Capsid Proteins ; metabolism ; Endocytosis ; physiology ; Virus Internalization ; Viruses ; metabolism

Objective To compare the lipid lowing effect and the clinical safety between intensive therapy with Chinese medicine Zhihitai and atorvastntin in patients with moderate and high risk of atherosclerosis. Methods All the patients were randomly divided in to a Zhibitai group (n = 85) receiving 480 mg of Zhibitai orally twice a day or an atorvastatin group (n = 84) receiving 10 mg atorvastatin orally once daily. Blood lipoproteins, myocardial enzymes, fiver and renal function were measured before treatment and at the fourth and eighth week after therapy , while high sensitive creactive protein (hs-CRP), P-selectin, matrix-metall proteinase-9 (MMP-9) and soluble intercellular adhering molecule-1 (SICAM-1) were detected before treatment and eighth week after therapy in all patients. Results TC and LDL-C were significantly decreased while HDL-C was increased in both groups after 4 and 8 weeks treatment (P < 0. 05). TG was decreased in Zhibitai group after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment, but it was decreased in atorvastatin group only after 8 weeks of treatment. Inflammatory factors such as hs-CRP, P-selectin, MMP-9, SICAM-1 were decreased significantly (all P < 0. 01), but there was no significant difference between the two groups. There were no difference in liver and kidney function, myocardial enzymes and incidence of muscle-ache and digestive system side reaction. ConclusionsBesides the lipoprotein disorder, inflammatory factors in patients with moderate and high risk of atherosclerosis could be regulated with intensive therapy of Zhibitai. Most importantly, it is safe to use Zhibitai clinically.

China ; Haplopappus ; Humans ; Phytotherapy ; Sesquiterpenes

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of high altitude on cognitive flexibility.

METHODSSimulated hypoxia at an altitude of 3 600 m was performed in a hypobaric chamber. Twenty-three volunteers without hypoxic experience were selected and the mean age was about 25.1 years. The physiological parameters (heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation) were measured. Task switch paradigm was used to explore the cognitive flexibility in each phase, and the changing anxiety state was evaluated simultaneously.

RESULTSReaction time (RT) switch cost in hypoxia phase showed a significant increase compared with the baseline; anxiety level in hypoxia phase was higher than the adaptation phase; a remarkable negative correlation between anxiety level and RT switch cost was found in adaptation phase, whereas a positive correlation was found in landing phase.

CONCLUSIONHigh altitude (3 600 m) affects cognitive flexibility and anxiety state. Anxiety before the hypoxia exposure improves the cognitive flexibility performance, while anxiety after the hypoxia exposure hampers the performance because of the post-hypoxia effect.

Adult ; Altitude ; Anxiety ; Cognition ; physiology ; Humans ; Hypoxia ; psychology ; Male ; Reaction Time

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy and safety of Qizhi Jiangtang Capsule (QJC) in treating stage 3b diabetic kidney disease (DKD) patients with macroalbuminuria.

METHODSPatients who conformed to the diagnostic criteria of stage 3b DKD were randomly assigned to two groups according to random digital table, the experiment group and the control group, 84 in each group. All patients received a two-week elution period, and then were treated with basic Western therapy. Patients in the experiment group took QJC, 5 pills per time, 3 times a day, while those in the control group took Valsartan Capsule 160 mg each time, once daily. The observation period of follow-ups was limited within 6 months, and the time points were set as the baseline, 1st month, 3rd month, and 6th month. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBS), 24 h urine protein quantitative (24 h UPQ), plasma albumin (ALB), and serum creatinine (SCr) were detected and recorded, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated. The occurrence of hypoglycemic reaction, coagulation disorder, gastrointestinal tract reaction, allergy, hyperkalemia, doubling of creatinine, and overall adverse events were observed and recorded at same time.

RESULTSFinally 81 patients in the experiment group and 80 patients in the control group were effectively included. Compared with the baseline level, SBP and DBS obviously decreased in the control group at month 1 of treatment (P < 0.05), and more significantly decreased at month 6 of treatment (P < 0.01). SBP at month 1, 3, and 6 of follow-ups; DBS at month 6 of follow-ups was lower in the control group than in the experiment group (P < 0.05). At month 1, 3, and 6 of follow-ups, 24 h UPQ of the experiment group was significantly lower than the baseline level (P < 0.01). It was also significantly lower than the level of the control group at the same time point (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in 24 h UPQ at month 1, 3, and 6 of follow-ups between the control group and the baseline level (P > 0.05). ALB of the experiment group showed an increasing trend. It was significantly higher than the baseline level at month 6 (P < 0.05), which was also higher than that of the control group at same period (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the ALB level in the control group (P > 0.05). SCr of two groups showed an increasing trend. SCr of the experiment group was significantly higher at month 1, 3, and 6 follow-ups than the baseline level (P < 0.05). But the increment of SCr was higher in the control group than in the experimental group, and obviously higher than the baseline levels (P < 0.05). eGFR of both groups showed a decreasing trend. The decrement was higher in the control group than in the experimental group (P < 0.05). The proportion of progression of renal functions at month 1, 3, and 6 of follow-ups in the experimental group was 0.0% (0 case), 9.55% (8 cases), and 21.4% (18 cases), while they were 8.3% (7 cases), 21.4% (18 cases), and 40.5% (34 cases) in the control group. There was no statistical difference in the proportion of progression of renal functions between the two groups at month 3 and 6 of follow-ups (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONQJC could effectively reduce urinary protein of patients with stage 3b DKD, and delay the progression of renal functions.

Adult ; Albumins ; analysis ; Albuminuria ; drug therapy ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Creatinine ; blood ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tetrazoles ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Valine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Valsartan

Objective To investigate the plasma levels of tissue factor pathway inhibitor(TFPI)in children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura(HSP)and the changes of it after therapy with heparin.Methods Forty-six HSP children were enrolled in HSP group according to the criterion,and 23 normal healthy children as controls.The plasma levels of TFPI were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in both groups.Forty-six HSP children were divided into 2 groups randomly:heparin therapy group(n=23)and conventional therapy group(n=23).The plasma levels of TFPI were measured before therapy,on the 7th day and the 14th day after therapy,respectively.Results 1.The plasma levels of TFPI in HSP group [(59.337?21.750)?g/L] significantly decreased than those of control group [(88.761?12.214)?g/L](t=7.185 P

Objective To evaluate the subclinical dysfunction of left ventricle (LV) induced by anthracycline(ATC) in patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE) as well as real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE).Methods Traditional echocardiography images and RT3DE images were acquired from 59 patients with DLBCL before,after the completion of two cures(100 mg∕m 2)and four cures of the regimen(200 mg∕m 2).LV global longitudinal strain(GLS),global circumferential strain(GCS),LV apical rotation and basal rotation,LV end-diastolic volume (EDV),end-systolic volume (ESV),stroke volume(SV) and ejection fraction(EF)were calculated simultaneously.Results Compared with baseline, LV apical rotation and basal rotation reduced significantly after two cures and four cures of therapy [LV apical rotation:(5.34±1 .80)°vs (3.80±1 .45)°vs (2.96±1 .1 8)°;LV basal rotation:(-3.32±1 .14)°vs (-2.65±1 .12)°vs (-2.56±1 .19)°;both P <0.01].LV GLS and GCS decreased significantly till four cures of treatment compared with those at baseline[GLS:(-21 .62±2.5 1)% vs(-20.1 7±2.74)%;GCS:(-26.34±4.76)% vs (-23.27 ±4.73)%;both P <0.01].The alternation on EDV,ESV,SV and EF manifested no visible degradation during the whole procedure (P > 0.05 for all). Conclusions Cardiotoxicity during the early phase of anthracycline treatment can be detected via 2DSTE prior to the traditional echocardiographic expression of ventricular systolic function.The left ventricular rotation index seems to be more sensitive than strain parameters for the estimation of early cardiac injury in patients with ATC chemotherapy.There is no safe dose for anthracycline in all patients with DLBCL treated with anthracycline even at lower doses.

Objective To investigate and evaluate the iodine nutritional status of school-age children in Yi county of Heibei Province,and to provide scientific basis for the development of control measures to iodine deficiency disorders.Methods Retrospectinely analyzed school-age children urinary iodine monitoring results of Yi County of Hebei Province from 1998 to 2011.One township was selected randomly in each of the five directions (east,west,south,north and center) from 1998 to 2011.One elementary school was randomly chosen in each of the five townships.And at least 20 urine samples of 8-10 years old children were randomly collected in each school selected.Urinary iodine contents were determined through arsenic cerium catalytic spectrophotometric method.Urinary iodine determination standard according to The Standard of Iodine Deficiency Disorders Elinination (GB 16006-2008) and The Iodine Deficiency Disorders Elinination Guide.Results A total of 1725 children urinary samples were collected from 1998 to 2011,urinary median was 243.26 μg/L,each of the median urinary iodine was higher than 100 μg/L.The ratio of urinary iodine less than 100 μg/L was ＜ 50％ over the years,and less than 50 μg/L was ＜ 20％.Overall,the highest value of urinary iodine stayed at approximately 200 μg/L,showing positively skewed distribution that was skewed to the right.Urinary iodine level was compared among different ages,gender and ethnicity,and the difference was not statistically significant(P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions In recent years,the iodine intake of school-age children of Yi County can meet the body needs,and the iodine nutrition is at an appropriate level.

OBJECTIVETo provide some new evidences for the classification and identification of medicinal materials of Curcuma.

METHODThe optical microscope and electronic microsccopic scaning were used to characterize the leaves of Curcuma.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThere were no obvious histological and morphological differences among the leaves of Curcuma. But the differences in the hair distribution, stoma density and size , shape and size of epidermic cells could be considered to be the main features for the microscopic identification of leaves of Curcuma.

China ; Curcuma ; classification ; ultrastructure ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Pharmacognosy ; Plant Epidermis ; cytology ; ultrastructure ; Plant Leaves ; cytology ; ultrastructure ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; ultrastructure ; Species Specificity

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to explore the relationship between surgical methods, hemorrhage position, hemorrhage volume, surgical timing and treatment outcome of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH). METHODS: A total of 1310 patients, who had been admitted to six hospitals from January 2004 to January 2008, were divided into six groups according to different surgical methods: craniotomy through bone flap (group A), craniotomy through a small bone window (group B), stereotactic drilling drainage (group C1 and group C2), neuron-endoscopy operation (group D) and external ventricular drainage (group E) in consideration of hemorrhage position, hemorrhage volume and clinical practice. A retrospective analysis was made of surgical timing and curative effect of the surgical methods. RESULTS: The effectiveness rate of the methods was 74.12％ for 1310 patients after one-month follow-up. In this series, the disability rate was 44.82％ 3–6 months after the operation. Among the 1310 patients, 241 (18.40％) patients died after the operation. If hematoma volume was >80 mL and the operation was performed within 3 hours, the mortality rate of group A was significantly lower than that of groups B, C, D, and E (P<0.05). If hematoma volume was 50–80 mL and the operation was performed within 6–12 hours, the mortality rate of groups B and D was lower than that of groups A, C and E (P<0.05). If hematoma volume was 20–50 mL and the operation was performed within 6–24 hours, the mortality rate of group C was lower than that of groups A, B and D (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Craniotomy through a bone flap is suitable for patients with a large hematoma and hernia of the brain. Stereotactic drilling drainage is suggested for patients with hematoma volume less than 80 mL. The curative effect of HICH individualized treatment would be improved via the suitable selection of operation time and surgical method according to the position and volume of hemorrhage.