Fifty-six patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy(GO)were treated with antithyroid drug and oral prednisone for three months,TSH receptor antibody(TRAb)level was reduced,GO activity and severity of some patients were ameliorated but still positively associated with TRAb.It suggests that TRAb not only triggers off GO but also plays a possible role in the maintenance of the autoimmune process in GO.

Background and purpose:Antracycline combined with paclitaxel is more widely applied in breast cancer as neoadjuvant chemotherapy.There are differences in applications of different paclita~els.In this research,the efficacy and toxicity of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with ET,ED regimen were compared for the patients with stageⅢbreast cancer.Methods:64 cases of stageⅢbreast cancer patients were divided in two groups.Before surgery,one group had received ET(EPI ivgtt 60 mg/m~2 d_1?21,PTX ivgtt 175 mg/m~2 d_2?21),the other group had received ED(EPI ivgtt 60 mg/m~2 d_2?21,DOC ivgtt 75 mg/m~2 d_2?21)neoadjuvant chemotherapy for three weeks. Curative effect and side effects were evaluated after 2-4 cycles.Results:Total effective rate was 87.5%.Effective rate in ED group was 92.9%,and effective rate in ET group was 83.5%.There was no significant difference(P=0.253).In pCR cases,8 cases in ED group achieved pathologically complete response compared to 3 cases in ET group(P=0.033). The number of patients in ED group(24 cases)hadⅣ-Ⅴgrade pathology evaluation after chemotherapy,it was higher than that in ET patients(21 cases).There was a significant difference(P=0.017).In both groups side effects including hair loss,nausea and vomiting,liver dysfunction were similar.Incidence rate of peripheral neurotoxicity in ET group was higher than that in ED group(P=0.002).Incidence rates of leukopenia,skin rash and phlebitis in ED group were higher than that in ET group.There was a significant difference between two groups in the leukopenia(P=0.034). Conclusions:For the patients with stageⅢbreast cancer patients,both two regimens could achieve better curative effect.ET and ED regimen have similar effect.But in ED regimen,the number ofpCR cases was obviously higher than in ET group.In both groups side effects were similar.There were significant differences in terms of leukopenia and peripheral neurotoxicity,but the side effects could be tolerated.

PURPOSE: This study was to explore the cognitive function of Korean-Chinese stroke patient in China. METHOD: The study sample was 100 who were possible to communicate and agreed. The data were collected from one Brain's hospital at Yanji in China and by trained nurse from December 12, 2005 to April 28, 2006. The measurement tools were Digit span, Trail making, and MMSE-K. The data were analysed by SPSS Win 11.5 using frequency, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation coefficients. RESULTS: The mean score of DSF was 5.07, 3.42 of DSB, 161.37 of TMA, 229.28 of TMB, 22.64 of MMSE-K. There was a significant difference in DSF (F=6.35, p=.001), DSB (F=6.10, p=.001), TMA (F=3.53, p=.018), TMB (F=3.26, p=.025), MMSE-K score (F=12.97, p=.000) according to age, and DSF (F=6.67, p=.000), DSB (F=6.01, p=.000), TMA (F=5.82, p=.001), TMB (F=6.23, p=.001), and MMSE-K score (F=13.02, p=.000) according to educational level, and DSF (F=5.35, p=.006), DSB (F=3.16, p=.047), TMA (F=3.30, p=.041), TMB (F=3.42, p=.037), and MMSE-K score (F=4.95, p=.009) according to duration of disease, and DSB (F=3.54, p=.018), and MMSE-K (F=6.05, p=.001) according to frequencies of hospitalization. There was high correlation between DSF and DSB (r=.581, p=.000), TMA and TMB (r=.936, p=.000), MMSE-K and DSF (r=.579, p=.000), MMSE-K and DSB (r=.591, p=.000), DSF and TMA (r=.727, p=.000), and DSF and TMB (r=.721, p=.000). CONCLUSION: The cognitive evaluation score of Korean-Chinese stroke patients in China was in normal limit. The age, educational level, duration of disease and income were significant demographic characteristic affecting cognitive function. Further study need to compare the cognitive function of Korean-Chinese stoke patients in China and stoke patients in Korea.
China* ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Korea ; Stroke*

Sulfur fumigation (SF) is a universal phenomenon in primary processing of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in modern times. In the process, fumigation, sulfur or both of them act on the TCMs. Some active components of TCMs change quantitatively or qualitatively during the processing. At the same time, the sulfur dioxide and heavy metal would remain and cause a serious influence on quality and future development of TCM. This article reviews the chemical compositions change after SF to study the change law and their influence on quality. This article provide references for SF in TCMs' processing for a better and safer quality.
Drug Contamination ; Fumigation ; methods ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Quality Control ; Sulfur ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

OBJECTIVETo categorize diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) into germinal center B cell-like (GCB) and non-germinal center B cell-like (non-GCB) subgroups by immunohistochemistry; and to investigate the underlying prognostic significance.

METHODSImmunohistochemical study for CD10, bcl-6 and MUM1 was performed on 133 cases of DLBCL. The cases were then categorized into GCB and non-GCB subgroups. The 5-year overall survival and 5-year progression-free survival rates were compared between the GCB and non-GCB groups, and among the cases with different immunohistochemical expression or with different IPI.

RESULTSAmongst the 133 case studied, CD10 was expressed in 33.1%, while bcl-6 was positive in 34.6% and MUM1 in 45.1%. CD10 expression had a favorable impact on 5-year overall survival (P=0.041) and 5-year progression-free survival (P=0.031). On the other hand, bcl-6 expression had a favor able impact on 5-year progression-free survival (P=0.044). Expression of MUM1 carried an adverse effect on 5-year overall survival (P=0.031) and 5-year progression-free survival (P=0.028). GCB immunophenotype was demonstrated in 40.6% of the cases, while 59.4% showed a non-GCB profile. GCB DLBCL had a significantly longer 5-year overall survival (P=0.004) and 5-year progression-free survival (P=0.003), as compared with the non-GCB group. When dividing the cases into two groups according to their IPI score (IPI=0 to 1 and IPI=2 to 5), it turned out that the 5-year overall and progression-free survival rates of the GCB group were significantly higher than those of the non-GCB group (P=0.019 and 0.014 respectively in cases with IPI of 0 to 1 and P=0.006 and 0.009 respectively in cases with IPI of 2 to 5). The non-GCB cases with a IPI of 2 to 5 had the poorest prognosis.

CONCLUSIONDLBCL subgrouping by immunohistochemistry and analysis of the subgrouping with IPI is feasible and useful in predicting clinical outcome.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; B-Lymphocytes ; pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Germinal Center ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Interferon Regulatory Factors ; metabolism ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; classification ; immunology ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neprilysin ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6 ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

Holistic concept is a characteristic contribution of Chinese medicine to medical science. Based on holistic concept, we investigated the correlation of Shenyang deficiency syndrome with the hypothalamus-pituitary-target gland axis; and revealed by gene chip technique the molecular network regulatory rule of intervention with Chinese drugs on hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal-thymus axis in aged rats as a model for Shen deficiency syndrome; also the two major gene regulation pathways, namely, the neuro-endocrine-immune pathway and the neuro-endocrine-bone metabolic pathway, in hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal, lymphocytes, kidney, liver, bone of aged rats, so as to advance the holistic research on Chinese medicine syndromes. Recently, based on the dynamic, intervention and multi-layer integration requirement of systematic biology, the common rule of aging was found at three different levels, the whole genomic transcription level, the metabolic level and the single ageing signaling pathway level. Meanwhile, it was demonstrated that the temporal and spatial association of genes will be weakened gradually along with aging. And Epimedium Flavonoids (EF), an extracts from Epimedium have been proved to be capable of effectively reversing both of these systemic changes. Thus, the transition of study from holistic concept to systematic biologic viewpoint could surely promote the progression of Chinese medicine to modern life science.
Aging ; genetics ; physiology ; Animals ; Holistic Health ; Kidney Diseases ; physiopathology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Rats ; Systems Biology ; methods ; Yang Deficiency ; physiopathology

BACKGROUND:The drug and thermal effects of moxa-wool moxibustion have been extensively studied in the clinical trials; however, the infrared radiation effects during the moxibustion are rarely reported. OBJECTIVE:To learn the spectrum characteristics of moxa sticks in the traditional moxibustion.METHODS:The herba violae, bog rush, tobacco and moxa were chosen as experimental materials. Furthermore, the moxa sticks of different storage years (1, 3, 10 years), proportions (1:3, 1:5, 1:10), and places of production (Nanyang, Qiai) were compared. A spectral measurement platform was built by using an optical power meter to analyze the spectral characteristics of the ten kinds of materials above. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:For the different materials, the herba violae and bog rush could not burn after crushed and the infrared radiation intensity of tobacco was too low, but a strong infrared emission was from the moxa with a wide range of spectrum from ultraviolet to far infrared ray. It was also found that the year of storage, proportion, place of production as well as production process had significant effects on the radiation intensity of the moxa stick. The spectrum ascended at visible-light spectrum region, reached its peak at near-infrared region, and then descended at mid-infrared and far-infrared regions. We analyzed the stability characteristics and relative total intensity of moxa stick based on statistics and mathematics. The results showed that the stability characteristics were proportional to the proportion of moxa wool, and the year of storage had stronger effect on the relative total intensity compared with the proportion of moxa wool. Herein, we systematically analyzed the spectral characteristics of different moxa sticks, thereby providing the scientific basic data for the study on the optical radiation of moxa-wool moxibustion.

OBJECTIVETo establish a quantitative mathematical model of Shen-deficiency syndrome of TCM by utilizing whole-genome transcriptional profiles.

METHODSThe 4, 10, 18, 24 months old SD rats were used, 24-months aged rats intervened by Epimedium Flavonoids (EF) were adopted in the experiment. Rats' hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal, lymphocytes, bone, liver, and kidney, and spleen were taken for determining whole-genome mRNA expression with gene chip, and a quantitative nerve network model was established by utilizing the gene expression profile of different aged rats, then the model was used to evaluate the effects of EF on Shen-deficiency syndrome.

RESULTSTotally 199 genes showing age-dependent characteristics were screened out from the 7 kinds of tissue, most of them were neuro-endocrine immune related genes. Evaluation based on the mathematical model showed the age of hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal, liver, kidney, bone, and spleen in the 24-months rats after EF intervention was 12.64, 10.87, 8.10, 12.70, 11.93, 13.14, and 10.13 months, respectively.

CONCLUSIONA quantitative mathematical model can be established based on the gene expression profile, it is suitable for estimating the efficacy of Shen-tonifying drugs. EF can make the gene expression of elder close to the young state, suggesting that EF has action in improving Shen-deficiency syndrome and delaying senescence.

Animals ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Kidney Diseases ; diagnosis ; genetics ; prevention & control ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Models, Theoretical ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Syndrome ; Yang Deficiency ; diagnosis ; genetics ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVEImprovement in lung function was reported after acupuncture treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but little is known about the underlying mechanisms. Because an immune response imbalance could be seen in COPD, we hypothesize that electroacupuncture (EA) may play a role in regulating inflammatory cytokines and contribute to lung protection in a rat model of smoke-induced COPD.

METHODSA COPD model using male Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to cigarette smoke was established. The rats were randomly divided into four groups (control, sham, COPD, and COPD plus EA), and COPD model was evaluated by measuring pulmonary pathological changes and lung function. EA was applied to the acupuncture point Zusanli (ST36) for 30 min/d for 14 d in sham and COPD rats. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was used to measure levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and malonaldehyde (MDA).

RESULTSCompared with the control rats, COPD rats had significant changes in lung resistance (RL) and lung compliance (CL) (both P<0.01), bronchi and bronchiole airway obstruction (P<0.01), and levels of MDA, TNF-α, and IL-1β (P<0.01). There were no significant differences between the control and the sham groups. Compared with the COPD rats, the COPD plus EA rats had decreased RL and increased CL (both P<0.05), and reduced bronchi and bronchiole airway obstruction (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively), while levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and MDA in BALF were lowered (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). However, TNF-α and IL-1β levels of the EA group rats remained higher than those of the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONEA at ST36 can reduce lung injury in a COPD rat model, and beneficial effects may be related to down-regulation of inflammatory cytokines. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects may prolong the clinical benefit of EA.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; immunology ; Male ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; etiology ; immunology ; therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; immunology

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the reversal effect of gene MDR1 and MRP with combinational antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotide on Drug-resistant human hepatocellular carcinoma cells SMMC-7721/ADM.

METHODSSMMC-7721/ADM was transfected with synthetic antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotides complementary to gene MDR1 and MRP mediated by Lipofectamine. Drug sensitivity was measured by MTT assay, Fluorescence intensity of cells was determined by flow cytometric analysis, RH123 and DNR retention was assayed by confocal scanning laser microscopy.

RESULTSASODN of MDR1+MRP increased the sensitivity of SMMC-7721/ADM to chemotherapeutic drug more significantly than that any of MDR1 and MRP did separately. But they did not enhance the inhibition expression of protein of p190 or p170.

CONCLUSIONDrug-resistance could be reversed significantly when antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotide of MDR1+MRP were transfected into drug-resistant human hepatocellular carcinoma cells SMMC-7721/ADM together.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Daunorubicin ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Doxorubicin ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Genes, MDR ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Rhodamine 123 ; metabolism