The incidence of systemic fungal infections have increased dramatically, moreover, drug resistance including either primary (intrinsic) or secondary (acquired) resistance, becomes one of the main reasons accounting for the failure of treating invasive fungal infections in the past decades. Nowadays, clinically available antifungal drugs are limited and their combination in antifungal therapy was not effective. It is expected to be a new strategy to synergistically sensitize antifungal drugs against drug-resistant fungi by using new small molecules. Based on the study in our research group and the reported work of others, we reviewed the research of the natural products which have synergistic effect with the antifungal agents against drug-resistant fungi. This review focused on the resource, structure, pharmacological activity, and action mechanism of the compounds, as well as somewhat in common, and would provide theoretical base for seeking new drug against drug-resistance fungi.
Antifungal Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Biological Products ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Drug Synergism ; Fungi ; drug effects

Objective To investigate the effects of supported employment(SE) on the vocational rehabilitation for schizophrenic rehabilitants.Methods 108 schizophrenic rehabilitants with stable conditions were recruited and randomly allocated into the control group and experimental group.Fifty-four cases in the control group received the general outpatient service and follow-up service with drug maintenance therapy and 54 cases in the experimental group received SE with drug maintenance therapy.At the baseline and the end of the sixth month,all of the 108 cases were assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Work-related Social Skills Scale (WSSS) respectively.The competitive employment rate and average working days of the two groups were evaluated at the end of the sixth month.Results There was no significant difference in the total score of WSSS,and the total score of PANSS and its sub-scores on the Positive Scale,Negative Scale and General Psychopathological Scale betweeu the two groups at the baseline(P＞ 0.05).At the cnd of the sixth months,significant differences (P＜0.01 ～ 0.05) were found in the total score of WSSS,the sub-score of the Negative Scale,the competitive employment rate and the average working days((35.11 ± 12.71) d vs(20.15 ± 8.04) d) between the experimental and control groups.Conclusion SE can increase the employment rate of schizophrenic rehabilitants,improve their abilities to acquire and maintain competitive employment,and meanwhile relieve their negative symptoms.

Objective To evaluate abdominal imaging in AIDS.Methods The imaging examinations(including US,CT and MR)of 6 patients with AIDS associated abdominal foci were analysed retrospectively.All the cases were performed US,and CT scan,of which 4 performed enhanced CT scan and 1 with MR.Results Abdominal tuberculosis were found in 4 patients,including abdominal lymph nodes tuberculosis(3 cases)and pancreatic tuberculosis(1 case).The imaging of lymph nodes tuberculosis typically showed enlarged peripheral rim enhancement with central low-attenuation on contrast-enhanced CT. Pancreatic tuberculosis demonstrated low-attenuation area in pancreatic head and slightly peripheral enhancement.Disseminated Kaposi's sarcoma was seen in 1 case:CT and MRI scan demonstrated tumour infiltrated along hepatic portal vein and bronchovascular bundles.Pelvic tumor was observed in 1 case:CT scan showed large mass with thick and irregular wall and central low attenuation liquefacient necrotic area in the pelvic cavity.Conclusion The imaging findings of AIDS with abdominal foci is extraordinarily helpful to the diagnosis of such disease.Tissue biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and initial experience of laparoscopic pyelolithoto- my within renal sinus.Methods A total of 19 patients(14 men and 5 women)of nephrolithiasis on 21 sides underwent laparoscopic pyelolithotomy within renal sinus.Of them,9 cases with other upper urinary tract diseases were treated by laparoseopic pyelolithotomy at the same time.The patient age ranged from 16 to 67 years(mean,41 years).The calculi were 1.2 to 3.5 cm in diameter,and were found on the right side in 11 cases,left side in 6,and both sides in 2.Five cases concomitantly had ureteral calculi;of them,1 had bi- lateral ureter calculi with ipsilateral steinstrasse,2 had pyelic polyp(1 with giant hydronephrosis after open ureterolithotomy),and 1 had giant bydronephrosis with pyelolithiasis during pregnancy with double-J tube drainage.Twelve cases(13 sides)had experienced unsuccessful extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy,and 1 failed with minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy.Results The procedure was successful in all the 19 cases.The operative time ranged from 75 to 240 rain(mean,115 rain).The intraoperative blood loss ranged from 30 to 100ml(mean,50 ml).One case experienced 5-d urine leakage,and was spontaneously cured.The hospital stay was 5-9 d(mean,6 d).Double-J tube drainage was 4-6 weeks.During the follow- up(3-36 months),KUB and IVU showed no upper urinary tract stricture and no residual stones except for 1 stone of 0.7 cm in the renal lower calyx in 1 case.The kidney function was improved in all cases.Con- clusions Laparoscopic pyelolithotomy is new and minimally invasive alternative approach for renal calculi. With this procedure the urinary tract complications can be treated concomitantly,thus it can partially replace open surgery.

The survey of traditional knowledge related to Chinese materia medica resources is the important component and one of the innovative aspects of the fourth national survey of the Chinese materia medica resources. China has rich traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and the comprehensive investigation of TCM traditional knowledge aims to promote conservation and sustainable use of Chinese materia medica resources. Building upon the field work of pilot investigations, this paper introduces the essential procedures and key methods for conducting the survey of traditional knowledge related to Chinese materia medica resources. The essential procedures are as follows. First is the preparation phrase. It is important to review all relevant literature and provide training to the survey teams so that they have clear understanding of the concept of traditional knowledge and master key survey methods. Second is the field investigation phrase. When conducting field investigations, survey teams should identify the traditional knowledge holders by using the 'snowball method', record the traditional knowledge after obtaining prior informed concerned from the traditional knowledge holders. Researchers should fill out the survey forms provided by the Technical Specification of the Fourth National Survey of Chinese Materia Medica Resources. Researchers should pay particular attention to the scope of traditional knowledge and the method of inheriting the knowledge, which are the key information for traditional knowledge holders and potential users to reach mutual agreed terms to achieve benefit sharing. Third is the data compilation and analysis phrase. Researchers should try to compile and edit the TCM traditional knowledge in accordance with intellectual property rights requirements so that the information collected through the national survey can serve as the basic data for the TCM traditional knowledge database. The key methods of the survey include regional division of Chinese materia medica resources, interview of key information holders and standardization of information.' In particular, using "snowball method" can effectively identify traditional knowledge holder in the targeted regions and ensuring traditional knowledge holders receiving prior informed concerned before sharing the information with researcher to make sure the rights of traditional knowledge holders are protected. Employing right survey methods is not only the key to obtain traditional knowledge related to Chinese materia medica resources, but also the pathway to fulfill the objectives of access and benefit sharing stipulated in Convention on Biological Resources. It will promote the legal protection of TCM traditional knowledge and conservation of TCM intangible, cultural heritage.
China ; Data Collection ; Databases, Pharmaceutical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Materia Medica ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Background Studies determined that rapamycin has not only the antibiosis but also suppressing the auto-immunology.The treating effect of rapamycin on experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) is still concerned.Objective This work was to investigate the therapeutic effect of rapamycin on EAU and study the effect on the expression of inflammatory cytokines which were secreted by T lymphocyte subgroup in EAU.Methods EAU was induced in 20 SPF male Lewis rats by subcutaneous injection of interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP) R16 peptide emulsified in adjuvant.The rats were randomized into model control group and rapamycin injection group and 10 rats for each group.The rapamycin of 0.2 mg/( kg · d) 0.4 ml was intraperitoneally injected for the consecutive 7 days immediately after modeling,and the equal volume of normal saline solution was used at the same fashion in the model control group and 5 normal matched rats( normal control group).The ocular manifestation of the rats were examined under the slit lamp regularly.The retinal sections of the rats were prepared in the 14 days after modeling for the histopathological examination with hematoxylin and eosin staining.The ocular signs of inflammation and histopathological severity were scored based on the criteria of Caspi.Expression of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) in rat retinas were detected by immunohistochemistry.This experiment followed the Regulation for the Administration of Affair Concerning Experimental Animals by Tianjin Municipal Government.Results The scores of ocular signs elevated gradually from 6 through 12 days after modeling and slowly declined after that in the model control group.A same tendency was seen in the rapamycin injection group.The significant differences were seen in the scores of ocular signs between the two groups from 6 to 14 days( P＜0.01 ).The disorder of retinal structure and infiltration of inflammatory cells were seen in the model control group,but the retina layers were normal in the rapamycin injection group.The pathological score was evidently declined in the rapamycin injection group ( 0.90 ± 0.45 ) in comparison with model control group( 3.30±0.48 ) ( t =16.541,P＜0.01 ).The expressions of the IFN-γ and IL-17 in retina located in the outer nuclear layer,inner nuclear layer,internal plexiform layer and retinal ganglion cell layer with the weakened levels(A values) in rapamycin injection group compared with model control group,showing a considerably difference between them ( IFN-γ:21.16±4.23 vs 62.14 ±7.32; IL-17:49.86±6.59 vs 124.85 ±6.33 )(q=33.334,q=56.923,P＜0.01 ).Conclusions Rapamycin down-regulates the expressions of IFN-γ and IL-17 in retina and further eliminates the inflammatory response in the rat with EAU by the suppression of Th1 and Th17 cells function in EAU.

BackgroundStudies determined that Th17 cells are important inflammatory cell group in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis ( EAU ).Interleukin-17 ( IL-17 ),as a marker of Th17,is involved in the occurrence and development of EAU.Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play an immunomodulatory role,mainly by inhibiting the expression of Th17 in a variety of self-autoimmune disease.This is one of the current research focuses.ObjectiveThe present study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of MSCs in EAU and their impact on IL-17 expression in the retina.MethodsMSCs were isolated from the bone marrow of the femurs from 10 SPF Wistar rats and cultured and passaged.The third to fifth generations of cells were used in this experiment.EAU models were induced in 48 6-8 week-old SPF Lewis rats by subcutaneous injection of interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP) R16 peptide emulsified in adjuvant.EAU rats were randomly assigned to the model control group and the MSCs group.MSCs suspension (5×106) of 1 ml was injected via the rat tail vein once a day for 3 consecutive days after immunization,and the same amount of PBS was injected in the model control group in the same manner.Six matched normal Lewis rats were used as the normal control group.The inflammatory response was clinically examined under the slit lamp biomicroscope daily,and the histopathological changes of the retina were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining on days 9,12,15 and 20.The clinical and histopathological scoring was performed according to the Caspi criteria.Expression of the IL-17 protein in the retina was detected by immunohistochemistry on 9,12,15 and 20days following molding.The use of the animals complied with the Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals by Tianjin Municipality Science and Technology Commission.Results MSCs showed the fusiform in shape and vortex-like growth.Flow cytometry verified that presented the positive expression for CD29 and CD44 but absent expression for CD45 and CD34.The scores of the anterior segment were significantly lower ( U=2.815,P =0.005 ; U =2.768,P =0.006 ; U =2.900,P =0.004 ; U =2.855,P =0.004 ),and the retinal inflammation scores were lower in the MSCs group than the model control group at various time points ( U =2.345,P =0.019 ; U =2.559,P =0.011 ; U =2.166,P =0.030 ; U =2.373,P =0.018 ).Im mnunochemistry showed that the expressions levels of the IL-17 protein (A value) in the rat retina were 26.47±5.68,77.78± 9.65,47.02±6.68 and 26.59±5.94 in the MSCs group on days 9,12,15 and 20,and those in the control group were 45.34±4.63,105.95± 10.74,64.11 ±9.76 and 37.02±6.51,showing a significant reduction ( t =6.305,P =0.000 ; t =4.799,P =0.001 ; t=3.540,P=0.005;t=2.900,P=0.016). ConclusionsMSCs can inhibit the aggravation of EAU and suppress the expression of IL-17 in ocular tissue.

Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma has the efficacy of dissolving stasis and hemostasis and reducing swelling and easing pain. Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) is the main active component of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma, and the main components include ginsenoside Rb1, Rg1, Re, Rd and notoginsenoside R1. Injections with PNS as the medicinal material basis have become main TCM injections for the treatment of cerebral vascular diseases, with confirmed clinical efficacy. This article reviewed the research progress in pharmacological effects, clinical application and adverse reactions of PNS in treatment of cerebral vascular disease, with a purpose to provide references for further research and clinical application.

Objective To study the characteristics of event-related potentials P300 in patients with anxiety disorder(AD). Methods P300 tests were carried out in 30 patients with AD and 30 healthy adult controls. ResultsPatients with AD had significantly delayed P3 latency ([326?16] ms vs [339?19]ms, P

OBJECTIVETo explore the inhibitory effects of Niaoluqing, an oral liquid of traditional Chinese medicine, on the growth of urogenital chlamydia trachomatis (Ct).

METHODSNiaoluqing's applying concentration was 1 g/ml and 10 serologically untyped strains of Ct from the STD clinic were used. And the inhibitory effects of Niaoluqing on Ct was evaluated by McCoy cell microculture technique in vitro.

RESULTSNiaoluqing had inhibitory activity for urogenital Ct, and was capable of reducing inclusion numbers notably in the concentrations of 50 to 200 mg/ml. The number and volume of Ct inclusions reduced gradually and disappeared finally with the rising of the medicinal concentration.

CONCLUSIONThe traditional Chinese medicine Niaoluqing has inhibitory effects on the growth of urogenital Ct.

Chlamydia trachomatis ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Urogenital System ; microbiology