Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of Jingganquzhi decoction(JQ,净肝祛脂汤) in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver.Methods Eighty patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver were randomly divided into treatment group to receive JQ and control group to receive Dongbaogantai(DG,东宝肝泰) orally for 3 months.The changes of liver function,blood lipids,B ultrasonic examination were observed.Results After the treatment,the liver function criteria: alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),?-glutamyltransferase(?-GGT) and blood lipids of triglycerides(TG),total cholesterol(TC) were lower than those before the treatment,while the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C) was higher than that before the treatment in both groups(all P

To establish a HepG2 cell line ,which stably expressing CYP3A29 of Bama miniature pig in order to evaluate the drug metabolic characteristics of this isoenzyme,the gene for this system was obtained through total RNA extraction and RT-PCR assay.the gene was subcloned into plasmid PMD18-T,designated as pMD-CYP3A29.This gene was then amplified by PCR, and cloned into eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1(+),and the recombinant plasmid was designated as pcDNA-CYP3A29. Sequencing was used to confirmed the correctness of the gene of this gene.the expressed gene was then transfected into HepG2 cells by lipid-media transfection and the transformants were screened by G418 for 10 generations ;the expression of CYP3A29 was identified by RT-PCR、West-blot and the metabolic activity of the transformant HepG2-CYP3A29 was verified by nifedipine oxidation.In comparison with HepG2, the transformant HepG2-CYP3A29 showed remarkable oxidative activity.It is apparent that the cell line stably expressing CYP3A29 isoenzyme was successfully established, and it may be used for the metabolic study of related drugs.

3 cm)and small lesions(diameter≤3 cm)were 80.6%(79/98)and 67.2% (45/67),respectively(P

OBJECTIVETo explore the therapeutic effect of natural vitamin E (VitE) on oligospermia and asthenospermia in in- fertile men.

METHODSWe conducted a prospective multi-centered randomized controlled study on 64 infertile men with oligospermia (31 as controls treated with Tamoxifen 10 mg bid and 33 as experimental cases treated with Tamoxifen 10 mg bid + VitE 100 mg tid) and 42 cases of asthenospermia (20 as controls treated with Levocarnitine oral solution 1 bottle bid and 22 as experimental cases treated with Levocarnitine oral solution 1 bottle bid + VitE 100 mg tid). We compared the control and experimental groups in sperm concentration and percentage of progressively motile sperm before and 3 months after medication, as well as the rate of clinical pregnancy and adverse events.

RESULTSAmong the oligospermia patients, the average sperm concentrations in the control and experimental groups were 8.00 x 10(6)/ml and 10.66 x 10(6)/ml before medication (P > 0.05). After medication, the numbers of cases evaluated as with no, slight, moderate and marked improvement in sperm concentration were 10 and 9 (P > 0.05), 16 and 14 (P > 0.05), 5 and 4 (P > 0.05) and 0 and 0 (P >0.05); and the numbers of natural pregnancies were 0 and 6 in the control and experimental groups (P < 0.01). Among the asthenospermia patients, the average rates of progressively motile sperm were 17.00% and 18.10% in the control and experimental groups before medication (P > 0.05). After medication, the numbers of cases evaluated as with no, slight, moderate and marked improvement in the percentage of progressively motile sperm were 7 and 2 (P < 0.01), 4 and 8 (P < 0.01), 3 and 2 (P > 0.05) and 1 and 1 (P > 0.05), and the numbers of natural pregnancies were 5 and 9 in the two groups (P < 0.01), but no adverse events were observed.

CONCLUSIONAs a safe and effective adjuvant agent for the treatment of oligospermia and asthenospermia, vitamin E can improve sperm concentration, the percentage of progressively motile sperm, and finally the rate of natural pregnancy.

Adult ; Asthenozoospermia ; drug therapy ; Carnitine ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oligospermia ; drug therapy ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Prospective Studies ; Tamoxifen ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Vitamin E ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of increasing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) flow volume in improving outcome of patients with carotid artery stenosis performed coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedure.

METHODSFifty-one patients data collected from January 2006 to March 2008 and divided into two groups (A and B) based on the degree of the carotid artery stenosis diagnosed by ultrasound. Group A included 15 cases with one or both carotid artery stenosis more than 50%, 14 male and 1 female, aged (68.5 +/- 7.7) years old, 14 with hypertension, 2 with diabetes, 6 with myocardial infarction, 3 with cerebral infarction. Group B included 36 cases with stenosis less than 50%, 34 male and 2 female, aged (62.4 +/- 10.2) years old, 28 with hypertension, 7 with diabetes, 20 with myocardial infarction. Increasing CPB flow volume in A group to compare cerebral blood flow (CBF) within procedure in both groups.

RESULTSCPB flow volume in group A was much higher than it in group B (P = 0.001). Mean arterial blood pressure in group A was (67.0 +/- 9.1) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa), higher than group B (59.0 +/- 7.1) mm Hg (P = 0.009). There was no significant difference of CBF within procedure and neuropsychologic performance in both group as result.

CONCLUSIONFor the patients presenting with carotid artery stenosis undergoing the procedure of CABG with CPB, increasing CPB flow volume could improve significantly diseased side cerebral blood flow and might reduce neurological complications.

Aged ; Brain ; blood supply ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; methods ; Carotid Stenosis ; complications ; physiopathology ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; complications ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Prognosis ; Regional Blood Flow ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of activation of specific anti-tumor cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and the ability of cross-presentation in vitro by fusion of HLA-A2+ human dendritic cells (DCs) with HLA-A2- melanoma cells. METHODS: The HLA-A2+ human dendritic cells and HLA-A2- melanoma cells were fused by PEG and were cultivated in complete RPMI1640 media containing FCS (10%) and GM-CSF for 24-48 h, and then co-cultured fusion cells with Melan-A specific T cells. HLA-A2- melanoma cells were negative control,While T2 cells and DC+Pts were positive control. The activation of anti-tumor CTL elicited by the fusion cells was detected by intracellular cytokine staining. RESULTS: The immature DC could express CD80, CD83, CD86, HLA-DR, and HLA-ABC,but the mature DC induced by TNF-alpha, PGE-2, and CD40L further highly expressed above molecules. The rate of specific CTL cells primed by the fusion cells was 16.72%+/-4.26%, negative control was 0.21%+/-1.84%,and positive control was 28.60%+/-5.67%. The CTL from vaccine by fusing DC and LAR6 induced lysis of HLA-A2+ LAR1 cells. CONCLUSION The HLA-A2 restricted specific anti-tumor CTL can be induced in vitro by fusion of HLA-A2+ human dendritic cells with HLA-A2- melanoma cells.
Antigen Presentation ; immunology ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; immunology ; Cancer Vaccines ; immunology ; Cell Fusion ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; HLA-A2 Antigen ; immunology ; Humans ; MART-1 Antigen ; immunology ; Melanoma ; immunology ; pathology ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Oxides ; pharmacology

α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor(α7nAChR)is widely expressed in the central nervous system and immune system,and plays a neuro-immunoregulatory role.On the one hand,α7nAChR is involved in the transmission of neurotransmitters,the conduction of excitatory signals and the maintenance of synaptic plasticity,which is of great significance for maintaining the normal and stable neurocognitive function.On the other hand,as an important part of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway,α7nAChR is involved in the regulation of physiological and pathological processes such as inflammatory response,oxidative stress,apoptosis and autophagy in the central system,and plays an immunomodulatory and neuroprotective role,thus being potential target for improving perioperative neurocognitive function.This article reviews the biological characteristics of α7nAChR and its effect on perioperative neurocognitive function,in order to provide ideas and methods for clinical improvement of perioperative neurocognitive function in surgical patients.

OBJECTIVETo determine the efficacy and safety of combined L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine therapy in infertile males with oligoasthenozoospermia.

METHODSOne hundred fifty patients with oligoasthenozoospermia were randomized selected into treatment and control groups. The treatment group with 90 patients were given L-carnitine (2 g/d) and acetyl-L-carnitine (1 g/d) orally, twice a day. The patients in control group were given Vitamin E 100 mg plus Vitamin C 100 mg, tid. The oral therapy lasted three months and patients accepted sperm analysis every one month. The L-carnitine level in seminal plasma was examined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPC). Side effects as well as pregnant rate were observed.

RESULTSIn the treatment group, 85 patients out of 90 finished the three month treatment. Female spouses of 10 patients (11.6%) achieved pregnancy. Moreover, their forward motile sperm per ejaculation, total motile sperm, as well as the concentration of L-carnitine in seminal plasma were increased significantly (P < 0.01). In control group, 53 patients out of 60 completed three months therapy. Two pregnancy (3.7%) was observed. Though some increase was seen in number of forward motile sperm and total motile sperm per ejaculation, the changes were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The difference of the pregnant rate between two groups was statistically significant. No side effects were found.

CONCLUSIONCombined treatment with L-carnitine and acetyl-L-calmitine can be an effective and safe option for treating oligoasthenozoospermia by means of significantly improving forward motile sperm and total motile sperm per ejaculation, as well as increasing pregnant rates.

Acetylcarnitine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Administration, Oral ; Adult ; Carnitine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Double-Blind Method ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oligospermia ; drug therapy ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate

Objective To prospectively observe the effect of levothyroxine treatment on neuropsychological development in offspring of pregnant women with subclinical hypothyroidism. Methods Twenty-three pregnant women with subclinical hypothyroidism received levothyroxine therapy (SCH+LT4 group) and 17 who did not receive levothyroxine ( SCH group) were enrolled; 24 pregnant women with normal thyroid function were referred as controls (C group). All the subjects underwent the planned thyroid tests regularly. Serum TSH, TT4, FT4, TT3,FT3, TPOAb, and TgAb levels were determined. Their 14-30 month-old children underwent the tests relating to intelligence and motor activity with the Bayley scale. Results In SCH group, SCH+LT4 group, and C group, the MDI were 115. 12, 118.56, and 117.63, respectively. And the PDI were 115.47, 120.65, and 117.50,respectively. The MDI and PDI were the highest in SCH+LT4 group and were the lowest in SCH group. Serum TSH levels remained above 2.0 mIU/L during the whole course of pregnancy in SCH group and higher than that in C group at all time points ( P＜0.05 ). Serum TT4 and FT4 levels were lower in SCH group than in C group at all time points except G28 and G32. The baseline TSH level in SCH+LT4 group was the highest ( P＜0.01 ), their TT4 and FT4 levels were the lowest among the three groups. In SCH + LT4 group, serum TSH, TT4, and FT4 levels were similar to C group after L-T4 treatment. Conclusion The prompt L-T4 treatment can maintain normal TSH levels in pregnant women with subclinical hypothyroidism during the whole course of pregnancy, and impairment of neuropsychological development in infants may be avoided.