in rat hippocampus using the microRNA microarray analysis, and further verified microarray results of miR-142-3p and miR-221 using quantitative real-time PCR. Totally 205 microRNAs were identified and up-/down-regulated more than 1.5 times. There were significant changes in 17 microRNAs at all three time points post-TBI. The quantitative real-time PCR results of miR-142-3p and miR-221 indicated good consistency with the results of the microarray method. MicroRNAs altered at different time points post-TBI. MiR-142-3p and miR-221 may be used as potentially biological markers for TBI assessment in forensic practice.

OBJECTIVETo study neuroprotective effects of astragulus membraneaceus on a neonatal rat hippocampus of hypoxia-ischemia brain damage (HIBD).

METHODThe neonatal hypoxia-ischemia model was established with 7-day-old rat pups. Brain injury was examined by neuron death rate in the hippocampal CA1 area. Caspase-3 (cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase) mRNA expression in ipsilateral hippocampal was measured by half-quantitative reverse transcription and polymerization chain reaction (RT-PCR). 90-day-old rats were used in tri-equal-arm maze to observe discrimination learning ability. Sham, model and astragulus-membraneaceus treated groups were set up.

RESULTIn model group, caspase-3 mRNA showed an increase at 6h, with maximum arrivimg at 24 h - 48 h after HI. In astragulus-membraneaceus treated group, neurons death rate and caspase-3 mRNA were significantly reduced by astragulus membraneaceus, and discrimination learning ability of developed rats were improved obviously.

CONCLUSIONAstragulus membraneaceus has a strong protective effect on neuronal damage in the immature rat hippocampus, which is ralated reducing caspase-3 expression.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Caspase 3 ; Caspases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cell Death ; drug effects ; Discrimination Learning ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Hippocampus ; enzymology ; pathology ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; enzymology ; pathology ; Male ; Neurons ; pathology ; Neuroprotective Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Angelica sinensis Polysaccharides (ASP) on the hepatic drug metabolism enzymes activities in normal mice and those prednisolone (PSL)-induced liver injury.

METHODThe activities of phase II enzymes (GSH-related enzymes) and cytochrome P450 enzymes were measured by biochemical method.

RESULTASP increased the activities of glutathione S-transferase in liver microsomes and mitochondria. The cytochrome P450 content, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, aminopyrine N-demethylase, and aniline hydroxylase activities in liver microsomes were also increased. PSL significantly increased serum ALT levels, and decreased the liver mitochondrial glutathione content. At the same time, other enzymes activities were all increased. When mice were treated with ASP 2.0 g.kg-1, the PSL-induced changes on cytochrome P450 enzymes, glutathione S-transferase, and GSH content were restored.

CONCLUSIONASP can modulate the activities of drug metabolism enzymes.

Aminopyrine N-Demethylase ; metabolism ; Angelica sinensis ; chemistry ; Aniline Hydroxylase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; enzymology ; etiology ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; metabolism ; Glutathione Transferase ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Microsomes, Liver ; enzymology ; Mitochondria, Liver ; enzymology ; NADPH-Ferrihemoprotein Reductase ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Prednisolone

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of deep venous thrombosis in patients before hip arthroplasty, and to explore the possible causes of postoperative thrombosis.Methods:The clinical data of 361 patients with hip arthroplasty treated in the Department of Orthopaedic Trauma of Xi′an Honghui Hospital from September 2015 to December 2019 were studied retrospectively, including 102 males and 259 females, aged 65 to 94 years, and the average age was 72.25 years old. All fracture patients were given subcutaneous injection of low molecular weight heparin calcium to prevent lower extremity thrombosis. The deep veins of both lower extremities were examined before and after operation. The general data of the two groups of patients were collected and recorded, including age, sex, whether complicated with medical diseases (essential hypertension, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease), serological indexes, time from injury to admission, and time from admission to operation. The software of SPSS 19.0 was used for statistical analysis.Results:The incidence of lower limb DVT, before operation was 29.92%, including 26 males (24.07%) and 82 females (75.93%). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that diabetes mellitus ( OR=2.127, 95% CI: 1.134-3.989, P=0.019), coronary heart disease ( OR=1.692, 95% CI: 1.056-2.713, P=0.029) and the time from injury to admission ( OR=1.677, 95% CI: 1.037-2.712, P=0.035) were independent risk factors for DVT in elderly patients undergoing hip arthroplasty. The incidence of lower limb DVT, after operation was 46.54%. After operation, proximal thrombus were occurred in 2 cases (1.19%), distal thrombus in 143 cases (85.12%), and mixed thrombus in 23 cases (13.69%). Postoperative thrombus was ipsilateral to the fracture limb in 84 cases (50.00%), thrombus was located in the healthy side of the fracture in 19 cases (11.31%), and DVT occurred in 65 cases (38.69%) in both lower limbs. Conclusions:Delayed admission longed than 48 hours, coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus are the risk factors for the formation of DVT. The thrombus that existed before operation and did not disappear after operation accounted for 48.81% of the total incidence of postoperative thrombosis, and the new thrombus accounted for 51.19% of the total incidence of postoperative thrombosis. For the elderly patients with femoral neck fracture undergoing hip arthroplasty, ultrasonic examination of both lower limbs should be performed before and after operation to find the changes of thrombus in time and do a good job of prevention and treatment.

The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of calcium ionophore (CI ) to induce the differentiation of CML cells into dendritic cells (DC), to analyze the P210 expression in DCs and to evaluate the stimulatory effect of CML-DC on production of cytotoxic activity against CML cells via activating the autologous T cells. The mononuclear cells were isolated from bone marrow of CML patients whose WBC counts were more than 30x10(9)/L when samples were collected, then the lymphocytes and monocytes were discarded by pouring out supernatant twice at different culture time point. Slightly adherent cells were cultured in RPMI 1640 containing 10% FCS, with or without CI (375 ng/ml) and GM-CSF (200 ng/ml) at 37 degrees C, 5% CO2, fully humidified atmosphere for 96 hours. The cell morphology was observed under the inverted microscope and electron microscope; the expression of CD antigens was analyzed with flow cytometry; the P210 expression was measured with Western blot. LDH assay was used to evaluate the effect of cultured CML cells (CML-DC) generating cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity against CML cells. The results indicated that after treatment with calcium ionophore and GM-CSF for 96 hours, CML cells showed DC morphological characteristics under inverted microscope and electron microscope. The expression of CD83, CD86, CD40, CD80 and HLA-DR increased remarkably. P210 was expressed in the CML-DC, but the expression level was lower than that in CML cells without CI and GM-CSF treatment. LDH assay showed that the CTL activity against CML was found greater in autologous T cells activated by CML-DC than that by CML cells. It is concluded that the CML cells can be induced to quickly differentiate into DC when cultured with CI and GM-CSF. CML-DC expresses P210, but the expression level is lower than that in CML cells. CML-DC can stimulate autologous T cells to produce CTL against CML.
Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Calcium ; pharmacology ; Cell Differentiation ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; Female ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Ionophores ; pharmacology ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; pathology ; Male ; Monocytes ; cytology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo construct a rheumatoid arthritis-specific full-length fully human mammalian display antibody libraries.

METHODSPeripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The repertoires of kappa light chain (LCκ) and heavy chain variable region (VH) of the antibodies were amplified by RT-PCR. The amplified LCκ and VH genes were inserted into the vector pDGB-HC-TM separately, and the ligated libraries were transformed into competent E.coli TOPO-10 strain to construct the rheumatoid arthritis-specific antibody heavy and light chain libraries. 293T cells were co-transfected with the libraries and the full-length fully human antibody expressed on the surface of 293T cells were analyzed by flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe libraries of rheumatoid arthritis-specific antibody LCκ and heavy chain (IgG1) were constructed. The expression of full-length fully human antibody on the surface of 293T cells was confirmed by flow cytometry. With the rates of correct LCκ and heavy chain sequence insertion reaching 80% and 60%, respectively, as shown by DNA sequence analysis of the randomly selected clones, the libraries showed an expressible combinatory diversity of 6.13×10(10).

CONCLUSIONThe constructed libraries provide a useful platform for screening rheumatoid arthritis-specific antibodies.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Antibodies ; genetics ; immunology ; Antibody Specificity ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; immunology ; Cell Surface Display Techniques ; Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Lymphocytes ; immunology ; metabolism ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Peptide Library ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Transfection