OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of tetrandine on gene expression of collagen type I, collagen type III, transformation growth factor-beta1 and to investigate the inhibitory effect of tetrandine on the scar tissue hyperplasia in rabbits' ears.

METHODSAfter the scar model was formed on the rabbits' ears, the rabbits were divided into 4 groups to receive intro-lesion injection with saline, or prednisolone (Pre) or tetrandrine in low concentration (L-Tet, 1.0 mg/ml) or tetrandrine in high concentration (H-Tet, 7.5 mg/ml). The morphological changes of scar tissue were observed. The changes of fibroblasts quantity and collagen expression were observed with HE and Masson staining. Immunohistochemical study was used to observe the expression level of collagen type I and collagen type III and TGF-beta1. Collagen type I and collagen type III and TGF-beta1, and signal factor Smad 3 mRNA were detected with RT-PCR.

RESULTS(1) 24 days after injury, all the wounds healed completely with formation of red, tough and hypertrophic scar. HE and Masson staining showed significant increase of fibroblasts and collagen density with irregularly arrangement. (2) Compared with that in saline group, the scar in other groups became softer, lighter and thinner, especially in H-Tet group. (3) HE and Masson staining shows the scar in Tet and Pre groups contained less fibroblasts and lower collagen dentsity with comparatively regular arrangement than that in saline group (P < 0.01), especially in H-Tet group. (4) According to the immunohistochemical study, the expression of collage type I and III and TGF-beta was positive in all the groups, but the positive rate and the ratio of collagen density I to III decreased in the order of saline, L-Tet, H-Tet and Pre groups (P < 0.01). (5) PT-PCR detection results showed that the amplification bands brightness of collagen type I and III and TGF-beta1 and signal molecular Smad 3 mRNA in scar tissue were obviously different. Compared with that in saline group, the expression of collagen type I and III and TGF-beta1 and Smad 3 mRNA decreased in Tet and Pre groups (P < 0.01). H-Tet group showed the most obvious reduce in the expression of type I collagen and TGF-beta1 and Smad 3 mRNA. Conclusions Tetrandine can significantly suppress the expression of collagen type I and collagen type III and TGF-beta1 on hypertrophic scar of rabbit ears, and reduce signal factor Smad 3 mRNA' s expression. It may be one of the important mechanism for its inhibitory effect on scar hyperplasia.

Animals ; Benzylisoquinolines ; pharmacology ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Collagen Type I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Collagen Type III ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Ear ; Fibroblasts ; Gene Expression ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Smad3 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy and safety of Danlong Oral Liquid (DOL) combined Western medicine (WM) in treating mild-to-moderate bronchial asthma patients (heat wheezing syndrome) at acute onset.

METHODSTotally 480 mild-to-moderate bronchial asthma patients (heat wheezing syndrome) at acute onset were randomly assigned to two groups in the ratio 3:1, the treatment group (360 cases) and the control group (120 cases). All patients received basic WM treatment. Patients in the treatment group took DOL, 10 mL each time, 3 times per day for 7 days in total, while those in the control group took Kechuanning Oral Liquid (KOL) , 10 mL each time, 3 times per day for 7 days in total. Efficacy for asthma symptoms, lung functions and scores of TCM syndrome and/or main symptoms were evaluated.

RESULTSThe percentage of clinical control and significant effectiveness of asthma symptoms in the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group (77.36% vs 56.07%, P < 0.01). The percentage of clinical control and significant effectiveness of lung functions in the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group (74.28% vs 50.00%, P < 0.01). The anterior-posterior difference in scores of TCM syndrome was significantly superior in the treatment group than in the control group (-11.26 ± 4.70 vs -9.21 ± 5.09, P < 0.01). The anterior-posterior difference in scores of main symptoms was significantly better in the treatment group than in the control group (-6.58 ± 3.08 vs -5.16 ± 3.45, P < 0.01). The incidence of adverse reactions was significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group [1.73% (6/346 cases) vs 10.17% (12/118 cases) , P < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONDOL combined WM was superior to KOL in treating mild-to-moderate bronchial asthma patients (heat wheezing syndrome) at acute onset.

Anti-Asthmatic Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; Biomedical Research ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Lung ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phytotherapy ; Respiratory Sounds ; Syndrome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the growth status of children under 7 years in Wuzhong City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China and its influential factors, and to provide a basis for related intervention measures.

METHODSChildren under 7 years were selected from two county-level districts in Wuzhong by stratified cluster sampling, and their growth status were evaluated by the Z score method.

RESULTSThe prevalence rates of growth retardation, underweight, and wasting were 12.58%, 5.71%, and 5.55% respectively. The height-for-age Z score, weight-for-age Z score, and weight-for-height Z scores were -0.26±2.50, 0.29±4.54. and 0.65±3.02 respectively. There were significant differences in the prevalence rate of wasting among children of different ethnic groups (P<0.05); also, there were significant differences in the prevalence rates of growth retardation and underweight among children from different regions and with different age (P<0.05). The main influential factors for growth retardation were region (OR=0.369, P<0.001), ethnic groups (OR=1.694, P=0.027), and age (OR=1.143, P=0.002). The main influential factors for underweight were region (OR=0.453, P=0.001) and age (OR=1.204，P=0.002). The main influential factor for wasting was nation (OR=1.735, P=0.024).

CONCLUSIONSIn Wuzhong, children under 7 years have poor growth status, which are related to ethnic groups, region, and age.

Body Height ; Body Weight ; Child ; Child Development ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Diet ; Female ; Growth Disorders ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Logistic Models ; Male

AIMTo determine whether the cardioprotection of ischemic postconditioning and heptanol in ischemic heart against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is mediated by gap junction.

METHODSThe effect of ischemic postconditioning, heptanol at different doses (0.03, 0.06, 0.30, and 0.60 mg/kg) and AAP10 (10 mg/kg) on the intact rat heart during 30 min ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion was observed. Ischemic postconditioning was achieved by 3 cycles of 10 s reperfusion/10 s regional ischemia starting at the beginning of the reperfusion. The infarct size and the arrhythmia scores were measured. The effect of ischemic postconditioning, heptanol at different doses (0.05, 0.10, 0.50 and 1.00 mmol/L) and AAP10 (1 x 10(-7)mol/L) on the isolated heart during 30 min ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion was observed. Ischemic postconditioning was achieved by 6 cycles of 10 s reperfusion/10 s global ischemia starting at the beginning of the reperfusion. The arrhythmia scores and conduction velocity of ventricle muscle were measured.

RESULTSIn the intact rat heart model, ischemic postconditioning and heptanol reduced infarct size and arrhythmia scores. In the Langendorff perfused rat heart model, ischemic postconditioning and heptanol reduced arrhythmia scores and conduction velocity of ventricle muscle. Administration of AAP10, an opener of gap junction attenuated the cardioprotection of ischemic postconditioning and heptanol.

CONCLUSIONThe cardioprotection of ischemic postconditioning and heptanol may be related to the attenuation of gap junction communication on myocardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Animals ; Gap Junctions ; physiology ; Heptanol ; pharmacology ; Ischemic Postconditioning ; methods ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; physiopathology ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo carry out expert survey for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome characteristics of different clinical types of coronary artery disease (CAD).

METHODSBy using Delphi method, we carried out two rounds of nationwide expert surveys for modern TCM characteristics of syndrome elements and syndrome types of CAD.

RESULTSBased on expert consensus, qi deficiency, blood stasis, phlegm turbidity, qi deficiency blood stasis, and intermingled phlegm and blood stasis are common TCM syndromes for different clinical types of CAD. Of them, qi stagnation, blood stasis, phlegm turbidity, heat accumulation, cold coagulation, yang deficiency, deficiency of both qi and yang were more often seen in patients with unstable angina than in those with stable angina. Qi deficiency, yin deficiency, and deficiency of both qi and yin were less seen. We could see more excess syndrome and less deficiency syndrome (such as qi deficiency, yin deficiency, etc.) in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) than acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Qi deficiency, blood stasis, water retention, yang deficiency, phlegm turbidity, yin deficiency, Xin-qi deficiency, and qi deficiency blood stasis induced water retention are the most common TCM syndrome types of CAD heart failure (HF). Blood deficiency, yin deficiency, heat accumulation, deficiency of both Xin and Pi, deficiency of both qi and blood, deficiency of both qi and yin, yin deficiency and fire hyperactivity were more often seen in CAD arrhythmias.

CONCLUSIONSTCM syndrome distributions of different clinical types of CAD have common laws and individual characteristics. Results based on the expert consensus supplied evidence and support for clinical diagnosis and treatment of CAD.

Angina Pectoris ; Angina, Unstable ; China ; Coronary Artery Disease ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Coronary Disease ; diagnosis ; Data Collection ; Heart Failure ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Qi ; Syndrome ; Yang Deficiency ; diagnosis ; Yin Deficiency ; diagnosis

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) LJB/03 strain was isolated from the feces of piglets suspected to be suffering from a severe diarrhea in Heilongjiang Province, and was identified by immunofluorescence test, immunelectronmicroscopy, RT-PCR and indirect ELISA assay. Characteristics of the virus culture and the methods of improvement of virus titer were explored. The results showed that the virus had the typical appearance of the coronavirus. Analysis of the nucleotide sequences of RT-PCR products revealed 98% homology with the reference strains. Indirect immunofluorescence assay showed a significant presence of green fluorescence, and an average P/N ratio of 7.6 by indirect ELISA assay. Taken together, these tests showed positive isolation of PEDV. Using the virus plaque purification cloning methods established in the test, the purified PEDV large plaque and small plaque were obtained, and the large plaque and small plaque titers were measured with significant difference. These results provide potential for the application of PEDV on the basis of the biological features of isolated virus.
Animals ; Cell Culture Techniques ; China ; epidemiology ; Coronavirus Infections ; epidemiology ; veterinary ; virology ; Epidemics ; Feces ; virology ; Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus ; genetics ; growth & development ; isolation & purification ; Swine ; Swine Diseases ; epidemiology ; virology ; Virus Cultivation

Column chromatographies over silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, reverse phase C18, and MCI, and semi-preparative HPLC were used for separation and purification of constituents from Inula cappa. The 22 compounds were obtained and their strutures were determined by NMR and MS spectra data as nine flavonoids: luteolin (1), apigenin (2), chrysoeriol (3), artemetin (4), 2', 5-di- hydroxy-3, 6, 7, 4', 5'-pentamethoxyflavone (5), chrysosplenol C (6), apigenin-5-0-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), luteolin-3-methyl, luteolin-3-methylether-4'-0-β-D-glucopyranoside (8), luteolin-4'-0-β-D-glucopyranoside (9); four triterpenes: darma-20, 24-dien- 3β-0-acetate (10), darma-20, 24-dien-3β-ol (11), epirfiedelanol (12), friedelin (13); three coumarins: scopoletin (14) , isosco- poletin (15) , scopolin(16) , and other types of compounds stigmasta-5, 22-dien-3β-0-7-one (17), stigmasterol (18), palmitic acid (19), linoleic acid (20), linoleic acid methyl ester (21), (E) -9, 12, 13-trihydroxyoetadee-10-enoie acid (22). Compound 5 is a new natural product. Compounds 3-9, 15, 17, 21, and 22 were isolated from this genus for the first time.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Inula ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

OBJECTIVETo evaluate quality of surveillance and emendate rates of birth and death of population of the Three Gorges area.

METHODSData on the two samples collected were designed based on principle of capture-recapture method. An investigation of missing report of birth and death was conducted in 7061 families selected through stratified random sampling method. We collected and registered the data of birth and death in every family investigated and checked with correlative records reported in disease surveillance system of the Three Gorges area. The missing report rates and the 95% confidence intervals of birth rate and death rate were calculated.

RESULTSThe underreporting rates of birth and death were 13.91% and 15.60% and death of infant was 33.33%. The emended birth rate was 8.92 per thousandth and the 95% confidence interval of birth rate was 8.38 per thousandth-9.45 per thousandth. The emended report rate of death was 6.88 per thousandth and the collectivity 95% confidence interval was 6.37%-7.38 per thousandth.

CONCLUSIONResults showed that the quality of birth and death in the disease surveillance reporting system of Three Gorges area was competent to the quality level of the standard set for national disease surveillance system. The birth and death rates of population in the Three Gorges area were under 10.00 per thousandth.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Birth Rate ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Mortality ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mortality ; Population Surveillance ; methods

OBJECTIVETo analyze expression characteristics of human skin epidermal stem cell at different developmental stages, and to explore its biological significance.

METHODSHealth skin samples from 28-32 w fetuses (F group), 4-12 y children (C group), and 35-55 y adult (A group) were harvested, with 10 cases in each group. Epidermis were separated using trypsin digestion and EDTA, and human epidermal stem cells were isolated and purified with type IV collagen attachment method. The monoclonal antibody of integrin beta1 and keratin 19 were used for detection and identification of epidermal stem cells by immunohistochemical staining. Total RNA was extracted from above cells by Trizol one-step method, and were detected by formaldehyde denaturing agarose gel electrophoresis. Probes were prepared and hybridized into cDNA microarray for scanning fluorescent signals and analysis of images, with two-fold differential expression value for screening. Significantly up/down-regulated genes were selected for verification by real time RT-PCR.

RESULTSBy comparing expression profile between A and C groups, a total of 1808 genes with differential expression were detected, including 1089 up-regulated genes and 719 down-regulated genes, and they were classified into 128 categories. Among them, 1462 genes were known (found in GeneBank), 346 genes were unknown. A total of 4534 genes with differential expression were detected between C and F groups, in which 1783 genes were up-regulated and 2751 genes were down-regulated, and they were classified into 216 categories. Among them, 3577 genes were known (found in GeneBank), and 957 genes were unknown. There were 1104 genes with differential expression consistently detected in F, C and A groups, which were classified into 32 categories according to gene function. Among them, 94 genes were consistently up-regulated and 75 genes consistently down-regulated. Test results of real time RT-PCR were in accordance with above-mentioned results.

CONCLUSIONSGene expression profiles of epidermal stem cells cultured in vitro, harvested from fetuses, children, and adult, exhibit obvious difference. This may be closely related to different stages of proliferation and differentiation of human epidermal stem cell and self-repair ability of wound at different developmental stages.

Adult ; Cell Differentiation ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Epidermis ; cytology ; growth & development ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; Fetus ; cytology ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; methods ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; Transcriptome

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of Vam3 which is one of the dihydroxystilbene compounds on expressions of ICAM-1 in the lungs of OVA-induced asthmatic mice and the mechanisms of anti-airway inflammation. Balb/c mice were challenged with OVA inhalation. Lung tissues were stained with Mayer's hematoxylin and eosin for histopathologic examination. The expression of ICAM-1 in the lungs of mice was analyzed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry method. The NF-kappaB activities were detected by NF-kappaB-luc reporter genetic transient transfection method. The activities of MMP-9 induced by LPS, TNF-alpha and PMA in THP-1 cells were determined by gelatin zymography method. The results showed that Vam3 could inhibit the expression of ICAM-1 in the OVA-induced mouse model. In addition, Vam3 could significantly suppress the activities of NF-kappaB in A549 cells and MMP-9 in THP-1 cells induced by LPS, TNF-alpha and PMA. These results suggested that Vam3 could alleviate the asthmatic inflammation by decreasing ICAM-1 expression in asthmatic mice, down regulating NF-kappaB and MMP-9 activities. Compound Vam3 showed inhibitory effects on inflammatory signal pathways involved in asthma.
Animals ; Anti-Asthmatic Agents ; pharmacology ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Asthma ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Benzofurans ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Leukemia, Myeloid ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Ovalbumin ; Stilbenes ; pharmacology