4-Hydroxycoumarins ; poisoning ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Rodenticides ; poisoning ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Shoutai Pill (STP) containing serum on bioactivity behaviors of trophoblast cells in spontaneous abortion (SA) patients such as cell proliferation, invasion, migration and secretion.

METHODSTrophoblast cells in artificial abortion in normal pregnancy and SA patients were isolated and cultured in vitro, which were then treated with STP containing serum at various concentrations (5%, 10%, 20%, respectively). Blank serum was taken as the normal control group and dydrogesterone containing serum as the dydrogesterone control group. The proliferation, cycle distribution, invasion and migration capacity, and beta human chorionic gonadotropin (p-HCG) level were detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetry, flow cytometry (FCM), Transwell experiments, and ELISA, respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, the activity of cell proliferation obviously decreased, ratios of apoptotic cells (SubGO/G1) and G2/M phase were obviously elevated, S phase cell ratio was obviously reduced (all P < 0.05). Transwell experiments indicated invasion and migration capacity obviously decreased, secreted beta-HCG level were obviously reduced after 72-h intervention (P < 0.05). Compared with the SA group, the activity of cell proliferation obviously increased, ratios of apoptotic cells and G2/M phase were obviously reduced, S phase cell ratio was obviously elevated, invasion and migration capacity were obviously enhanced, secreted beta-HCG level were obviously elevated after 72-h intervention in the dydrogesterone control group and each STP containing serum group (all P < 0.05). The activity of trophoblastic cell proliferation, S phase cell ratio, invasion and migration capacity, and secreted beta-HCG level were strengthened along with increased STP containing serum. Besides, the effects of 20% STP containing serum group were significantly superior to those of the dydrogesterone control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTP containing serum could dose-dependently enhance the proliferative activity of trophoblastic cells, invasion and migration capacity, secretion of beta-HCG, and reduce the apoptosis of trophoblast cells, which might be one of mechanisms for STP preventing and treating SA.

Abortion, Spontaneous ; Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Dydrogesterone ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Trophoblasts ; drug effects

Coptidis Rhizoma-Euodiae Fructus has been widely used for the treatment of digestive diseases since Song Dynasty, and therapeutic efficacy is very obvious. Modern research found that alkaloids are the main bio-active constituents, and some of their contents have striking difference after compatibility of the two herbs. The Chinese medicine pair (CMP) has extensive biological activities, such as the effect of gastrointestinal effect, anti-tumor, lowering the blood pressure and blood fat and so on. And some action mechanism of CMP also got partial demonstration. This paper mainly summarized the bio-active constituents, compatibility effects, action mechanism and clinical applications of the CMP, which can provide a basis for further research and development of the CMP.
Animals ; Drug Interactions ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Evodia ; chemistry ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods

Objective:To clone and express the Staphylococcus aureus Efb(extracellular fibrinogen-binding protein) protein in Escherichia coli, to purify the expression product and prepare its functional antibody and to detect the functions of Efb protein for further studies on S.aureus infection.Methods: Efb gene was amplified by PCR using S.aureus NCTC-8325 genome DNA as template and cloned into the recombinant expression vectors pET28a. E.coli BL21(DE3) with the plasmid was induced with IPTG for protein production. The protein was purified by Ni~(2+) affinity chromatography. The function of Efb protein was determined by complement activity assay and inhibition ELISA.The polyclonal antibodies were prepared by immunizing the animals. Results: The purified recombinant Efb was obtained, which could inhibit the CH50 and AH50 effectively. The functional poly-antibodies of Efb were prepared.Conclusion:Efb could inhibit the classical pathway and alternative pathway of complement activation, and the antibodies against to Efb could block the inhibition of the classical pathway of complement activation induced by Efb.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and clinical effectiveness of the steroid therapy with the all body and local application on hyperthyroid Graves ophthalmopathy.Methods A total of 57 patients (106 eyes)suffering from hyperthyroid Graves ophthalmopathy who hospitalized in the Department of Ophthalmology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from Mar 2008 to Oct 2011 were enrolled in the study.Of the 57 patients,there were 21 males and 36 females,aged 18 to 57(average 37.28 ± 11.63).The clinical course was from 1 month to 5 years(average 29.63 ± 15.36 months).Based on the patient's age,sex and condition,the 57 patients were randomly divided into steroid pulse therapy with all body group(group SPT,29 patients,54 eyes)and peribulbar injection of long-term steraid group(group PI,28 patients,52 eyes).The patients in group SPT were treated with 0.5-l.0 g methylprednisolone by intravenous infusion daily for 3 days,and then stopped for 7 days,the treatment was repeated once.But the total application dose of methylprednisolone was not overruned 5.0-20.0 g.After that,the patients were treated with oral prednisone 40 mg/d.The dose of prednisone was reduced gradually to 5 mg/d.The total course of group SPT was 3 months.The patients in the group PI were treated with triamcinolone acetonide in periorbital injection of 20 mg once every two weeks for 3 months.After one month treated,all patients were visited.The patients' body weights of two groups were measured before the treatment and after one month treated.The ocular signs of the patients including visual acuity,diplopia,intraocular pressure,exophthalmos and horizontal visual palpebral fissure width were observed before and after the treatment.Results In the group SPT,the average body weight [(62.83 ± 7.23)kg]after the treatment was higher than that before the treatment[(57.03 ±7.13)kg],and also higher than that of the group PI[(59.89 ± 10.67)kg,t =25.25,2.08,all P＜ 0.05]after the treatment.In the group SPT,the average intraocular pressures before and after the treatment were (13.46 ± 1.78)and (13.69 ± 1.41)mm Hg(1 nm Hg =0.133 kPa),respectively.In the group PI,the average intraocular pressures before and after the treatment were (13.52 ± 2.19) and (13.77 ± 2.03)mm Hg,respectively.There was no significant differences before and after the treatment in both gr0ups(P＞ 0.05).In the group SPT and PI,the average exophthalmos after the treatment[(18.63 ± 2.22) and (14.85 ± 2.61)mm]were lower than those before the treatment[(20.78 ± 2.24) and (20.60 ± 2.81)mm,t =9.97,29.68,all P＜ 0.05],respectively.After the treatment,the average exophthalmos in the group PI was significantly lower than that of the group SPT(t =7.79,P＜ 0.05).In the groups SPT and PI,the average averagepalpebral fissure width after the treatment[(15.00 ± 1.80) and (11.65 ± 2.45)mm]were lower than those before the treatment[(17.22 ± 1.89) and (17.44 ± 2.37)mm,t =22.74,91.24,all P ＜ 0.05].After treatment of the group PI,the average exophthalmos was significantly lower than that of the group SPT(t =8.01,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Compared with the steroid pulse therapy with all body,the peribullbar application of long-term hormone for hyperthyroid Graves ophthalmopathy is more effective,with lcss side effects and worthy of promotion.

Objective To evaluate the performance of the ABX Micro C-reactive protein(CRP)in determination of CRP.Methods The analytic characteristics including precision,carry-over,linearity, stability,interference and comparability were examined.Results The coefficient of variation(CV)was less than 5.1%,10% and d.3% for within-run,between-run and between-day,respectively.Carryover was less than 1.2%.Whole blood samples held at either room temperature or 4℃ were stable for 48 hours with relative deviation less than 6.0% relatively.Linear range was 1.0-70.0 mg/L using undiluted samples.The comparison between the ABX Micro CRP and Behring Nephelometer Ⅱ was well correlated Both serum:Y=0.996 7X-0.398 5,r~2=0.965 9;serum for BN Ⅱ,whole-blood samples for the ABX Micro CRP:Y=0.908 8X-0.138 2,r~2=0.959 4;both serum and whole-blood samples for the ABX Micro CRP: Y=1.001 7X-0.898 2,r~2=0.952 7.No obvious interference was observed by hyperhemoglobinemia and hyperlipidemia.Conclusion The determination of CRP test with ABX Micro is accurate and reliable.

The thermostability of the inulinase was studied in this resea rc h. Some alcoholic materials and thickening agent could enhance the thermostabli lity of the inulinase. Using glycerol、xanthic pastern and though orthogonal ex periments of three elements and three levels, a satisfying protective agent, whi ch included glycerin(6%), xanthan gum(0.6%) and CaCl_2 (100mmol/mL) and ha d a significant effect on the enhancement of the inulinase thermostability, was acquired.

OBJECTIVETo establish a method for studying efficacious materials of traditional Chinese medicines from an overall perspective.

METHODCarthamus tinctorius was taken the example. Its major components were depleted by preparing liquid chromatography. Afterwards, the samples with major components depleted were evaluated for their antioxidant effect, so as to compare and analyze the major efficacious materials of C. tinctorius with antioxidant activity and the contributions.

RESULTSeven major components were depleted from C. tinctorius samples, and six of them were identified with MS data and control comparison. After all of the samples including depleted materials are compared and evaluated for their antioxidant effect, the findings showed that hydroxysafflor yellow A, anhydrosafflor yellow B and 6-hydroxykaempferol-3, 6-di-O-glucoside-7-O-glucuronide were the major efficacious materials.

CONCLUSIONThis study explored a novel and effective method for studying efficacious materials of traditional Chinese medicines. Through this method, we could explain the direct and indirect contributions of different components to the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicines, and make the efficacious material expression of traditional Chinese medicines clearer.

Alkalies ; chemistry ; Antioxidants ; chemistry ; Carthamus tinctorius ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; Mass Spectrometry

OBJECTIVETo observe monocyte (Mo) development in wild type C57BL/6 mice and apoE gene knockout (apoE(-/-)) mice, and to evaluate the immuno-regulatory effect of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction (HJD) on peripheral Mo development in apoE(-/-) mice.

METHODSFour, 8, 12, and 16 weeks old female C57BL/6 mice were set up as control groups of different ages, while 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks old female apoE(-/-) mice were set up as hyperlipidemia groups of different ages. Four-week old female C57BL/6 mice were recruited as a blank group. Four-week old female apoE(-/-) mice were randomly divided into the control group, the Western medicine group, and the Chinese medicine group by paired comparison, 5 in each group. Equivalent clinical dose was administered to mice according to body weight. Mice in the Western medicine group were administered with Atrovastatin at the daily dose of 10 mg/kg by gastrogavage, while those in the Chinese medicine group were administered with HJD at the daily dose of 5 g/kg by gastrogavage. Body weight was detected each week. After 4 weeks blood lipids levels (such as TG, TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C), and the proportions of Mo and Ly6c(hi) were detected.

RESULTSCompared with 4-week-old homogenic mice, the proportion of Mo decreased in 16-week-old C57BL/6 mice (P < 0.05). Levels of TC and TG, and the proportion of Ly6c(hi) subtype increased, but the proportion of Mo de- creased in 8-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P <0. 05). Levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C increased in 12-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05). Levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C increased in 16-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with 8-week-old homogenic mice, the proportion of Mo decreased in 16-week-old C57BL/6 mice (P < 0.05); levels of TC and LDL-C increased in 12-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05); levels of TC and HDL-C increased in 16-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with C57BL/6 mice of the same age, TC and TG increased, HDL-C decreased (P < 0.01) in 4-and 8-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.01); levels of TC, TG, LDL-C increased, and HDL-C level decreased in 12- and 16-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); the proportion of Mo increased in 4-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05); proportions of Mo and Ly6c(hi) increased in 8-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05). Compared with the blank control group, levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C, proportions of Mo and Ly6c(hi) increased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), but HDL-C level decreased (P <0. 01) in the control group after intervention. Compared with the control group, body weight gained less in the Western medicine group and the Chinese medicine group (P < 0.05); the proportion of Ly6c(hi) subtype decreased in the Chinese medicine group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIn development process blood lipids levels in apoE(-/-) mice are not only associated with age. Blood lipids levels induced growth changes in natural immune system are also correlated with age. In early stage of lipids development HJD intervention could correct this special immune disorder in apoE(-/-) mice.

Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gene Knockout Techniques ; Hyperlipidemias ; Lipids ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Monocytes ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the prognostic effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with local advanced gastric cancer.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed prognosis in 191 patients with advanced gastric cancer, of whom 71 were treated with NAC and 120 received surgery only between February 2007 and July 2013. Postoperative complication rate was recorded. Survival by clinicopathological features, pathological T and N stages, and histopathological tumor regression was retrospectively compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAccording to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, none of the 71 patients in the NAC followed by surgery group showed complete response, 36 showed partial response, 25 had stable disease, and 10 had progressive disease. The chemotherapy response rate was 50.7%; the disease control rate was 85.9%. Grade 3/4 adverse events were seen in less than 20% patients, with acceptable toxicities. No difference was found in the overall postoperative complication rates between the two groups (7 versus 22 cases, P=0.18). Median survival time was significantly different, at 54 months in the NAC combined with surgery group and 25 months in the surgery-only group (P=0.025).

CONCLUSIONIn patients with operable gastric adenocarcinomas, NAC can significantly improve overall survival without increasing surgical complications.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; mortality ; pathology