OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of blood activating wind dissipating acupuncture (BAWDA) on blood pressure (BP) of prehypertension (PHT) patients.

METHODSTotally 60 PHT patients were assigned to the control group and the acupuncture group according to random digit table, 30 in each group. All patients were intervened by life style. BAWDA was additionally performed in patients in the acupuncture group for 6 weeks (30 times). The improvement of BP after intervened by acupuncture was observed. BP success rates and the proportion of PHT progressing to hypertension (HT) were also observed after 6-week intervention of acupuncture and at 1-year follow-up.

RESULTSSystolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) decreased after 6-week intervention in the acupuncture. The BP control rate was 56.7% (17/30 cases) in the acupuncture group vs.10.0% (3/30 cases) in the control group with statistical difference (chi2 = 14.70, P < 0.01). At 1-year follow-up BP success rate was 36.7% (11/30 cases) in the acupuncture group, remarkably higher than that of the control group [13.3%, (4/30 cases)] (chi2 = 4.36, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBAWDA showed BP regulating roles in a gradually stable decreasing tendency. It also could elevate BP success rate of PHT, and reduce the risk of PHT progressing to HT.

Acupuncture ; methods ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Blood Pressure ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Prehypertension ; therapy ; Wind

ObjectiveTounderstandthetrendsandepidemiologicalcharacteristicsofsexuallytransmitteddiseases(STDs)inChinaandprovidescientificbasisformakingcontrolstrategies.MethodsDuringtheperiodof1991～2001,thecase-reportingdataof8kindsofnotifiableandmonitoringSTDs,collectedfrom31provinces,autonomousregionsandmunicipalities,wereanalyzedwithepidemiologicalmethods.Results①Epidemictrends:Duringthisperiod,theincidenceof8kindsofSTDssteadilyincreasedfrom175528(15.48per100000population)in1991to859040(68.91per100000population)in2000.Theaverageannualgrowthofincidencewas19.30%,witharangeof2.59%～36.88%.However,thereportedcasesin2001were795612withadecreaseof7.38%comparedwiththosein2000,anditwasthefirstdecreasesinceSTDcaseswerereportedfrom1987.②Geographicaldistribution:Thehigh-incidenceareasweretheZhujiangRiverDelta,YangtzeRiverDelta,MinjiangRiverValley,NortheasternChina,andBeijing,Tianjin,andChongqingManicipalities,withtheincidencerateofover70～100casesper100000populationafter1997,andtherewereveryhighratesofincidenceover1000casesper100000populationinsomeareas.Thelow-incidenceareaswerenorthChina,partsofCentralChina,NorthwesternChinaandSouthwesternChina,withtheincidenceratesoflowerthan30～50per100000population.③Populationdistri-bution:Themaletofemaleratiodecreasedfrom1.60∶1～1.69∶1intheearly1990sto1.35∶1～1.40∶1inthelate1990s.STDincidencerateswerehighestinthe20～39agegroup,andthereportedSTDcasesofthisagegroupaccountedforover80%oftotalcases.ConclusionSexuallytransmitteddiseasesinChinahavebecomeaseriouspublichealthproblemandtheeffectiveinterventionprogrammesagainstSTDsmustbeimplementedacrossthecountry.

Adenoma, Sweat Gland ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Keratin-14 ; metabolism ; Keratin-17 ; metabolism ; Keratin-18 ; metabolism ; Keratin-7 ; metabolism ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Papilloma ; metabolism ; Sebaceous Gland Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Skin Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Sweat Gland Neoplasms ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the apoptosis-related genes and protein expression patterns in relation to classical Hodgkin lymphomas (CHL) and the origin of H/RS cell.

METHODSSixty-two cases of CHL were retrieved from Shanxi Tumor Hospital files. An ABC method was used to detect the expression of bcl-2, CD3, CD20, CD30, CD15 and CD10, a double immunohistochemical method to study the H/RS cells P53 expression, a double immunohistochemical ABC-DNA end labeling technique to detect the apoptosis, a double immunohistochemical ABC- in situ hybridization technique to detect the expression of kappa mRNA and lambda mRNA, and a multiple mark techniques to detect the distribution of background non-neoplastic T and B cells.

RESULTOf 62 CHL, 14 (22.58%) were p53 positive and 35 (56.45%) bcl-2 positive. Apoptosis was found in the background non-neoplastic cells in all of the cases, but in H/RS cells in only 10 of 62 cases. There was a significant reverse correlation between bcl-2 expression and apoptosis in H/RS cells (P = 0.02). CD30 positive H/RS cells were observed in all cases, whereas CD15 positive in only 41 cases, and CD20 positive in 8 cases. None was positive for CD3, MPO, bcl-6, CD10, kappa RNA and lambda RNA in H/RS cells. The H/RS cells were surrounded by non-neoplastic T cells looked like a rosette and the outer periphery was B cells.

CONCLUSIONSThe H/RS cell of classical Hodgkin lymphoma has a great variety of B lineage markers. The characteristic distributions of T, B and H/RS cells may serve as a reference for the diagnosis. Multiple marker technique is able to highlight the critical cells, and facilitate the study of H/RS cells. Abnormal expression of P53 may not play a major role in CHL. Over expression of bcl-2 may be linked to blockage of apoptosis in CHL.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, CD20 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; genetics ; metabolism ; CD3 Complex ; genetics ; metabolism ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Hodgkin Disease ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Ki-1 Antigen ; genetics ; metabolism ; Lewis X Antigen ; genetics ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Neprilysin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reed-Sternberg Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of prescription compatibility on the pharmacokinetics of components from Dachengqi Decoction (DCQD, ) in rats.

METHODSTwenty-four male rats were randomly and equally divided into the DCQD group, Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Polygonaceae) group, Houpo (Magnolia officinalis Rehd., Magnoliaceae) group, and Zhishi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus, Rutaceae) group. The blood samples were collected before dosing and subsequently at 10, 15, 20, 30, 45 min, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 h following gavage. The levels of aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, honokiol, magnolol, hesperidin, and naringin in rat serum were quantified using a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for pharmacokinetic study.

RESULTSThe area under the curve (AUC), mean retention time (MRT), the peak concentration (C(max)) of aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, and chrysophanol in the DCQD group were significantly different compared with the Dahuang group (P <0.05, respectively). The mean plasma concentration, C(max), and the absorption of Dahuang's component in the DCQD group were obviously lower at each time point than those in the Dahuang group, while the elimination process of Dahuang's component was obviously delayed (P <0.05). Half-lives of aloe-emodin, chrysophanol, and rhein were also extended in the DCQD group (P <0.05, respectively). In the DCQD group, the mean plasma concentration, AUC, C(max) and absorption of honokiol, and magnolol were significantly lower (P <0.01, respectively) at each time point than those in the Houpo group, while the drug distribution half-life time (T(1/2α)), the drug eliminated half-life time (T(1/2β)), MRT, and time of peak concentration (T(max)) were significantly delayed (P <0.05, respectively). Pharmacokinetic parameters of hesperidin and naringin in the Zhishi group were not significantly different as compared with the DCQD group (P >0.05, respectively), while the MRT of naringin was significantly longer.

CONCLUSIONSThe compatibility in Chinese medicine could affect the drug's pharmacokinetics in DCQD, which proves that the prescription compatibility principle of Chinese medicine formulations has its own pharmacokinetic basis.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Anthraquinones ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Biphenyl Compounds ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Drug Incompatibility ; Emodin ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Flavanones ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Hesperidin ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Lignans ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; blood ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the significance of somatic mutations of VHL gene and hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) expression in primary renal clear cell carcinoma (RCC).

METHODSMutation of VHL gene and HIF-1alpha expression were detected by means of PCR, denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC), direct sequencing and immunohistochemistry in 32 samples from primary renal clear cell carcinoma patients.

RESULTSIn 32 RCC samples, 17 samples (53.1%) had and 32 samples of adjacent nonmalignant renal tissue had not mutations of VHL gene expression. Twelve RCC samples (70.6%) which had mutations of VHL gene expressed HIF-1alpha, and it had significant difference to 4 RCC (26.7%) samples which didn't have mutations of VHL gene (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMutations of VHL gene may play a significant role in the tumorigenesis of RCC, and HIF-1alpha expression correlates with it.

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell ; genetics ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; genetics ; pathology ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney ; chemistry ; metabolism ; pathology ; Kidney Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transcription Factors ; analysis ; genetics ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; analysis ; genetics ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases ; analysis ; genetics ; Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein

OBJETIVETo investigate the neuroprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of salvianolic acid B (Sal B) extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza on hippocampal CA1 neurons in mice with cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury.

METHODSForty male National Institute of Health (NIH) mice were randomly divided into 4 groups with 10 animals each, including the sham group, the model group, the SalB group (SalB 22.5 mg/kg) and the nimodipine (Nim) group (Nim 1 mg/kg). A mouse model of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury was established by bilateral carotid artery occlusion for 30 min followed by 24-h reperfusion. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content, the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and total antioxidant capability (T-AOC) of the pallium were determined by biochemistry methods. The morphologic changes and Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression in hippocampal CA1 neurons were observed by using hematoxylineosin staining and immunohistochemistry staining, respectively.

RESULTSIn the SalB group, the MDA content and the NOS activity of the pallium in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion mice significantly decreased and the SOD activity and the T-AOC significantly increased, as compared with the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The SalB treatment also rescued neuronal loss (P<0.01) in the hippocampal CA1 region, strongly promoted Bcl-2 protein expression (P<0.01) and inhibited Bax protein expression (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSalB increases the level of antioxidant substances and decreases free radicals production. Moreover, it also improves Bcl-2 expression and reduces Bax expression. SalB may exert the neuroprotective effect through mitochondria-dependent pathway on hippocampal CA1 neurons in mice with cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury and suggested that SalB represents a promising candidate for the prevention and treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Benzofurans ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Brain Ischemia ; complications ; drug therapy ; CA1 Region, Hippocampal ; pathology ; Cell Count ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mice ; Neurons ; drug effects ; pathology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Reperfusion Injury ; complications ; drug therapy ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the changes of vascular endothelial cell function and platelet activation in rabbit spinal cord following ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and their roles in the spinal cord injury.

METHODSRabbit spinal cord I/R injury models were established using Zivin method, and the changes in plasma NO and GMP140 levels were dynamically monitored after the injury.

RESULTSPlasma NO level increased significantly in the I/R group at the end of the ischemia, and reached the peak level at 2 h of reperfusion as compared to that in sham-operated group (P<0.01). Plasma NO level decreased at 6 h of reperfusion, but still significantly higher than the level in the sham-operated group (P<0.05). Plasma GMP140 underwent no significant changes in the sham-operated group, but significantly increased in the I/R group at the end of the ischemia, followed by gradual declination to the normal level at 2 h of reperfusion.

CONCLUSIONSpinal cord I/R injury causes overexpressions of NO and GMP140, suggesting the involvement of endothelial cell injury and platelet overactivation in the pathological process and repair of spinal cord I/R injury.

Animals ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; P-Selectin ; blood ; Platelet Activation ; Rabbits ; Reperfusion Injury ; blood ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Spinal Cord ; pathology ; physiopathology

In order to establish a real-time RT-PCR based on SYBR Green Ⅱ for detection of hepatitis E virus (HEV),a pair of special primers was designed according to the conserved sequences of ORF2 in GenBank.Result showed that the standard curve of established SYBR Green Ⅱ real-time RT-PCR had a wide dynamic range from 4.10 × 102-4.10 × 108 copies/μL with a linear correlation(r2) of 0.996.The sensitivity could reach 1.00 × 102 copies/μL.The melting curve analysis using SYBR Green Ⅱ dye showed one specific peak with a melting temperature(Tm) of 84.0 C ±0.1 C.No amplification was detected from the RNA samples of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus,classial swine fever virus,transmissible gastroenteritis virus,porcine bocavirus,porcine epidemic dearrhoea virus porcine kobuvirus and porcine rotavirus by this PCR,respectively.Excellent reproducibility was obtained for detecting constructed positive plasmid DNA with intra-assay of 0.83 ％-0.94 ％ and inter-assay of 0.83％-0.94％.Further detection of 61 specimens showed that 9 of them were HEV positive,and the results of the quantitative RT-PCR were the same as that of the conventional RT-PCR.In conclusion,the real-time quantitative RT-PCR for HEV is feasible,the real-time RT-PCR established in this study will be useful for earlier rapid laboratory diagnosis and pathogenesis of HEV.

Objective To explore the effects of p53 up-regulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA)-α protein on the apoptosis and fibrosis of human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) induced by high glucose.Methods HPMCs were induced by 50mmol/L D type glucose or mannitol for 72 hours respectively,flow cytometry was employed to detect the rate of apoptotic cells,and theexpression levels of apoptosis-and fibrosis-related proteins were detected by Western blotting.The untreated HPMCs were transfected with Lenti-PUMA-α,and the treated cells were transfected with shRNA-PUMA-α,the number of apoptotic cells and the expression levels of apoptosis-and fibrosis-related proteins were detected with the methods mentioned above.Results Flow cytometry showed that the rate of apoptotic HPMCs increased after being induced by high glucose for 72 hours,and Western blotting revealed that the expression levels of pro-apoptotic and pro-fibrotic related proteins increased,but the arrestins of apoptosis and fibrosis-related proteins decreased.Up-regulation of PUMA-α promoted apoptosis and fibrosis,while down-regulation of PUMA-α alleviated apoptosis and fibrosis of HPMCs.Conclusion High glucose may accelerate apoptosis and fibrosis of HPMCs by up-regulating the expression of PUMA-α.