Objective To investigate the significance of anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin(MCV)an- tibody in rheumatoid arthritis(RA)and study the correlation among anti-CCP,other antoantibodies and clinical manifestations of RA.Methods Anti-MCV antibody was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)in 166 serum samples including 74 from RA(18 cases with early RA and 56 cases with late RA),50 from non-RA rheumatic diseases and 42 cases of healthy blood donors.At the same time,other antuoantibod- ies were detected by different techniques,and their clinical meaning was investigated with the corresponding clinical data.Results Anti-MCV was found in 78%(58/74)of RA.The sensitivity and specificity of Anti- MCV in RA were 78% and 95%.The positive and negative predictive value was 97% and 71%.The average cut off concentration of Anti-MCV was(552?380)U/ml in RA,(162?63)U/ml in non-RA and(63?46)U/ml in healthy control.Anti-MCV was strongly correlated to anti-CCP(r=0.502,P=0.000),then AKA(r=0.408)anti APF(r=0.369).No differences was found between Anti-MCV and other clinical/laboratory parameters(P＞0.05). Conclusion Anti-MCV antibody may be a valuable diagnostic parameter for RA.Anti-MCV is more strongly correlated to anti-CCP than APE and AKA.It may not relate to disease activity and/or severity.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Kanli Granule (KG) on myocardial mechanics in pressure overload induced diastolic heart failure (DHF) rats.

METHODSTotally 60 male Wistar rats were divided into the sham-operation group, the model group, the KG group, and the Valsartan group according to random digit table, 15 in each group. The pressure overload induced DHF model was established in all groups except the sham-operation group using abdominal aortic constriction surgery. Totally 7 rats died after modeling (with the mortality of 10. 67%) , and the rest 53 finished the following test. Rats in the KG group were administered with KG extract (calculated as 6. 75 g crude drug/kg) by gastrogavage. Rats in the Valsartan group were administered with Valsartan (7.2 µg/g) by gastrogavage. Equal volume of double distilled water was administered to rats in the model group and the sham-operation group by gastrogavage. All rats were intervened for 32 weeks. The response of isolated heart papillary muscle tonus to isoprenaline (ISO) and adenylate cyclase (Forskolin) was respectively observed. The enhancement phenomenon after resting development force (DF) of isolated heart papillary muscle tonus, and changes of DF in different Ca²⁺ concentrations were observed.

RESULTS(1) In the ISO response test: Compared with the sham-operation group, the amplifications of DF, ±df/dt, -df/dt were obviously elevated in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the amplifications of DF and ±df/dt were obviously lowered in the KG group (P < 0.01), and the amplification of ±df/dt was also reduced in the Valsartan group (P < 0.01). (2) In the Forskolin response test: Compared with the sham-operation group, the amplifications of DF and ±df/dt obviously increased in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the amplifications of DF and ±df/dt were obviously reduced in the KG group (P < 0.01), and the amplification of DF was also reduced in the Valsartan group (P < 0.05). (3) In post-resting DF enhancement test: Compared with the sham-operation group, the amplification of DF showed gradually decreasing tendency along with prolonged resting time in the model group, and they were obviously lowered at all time points (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the amplification of DF was gradually increasing along with prolonged resting time in the KG group. The amplification of DF at post-resting 240 s was obviously larger in the KG group than in the model group (P < 0.05). The amplification of post-resting DF still showed gradually decreasing tendency along with prolonged resting time in the Valsartan group, with increased amplifications of DF at post-resting 60 s and 120 s (P < 0. 05) (4) The amplifications of DF in different Ca²⁺ concentrations: Compared with the sham-operation group, the amplifications of DF were significantly elevated in different Ca²⁺ concentrations (1.75, 3.5, 7.0 mmol/L ) (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, there was no statistical difference in amplification of DF in different Ca²⁺ concentrations in the KG group (P > 0.05). The amplifications of DF in different Ca²⁺ concentrations were significantly reduced in the Valsartan group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe ISO response and the Forskolin response were enhanced in isolated heart papillary muscle tonus of pressure overload induced DHF rats; enhanced post-resting DF was reduced; DF in different supra-physiologic levels of Ca²⁺ was still enhanced. KG could significantly improve excessive enhancement of pressure overload induced DHF rats in ISO response and Forskolin response, and improve enhancement of post-resting myocardium.

Animals ; Colforsin ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Heart ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Heart Failure, Diastolic ; drug therapy ; Isoproterenol ; pharmacology ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To understand the present situation and requirements of health education in schistosomiasis control in Hubei Province,so as to improve the health education to the targeted people. Method Through the questionnaire survey and field investigation,the data of the present situation and requirements of health education in schistosomiasis control were collect-ed in 24 counties(cities)of Hubei Province,and these data included the related institution structure of health education,basic information of personnel,equipment,funds,and health education working form. All the data collected were analyzed and evalu-ated. Results Among the 24 counties,there were 12 independent departments of health education,accounting for 50%. In terms of the basic information of the health education staff,the youngest person was 34 years old and the eldest was 58 years old,and the mean age was 46.55± 6.9 years. For the formal school education of the staff,5 had senior high school or below edu-cation (20.8%),16 had college education (66.7%),3 had bachelor degree or above (12.5%). There were 10 counties (41.70%)with the special funds for health education work but there were 3 counties(12.50%)without the special funds. Con-clusion The effectiveness of health education work in schistosomiasis control is remarkable,but there are still deficiencies in professional staff and funds in Hubei Province.

Proteins extracted from two varieties of Chinese roses leaves were separated by two- dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-DE) with immobilized pH gradient (IPG). Many difference proteins were isolated with molecular weights ranging 10-30 kDa and pI5-6. Three proteins of high levels observed in a gel were excised and identified using peptide mass fingerprinting and MS-MS. A summary of the identified proteins and their putative functions are presented. They are identified as eIF-5A、LEA protein and Hsp17. 5. Functions of these proteins in plant tolerance to high temperature were discussed.

Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Biogenic Monoamines ; metabolism ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Formaldehyde ; toxicity ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

Objective To evaluate the effect of edaravone on moderate and severe brain injury patients by observing the change of the serum neuron-specific enolase ( NSE) and S100β protein. Methods A total of 90 patients with acute moderate and severe brain injury were selected and randomly divided into three groups, ie, control group (Group A), postoperative edaravone treatment group (Group B) and preoperative edaravone treatment group (Group C), 30 patients per group. In the meantime, 20 normal persons were set as the healthy control group. The concentrations of serum NSE and S100β protein of each group was measured by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA) on admission and at days 1,3,5 and 7 after operation. Results The serum NSE and S100β protein levels in the Group A, B and C was higher than that in the healthy group on admission and at days 1,3,5 and 7 postoperatively and reached the peak at day 1 after operation (P ＜0.05). The level of serum NSE and S100β protein in the Group C was lower than that in the healthy group, Group A and Group B at day 1 postoperatively (P＜0.05), with no statistical difference between Group B and Group A at day 1 postoperatively (P ＞0.05). The serum NSE and S100β protein levels in the Group C was lower than that in the Group A at days 3, 5 and 7 postoperatively (P ＜0.05). The serum NSE and S100β protein levels in the Group C with severe brain injury was lower than that in the Group B at days 3, 5 and 7 postoperatively (P ＜ 0.05), but there was no statistical difference in moderate injury group between Croup C and Group B. The serum NSE and S100β levels in the Group B was lower than that in the Group A at days 3, 5 and 7 postoperatively ( P ＜ 0. 05). Conclusions Edaravone can effectively reduce the serum NSE and S100β levels in the moderate and severe brain injury patients after operation. The earlier use of edaravone may beget the more significant effect, especially in patients with severe brain injury. The application of edaravone before operation can more effectively reduce the concentration of serum NSE and S100β protein.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phytotherapy ; Translations

This study is to investigate protective effect of safflor yellow B (SYB) against vascular endothelial cells (VECs) injury induced by angiotensin-II (Ang-II). VECs were cultured and divided into six groups: control group, Ang-II group, Ang-II + SYB (1 micromolL(-1)) group, Ang-II + SYB (10 micromolL(-1)) group, Ang-II + SYB (100 micromolL(-1)) group and Ang- II + verapamil (10 micromolL(-1)) group. Except control group, all of VECs in other groups were treated with Ang- II at the final concentration of 0.1 micromolL(-1). Mitochondria membrane potential (MMP) and free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) were measured by laser scanning confocal microscopy, and mitochondria complex IV activity was detected by BCA method. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in VECs were analyzed by fluorescence detector and apoptosis of VECs was observed by flow cytometer. Caspase 3 was determined by Western blotting method. Comparing with control group, Ang-II was able to increase [Ca2+]i and ROS level, decrease MMP level, inhibit complex IV activity and enhance caspase 3 activity in VECs, as a result, enhance apoptosis of VECs. But SYB could significantly reduce the result induced by Ang- II relying on different dosages (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). SYB was able to eliminate the effect of Ang-II on VECs via regulating [Ca2+]i, mitochondrial structure and function and inhibiting apoptosis.

Objective To evaluate the localization of mitral valvular(MV)prolapse by transthoracic echocardiography(TTE),transesophageal echocardiography(TEE)and explore the interrelationship between the different subregions of MV prolapse and mitral regurgitation(MR).Methods Total of thirtythree patients with MV prolapse and more than moderate MR were included.TEE was used to further judge the location of scallop lesions and the result of both TTE and TEE were compared with the surgical findings respectively.The relationship between the different subregions of MV prolapse and MR was analyzed.Results Compared with the surgery findings,the accuracy rate of TTE and TEE in diagnosis of MV prolapse was 100％ qualitatively,80％ for TTE and 94％ for TEE in localizing the diseased region with the anterior and posterior MV,the result of TEE was significantly different from TTE(P＜0.05).MR level was related to the location of MV prolapse.Conclusions Compared with the TTE,TEE had more advantages in localizing the position of the MV prolapse.Mitral regurgitation is related to the location of MV prolapse.

In order to clarify the chemical constituents of Cistanche deserticola cultured in Tarim desert, a systematically phytochemical investigation was carried out. The chemical constituents were isolated by column chromatography, such as silica gel, Sephadex LH- 20, MCI gel, ODS and semi-preparative HPLC, and their structures were determined on the basis of MS, NMR spectroscopic analysis and/or comparison with literature data. Eleven lignans were isolated from the 85% ethanol extract of the stems of C. deserticola cultured in Tarim desert. Their structures were identified as (+)-syringaresinol-4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), (+)-isoeucommin A (2), eucommin A (3), (+)-pinoresinol monomethylether β-D-glucoside (4), lariciresinol 4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), lariciresinol 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), conicaoside (7), dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (8), dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol γ'-O-β-D-glucoside (9), citrusin A (10), and alaschanioside A (11). Compounds 1, 3-7, 10 and 11 were isolated from this genus for the first time, and compounds 2, 8 and 9 were obtained from this species for the first time.
Cistanche ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Lignans ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Stems ; chemistry