OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of tanshinone II(A) on the expression of different components in the renin-angiotensin system of left ventricles of renal hypertensive rats.

METHODThe renal hypertension model was established in rats by the two-kidney-one-clip (2K1C) method. In the experiment, all of the rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 15 per group) before the operation: the sham-operated (Sham) group, the hypertensive model (Model) group, the low-dose tanshinone II(A) group and the high-dose tanshinone II(A) group. At 5 week after the renal artery narrowing, the third and fourth groups were administered with 35 mg kg(-1) x d(-1) and 70 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) of tanshinone II(A), respectively. The blood pressure in rats was determined by the standard tail-cuff method in each week after the operation. After the drug treatment for 8 weeks, all the rats were put to death, and their left ventricles were separated to determine the ratio of left ventricle weight to body weight (LVW/BW), the myocardial collagen content, and the expressions of different components in myocardial RAS, including angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), angiotensin 1-type receptor (AT1R), Mas receptor mRNA expression and angiotensin II (Ang II) and angiotensin (1-7) [Ang (1-7)] content.

RESULTCompared with the sham group, the hypertensive model group exhibited a markable increase in the content of Ang II and Ang (1-7) and the mRNA expressions of ACE, ACE2, AT1R and Mas (P < 0.01). However, the treatment with tanshinone II(A) showed the does dependence, inhibited left ventricle hypertrophy, decreased myocardial Ang II content and the mRNA expression of ACE and AT, R in renal hypertensive rats (P < 0. 01) , further increased the myocardial Ang (1-7) content and the mRNA expression of ACE2 and Mas (P < 0.01) , but without any change in the blood pressure of hypertensive rats.

CONCLUSIONThe treatment with tanshinone II(A) could inhibit left ventricle hypertrophy of renal hypertensive rats. Its mechanism may be partially related to the expression of different components in the renin-angiotensin system for regulating myocardial tissues.

Angiotensin I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Angiotensin II ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; administration & dosage ; Heart Ventricles ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Peptide Fragments ; genetics ; metabolism ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Renin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; drug effects

Abstract: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global public health problem due to its highly contagious nature. This article aims to discuss the current situation of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, and to provide a basis for traditional Chinese medicine research and scientific and standardized treatment of COVID-19.In this article, the etiology, pathogenesis, treatment plan and research progress were summarized, analyzed and concluded by retrieving and reviewing the literature and clinical reports related to the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 with traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine has obvious effects in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, improvement of clinical symptoms, and control of disease progression, which had the unique advantages of mild curative efficacy and safety. It has important practical significance in relieving patients' early symptoms and reducing the incidence of progression from mild to severe, and had great potential for development in the treatment of COVID-19. The traditional Chinese medicine intervention and the formulation of diagnosis and treatment plans for the COVID-19 need to be continuously optimized and improved. Scientific and rational application of traditional Chinese medicine to prevent and treat COVID-19, optimization diagnosis and treatment programs, and in-depth exploration of pharmacological mechanisms, especially the provide reference for early intervention of new coronavirus pneumonia by traditional Chinese medicine, the control of disease progression in the middle stage, and improve prognosis in the late stage with Western medicine.

Objective To understand the adherence to current treatment guidelines after training in man-agement of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) in emergency department (ED),and to assess the patients' prognosis. Methods Were ED doctors trained with a standard management flow-sheet for AECOPD. The treatment of 152 AECOPD patients recruited from November 1,2008 to April 30,2009 in our hospital and their prognosis were compared to those of 133 AECOPD patients who were treated between Novem-ber 1,0007 to April 30,2008. Results After training, the ED doctors' management of AECOPD is more standard. The rate of the combination of inhaled anticholinergics and short-acting β_2-agonists was increased from 12.0% (16/133) to 27.6% (42/152), the use of inhaled glucocorticosteroids was increased from 52.6% (70/133) to 88.8% (135/152), and the early use of noninvasive imermittent positive pressure ventilation(NIPPV) for the mod-erate to severe was increased from 10.5% (14/133) to 16.4% (25/152). The use of theophylline was decreased from 69.2% (92/133) to 49.3% (75/152). The in-ED mortality rate was decreased from 15.8% (21/133) to 12.5% (19/152). All the difference were significant (P< 0.05). The rate of inhaled β_2-agonists was increased from 78.2% (104/133) to 82.9% (126/152), the use of systemic glucocorticosteroids was decreased from 63.2% (84/133) to 56.6% (86/152),the use of antibiotics was increased from 88.0% (117/133) to 92.8% (141/152), and the use of invasive mechanical ventilation was increased from 14.3% (19/133) to 15.1% (23/152) ,the in-hos-pital mortality rate was decreased from 6.0% (8/133) to 5.3% (8/152), the average days in hospital was decreased from 13.3 to 12.4 days, but the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). Conclusions There are still some differences exist between guideline recommendations and actual ED management of AECOPD. After training ED doctora with a standard flow-sheet, their management of AECOPD is improved. The rate of the combination of inhaled anticholinergics and short-acting β_2-agonists, use of inhaled glucocorticosteroids, and early use of NIPPV is increased. The use of theophylline and the in-ED mortality rate is decreased.

Equipment Design ; Humans ; Nebulizers and Vaporizers

One strain of Pseudoalteromonas sp. E18 was isolated from the sea mud of Ningbo, Zhejiang. It can produce indigo pigment. The morphological, cultural and biochemical characteristics of the bacterium were studied. The indigo pigment was also extracted. The results showed that the maximum absorption peak of the pigment was at 579nm. The pigment was stable to UV, Na_2SO_3,It was also stable at pH 3～9. The pigment was unstable to the sunlight and high concentration H_2O_2. Temperature of 60℃～80℃ could increase the hue while temperature higher than 90℃ could reduce the hue.

Objective: To explore the influence factors of the degenerate oligonucleotide primered PCR(DOP-PCR). Methods: Genome DNA template from the mouse single oocyte or liver tissue were used to perform DOP-PCR. DOP-PCR was carried out with templates of different origin, different gradient dilution, with or without low melting point gel purified to wipe off the small fragment that might interfere with the following analysis, and then PCR of gene FTCD and CBS were carried out to evaluate the influence of these factors on the amplification efficiency and specificity. Results: Compared with genome DNA template from mouse liver, the template from single oocyte had the same efficiency and specificity but a minor yield and different gradient dilution of DNA template had no effect on the efficiency and specificity. Furthermore, there was a higher specificity in the low melting point gel-purified DOP-PCR product than in untreated ones. Conclusion: We have got a satisfactory result and increased specificity from DOP-PCR product purified with the low melting point gel. Single oocyte of mice could be used for further investigation of special genes detection by DOP-PCR and of an optimization in the yield of the products.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of acupuncture along affected meridian on the mem- brane metallo-endopeptidase (MME) gene expression of migraine patients without aura (MO) of Gan-yang hyperactivity syndrome (GYHS).

METHODSTotally 20 MO patients of GYHS were randomly assigned to the acupoint group (acupuncture along affected meridian) and the non-acupoint group, 10 cases in each group. Needling was performed once per day for 10 consecutive days. Gene chip technology was used to obtain two sets of gene expression profiles and analyzed using Gene Ontology (GO).

RESULTSIn the acupoint group, MME gene expression decreased after needling (P = 0.0023).That gene was rich in the beta-amyloid metabolic process (P = 3.16E-05) and the peptide metabolic process (P = 0.009612). Its expression was not seen in the non-acupoint group.

CONCLUSIONThe effect of point selection along affected meridian could be achieved possibly by regulating the MME gene expression.

Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Endrin ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; Humans ; Meridians ; Migraine Disorders ; therapy ; Syndrome

With more and more attention and investment on acupuncture scientific researches, considerable outcomes and achievements has been acquired, but the shortcoming of low transformation rate of acupuncture research achievements is gradually exposed. Nowadays there is no related report on this problem, so based on achievement translational research in other areas and practical situation of acupuncture, the existing problems and solutions are analyzed. As a result, the existing problems include (1) the research content is mainly basic research and clinical research but less acupuncture device research, leading to limited transformation efficiency; (2) the evaluation system and transformation pattern are still needed to be perfect. The solutions are (1) to properly evaluate the research achievements of acupuncture, (2) to advocate the concept and method of translational medicine, (3) to reform the policy and system, and (4) to establish valid platforms covering research, outcomes and transformation.
Acupuncture ; economics ; legislation & jurisprudence ; manpower ; Biomedical Research ; Biotechnology ; economics ; legislation & jurisprudence ; manpower ; China ; Humans ; Technology Transfer

Aged ; Bronchoscopy ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; complications ; Tracheal Stenosis ; etiology ; therapy