To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Qinghouyan lozenge in the treatment of acute pharyngitis due to Lung-heat and Yin-deficiency, and compare with Qinghouyan oral Liquid. Totally 144 subjects were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups (72 in the test group and 72 in the control group). The participants in the test group were given Qinghouyan lozenge for 5 days, and those in the control group were given Qinghouyan oral Liquid for 5 days. The effectiveness evaluation indexes were pharyngalgia/odynophagia disappearance rate, overall efficacy of TCM syndromes, TCM syndrome scores, and single syndrome and sign disappearance rate. During the test, the safety was evaluated by vital sign, lab examination indexes and adverse events. The results for the full analysis set showed that the couth disappearance rate, the incidence rate of TCM syndromes, and the throat/uvula congestion disappearance rate of the test group were higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05), with significant differences in the changes in syndrome scores between the two groups (P < 0.05). Altogether 3 adverse events were observed in the test group while 6 adverse events in the control group, without significant differences in the adverse event rate between the two groups (P < 0.05), serious abnormal laboratory examinations and vital signs. In conclusion, Qinghouyan lozenge has better efficacy in treatment of acute pharyngitis due to Lung-heat and Yin-deficiency than Qinghouyan oral liquid, with good safety.
Acute Disease ; Double-Blind Method ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Pharyngitis ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of cytokines induced by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide (Aa-LPS) in monocytes/macrophages from different organs of rabbits.

METHODSThe peripheral mononuclear cells (Mo), alveolar macrophages (AM), peritoneal macrophages (PM) and Kupffer cells (KC) from five New Zealand rabbits were isolated respectively. Then the cells from different organs were stimulated with Escherichia coli (Ec)-LPS or Aa-LPS at the dose of 1 mg/L. After culture for 24 hours, the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)6, IL-1β, IL-8 mRNA and protein were determined by real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay respectively.

RESULTSThe monocytes/macrophages challenged by Ec-LPS or Aa-LPS expressed more cytokines both in mRNA and protein levels compared with the controls (P < 0.05). Among them, AM displayed the highest respond when encount with Aa-LPS, with the TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-8 mRNA relative levels were (0.4719 ± 0.0171), (2.7895 ± 0.0669), (5.1527 ± 0.1190), (3.6785 ± 0.1836) and the proteins concentrations were (82.2 ± 5.4), (40.2 ± 2.0), (50 308.3 ± 445.0), (35 305.3 ± 1480.9) ng/L respectively. And the inducibility of Aa-LPS was stronger than that of Ec-LPS (P < 0.05). Meanwhile the cells from different organs showed discrepant response when exposed to Aa-LPS (P < 0.05). The results showed their abilities to secrete cytokines were in the sequence of AM > Mo > KC > PM.

CONCLUSIONSAa-LPS influenced the expression of cytokines in monocytes/macrophages from different organs of rabbits.

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-8 ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; Macrophages ; metabolism ; Macrophages, Alveolar ; metabolism ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; metabolism ; Monocytes ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rabbits ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (Pg-LPS) on apoptotic genes in foam cells.

METHODSMacrophages from THP-1 monocytes and foam cells from macrophages by oxLDL inducement were treated with oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) or oxLDL+ Pg-LPS. Cell apoptosis was detected by acridine orange-ethidium bromide (AO-EB) staining. Eleven atherosclerotic related apoptotic genes were examined with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array, and apoptotic gene p53, c-Myc and caspase-3 were evaluated with real-time PCR.

RESULTSPg-LPS enhanced cell apoptosis rate during and after foam cells formation [(5.47+/-0.93)% vs. (7.50+/-0.54)%]. PCR array demonstrated that it increased B-cell CLL-lymphoma 2 (BCL2) related protein A1 (BCL2A1) transcription during foam cells formation (>2 fold), and promoted BCL2 and BCL2A1 transcription after foam cells formation (>2 fold). It promoted p53 and caspase-3 transcription level (4.50x10(-3)+/-4.02x10(-4) vs. 5.30x10(-2)+/-4.58x10(-3)), whereas inhibited c-Myc transcription level (1.53x10(-2)+/-5.77x10(-4)) during foam cells formation. It promoted caspase-3 transcription (6.00x10(-2)+/-6.08x10(-3)), and inhibited p53 transcription (4.23x10(-3)+/-5.85x10(-4)) after foam cells formation.

CONCLUSIONSPg-LPS affected apoptotic gene transcription during and after foam cells formation and enhanced cell apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Foam Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; pharmacology ; Macrophages ; physiology ; Minor Histocompatibility Antigens ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; chemistry ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo construct a replication-defective recombinant adenovirus expressing the fusion gene of neuraminidase (NA) gene in influenza virus A/FM/1/47 and C3d and to evaluate the induced immune efficacy.

METHODSNA-C3d was cloned into shutter vector pAdTrack-CMV, which was cotransformated with adenovirus DNA into E. coli BJ5183. The recombinant adenovirus genomic DNA was generated through homological recombination. The recombinant adenovirus was produced by transfecting 293 cell line with the genomic DNA and the induced immune efficacy in mice were analyzed.

RESULTSThe integration of NA-C3d in the adenovirus genomic DNA and its expression were confirmed by PCR and Western-Blot assays respectively. After intranasal immunization, the serum IgG was induced at a titer of 1: 1000 and 1:100 000 in BALB/c mice at primary and secondary immunization respectively. The vaccinated mice were completely survived when challenged with wide influenza virus.

CONCLUSIONrecombinant adenovirus expressing NA-C3d was successfully constructed and it could induce desired immune efficacy.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Animals ; Cloning, Molecular ; Complement C3d ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Immunoglobulin G ; immunology ; Influenzavirus A ; enzymology ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neuraminidase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection ; methods ; Virus Replication

To optimize indices of molecular identification for authentication of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Panacis Quinquefolii Radix, four indices, including sequence similarity, specific positions, genetic distance and phylogenetic tree, were compared based on trnL-trnF sequences. Total DNA was extracted from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Panacis Quinquefolii Radix, and trL-trnF sequences were amplified and sequenced. Sequence similarity was calculated by BLAST analysis. Specific positions were compared by DNAman software. Genetic distance and phylogenetic tree were analyzed by Mega software. The results showed that the inter-specific and intra-specific similarity of P. ginseng and P. quinquefolius respectively was 100% and 99. 6%. There were four specific positions at G153A, T463A, C732G and T818C. The inter-specific genetic distance (0) of trL-trnF sequences was lower than intra-specific genetic distance (0. 004). P. ginseng can be distinguished from P. quinquefolius based on the phylogenetic tree. It is concluded that Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Panacis Quinquefolii Radix can be authenticated by identification indices of sequence similarity, specific positions, genetic distance and phylogenetic tree. Index of specific positions based on trnL-trnF sequences is the most efficient index to authenticate Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Panacis Quinquefolii Radix.
Chloroplasts ; genetics ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; Panax ; classification ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; Rhizome ; classification ; genetics

To confirm the mechanism of exosomes as tumor vaccines inducing immunity response, dendritic cells (DCs) were induced from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, while exosomes were isolated from DC loaded tumor antigen. The effect of exosomes on priming T cell proliferation was analysed under conditions with or without DCs, or DCs at different mature stages. The function of exosomes in immunity was detected through block test after blocking some molecules (CD11a, CD11b, CD11c, CD54, MFG-E8 and CD83). The effect of DCs on embedded exosomes was observed by confocal microscopy, the effect of blocking surface molecules on exosomes on DC-embedding exosomes was assayed by flow cytometry. The results indicated that both exosomes derived from imDC (imDex) and exosomes derived from mDC (mDex) could not prime T cells without DC or with imDC. The exosomes derived from mDC induced with different cytokines (LPS, TNF-alpha, CpG, CD40L) were no significant difference in concentrations but were different in effect. The immunity function of exosomes depended on CD11a, CD11b, CD11c, CD54, MFG-E8 and CD83 molecules, the effect of priming T cells is reduced when these molecules were blocked. Confocal microscopy and FACS assay showed that blocking CD11a and CD54 could inhibit exosome-targeted DC and DC-embedded exosomes. It is concluded that the exosomes target DCs through their surface molecules, therefore results in immune response of T cells.
Antigens, Neoplasm ; immunology ; Cells, Cultured ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; secretion ; Exosomes ; immunology ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Lymphocyte Activation ; drug effects ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the significance of sonic hedgehog (Shh), indian hedgehog (Ihh), smoothened (Smo) and patched (Ptch) expressions in uterine cervical lesions and their relationships with HPV type 16 infection.

METHODSTotally 183 cases of cervical lesions, including 32 non-neoplastic cervix, 71 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (28 CINI, 18 CINII, and 25 CINIII) and 80 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) were selected from the Department of Pathology, Yanbian University Hospital, Yanbian Women Hospital, and Yanbian Tumor Hospital. Shh, Ihh, Ptch and Smo proteins expression were investigated by immunohistochemistry using tissue microarry platform, and the presence of HPV type 16 was detected by PCR method.

RESULTSImmunohistochemical staining showed that the frequencies of Shh, Ihh, Ptch and Smo expression were rare in normal cervical epithelium, but were strongly expressed in cervical cancer and its precursor lesions (CINII/III) (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.05, respectively). In cervical cancer, the expression rate of Shh (95%) was higher than that of CIN (CINI to CINIII) (46.4%, 61.1%, 80.0%, respectively, P < 0.05). HPV16 was positive in 77.5% of SCC. In cervical cancer, the expression of Shh was related with HPV16 infection (P < 0.05), and the expression of Smo was correlated with lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSShh, Ihh, Ptch, and Smo genes may play important roles in the development of cervical cancer. Detection of Hedgehog signaling pathway molecules seems helpful for the early diagnosis of cervical cancer and its precursor lesions, and are potentially therapeutic targets as well.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Female ; Hedgehog Proteins ; metabolism ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Papillomavirus Infections ; Patched Receptors ; Patched-1 Receptor ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; metabolism ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Smoothened Receptor ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo understand the allele structure and genetic polymorphism at D4S2368, D6S1043, D9S925 short tandem repeat (STR) loci in Korean ethnic group of Jilin, and to construct a preliminary database.

METHODSThe allele frequencies of the three STRs loci in 310 unrelated individuals from Korean ethnic individuals were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE).

RESULTSSeven, thirteen, and nine alleles were observed at D4S2368, D6S1043, and D9S925 loci, respectively, and all loci met Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (except D6S1043). The statistical analysis of 3 STR loci showed the heterozygosities were more than 0.717, the polymorphic information contents (PIC) were more than 0.670; the combined power of discrimination (PD) and the power of exclusion (PE) were more than 0.9995 and 0.952 respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe three loci in this study are found to have high heterozygosity and polymorphic information content, so they can provide useful markers for genetic purposes. These results could serve as valuable data to enrich the Korean ethnic group genetic database and play an important role in Chinese population genetic application.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Databases, Genetic ; Ethnic Groups ; genetics ; Genetic Markers ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Korea ; ethnology ; Microsatellite Repeats ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of abdominal acupuncture for adhesion-stage shoulder periarthritis.

METHODSOne hundred and fifty-seven cases of shoulder periarthritis were randomly divided into an abdominal acupuncture group (79 cases) and a body acupuncture group (78 cases). The abdominal acupuncture was applied at Zhongwan (CV 12), Shangqu (KI 17) and Huaroumen (ST 24) in the abdominal acupuncture group while conventional acupuncture was applied at Jianyu (LI 15), Jianliao (TE 14) and Jianzhen (SI 9) in the body acupuncture group. The treatment was given three times a week for both groups and ten times made an observation course. Before and after treatment, visual analogue scale (VAS) was adopted for pain assessment and functional activity score (Mallet score) was used for shoulder joint function assessment for all the patients. Also the efficacy of both groups was compared.

RESULTSThe total effective rate in the abdominal acupuncture group was 92.4% (73/79), which was superior to 71.8% (56/78) in the body acupuncture group. The score of VAS after the treatment was 2.58 +/- 1.64 in the abdominal acupuncture group while 3.12 +/- 1.93 in the body acupuncture group, which had no statistical significance between each other (P > 0.05). The functional activity score after the treatment was 8.34 +/- 3.02 in the abdominal acupuncture group while 7.49 +/- 3.36 in the body acupuncture group, which had no statistical significance between each other (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe abdominal acupuncture is an ideal treatment for adhesion-stage shoulder periarthritis, which has better total efficacy than conventional acupuncture. It achieves the same effect in relieving pain and improving functional activity as conventional acupuncture, but also has an advantage at fast selection of acupoint and less discomfort of needling sensation.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Periarthritis ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Shoulder ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of telaprevir combined with peginterferon alfa (Peg-IFNa) plus ribavirin (RBV) (collectively, TPR therapy) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) using a meta-analysis approach.

METHODSThe Pubmed literature database was searched for randomized controlled trials of TRP therapy in CHC patients published between 2009 and 2011. The following outcome data was extracted for meta-analysis of efficacy: sustained virological response (SVR), defined as serum HCV RNA of less than 1000 copies/ml at end-of-treatment (week 24); rapid virological response (RVR), defined as serum HCV RNA of less than 1000 copies/ml at treatment week 4; recurrence, defined as serum HCV RNA of less than 1000 copies/mL at end-of-treatment and more than 1000 copies/ml at follow-up (week 24 after treatment completion). The pooled odds ratio (OR) or relative risk (RR) were calculated, with 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity was assessed by the Chi-squared test based on the Q statistic.

RESULTSSix studies of TPR triple therapy, representing a total of 2677 CHC patients, were included in the meta-analysis. Among the 1850 patients who received TPR, 56.3% (n = 1041) achieved RVR, 66.8% (n = 1235) achieved SVR, and 12.1% (n = 176/1460) experienced recurrence. Among the 827 patients who received PR double-therapy, 7.0% (n = 58) achieved RVR, 35.8% (n = 296) achieved SVR, and 32.3% (n = 145/449) experienced recurrence. The TRP group had significantly higher rates of RVR (OR = 29.83, 95% CI: 16.16 to 55.05) and SVR (OR = 3.97, 95% CI: 2.58 to 6.11) than the PR group (both P less than 0.01), and significantly lower rate of recurrence (RR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.24 to 0.56, P less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of research group is better than that of control group, suggesting that ornithine aspartate combined with naloxone treatment in hepatic encephalopathy is worthy of promoting.

Drug Therapy, Combination ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Oligopeptides ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Ribavirin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome