Traditional Chinese medicine Curcuma Zedoary ( E'Zhu) contains essential oil, curcuminoid and other effective constituents, with such pharmacological actions as anti-platelet aggregation, lowing blood lipid, anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation. In recent years, studies have showed that certain extracts and chemical components of E'Zhu could mitigate myocardial cell mitochondria injury and protect vascular endothelium by enhancing heme oxygenase-1 activity, inhibit nuclear factor NF-kappaB, target genes interleukin-associated kinase-1 (IRAK-1), tumor necrosis factor receptor-6 (TRAF-6) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), reduce inflammatory infiltration, and inhibit growth factor-induced smooth muscle cells (SMCs) proliferation and migration by impacting oxidation of cellular phosphatases. Due to its different functions in vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells, E'Zhu has been applied in drug-eluting stents, with a potential effect in preventing in-stent restenosis and thrombogenesis. In this paper, studies on pharmacological effects and mechanisms of extracts and main chemical constituents from E'Zhu in preventing vascular restenosis were summarized.
Animals ; Constriction, Pathologic ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; surgery ; Curcuma ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Endothelium, Vascular ; drug effects ; Humans ; Stents

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Myositis ; physiopathology

Objective To investigate the predictive value of spiral CT in composition changes of pediatric urinary.Methods A total of 25 pediatric patients with urinary stones were investigated.Eighteen patients with renal stones were stratified into two groups:an alkalization therapy alone group ( n =9 ) and a comprehensive therapy group (n =9).Flame atomic absorption spectrum (AAS) was employed to measure calcium level of the pediatric urinary stones.Spiral CT was employed to measure the peak CT number in vitro of all the pediatric urinary stones and 61 adult urinary stones,which served as controls.Results All pediatric urinary stones contained calcium ( 0.11％ - 26.30％ ).A positive correlation was observed between the CT number of pediatric urinary stone and its stone calcium level ( r =0.855,P ＜ 0.01 ).Compared to the alkalization therapy alone group,the CT number and stone calcium level of pediatricrenal stones in the comprehensive therapy group were significant higher (stone CT number:162 ± 60 HU VS.783 ±476 HU,P ＜ 0.01 ; stone calcium level:1.30 ± 1.52％ VS 19.83 ± 7.48％,P ＜ 0.01 ).Compared to ≤400 HU pediatric renal stones,＞ 400 HU renal stones contained more calcium (21.71 ± 5.27％,1.65 ±1.82％,P ＜ 0.01 ) and failed to dissolve by alkalization therapy alone ( x2 =11.455,P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusions CT could be a predictive tool for composition changes of pediatric urinary stones.In clinical CT scanning setting,＞400 HU pediatric urinary stones probably will contain more calcium and not be suitable for alkalization therapy alone.

Objective To investigate the ultrasonic image characteristics of Zenker diverticulum(ZD).Methods The ultrasonographic features were summarized using the analysis confirmed by surgery pathology or X-ray imaging of the ZD in six eases.Results The diverticulum of Zenker located behind the thyroid gland in all the six cases,with five cases to the left and one to the right.The internal hyperechoic foci caused by air was found for all the six cases.The diverticulum wall appeared to be semicircular,narrow-band and acoustic halo low echo with an average thinckness of 0.53 mm.The Doppler sonogram of the six diverticulums showed no vascular signal.Conclusions The ZD had several unique characterisitics for identification by ultrasonic diagnosis,which included hyperechoic foci caused by air,internal changes of echo after drinking water and the special layered structure of the five-layer ZD wall.

Objective　To explore the metabolism of micronutri ents related to dark adaptation of radar operators through nutritional intervent ion. Methods　A total of 34 male radar operators aged between 18 ～29 years old were randomly divided into control and experimental groups. The c ontrol group were on normal diet, and the experimental group received the supple ment of VA, Zn and Se in additional to normal diet. The experiment lasted 4 week s. The levels of serum VA, Zn and Se were measured before and after the experime nt. Results　The levels of serum VA, Zn and Se in the experime ntal group were significantly higher than that in the control group after the experiment (P<0.01). Conclusion　The supplement of VA, Zn an d Se for 4 weeks may elevate, the levels of serum VA, Zn and Se significantly (reached or surpassed normal levels) and suggests that VA, Zn and Se su pplementation may effectively enhance the dark adaptation of radar operators.

The effects of surfactants on the production of cellulase by Trichoderma viride in liquid substrate fermentation process were investigated. Straw was used as the sole carbon source and the surfactants were biosurfactant rhamnolipid from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Tween 80. The changes of FPA,CMCase,Avicelase and surface tension with time were analyzed under different concentrations of the two surfactants. The results showed that the surfactants can enhance the enzyme activity of Trichoderma viride. The FPA,CMCase,Avicelase were promoted 1.08,1.6 and 1.03 times higher than the controls by rhamnolipid. The enhancement of the enzyme activity by rhamnolipid was much higher than that of Tween 80. At the same time,rhamnolipid was not degraded prior to other substrate.

The alkaline lipase gene of Penicillium expansum (PEL) was coloned into the yeast integrative plasmid pPIC3.5K, which was then transformed into His4 mutant yeast GS115. Recombinant Pichia strains were obtained by minimal olive oil-methanol plates screening and confirmed by PCR. The expression producus of PEL gene was analysis by SDS-PAGE and olive oil plate, the result indicated that PEL gene was functionally overexpressed in Pichia pastoris and up to 95% of the secreted protein. Recombinant lipase had a molecular mass of 28kD, showing a range similar to that of PEL, could hydrolyze olive oil and formed clear halos in the olive oil plates. Four different strategies (different media, pH, glycerol and methanol concentration) were applied to optimize the cultivation conditions, the activity of lipase was up to 260 u/mL under the optimal cultivation conditions. It is pointed out that the absence of the expensive biotin and yeast nitrogen base in the medium increased the lipase production. The possible reason of this result is absence of yeast nitrogen base increased the medium pH during cultivation, and PEL shows a higher stability at this condition. The lipase activity of the supernatant from the culture grown at pH 7 was higher than the one from the culture in the same medium at pH 6.0 is due to the pH stability of PEL too. The results also showed that the methanol and glycerol concentration had a marked effect on the production of lipase.
Enzyme Stability ; Fungal Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Lipase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Models, Genetic ; Penicillium ; enzymology ; genetics ; Pichia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; genetics

Despite recent advances in conventional therapeutic approaches for cancer, the efficacy of chemotherapy for cancer is limited due to the drug resistance and toxic side effects during treatment. To overcome drug resistance, higher doses of the toxic chemotherapy drugs are frequently administered, thus leading to even severe adverse side effects, which have limited their clinical application. Cationic liposome as a novel non-viral carrier for co-delivery of gene and chemotherapy drugs in cancer gene therapy has already attracted more and more attention in recent years. Most importantly, this combined strategy can generate a significant synergistic effect, which can silence the related gene expression and increase the concentration of the intracellular chemotherapy drugs. This approach allows the use of a much lower dose of the chemotherapy drugs to achieve same therapeutic effect, which may have the potential for overcoming some major limitations of the conventional chemotherapy. In conclusion, co-delivery of gene and chemotherapy drugs with cationic liposome delivery system will play a vital role in the future and especially could be a promising clinical treatment for drug-resistant tumors.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Cations ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Humans ; Liposomes ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Neoplasms ; therapy ; RNA, Small Interfering ; administration & dosage ; genetics

Objective To explore the effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism,environmental factor and their interactions on antidepressant treatment.Methods 340 patients of major depressive disorder (MDD) who met the diagnosis criteria of MDD ( DSM-Ⅳ Axis Ⅰ) were recruited.280 patients of them were finished 12 weeks antidepressant treatment.The severity of depression was measured with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) before and after 12 weeks antidepressant treatment.Childhood Trauma Questionnaire,28-item Short Form (CTQ-SF) and Life Events Scale (LES) were used to evaluate childhood adverse and life stress before onset.Genotyping of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism was detected by Illumina GoldenGate assays.Results Male patients proportion were significantly higher in non-remitters than remitters (P =0.008 ).After adjusting by gender, the frequencies of genotype and allele for the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism were no significant difference between remitters (AA: AG: GG = 28: 79: 40, A:G = 135:159 ) and non-remitters (AA: AG: GG = 29:81:23 ,A: G = 139:127 ) (P ＞0.05 ).There was no significant difference of CTQ scores and LES scores between the two groups (P＞0.05 ).The regression analysis showed that social intercourse problem and age were the risk factor for the severity of depression.The gender, HDRS baseline scores and mental disorder family history were associated with the efficacy of 12 weeks antidepressant.However,there was no significantly relationship between the interaction of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and environment with the antidepressant treatment.Conclusion The older men with the mental disorder family history, severe depression symptom would be less-response to antidepressant treatment.However, BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, childhood trauma, life events stress and the interaction of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and environment have no significantly effect on the 12 weeks antidepressant treatment.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of RevoLix 2 μm continuous wave laser treatment on bladder neck contracture after benign prostatic hyperplasia operation. Methods A total of 21 cases were enrolled in current research and they all accepted 2 μm continuous wave laser treatment of bladder neck contracture after benign prostatic hyperplasia operation in the 252th Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. The clinical efficacy was recorded. Results The operation of the 2 μm continuous wave laser vaporesections were successfully performed on 21 cases. The maximum urine flow rate was increased from(6. 86 ± 1. 97)ml/ s to(16. 31 ± 1. 61)ml/ s,and the difference was significant(t = 15. 49,P < 0. 01). After 3 to 23 months(median 14 months)follow-up,20 cases were cured and 1 case was combined with bladder residual urine 110 ml. Conclusion The therapy of 2 μm continuous wave laser is a superior micro-invasive surgery method for patients with Bladder neck contracture,which shows little blood loss,high level safety,convenient operation and infrequent complications.