Objective To research the serum urea nitrogen (BUN),creatinine (Cr),urinary inhibition C (CysC) and retinol binding protein (RBP) four biochemical indicators of joint detection on the early diagnostic value of lupus nephritis (LN).Methods According to the American Rheumatology Association (ACR) 2012 revision of the diagnostic criteria,collected 177 LN patients with kidney disease from January 2011 to April 2016 in Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital,at the same time,choose 167 cases of healthy physical examination as normal control group.With Hitachi 7170A a fully automated analy zer on two groups of serum BUN,Cr,CysC and concentration of RBP for testing,the data obtained by SPSS17.0 statistical software for statistical analysis.Results LN patient group compared with healthy controls,the serum BUN (6.67 ± 1.43 mmol/L vs 6.57±1.16 mmol/L),Cr (96.9±10.1 μmol/L vs 92.6±13.2 μmol/L),CysC (1.7±0.5 mg/L vs 0.75±0.15 mg/L),RBP (180.5±8.28 mg/L vs 42.6±9.6 mg/L) concentrations were higher,and serum CysC,RBP higher level com pared with healthy control group difference was statistically significant (t=8.145,21.594,all P＜0.05).Single parameter detected abnormal rate in terms of LN patients serum BUN,Cr,CysC and RBP abnormal rates were 28.3％,29.4％,68.4 ％,65.0 ％,four indicators combined detection of abnormal rate was 85.3 ％,significantly higher than the single parameter test (x2 =35.973～168.742,all P＜0.01).Conclusion Conbined detection of BUN,Cr,CysC and RBP four early diagnosis of renal damage in patients with lupus nephritis had important clinical value.

Objective To investigate the CT features of pulmonary sarcoidosis.Methods Ninety patients with histologically proved pulmonary sarcoidosis were retrospectively studied by using CT scans and clinical recording.Results The main CT findings of pulmonary sarcoidosis were nodules which were seen in 69 cases(76.7%),and the nodules mostly distributed around the bronchovascular bundle(n=37, 41.1%).Other abnormalities included consolidation(n=31,34.4%),ground-grass(n=39,43.3 %), thickening of bronchovascular bundle(n=30,33.3%),interlobular septal lines(n=58,64.4%), fibrosis(n=17,18.9%)including bronchial distortion(n=8,8.9%),linear shadow(n=5,5.6%), and honeycombing shadow(n=4,4.4%),air-trapping(n=3,5.3%),bronchial straitness(n=8, 8.9%),pleural thickening(n=42,46.7%),and hilar and mediastinal adenopathy(n=76,84.4%). Two or more abnormal findings co-existed in 83 cases.The pulmonary lesions co-existed with hilar and mediastinal adenopathy in 76 cases.The nodules(n=25),consolidation(n=9),ground-grass(n=11), thickening of bronehovascular bundle(n=10)were improved after therapy.Ten cases of the interlobular septal(10/22),0 of bronchial distortion(0/4),1 case of diffuse linear(1/3),and 0 case of honeycombing(0/2)were improved.Conclusion CT manifestations of pulmonary sarcoidosis are varied, but has some specific radiographic features.A correct diagnosis can be made.combined with hilar and mediastinal adenopathy.

OBJECTIVETo verify the pharmacological hypothesis of prescriptions by studying the targeted distribution of major components in stewed rhubarb in the rat model with acute pancreatitis (AP).

METHODNormal SD rats (control group, n = 5) and the AP model induced with intraperitoneal cerulein (model group, n = 5) were taken as the experimental objects. Rats of the two groups were orally administered with stewed rhubarb granules (20 g x kg(-1)). Their heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney and pancreas were collected two hours after the administration. Such constituents as emodin, chrysophanol, physcion, rhein and aloe-emodin and their concentrations in each tissue homogenate were detected by high performance liquid chromatography-mass-mass.

RESULTAloe-emodin and physcion in stewed rhubarb whose concentrations in liver and kidney of normal rats were higher than that in pancreatic tissues, while the distribution spectrums and concentrations of the remaining components in pancreatic tissues had no significant difference with that of other organs. The concentrations of emodin, aloe-emodin, rhein and chrysophanol in stewed rhubarb in pancreatic tissues of the AP model group were higher than that in other tissues and organs, while their concentrations in pancreatic, renal and splenic tissues were notably higher than that in the normal group.

CONCLUSIONIn the conditions of AP, effective components in stewed rhubarb show a targeted distribution feature in pancreas, which provides experimental basis for the pharmacological hypothesis of prescriptions.

Acute Disease ; Animals ; Anthraquinones ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Organ Specificity ; Pancreatitis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rheum ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study possible mechanisms of Shangjuxu (ST37) and the large intestine.

METHODSTotally 40 SD rats were selected. The distension of end colon was used as injured afferent stimulus. Activities of locus coeruleus (LC) neurons were recorded by extracellular microelectrode technique. Shangjuxu (ST37) and Hegu (L14) were needled to observe general features of discharge reactions, distention of colon induced discharge reactions of LC, and its effects on distention of colon induced discharge reactions of LC.

RESULTSDistention of colon could induce incrased discharge of LC neurons by 127.33% ± 45.48%. But needling at Shangjuxu (ST37) and Hegu (L14) could inhibit this injured response by 38.24% ± 7.69% and 21.29% ± 13.16% respectively (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSNeedling at Shangjuxu (ST37) and afferent signals of colon distension converged and interacted with each other. Needling at Shangjuxu (ST37) could significantly inhibit colon distension induced discharge of LC neurons, which might be one of mechanisms for Shangjuxu (ST37) and the large intestine relationship.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Colon ; Intestine, Large ; Locus Coeruleus ; physiology ; Neurons ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective　To explore the correlation between structure domains and function of chemokine receptor CXCR4. Methods　After the establishment of wild type chemokine receptor CXCR4 and CXCR2, 5 CXCR4/CXCR2 chimeras, 2 CXCR4 mutants stably expressed on CHO cell line, all variants' bound activity with the ligant recombinant human SDF-1β，signal transduction ability after stimulation and their function as coreceptor for HIV-1 were studied with ligand-binding assay, cytosensor/microphysiometry and cell-cell receptor gene fusion assay. Results　Among all 7 changed CXCR4 receptors, 3 chimeras (2444a, 4442, 4222) and 1 mutant (CXCR4-Tr) could be bound with SDF-1β in various degrees, of which only 2444a totally and CXCR4-Tr partially maintained signaling. All changed receptors but 4222 could act as coreceptors for HIV-1 (LA1) in varying degrees. Conclusion　Several structure domains of CXCR4 are involved in the binding with SDF-1β. Among these domains, N-terminal extracellular domain has high affinity bound capability with SDF-1β, and the 3rd extracellular loop contributes to the binding too. Although the C-terminal intracellular domain has no association with the maintenance of the overall structure of the receptor and the ligand bound capability, the signaling is decreased when this domain is truncated. For CXCR4 signaling, not only the conserved motif DRY box is needed, but also the characterized conformation of the whole molecule must be formed when activation is required. There are some overlaps between SDF-1β bound domains and coreceptor funtion domain in molecular structure of CXCR4.

Objective To observe the molluscicidal effect of 25% suspension concentrate of niclosamide (SCN) against snail eggs and young snails. Methods The experiments with SCN and 50% wettable powder of niclosamide ethanolamide salt (WPN) against the snail eggs and young snails were carried out by the immersion method in laboratory. Results The death rates of snail eggs were both 100% in 0.25 mg/L active content of SCN and in 0.50 mg/L of WPN for 24 hours. The LC_~50(s) of SCN against Oncomelania snail eggs were 0.0506, 0.0496 mg/L and 0.0473 mg/L by immersion for 24, 48 hours and 72 hours respectively, while the LC_~50(s) of WPN were 0.1030, ~0.0962 mg/L and 0.0869 mg/L. The death rates of young snails were both 100% in 0.25 mg/L active content of SCN and WPN for 24 hours. The LC_~50(s) of SCN were 0.0625, 0.0474 mg/L and ~0.0442 mg/L for 24, 48 hours and 72 hours respectively, while the LC_~50(s) of WPN were 0.1088, 0.0825 ~mg/L and 0.0825 mg/L. Conclusion The SCN has high molluscicidal effect against Oncomelania snail in its different developmental stages: egg and young snail.[

Although the essential oil of Xiangfu Siwu decoction (XFSWD) has strong pharmacological activity, its special physical and chemical properties restrict the clinical application and curative effect. In this paper, Xiangfu Siwu decoction essential oil (XFS-WO) was prepared by forming inclusion complex with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). The present study is to investigate the effect of β-CD inclusion complex on the transport of major components of XFSWO using Caco-2 cell monolayer model, thus to research the effect of this formation on the absorption of drugs with low solubility and high permeability, which belong to class 2 in biopharmaceutics classification system. A sensitive and rapid UPLC-MS/MS method was developed for simultaneous quantification of senkyunolide A, 3-n-butylphthalide, Z-ligustilide, dehydrocostus lactone and α-cyperone, which are active compounds in XFSWO. The transport parameters were analyzed and compared in free oil and its β-CD inclusion complex. The result revealed that the formation of XFSWO/β-CD inclusion complex has significantly increased the transportation and absorption of major active ingredients than free oil. Accordingly, it can be speculated that cyclodextrin inclusion complex can improve bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. Above all these mentioned researches, it provided foundation and basis for physiological disposition and pharmaceutical study of XFSWD.
Biological Transport ; Caco-2 Cells ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Humans ; Oils, Volatile ; analysis ; beta-Cyclodextrins ; pharmacology

BackgroundObstruction of aqueous humor out flow pathway or abnormality of the extracellular matrix( ECM ) of trabecular meshwork cells causes high intraocular pressure. The balance of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases(TIMPs) is critical for the metabolism of ECM. Interleukin1α(IL-1α) can influence outflow of aqueous humor by regulating MMPs level. Objective This study was to investigate the effect of interleukin-1α on the expression of MMP-2,MMP-3 and TIMP-I in cultured swine trabecular meshwork cells.Methods Swine sclera with trabecular meshwork tissue was isolated from 20 swine eyes and cultured with explant cultured method. Cultured cells were passaged and third generation cells were identified by fibronectin ( FN ) and laminin ( LN ) staining. After 24 hours of serum starvation, trabecular meshwork cells treated with IL-1α at the concentration of 10 mg/L were regarded as the IL group,and serum-free culture medium used to treat trabecular meshwork cells was regarded as the control group. The expression of MMP-2, MMP-3 and TIMP-1 proteins in trabecular meshwork cells were detected by immunohistochemistry,and the expression of MMP-2 mRNA, MMP-3 mRNA and TIMP-1 mRNA were detected by RT-PCR. The examination results were compared between the two groups. ResultsThe third generation of cells were positive for FN and LM. Compared with the control group, the expression levels of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 proteins(A value) in trabecular meshwork cells were significantly higher in the IL group than the control group(t=-7. 694,t =-5. 199,P＜0. 05) ,but no obvious difference was found in the expression of MMP-2 between the two groups( t=-2. 365, P＞0.05 ). The higher expression levels in MMP-3 mRNA and TIMP-1 mRNA (A value) in trabecular meshwork cells were seen in comparison with the control group (t =-3. 025,t=-1. 921 ,P＜0. 05). However,similar results were found in the expression of MMP-2 mRNA between the two groups(t =- 1. 173, P＞0.05 ). ConclusionsThe overexpression of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 proteins and their mRNA leads to the imbalance of MMP-3/TIMP-1 and promotes the decomposition of ECM in the trabecular meshwork, and therefore increases aqueous outflow.

Background Statistic data revealed that different retinopathy of pre-term infants have different susceptibility to retinopathy of prematurity (ROP),which may be associated with polymorphism of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) gene.Objective This study was to determine the association of polymorphisms of VEGF gene with the risk for ROP.Methods This research was approved by Ethics Committee of Hunan Children's Hospital,and written informed consent was obtained from the parents of patients.A prospective case-controlled study was designed.Ninety-nine ROP patients in Hunan Children' s Hospital and 88 pre-termed children without ROP were included from January,2006 to December,2009.Thirty-nine patients who received retinal photocoagulation or cryotherapy were included as the treatment group,and 60 untreated but spontaneously regressed ROP patients as the non-treatment group.No significant differences were seen in demography between with the ROP group and the without ROP group,or between the treatment group and the non-treatment group (all P＞0.05).2 mL of peripheral blood was collected for the extraction of DNA.Gene polymorphisms of VEGF-A+405 and VEGF-A936 were detected using the pyrosequencing method.Results No significant difference was found in the frequencies of the VEGF-A+405 gene polymorphisms between the ROP group and without ROP group (P =0.071,OR =0.675,95 ％ CI =0.444-1.026).Also no significant difference was found in the frequencies of the VEGF-A936 gene polymorphisms between with the ROP group and without the ROP group (P =0.118,OR =0.768,95 ％ CI=2.823-4.614).However,the frequencies of the VEGF-A+405 gene polymorphisms were significantly higher in the ROP treatment group than the non-treatment group (P＜0.01,OR--0.857,95 ％ CI =5.239-14.024),and VEGF-A936 gene polymorphisms was also significantly higher in the ROP treatment group than the non-treatment group (P =0.000,OR =3.609,95 ％ CI =0.711-0.829).Conclusions There is no association between the VEGF-A+405/VEGF-A936 single nucleotide polymorphism with the risk of ROP,but polymorphisms of VEGF gene may be correlated with the prognosis of ROP.The carrier of VEGF-A +405 /VEGF-A936 allele is more susceptible to ROP progression.

Weightlessness environment can lead to the muscle atrophy and body fluid distribution upward,which can cause the bone calcium metabolism disorder and always accompanied by the loss of bone microstructure and increased rate of bone fracture. Under microgravity,the astronauts are much easier to decrease the Ca2+ ion in bone, which can cause serious osteoporosis. However the bone lost is not equilibrium, it is especially serious in the mechanism loading bone and the recovery process is more difficult. These are very different from the osteoporosis in older people and postmenopausal osteoporosis. It is necessary to find an optimal method to due with it. In traditional Chinese medicine theory,the kidney stores "Jing" and dominates the bone, thus a lot of bone related diseases can be treated through the kidney. A lot of clinical practices have also proved that the Chinese herbs used under the guidance of basic Chinese medicine theory are always good at the treatment of common osteoporosis. In simulated weightlessness experiment, people found that the kidney nourishment drugs do can prevent the decrease of BMD. So in this article we want to review the causes of weightlessness and the potentials applications of tradition Chinese medicine in the treatment of weightlessness osteoporosis.
Humans ; Mechanical Phenomena ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Osteoporosis ; etiology ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Weightlessness ; adverse effects