ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Xuebijing (Chinese herbal medicine preparation) on lung fibrosis in a rat model of oleic acid - induced lung injury.MethodsSixty SPF level of male Wistar rats were randomly ( random number) divided into three groups ( n =20 ):normal control group ( group A),oleic acid model group (group B),oleic acid and Xuebijing group (group C).Rats in group A were injected with normal saline (0.13 ml/kg) ; acute lung injury (ALI) model rats were injected with oleic acid (0. 13 ml/kg) intravenously in B and C groups.Twelve hours after administrations of saline or oleic acid into rats of three groups separately,samples of arterial blood from all rats were taken for blood gas analysis.By analysis of blood oxygen partial pressure,the acute lung injury model successfully made was confirmed.Then the rats in group C were treated with xuebijing (4 ml/kg) intravenously,once a day from the 1st to 7th day.The rats in groups A and B were treated with saline (4 ml/kg).Five rats in each group were randomly sacrificed on the 1st,7th,14th,28th day,separately.The bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of left lung of all rats was carried out after weight of lung weighed.The lefi lungs of rats were weighed in wet and dry in order to get the wet/dry ratio.Venous blood and BAL fluid (BALF) were obtained for detection of procollagen Ⅲ ( PC Ⅲ ) concentrations with enzyme - linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Right upper lobe of lung specimens was taken for histopathological examination after paraffin - embedded sections with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson staining.Multiple comparisons were analyzed by using oneway analysis of variance (SNK-q test).Statistical analyses were performed by using SPSS 13.0 software.ResultsOxygenation index of groups B and C ( PaO2/FiO2 ＜ 300) significantly decreased compared with the group A ( P ＜ 0.01 ).Levels of serum PC Ⅲ on the 14th day and 28th day in group C decreased significantly in comparison with group B ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Compared with group A,the levels of BALF PC Ⅲ and serum PC Ⅲ in group B and group C on the 7th day,14th day and 28th day increased ( P ＜ 0.01 ).Levels of PC Ⅲ in BALF on the 7th day,14th day and 28th day in C group decreased in comparison with group B ( P ＜0.01 ).Compared with group A,the levels of PCⅢ in BALF in group B and group C on the 7th day,14th day and 28th day increased ( P ＜ 0.05 ).ConclusionsThe result suggests that treatment with xuebijing may be useful in inhibiting pulmonary fibrosis during the course of ALI in rots.

BACKGROUND: Polysaccharide sulfate has bean hot focus in recent research.Regarding anticoagulant property of sulfated polysaccharides, recent studies mainly explored degree Of substitution, and there are rare studies concerning relative molecular mass and spatial structure.OBJECTIVE: To study the anticoagulant activity of the sulfated agarose with different relative molecular masses.METHODS: With formamide as dispersing agent,agarose was sulfated with the method of chlor0sulfonic acid-pyridine.The product was graded and purified with dialysis bag.Two kinds of sulfated agarose with different molecular masses were obtained,and their anticoagulant properties were checked by assays of the activated partial thromboplastin time,thrombin time.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:.Two kinds of sulfated agarose had similar degree of substitution and sulfation position,whereas their molecular weight was different.The bioassay results of coagulation index demonstrated that the anticoagulant activity of agarose improved with the increasing of molecular mass within a certain range.Relative molecular mass had an important effect on the anticoagulant activity of the sulfated agarose.

Objective To investigate the effect of glucocorticoid on rat lung in a rat model of oleic acid-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)lung injury. Methods Sixty SPF level of healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group(group A),oleic acid model group(group B)and oleic acid and Methylprednisolone group(group C),and each group with 20 cases rats. ARDS model rats were established by injection with oleic acid(0. 14 ml/ kg)intravenously. Twelve hours after injection,aterial blood was drawn for blood gas analysis of blood oxygen partial pressure in order to confirm that acute lung injury model was successful. Then the rats in group C were treated with injection of Methylprednisolone( 4 mg/ kg) intravenously,once a day,from the 1st to 7th day. The rats in A and B groups were given saline(4 ml/ kg). Five rats in each group were randomly sacrificed on the1st,7th,14th,28th day respectively. The left lung of all rats was underwent bronchoalveolar lavage after weighed. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid( BALF)were obtained for detection of procollagen III(PCⅢ)concentrations with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay( ELISA). Right lobe of lung specimens was used for histopathological examination. Results Compared with the group A,PaO2 in group B and C were decreased significantly(P < 0. 01),but there was no significant difference between group B and group C(P > 0. 05). The levels of PCⅢ concentrations of BALF in Group A,B and C group were(30. 61 ± 0. 52)μg/ L,(30. 14 ± 0. 41)μg/ L and(30. 71 ± 0. 74)μg/ L respectively on the first day,(29. 15 ± 0. 17)μg/ L,(34. 35 ± 0. 73)μg/ L and(31. 72 ± 0. 46)μg/ L respectively at the 7th day,(30. 23 ± 0. 41)μg/ L, (38. 61 ± 1. 21)μg/ L and(33. 32 ± 0. 57)μg/ L respectively at 14th day and(31. 12 ± 0. 22)μg/ L,(37. 53 ± 2. 46)μg/ L and(34. 45 ± 0. 27)μg/ L respectively at 28th day. Levels of PCⅢ concentrations of BALF at 7th, 14th and 28th day time point in group B and C were decreased in comparison of A group(P < 0. 05),and there was significant difference between B and C group(P < 0. 01). Conclusion A treatment with Methylprednisolone may be useful in inhibiting pulmonary fibrosis in the process of ARDS in rats.

By using data mining technology, the characteristics of acupoints selection of modern moxibustion for primary dysmenorrhea (PD) were analyzed. The modern literature regarding moxibustion for PDl was coll6cted~ from a comprehensive retrieval in Chinese Biomedical Medicine (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP and PubMed. The prescription database of moxihustion was established, and the association rule4 method of data mining technology was adopted to analyze characteristics and rules of acupoints selection of modern moxibustion for PD. As a result, a total of 35 acupoints were involved with a total frequency of 399. The acupoints, with higher selected frequency included Guanyuan (CV 4, 90 times), Sanyinjiao (SP 6, 47 times), Shenque (CV 8, 43 times), Zhongji (CV 3, 3 times) and Qihai (CV 6, 28 tirmes); the ratio of yin-meridian acupoints to1 yang-meridian acupoints was approximately 341; the utilization of the specific acupoints accountedfor68. 6% (24/35); the crossing acupoints were used mostly (203 "times), featured with high acupoints selected, especially Guanyuan (CV 4), Sanyinjiao CSP 6) and Zhongji (CV 3); the front-mu points (130 times), he-sa points (19 times) and lower he-sea points (18 times) were frequently used. The results reveal thiat acupoints selection of moxibustion of PD focuses on the local acupoints and comnbination with the distal acupoints. The yin-meridian acupoints are preferred and the specific acupoints are the main part of the prescription. This conclusion can also be used to optimize the choosing of acupoints in clinic.
Acupuncture Points ; Data Mining ; Databases, Bibliographic ; Dysmenorrhea ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the types of control groups in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), and to provide suggestions for improving the design of control group in future clinical studies in this therapeutic area. METHODS: A search of the Cochrane Library was conducted in July 2005 to identify RCTs of CHM, and 66 RCTs with CHM for type 2 diabetes mellitus were obtained as the basis for further analysis. RESULTS: Of 66 RCTs with CHM for type 2 diabetes mellitus, 61 (92.4%) trials had both a treatment group and a control group. Twenty-seven (40.9%) RCTs compared CHM plus conventional drug vs conventional drug, 24 (36.4%) compared CHM vs conventional drug, 5 (7.6%) compared CHM vs placebo, 3 (4.5%) compared CHM plus conventional drug vs conventional drug plus placebo, 3 (4.5%) compared CHM plus conventional drug vs other CHM, 1 (1.5%) compared CHM vs no treatment, 1 (1.5%) compared CHM plus placebo vs conventional drug plus placebo, 1 (1.5%) compared CHM vs CHM plus conventional drug vs conventional drug vs placebo, and 1 (1.5%) compared CHM vs conventional drug vs CHM plus conventional drug. CONCLUSION: A variety of control groups were used in RCTs of CHM for type 2 diabetes mellitus, including placebo, active, and no treatment control groups. Justification for selecting particular types of control groups were not provided in the trials reviewed in this study. Different control groups may be appropriate according to the study objectives, and several factors should be considered prior to selecting control groups in future RCTs of CHM. RECOMMENDATIONS: (1) Investigators of CHM who design clinical trials should understand the rationale for selecting different types of control groups; (2) Control groups for RCTs should be selected according to study objectives; (3) Active control groups should select interventions for comparisons that have the strongest evidence of efficacy and prescribe them as recommended; (4) Placebo control groups should select a placebo that mimics the physical characteristics of test intervention as closely as possible and is completely inert; (5) No treatment control groups should only be used when withholding treatment is ethical and objectives outcomes will not be subject to bias due to absent blinding; (6) Crossover control groups may be appropriate in chronic and stable conditions.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the quality of reporting in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), and to provide suggestions for improving the reporting of future clinical studies in this therapeutic area. METHODS: A search of the Cochrane Library was conducted to identify RCTs of CHM. A revised CONSORT checklist designed for CHM clinical studies was implemented. The revised CONSORT checklist contained 63 items, including the following new items added specifically for CHM: (1) "syndrome of disease" based on Chinese medicine theories; (2) rationale of CHM formula; (3) formula composition; (4) preparation form of CHM; (5) quality control of CHM. RESULTS: The overall reporting quality of the RCTs as assessed with the revised CONSORT checklist varied between 19% and 44%, with a median score of 32% (standard deviation 8%). CONCLUSION: The overall quality of reporting of RCTs of CHM evaluated with a revised CONSORT checklist was poor, reflecting the need for improvements in reporting future clinical trials in this area. RECOMMENDATIONS: To improve the quality of reporting of RCTs of CHM, we recommend adopting a revised CONSORT checklist that includes items specific to CHM. We also recommend that editors of CHM journals require authors to use a structured approach to presenting their trials as a condition of publication.

Comparison of the institutional setup, policies and adverse event report mechanism for medical risk control in the countries of UK, USA, Canada, and Australia by means of browsing information on their official websites. It is found that these countries maintain a national patient safety authority, coupled with a tiered management at national, local, medical institutions and NGOs level; the USA pattern features laws and regulations, that of UK and Australia features guidelines as policy guarantee for medical safety; these countries regulate adverse event reporting by either government leadership or cooperation with trade associations. Inspirations from this study suggest China to enhance institutional construction, complete regulations, and advocate the culture for medical safety, and to build the national-level reporting and study system for medical safety events, and improve medical risk management.

Objective To investigate the effects of different immunosuppressive agents on mesangial cell proliferation through a mesangial cell injury model in vitro. Methods Mesangial cell line (HBZY-1) in period of proliferation was cultured in vitro with cytochalasin B for 2 h, then HBZY-1 cells were divided into 5 groups: blank (control) group, cyclosporine A (CsA) group, Tacrolimus (Tac) group, mycophelonate mofetil (MMF) group and rapamycin (RAPA) group. Subsequently,the number of HBZY-1 cells at different time points was measured by using the professional image analysis software after treatment for 6, 12 and 24 h, respectively. Results Damaged HBZY-1 cells recovered in all groups. At 6 h, the number of HBZY-1 cells in Tac group was significantly more than that in control group (P＜0.05), but the difference had no significance between the other treatment groups and control group (P＞0. 05). At 12 h, there was no significant difference in of the number of HBZY-1 cells among the all groups (P＞0. 05). At 24 h, there was no significant difference in the cell number between MMF and control groups (P＞0. 05). CsA, Tac and RAPA resulted in HBZY-1 cell proliferation, and the cell number in CsA and Tac groups was significantly more than that in the other groups (P＜0. 05). As compared with the control group, the cell number in RAPA group was significantly increased (P＜0. 05). Conclusion CsA, Tac, MMF and RAPA contribute to recovery of damaged HBZY-1 cells, but CsA and Tac result in over-proliferation of HBZY-1 cells. RAPA and MMF can prevent HBZY-1 cells against over-proliferation, and MMF scarcely results in HBZY-1 cell proliferation.

Rabbit bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) are multipotent. We studied the adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation potent using adipogenic supplement (AS) or osteogenic supplement (OS) in vitro. Specific markers of this induced adipogenic and osteogenic lineage were identified. The findings showed that the rabbit MSCs are capable of differentiating into adipogenic and osteogenic lineages spontaneously. On the 21st day, approximately 75% rabbit MSCs were induced to adipogenic or osteogenic cells in medium containing AS or OS, respectively. These results demonstrated that the differentiation of MSCs could be regulated in vitro. The underlying molecular mechanisms of adipogenic or osteogenic differentiation await elucidation.
Adipose Tissue ; cytology ; Animals ; Bone and Bones ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Lineage ; In Vitro Techniques ; Mesoderm ; cytology ; Rabbits ; Stem Cells ; cytology

Objective To study the information need in early period and its influencing factors of craniocerebral injury patients′relatives. Methods A total of 180 patients′relatives from three general hospitals in Wenzhou were selected by stratified random sampling. Their information need was investigated by an original scale. The results were analyzed by statistical methods. Results The score of the scale was (21. 28 ± 2. 27). Within the dimensions, the highest and the lowest scores were (3. 56 ± 0. 31) and (2. 61 ± 0. 48), which were injury state and hospital rules, respectively. The relatives of patients who had been in hospital for less than three days had more information need on injury state, therapeutic measure, examination method, family cooperation and hospital rules than those of patients who had been in hospital for more than three days. The differences were statistically significant (P < 0. 05). The relatives of patients with severe craniocerebral injury had more information need on injury state, therapeutic measure, examination method, doctor and nurse competency, treatment cost and family cooperation than those of patients with mild and moderate craniocerebral injury. The differences were statistically significant (P < 0. 05). The relatives with high education degree had more information need on therapeutic measure, doctor and nurse competency and family cooperation than those with low education degree. The differences were significant ( P < 0. 05 ). The relatives′ satisfaction with the information provided by doctors and nurses was positively related to their satisfaction with total work of doctors and nurses (r=0. 495, P<0. 01). Conclusions The relatives of patients with craniocerebral injury have much information need. Patients′length of hospital stay and injury degree, and relatives′education degree may be the influencing factors of information need. Providing the relatives with the information need can improve their satisfaction with total work of doctors and nurses.