OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Zuogui pill, Yougui pill and the relative compositions on the differentiation towards germ cells of stem cells.

METHODThe rat drug sera for Zuogui pill, Yougui pill and the common composition of Zuogui pill and Yougui pill were prepared respectively as the experimental drugs; the mouse embryonic stem cell 1B10 (MESC-1B10) was used as the representative of stem cells; the above rat drug sera were used to intervene MESC-1B10 and the process was traced by microscopy imaging; after 72 h of the intervention, the RNAs were extracted from the different intervened MESC-1B10, cDNAs were synthesized immediately and finally the Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to measure the expression patterns of the 10 reproductive-differentiation-related genes for each intervention.

RESULTThe rat drug serum of Zuogui pill (ZGW-RS) significantly up-regulated Oct-4 and SCP3 and significantly down-regulated GDF-9 and Stra8; the rat drug serum of Yougui pill (ZGW-RS) significantly up-regulated Oct-4, GDF-9, Mvh and SCP3 and significantly down-regulated Stra8, Itga6 and Itgb1; the rat drug sera for the common composition of Zuogui pill and Yougui pill (ZGWYGW-RS) significantly up-regulated Oct-4, SCP3 and ZP3 and significantly down-regulated GDF-9, Stra8, Itga6 and Itgb1.

CONCLUSIONZGW-RS can initiate the change towards meiosis, but can not start the reproductive differentiation of MESC-1B10; YGW-RS can initiate the change towards meiosis, and can also start the reproductive differentiation of MESC-1B10 towards female germ cells; ZGWYGW-RS can initiate the change towards meiosis, and can lightly start the reproductive differentiation of MESC-1B10 towards female germ cells but the inductive effect is smaller than YGW-RS. The experimental results, on one hand, strengthen the knowledge about the influence of the relative compositions of Zuogui pill and Yougui pill on the reproductive differentiation of stem cells, on the other hand, help to explain the mechanism of the treatment of the infertility by Zuogui pill and Yougui pill.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Female ; Germ Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Infertility ; drug therapy ; Male ; Mice ; NIH 3T3 Cells ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Adolescent ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Killer Cells, Natural ; pathology ; Leukocyte Common Antigens ; analysis ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; genetics ; immunology ; Male ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the dynamic expressions of TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 1 mRNA at different stages of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development and their use in clinical diagnosis.

METHODSHepatoma models were developed with 2-FAA using male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Morphological changes of the rat liver histological preparations (H and E stained) were studied. The fragment of TGF-beta 1 gene obtained was amplified by nested RT-PCR. Dynamic change of TGF-beta 1 level was quantitatively analyzed by ELISA. The distribution of TGF-beta 1 in the cells and its gene expression were detected in human HCC tissues.

RESULTSThe progressive increases of hepatic TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 1 mRNA were observed in rat hepatocytes which progressed from granular degeneration, atypical hyperplasia and finally to HCC development induced by 2-FAA. The expression levels in HCC tissues were significantly higher than those in the normal and degenerative ones. TGF-beta 1 was shown in rat hepatocytes by immunohistochemistry. Plasma TGF-beta 1 was detected in 89.5% of all the patients with HCC, but it was detected in 93.3% of them who had an AFP less than 400 microg/L. TGF-beta 1 mRNA showed a stronger expression in HCC tissues. TGF-beta 1 mRNA was found in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from all HCC patients with extrahepatic metastasis.

CONCLUSIONTGF-beta 1 may participate in hepatocyte canceration. The overexpression of TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 1 mRNA could be useful markers for early diagnosis and predicting prognosis of HCC.

Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; blood ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; prevention & control ; Prognosis ; RNA, Messenger ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; blood

OBJECTIVETo assess the predictive value of hemoglobin (HGB) levels for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by performing a prospective cohort study of NAFLD incidence in a healthy population.

METHODSA total of 2840 individuals in the Xinjiang province were enrolled in the study from 2008 to 2011, based on liver ultrasound showing no evidence of fatty liver disease and the discovery of no major risk factors upon interview. All participants completed an epidemiological questionnaire survey, a physical examination, an abdominal ultrasonography, and gave blood for biochemistry testing. The hazard ratios of NAFLD were compared when the participants were grouped according to HGB level (g/L in quintiles): Q1, less than or equal to 145 for males and less than or equal to 123 for females; Q2, > 145 to less than or equal to 151 for males and > 123 to less than or equal to 129 for females; Q3, > 151 to less than or equal to 155 for males and >129 to less than or equal to 134 for females; Q4, > 155 to less than or equal to 161 for males and > 134 to less than or equal to 139 for females; Q5, > 161 for males and > 139 for females. Between-group comparison of measurement data was carried out by t-test and of percentage or count data by chi-square test. Between group comparison of the HGB level was carried out by one-way ANOVA. The prospective association between HGB levels and NAFLD was assessed by conditioned logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSThe values of body mass index, blood pressure, and triglyceride level were significantly higher in the participants with elevated serum uric acid quartiles. Within the 3-year study period, NAFLD was newly diagnosed in 19.6% of the male participants and 10.1% of the female participants; the difference between males and females reached the threshold of statistical significance (X2 = 51.043, P less than 0.01). The incidence of NAFLD in the quintile groups was 6.10% in Q1, 10.50% in Q2, 13.13% in Q3, 16.95% in Q4, and 22.03% in Q5 (X2 = 70.495, P less than 0.01), and the increasing trend with elevated HGB quartiles was significant (P less than 0.01). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, with adjustment for sex, age, race, metabolic syndrome and its components, the hazard ratios for incidence of fatty liver comparing Q2 to Q5 of HGB concentration to Q1 were 1.125, 1.325, 1.516 and 1.982.

CONCLUSIONElevated HGB concentration is predictive of NAFLD in otherwise healthy subjects and may be used for screening during a routine health check-up.

Adult ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; blood ; diagnosis ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of four kinds of traditional Chinese herbal compound, Sini powder, Banxiahoupu soup, Ganmaidazao soup and Guizhigancaolonggumuli soup, on the experimental acute stress behaviors and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal gland axis.

METHODRats were divide into 7 groups: normal group, model 1 and 2 groups, Sini powder group, Banxiahoupu soup group, Ganmaidazao soup group, and Guizhigancaolonggumuli soup group. The behaviors of the rats and their CRH of the hypothalamus, ACTH of plasma and CORT of serum (by the means of radio-immunity) were detected.

RESULTSini powder could reduce the crossing times of open-field test( P < 0.01) and the contents of CRH and CORT (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); Banxiahoupu soup could extent the still time of tail-hanging test ( P < 0.05) and the content of CRH (P < 0.05); Ganmaidazao soup could prolong the still time (P < 0.05) and reduce the struggle times (P < 0.01) of tail-hanging test and reduce the contents of CRH, ACTH and CORT (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); Guizhigancaolonggumuli soup could reduce the crossing times of open-field test (P < 0.01) , extent the still time (P < 0.05) and reduce the struggle times ( P < 0.01) of tail-hanging test of tail-hanging test, also reduce the contents of CRH, ACTH and CORT (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe four kinds of traditional Chinese herbal compound can increase the ability of anti stress by affect the different taches of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal gland axle and change the stress behaviors, which are based on their respective functions of regulating Qi, dispersing phlegm, tonifying Qi and warming Yang.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; blood ; Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Corticosterone ; blood ; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone ; metabolism ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System ; drug effects ; Hypothalamus ; metabolism ; Male ; Materia Medica ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Ostreidae ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stress, Physiological ; physiopathology

Survivin, a new member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family, expressed in the most human cancers but not in terminally differentiated adult tissues, so survivin may be a target for tumor therapy. In addition, some scholars found that survivin expression is associated with the resistance in chemotherapy. To explore the relationship between survivin and drug-resistance, the alteration of survivin mRNA and protein of HL-60 cells treated with daunomycin (DNR), mitoxantrone (MIT) and arsenic trioxide (As2O3) was investigated, the expressions of survivin mRNA and survivin protein were detected on the first and third day by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The results showed that survivin mRNA levels all decreased after the first day of treatment with drugs. It was decreased by 10% in DNR group, 40% (P < 0.01) in MIT group, and 25% (P < 0.01) in As2O3 group in comparison with control cells. In the third day, the survivin mRNA treated with DNR was up-regulated by 20% (P < 0.05), compared with the first day, and MIT was up-regulated by 65% (P < 0.01), but As2O3 was still down-regulated by 32% (P < 0.01). In Western blot, survivin protein level increased 14% after treated with DNR for three days, compared with the control cells, and 11% in MIT, but decreased by 82% in As2O3. It is concluded that after treatment with chemotherapeutic drugs, the survivin level descended at first day and then ascended obviously. This phenomenon may be associated with the resistance in chemotherapy for leukemia. On the other hand, As2O3 shows a different mechanism that may play a significant role to reverse resistance.
Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; Daunorubicin ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Mitoxantrone ; pharmacology ; Neoplasm Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Oxides ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of muscular needling combined with scarring moxibustion on active stage of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODSSixty cases of RA were randomly divided into a muscular needling group and a medication group, 30 cases in each group. The muscular needling group was treated by muscular needling on Quchi (LI 11), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), etc. combined with scarring moxibustion on Dazhui (GV 14), Zusanli (ST 36) etc., while the medication group was treated by oral administration of Diclofenac sodium and intramuscular injection of Methotrexate. The therapeutic effects, main symptoms and signs, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and rheumatoid factor were observed in two groups before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe total effective rate of muscular needling group was 76.7%, and that of medication group was 73.3%, there was no significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05). The clinical symptoms, signs, and E8R of two groups were improved obviously compared with those before treatment (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), however there were no significant differences between the two groups after treatment (all P > 0.05). The adverse reactions of medication group were more eminent compared to the muscular needling group.

CONCLUSIONMuscular needling can obviously relieve the symptoms and signs of active stage rheumatoid arthritis and the effect is equivalent to oral administration of western medicine, the incidence of adverse reactions in the muscular needling group is obviously lower than that of western medication. Muscular needling is a safe and effective method for treatment of RA.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; metabolism ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Rheumatoid Factor ; metabolism ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Prolymphocytic, B-Cell ; diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo analyse the clinical outcome and the prognostic factor of childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

METHODSDisease-free survival (DFS), event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were estimated by Kaplan-Meier method and prognostic factors were evaluated by Cox regression with SPSS in 141 childhood AML in our hospital from August 1995 to July 2004. The patients were divided into 2 groups: acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) as group A and AML other than APL as group B.

RESULTSOf the 90 group B patients, 54.4% (49/90) achieved complete remission (CR) after one course chemotherapy , with a total CR rate of 76.7%. The cumulative 5 year DFS and OS rate for group B patients were (28.4 +/- 9.0)% and (35.5 +/- 6.3)%, the 51 group A patients were (94.3 +/- 4.0)% and (81.4 +/- 5.7)%, and for total 141 AML patients were (56.9 +/- 6.3)% and (53.3 +/- 4.8)% respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that higher bone marrow blast cell percentage at diagnosis, CR after more than one course of chemotherapy and less than six courses of consolidation chemotherapy were risk prognostic factors in childhood AML other than APL (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe prognosis of childhood APL is better, while of childhood t(8;21) AML is no better than other FAB subtypes.

Adolescent ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; mortality ; therapy ; Male ; Prognosis ; Regression Analysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy and safety of vitamin D as an adjuvant therapy for childhood pneumonia through a systematic review. METHODS: Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMbase, CNKI, Wanfang Data, and Weipu Data were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of vitamin D as the adjuvant therapy for childhood pneumonia published up to August 2019. Literature screening, quality assessment, and data extraction were performed based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Revman 5.3 was used to perform the Meta analysis of outcome indicators. RESULTS: A total of 7 RCTs with 1 527 children were included, with 762 children in the vitamin D adjuvant therapy group and 765 children in the control group. The results of the Meta analysis showed that vitamin D adjuvant therapy had no effect on recovery time (P=0.67), length of hospital stay (P=0.73), and time to relief of fever (P=0.43). Furthermore, it did not reduce the recurrence rate (P=0.14), rate of adverse events (P=0.20), and mortality rate (P=0.98) of childhood pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS Current evidence shows that vitamin D adjuvant therapy has no marked efficacy in the treatment of childhood pneumonia.