Clinically traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been proven to possess obvious anti-tumor effects. It is critical to further explore the effective components and the corresponding mechanism of the TCM against target cells, which also has great significance for developing novel nano-TCM formulations for clinical treatment of tumor. This paper systematically reviews the anti-tumor effects of Chinese herbal compound and the anti-tumor mechanism of single herb. We also summarized the progress in the current traditional nano-TCM preparations. Taking the shikonin in Herba Arnebiae as an example, using the nano-material self-assembly technology, we discussed the design of novel nano-macromolecule TCM formulations while considering the mechanism of single herb and the clinical obstacles.

Animals ; Herbicides ; poisoning ; Humans ; Paraquat ; poisoning

Objective To study the mlationship between dietary soy isoflavones and blood lipids among residents of 40-65 years old,in Guangzhou.Methods Dietary soy isoflavones and other nutrients intakes were assessed with quantitative food frequency questionnaire(FFQ).Total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG),HDL cholesterol(HDL-C)and LDL cholesterol(LDL-C)in plasma were measured with colorimetry.Results Ranges of dietary soy isoflavones intake among 134 males and 261 females were fxom 0 mg/day to 61.96 mg/day and 0 mg/day to 82.52 mg/day,with means of 11.95 mg/day,14.90 mg/day,respectively.After adjusted for total energy intake and fat percent energy,difiefences of TC,LDL-C in total population and TC in women were statistically significant between groups(P value was 0.002,0.008,0.004,respectively) and dose-effect relationships(P value was <0.001.0.012.0.001,respectively)were observed between dietary soy isoflavones intake and the upper mentioned three indices.Compared with the low-intake group,tbese three indices lowered 7.06%,10.13%and 7.48%,respectively in high-intake group.Critical significance of LDL-C was observed both in women and men between groups.Further controlled for age,BMI and WHR,no obvious change of the results was observed.Conclusion Moderate intakes of soy isoflavone as part of a regular diet seemed to be associated with favorable blood lipid levels.

BACKGROUNDDecayed teeth are harmful to children's growth and development and can severely jeopardize their health. This study was set out to investigate and analyze the prevalence of dental caries in preschool children in Shanghe County in Shandong Province, China, and provide new insights into potential prevention and treatment strategies.

METHODSBased on the random sampling method, we performed dental examinations of children aged 2 to 6 years in kindergartens of Shanghe County. The prevalence of caries, the average number of decayed teeth per capita as well as the constituent rates of decayed, missing and filled teeth were determined retrospectively. SPSS software was used for data analysis.

RESULTSDental caries were found in 1088 out of 2052 children from 56 kindergartens. The total number of decayed teeth was 4487 with a prevalence of 53.02%. The average number of decayed teeth per capita was 2.187, and the filling rate was 0.29%. There was no statistical difference in the prevalence of caries between boys and girls though there were significant differences between different age groups. The prevalence of decayed teeth as well as the mean number of decayed teeth infected per capita increased with age. In addition, urban children had a higher prevalence than those from rural areas (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of decayed caries among kindergarten children in Shanghe County was high, suggesting that more emphasis should be put on improving oral health education with priority given to prevention. Further efforts should be made to increase the decayed caries filling rate.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Dental Caries ; epidemiology ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Female ; Health Education, Dental ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Prevalence

This study investigated the effects of benazepril administered in the morning or evening on the diurnal variation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and clock genes in the kidney. The male Wistar rat models of 5/6 subtotal nephrectomy (STNx) were established. Animals were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham STNx group (control), STNx group, morning benazepril group (MB) and evening benazepril group (EB). Benazepril was intragastrically administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day at 07:00 and 19:00 in the MB group and EB group respectively for 12 weeks. All the animals were synchronized to the light:dark cycle of 12:12 for 12 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), 24-h urinary protein excretion and renal function were measured at 11 weeks. Blood samples and kidneys were collected every 4 h throughout a day to detect the expression pattern of renin activity (RA), angiotensin II (AngII) and aldosterone (Ald) by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and the mRNA expression profile of clock genes (bmal1, dbp and per2) by real-time PCR at 12 weeks. Our results showed that no significant differences were noted in the SBP, 24-h urine protein excretion and renal function between the MB and EB groups. There were no significant differences in average Ald and RA content of a day between the MB group and EB group. The expression peak of bmal1 mRNA was phase-delayed by 4 to 8 h, and the diurnal variation of per2 and dbp mRNA diminished in the MB and EB groups compared with the control and STNx groups. It was concluded when the similar SBP reduction, RAAS inhibition and clock gene profile were achieved with optimal dose of benazepril, morning versus evening dosing of benazepril has the same renoprotection effects.
Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; administration & dosage ; Benzazepines ; administration & dosage ; CLOCK Proteins ; metabolism ; Circadian Rhythm ; Drug Chronotherapy ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Hypertension, Renal ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Kidney ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Male ; Nephrectomy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; drug effects ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of sinusoidal magnetic field on isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium release channel (RyR1) function.

METHODSWith the Ca2+ dynamic spectrum and isotope labeled methods, the Ca2+ release and [(3)H]-Ryanodine binding, the initial rates of NADH oxidation and the production of superoxide of SR exposed to 50 Hz sinusoidal magnetic field (MF) were investigated respectively.

RESULTS0.4 mT, 50 Hz sinusoidal MF exposure for 30 min increased SR Ca2+ release initial rate about 35% from (10.82 +/- 0.89) pmol.mg(-1) pro.s(-1) to (14.69 +/- 1.21) pmol.mg(-1) pro.s(-1); and the [(3)H]-Ryanodine binding by about 15% from (2.13 +/- 0.05) pmol/mg pro to (2.45 +/- 0.07) pmol/mg pro, which regulated by 1 mmol/L NADH with 1 mmol/L NAD+. Meanwhile MF upregulated the rate of NADH oxidation by about 22% from (0.88 +/- 0.11) x 10(-4) FI/s to (1.07 +/- 0.13) x 10(-4) FI/s and upregulated the production of superoxide by about 32% from (0.99 +/- 0.09) x 10(-5) FI/s to (1.31 +/- 0.06) x 10(-5) FI/s.

CONCLUSION0.4 mT sinusoidal MF increases the activity of RyR1 within the low redox potential environment, and promotes NADH oxidase activity and superoxide production.

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Magnetic Fields ; adverse effects ; Rabbits ; Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel ; metabolism ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum ; metabolism ; radiation effects

Objective To investigate the effects of Sacubitril/Valsartan on amino terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP),high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP),soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2(sST2)levels and on left ventricular(LV)structure in NYHA Ⅳ heart failure with reduced ejection fraction(HFrEF) patients.Methods A total of 67 HFrEF patients with NYHA Ⅳ were randomly divided into the control group (n =30)receiving conventional medical treatment,and the observation group(n=32)receiving Sacubitril/Valsartan instead of ACEI(or ARB if ACEI induced cough) in conventional medical treatment.NT-proBNP levels were determined by fluorescer-enhanced chemiluminescence.hs CRP levels were detected by latecx enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay.sST2 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The modified Simpson method was used to detect left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD),LV posterior wall(LVPW)and LV ejection fraction(LVEF).Two groups of patients were treated and followed-up for 6 months.Results Clinical efficacy was better in the observation group than in the control group(effective rate,20 cases or 61.3％ vs.8 cases or 26.7％,P＜0.05).As compared with the control group,the observation group of patients had an increased LVEF[(46.7±9.2) ％ vs.(41.8±8.0)％,P＜0.05]and a decreased LVEDD[(52.6±6.7)mm vs.(58.8±7.5)mm,P＜0.05].After vs.before treatment,NT-proBNP,hs-CRP and sST2 levels were decreased in both control and observation groups [(1 427 ± 219) μg/L vs.(2 615 ± 273)μg/L,(1.14 ± 1.02) mg/L vs.(1.55±1.38)mg/L,(0.30±0.12)μg/L vs.(0.41±0.10)μg/L,all P＜0.05],and the decrements were much more in the observation group than in the control group (P＜0.05).The annual accumulated frequence and duration of hospitalization were less in the observation group than in the control group[(0.8±0.6)times vs.(1.8±1.0) times,(10.2±5.8)d vs.(16.5±7.2)d,P＜0.05].The maintenance dose of tolasemide was lower in the observation group than in the control group [(15.2±8.4)mg vs.(20.6±10.8)mg,P＜0.05].Conclusions Sacubitril/valsartan therapy is safe and effective and it can reduce hs-CRP and sST2 levels and improve the ventricular remodeling in HFrEF patients of HYHA Ⅳ.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Th1/Th2 cytokines on the expression of nerve growth factor(NGF)in splenic lymphocytes in asthmatic model. METHODS: Four SD rats were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin to establish an asthmatic model, and the rat splenic lymphocytes were isolated and cultured with ConA. The expressions of NGF mRNA were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and were observed after the lymphocytes were exogenously added with interferon-gamma(IFN-gamma) or interleukin-4 (IL-4). RESULTS: The lymphocytes of the asthmatic model stimulated by ConA in vitro expressed NGF mRNA in a time-dependent manner. After the lymphocytes had been cultured with IL-4 for 12 h, 24 h, 36 h, and 48 h, 50 microg/L IL-4 upregulated the expressions of NGF mRNA in a time-dependent manner and all the NGF mRNA expressions were significantly higher than the basal values at the same time(all Ps<0.01). After 0, 10, 50, and 100 microg/L IL-4 had been added for 24 h, IL-4 upregulated the expressions of NGF mRNA in a dose-dependent manner and the NGF mRNA expressions were all significantly higher than the values of the lower dose IL-4(all Ps<0.05). After the lymphocytes had been cultured with 10 mug/L IFN-gamma for 0 h, 12 h, 24 h, 36 h, and 48 h, IFN-gamma downregulated the expressions of NGF mRNA in a time-dependent manner and all the NGF mRNA expressions were significantly lower than the basal values at the same time(all Ps<0.01). After 0, 1, 10, and 50 microg/L IFN-gamma have been added for 24 h, IFN-gamma downregulated the expressions of NGF mRNA in a dose-dependent manner and all the NGF mRNA expressions were significantly lower than the values of the lower IFN-gamma dose(all Ps<0.05). CONCLUSION In the splenic lymphocytes of asthmatic rats, IL-4, one of the Th2 cytokines, can upregulate the expressions of NGF; IFN-gamma, one of the Th1 cytokines, can downregulate the expressions of NGF both in a time-dependent manner and in a dose-dependent manner. Th1/Th2 cytokine immune imbalance may indirectly induce the airway neurogenic inflammation by regulating the NGF mRNA expression.
Animals ; Asthma ; chemically induced ; immunology ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytokines ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Interferon-gamma ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-4 ; pharmacology ; Lymphocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Nerve Growth Factors ; genetics ; Ovalbumin ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Spleen ; cytology ; immunology ; Th1 Cells ; metabolism ; Th2 Cells ; metabolism

AIM:To investigate the role of SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis in pancreatic cancer cell migration and invasion.METHODS:The mRNA expression of CXCR4 in 4 pancreatic cancer cell lines was detected by RT-qPCR.The migration and invasion abilities of PANC-1 cells with the axis activated by exogenous SDF-1αor inhibited by CXCR4 inhibitor AMD3100 were detected by Transwell assays.The cell viability was measured by MTS assay.The protein expression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) -related molecules in the cells treated with exogenous SDF-1αor AMD3100 was determined by Western blot.RESULTS:All of the 4 pancreatic cancer cell lines expressed CXCR4 mRNA, while the PANC-1 cell line expressed the most.Exogenous SDF-1αpromoted the migration and invasion abilities of PANC-1 cells, which was inhibited by AMD3100.The PANC-1 cells treated with exogenous SDF-1αfor 72 h grew faster, while SDF-1αcombined with AMD3100 made little significance to the viability of PANC-1 cells.Exogenous SDF-1αinduced EMT of PANC-1 cells by up-regulating the expression of SNAIL and TWIST, and AMD3100 reversed this effect.CONCLUSION:SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis enhances the migration and invasion abilities of pancreatic cancer cells through inducing EMT.

OBJECTIVETo summarize lessons learned from an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in China during the spring of 2004.

METHODSData of SARS cases were officially reported by Beijing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention (BCDC) and Anhui Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention (APCDC) and results of epidemiological investigations were collected and analyzed.

RESULTSThree generations of 11 cases of SARS were identified during the outbreak. Initial two cases were most likely to be infected in Diarrhea Virus Laboratory of National Institute of Virology, China Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and main mode of transmission was direct contact with SARS patients. Delay in detecting initial case resulted in spread of the illness at hospitals and communities with two generations of secondary cases.

CONCLUSIONSSARS outbreak in 2004 has yielded following lessons for public health globally. (1) Lab bio-safety programs should be made and should be strictly abided by. Studies in highly pathogenic viruses such as SARS coronavirus should be utmost cautious. (2) Management systems of occupational exposure to virus and disease surveillance need to be strengthened to take all risk factors into account so as to detect potential patients with infectious disease as early as possible.

China ; epidemiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; prevention & control ; Occupational Health ; Retrospective Studies ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; transmission