AIM:This study was concerned with the effect of Alexipharmie Capsule(Flos Lonicerae Japonicae,Fructus Forsythiae,Radix Scutellariae,Radix Isatidis,Herba Ephedrae,Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) on fever,inflammation,pain and cough. METHODS: We adopted ear swelling mouse model induced by xylene and foot swelling mouse model induced by carrageenan to observe the anti-inflammatory effects;took 15% beer yeast and bacterial endotoxin as pyrogen to study the antipyretic effects on rats and rabbits;used acetic acid stretching method to observe the analgesic effects;adopted strong aqua ammoniae spraying and sulfur dioxide stimulus method to study the antitussive effects. RESULTS: Alexipharmic Capsule could obviously inhibit ear and foot swelling of mouse model(P

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Shoutai Pill (STP) containing serum on bioactivity behaviors of trophoblast cells in spontaneous abortion (SA) patients such as cell proliferation, invasion, migration and secretion.

METHODSTrophoblast cells in artificial abortion in normal pregnancy and SA patients were isolated and cultured in vitro, which were then treated with STP containing serum at various concentrations (5%, 10%, 20%, respectively). Blank serum was taken as the normal control group and dydrogesterone containing serum as the dydrogesterone control group. The proliferation, cycle distribution, invasion and migration capacity, and beta human chorionic gonadotropin (p-HCG) level were detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetry, flow cytometry (FCM), Transwell experiments, and ELISA, respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, the activity of cell proliferation obviously decreased, ratios of apoptotic cells (SubGO/G1) and G2/M phase were obviously elevated, S phase cell ratio was obviously reduced (all P < 0.05). Transwell experiments indicated invasion and migration capacity obviously decreased, secreted beta-HCG level were obviously reduced after 72-h intervention (P < 0.05). Compared with the SA group, the activity of cell proliferation obviously increased, ratios of apoptotic cells and G2/M phase were obviously reduced, S phase cell ratio was obviously elevated, invasion and migration capacity were obviously enhanced, secreted beta-HCG level were obviously elevated after 72-h intervention in the dydrogesterone control group and each STP containing serum group (all P < 0.05). The activity of trophoblastic cell proliferation, S phase cell ratio, invasion and migration capacity, and secreted beta-HCG level were strengthened along with increased STP containing serum. Besides, the effects of 20% STP containing serum group were significantly superior to those of the dydrogesterone control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTP containing serum could dose-dependently enhance the proliferative activity of trophoblastic cells, invasion and migration capacity, secretion of beta-HCG, and reduce the apoptosis of trophoblast cells, which might be one of mechanisms for STP preventing and treating SA.

Abortion, Spontaneous ; Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Dydrogesterone ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Trophoblasts ; drug effects

Objective To evaluate the 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging system to depict and track in vivo of magnetically labeled endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs),and to study the possibility for preventing the atherosclerotic plaque formation in New Zealand rabbit model of carotid arterial injury after transplantation.Methods New Zealand rabbit EPCs were isolated,confirmed,expanded and then incubated with home synthesized Fe_2O_3-PLL,Prussian blue stain was performed for showing intracellular irons.The model of carotid arterial injury was performed by 2.5F balloons,the group A of 8 rabbits received magnetically labeled EPCs,group B of 3 rabbits received fluorescent-labeled EPCs and the group C of 5 rabbits were given same volume saline injection after endothelial injury of the carotid artery.MR imaging and histology were performed and compared 4 days later for randomly chosen three rabbit,each from one of the three group;all the other rabbits were fed with high lipid diet and examed using MR imaging and histology after 15 weeks.Results Epcs labeling efficiency was more than 95% by Prussian blue stain, 4 days after transplantation of EPCs,only in group A,the injured endothelium of carotid artery had signal intensity loss in T_2 * WI,which were correlated well with the area where the most Prussian blue staining positive cells were found in histopathology analyses.The rabbits of group A and B which received EPCs transplantation exhibited fewer plaques formation than those of the group C(P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the change of JNK and c-Jun in lung injury associated with paraquat poisoning of rats.

METHODS46 Rats were randomly divided into four groups: PQ group (n = 12), control group (n = 10), PQ + ZnPP group (n = 12) and PQ + Hm group (n = 12). The rats were injected with 2% PQ (25 mg/kg, ip) in PQ group. ZnPP and Hemin (10 mg/kg, 10 mg/ml) were injected through inguinal vein before intraperitoneal administration of 2% paraquat in PQ + ZnPP group and PQ + Hm group respectively. The rats were injected NS (1 ml/kg, ip) in control group. HE dyeing of lung tissue and MDA content of plasma were used for estimating the injury of lung tissue. The content of CO in the lung tissue was determined. The expression of HO-1 mRNA of the lung tissue was detected by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The phosphorylation of JNK and c-Jun was evaluated by Western blot analysis.

RESULTSThe degree of lung injury in PQ group and PQ + ZnPP group was higher than that in control group and PQ + Hm group. But in PQ + Hm group the degree of lung injury was lower. The content of MDA in PQ group and PQ + ZnPP group was higher than that in control group and PQ + Hm group (P < 0.01). The content of MDA in PQ + Hm group was higher than that in control group (P < 0.05). The content of CO in lung tissue in PQ group, PQ + ZnPP group and PQ + Hm group was and (1.08 +/- 0.15 mg/L) respectively, and higher than that in control group (P < 0.01). The content of CO in lung tissue in PQ + Hm group was significantly higher than that in PQ + ZnPP group (P < 0.01). The expression of HO-1 and the phosphorylation of JNK (55.24 +/- 9.34, 38.15 +/- 10.71, 128.55 +/- 19.43) and c-Jun (23.16 +/- 4.85, 15.49 +/- 3.13, 44.89 +/- 10.37) were increased remarkably in PQ group, PQ + ZnPP group and PQ + Hm group. Those in PQ + Hm group were higher significantly than PQ group and PQ + ZnPP group (P < 0.01). Those in PQ + ZnPP group were lower than PQ group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe increase of CO of lung tissue in rats at the lung injury associated with paraquat poisoning reduces the acute lung injury of rats. The level of JNK and c-Jun phosphorylation increases obviously, especially after Hemin is utilized.

Acute Lung Injury ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Lung ; metabolism ; Male ; Paraquat ; poisoning ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To investigate outcome and cognitive changes of amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) in a follow-up study. Methods A cross-sectional and longitudinal parallel cohort study design was conducted among 109 aMCI patients and 104 matched normal controls. Multi-dimension neuropsychologic tests were used to extensively assess the cognitive function. Results The scores of neuropsychologic tests in aMCI patients were significantly lower than those in the normal controls( all P＜0.01 ) ,with the largest impairment on 20minutes delayed recall of the auditory verbal memory test ( AVMT), which reflects episodic memory ( aMCI pa-tients :2.50 ± 1.48, normal controls :7.85 ± 1.59, Z = - 12.697, P ＜ 0.01 ); AD was diagnosed in 15 of the 69aMCI patients with a prevalence rate of 22% ,but none was converted to AD in the normal controls. The cognitivechanges of performance in AVMT, CDT, MMSE of the patients in aMCI group (( 3.77 ± 60.83 )%, (6.89 ±28.24) %, (6.13 ± 16.89) % respectively) were significantly poorer than those of the controls group(( - 10.75 ±27.46) %, ( - 5.23 ± 14.05 ) %, ( - 1.11 ± 8.26 ) % respectively) ( all P ＜ 0.05 ). At baseline, demented aMCIperformed poorer in AVMT, CFT, TMT, SDMT, CDT, MMSE when compared to stable. During the follow-up, demented aMCI groups performed significantly poorer than did stable subjects in AVMT, CFT, DST, VFT, SDMT,MMSE ( all P ＜ 0.05 ). Conclusion aMCI is a prodromal period of AD and characterized by episodic memory impairment. The neuropsychologic test is a predictive factor for aMCI to develop AD.

Objective To investigate the trans-arterial delivery of p53 gene transfection efficiency and therapy effect on hepatic carcinoma in combination with transferrin mediated by liposome. Methods Twenty-five VX2 experimental rabbits were randomly divided into five groups, and the different doses of transferrin combined with p53-LipofectAMINE complex were delivered into the hepatic arteries of the VX2 hepatic carcinoma models. The tissue protein of the carcinoma was extracted after 48 h and the transfection efficiency and expression rate of p53 gene were analyzed by western blot and immune histochemical techniques, to inspect the expression proportion of p53 with different doses transferring. Another ten VX2 were divided into two groups, recombinant plasmid p53-LipofectAMINE complex and transferrin-p53-LipofectAMINE complex were delivered into the hepatic arteries in two groups respectively. The liver function, size of the tumor and survival time of the animals was compared between the two groups, and results were analyzed statistically. Results Semiquantitative analysis by Western Blot showed that the transfection and expression efficiency of p53 gene combined with transferrin were higher than those without it. By immune histochemieal techniques, the p53 gene's positive rate of highly expression with various doses of transferrin were found to be different, and there was remarkable difference between the groups with and without transferring. They were 58. 33%, 69. 44%, 80. 00%, 83.33%, 81.67% respectively, there was remarkable difference between the groups with and without transferring ( Totality: x2 = 42. 37, P < 0. 01 ). The p53 gene's positive rate of expression increased gradually as the doses of transferrin increasing from 0 up to 200 μg, but the differences of positive rate had no statistical significance as the doses of transferrin increasing from 200 up to 400 μg ( x2 section : 3 groups as former x2 = 4. 82, P < 0. 05,3 groups as latter x2 =0. 67 ,P <0. 05). There was no statistical difference in the liver function at points of time between VX2 rabbits with and without transferring. But the tumors' sizes had significant difference at various points of time. Conclusion Liposome-mediated p53 gene on treating hepatic carcinoma by trans-arterial gene delivery combined with transferrin is safe, and it can markedly enhance transfection efficiency and improve the therapy effect of p53 gene.

Objective To explore the relationship between methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) gene polymorphism and cerebral infarction in young and middle-aged patients. Methods The genotype of MTRR A66G was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restrictive fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and the plasma homocysteine (Hcy) level was measured by high performance liquid chromatography in 105 young and middle-aged patients with cerebral infarction and 116 age-matched healthy controls. Results The genotype distribution and allele frequencies of MTRR A 66G gene between the 2 groups had no statistical significance (P＞0.05).Stratified analysis,performed according to whether cerebral infarction was complicated with hypertension,diabetes or coronary heart disease,indicated that the frequencies ofGG genotype and G allele in cerebral infarction patients without complications were obviously higher than those in controls (36.4％ vs.23.3％,62.1％ vs.52.2％),but no statistical significance was noted between them (P＞0.05).No statistical difference was observed between cerebral infarction patients with complications and controls (P＞0.05). The mean plasma Hcy level in patients and controls with GG genotype was significantly higher than that in patients and controls with AA genotype (P＜0.05). Conclusion No association between MTRR A 66G polymorphism and cerebral infarction is noted in young and middle-aged patients, while GG mutant homozygous ofMTRR A66G gene can significantly raise the plasma Hcy level.

Objective To investigate homografting vascular endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs)for preventing restenosis formation of carotid artery in New Zealand white rabbit models.Methods EPCs of New Zealand white rabbits were isolated,confirmed and expanded though the injured carotid arterial endothelium of rabbit model induced by dilatation with a 2.5 F balloon;and then EPCs were transplanted into the injured endothelium of the cells transplantation group(n=13,3 of them were transplanted with fluorencently-labeled- EPCs),while equal volume of saline without EPCs was injected into the injured endothelium in the control group(n=8).Histopathology was performed at 4 days after transplantation for the 2 rabbits,with fluorencently-labeled-EPCs.All of the rest remained rabbits were killed 4 weeks later for histological examinations.Results The histopathological slides showed that the fluorescence-positive expression existed in the injured endothelium 4 days after transplantation.At 4 weeks after the EPCs transplantation,there were less restenosis and less vascular wall thickening in the rabbits of cells transplantation group than those of the control group(P＜0.01).Conclusion The local interventional homografting heterogeneous endothelial progenitor cells can prevent restenosis after the carotid artery angioplasty in New Zealand White rabbit model. (J Intervent Radiol,2007,16:95-98)

Objective The purpose of this study was to understand the awareness, prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and treatment status of people aged over 50 and living in the rural areas of Shuangcheng city, Heilongjiang province, China. Methods Cluster sampling was used in randomly selected 5504 survey for ophthalmic clinical examination, in patients with diabetic retinopathy. A questionnaire in the state of knowledge about prevention and treatment was developed. Results Among the 5504 persons entering in the project, 5053 were examined on their eyes (91.8%). In this selected population, 56 persons (112 eyes) were diagnosed as diabetic retinopathy (1.108%), with 95% confidence interval (CI) as: 0.819% to 1.397%. Of 56 patients, 49 cases were non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, accounting for 87.50% of the total number of patients with diabetic retinopathy;proliferative diabetic retinopathy 7 cases, accounting for 12.50% of the 112 eyes, 6.25% (7/112)having vitreous hemorrhage, 8.04% (9/112) having macular edema. For diabetic retinopathy prevalence rates, there was no significant difference in males and females. Between the per differential 10-year-old division, the difference was significant. Among the 60 to 69 group, a significantly higher prevalence rate was seen. Of the 112 eyes with diabetic retinopathy, 34 eyes(30.4%) were low vision [visual acuity ＜20/60 (0.3) to ≥ 20/400 (0.05) ]; 6 eyes (5.4%) were blind [visual acuity ＜20/400 (0.05) to NLP]. The rate in the patients with PDR and fasting blood glucose was above 11.1 mmol/L was higher than having NPDR and fasting blood glucose below 11.1 mmol/L. Having fasting blood glucose 11.1 mmol/L and above with the course over five years among patients with PDR, the proportion of fasting blood glucose was higher than those with less than 11.1 mmol/L and diabetic retinopathy duration of less than five years. Of 56 patients with diabetic retinopathy, 38 cases (67.9%) did not receive any treatment. Among 18 cases (32.1%) with insulin or oral drug therapy,regularly using insulin or other medication (14.3%), only 1 (1.8%) case was given the treatment for diabetic retinopathy. Results from our survey showed that patients with diabetic retinopathy had a poor understanding about prevention and treatment of the disease. Conclusion Long duration and high blood glucose in patients with diabetic retinopathy seemed to be the important risk factor. Early systematic drug use for prevention and blood glucose control was the key to prevent diabetic retinopathy. Patients with diabetic retinopathy in China had poor understanding about the prevention measures of the disease and lack of knowledge.

40 IU/ml were used as cut-off points.(4) TSH level was higher in subjects with positive thyroid autoantibodies than those without antibodies (P