OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Chinese herbal therapy on T-lymphocyte subsets in patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN).

METHODSTotally 36 inpatients and outpatients at Department of Nephropathy, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, from June 2011 to June 2013 were recruited in the treatment group, while 20 volunteers were recruited as the healthy control group. Patients in the IgAN group only took Chinese herbal decoctions by syndrome typing for 3 months (except those accompanied with hypertension additionally took antihypertensive agents such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and/or dihydropyridines calcium antagonist). No intervention was performed in the healthy control group. The values of Th1, Th2, and CD4+ CD25+ Treg, and red blood cell number in urine were detected using flow cytometry before and after treatment. 24 h urine protein was detected using inmmunoturbidimetry.

RESULTSCompared with the healthy control group, the CD4+ CD25+ Treg level obviously decreased in the IgAN group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.01). In the IgAN group, Th1, 24 h urine protein, and urine red blood cell counts were obviously lower after treatment, showing statistical difference when compared with before treatment (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONChinese herbal therapy could reduce urine erythrocyte number and 24 h urine protein of IgAN patients, and down-regulating Th1 expression might be its mechanism.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; drug effects ; Young Adult

Objective To study the value of relative cerebral blood flow(rCBF)changes in patients with amnestic-type mild cognitive impairment (aMCI)and mild Alzheimer disease(AD) using MRI pulsed arterial spin labeling(PASL).Methods A prospective study recruited 37 aMCI patients (aMCI group),30 mild AD patients(mild AD group) and 30 healthy volunteers (normal control group) from March 2011 to December 2013,MRI using PASL for cerebral perfusion imaging was performed and data of rCBF were collected.Taking age as covariate,analysis of variance (ANONA)was carried out to assess the difference of rCBF among all the three groups,then Bonferroni was done between every two groups.A follow-up examination using PASL was performed in the seventeen patients of the aMCI group.And paired t-test was used for comparing the longitudinal change of their rCBF data.Results Compared with the normal control group,the aMCI group showed significant increase of rCBF in bilateral posterior cingulate cortices and precuneus (cluster number 2 785,P＜0.05).While the mild AD group showed decrease of rCBF in the left inferior and superior parietal lobes,the angular,middle frontal lobe,as well as the right superior temporal lobe (cluster number 3 459-5 206,P＜0.05).When compared with the aMCI group,the mild AD group showed regional hypoperfusion in bilateral middle frontal lobes,the left precuneus,the right postcentral and inferior parietal lobe (cluster number 3 236-19 863,P＜0.05).In the longitudinal study of the 17 aMCI patients,an increased rCBF was found to coexist with reduced rCBF in the left inferior frontal and lateral occipital cortex,bilateral frontal poles and paracingulate gyrus,with hyperperfusion dominated.Increased rCBF was also detected in the left temporal lobe,the angular gyrus and precuneus,while decreased rCBF was present in the left putamen,the operculum and right corpus callosum (P＜0.05).Conclusions ASL perfusion imaging is a valuable method for dynamic monitoring of the cerebral perfusion changes in aMCI and AD patients.PASL will assist in finding a useful imaging biomarker for early diagnosis of AD.

AIMTo design and synthesize new arylsubstituted imidazolin-2-one analogues as antitumor compounds.

METHODSArylsubstituted imidazolin-2-ones were prepared by condensation the appropriate omega-amino-acetophenone hydrochloride with arylisocyanate in toluene. The target compounds prepared in this study were tested for cytotoxicity against PC-3, A549, HO-8910, Hela, HL60, K562 and HL60R cancer cell lines, and mechanism of one of the products 4y was further evaluated with its mechanium.

RESULTSThirty-six new compounds were synthesized and confirmed by 1H NMR, MS and elemental analysis. One of the synthesized products, compound 4y, displayed an encouraging selective activity against HL60 cells, and it was partlydue to the cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONCompound 4y is worthy to be intensively studied.

Amides ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Imidazolines ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Molecular Structure

Phytoestrogens, which can bind with estrogen receptor and produce estrogen-like effects, are a kind of nonsteroidal compound in plant. Phytoestrogens chemically include isoflavones, coumarins, lignans and other compounds. Phytoestrogens are selective estrogen receptor modulator, and have therapeutical effects on breast cancer, prostate cancer, cardiovascular disease, menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis and other disease, however, do not produce stimulatory hyperplasia effects on uterus, mammary glands and other tissues and organs with positive estrogen receptor. Long-term exposure or excessive use of phytoestrogens maybe affects male reproductive system and hematopoietic function of fetus. Some questions need to be further studied, such as evaluation criteria on biological activity, adverse effects, and action mechanism of phytoestrogen. This review covers plant sources, chemical structure, pharmacological activity and safety of phytoestrogens. It will provide a useful reference for intensive research and rational utilization the phytoestrogens.
Animals ; Humans ; Phytoestrogens ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

5 mm and ≤8 mm in 4 cases.The mean value was 4.2 mm. Four patients noticed reduction in their vision and two had diplopia.Those patients were examined by CT or MR.Direct venography was performed in each patient.After the diagnosis of OVM was confirmed, intralesional injection of BLE was performed.The efficacy of the treatment and complications were observed during the following 8 to 42 months(mean 23 months).Results The BLE were successfully injected in all the patients.All patients had resolution of proptosis and diplopia.Three patients gained improvement of visual acuity.The periorbital swelling occurred in all patients after operation and resolved within 1 week without special treatment.Other complications,such as orbital hemorrhage and periorbital scar,were not observed during following-up.Conclusion Intralesional injection with BLE is convenient,safe and efficient for the treatment of OVM.

Complete mannanase gene with two introns was cloned from Trichoderrna reesei by PCR. The two introns were then removed by overlap extension PCR. The gene encoding the mature mannanase protein was inserted into the expression vector pPIC9K, downstream of a alpha-factor signal peptide sequence. The resultant recombinant vector was named pM242. After linearized with Sac I , pM242 was transformed to Pichia pastoris GS115 by electroporation. After screening, the recombinant strain Gpmf25 that expresses the secretory protein at high level was obtained. The activity of the recombinant mannanase reached 12.5 IU/mL. Optimum pH and temperature for the recombinant enzyme were 5.0 and 80 degrees C, respectively. The enzyme was stable at pH 5.0-6.0 and maintained over 50% of original activity after incubation at 70 degrees C for 30 min.
Fungal Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Pichia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Temperature ; Trichoderma ; enzymology ; genetics ; beta-Mannosidase ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in gastric carcinoma and their clinicopathological significance.

METHODSExpressions of MMP-2 and IGF-1 were examined by using immunohistochemical SP staining and cross-compared with clinicopathological features of gastric carcinoma.

RESULTSHigh expression of MMP-2 and IGF-1 were observed in 70.4% (307/436) and 49.5% (216/436) of gastric carcinoma tissues respectively, significantly higher than those in non-tumor gastric mucosa (3.3% and 5.4%, respectively; all P < 0.05). The high expression rate of MMP-2 and IGF-1 were significantly associated with the patient age, tumor size, tumor location, Lauren classification, TNM staging, depth of tumor infiltration, presence of vessel invasion, lymph node and distant metastasis (all P < 0.05). In addition, the expression of MMP-2 was positively linked with the expression level of IGF-1 (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis showed that high expression of MMP-2, was significantly associated with poor prognosis of tumor of TNM stage I and II (all P < 0.05), high expression of IGF-1 was significantly correlated with poor prognosis of patients with TNM stage I, II and III tumor (all P < 0.05). Cox multivariate analysis indicated that the high expressions of MMP-2 and IGF-1 could be independent prognostic indices for gastric carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONSHigh expression of MMP-2 and IGF-1 proteins are significantly correlated with the invasion and metastasis of gastric carcinoma, it is helpful to simultaneously detect the expressions of MMP-2 and IGF-1 proteins in predicting prognosis of patients with gastric carcinoma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Prognosis ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Young Adult

Group-A rotaviruses are recognized as the most common cause of acute diarrhea. Phylogenetic analyses of the VP7 genes of rotaviruses circulating in Nanjing (China) could aid in the development of rotavirus vaccines. A total of 908 stool specimens were collected from patients suffering from acute diarrhea in Nanjing between October 2012 and December 2013, and were tested further for rotaviruses. Fifty rotavirus isolates selected randomly were typed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using serotype-specific primers for G genotyping. VP7 genes of 19 G9 strains were sequenced for further genetic characterization. Among the 908 stool specimens examined during the surveillance period, 103 (11.34%) were rotavirus-positive. G9 was the most predominant genotype (78.0%), followed by G2, G1 and G3. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses of the VP7 genes of serotype G9 rotaviruses revealed these strains to comprise two lineages (G9-VI, G9-III) and to be dominated by the G9-VI lineage (which belonged to a unique subcluster of Japanese and Chinese G9 strains). Amino-acid sequences of the four antigenic regions (A, B, C or F) were variant among a portion of strains, which may have contributed to the prevalence of G9 rotaviruses in this area.
Adult ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Antigens, Viral ; chemistry ; genetics ; Capsid Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; China ; Evolution, Molecular ; Humans ; Infant ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Phylogeny ; Rotavirus ; genetics ; immunology ; physiology ; Serogroup

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of antifungal prophylaxis of itraconazole in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to probe the relationship of the antifungal effect and the adverse events with serum concentration.

METHODSFrom April 2009 to May 2011, a total of 310 courses from 112 patients referred to our institute were enrolled in this study; of them, 297 courses were eligible for analysis. Eligible cases were randomized into oral group and injection/oral group according to different chemotherapy of induction and consolidation. Blood samples were collected at different time points for measurements of serum itraconazole levels. The morbidity of IFI and the adverse events were analyzed.

RESULTSThe morbidities of IFI in injection/oral and oral groups were 10.1% and 20.9%, respectively (P=0.010). 7 and 9 cases in injection/oral and oral groups, respectively were withdrawn from the study because of adverse events, and the difference between these two groups was of no significance. Serum itraconazole levels of injection/oral and oral groups were 672(299-1097) μg/L and 534(210-936) μg/L, respectively (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONAntifungal prophylaxis with itraconazole in AML patients was effective and safe. Prophylactic effect with injection/oral itraconazole was superior to oral itraconazole solution; moreover, prophylactic effect of itraconazole was highly correlated with its serum level.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antibiotic Prophylaxis ; Antifungal Agents ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Itraconazole ; blood ; therapeutic use ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mycoses ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects on cardiac remodeling post transcatheter closure by Amplatzer septal occluder selected by oval circumference formula in patients with atrial septal defect (ASD).

METHODSA total of 146 patients with ASD (68 males,mean 33.5 years) treated by transcatheter closure with the Amplatzer occluder were enrolled in this study. The diameter of defects was corrected with the oval circumference formula (group A, 73 cases) or by echocardiography (group B, 73 cases). Cardiac remodeling was assessed by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) before the procedure, 3 days, 3 months and 6 months after ASD closure.

RESULTSThe mean ASD diameter was similar between the two groups [(20.16 +/- 4.98) mm vs. (21.36 +/- 5.69) mm, P > 0.05] and the mean diameter of the selected occluder of group A was significantly smaller than that in group B [(21.95 +/- 6.78) mm vs. (25.85 +/- 6.75) mm, P < 0.05]. Procedural success rate was identical between the two groups (97.3%) and the defects were completely occluded and there was no residual shunt during the 6 months follow up period, there were also no complications during and after the procedure. The lateral diameter of right atrial (RALD), the diastolic diameter of right ventricle (RVDD), RALD/LALD, RVDD/LVDD and pulmonary diameter (PD) were significantly decreased while the lateral diameter of left atrial (LALD) and left ventricle (LVDD) were significantly increased post ASD closure in both groups. At 6 months follow up, RALD decreased by (18.63 +/- 10.59)% in group A versus (10.14 +/- 6.59)% in group B, LALD increased by (13.42 +/- 8.38)% in group A versus (9.28 +/- 4.95)% in group B and RALD/LALD ratio decreased by (26.35 +/- 11.24)% in group A versus (13.98 +/- 8.96)% in groups B (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONASD occluder selection based on the oval circumferen ce formula is superior to that made by echocardiography in terms of more favorable cardiac remodeling post ASD closure.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cardiac Catheterization ; instrumentation ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ventricular Remodeling ; Young Adult