AIM: To study the effect of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) on the increase in microvessel permeability induced by platelet activating factor (PAF). METHODS: The microvessel permeability was assessed by measuring hydraulic conductivity (Lp). To observe the effect of S1P and PAF on vascular endothelial-cadherin (VE-Cadherin), the microvessels were stained with immunofluorescence and examined by laser confocal microscopy. RESULTS: After giving PAF at concentration of 10 nmol/L, the Lp value of rat mesentery microvessel was significantly increased. However, after pretreatment with S1P, PAF did not give rise to a further significant change. The effect of PAF on microvascular endothelial cells could be seen: the formation of endothelial gap was induced, the microvascular fluorescence intensity significantly increased, a large number of fluorescent microspheres (FMs) distributed in the space among the endothelial cells. However, after pretreated with S1P, no obvious gap opening and the FMs accumulation were observed. Compared to normal control, no significant difference of the microvascular fluorescence intensity was found. CONCLUSION: PAF changes the structure of VE-Cadherin, leading to detachment of adherent junction, formation of intercellular gaps, which contributes to the increase in the permeability. S1P improves the increase in the microvessel permeability caused by PAF, which might be mediated by strengthening adherent junction and inhibiting the formation of endothelial gaps.

This study is to establish an HPLC-DAD-ELSD method for simultaneous determination of 5 flavones and saponins in Rhizoma Anemarrhenae including neo-mangiferin, mangiferin, timosaponin B II, timosaponin B III and timosaponin A III. Samples were analyzed on a Merck Purospher STAR column(4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 μm). The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile( A) and 0. 1% formic acid (B) with gradient elution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL · min(-1). The column temperature was set at 40 °C. The DAD detector wavelength was set at 254 nm. The ELSD conditions were as follows: the nebulizing gas flow rate was 2.0 L · min(-1) and temperature of drift tube was 105 °C. The volume was 10 μL. The five compounds were well separated with good linear correlations. The mean recoveries were between 102.0%-104.0%. This method was quick and reliable which provides a foundation for quality control of R. Anemarrhenae.
Anemarrhena ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; instrumentation ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Flavones ; analysis ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Saponins ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents from the ethyl acetate portion of an ethanolic extractive of the leaves of Aeschynanthus mengxinensis.

METHODThe column chromatographic techniques were applied to isolate constituents. A combination of IR, ESI-MS, NMR and 2D-NMR spectroscopy was used to identify structures.

RESULTFour compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of this plant, and the structure of them have identified as 2alpha, 3beta, 19beta-trihydroxyolean-12-ene-23,28-dioic acid (1), 2alpha, 3beta, 21beta-trihydroxyolean-12-ene-28-oic acid (2), 2alpha, 3beta, 23-trihydroxyurs-12-ene-28-oic acid (3) and stigmast-5 (6), 22 (23)-diene-3beta-ol (4).

CONCLUSIONThe NMR data of compound 1 was completely assigned by 2D-NMR techniques, including HMBC and HMQC. Compounds 1-4 were isolated for the first time from Gesneriaceae.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Magnoliopsida ; chemistry ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Terpenes ; chemistry

Delphi Technique ; Humans ; Radiculopathy ; drug therapy ; surgery ; therapy

BACKGROUNDDespite extensive research, the mechanism of immature dendritic cells (DCs) induced immune hyporesponsiveness remains incompletely understood.

METHODSRecipient DCs from C3H mouse bone marrow cells were incubated with donor antigen from splenic lymphocytes of C57BL/6 mouse; these DCs were transfected with CD80/86 specific siRNA using lentiviral vectors. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate expression of CD80/86 on the antigen-pulsed recipient DCs. Immune regulatory activity was examined by mixed lymphocyte reaction, in which irradiated DCs were cultured with C3H spleen T cells. After the reaction, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10, and interferon (INF)-γ levels of mixed lymphocyte reaction culture supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The apoptotic T lymphocytes were identified by Annexin V and CD3 staining.

RESULTSThere was a significant inhibition of CD80/86 expression in DCs transfected with CD80/86 lentiviral vectors compared with the control groups (P < 0.05), indicating the specificity of RNA interference. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results showed a significant reduction of INF-γ, IL-2 and IL-10 in the CD80/86 lentivirus transfected group compared to the control groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in IL-4 levels between the groups (P > 0.05). We also showed that CD80/86 low DCs loaded with alloantigen (1) stimulated low T cell proliferative responses via the indirect recognition pathway and (2) enhanced apoptotic activity (P < 0.05) in co-cultured T cells.

CONCLUSIONSLentiviral vector transfection can effectively and specifically knock down target genes in DCs. The CD80/86 low DCs may show tolerogenic activity via induction of T-cell apoptosis, thereby modulating the activity of recipient-derived DCs. The use of this approach may potentially be clinically applicable.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; B7-1 Antigen ; genetics ; physiology ; B7-2 Antigen ; genetics ; physiology ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C3H ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; RNA Interference ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; immunology

Objective To evaluate the effect of the bird exercises of Wuqinxi bird exercises combined with simple breath exercises on the quality of life and immune function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods Sixty-eight COPD patients were allocated into observation group (N=32) and control group (N=36)according to the intention of the patients. The control group was given conventional inhalation of Seretide and Tiotropium Bromide,and the observation group did Wuqinxi bird exercises and simple breath exercises plus the conventional inhalation therapy. Before and after treatment,we compared the BODE indexes such as body mass index (BMI), air flow obstruction index of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1%), dyspnea scores,exercise capacity (6-min walking distance)as well as COPD assessment test (CAT)scores between the two groups before and after treatment. Meanwhile, the changes of T lymphocyte subtype CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8 levels and serum immunoglobulin M (IgM),IgA,IgG levels were also monitored. Results(1)After intervention, dyspnea scores of the observation group were obviously improved (P < 0.01), while the control group showed no obvious changes in dyspnea scores (P > 0.05). The observation group had better effect on improving dyspnea scores and 6-min walking distance than the control group (P < 0.05 or P <0.01).(2)After intervention,BODE index and CAT scores were improved in the observation group(P<0.01),BODE index was improved in the control group (P < 0.05), and the improvement of BODE index and CAT scores in the observation group was superior to that in the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). (3)After intervention, T lymphocyte subtype CD3 and CD4 levels as well as the serum IgM, IgA, IgG levels in the observation group were increased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01),and IgA level in the control group was also increased (P < 0.05). The observation group had stronger effect on increasing T lymphocyte subtype CD3 and CD4 levels than the control group(P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).(4)The difference of adverse reaction incidence was insignificant between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion Application of Wuqinxi bird exercises and simple breath exercises based on conventional inhalation therapy is effective on improving dyspnea, 6-min walking distance, BODE index and CAT scores, and on increasing T lymphocyte subtype CD3 and CD4 levels as well as the serum IgM and IgG levels of COPD patients.

This study using traditional Chinese medicine inheritance support software(TCMISS) to analyze the prescription rules of Tibetan medicine containing Terminalia chebula in the Encyclopedia of Chinese Medicine-Tibetan Medicine, Tibetan Medicine Composition Preparation of Modern Research and Clinical Application and Common Interpretation of Tibetan Medicine and so on. TCMISS(V2.5) was used to build a prescription database of Tibetan medicine containing T. chebula.The software statistical statement module, association rules and improved mutual information method and other data mining technologies were adopted to analyze the common herbs, combination rules and core combination of prescriptions containing T. chebula.Total 502 prescriptions containing T. chebula were analyzed and 14 common herbal combinations were summarized, whose ingredients mostly had the functions of clearing heat and detoxicating, promoting blood circulation and stopping pain, warming the middle-jiao and promoting the circulation of Qi. Prescriptions containing T. chebula were commonly used to treat 640 kinds of diseases, there are 22 kinds with high frequency(≥12) in which the representative "Tripa" disease, antiquated febrile symptoms, food poisoning had the highest frequency.T. chebula had different therapeutic effects through different compatibility.The complex composing and medication regularities of Tibetan medicine containing T. chebula have been clarified by TCMISS. That will provide reference for the clinical application of T. chebula and the new development.

OBJECTIVETo explore the mental health status of residents scattered living in Anxian after Wenchuan earthquake so as to provide scientific basis for further mental health intervention.

METHODSA face to face interview was conducted among the scattered residents with designed questionnaire, which had three parts of the physical and emotional reaction, the relax methods and the social care and supports expected. Two-stage probability proportional to size (PPS) sample method was performed to sample 2184 from 0.44 million scattered residents in Anxian. On the basis of statistical description, mental health of different characteristics groups was compared.

RESULTSThree main symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorders in 2184 residents (11.23+/-3.44) were higher than the 103 fire victims in Hunan in 2003 (10.06+/-3.26), three factor scores of SCL-90 (5.76+/-1.74) were higher than normal in 1998 repair mode (n=23 891) (4.72+/-1.44), and the statistical difference was observed (t=10.77, P<0.05; t=706.04, P<0.05). Comparing the mental health of different groups, some significant differences were found by age, gender and education background.

CONCLUSIONThe earthquake disaster brought prevalent physical and emotional reaction. Elderly people, female, junior students need mental intervention immediately. Therefore, strengthen the mental education and assistance (especially in high risk groups) would be of more significance.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Disasters ; Earthquakes ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Mental Health ; Middle Aged ; Sampling Studies ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the public health situation and needs in Anxian after Wenchuan earthquake so as to make an effective strategy for disease control and prevention.

METHODS69 concentrated settlements with 100 residents were investigated. Probability proportion to size was adopted for sampling of 2200 residents from 687 scattered households (about 440 000 scattered residents). The content of this survey included drinking water, food hygiene, environment sanitation, planning immunity and medical health service, disease surveillance and so on. SPSS 16.0 was used for data analysis, and statistical interpretation was used to describe the results.

RESULTS90.9% (31/66) resettled residents in Anxian lived in tents, 7.6% (5/66) lived in the movable-plate house, 93.3% (621/666) scattered households lived in tents and 71.9% (446/621) of them lived in tents which were built by residents themselves; the rate of drinking water disinfection in resettlement sites and scattered households were 97.1% (66/68) and 94.6% (650/687); 12.8% scattered residents had mouldy or food; 50% of resettlement sites raised animals; 43.6% (17/39) medical station didn't have bacterin inoculation service; 66.7% (10/15) lacked sufficient disinfection equipment; register rate was 50.0% (33/66) and report rate of symptoms and infectious diseases was 56.1% (37/66).

CONCLUSIONThere was still some risk of enteric and vector-borne diseases in Anxian, therefore, some tailored measures should be very important.

Disasters ; Earthquakes ; Environmental Monitoring ; Health Care Surveys ; Health Services ; Health Services Needs and Demand ; Humans ; Water Supply

Tibetan medicine "Dida" isoccasionally misused due to its complex origins, which ultimately affects its clinical efficacy. The accurate name, origin, property, and efficacy of "Dida"are highly important for its further research and development. In the present study, by viewing the classic Tibetan medicine and modern literature, and combining the clinical practice of Tibetan medicine, the origins, properties and the clinic effects of "Dida" were defined. "Dida" originated from multiple plant species of Swertia, Gentianopsis, Halenia, Lomatogonium, Comastoma(Gentianaceae), Hedyotis (Saxifragaceae) and Erysimum (Cruciferae). The medicinal properties of "Dida" is mainly bitter and cold. It has been commonly used to treat febrile diseases and hepatic and gall diseases. This study suggested that the relevant herbalogical study, species identification and pharmacological effects of "Dida" should be taken based on the Tibetan medicine theories and clinical practice. Thus the medicine can be better used and ensure its safety and quality simultaneously.