Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy

Objective To study the effects of tumor necrosis factor-?(TNF-?) on hypermetabolism of skeletal muscle protein in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) and explore the mechanisms. Methods Forty-five SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group,COPD group and COPD +TNF-? group(n=15).Rat COPD models were established by passive cigarette smoking in COPD group and COPD +TNF-? group.After dissecting and isolating the extensor digitorium longus(EDL) muscles,the EDL muscles were either cultured with media containing 10 ug/L recombinant rat TNF-? or without TNF-?.The subsequent changes in ubiquitin mRNA and protein levels were determined by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot,respectively. Results The expressions of ubiquitin mRNA and protein of COPD group and COPD+TNF-? group were higher than those of normal contro1 group(P

Wip1 is a nuclear protein and a member of serine/threonine specific protein phosphatase type 2C(PP2C)family.It was initially identified as a gene whose expression was induced in response to ? or UV radiation in a p53-dependent manner and a negative feedback regulation of p38MAPK-p53 signaling.Then,Wip1 gene was confirmed a proto-oncogene and amplified or overexpressed in several human tumor types.This review will introduce the structures and functions of Wip1 and details on the signaling process of cancer progression.

To study the impact of five different origin processing methods, namely natural drying, drying in baking shop, drying by microwave heating, drying in drum and drying with sulphur fumigation, on the quality of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos from Donghai cultivation base in Jiangsu Province, with the contents of chlorogenic acid and galuteolin and the similarity in HPLC fingerprints as the evaluation indicators. The results showed that different origin processing methods had significant impact on the content of chlorogenic acid and the similarity in HPLC fingerprints, but with no significant difference on the content of galuteolin. By means of drying by microwave heating and drying in drum, the samples showed higher contents of chlorogenic acid, respectively 3.67% and 3.39%. The similarities of HPLC fingerprints were 0.815 and 0.793, respectively. By means of the drying in baking shop and the drying with sulphur fumigation, the contents of chlorogenic acid in the samples were 2. 87% and 2. 53% , respectively. The similarities of HPLC fingerprints were 0.964 and 0.765, respectively. The lowest content of chlorogenic acid in naturally dried samples was 1.92%. The similarity of HPLC fingerprints was 0.940. According to the findings as well as the internal control standards for Lonicerae Japonicae Flos herbs of Jiangsu Kanion Pharmaceutical Co. , Ltd. , the optimum processing method for Lonicerae Japonicae Flos from Donghai cultivation base was the drying in baking shop. This study provided a theoretical basis for determining the processing method for Lonicerae Japonicae Flos from Donghai cultivation base of Jiangsu Province.
China ; Desiccation ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Lonicera ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Quality Control

Objective The levels of Thl cytokines(IL-10 and IL-13)and Th2 cytokines(INF-? and TNF-?)were determined in the sera of patients with Schistosomiasis japonica in order to find the relationship between cytokines and severe hepatic fibrosis(HF)in schistosomiasis.Methods A total of 358 patients with advanced Schistosomiasis japonica were examined by ultrasound.68 HBsAg negative patients were chosen randomly as experimental control.Among them,39 patients were found to have mild HF and 29 were severe HF.The sera levels of Thl and Th2 cytokines were determined with ELISA.Results Among these 358 patients,83(23.2%)were HBsAg positive.Neither earlier nor severer hepatic fibrosis was noted in the patients who had been simultaneously infected with HBV than those only infected with schistosomiasis. There was a significant difference between mild[ 1.60(1.30-12.14)ng/L]and severe[ 4.20(1.43- 52.07)ng/L]HF patients in the level of IL-10(Z=-3.907,P0.05)was found in level of IFN-?,between severe[3.12(1.38-66.14)ng/L]and mild[5.87(1.33-216.33)ng/ L]HF subjects.Our observation did not reveal any obvious difference of TNF-? between severe[ 2.48(0.79 -19.86)ng/L]and mild[ 2.28(0.67-15.72)ng/L]HF groups.Conclusions Patients infected with advanced shistosomiasis may become more susceptible to HBV.The results of the present investigation showed that a high level production of IL-13 was associated with severe HF.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were induced into a nucleus pulposus-like phenotype utilizing simulated microgravity in vitro in order to establish a new cell-based tissue engineering treatment for intervertebral disc degeneration. For induction of a nucleus pulposus-like phenotype, MSCs were cultured in simulated microgravity in a chemically defined medium supplemented with 0 (experimental group) and 10 ng/mL (positive control group) of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1). MSCs cultured under conventional condition without TGF-β1 served as blank control group. On the day 3 of culture, cellular proliferation was determined by WST-8 assay. Differentiation markers were evaluated by histology and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). TGF-β1 slightly promoted the proliferation of MSCs. The collagen and proteoglycans were detected in both groups after culture for 7 days. The accumulation of proteoglycans was markedly increased. The RT-PCR revealed that the gene expression of Sox-9, aggrecan and type II collagen, which were chondrocyte specific, was increased in MSCs cultured under simulated microgravity for 3 days. The ratio of proteoglycans/collagen in blank control group was 3.4-fold higher than positive control group, which denoted a nucleus pulposus-like phenotype differentiation. Independent, spontaneous differentiation of MSCs towards a nucleus pulposus-like phenotype in simulated microgravity occurred without addition of any external bioactive stimulators, namely factors from TGF-β family, which were previously considered necessary.

ObjectiveTo analyze the characteristics of magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)and diffusion tensor tractography (DTIT) in patients with cerebral infarction, and explore the diagnosis values and prognosis of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in patients with cerebral infarction in different stages. Methods58 patients with cerebral infarction in different stages and 25 healthy volunteers were examined by magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), including conventional T1 and T2 weighted imaging, DWI and DTI. Fractional anisotropy (FA) images were reconstructed. The values of FA and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were measured in the infarcted regions, corresponding contralateral normal regions and corresponding normal regions in normal control group. Results①DWI and DTI showed size of infarction focus was more accurate and clearer than that of conventional MRI; ②The FA and ADC values of the infarcted regions during superacute stage, acute stage, subacute stage and chronic stage were (0.24±0.02, 0.31 ±0.11), (0.20±0.02, 0.32±0.12), (0.18±0.02, 0.34±0.11) and (0.16±0.02, 0.37±0.13), respectively, lower than those in the contralateral corresponding regions which were (0.40±0.03, 0.70±0.21), (0.37±0.03, 0.71±0.21), (0.39±0.03, 0.72±0.22) and (0.40:±0.03, 0.72±0.23), respectively. The differences were statistically significant (P＜0.05). The FA and ADC values had no significant differences between the uninjured sides in patients with cerebral infarction and the corresponding regions in the normal control group (P＞0.05); ③The FA and ADC values in brain tissues changed regularly with the time of infarction after cerebral infarction. The FA values in the affected sides had no consistent changes as compared with the contralateral sides in the superacute stage. They increased or decreased slightly, then (during acute stage, subacute stage and chronic stage) decreased irreversibly. The ADC values in the affected sides changed with time regularly, they decreased significantly, gradually returned to normal, and then increased again. Conclusion DTI and DTT examination contribute to the diagnosis of cerebral infarction. The combination of the FA and ADC values may more accurately conduct clinical staging and evaluate the time of the occurrence of cerebral infarction.

Objective To evaluate the usefulness of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) in differentiating tumor, edema, and normal brain tissue, and in classification of cerebral gliomas. Methods Using Philips Achieva 1.5T super conduct MR scanner, 46 patients with gliomas underwent conventional MR imaging and DWI. The ADC of regions of interest ( ROI ) were measured with two different b values, 0s/mm2 and 1000s/mm2. ROIs were manually placed over areas of tumor,edema, and normal brain tissue. Results The signals of DWI and ADC map in tumor tissue were respectively higher and lower than those in normal brain tissue. The ADC values in tumor were 1.68 ± 0.18,1.65 ± 0.20,1.29 ±0.16,1.21 ±0.21 for grade Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ gliomas, respectively; the corresponding figures in edema were 1.74 ±0.22,1.72 ±0.19,1.35 ±0.20,1.28 ±0.19, respective. The ADC values in tumor were not significantly different from the values in edema (P ＞0.05); however, both values were significantly different from those in normal brain ( P ＜0.05 ). The ADC value of low grade ( grade1-2 ) gliomas was significantly higher than that of high grade (grade3-4) glioma (P＜0.05). Conclusion ADC values can aid in distinguishing tumors from normal tissues, but can not distinguish tumors from adjacent edema. Individually, ADC values overlapped considerahly. ADC value is associated with cellularity of gliomas. DWI can help characterizing the malignancy of gliomas.

Objective To study the value of MR diffusion weighted imaging(DWI)and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)in differentiating benign and malignant lesions of prostate.Methods Twenty-two patients with prostate cancer and 17 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia confirmed by pathology or biopsy,and 20 healthy volunteers were underwent prostate plain MRI,DWI and enhanced MRI,and measuring the value of ADC in the regions of interest in the workstation,and the ADC values of prostate cancer,benign prostatic hyperplasia,normal prostate were analyzed statistically.Results The ADC of prostate cancer,benign prostatic hyperplasia,normal prostate in central gland and peripheral zone were 1.08 ±0.23,1.43 ±0.27,1.51 ±0.26 and 1.26 ±0.47,1.72 ±0.40,1.75 ± 0.28,respectively,the ADC of prostate cancer was significantly lower than that of benign prostatic hyperplasia and normal prostate,and there was significant difference(P＜ 0.05),but there was no significant difference between benign prostatic hyperplasia and normal prostate(P ＞0.05).Looking the ADC was 1.30 and 1.60 in central gland and peripheral zone as the threshold to distinguish benign and malignant lesions of prostate,had high sensitivity and specificity.Conclusion The application of DWI combined with ADC,has improved the capability of diagnosis and differential diagnosis in benign and malignant lesions of prostate greatly.

Objective To summarize the CT features of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC).Methods CT manifestations of 12 patients with ATC confirmed by surgery or biopsy were analyzed retrospectively.Results 1 1 (91.7%)patients had single lesion. The lesions appeared as low attenuation mass with cord-like,flocculent or patchy high attenuation areas.The lesions had mild to moderate enhancement in 1 1 cases (91.7%).Coarse calcifications were detected in 8 cases (66.7%),4 of them were incomplete rim or eggshell.11 cases (91.7%)showed invasion into adjacent structures,including trachea (6 cases,50%),esophagus (4 cases,33.3%),strap muscles (7 cases,58.3%),larynx (2 cases,1 6.7%),blood vessels (6 cases,50%).5 cases (41.7%)had tumor thrombus in the internal jugular vein.10 cases (83.3%)had lymph nodes metastasis.The enhancements of lymph nodes were divided into 3 types:mild homogeneous enhancement (4 cases,40%),mild enhancement with internal low-attenuation areas (7 cases,70%)and ring-like enhancement without internal enhancement (7 cases,70%).Conclusion CT features of ATC include low-density mass with cords,flocculent and patchy high-density areas,coarse calcification and mild to moderate enhancement,invasion to adjacent structure and lymph node metastasis with necrosis are common.