The patent information of ultrasound countercurrent extraction used in traditional Chinese medicine was analyzed in this paper by the samples from Derwent World Patent Database (DWPI) and the Chinese Patent Abstracts Database (CNABS). The application of ultrasound countercurrent was discussed with the patent applicant,the amount of the annual distribution, and the pharmaceutical raw materials and other aspects. While the technical parameters published in the patent was deeply analyzed, such as material crushing, extraction solvent, extraction time and temperature, extraction equipment and ultrasonic frequency. Thought above research, various technical parameters of ultrasound countercurrent extraction used in traditional Chinese was summarize. The analysis conclusion of the paper can be used in discovering the technical advantages, optimizing extraction conditions, and providing a reference to extraction technological innovation of traditional Chinese medicine.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Patents as Topic ; Solvents ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; Temperature ; Ultrasonics

This study was aimed to investigate the immunological effect of modified dendritic cells (DC) which inducing cytotoxic T cells (CTL) against lymphoma cells. The DC were isolated from the lymph node and peripheral blood of patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). DC were transfected with recombinant adenovirus vector carrying human p53 gene (rAd-p53-DC). The expression of p53 gene was detected by flow cytometry. Western-blot was used to detect the expression of P53. ELISA was used to detect IL-12 level in supernatant. The mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) was used to detect the proliferative ability of auto-lymphocyte stimulated by DC. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release test was used to determine the cytotoxicity of CTL. The results indicates that the expressions of DC surface molecule (except for CD1a) such as CD83, CD80, CD86 and HLA-DR were significantly higher in experiment group than that in control group and blank control group. The secretion of IL-12 in supernatant was higher in experiment group than that in control group. The autologous T lymphocyte proliferation and cytotoxic activity against the same kind of DLBL-cells increased in experiment group as compared with control group and blank control group (P < 0.05). The ability to stimulate T lymphocyte proliferation increased with the rising of the ratio of DC and T lymphocyte. However, there was statistically significant difference between rAd-p53-DC derived from Lymph node and peripheral blood (P < 0.05). It is concluded that rAd-p53-transfected DC can induce CTL response in vitro against lymphoma cells.
Adenoviridae ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Genes, p53 ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; blood ; immunology ; Transfection

BACKGROUNDDue to the controversy of the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in the world and researches on GDM remain undeveloped in China. American Diabetes Association recently recommended the clinicians to diagnose GDM by OGTT results without the third-hour glucose value. This new criteria has not been used in China. Research on the value and sensitivity of the criteria in detecting GDM is rare. The aim of our study is to analyze the characteristics of OGTT in Chinese women with GDM or gestational impaired glucose tolerance (GIGT) and to evaluate the effect of omission of the third-hour plasma glucose (PG) level in OGTT on the sensitivity of diagnosing GDM and GIGT, and the relationship between PG values of 50 g GCT or OGTT and insulin therapy.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was performed on medical records of 647 cases with GDM from January 1, 1989 to December 31, 2002, and 233 with GIGT. Among 647 cases of GDM, 535 cases were diagnosed by 75 g OGTT. All OGTT results including 535 cases of GDM and 233 patients with GIGT were evaluated.

RESULTSThere were 112 cases of GDM diagnosed by elevated fasting PG (FPG) without OGTT performed. Of 535 cases of GDM diagnosed by OGTT, 49.2% (263/535) women had FPG value >/= 5.8 mmol/L; 90.1% (482/535) women with 1-hour PG values >/= 10.6 mmol/L; 64.7% (359/535) with 2-hour PG levels >/= 9.2 mmol/L. There were only 114 cases (21.3%) with abnormal 3-hour PG levels among 535 women with OGTT. Among those with abnormal 3-hour PG level, 49.1% (56/114) had abnormal glucose values in the other three points of OGTT, and 34.2% (39/114) with two other abnormal values of OGTT. Our study showed that omission of the 3-hour PG of OGTT only missed 19 cases of GDM and they would be diagnosed as GIGT. Among the 233 women with GIGT, only 4 cases had abnormal 3-hour PG. So, omission of the third-hour glucose value of OGTT only resulted in failure to diagnose 3.6% (19/535) women with GDM diagnosed by OGTT, which means 2.9% (19/647) of all the GDM and 1.7% (4/233) of GIGT in Chinese women. PG levels >/= 11.2 mmol/L following 50 g GCT was highly associated with GDM necessitating insulin therapy (75.4%). An elevated FPG level was also associated with insulin therapy (59.7%).

CONCLUSIONSOmission of the third-hour glucose tolerance test value still yield a higher sensitivity in diagnosing GDM and GIGT. In Chinese women, it is practicable to omit third-hour post-glucose ingestion value of the OGTT in Chinese women. PG levels >/= 11.2 mmol/L following 50 g GCT mostly indicates that the requirement of insulin therapy.

Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Diabetes, Gestational ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; metabolism ; Female ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Humans ; Incidence ; Pregnancy ; metabolism ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the design, procedures and effect of latissimus dorsi-myocutaneous flap (LDMF) for breast reconstruction.

METHODSFrom May, 2005 to April, 2006, 18 consecutive patients underwent breast reconstruction with LDMF. Combined breast implants were also inserted in 8 of the 18 cases. The procedure duration, complication and aesthetic results were assessed.

RESULTSThe mean procedure duration was 147 minutes. There was no flap loss and no severe complications. The reconstructed breast was a little over high in one patient. All the other 17 patients (94.4%) were very satisfied with the aesthetic result.

CONCLUSIONSLDMF or a combination of LDMF with breast implants is a reliable method for breast reconstruction with low complication. The procedure is easily performed with good aesthetic result.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Skeletal ; transplantation ; Surgical Flaps

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the effects of newborn bull serum(NBS), vitamin C and vitamin E on cryopreservation of mouse seminiferous epithelial cells.

METHODSThe seminiferous epithelial cells from 7-day-old mice were cryopreserved in different freezing solutions. The cell recoveries were examined by Trypan blue exclusive staining after thawing. The freezing solutions composed of DMEM, 10% dimethylsulphoxide(DMSO), and 0, 5%, 10%, or 20% NBS, respectively, or composed of DMEM, 10% DMSO, 10% NBS, and 150 micrograms/ml vitamin C or 50 micrograms/ml vitamin E, respectively.

RESULTSThe cell recoveries in freezing solution containing 0, 5%, 10%, or 20% NBS were 83.4%, 84.7%, 85.7% and 83.6%, respectively. There were no significant differences between them. The cell recoveries in freezing solution containing vitamin C or vitamin E were 88.0% and 82.9%, respectively. There was no significant differences compared with that in freezing solution containing 10% DMSO and 10% NBS.

CONCLUSIONSNBS, vitamin C and vitamin E have no significant protecting effects on mouse seminiferous epithelial cells, and can not significantly improve the cell recoveries.

Animals ; Ascorbic Acid ; pharmacology ; Cattle ; Cryopreservation ; Epithelial Cells ; physiology ; Fetal Blood ; physiology ; Male ; Mice ; Seminiferous Epithelium ; cytology ; Vitamin K ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVEViral hepatitis remains a major public health problem and the most common type of liver disease worldwide. There are an increasing number of patients with chronic hepatitis B who develop acute hepatitis on chronic condition (AOC) and die of acute hepatic failure both as a result of lack of understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease and lack of effective treatment. The hallmark of AOC is the extreme rapidity of the necromicroinflammatory process resulting in widespread or total hepatocellular necrosis in weeks or even days. Our previous studies have shown in an experimental animal model of fulminant viral hepatitis caused by murine hepatitis virus strain 3, the importance of macrophage activation, and expression of a unique gene mfgl 2 which encodes a serine protease capable of directly cleaving prothrombin to thrombin, resulting in widespread fibrin deposition within the liver and hepatocyte necrosis. The undergoing study in this report is designed to identify the role of hfgl 2 (human fibrinogen like protein 2) /fibroleukin in patients with viral hepatitis.

METHODSLiver tissues were obtained from 23 patients with AOC hepatitis B, and from 13 patients with inactive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 14 patients with chronic hepatitis B with cirrhosis during the year of 1995 to the end of 2001. Liver biopsies were performed within 30 min after the patients were diagnosed with death as a result of acute hepatic failure. Liver samples were also obtained from 4 liver donors as normal controls. In addition, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from 30 patients (unpaired) with AOC hepatitis B and 10 patients with CHB during the May of 2001 to March of 2002 and 10 healthy volunteer as negative control. PBMCs were freshly isolated and smeared on slides and kept at -80 degree C for further use. Histological sections were stained with hemotoxylin and eosin. A 169 bp of hfgl 2 cDNA probe and a polyclonal or monoclonal antibody against hfgl 2 were used to detect the expression of hfgl 2 mRNA and protein in liver samples as well as PBMC by immune histochemistry separately.

RESULTSLiver tissues from the patients with acute on chronic hepatitis had classical pathological features of acute necroinflammation. Hfgl 2 was detected by immune histochemistry in 21 of 23 patients (91.3%) in liver sections from patients with acute on CHB, while only 1 of 13 patients (7.7%) with CHB and cirrhosis and no evidence of active disease had hfgl 2 mRNA or protein expression. 28 of 30 patients (93.3%) with acute on CHB and 1 of 10 with CHB were detected with hfgl 2 expression in PBMC. There was no hfgl 2 expression in either the liver tissue or the PBMC from the normal donors. There was positive correlation of hfgl 2 expression and the severity of the disease displayed by the value of bilirubin and PT.

CONCLUSIONThe molecular and cellular results reported here in patients with acute on chronic hepatitis and who died of acute hepatic failure correlates with previous report in 8 patients with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) and mimic closely the changes observed in the murine model of fulminant viral hepatitis in which the pathogenesis of the disease has been studied in a stepwise fashion. This study further suggests that virus induced hfgl 2 prothrombinase/fibroleukin expression and the potent function of the protein it encodes plays a pivotal role in initiating acute severe hepatitis on the baseline of chronic hepatitis. The measurement of hfgl 2/fibroleukin expression in PBMC may serve as a useful marker to monitor the severity of disease in patients with the AOC hepatitis B and a target for therapeutic intervention.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Infant ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Severity of Illness Index ; T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical features and mutations in methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene among children with classical Rett syndrome in China.

METHODSPCR and direct sequencing were employed to analyze the three exons of MECP2 gene in 9 children recently diagnosed with Rett syndrome and their parents.

RESULTSHeterozygous mutations were identified in 5 out of 9 patients, with a mutation rate of over 50%; there was one case of insert mutation (c.913insT) and 4 cases of missense mutation (exon 3: c.316C>T (R106W); exon 4: c.502C>T (R168X), c.808C>T (R270X), and c.1126C>T (P376S). A new mutation (c.913insT) was found. No mutations were detected in their parents. Two patients had MECP2 mutations in the transcriptional repression domain (TRD). They had almost lost language functions and were found to have significantly delayed development compared with other patients.

CONCLUSIONSMutations in MECP2 gene were detected in 5 confirmed cases of Rett syndrome, and most of them were on exon 4. Mutations in the TRD of MECP2 protein may affect the language ability and development in children with Rett syndrome.

Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Language Development ; Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 ; genetics ; Mutation ; Rett Syndrome ; genetics ; psychology

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Liuwei Dihuang Granule ([symbols; see text], LDG) for tonifying Kidney (Shen) on the outcomes of in vitro fertilization pre-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) of infertility women with Kidney-yin deficiency syndrome and to explore its mechanism by detecting the proteome expression in the follicular fluid.

METHODSSixty-six infertility patients of Kidney-yin deficiency syndrome who would undergo IVF-ET, were randomly assigned to a treatment group and a control group according to a random number table, 33 cases in each group. Another 33 cases of non-Kidney-yin deficiency syndrome was taken as a syndrome-control group. Besides Western routine therapy, LDG was given 3 menstrual cycles before IVF to the treatment group, and a placebo granule to the control and syndrome-control groups. The scores of Kidney-yin deficiency symptoms (sore waist and knees, dry vagina, dysphoria with feverish sensation in the chest, palms and soles, etc.) were assessed, the number of retrieved oocytes, rates of high quality oocytes and embryos, fertility rate and clinical pregnancy rate were recorded, and the follicular fluid was collected on the day when the ovum was picked up, the differential protein expression was detected using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and then, matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) was applied to identify the proteins.

RESULTSThe syndrome score in the treatment group decreased significantly from 16.09±2.58 to 8.67±2.13, while it changed insignificantly in the control group, with a significant difference in the lowering score between the two groups (P<0.05); the high quality rates of oocytes and embryos and clinical pregnancy rate were all superior in the treatment group to the control group (82.29% vs 78.08%, 76.76% vs 68.79%, 63.64% vs 36.36%, all P<0.05). The protein expression map from the follicular fluid showed that compared with the control group, 33 differential protein expressions were found in the syndrome-control group, among which 18 were down-regulated, and 15 up-regulated; in the treatment group 28 differential protein expressions were found, among which 15 were down-regulated, and 13 up-regulated. Through MALDI-TOF-MS, 14 proteins were identified (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFor the infertility patients undergoing IVF, LDG could alleviate clinical symptoms, improve rates of high quality oocytes and embryos, so as to raise clinical pregnancy rate. The mechanism may be through regulating proteome expression in the follicular fluid to improve the developmental microenvironment for oocytes which would lead to a successful embryo implantation.

Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; methods ; Follicular Fluid ; metabolism ; Holistic Health ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; metabolism ; therapy ; Kidney ; metabolism ; Oocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome ; metabolism ; Placebos ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Proteomics ; methods ; Yin Deficiency ; metabolism ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo observe the correlation of plasma amino-terminal pro-A-, B- and C-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proANP, NT-proBNP and NT-proCNP) levels with New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and echocardiographic derived parameters of cardiac function in heart failure patients.

METHODSData of NYHA grade, echocardiographic derived parameters of cardiac function, plasma levels of NT-proANP, NT-proBNP and NT-proCNP (measured by enzyme immunoassay method) were obtained in 112 heart failure patients and 44 normal control subjects. The correlation analysis was made between NT-proANP, NT-proBNP, NT-proCNP and NYHA functional class, left atrium diameter (LAD), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), respectively.

RESULTSThe plasma concentrations of NT-proANP, NT-proBNP and NT-proCNP in heart failure patients were significantly higher than in control group (all P<0.05). Correlation analysis revealed a strong correlation between NT-proANP and NT-proBNP (r = 0.790, P = 0.000) and a weak correlation between NT-proCNP and NT-proBNP (r = 0.278, P = 0.003) as well as between NT-proCNP and NT-proANP (r = 0.236, P = 0.012) in heart failure patients. Univariant analysis showed that NT-proANP and NT-proBNP were positively correlated to LAD, LVEDD and negatively correlated to LVEF (all P<0.05) while there was no significant correlation between NT-proCNP and echocardiographic derived parameters of cardiac function in heart failure patients. Multivariate stepwise regression analysis including age, gender, NYHA classification, LAD, LVEDD and LVEF revealed that NYHA classification, LVEF, LAD and age were independent predictors of NT-proANP; while NYHA classification, LVEF and age were independent predictors of NT-proBNP while there was no association among these factors and NT-proCNP.

CONCLUSIONIn heart failure patients, the plasma concentration of NT-proANP, NT-proBNP and NT-proCNP were significantly increased and NT-proANP, NT-proBNP but not NT-proCNP were significantly correlated to NYHA classification and echocardiographic derived parameters of cardiac function.

Adult ; Aged ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Heart Failure ; blood ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type ; blood ; Ventricular Function, Left

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation of serum uric acid, invasive hemodynamic parameters, plasma N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) and Hs-C reactive protein (Hs-CRP) in patients with heart failure.

METHODInvasive hemodynamic parameters derived from Swan-Ganz catheter, serum uric acid, plasma NT-proBNP and Hs-CRP within 12 hours after hospital admission were analyzed in 141 patients with chronic heart failure [New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II-IV].

RESULTSIncidence of hyperuricemia was 55.30% in this patient cohort. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) and plasma NT-proBNP in hyperuricemia patients were significantly higher than those in non-hyperuricemia patients (P < 0.01). The percentages of high plasma NT-proBNP (> 600 pmol/L) and hyperuricemia were significantly higher in patients with PCWP > or = 18 and < 28 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) and patients with PCWP > or = 28 mm Hg compared those in patients with PCWP < 18 mm Hg, (P = 0.01, P = 0.02; P < 0.01, P < 0.01, respectively). Partial correlation analysis showed that serum uric acid correlated with right atrial pressure, right ventricular pressure, pulmonary arterial pressure and PCWP (r = 0.19, P = 0.03; r = 0.45, P < 0.01; r = 0.23, P = 0.01; r = 0.24, P = 0.01, respectively). Multiple linear regression analysis showed both serum uric acid and plasma NT-proBNP correlated independently with PCWP (beta = 0.24, P = 0.01; beta = 0.47, P < 0.01, respectively) while plasma Hs-CRP and left ventricular ejection fraction were not correlated with serum uric acid and PCWP (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSerum uric acid independently correlated with PCWP in patients with heart failure and the combined measurements of serum uric acid and plasma NT-proBNP are helpful in evaluating the prognosis of patients with heart failure.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Female ; Heart Failure ; blood ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Peptide Fragments ; blood ; Prognosis ; Uric Acid ; blood ; Young Adult