OBJECTIVETo study the correlation between the Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome types of the Uighur and Han people and levels of blood lipids and fibrinogen in premature coronary heart disease (PCHD) patients.

METHODSRecruited were 196 Uighur and 189 Han patients with PCHD first confirmed by coronary angiography at the Heart Center of First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University and Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Xinjiang Medical University. Another 60 healthy volunteers were recruited as the healthy control group. CM syndromes were typed by physicians or those having higher professional titles at the cardiac internal medicine. The contents of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) were detected using oxidase method. The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level was detected using chemical modification enzymic method. The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level was detected using selective dissolution. The fibrinogen (FIB) level was detected using Clauss congeal principle.

RESULTSThe CM syndrome types of Uighurs were sequenced as filthy turbidity and phlegm obstruction syndrome (82 cases, 21.3%) > qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome (61 cases, 15.84%) >cold accumulation in Xin meridian syndrome (39 cases, 10.13%) >Xin-Shen yin deficiency syndrome (14 cases, 3. 63%). The CM syndrome types of the Han nationality were sequenced as qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome (69 cases, 17.92%) >filthy turbidity and phlegm obstruction syndrome (67 cases, 17.40%) > cold accumulation in Xin meridian syndrome (42 cases, 10.91%) > Xin-Shen yin deficiency syndrome (11 cases, 2.86%). There was no statistical difference in the syndrome type distribution between the two groups (P >0.05). Compared with the healthy control group, the levels of TG, LDL-C, and FIB increased, and the HDL-C level decreased in patients of filthy turbidity and phlegm obstruction syndrome and qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome of the patient group. The HDL-C level decreased in the Uighur patients of Xin-Shen yin deficiency syndrome, showing statistical difference (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Compared with the Han people of the same syndrome type, the TG level increased and the HDL-C level decreased in the Uighur patients of filthy turbidity and phlegm obstruction syndrome. The FIB level increased in the Uighur patients of qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome with statistical difference (P<0.05). In the Uighur patients, filthy turbidity and phlegm obstruction syndrome was positively correlated with TG (r=0.469) and FIB (r=0.464), and negatively correlated with HDL-C (r=-0.382). Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome was positively correlated with FIB (r=0.72) with statistical difference (P<0.01, P<0.05). In the Han patients, filthy turbidity and phlegm obstruction syndrome was positively correlated with TG (r=0.445) and FIB (r=0.372), and negatively correlated with HDL-C (r=-0.37). Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome was positively correlated with TG (r=0.471) and FIB (r=0.459) with statistical difference (P<0.01, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONCM syndrome types were correlated with TG, HDL-C, and FIB in PCHD Han and Uighur patients.

Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Case-Control Studies ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Coronary Disease ; blood ; diagnosis ; ethnology ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Triglycerides ; blood

OBJECTIVEThe anemia of chronic disease (ACD) is usually defined as mild to moderate anemia occurring during the chronic infection, inflammation, neoplasm or trauma. It is the most common anemia among in-hospital adults. The insufficient endogenous erythropoietin (EPO) production is probably one of the pathogenic mechanisms of ACD. Inflammatory cytokines play an important role in the ACD pathogenesis. But nowadays there are few published papers on the childhood ACD in the world. This study aimed to detect the EPO levels in children's ACD, to explore the relationship between EPO and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and, to evaluate the effect of recombinant human TNF alpha (rhTNF-alpha) on EPO gene expression.

METHODSSixty children were divided into ACD group (20 children), non-anemia (NA) group (19 children) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) group (21 children) according to clinical diagnosis. Serum TNF alpha and IL-6 levels were detected with ELISA method. The EPO level was detected by chemical immulite method. The effect of rhTNF alpha on the expression of EPO gene was studied by culturing Hep G2 cell line and RT-PCR method.

RESULTSSerum EPO levels were different among the 3 groups (F = 44.68, P < 0.01). Serum EPO levels in ACD group were higher than those in NA group, while the hemoglobin levels were similar between the two groups. Serum EPO levels in ACD patients were lower than those in IDA patients. Serum TNF alpha levels were different among the 3 groups (F = 25.15, P < 0.01), and serum IL-6 levels were also different among the 3 groups (F = 13.16, P < 0.01). Serum TNF alpha and IL-6 levels in ACD group were higher than those in NA group. In ACD group, serum levels of both TNF alpha and IL-6 were not correlated to the serum level of EPO (r = -0.35, P > 0.05 and r = -0.05, P > 0.05, respectively). In vitro, rhTNF alpha inhibited the expression of EPO mRNA in hypoxia, and the inhibitory effects became stronger with the increase of rhTNF alpha (F = 64.20, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONEPO levels increased incompensatively in ACD children, which may be a cause of ACD. TNF alpha may cause anemia by inhibiting EPO production.

Anemia ; blood ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chronic Disease ; Erythropoietin ; blood ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; metabolism ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo observe effects of cold- and hot-property herbs and effects of hot and cold constitutions on the tumor growth of tumor bearing rats, and to observe the effect of Cinobufacini Injection (CI) on the tumor growth of tumor bearing rats of different constitutions.

METHODSEighty healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into eight groups, i.e., the tumor bearing control group, the tumor bearing heat syndrome group, the tumor bearing cold syndrome group, the heat syndrome tumor bearing group, the cold syndrome tumor bearing group, the tumor bearing CI group, the heat syndrome tumor bearing CI group, and the cold syndrome tumor bearing CI group, respectively. The weight and volume of rats' subcutaneous tumor were measured 14 days after tumor inoculation.

RESULTSThe weight and volume of tumor in the heat syndrome tumor bearing CI group [(3.55 +/- 1.12) g, (2864.44 +/- 1430.51) mm3] and the tumor bearing CI group [(4.29 +/- 1.14) g, (3397.19 +/- 1701.13) mm3] were significantly lower than those of the tumor bearing control group [(6.01 +/- 2.45) g, (6218.91 +/- 3837.64) mm3] and the cold syndrome tumor bearing CI group [(6.90 +/- 1.57) g, (6168.42 +/- 2457.03) mm3], showing statistical difference (P<0.05). There was insignificant difference among other groups.

CONCLUSIONSCI showed better tumor inhibition effects on tumor bearing rats of heat syndrome constitution, which indicated CI was of cold property. It might be possibly used in tumor bearing rats of heat syndrome constitution.

Animals ; Bufanolides ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Injections ; Male ; Neoplasms, Experimental ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Malignant tumors are one of the leading causes of death in the world. Considerable progresses have been made on the treatment of tumors in recent decades, especially in the prevention, early diagnosis and the model changing of therapeutics. But we are still facing tough challenges, including the increasing treatment burden and limited improvement of efficacy. In China, Chinese medicine (CM) provides a powerful arsenal to fight against tumors. CM can be well applied to the onset and progression of tumors in China, bearing the characteristics of multi-target, multi-phase and multi-effect. But there are also many problems demanding urgent attention in the use of CM. Some most debated problems in this field were summarized. We should upgrade our concepts in using CM, find its position scientifically, and establish evidence of its effect by high quality clinical research.
Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; trends ; Medical Oncology ; trends ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; trends ; Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; therapy

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic significance of serum free light chain (sFLC) in primary systemic(AL) amyloidosis. Methods Twenty-five patients with AL amyloidosis,including 18 men and 7 women with a mean age of 54(47-77) years old, were enrolled from October, 2005to May, 2010. sFLC was measured by immunoturbidimetric assay. The type of monoclonal light chain was judged upon sFLC κ/λ and its sensibility was compared with serum immunofixation and immunohistochemical analysis. Four patients were treated with M (T)D (melphalan/thalidomideand, dexamethasone), one with VD (velcade and dexamethasone) and four with high-dose melphalan followed by autologous stem cell support. The changes of sFLC were serially determined before and after treatment. Results Among the 25 patients with AL amyloidosis, two were κ light chains of precursor protein and 23 were λ light chains. Mean plasma cell in bone marrow was 3.5% (0-15%). Nineteen (76%) patients had abnormal elevated sFLC and abnormal κ/λ ratios, and 17(68% ) patients with immunofixation positive. The sFLC test had similar sensitivity as serum immunofixation (P = 0. 727 ). Twenty-one (84%) patients were shown to have either κor λ immunoreactive amyloid deposits on biopsied tissues. The sFLC test combined with serum immunofixation allowed the M protein to be detected in 22 (88%) patients. The positive rates of immunohistochemical analysis combined with sFLC test and/or serum immunofixation were 96%. Four patients with hematologic response showed obvious improvement in visceral organ involvement, but illness of 5 patients without hematologic response kept stable or progressed. Conclusions sFLC test is a sensitive qualitative and quantitative method to detect M protein. Preliminary data show the patients with obvious sFLC level decrease and/or κ/λ recovery to normal may have a high percentage of improved organs function. sFLC is critical index in diagnosing AL amyloidosis, which might help efficacy assessment.

Objective To find a way to measure and count plane distribution of cells distributed on single layer and compare differences of undifferentiated mesenchymal cells of periosteum germinal layer from different parts of the body.Methods After counting the number of undifferentiated mesenchymal cells of periosteum germinal layer from different parts of the body microscopically and figuring out the number of cells per area unit in each periosteum specimen,the obtained data were statistically analyzed and the stratum structure of periosteum observed microscopically.Results The homogeneity of variance test showed homoscedasticity,with no statistical significance(P＞0.05).The analysis of variance found homoscedasticity but showed no statistical significance(F=0.253,P＞0.05).The periosteum of patel- la,tibial plateau and costa had two layers,while the periosteum of costal cartilage had three layers. Conclusions There is no conspicuous difference upon proliferation and evoluting activities of periosteum from different parts of body.Therefore,it is unnecessary to choose specific parts for drawing the periote- um in clinical situation.In the meantime,the structure of periosteum from different parts diversifies.

OBJECTIVETo examine the differences in food and antioxidant vitamin intake in current non-smokers,light smokers,and heavy smokers.

METHODS51 115 people (24 077 male, 27 038 female) aged above 15 years who had completed providing information on smoking habit and dietary intake, were selected from 2002 national health and nutrition survey.

RESULTSAfter adjustment for geographic areas and age, data showed the smokers ate more light vegetable and alcohol, less dark vegetable and fruit than non-smokers. Male smokers consumed more energetic stuff and macronutrients than non-smokers, but female smokers had opposite trends. Light smokers (LS) consumed less antioxidant than non-smokers (NS) after adjusted for area, age, BMI and energy, with carotene (Male LS = 1824.7 microg, NS = 1964.8 microg; Female LS = 1565.4 microg, NS = 2127.4 microg), thiamin (Male LS = 0.84 mg, NS = 0.85 mg; Female LS = 0.72 mg, NS = 0.74 mg), vitamin E (alpha) (Male LS = 9.2 mg, NS = 9.3 mg; Female LS = 7.4 mg, NS = 8.1 mg), vitamin C (Male LS = 91.2 mg, NS = 94.2 mg; Female LS = 76.9 mg, NS = 87.5 mg).

CONCLUSIONSmokers had a significantly lower overall mean dietary antioxidant vitamin intake than non-smokers. Increasing the daily consumption of variety of fruits and vegetables had been recommended to reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Antioxidants ; administration & dosage ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Diet ; Female ; Fruit ; Humans ; Male ; Nutritional Status ; Smoking ; Vegetables ; Vitamins ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo assess the methodological quality of clinical research on Chinese medicine (CM) applied by intra-arterial infusion in treating primary liver cancer (PLC).

METHODSCochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, and three Chinese databases, including Chinese BioMedical Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and China Academic Journal (VIP) were searched. Chinese articles were also searched manually in 16 journals. Two reviewers independently selected studies, the quality of literatures were assessed according to the Cochrane Collaboration method of quality assessment.

RESULTSA total of 14 articles met the inclusion criteria for this review. Only three of these articles described the randomization method used. None of the studies was blinded. All of the articles didn't report the calculation of the sample size. Only six studies mentioned adverse reactions. All of the studies were of grade C according to the Cochrane Collaboration method. Six studies reported results of survival, and only two of these reported better efficacy in the treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONSThe quality of studies concerned intra-arterial infusion of CM in treating with PLC was poor and the exact effect of these medicines still need evaluation. Well designed RCTs with large sample sizes, adequate follow-up data and reliable methods of assessment are needed to better appraise the real effect of CMs in the treatment of PLC patients.

Biomedical Research ; standards ; Evidence-Based Medicine ; Humans ; Infusions, Intra-Arterial ; Liver Neoplasms ; therapy ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Research Design

OBJECTIVECeramic brackets debonding by Nd:YAG laser is based on the thermal effect of laser, which may cause injury of the pulp tissue. In this study, the histological changes of pulp tissue that subjected to Nd: YAG laser irradiation with different power and time were observed.

METHODS20 New Zealand rabbits were included in this study. Ceramic brackets were bonded to the 4 incisors as routine. The ceramic brackets of left upper teeth that debonded mechanically were used as control group, while the brackets of right upper, left lower and right lower incisors were debonded by laser with 3 W 3 s (group A), 2 W 5 s (group B) and 5 W 2 s (group C) energies, respectively. The teeth were pulled out at 5 minutes, 1 day, 3 days, 1 week and 1 month after the debonding operations. Slides prepared from the pulp tissues of the debonded teeth were used to evaluate the injury of laser.

RESULTSIn comparison with the control group, pulp tissue of teeth that exposed to laser with different energy for 5 minutes showed mild capillary dilation. One day later, group A, B and C showed moderate capillary dilation, and group C also showed moderate infiltration. At 3 days, inflammation was disappeared in group B, whereas capillary dilation was found in group A. Hemorrhage and inflammation cells infiltration were found in group C. At 1 week, alleviation of capillary dilation was found in group A but not in group C. One month later, inflammation disappeared in group A, while pulp tissue in group C showed mild edema and capillary dilation.

CONCLUSIONNd:YAG laser of high energy may cause injury of the pulp tissue during debonding. Laser energy of 3 W 3 s could effectively debond ceramic brackets without irreversible pulp injury.

Animals ; Ceramics ; Dental Debonding ; Dental Pulp ; Lasers ; Lasers, Solid-State ; Orthodontic Brackets ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVEEven in secular societies, a small portion of patients find their spirituality to help cope with illness. But for the majority of patients, psychosocial and spiritual needs are neither addressed nor even considered a relevant factor by health care professionals. To measure such specific needs, the Spiritual Needs Questionnaire (SpNQ) was developed. The aim of this study was to validate the Chinese version of the SpNQ (SpNQ-Ch) and thus to measure psychosocial and spiritual needs of Chinese patients.

METHODSThis was a cross-sectional study among 168 patients with chronic diseases who were recruited in the Changhai Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China using standardized questionnaires. We performed reliability and factor analyses, as well as analyses of variance, first order correlations and regression analyses.

RESULTSThe 17-item SpNQ-Ch had a similar factorial structure as the original version with two main and three minor factors which accounted for 64% of variance, and internal consistency estimates (Cronbach's α) ranging from 0.51 to 0.81. Included were the 4-item scale Inner Peace Needs, the 5-item scale Giving/Generativity Needs, the 5-item scale Religious Needs (with 2 sub-constructs, Praying and Sources), and a 3-item scale Reflection/Release Needs. In Chinese patients with cancer (63%), pain affections (10%), or other chronic conditions (23%), the needs for Giving/Generativity (which refer to categories of Connectedness and Meaning) and Inner Peace Needs scored highest, while Religious Needs and the Reflection/Release Needs scored lower.

CONCLUSIONThe SpNQ-Ch is congruent with its primary version, and can be used in future studies with the mostly nonreligious patients from China. First findings indicate specific psychosocial and spiritual needs which should be addressed by health care professionals to support patients in their struggle with chronic illness in terms of psycho-emotional stabilization, finding hope and meaning, and thus achieving peaceful states of mind despite chronic illness.

Adult ; Aged ; China ; Chronic Disease ; psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Personal Satisfaction ; Spirituality ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; standards ; Young Adult