Apelin is a polypeptide consisting of 77 amino acids. Apelin receptors are found to be the angiotensin-like G protein coupled receptor (APJ). Apelin/APJ system is widely distributed in the peripheral and central nervous system. Apelin-13 is one of the subtypes of Apelin, which has strong biological activity. This study reviewed the new research prog?ress of Apelin-13 on physiological and pathological processes involved in the cardiovascular system, respiratory system, ner?vous system, digestive system and endocrine system.

Objective To investigate the protective effects of the 14-3-3 protein overexpression on the injury of PC12 cell induced by MPP~+ and its mechanisms.Methods For expression in mammalial cells, pcDNA3.1(+)-14-3-3 plasmid was constructed and transfeeted into PC12 cell with Lipofectamine~(TM)2000. The overexpression of transfected 14-3-3 gene in PC12 cell was determined by immunofluorescence and Western blotting.The effects of 14-3-3 overexpressing on the cells viability,apoptotie ratio and the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD)as well as glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)of PC 12 cell treated with MPP~+ were measured by MTT assay,flow cytometry analysis and microplate reader respectively.Results The expression of 14-3-3 protein in transfection group(1.19?0.06)increased evidently compared with control group(0.75?0.05).And the antioxidant enzyme activity assession,MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis shows that the overexpression of 14-3-3 protein elevates the activity of SOD(transfection group:(9.13? 0.41)U/mg protein,MPP~+ group:(6.45?0.52)U/mg protein)and GSH-Px(transfection group: (89.66?3.42)?mol/mg,protein MPP~+ group:(82.73?4.15)?mol/mg protein),increases the cell viability(transfection group:0.78?0.06,MPP~+ group:0.54?0.07),and inhibits cell apoptosis (transfeetion group:11.87%?3.26%,MPP~+ group:36.30%?2.39%)of PC12 induced by MPP~. Conclusion The overexpression of 14-3-3 protein could elevate the activity of antioxidant enzymes SOD and GSH-Px,reduce oxidant stress,alleviate MPP~+ toxicity,and thus inhibit the apoptosis of PC12 cell induced by MPP~+.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of nourishing Yin, strengthening Qi and activating blood decoction on Fas/FasL in salivary glands of NOD mice with Sjogren's syndrome and their mRNA expression.

METHODThirty-two NOD mice were randomly divided into the model group, the traditional Chinese medicine group (TCM group, orally given 0.4 mL nourishing Yin, strengthening Qi and activating blood decoction as per 100 g x kg(-1) everyday), the hydroxychloroquine group (given 0.4 mL hydroxychloroquine as per 60 mg x kg(-1) everyday), the traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine group (TCM WM group, given nourishing Yin, Strengthening Qi and activating blood decoction 50 g x kg(-1) and hydroxychloroquine 60 mg x kg(-1), 0.4 mL everyday), with eight mice in each group. Eight Balb/C mice were selected as the normal control group (normal group). All of mice were killed after eight weeks, and their submaxillary glands were dissected. The expression levels of Fas/FasL were examined by immunohistochemical method, and the FasL mRNA was detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTThe expression levels of Fas/FasL in salivary glands of the model group were higher than that of other groups (P < 0.05). The expression level of FasL of the normal group was much lower than that in the hydroxychloroquine group (P < 0.05). The relative expression level of Fas mRNA in salivary glands of the model group was higher than that in other groups, but the control group was notably lower than other groups (P < 0.05). The expression level of FasL mRNA in salivary glands of the model group was higher than that in TCM and TCM WM groups (P < 0.05). But the expression level in TCM WM group was notably lower than the hydroxychloroquine group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe nourishing Yin, strengthening Qi and activating blood decoction could down-regulate the expression level of Fas/FasL in salivary glands of NOD mice with Sjogren's syndrome and their mRNA expression, and had a better efficacy after being combined with hydroxychloroquine. The nourishing Yin, strengthening Qi and activating blood decoction might treat the Sjogren's Syndrome by reducing apoptosis which is regulated by Fas/FasL

Animals ; Fas Ligand Protein ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Qi ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Salivary Glands ; metabolism ; Sjogren's Syndrome ; blood ; genetics ; therapy ; Yin-Yang ; fas Receptor ; genetics

In order to obtain the drugs with broader antibacterial spectrum, better antibacterial effect and less side-effect, modifications with lipid solublity group at the position of piperazinyl of ciprofloxacin 13C NMR, ESI-MS and elemental analysis. The lipid solublility of the new compounds was better than that of ciprofloxacin. The results of antibacterial activity in vitro showed that most of the target compounds possessed relatively high inhibiting activity on Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antibacterial activity of the target compound 3d was higher than that of ciprofloxacin against Escherichia coli.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; Ciprofloxacin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Escherichia coli ; drug effects ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo study therapeutic effects of retrograde locked intramedullary nail for the treatment of middle or distal fractures of humeral shaft.

METHODSFrom October 2002 to February 2005, 21 patients with middle or distal fractures of humeral shaft were treated with AO retrograde locked intramedullary nail. Among the patients, 13 patients were male and 8 patients were female, ranging in age from 23 to 56 years, with an average of 34.5 years. Nineteen patients were fresh fractures, and 2 patients were old fractures. Eleven patients had middle fractures of humeral shaft, and other 10 patients had distal fractures of humeral shaft. Two patients with old fractures were non-union and treated with autoallergic bone grafting; 5 patients combined with radial nerve injury underwent exploration. The therapeutic effects were evaluated according to Constant-Murley shoulder score and Mayo elbow score.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, ranging from 18 to 24 months, with an average of 20.8 months. The fractures were healed except 1 patient with old fracture and 1 patient with extremely distal acute fracture. The shoulders and elbows had satisfactory recovery except 1 patient with old fracture. The mean Constant-Murley score was (83.6 +/- 13.4) points (50-97), 12 patients got an excellent result, 5 good, 4 fair and no bad; the mean Mayo elbow score was (88.6 +/- 9.8) points (65-95), 13 patients got an excellent result, 5 good, 3 fair and no bad.

CONCLUSIONThe retrograde locked intramedullary nail offers an ideal treatment method for middle and distal fractures of humeral shaft. Strict operative indication, precise surgical techniques and stable locking are the keys to a successful treatment results.

Adult ; Bone Nails ; Elbow Joint ; physiopathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; methods ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Chinese herbal medicine for nourishing yin, supplementing qi, and activating blood on the expression of interferon-γ (IFN-γ)/interleukin-4 (IL-4) in peripheral blood and disease activity in primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) patients, and to study the relationship between the immune balance of Th1/Th2 and the disease activity.

METHODSA total of 66 pSS patients were randomized with tossing coins method into two groups: the integrative therapy group (34 cases) and the control group (32 cases); and 28 healthy subjects were taken as the normal group. The integrative therapy group was treated by Chinese herbal medicines for nourishing yin, supplementing qi, and activating blood combined with hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets and the control group was treated with hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets. The treatment course was 3 months for both groups. The levels of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), IFN-γ and IL-4 in peripheral blood were measured before and after treatment.

RESULTSCompared with the normal group, the levels of IgG, ESR, IFN-γ and IL-4 were significantly increased in pSS patients (P<0.05). Remarkably, after 3 months of treatment, these levels were dramatically decreased in both the integrative therapy group and the control group, although still higher than the normal group. The levels of IgG, ESR, IFN-γ and IL-4 in the integrative therapy group were lower than the control group and the same group before treatment (P<0.05). The ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 also significantly decreased after treatment. Moreover, the level of IFN-γ and the ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 in the integrative therapy group were significantly lower than the control group (P<0.05). For all patients the ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 before and after treatment was positive correlated with the levels of IgG and ESR.

CONCLUSIONChinese herbal medicine for nourishing yin, supplementing qi, and activating blood can alleviate the disease activity of pSS by regulating the immune balance of Th1/Th2.

Adult ; Aged ; Blood Sedimentation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Qi ; Sjogren's Syndrome ; blood ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Th1-Th2 Balance ; drug effects ; Yin-Yang ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effect of the treatment for sequestered type lumbar disk herniation (SLDH) with FENG's spinal manipulation.

METHODSForty-one patients (27 male, 14 female) were treated by FENG's spinal manipulation. The clinical results were measured by the Japanese and FENG's lumbar treatment standard and evaluated by scoring system for assessment of treatment for low back pain between pre- and post-treatment. To measure MRI sagittal index (SI) of lumbar disc herniation between pre- and post-treatment.

RESULTSThe score of subjective symptoms and clinical signs increased obviously after treatment. There was no statistical difference of SI between pre- and post-treatment (P<0.05). The outcome of treatment was satisfying.

CONCLUSIONThe major pathologic change of SLDH is the single/multiple vertebral subluxation. FENG's spinal manipulation can correct the vertebral subluxation which leading to the series of clinical manifestations. The good clinical outcome may due to the alleviation of distortion and tension of dura and nerve root with the recovery of the spinal column's stability.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; therapy ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Manipulation, Spinal ; methods ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of Chinese herbal medicine for strengthening qi, nourishing yin, and removing stasis on serum osteopontin (OPN) and quality of life (QOL) in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) and to study the correlation between OPN level and the disease.

METHODSSixty-eight pSS patients were randomly assigned to two groups: the treatment group (35 cases) treated by Chinese herbal medicine for strengthening qi, nourishing yin, and removing stasis combined with hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablet (HCQ) and the control group (33 cases) treated by HCQ only. Both were treated for 3 months. Before and after treatment, immunoglobulin G (IgG) level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and OPN level were measured. The QOL in patients was evaluated using the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) before and after treatment. Thirty healthy females were taken as the normal control.

RESULTSBefore treatment, levels of IgG, ESR, and OPN in patients were higher than those in the normal control. After 3 months of treatment, those in both treatment groups decreased but were lower in the treatment group than those in the control group (P<0.05). The scores of 8 dimensions of SF-36 were lower in the pSS patients than those in the normal control (P<0.05) and higher in the treatment group than in the control group after treatment (P<0.05). Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between the levels of OPN and the levels of IgG and ESR, and a negative correlation between OPN levels and the overall score of SF-36 (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSChinese herbal medicine for strengthening qi, nourishing yin, and removing stasis could alleviate pSS disease and improve the QOL. In addition, the OPN level might be used as an evaluating index for pSS disease.

Adult ; Aged ; Blood Sedimentation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Osteopontin ; blood ; Qi ; Quality of Life ; Sjogren's Syndrome ; blood ; drug therapy ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Yin-Yang ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe three-dimensional space position change of nucleus pulposus and nerve root before and after treatment of lumbar disc herniation by spinal fixed-point rotating reduction, and explore the mechanisms.

METHODSTotally 52 patients with L5S1 lumbar disc hernation treated by spinal fixed-point rotating reduction were collected from April 2009 to June 2011. There were 33 males and 19 females with an average age of 34.6 years old (ranged, 19 to 55). Three-dimensional MRI were performed to observe relationship between nucleus pulposus and related nerve root,configuration change of spine and pelvic on coronary MRI.

RESULTSMRI showed relationship between nucleus pulposus and related nerve root mainly located on axillary, shoulder, front and surround. Vertebral displacement disappeared, lumbocrural pain alleviated after manipulative therapy. All patients were followed up from 2 to 28 months with an average of 12 months, and no recurred. All patients recovered work. Nucleus pulposus had no change,while lumbral spinal and pelvic curve changed before and after admission.

CONCLUSIONLumbar disc herniation combined with single (multiple) vertebral displacement,can cause biomechanical properties of nucleus puplosus and related nerve root, while spinal fixed-point rotating reduction can correct vertebral displacement, recover balance between inside and outside of spinal.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Rotation ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and advantages ofmidfrontai keyhole approach for treatment of hypertensive ventricular hemorrhage cast. Methods Thirty patients with hypertensive ventricular hemorrhage cast were randomized into 2 groups to receive ventricular drainage (group A) or microsurgical hematoma elimination through midfrontal keyhole approach (group B). The clinical outcomes of the patients were assessed according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) after 3-6 months of follow-up. Results IngroupA, 6 patients had GOS grade l, 6 had grade 2-3, and 3 had grade 4-5 outcomes. In group B, 1 patient had GOS grade 1, 2 had grade 2-3, and 12 had grade 4-5 outcomes. The patients in group B had significantly better outcomes than those in group A. Conclusion Microsurgical hematoma elimination through the midfrontal keyhole approach produces better therapeutic effect than ventrieular drainage in the treatment of hypertensive ventricular hemorrhage cast.