OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of nourishing Yin, strengthening Qi and activating blood decoction on Fas/FasL in salivary glands of NOD mice with Sjogren's syndrome and their mRNA expression.

METHODThirty-two NOD mice were randomly divided into the model group, the traditional Chinese medicine group (TCM group, orally given 0.4 mL nourishing Yin, strengthening Qi and activating blood decoction as per 100 g x kg(-1) everyday), the hydroxychloroquine group (given 0.4 mL hydroxychloroquine as per 60 mg x kg(-1) everyday), the traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine group (TCM WM group, given nourishing Yin, Strengthening Qi and activating blood decoction 50 g x kg(-1) and hydroxychloroquine 60 mg x kg(-1), 0.4 mL everyday), with eight mice in each group. Eight Balb/C mice were selected as the normal control group (normal group). All of mice were killed after eight weeks, and their submaxillary glands were dissected. The expression levels of Fas/FasL were examined by immunohistochemical method, and the FasL mRNA was detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTThe expression levels of Fas/FasL in salivary glands of the model group were higher than that of other groups (P < 0.05). The expression level of FasL of the normal group was much lower than that in the hydroxychloroquine group (P < 0.05). The relative expression level of Fas mRNA in salivary glands of the model group was higher than that in other groups, but the control group was notably lower than other groups (P < 0.05). The expression level of FasL mRNA in salivary glands of the model group was higher than that in TCM and TCM WM groups (P < 0.05). But the expression level in TCM WM group was notably lower than the hydroxychloroquine group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe nourishing Yin, strengthening Qi and activating blood decoction could down-regulate the expression level of Fas/FasL in salivary glands of NOD mice with Sjogren's syndrome and their mRNA expression, and had a better efficacy after being combined with hydroxychloroquine. The nourishing Yin, strengthening Qi and activating blood decoction might treat the Sjogren's Syndrome by reducing apoptosis which is regulated by Fas/FasL

Animals ; Fas Ligand Protein ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Qi ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Salivary Glands ; metabolism ; Sjogren's Syndrome ; blood ; genetics ; therapy ; Yin-Yang ; fas Receptor ; genetics

OBJECTIVE: To study the objectivity and reliability of needle electromyography and nerve conduction for detection of musculus extensor digitorum brevis strength, which may provide a basis for establishing a quantitative detection of muscle strength in forensic clinical study. METHODS: Forty-four healthy people were enrolled as the subjects, and during toe dorsiflexion, the following items including needle electromyography indexes, motor unit potential (MUP) amplitude, MUP count, recruitment reaction type, and nerve conduction detection indexes, compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude, CMAP latent period and motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), were simultaneously detected under the cooperation and disguise condition. RESULTS: Under the cooperation condition, regardless of the same operator or different operators, there were good test-retest reliabilities in MUP amplitude, CMAP amplitude, CMAP latent period and MNCV, while there were normal test-retest reliabilities in MUP count and recruitment reaction type and the repeatability of the same operator was slightly better than the repeatability between different operators. Under the disguise condition, test-retest reliabilities of MUP amplitude, CMAP amplitude, CMAP latent period and MNCV were relatively high, while test-retest reliabilities of MUP count and recruitment reaction type were relatively low. CONCLUSION There are good test-retest reliabilities in MUP amplitude, CMAP amplitude, CMAP latent period and MNCV, which can be conducive to comparison between different operators and results at various times; MUP count and recruitment reaction type, which can be easily affected by subjectivity of operators and examinees, can be used to differentiate whether an examinee disguises or not. The indexes used to objectively judge muscle strength remain to be further investigated.
Electrodes, Implanted ; Electromyography ; Humans ; Muscle Strength/physiology* ; Muscle, Skeletal/innervation* ; Neural Conduction/physiology* ; Reproducibility of Results ; Toes

OBJECTIVETo observe the differences of effect of electroacupuncture and medication on hip osteoarthritis.

METHODSSixty cases were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture group and a medication group, 30 cases in each one. In electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture was applied at Biguan (ST 31), Juliao (GB 29), Zuwuli (LR 10) and Yinlian (LR 11). In medication group, Diclofenac Sodium was prescribed for oral administration. One month after treatment, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Harris score were compared between two groups.

RESULTSVAS scores were 67.83 +/- 8.48 and 55.83 +/- 9.66 before and after treatment in electroacupuncture group, and were 68.67 +/- 8.09 and 61.50 +/- 7.78 in medication group separately. VAS pain scores after treatment were reduced remarkably in two groups (both P < 0.001), but the score was reduced much more remarkably in electroacupuncture group as compared with medication group. In electroacupuncture group, after treatment, Harris total score, the single scores of joint pain, function and motion range increased apparently as compared with those before treatment (all P < 0.001). In medication group, after treatment, Harris total score and pain score increased remarkably as compared with those before treatment (both P < 0.001). Harris total score, pain score and function score after treatment in electroacupuncture group increased much more remarkably as compared with those in medication group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture can treat effectively hip osteoarthritis, relieve joint pain and improve joint function. The efficacy of it is superior to that of oral administration of Diclofenac Sodium.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; therapeutic use ; Diclofenac ; therapeutic use ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Hip ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Pain ; drug therapy ; Pain Management ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Chinese herbal medicine for nourishing yin, supplementing qi, and activating blood on the expression of interferon-γ (IFN-γ)/interleukin-4 (IL-4) in peripheral blood and disease activity in primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) patients, and to study the relationship between the immune balance of Th1/Th2 and the disease activity.

METHODSA total of 66 pSS patients were randomized with tossing coins method into two groups: the integrative therapy group (34 cases) and the control group (32 cases); and 28 healthy subjects were taken as the normal group. The integrative therapy group was treated by Chinese herbal medicines for nourishing yin, supplementing qi, and activating blood combined with hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets and the control group was treated with hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets. The treatment course was 3 months for both groups. The levels of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), IFN-γ and IL-4 in peripheral blood were measured before and after treatment.

RESULTSCompared with the normal group, the levels of IgG, ESR, IFN-γ and IL-4 were significantly increased in pSS patients (P<0.05). Remarkably, after 3 months of treatment, these levels were dramatically decreased in both the integrative therapy group and the control group, although still higher than the normal group. The levels of IgG, ESR, IFN-γ and IL-4 in the integrative therapy group were lower than the control group and the same group before treatment (P<0.05). The ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 also significantly decreased after treatment. Moreover, the level of IFN-γ and the ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 in the integrative therapy group were significantly lower than the control group (P<0.05). For all patients the ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 before and after treatment was positive correlated with the levels of IgG and ESR.

CONCLUSIONChinese herbal medicine for nourishing yin, supplementing qi, and activating blood can alleviate the disease activity of pSS by regulating the immune balance of Th1/Th2.

Adult ; Aged ; Blood Sedimentation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Qi ; Sjogren's Syndrome ; blood ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Th1-Th2 Balance ; drug effects ; Yin-Yang ; Young Adult

Bilateral central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) has been rarely reported as the primary manifestation in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The severe retinal vaso-occlusive diseases usually cause devastating and permanent damage to visual function in spite of vigorous treatment. A 42-year-old Chinese woman presented with abrupt bilateral vision loss. The diagnosis of bilateral CRAO was suggested by the ocular presentation and fluorescein angiography. Laboratory studies showed positive results of antinuclear antibody, anti-Ro/SSA anti-La/SSB; decreased levels of C3, C4 complement and normal levels of antiphospholipides antibodies (APAs). Her visual acuity deteriorated despite systemic steroid and immunosuppressant treatment. Severe vaso-occlusive retinopathy may be an earlier manifestation of SLE without elevated level of APAs.
Adult ; Blindness ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; complications ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Retinal Artery Occlusion ; etiology

AIMTo investigate the mechanism of the positive inotropic effect of oxyphenamone.

METHODSWith the patch clamp technique and whole cell recording, the sodium and L type calcium currents of myocytes isolated from ventricular myocardium of adult guinea pigs were studied.

RESULTS5 - 50 micromol x L(-1)-oxyphenamone not only significantly inhibited Na+ current, but also promoted the process of inactivation and prolonged the recovery time of the inactivation. The action of oxyphenamone on L type calcium channel was dual. The inward calcium current was increased with 2 - 10 micromol x L(-1) oxyphenamone but decreased when the concentration of the drug was elevated to 20 - 50 micromol x L(-1).

CONCLUSIONThe mechanism of the positive inotropic effect of oxyphenamone is neither due to the activation of sodium channel nor entirely depending upon the activation of L type calcium channel. The effects of inhibiting sodium current and, at a high concentration, blocking L type calcium current suggest that oxyphenamone may have an antiarrhythemia action.

Animals ; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents ; pharmacology ; Calcium Channels, L-Type ; drug effects ; Cardiotonic Agents ; pharmacology ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; Heart Ventricles ; cytology ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; Organic Chemicals ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Sodium Channels ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of Chinese herbal medicine for strengthening qi, nourishing yin, and removing stasis on serum osteopontin (OPN) and quality of life (QOL) in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) and to study the correlation between OPN level and the disease.

METHODSSixty-eight pSS patients were randomly assigned to two groups: the treatment group (35 cases) treated by Chinese herbal medicine for strengthening qi, nourishing yin, and removing stasis combined with hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablet (HCQ) and the control group (33 cases) treated by HCQ only. Both were treated for 3 months. Before and after treatment, immunoglobulin G (IgG) level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and OPN level were measured. The QOL in patients was evaluated using the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) before and after treatment. Thirty healthy females were taken as the normal control.

RESULTSBefore treatment, levels of IgG, ESR, and OPN in patients were higher than those in the normal control. After 3 months of treatment, those in both treatment groups decreased but were lower in the treatment group than those in the control group (P<0.05). The scores of 8 dimensions of SF-36 were lower in the pSS patients than those in the normal control (P<0.05) and higher in the treatment group than in the control group after treatment (P<0.05). Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between the levels of OPN and the levels of IgG and ESR, and a negative correlation between OPN levels and the overall score of SF-36 (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSChinese herbal medicine for strengthening qi, nourishing yin, and removing stasis could alleviate pSS disease and improve the QOL. In addition, the OPN level might be used as an evaluating index for pSS disease.

Adult ; Aged ; Blood Sedimentation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Osteopontin ; blood ; Qi ; Quality of Life ; Sjogren's Syndrome ; blood ; drug therapy ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Yin-Yang ; Young Adult

Adult ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Convalescence ; Diagnostic Errors ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo analysis the clinic and genotype in two Chinese patients with Dyskeratosis congenita (DC).

METHODSThe two patients were characterized by mucocutaneous abnormalities (abnormal nails, lacey reticular pigmentation, and oral leukoplakia), bone marrow failure. They were diagnosed with DC. DC genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), including DKC1, TERT, TERC, TINF2, NOP10, NHP2, then DNA sequencing was performed for abnormal exons.

RESULTSAn abnormal peak was found in exon 6 of TINF2 gene of the two patients. DNA sequencing showed a 845G→A transition in TINF2 gene in the two patients.

CONCLUSIONWe should think about DC if the young patients with mucocutaneous abnormalities and marrow failure. TINF2 c.845G→A(R282H) does exist in the two patients. It is reported in China for the first time.

Base Sequence ; Child, Preschool ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Dyskeratosis Congenita ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Exons ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Telomere-Binding Proteins ; genetics

To investigate the changes in the nitric oxide (NO) contents, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) mRNA expression in arginine vasopressin (AVP)-induced cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) in vitro and its relation to nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), CFs were isolated by trypsin digestion method. Nitric acid reductase method, spectrophotometry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunofluorescence-interactive laser cytometer techniques and Western blotting were used respectively to detect NO contents, NOS activity, iNOS mRNA expression and the activation of NF-kappaB in CFs. AVP increased NO contents, NOS activity and iNOS mRNA expressions in a concentration-dependent manner; NF-kappaB was activated and mobilized from cytoplasm to nucleus in AVP-induced CFs; PDTC, one of the inhibitors of NF-kappaB, could inhibit aforementioned increments. It is suggested that the increases in NO contents, elevation of NOS activity and increment of iNOS mRNA expression may be mediated through NF-kappaB activation pathway in cultured CFs induced by AVP, and that NF-kappaB is involved in the occurrence and development of myocardial fibrosis.
Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Arginine Vasopressin ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley