Leukotriene B4 is a small metabolite of phospholipid in membrane through PLA2,5-LO, LTA4 hydrolase and other related enzymes. It is been synthesized in almost all kinds of tissue cells, then transported to outside of the cells, which may be separated from its synthesis. LTB4 shows complex bioactivities, especially in inflam-mation, immune system and plays an important role. Its functions are mediated by its different receptors on the membrane. Also, LTB4 interacts with other cytokines, and they form a network regulating functions of the body.

Objective To investigated the role of antithrombin Ⅲ (AT-Ⅲ) levels in the early diagnosis of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in patients with sepsis and the predictive effect of AT-Ⅲ on the development of DIC.Methods A retrospective study was conducted. Patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University from January to December in 2015 were enrolled. The patients were divided into sepsis group and non-sepsis group according to the diagnostic criteria of sepsis. In addition, sepsis patients were divided into 3 subgroups according to the international society on thrombosis and haemostasis (ISTH) scores on the first day: overt DIC (ISTH ≥ 5), non-overt DIC (ISTH 1-4) and none DIC group (ISTH = 0). Blood routine test, prothrombin time (PT), fibrinogen (Fib), D-dimer, fibrin degradation products (FDP), acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) scores, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores and ISTH scores were recorded on the first ICU day. AT-Ⅲ was recorded during 7 days. The differences were compared among these 3 groups. Correlations of AT-Ⅲ with various parameters were calculated by using Pearson correlation analysis in sepsis group and overt DIC group. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for diagnosis of DIC with AT-Ⅲ, AT-Ⅲ+PT were drawn to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency. The AT-Ⅲ levels of DIC patients were compared between early-onset DIC and late-onset DIC during their ICU stay. The change of AT-Ⅲ levels with time and prognosis in patients with early-onset DIC was compared between groups.Results Totally 445 patients were recruited, with 138 patients in sepsis group, and 307 in non-sepsis group. There were 20 patents diagnosed with overt DIC on the first ICU day, 115 patients non-overt DIC and 3 patients of none DIC. Twenty-five sepsis patients were diagnosed overt DIC during the ICU days. AT-Ⅲ level in sepsis patients on the first ICU day were lower than that in non-sepsis patients [(55.29±13.92)% vs. (76.54±12.31)%,P < 0.01]. Patients with overt DIC had a lower AT-Ⅲ level than non-overt DIC or none DIC patients [(43.85±13.00)% vs. (56.95±13.03)%, (68.00±16.52)%, bothP < 0.05]. It was shown by Pearson correlation analysis that AT-Ⅲ level of sepsis patients on the first ICU day was negatively correlated to ISTH score and PT (r value were -0.467, -0.654, bothP < 0.01). AT-Ⅲ level of overt DIC patient on the first ICU day was negatively correlated with PT (r = -0.675,P = 0.001). It was shown by ROC curve that area under ROC curve (AUC) of AT-Ⅲ combined with PT for diagnosis overt DIC in sepsis patients was higher than that of AT-Ⅲ or PT alone (0.843 vs. 0.763, 0.834), the sensitivity 90.0%, specificity 73.7%. The cut-off value for overt DIC diagnosis in sepsis patients of AT-Ⅲ level alone was 48.5%, sensitivity was 78.0%, specificity was 70.0%. On the first ICU day, AT-Ⅲ level was risen when ISTH score improved in patients with sepsis. There was similar change of AT-Ⅲ level between patients with early-onset DIC and late-onset DIC. AT-Ⅲ level increased with DIC improvement.Conclusion AT-Ⅲ level can be used for diagnosing sepsis-associated overt DIC independently or with a combination of PT. When ISTH score improved, AT-Ⅲ level was risen in patients with sepsis associated DIC.

Objective:To explore the correlation between the indexes of tongue coating exfoliated cells and the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndromes of patients with chronic gastritis.Methods:One hundred and forty-eight patients with chronic gastritis in our hospital from March 2017 to May 2018 were selected and divided into 4 groups, including 36 patients with spleen and stomach weakness syndrome, 39 patients with liver-stomach discordance syndrome, 32 patients with stomach yin deficiency syndrome, and spleen and 41patients with stomach damp-heat syndrome according to the TCM classification. In addition, another 50 healthy people without cold and heat deficiency syndrome were selected as healthy control group. The maturity index (MI) and mature value (MV) of tongue coating exfoliated cells, chemical indicators and cell cycle of tongue coating exfoliated cells were detected. The spearman rank correlation method was used to analyze the indicators of tongue coating exfoliated cells and TCM syndromes.Results:Compared with the healthy control group, the subjects with spleen and stomach weakness syndrome, liver-stomach discord syndrome, stomach-yin deficiency syndrome, spleen-stomach damp-heat syndrome showed significantly higher percentage of intermediate cells [(14.85 ± 4.03) % vs. (26.47 ± 3.94) %, (22.32 ± 5.41) %, (31.47 ± 3.28) %, (35.62 ± 3.96) %, P<0.05], significantly lower percentage of surface cells [(85.15 ± 5.33) % vs. (73.53 ± 6.47) %, (77.68 ± 5.38) %, (68.53 ± 4.20) %, (64.38 ± 4.39) %, P<0.05], and significantly lower percentage of MV value [(92.61 ± 3.74) % vs. (83.52 ± 3.10) %, (87.64 ± 2.95) %, (79.38 ± 3.21) %, (75.63 ± 2.83) %, P<0.05]. Compared with the healthy control group, the ACP, LDH, SDH, and -SH in tongue coating exfoliated cells of subjects with spleen and stomach weakness syndrome, liver and stomach discordance syndrome, and stomach yin deficiency syndrome were all significantly decreased ( P<0.05), while ACP, LDH, SDH, and -SH in subjects with spleen and stomach damp-heat syndrome were all significantly increased ( P<0.05). the percentage of cells in G1 phase of subjects with gastric yin deficiency and spleen and stomach damp-heat syndrome were significantly decreased ( P<0.05), while the percentage of S phase cells were significantly increased ( P<0.05). Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that each syndrome type was correlated with ACP, LDH, SDH, -SH ( r values were 0.608, 0.712, 0.704, 0.631, respectively, all Ps<0.05). Conclusion:Patients with different TCM syndromes of chronic gastritis may have different morphological changes of tongue coating exfoliated cells, large differences in cell cycle, and different levels of cell biochemical indicators.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of low-dose heparin on sepsis. Methods Seventy-nine sepsis patients were randomly divided into tow groups: beparin treatment group (n=37) and routine treatment group(n =42). The 7-day and 28-day mortality, the days in ICU and the length of stay, the changes of oxygenation index, the days of mechanical ventilation and the rates of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), acute renal failure (ARF), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS) were observed. The levels of APTT, PT and platelet (PLT) count were determined before and after treatment in two groups. Results The rates of DIC, ARF and MODS in beparin group decreased significantly after therapy: rate of BIC, 15.4% vs 38. 7% (P=0.03) ; rate of ARF, 25.0% vs51.9% (P=0.04); rate of MODS, 26.3% vs50.0% (P=0.04). In heparin group, the 28-day mortality was statistically reduced (15.4% vs 32.4%, P = 0. 03). The differences between beparin group and routine group were not statistically significant in the 7-day mortality (7. 7% vs 12. 9% ,P =0. 08) ,the days in ICU(Z =0. 281 ,P =0. 779,rank sum test) ,the length of stay (Z = 0. 562, P = 0. 574, rank sum test), the oxygenation index (P = 0. 82), the days of mechanical ventilation [(126.07±166.21)h vs (179.27±221.7)h,P=0.28] and the rate of ARDS (44.0% vs 46.2% ,P= 0. 88). The differences in APTT, PT and PLT were not significant between the two groups. Conclusion Low-dose beparin can decrease the mortality rate of sepsis and improve the prognosis of patients. It is a safe promising therapy in sepsis patients without severe side effects.

A two-step method for the purification of blocking-type anti-human CD80 monoclonal antibody 4E5 from mouse ascites was developed using anion exchange and gel filtration in combination. The ascites was first purified by anion exchange after centrifugation and filtration. The experimental parameters of sample loading and elution were optimized. The optimized loading condition was pH 8.0,50 mmol/L Tris-HCl and satisfactory results were obtained using a 0~0.5mol/L NaCl step elution. The fraction containing the protein of interest was directly loaded on gel filtration column and eluted using a 20 mmol/L phosphate buffer at pH 7.2. The purity of the obtained monoclonal antibody was up to 95% with a recovery of 61%. The purity of mAb could efficiently inhibit the growth of Daudi cells. The amplification of the method was also studied using a Bio-Scale Q5 column and the result was satisfied.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Qingfei Peiyuan Micro-pill (QPM) on HIV/AIDS patients with pulmonary infection of phlegm heat obstructing lung syndrome (PHOLS).

METHODSTotally 141 HIV/AIDS patients with pulmonary infection of PHOLS were randomly assigned to the treatment group (94 cases) and the control group (47cases). On the basis of Western medicine, patients in the treatment group took QPM. The therapeutic course for all was 28 days. The improvement of symptoms and signs was observed. The body temperature (BT), chest X ray, and white blood cells (WBCs) were detected.

RESULTSThe Chinese medical syndrome score was lower in the treatment group than in the control group at the 7th, 21st, and 28th day of treatment, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). The efficacy was better in the treatment group than in the control group at the 7th, 21st, and 28th day of treatment, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). The BT was lower in the treatment group than in the control group on the 7th day. There was no statistical difference in the patient number with normal WBCs on the 7th day (P > 0.05). But there was statistical difference in the patient number with normal WBCs on the 14th, 21st, and 28th day of treatment (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the patient number with normal chest X ray on the 7th and 28th day of treatment (P > 0.05). But there was statistical difference in the patient number with normal chest X ray on the 14th and 21 st day of treatment (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONQPM had certain complementary effect on HIV/AIDS patients with pulmonary infection of PHOLS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; complications ; Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; complications ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the effects of intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG) on apoptosis and necrosis of myocytes in mice with viral myocarditis.Methods Three hundreds and twenty Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 8 groups.Different courses of IVIG were given in varying time after virus inoculation,Chinese medicine Huangqi given in control group.The virus titer in myocardium、percentage of apoptosis and necrosis of myocytes were detected, myocardial histopathologic scores were counted.Results In every IVIG treatment group,the above 3 items were all significantly lower than that in virus control group and Huangqi group,as IVIG early long course group had the best effect.Conclusion IVIG may reduce the percentage of apoptosis and necrosis of myocytes and virus titer in myocardium in mice with viral myocarditis,the effects are better than that of Huangqi.

BACKGROUND:Hepatic fibrosis in chronic liver disease can be reversed. Studies have shown that Periplaneta americana extract has anti-fibrosis effect, and has protective effect on the experimental hepatic fibrosis rats.
OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of Periplaneta americana extract sticky sugar amino acid on hepatic fibrosis, and to primarily explore the mechanism of sticky sugar amino acid against hepatic fibrosis.
METHODS:Rat models of immune hepatic fibrosis were induced by pig serum and intragastricaly administered 0.5, 0.25, 0.10 g/kg sticky sugar amino acid. Four indexes of hepatic fibrosis were detected by radioimmunoassay. Immunohistochemical staining wasused to measure transforming growth factor beta 1, tissue inhibitor of metaloproteinase protein expression intensity and positive cel rate, to determine the correlation of different concentrations of sticky sugar amino acid, transformation growth factorbeta 1 and tissue inhibitor of metaloproteinase.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The Periplaneta americana extract sticky sugar amino acid reduced the levels of laminin, type III procolagen, type IV colagen and hyaluronidase (P< 0.01) and reduced the expression of transformation growth factor beta 1 and tissue inhibitor of metaloproteinase 1 in liver tissue (P< 0.01). (2) Sticky sugar amino acid concentration and transformation growth factor beta 1 and tissue inhibitor of metaloproteinase 1 protein expression showed a significant negative correlation (|r| > 0.9). (3) Results confirmed that the Periplaneta americana extract sticky sugar amino acid can change the reversal of hepatic fibrosis. Its mechanism of action is associated with expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 and tissue inhibitor of metaloproteinase 1 inhibited by sticky sugar amino acids.

Point Dingchuan (Ex-B1) pertains to extraordinary points and often produces a good therapeutic effect on respiratory system diseases. Ancient Chinese medical books do not record point Dingchuan. Modern Chinese medical textbooks describe the location and efficacy of and indications for this point but do not state their provenances. In order to further popularize the clinical application of point Dingchuan, this article verifies the origin and development of the name and location of point Dingchuan so as to provide a certain reference for clinically correct selection and use of this point. The results show that point Dingchuan followed the course of development from ashi point to new point and then to extraordinary point. The development of point Dingchuan to the same acupoint name and location as now international use went mainly through four stages, that is, similar name and different location, similar name and location, same name and different location, and same name and location.

A quick HPLC-ESI-MS/MS method was established for simultaneous determination of three chemical compositions in Usnea, including usnic acid, diffractaic acid, and ramalic acid. The separation was performed on a chromatographic column of Agilent ZORBAX SB-C, (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 µm), and the mobile phase was methanol (0.05% formic acid)-0.05% formic acid solution (4 mmol ammonium acetate), with an isocratic elution at a flow rate of 0.8 ml · min⁻¹. Multiple reaction monitoring scanning mode (MRM) was performed combined with the ion switching technology in positive and negative ion switching mode to apply for the quantitative determination. The calibration curves for the above three compounds were linear in corresponding injection amount. Their average recoveries were 95.0%-105.1%, with RSDs of 1.1%-5.2%. The method was simple, rapid, accurate with high repeatability, which could provide a reference for overcalling evaluation the quality of Usnea.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Hydroxybenzoates ; analysis ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; methods ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Usnea ; chemistry