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 summarize the epidemiological feature of plague cases oceuwed in China.Methods The epidemiological and clinical data from 1981 to 2006 year in China were analyzed with descriptive study method.Result Nine hundred and seveneteen human plague cases were diagnosed in 9 provinces(regions) from 1981 to 2006 years,105 cases died,the mortality rate being 11.45%,and they distributed in 69 counties (cities or banners).In Qinghai Province 108 cases were diagnosed,the mortality rate was 46.30%(50/108),the cases distributed in 17 counties(cities);137 cans in Guizhou,distributing in 2 counties(cities);517 cases in Yunnan,distributing in 26 counties(cities).Plague cases peaked separately in 1983,1990,1996 and 2000 years,they were 25,75,98 and 254 separately.The principal spreading ways were breathing flying particles,touching,skinning and eating marmot in Qinghai;750 cases were of bubonic plague,among whom 4 cases in Tibet died,the fatality rate was 0.53(4/750);121 cases were of pneumonic prague,among whom 65 cases died,was accounting for 53.72%(65/121);31 cases were of septieaemic plague,and 30 cases died(one cases was cured in Inner Mongolia),accounting for 96.77%(30/31).Others were brain plague,intestinal plague,tonsil plague and plague cellulites,which were cured.Conclusion From 1990,human plague epidemical scope and intensity is enlarging continuously compared with 1980-1990 and there is a trend of going up gradually in China.

Objective To investigate the value of intervention bundles in enteral nutrition for patients with esophageal cancer.Methods From October 2014 to September 2015,226 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were collected.From April 2015 to September 2015,109 patients(intervention group)were treated with intervention bundles during perioperative period,and from October 2014 to March 2015,117 patients(control group)were treated by routine intervention.Results The albumin,prealbumin,and transferrin showed no significant difference(all P>0.05)before treatment but were significantly different on the eighth day[albumin:(38.2±3.5)g/L vs.(36.3±4.8)g/L,P=0.001;prealbumin:(126.7±52.8)g/L vs.(72.9±42.3)g/L,P=0.001;transferrin:(2.9±1.2)g/L vs.(2.1±1.6)g/L,P=0.001].The incidence of complications was 11.01％(12/109)in intervention group and 21.37％(25/117)in control group(X2=4.422,P=0.035).In addition,the postoperative exhaust time[(52.8±10.9)h vs.(58.7±14.3)h,P=0.001],time to the removal of chest drainage tube[(3.5±0.9)d vs.(4.8±1.3)d,P=0.001],postoperative hospital stay[(11.2±1.3)d vs.(12.1±1.5)d,P=0.001],and hospital costs[(37±4)thousand yuan vs.(39±5)thousand yuan,P=0.004] were also significantly shorter or smaller in the intervention group.Conclusions Intervention bundles is clinically valuable in the early enteral nutrition for patients with esophageal cancer.It can improve the nutritional status of patients,reduce complications,and improve the clinical outcomes.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is considered an important complementary therapy with beneficial effects for cancer patients. Elderly patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are a complex patient group with increasing co-morbidity and shrinking physiological reserve, and may derive substantial benefit from the supportive aspects of TCM. Researchers from Shanghai Longhua Hospital found that qi and yin deficiency is a common syndrome in patients with stage III or IV lung cancer. This project was designed to study the combination of single-agent chemotherapy with TCM methods of benefiting qi and yin in elderly patients with advanced NSCLC.

Objective To detect the levels of five trace elements in whole blood of patients with Keshan disease(KSD) and dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM) and explore their role in the pathogenesis of KSD.Methods One hundred and four patients with chronic KSD were selected from Keshan diseased areas in Shandong,Sichuan and Inner Mongolia.Thirty patients with DCM were selected from Qilu Hospital of Shandong University,Jinan Central Hospital,The First People's Hospital.Ninety-one healthy people from KSD endemic areas and 39 healthy people from Jinan were selected as endemic healthy controls and non-endemic healthy controls,respectively.Blood samples were collected to determinate the level of selenium (Se),copper (Cu),zinc (Zn),chromium (Cr) and manganese (Mn) with fluorescence method and atomic absorption spectrometry,according to the principle of informed consent.Results The level of Se,Zn and Cr of KSD group[(36.0 + 4.9)μg/L,(22.73 + 4.62)mg/L,(0.56 + 0.17)mg/L] was significantly lower than that of non-endemic healthy controls [(56.4 ± 6.8)lμg/L,(25.35 ± 4.44)mg/L,(0.71 ± 0.17)mg/L,all P ＜ 0.05],but the level of Cu of KSD group[(0.95 ± 0.24)mg/L] was significantly higher than that of non-endemic healthy controls[(0.73 ± 0.13) mg/L,all P ＜ 0.05].The level of Se and Cr of KSD was significantly lower than that of endemic healthy controls[(54.5 ± 5.4)μg/L,(0.87 ± 0.02)mg/L,P ＜ 0.05],and Cu was significantly higher than that of endemic healthy controls[(0.66 ± 0.02)mg/L,P ＜ 0.05].The level of Cu and Zn of KSD was significantly lower than that of DCM [(1.21 ± 0.23)mg/L,(27.09 ± 7.10)mg/L,all P ＜ 0.01].The level of Se and Cr of DCM group[(39.6 ± 3.5)μg/L,(0.58 ± 0.14)mg/L] was significantly lower than that of non-endemic healthy controls(all P ＜ 0.01),but Cu[(1.21 + 0.23)mg/L] was significantly increased (P ＜ 0.01).Compared with non-endemic healthy controls,the level of Se of endemic healthy control group was significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.01),while Cu was significantly increased (P ＜ 0.01).Se,Zn and Cr level of KSD decreased gradually following elevated heart function level,but the level of Cu gradually increased.Conclusions The metabolism of Se,Cr,Cu and Zn is unbalanced in KSD patients,whose Se level is still lower than that of people in non-endemic areas.The change of Se,Cr,Cu and Mn level between KSD and DCM is consistent.

OBJECTIVE: To explore characteristics of the head traumatic children's intelligence. METHODS: The authors investigated 43 head trauma children and 50 normal children, using Wechser Intelligence Test (C-WISC). Data were analyzed by SPSS10.0 on computer. RESULTS Head trauma children had lower FIQ, VJQ, PIQ than normal children. Pervaded head trauma has more contribution to the damage of the children's intelligence.
Accidents, Traffic ; Adolescent ; Child ; Child Development ; Craniocerebral Trauma/psychology* ; Female ; Humans ; Intelligence ; Intelligence Tests ; Language ; Male ; Wechsler Scales

Objective To determine the optimal composition of a self-developing investment material by measuring physical and mechanical properties of mould.Methods L9 ( 34 ) orthogonal design was adopted.One hundred and fifty specimens with the size of 80 mm x 20 mm x 20 mm were prepared to measure the atmospheric temperature bending strength,high temperature bending strength and residual bending strength.Nine specimens with the size of 5 mm diameter 25 mm heigh were prepared to survey the thermal expansion curve from ambient temperature to 1150 ℃.Results Strengths were greatly affected by fine powder proportion in refractory and water/powder ratio.When the content of fine powder was 35 ％ and water/powder ratio was 1∶ 7.5,adequate atmospheric temperature strength and high temperature strength could be achieved.Moreover,the residual strength was moderate.The thermal extension curves of specimens in experiment group were almost similar.And the average linear expansion coefficient was (4 ～ 5 ) x 10-6/℃.Conclusions The three kinds of bending strength of self-developing investment material are compared with commercialized investment material for titanium casting when water/powder ratio and the content of fine powder are carefully controlled.

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

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical combination effect of Jinlong Capsule (JLC) and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) on the patients with primary hepatic carcinoma (PHC) and JLC' s influence on serum osteopontin (OPN) expression and elucidate the correlation between the serum OPN level and curative effect of JLC and TACE.

METHODSA total of 98 patients with PHC were observed in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). They were assigned to the Chinese medicine (CM) group (53 patients who were treated with TACE and JLC) and the intervention group (45 patients who were treated with TACE only). The serum OPN levels were measured before and after treatment by quantitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Forty healthy people were assigned to the control group. The clinical efficacy was observed and Karnofsky score (KPS) was graded.

RESULTSThe clinical efficacy of the CM group (60.38%) was better than that of the intervention group (40.00 %), and the KPS (84.35+/-12.19) was higher than the intervention group (69.86+/- 11.58) (P<0.05). The serum OPN levels before and after treatment in the patients with PHC were significantly elevated compared with those in the control group (P<0.01). After treatment, the OPN levels in CM group (117.69 <+/-78.50) were significantly lower compared with those in intervention group (151.09+/-83.90, P<0.05). The OPN levels of responders were remarkably lowered than the non-responders after treatment, and the level of OPN in the CM group was lower than the intervention group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe short-term clinical efficacy and the quality of life of patients with PHC can be improved by combining JLC with TACE. The serum OPN levels in PHC patients can reflect the curative effect of treatment and the prognosis of the disease.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; Capsules ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; metabolism ; therapy ; Catheterization, Peripheral ; methods ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; blood supply ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; metabolism ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteopontin ; analysis ; blood ; metabolism ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe effect of prescriptions replenishing vital essence, tonifying Qi and activating blood on expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-IP (IL-1beta) in serum and submaxillary gland of non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice with Sjogren's syndrome.

METHODThirty-two NOD mice were divided into four groups at random: the model group, the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) group, the hydroxychloroquine group, the TCM and western medicine (WM) group, with 8 mice in each group. Eight Balb/C mice were taken as the normal normal control group. The TCM group was orally administered with 0.4 mL decoction replenishing vital essence, tonifying Qi and activating blood (100 g x kg(-1)) everyday; the hydroxychloroquine group were given 0.4 mL hydroxychloroquine (60 mg x kg(-1)) everyday; the TCM WM group were given 0.4 mL decoction, replenishing vital essence tonifying Qi and activating blood (50 g x kg(-1)) and hydroxychloroquine (60 mg x kg(-1)) everyday. Mice were sacrificed after eight weeks, and their arterial blood and tissues of submaxillary gland were collected. The levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta in serum were detected by ELISA. Expressions of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta protein in submaxillary gland were detected by immunohisto-chemistry.

RESULTCompared with other groups, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta in serum and submaxillary gland in the model group were higher (P < 0.05). The normal group showed lower serum TNF-alpha level than other groups (P < 0.05), but without statistical significance compared with the TCM group. IL-1beta in serum in the TCM group and the TCM WM group were lower than that of the hydroxychloroquine group (P < 0.05), but without statistical significance compared with the normal group. TNF-alpha protein expression in the TCM group and the TCM WM group showed no significant difference compared with the normal group, whereas the TCM WM group were notably lower than that of the hydroxychloroquine group (P < 0.05). IL-1beta expression in the TCM WM group showed no significant difference compared with the normal group.

CONCLUSIONThe decoction replenishing vital essence, tonifying Qi and activating blood can decrease the levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta in serum and submaxillary gland of NOD mice with Sjogren's syndrome. It may improve pathological damage of submaxillary gland by regulating Th1/Th2 cell factors, in order to achieve the therapeutic effect on SS.

Animals ; Antirheumatic Agents ; pharmacology ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Hydroxychloroquine ; pharmacology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Interleukin-1beta ; analysis ; blood ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Random Allocation ; Sjogren's Syndrome ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Submandibular Gland ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis ; blood