Erchen Decoction is widely used to dampness-phlegm syndrome and it can be flexibly used in clinical application by my supervisor Professor OU Zheng-wu, especially in cough, pneumonia, asthma and influenza, which has obvious efficacy in treatment. This article reviewed five medical cases during the follow-up process with Professor OU in application of Erchen Decoction, with a purpose to share experience of famous doctors and improve TCM diagnosis and treatment level together.

This study aims to develop a method for determination of beta-elemene, curcumol, germacrone and neocurdione in the volatile oil of Curcuma phaeocaulis, and to provide the basis of the quality control method for the volatile oil of C. phaeocaulis and the related preparations. Based on GC-MS, the 4 main compounds were simultaneously determined, with the internal standard n-tridecane. The Agilent 19091S-433 column (0.25 microm x 250 microm x 30 m) was adopted at the temperature of 250 degrees C, the programmed temperature method (60 degrees C for 1 min, 5 degrees C x min x to 110 degrees C for 5 min, 1 degrees C x min(-1) to 140 degrees C, 5 degrees C x min(-1) to 160 degrees C, 10 degrees C x min(-1) to 240 degrees C) was used. Helium gas was used as the carrier gas at a constant flow rat of 1 mL x min(-1), with an injection volume of 1 RL. Mass spectra were taken at 70 eV; the ion-source temperature was 200 degrees C. The relation time and character acteristic ions for each target compound were determined by full scan mode and SIM, and m/z 85.1, 93.1, 121.1, 107.1 and 180.1 were the detection ions of n-tridecane, beta-elemene, curcumol, germacrone and neocurdione. As a result, beta-elemene, curcumol, germacrone and neocurdione were all detected with good separation. They were all in a good linear relationship within each concentration scope. The average recovery rates were in the range of 98.2%-101%. So, the method can be used to control the quality of the volatile of C. phaeocaulis Val. and the preparations related.
Acetic Acid ; chemistry ; Curcuma ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Oils ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Sesquiterpenes ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Sesquiterpenes, Germacrane ; analysis ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo assess the effect-increasing action of rolling needle therapy on insomnia.

METHODSSixty-four cases were randomly divided into a rolling needle treatment group and a control group, 32 cases in each group. The control group were treated with oral administration of clonazepam 4 mg, once each night, for 4 consecutive weeks. The rolling needle therapy group were treated with the same treatment as the control group, plus the rolling needle stimulation of the back. The therapeutic effect was assessed by effective rate of sleep improvement and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI).

RESULTSAfter treatment there was a significant difference between the two groups in the score of PSQI (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe rolling needle therapy can increase the improving action of clonazepam on insomnia, and increase life quality of the patient.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Needles ; Sleep ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of biofeedback in preventing chronic daily headaches. Methods One hundred patients experiencing daily headaches were randomly divided into a biofeedback group ( n=50) and a drug therapy group (n=50). The patients in the drug therapy groupwere administered a predetermined course of medication. Those in the biofeedback group were given 30 minutes of biofeedback therapy twice a week for 8 weeks, followed by 10 months of intensive therapy once a month. The headache frequency, duration of headache at-tacks, days of using acute pain medication and any other adverse events were recorded 3, 6 and 12 months after the treatment. Results The patients in the biofeedback group had significantly less-frequent headaches, shorter headache attacks and fewer days of using acute pain medications. Conclusion Compared to drug therapy, biofeed-back can prevent chronic daily headachesmore safely and effectively.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of repeated sintering on the color of two porcelain-fused-to-titanium, and the differences between the two porcelains.

METHODSThirty samples were prepared and sintered for 9 times. The color of samples were measured following sintering 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 times by ShadeEye NCC colorimeter according to two brands of porcelains with CIE1976L*a*b* color system, and calculated relevant chrome, chromatism and hue, and statistical analysis.

RESULTSWhen two brands of porcelains were sintered 5 times, the color parameters had no significant change and sintered continuely, the color parameters of L* and a* had obvious changes, but can't be observed by eyes.

CONCLUSIONThe color parameters of titanium-porcelains have no significant change after repeated sintering.

Color ; Colorimetry ; Dental Porcelain ; Humans ; Metal Ceramic Alloys ; Titanium

OBJECTIVETo construct lipL32/1-lipL41/1 fusion gene and its prokaryotic expression system and to determine frequencies of carrying and expression of lipL32 and lipL41 genes in L.interrogans wild strains and specific antibody levels in sera from leptospirosis patients.

METHODSlipL32/1-lipL41/1 fusion gene was constructed using linking primer PCR method and the prokaryotic expression system of the fusion gene done with routine techniques. SDS-PAGE was used to examine expression of the target recombinant protein rLipL32/1-rLipL41/1. Immunogenicity of rLipL32/1-rLipL41/1 was identified by Western blot. PCR and MAT were performed to detect carrying and expression of lipL32 and lipL41 genes in 97 wild L.interrogans strains. Antibodies against products of lipL32 and lipL41 genes in serum samples from 228 leptospirosis patients were detected by ELISA method.

RESULTSThe homogeneity of nucleotide and putative amino acid sequence of lipL32/1-lipL41/1 fusion gene were 99.9 % and 99.8 % in comparison with the reported sequences. Expression output of the target recombinant protein rLipL32/1-rLipL41/1, mainly present in inclusion body, accounted for 10 % of the total bacterial proteins. Both the rabbit antisera against rLipL32/1 and rLipL41/1 could combine to rLipL32/1-rLipL41/1. 97.9 % and 87.6 % of the L.interrogans wild strains had lipL32 and lipL41 genes, respectively. 95.9 % and 84.5 % of the wild strains were positive for MAT with titers of 1:4 - 1:128 using rabbit anti-rLipL32s or anti-rLipL41s sera, respectively. 94.7 % - 97.4 % of the patients'serum samples were positive for rLipL32s antibodies, while 78.5 % - 84.6 % of them were rLipL41s antibodies detectable.

CONCLUSIONlipL32/1-jlipL41/1 fusion gene and its prokaryotic expression system were successfully constructed. The expressed fusion protein had qualified immunogenicity. Both the lipL32 and lipL41 genes are extensively carried and frequently expressed by different serogroups of L.interrogans, and their expression products exhibit cross-antigenicity.

Antibodies, Bacterial ; blood ; Antigens, Bacterial ; genetics ; immunology ; Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Cloning, Molecular ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Genes, Bacterial ; genetics ; Humans ; Leptospira interrogans ; genetics ; Leptospirosis ; immunology ; microbiology ; Lipoproteins ; genetics ; Prokaryotic Cells ; metabolism ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo construct prokaryotic expression systems of ltB/ctB-ompL1/1 fusion genes and to determine the L.interrogans carrying status in leptospirosis patients with the expression products.

METHODSThe fusion genes ltB-ompL1/1 and ctB-ompL1/1 were constructed using linking primer PCR method. SDS-PAGE was used to examine expression of the target recombinant proteins rLTB-rOmpL1/1 and rCTB-rOmpL1/1. Western blot and GM1-ELISA were used to measure the immunogenic and GM(1)-binding activities of rLTB-rOmpL1/1 and rCTB-rOmpL1/1, respectively. PCR and MAT were performed to detect the expression of ompL1 gene in 97 wild L.interrogans strains. Antibodies against ompL1 gene products in serum samples of 228 leptospirosis patients were detected with ELISA method.

RESULTSThe homogeneity of nucleotide and putative amino acid sequence of ltB-jompL1/1 and ctB-ompL1/1 fusion genes were 99.7 % - 99.9 % and 99.5 % - 100 %, in comparison with the reported corresponding sequences. Expression outputs of both rLTB-rOmpL1/1 and rCTB-rOmpL1/1, mainly present in inclusion body, accounted for 10% of the total bacterial protein. Both rLTB-rOmpL1/1 and rCTB-rOmpL1/1 could combine to rabbit anti-rOmpL1/1 serum and bovine GM(1). 89.7 % of L.interrogans wild strains had ompL1 gene. 87.6% of the wild L.interrogans strains presented positive results for MAT (titers :1:4-1:256) with the rabbit anti-rOmpL1/1 or anti-rOmpL1/2 sera. 86.8% and 88.6% of the patients' serum samples were positive for rOmpL1/1 and rOmpL1/2 antibodies, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe fusion proteins, rLTB-rOmpL1/1 and rCTB-rOmpL1/1, showed high immunogenic and GM(1)-binding activities. ompL1 gene is extensively distributed and frequently expressed in different serogroups of L.interrogans and its products expressed by different genotypes exhibit extensive cross-antigenicity.

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Bacterial Toxins ; genetics ; Bacterial Vaccines ; genetics ; Cloning, Molecular ; Enterotoxins ; genetics ; Escherichia coli Proteins ; genetics ; Genes, Bacterial ; genetics ; Humans ; Leptospira interrogans ; genetics ; immunology ; Prokaryotic Cells ; metabolism ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Vaccines, Synthetic ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo determine the effects of leptospiral strains with different virulence on intracellular free Ca(2+)level and its relation with phospholipase C (PLC) activity of L.interrogans.

METHODSL.interrogans-j infection cell modals were established with Vero and J774A.1 cell lines. Vero and J774A.1 cells were co-incubated with L.interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar lai strain 56601 (strong virulence) and serogroup Pomona serovar pomona strain 56608 (weak virulence) and L.biflexa serogroup Samaranga serovar patoc strain Patoc I (non-virulence). Intracellular free Ca(2+)levels were detected by laser scanning confocal microscopy with specific fluorescence labeling of fluoj3/AM. Using [(3)H] PIP2 as the substrate, the PLC activities in the culture supernatant, and cytoplasma and cytomembrane of the three strains of Leptospira were measured by isotope assay.

RESULTSThe baseline intracellular free Ca(2+)levels in the normal Vero and J774A.1 cells were (102.3+/-8.2)% and (105.9+/-7.3)%,respectively. The fluorescence intensity in the two cell lines incubated with L.biflexa strain Patoc I were fluctuated in range of (102.3+/-8.2)%approximate, equals(102.2+/-8.3)% during the observation period. The intracellular free Ca(2+)levels in the two cell lines infected with L.interrogans strain 56601 showed elevation with double peak patterns, with first peaks of (430.5+/-35.7)%, (747.5+/-18.5)% and the second peak of (380.6+/-17.4)%, (804.6+/-22.4)%, respectively. When the cells were infected with L.interrogans strain 56608, the intracellular free Ca(2+)levels were rising slowly with a single slope-like pattern, with the maximal of (235.0+/-19.3)% in Vero cells and (402.4+/-17.4)% in J774A.1 cells, which were significantly lower than those in the cells infected with L.interrogans strain 56601 (P<0.01). The culture supernatants, and cytoplasma and cytomembrane proteins of all three strains displayed PLC activities (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe cells infected with L.interrogans of different virulence show distinct intracellular free Ca(2+)levels and peak patterns. The different host cell lines can affect the intracellular free Ca(2+)levels, which is not related to the PLC activity in the leptospiral strains.

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Endocytosis ; Humans ; Leptospira interrogans ; enzymology ; pathogenicity ; Macrophages ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Type C Phospholipases ; metabolism ; Vero Cells ; Virulence

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinico-pathologic characteristics, treatment and prognosis of thyroid carcinoma in childhood and adolescents.

METHODSFrom 1984 to 1997, 86 cases with thyroid carcinoma in childhood and adolescent treated were summarized.

RESULTSAll cases underwent operation with adjuvant therapy. Pathologically, papillary carcinoma was diagnosed in 73 (84.9%), follicular carcinoma in 6 (7%), papillary-follicular carcinoma in 4 (4.7%) and medullary carcinoma in 3 (3.5%). Cervical lymph node metastasis was found in 59 cases (68.6%), 16 of which with both thyroid carcinoma and bilateral cervical lymph node metastasis (27.1%). Lung metastasis was found in 11 cases. Recurrence occurred in 6 cases after operation. Compared with the thyroid carcinoma in adult patients, cervical lymph node metastasis, bilateral involvement of the thyroid gland with bilateral cervical nodes and lung metastasis rate were more commonly seen in childhood and adolescence. All but 2 patients had been followed up for more than 5 years, 41 patients for more than 10 years. The 5-year and 10-year survival rate was 95.3% (82/86) and 87.8% (36/41), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe clinical manifestations of childhood and adolescent thyroid cancer are generally not pathognostic which may lead to misdiagnosis. Surgery is the main method in the comprehensive treatment with a good prognosis. The therapy with (131)I after operation was beneficial for some patients accompanied with lung metastasis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cell Differentiation ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Prognosis ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between alterations of p16INK4a and p14ARF genes and gastric carcinogenesis.

METHODSTumors and gastric tissues neighboring carcinoma from 48 patients with gastric cancer were studied. Homozygous deletion, mutation, methylation of the CpG islands, mRNA expression of p16INK4a and p14ARF genes were assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP), PCR based methylation assay, and reverse transcription (RT)-PCR.

RESULTS(1) The overall homozygous deletion rate of p16INK4a and p14ARF was 35.4% (17/48), and no homozygous deletion was examined in all the gastric tissues neighboring tumor. (2) There was no point mutation of p16INK4a and p14ARF in 31 gastric cancers without homozygous deletion and in the matched gastric tissues adjacent to tumor. (3) Methylation of the CpG islands of p16INK4a and p14ARF was detected in 47.9% (23/48) of gastric cancers, while methylation was observed only in 2 of 48 gastric tissues neighboring cancers with a significant difference (P <0.01). (4) The rate of p16INK4a mRNA loss was 47.9% (23/48) in gastric cancer, and the cases of combined methylation of exons 1alpha and 2 had a higher loss rate (100%, 6/6) of p16INK4a mRNA than those of methylation form the other exons (11.8%, 2/17) (P <0.01). The loss rate of p14ARF mRNA was 45.8% (22/48) in gastric cancer, and patients with combined methylation of exons 1beta and 2 had a higher loss rate (100%, 3/3) of p14ARF mRNA than those of the methylation from the other exons (15%, 3/20) (P < 0.05). (5) The combined loss of p16INK4a and p14ARF mRNAs was examined in 1 (5.6%) of 18 cases of well and moderately-differentiated carcinomas, and 11 (36.7%) of 30 cases of poorly and not-differentiated carcinomas with significant difference (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONp16INK4a and p14ARF genes were frequently inactivated by homozygous deletion and methylation of the 5' CpG islands in gastric cancer, which might have played an important role in the development of gastric cancer.

Adenocarcinoma ; genetics ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 ; genetics ; DNA Methylation ; Female ; Gene Deletion ; Genes, p16 ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p14ARF ; genetics