Abnormal cell signal transduction is associated with the occurrence and development of human diseases. Some virus pathogenicity and infection mechanism are due to virus antigen protein acting on the host cell signal transduction pathway, leading to host cell signal transduction disorder. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major pathogen of chronic hepatitis C, which causes cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. But the pathogenesis of HCV and persistent infection mechanism remain far from clear. HCV pathogenesis may be related to the HCV protein expression interfering host cell signal transduction pathways. The studies of hepatitis C virus proteins acting on host cell signal transduction pathways, not only help to clarify the impact of its pathogenic mechanisms, but also benefit to new drug design and development for new treatment methods. This article summarizes the recent progress in research on the effect of hepatitis C virus protein in cell signal transduction pathways in the past few years.

OBJECTIVETo observe the auxiliary efficacy and safety of Hebi Recipe (HR)in treating early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODSTotally 63 early RA patients with Gan-Pi disharmony were randomly assigned to the treatment group [32 cases, treated by HR (one dose per day, taken in two portions for 24 successive weeks) plus Methotrexate (MTX)] and the control group (31 cases, treated by MTX alone). The dosage of MTX was increased from 7.5 mg to 12.5 mg, once per week, 24 weeks as one course of treatment. Efficacy for Chinese medical syndromes, American College of Rheumatology 20 (ACR20) improvement rate, disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28), laboratory related indices [ESR, rheumatoid factor (RF), C-reactive protein (CRP), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP)], and related ultrasonic inspection items (synovium thickness, synovium blood flow classification, effusion of joint), and adverse reactions were observed.

RESULTSThe total effective rate (83.9%, 26/31 cases) and ACR20 improvement rate (74.2%, 23/31 cases) were higher in the treatment group than in the control group [60.7% (17/28 cases), 46.4% (13/28 cases); P < 0.05]. Compared with before treatment in the same group, DAS28 score, ESR, RF, CRP, CCP, synovium thickness, synovium blood flow classification, effusion of joint all decreased in the two groups after treatment (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Compared with the control group after treatment, ACR20 improvement rate, DAS28 score, ESR, RF, CRP, CCP, synovium thickness, synovium blood flow classification, effusion of joint all decreased in the treatment group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Liver dysfunction occurred in 1 case of the treatment group. One leucopenia and 2 liver dysfunction occurred in the control group.

CONCLUSIONHR could effectively improve joints and systemic symptoms of early RA patients with Gan-Pi disharmony.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; drug therapy ; C-Reactive Protein ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Methotrexate ; Phytotherapy ; Rheumatoid Factor ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome

0.05).Coincidence both of them in subtypes of ADHD diagnosed by 2 different ways were lower than 50% in the 6.0-6.9 and over 10.0 years old groups,but coincidence both of them were higher than 60% in 7.0-7.9,8.0-8.9,9.0-9.9 years old groups.What's more,there were significant differences though ?2 variance analysis in subtypes of ADHD by 2 different ways(Pa

The Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in neurogenesis and brain damage repair. Our previous work demonstrated that the SHH signaling pathway was involved in the neuroprotection of cortical neurons against oxidative stress. The present study was aimed to further examine the underlying mechanism. The cortical neurons were obtained from one-day old Sprague-Dawley neonate rats. Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2), 100 μmol/L) was used to treat neurons for 24 h to induce oxidative stress. Exogenous SHH (3 μg/mL) was employed to activate the SHH pathway, and cyclopamine (20 μmol/L), a specific SHH signal inhibitor, to block SHH pathway. LY294002 (20 μmol/L) were used to pre-treat the neurons 30 min before H(2)O(2) treatment and selectively inhibit the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. The cell viability was measured by MTT and apoptosis rate by flow cytometry analysis. The expression of p38, p-p38, ERK, p-ERK, Akt, p-Akt, Bcl-2, and Bax in neurons was detected by immunoblotting. The results showed that as compared with H(2)O(2) treatment, exogenous SHH could increase the expression of p-Akt by 20% and decrease the expression of p-ERK by 33%. SHH exerted no significant effect on p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) pathway. Blockade of PI3K/Akt pathway by LY294002 decreased the cell viability by 17% and increased the cell apoptosis rate by 2-fold. LY294002 treatment could up-regulate the expression of the pro-apoptotic gene Bax by 12% and down-regulate the expression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 by 54%. In conclusion, SHH pathway may activate PI3K/Akt pathway and inhibit the activation of the ERK pathway in neurons under oxidative stress. The PI3K/Akt pathway plays a key role in the neuroprotection of SHH. SHH/PI3K/Bcl-2 pathway may be implicated in the protection of neurons against H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis.

Objective To explore the relative factors of unstable plaques of carotid atherosclerosis in ischemic eerebrovascular patients.Methods Carotid arteries of a total of 132 cases with ischemic cerebrovascular disease of carotid artery system were inspected by color Doppler ultrasound.The plaques discovered were classified according to ultrasonic appearance and their stability was judged.The relation between hypertension,diabetes,hyperlipemia, smoking and unstable plaques of carotid atheroselerosis was analyzed.Results The most common site of plaque for- mation was the bifurcate of the common carotid artery(56.99%),and the second commonest was carotid artery (23.12%).The incidence of unstable plaques in the patients with smoking,hypertension and diabetes was higher than those without them(P

OBJECTIVETo search for the best therapy for recurrent herpes simplex.

METHODSNinety-six cases were randomly divided into an auricular point sticking plus moxibustion group (treatment group, n = 54), a medication group (control group, n = 42). The treatment group were treated with auricular sticking at points Spleen, Lung, Kidney, and others, and moxibustion was applied at Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40), and local blister; the control group were treated by oral administration and external application of aciclovir.

RESULTSThe cured rate and the total effective rate were 55.5% and 100.0% in the treatment group, and 9.5% and 61.9% in the control group, respectively, with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe auricular point sticking plus moxibustion is a better therapy for recurrent herpes simplex, with a significantly better therapeutic effect than that of the medication.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Administration, Oral ; Herpes Simplex ; Humans ; Moxibustion

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy and safety of modified Shengma Biejia Decoction (MSBD) combined with CAG program in treating elderly acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with yin deficiency toxin stasis syndrome (YDTSS).

METHODSTotally 46 elderly AML patients were assigned to the treatment group (24 cases; treated with MSBD + CAG) and the control group (22 cases; treated with CAG + placebos of Chinese medicine) according to random digit table. The therapeutic course of CM placebo or MSBD was 21 days. The clinical efficacy and adverse reactions were observed. Meanwhile, physical state (ECOG Score), transfusion dependency, and TCM syndrome score were compared before and after treatment.

RESULTS(1) The complete remission rate was 54% (13/24) and the objective response rate (ORR) was 71% (17/24) in the treatment group, obviously higher than those of the control group [36% (8/22); 54% (13/24)], with statistical difference (P = 0.036, 0.042). When comparing the efficacy based on risk level, the moderate and poor ORR was 71% (10/14) and 67% (6/9) in the treatment group, and 57% (8/14) and 33% (2/6) in the control group, with statistical difference between the two groups (P = 0.048; P = 0.010). (2) Compared with before treatment in the same group, the ECOG score significantly decreased, the average infusion time of red cells and platelets were markedly prolonged in the treatment group after treatment (P < 0.05). ECOG score, the average infusion time of red cells and platelets were significantly better in the treatment group than in the control group after treatment (P < 0.05). (3) Compared with before treatment in the same group, scores of fever, hemorrhage, and bone pain were markedly reduced in the control group (P < 0.05); scores of fever, fatigue, hemorrhage, dry mouth, and bone pain were markedly reduced in the treatment group (P < 0.05). Better effect in relief of fever, fatigue, hemorrhage, dry mouth, and so on was obtained in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). (4) In aspect of hematotoxicity, the incidence of neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia was obviously lower in the treatment group than in the control group [29.2% (7/24) vs 54.5% (12/22); 16.7% (4/ 24) vs 45.5% (10/22); 33.3% (8/24) vs 63.6% (14/22); P < 0.05]. The incidence of fatigue and anorexia was obviously lower in the treatment group than in the control group [37.5% (9/24) vs 63.6% (14/22), 37.5% (9/24) vs 81.8% (18/22); P < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONMSBD combined with CAG program in treating elderly AML patients with YDTSS, with efficacy enhancing toxicity reducing effect, had distinct advantages in improving physical condition and clinical symptoms, and reducing transfusion dependency.

Aclarubicin ; therapeutic use ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Cytarabine ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; drug therapy ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phytotherapy ; Yin Deficiency ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVESome research has shown that there may be memory/caution (M/C) defects in children with primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE). This study aimed to investigate whether the defects affect the intelligence level and the intelligence structure in PNE children.

METHODSIntelligence tests were performed by means of Wechsler Young Children Scales of Intelligence (C-WISC) in 40 children with PNE and 40 age-matched normal children.

RESULTSThe full intelligence quotient (FIQ), verbal IQ (VIQ) and performances IQ (PIQ) in the PNE group were in a normal range and did not different from the control group. There were significant differences in the scores for digit extent, decipher, knowledge and arithmetics between the PNE and the control groups (P < 0.05). M/C factor in the PNE group was statistically lower than in the control group (93.44 +/-11.27 vs 100.03 +/-11.79; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe total intelligence level of children with PNE was normal, but the M/C factor in the intelligence structure had some defects, suggesting that PNE may be related to the abnormity of executive function in the frontal lobe.

Adolescent ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity ; psychology ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Intelligence ; Male ; Nocturnal Enuresis ; psychology

To understand the family sex education for young children in rural areas of Sichuan province and analyze the influencing factors. A multi-stage random sampling method was used to select 2246 parents of kindergarten children from rural areas in Sichuan province for a questionnaire-based survey.The Chi-square test and Logistic regression model were used for data analysis. It was found 1132(52.33%)parents had implemented family sex education for young children and 1031(47.67%)had not.Young children having asked sex-related questions(=1.536,95%=1.257-1.878),parents thinking that early childhood sex education is necessary(=3.691,95%=2.029-6.717),and parents having the intention to know early childhood sex education(=1.700,95%=1.274-2.269),and kindergarten having implemented early childhood sex education(=3.316,95%=2.515-4.372)were promoting factors for parents to conduct early childhood sex education,whereas a total annual household income at the middle level(=0.664,95%=0.456-0.968)was a hindering factor for parents to conduct early childhood sex education. Parents of young children in rural areas of Sichuan province have poor awareness of sex education,and the proportion of parents who have never conducted sex education for children is high.The total annual income of the family,whether the children have asked about sex-related questions,parents' attitude towards early childhood sex education,and whether the kindergarten has conducted the early childhood sex education are important factors that influence the level of children's family sex education.
Child ; China ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Parents ; Sex Education ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo explore the association between procalcitonin (PCT) levels and liver function in liver cirrhosis patients.

METHODSCollect serum samples from 44 liver cirrhosis patients, detect the PCT levels by semi-quantitative solid immunoassay, and at the same time, detect the serum levels of ALT, AST, TBIL, ALB, CHE, CHOL, PTA etc, then rate the patients by Child-pugh scoring system into Child-pugh A, B, C.

RESULTSset PCT > 0.5 microg/L as the positive threshold, significantly the PCT positive patients have higher ALT, TBIL but lower CHOL, PTA compared with the PCT negative patients. With the increasing of PCT levels, the ALT, AST, TBIL levels are gradually increased too, but PTA decreased. We find that the PCT positive patients are mainly Child-pugh B and C patients, and PCT negative patients are mainly Child-pugh C patients. PCT positive patient's lymphocyte count are lower than PCT negative patient's.

CONCLUSIONLiver injury increase the risk of infection in liver cirrhosis patients. As the severity of the injury, the patients are easier to progress into severe infection. Combined with monitoring the PCT levels, pay more attention to protect the liver function will be helpful in early detecting infections and controlling of infection in liver cirrhosis patients.

Calcitonin ; blood ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; physiopathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; physiopathology ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Protein Precursors ; blood