OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Naohuandan (NHD) in treating senile dementia (SD).

METHODSClinical study: Fifty-eight patients with SD, whose diagnosis conforms to the Diagnostic Standard of DSM-IV issued by American Association of Psychiatry, were enrolled and randomly assigned into two groups. The 30 patients in the treated group were treated with NHD, 4 capsules each time, 3 times daily. The 28 patients in the control group were treated with Piracetam, 1.6 g each time, 3 times daily. The therapeutic course for both groups was 3 months. The therapeutic efficacy was estimated and compared by comprehensive scores of memory and cognition, scores of Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) and Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Experimental study: Rats were divided into the control group, the model group and the high-dosage and low-dosage NHD treated groups. The protective effect of NHD on the per-oxidative damage of hippocampal neurons in beta-amyloid protein induced SD model was observed and the related criteria were determined.

RESULTSClinical study showed that both NHD and Piracetam could improve the clinical symptoms of patients, the two medicines showing insignificant difference in total effective rate. But NHD was better in elevating MMSE score and lowering ADL score in patients than Piracetam (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). Experimental study showed that (1) 24 and 72 hrs after modeling, the activity of SOD and GSH were lower and the level of MDA higher in the model group than those in the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared with the model group at the corresponding time points, in the high-dosage NHD group, SOD and GSH were higher, MDA was lower (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01); but in the low-dosage NHD group, SOD at the 72nd hr was higher (P < 0.05) and MDA at 24th and 72nd hrs was lower (P < 0.01). And most of the criteria in the high-dosage NHD group was improved better than that in the low-dosage NHD group. (2) The survival rates of neurons in various groups were not different significantly (P > 0.05) 24 hrs after modeling, but that in the high-dosage NHD group was significantly higher than that in the model group (P < 0.01) and in the low-dosage NHD group 72 hrs after modeling (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNHD is an effective Chinese herbal preparation for treatment of SD, and its mechanism is related with its inhibition on peroxidative injury and protection on neurons.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alzheimer Disease ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; Humans ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Neurons ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDThe number of Clara cells and the Clara cell 16-kDa protein (CC16) levels of the lung decrease in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a powerful antioxidant and can reduce the frequency of acute exacerbations of COPD. But the exact mechanism is unclear. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of NAC on Clara cells in rats with cigarette smoke exposure.

METHODSEighteen adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, 12 exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) thrice a day, 10 cigarettes for 30 minutes each time for 1 week, without (CS group) or with (CS + NAC group) oral intake of NAC 80 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), and another 6 rats exposed to fresh air (control group). Clara cells were observed by an electron microscope. The mRNA expression of CC16 and CC16 protein in lungs were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry respectively. The glutathion (GSH) level in plasma and lung tissue were tested by fluorimetry assay.

RESULTSCompared with the controls, the pathologic score of small airways significantly increased in the CS exposed rats (20.3 +/- 14.7 vs. 53.7 +/- 11.5, P < 0.05). The Clara cell particles in cytoplasm decreased in the CS group (P < 0.05). The percentage of CC16-positive cells in bronchioles in the CS group (27.8 +/- 4.3 and 29.5 +/- 2.4 in terminal bronchioles and respiratory bronchioles, respectively) significantly decreased as compared with the control group (37.1 +/- 3.8 and 43.8 +/- 5.8 in terminal bronchioles and respiratory bronchioles, respectively) (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in GSH level ((181 +/- 26) nmol/L in the control group vs. (170 +/- 18) nmol/L in the CS group) between the two groups. After treatment with NAC, the pathologic score of small airways (24.1 +/- 17.5) decreased (P < 0.05). Clara cell particles in cytoplasm of Clara cells increased and GSH level in plasma ((213 +/- 40) nmol/L vs. (170 +/- 18) nmol/L in the CS group) increased too (P < 0.05), while the increase in the proportions of CC16 positive cells in bronchioles (30.1 +/- 6.4 and 34.3 +/- 6.3 in terminal bronchioles and respiratory bronchioles, respectively) did not reach the statistical significance (P > 0.05). No significant difference was found in the expression of CC16 mRNA among the three groups. Correlation analysis indicated that the percentage of CC16-positive cells in bronchioles negatively correlated with the pathologic score of small airways (r = -0.592, P < 0.05), but not with GSH level.

CONCLUSIONSOne-week CS exposure decreased the number of Clara cells and the expression of CC16 in bronchioles in rats. NAC might provide protection of the Clara cells from oxidative damage and possibly through the elevation of the synthesis and secretion of CC16. These data indicate that NAC decreases airway inflammation induced by CS via induction of CC16.

Acetylcysteine ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bronchioles ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Fluorometry ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Uteroglobin ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo improve the mini-modified semi solid rappaport vassiliadis most probable number (mini-MSRV MPN) method for Salmonella detection.

METHODSBased on the mini-MSRV MPN method,Buffered Peptone Water (BPW) was modified as one step enrichment medium and Modified Semi Solid Rappaport Vassiliadis (MSRV) medium was ameliorated as modified MSRV for Salmonella detection under standard Salmonella addition recovery. A total of 154 raw chicken samples, 48 swabs of pheasantry and 48 poultry dung samples were collected to compare the detection results of Salmonella by using improved mini-MSRV MPN, mini-MSRV MPN and regular most probable number (MPN) method.

RESULTSSalmonella recovery was < 2.7 MPN/g when the standard Salmonella addition was at the concentration of 0.9 CFU/g when the mini-MSRV MPN method was employed. If the standard Salmonella addition were at 9.0 and 90.0 CFU/g, the recoveries of bacteria were 10.1 and 94.0 MPN/g, and the average recovery rate was 112% and 104%, respectively. Salmonella detection rate of modified mini-MSRV MPN, mini-MSRV MPN and regular MPN method was 18.4% (46/250), 5.2% (13/250) and 6.0% (15/250), respectively. The detection rate was higher for modified mini-MSRV MPN method than of the other two methods (χ(2) values were 19.68 and 17.82, respectively, all P values < 0.05). The detection quantity of Salmonella (medians were 21.0, < 2.7 and < 3.0 MPN/g, respectively). The quantity detected by modified mini-MSRV MPN method was higher than that of the other two methods (both Z values were 5.71, both P values < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONModified mini-MSRV MPN method is an accurate method for foodborne Salmonella detection.

Animals ; Chickens ; microbiology ; Culture Media ; Food Contamination ; analysis ; Food Inspection ; methods ; Salmonella ; isolation & purification

Objective To investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms of catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) of Val158Met are associated with the risk of breast cancer.Methods Gene polymorphisms of COMT were detected using di-allele-specific-amplification with artificially modified primers combined with SYBR Green I real-time polymerase chain reaction in a case-control study,which included 96 breast cancer patients (treatment group) and 116 healthy women(control group).Results The frequency of allele G in COMT gene Val158Met was 65.10％ and 71.98％ in treatment group and control group,and the frequency of allele A were 34.90％ and 28.02％ respectively.There were no differences between the two groups in allele frequencies of COMT Val158Met among Guangxi Baise population (all P ＞ 0.05).COMT Val158Met G/G genotype frequency distribution of the treatment group (38.54％) was lower than that of control group (54.31％),A/G genotype frequency distribution of the treatment group was higher(53.13％)than that of control group (35.34％).The distribution frequency differences of the two groups homozygous wild-type and heterozygous were statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.05).A/A genotype frequency distribution was relatively similar in the treatment group and control group,and they were 8.33％ and 10.35％ respectively.The breast cancer risks of Guangxi Baise women with A/G heterozygous genotype increased by 2.118 times compared with that of G/G homozygous genotype.Conclusion Gene polymorphism of COMT Val158Met may be associated with the risk of breast cancer.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; metabolism ; Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Histiocytosis, Sinus ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nose Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Nose Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Plasmacytoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Recurrence ; Rhinoscleroma ; metabolism ; pathology ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo identify potential mutations of retinoschisis 1 (RS1) gene responsible for X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS) in two Chinese families.

METHODSThe 6 exons and flanking intronic regions were analyzed with PCR and direct sequencing.

RESULTSTwo RS1 mutations were identified in the two families, which included 1 frameshift mutation (c.573delG, p.Pro192fs) and 1 missense mutation (c.626G>A, p.Arg209His).

CONCLUSIONTwo RS1 mutations have been identified, among which Pro192fs mutation is discovered for the first time in Chinese population. Above results may enrich our understanding of the clinical manifestations of XLRS and facilitated early diagnosis and genetic counseling for the disease.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Eye Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Diseases, X-Linked ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Retinoschisis ; diagnosis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo determine the feasibility and accuracy of detecting numerical chromosomal abnormalities by high-flux sequencing analysis of free fetal DNA from maternal plasma.

METHODSHigh-flux sequencing was applied to analyze fetal chromosome sequence copy numbers in 153 pregnant women. Fetal karyotyping was also carried out on amniocentesis samples.

RESULTSSix cases were detected with fetal chromosomal abnormalities by high-flux sequencing analysis, among which five were confirmed by karyotyping to be chromosomal aneuploidies (47,XYY; 45,X; 47,XY,+18; 47,XY,+21 and 47,XY,+13), 1 case was confirmed to be structural rearrangement, i.e., 46,XY,der(13;21)(q10;q10),+21. Furthermore, 3 chromosomal polymorphisms (one 46,XY,21p+ and two 46,XY,Yqh-) were identified. The two methods yielded similar results on fetal chromosome copy number detection.

CONCLUSIONHigh-flux sequencing analysis of free DNA derived from maternal plasma is efficient for detecting fetal chromosomal aneuploidies, and is non-invasive, highly sensitive and specific. It therefore has a broad application in antenatal diagnosis.

Adult ; Amniocentesis ; methods ; Aneuploidy ; Chromosome Disorders ; diagnosis ; genetics ; DNA ; chemistry ; genetics ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; methods ; Young Adult

Aim To study the effect of cobra venom nerve growth factor ( NGF) on inducing the apoptosis of LX2 cells, the key cells of hepatic fibrosis , through Akt signaling pathway and its underlying mechanism .Methods CCK-8 method was used to detect the pro-liferation of LX2 cells at different concentrations of NGF and LY294002 .Flow cytometry was applied to detect the effect of NGF on the apoptosis of LX 2 cells. Western blot was used to study the effects of NGF and LY294002 respectively , and their combination on the p-Akt protein level .Results NGF could decrease the survival rate of LX2 cells, and the minimum effective concentration was 1mg· L-1; it increased the apopto-sis rate of LX2 cells within the rise of concentration un-der a certain of range and decreased the expression level of p-Akt, but it had no significant effect on the ex-pression of Akt .Conclusions NGF may promote the apoptosis of LX2 cells by inhibiting the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in a concentration-de-pendent manner .The study of the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis is significant for the clinical treatment of liver fibrosis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy profile of entecavir capsule (ETV) as a chronic hepatitis B therapy, as compared to lamivudine (LAM).

METHODSIn this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel group evaluation of ETV, 232 subjects were administered a 96-week course of 0.5 mg/day ETV or 100 mg/day LAM. PCR measurement of hepatitis B virus (HBV) was conducted throughout the treatment course to determine achievement of complete virologic response (CVR; defined as less than 500 copies/ml of HBV DNA) or experience of virology rebound ( more than 500 copies/ml of HBV DNA after achievement of CVR).

RESULTSAfter week-48 of treatment, the ETV group showed a higher CVR rate (90.3% vs. LAM: 59.4%) and lower virology rebound rate (1.9% vs. LAM: 13.9%). After week-96 of treatment, the ETV group continued to have a higher CVR rate (86.0% vs. LAM: 71.4%), and virology rebound was experienced by significantly less subjects in the ETV group (1.2% vs. LAM: 11.9%, P = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONETV therapy can quickly and continuously suppress HBV replication in chronic hepatitis B patients, and has a lower resistance rate than LAM. Compared to LAM, ETV may be a superior long-term treatment choice for chronic hepatitis B.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Guanine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Lamivudine ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the value of prenatal ultrasound in the diagnosis of fetal malformations.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 993 cases of neonates and induced babies with malformations who were labored in our hospital from January 1999 to October 2006.

RESULTSThe incidence rate of fetal malformation was 22.5 per thousand in our study group. The detection rate of prenatal ultrasound was 79.02% (1 062/1 344), among which the detection rate of the severe malformations (87.58%, 860/982) were significantly higher than that of the minor malformations (55.80%, 202/362) (P < 0.005). The false negative rate was high for the extremity malformations (39.46%) and facial malformations (31.91%), especially the acrosclerodermas, simple cleft palates, and ear deformities.

CONCLUSIONPrenatal ultrasound is sensitive for fetal severe malformations, while the detection rate is low for fetal minor malformations.

Congenital Abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; False Negative Reactions ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal