OBJECTIVETo study the preventive effect of Shenfu Injection (SI) in different dosage on occurrence of heart failure in patients of acute myocardial infarction (MI) with elevated ST segment.

METHODSNinety-seven patients of MI were divided into 3 groups, all were treated with conventional therapy, but to the SI treated groups, intravenous injection of low (0.3 ml/kg) or high dose (0.6 ml/kg) of SI were given once a day additionally. After 14 days' treatment, the incidence of heart failure and its severity were observed and evaluated with Killip grading.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference in the incidence of heart failure among the 3 groups, but the severity of heart failure in the SI treated groups was remarkably milder than that in the control group, and the high dose SI showed the effect superior to that of low dose SI.

CONCLUSIONBased on the conventional treatment, Shenfu Injection is helpful for alleviating the severity of heart failure.

Adult ; Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Heart Failure ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; complications ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Phytotherapy

In the present study, terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) technique was applied to assess the diversity and tissue distribution of the fungal endophyte communities of Alpinia officinarum collected from Longtang town in Xuwen county, Guangdong province, China, at which the pharmacological effect of the medicine plant is traditional considered to be the significantly higher than that in any other growth areas in China. A total of 28 distinct Terminal-Restriction Fragment (T-RFs) were detected with HhaI Mono-digestion targeted amplified fungal nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region sequences (rDNA ITS) from the root, rhizome, stem, and leaf internal tissues of A. officinarum plant, indicating that at least 28 distinct fungal species were able to colonize the internal tissue of the host plant. The rDNA ITS-T-RFLP profiles obtained from different tissues of the host plant were obvious distinct. And the numbers of total T-RFs, and the dominant T-RFs detected from various tissues were significantly different. Based on the obtained T-RFLP profiles, Shannon's diversity index and the Shannon's evenness index were calculated, which were significantly different among tissues (P < 0.05). Furthermore, two types of active chemicals, total volatile oils by water vapor distillation method and galangin by methanol extraction-HPLC method, were examined in the each tissue of the tested plant. Both of tested components were detected in all of the four tissues of the medicine plant with varying contents. And the highest was in rhizome tissue. Correlation analysis revealed there were significant negative correlations between both of the tested active components contents and calculated Shannon's diversity index, as well as the Shannon's evenness index of the fungal endophyte communities of the host plant (P = 0, Pearson correlation coefficient ≤ -0.962), and significant positive correlations between both of the tested active components contents and 325 bp dominant T-RF linkage to Pestalotiopsis (P = 0, Pearson correlation coefficient ≥ 0.975). In conclusion, A. officinarum is colonized by diverse fungal endophytes communities. The diversity of the fungal endophytes was found in the A. officinarum varied with differences of the tissue types of the host plants and was closely correlated with the accumulation of main active components, total volatile oils and galangin contents in the host plant tissue.
Alpinia ; chemistry ; microbiology ; Biodiversity ; China ; DNA, Fungal ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal ; genetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Endophytes ; classification ; genetics ; growth & development ; isolation & purification ; Fungi ; classification ; genetics ; growth & development ; isolation & purification ; Phylogeny ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; microbiology ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Membrane ; metabolism ; Cell Nucleus ; metabolism ; Cytoplasm ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Signal Transduction ; TCF Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Transcription Factor 7-Like 2 Protein ; Wnt Proteins ; physiology ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDT cell factor-4 (TCF-4) plays an important role in development and carcinogenesis. Recently, the role of TCF-4 has been described in colon cancer and other cancers. However, whether TCF-4 plays a similar role in lung cancer is unknown. To answer this question, we studied the expression of TCF-4 protein and mRNA in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the relation of TCF-4 expression pattern to histological type and cell differentiation.

METHODSTissue samples from sixty cases of pathologically diagnosed NSCLC and eight normal tissue samples were obtained between September 2001 and March 2003. Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate the distribution of TCF-4 protein. The staining patterns of the tumors were divided into 4 categories: nuclear staining alone or nuclear staining greater than cytoplasmic staining; cytoplasmic staining or cytoplasmic staining greater than nuclear staining; equal nuclear and cytoplasmic staining; no nuclear staining or cytoplasmic staining. The integrated optical density (OD) values of all sections were analyzed by UIC MetaMorph image analysis software. The expression of TCF-4 mRNA was detected by one-step reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The integrated density values of the PCR products were analyzed semi-quantitatively.

RESULTSImmunohistochemistry showed that there was no expression of TCF-4 in normal tissue. However, TCF-4 was expressed in 86.7% (52/60) of NSCLC samples, mainly in the nuclei of tumor cells. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in TCF-4 localization patterns between squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas (P < 0.05). The integrated OD values of TCF-4 expression was significantly higher in tumors with moderate-poor cell differentiation than in well differentiated tumors (51.63 +/- 6.67 vs 46.13 +/- 12.31, P < 0.01). There was no TCF-4 mRNA expression in normal tissue. However, 63.9% (23/36) of carcinoma samples expressed TCF-4 mRNA. TCF-4 mRNA expression was significantly higher in tumors with moderate-poor cell differentiation than in well differentiated tumors (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in mRNA expression in comparison with histological type.

CONCLUSIONSThe sub-cellular distribution of TCF-4 may correlate with NSCLC histological type. High expression of TCF-4 mRNA and protein may be associated with the degree of cell differentiation in NSCLC.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; chemistry ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung Neoplasms ; chemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; TCF Transcription Factors ; Trans-Activators ; metabolism ; Transcription Factor 7-Like 2 Protein ; Transcription Factors ; analysis ; genetics ; beta Catenin

OBJECTIVETo observe the intervention of liuwei dihuang pill (LDP) on therapeutic effectiveness and adverse reaction of hormonotherapy in treating nephrotic syndrome.

METHODSPatients allocated in two groups were medicated with initial dose of prednisone 1 mg/kg once a day at 8 am in the morning. After being medicated for 8 to 12 weeks, the dose of prednisone was decreased by 5.0 mg every 2 weeks till 0.5 mg/kg per day. Then the medication was changed to that two days' dosage orally take once a day with the daily dose reduced by 5.0 mg/kg every 2 to 3 weeks, and maintained at 0.4 mg/kg once every two days. At same time, necessary symptomatic treatment was given. To the treated group oral administration of LDP 8 capsules was given additionally, 3 times per day until prednisone decreased to maintenance dose.

RESULTSTherapeutic effect in the treated group was significant better than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Urinary protein, plasma albumin, triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) in both groups were obviously improved (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). However, as compared with the control group, the improvement was better, and the recurrent rate was lower (P < 0.05) in the treated group. Scores of Yin-deficiency caused excessive Fire syndrome and incidence rate of adverse reaction in the treated group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONLDP can markedly improve the therapeutic effectiveness and counteract the adverse reaction of hormonotherapy in treating nephrotic syndrome, and reduce the recurrence of the disease.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; drug therapy ; Obesity ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Phytotherapy ; Prednisone ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Yin Deficiency ; chemically induced ; prevention & control

The nonstructural genes (NS1) of nine H9N2 subtype avian influenza viruses isolated from diseased chickens on different farms during 1998-2005 were amplified by RT-PCR and completely sequenced. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of NS1 genes of these isolates were compared. The results showed that NS1 genes of all H9N2 isolates contained 654 bp and encoded 217 amino acids. The homologies of the nucleotide and deduced amino sequences of the isolates were 95.4%-99.8% and 93.6%-100%, respectively. Comparison of the amino acid sequences of NS1 proteins of these isolates with other H9N2 viruses demonstrated that NS1 proteins of the nine strains had a deletion of 13 amino acid residues at the carboxyl terminus, which may be the molecule mark of the isolates in mainland China. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the NS1 genes of these isolates fell into the same lineage and belonged to allele A. Eight out of nine isolates belonged to the CK/SH/F/98-like lineage while only Ck/HN/A3/98 strain belonged to the Ck/HK/Y280/97-like linease. All the isolates were derived from Ck/BJ/1/94 strain which was the first isolate is mainland China in 1994. The results indicated that H9N2 subtype AIV appeared differentiation following the passage of time and the viruses belonging to Ck/SH/F/98-like acquired an epidemic spread advantage in chicken population in mainland China.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Birds ; China ; Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; classification ; genetics

The primers and probes for the Real-time RT-PCR were designed based on the multiple sequence (swine and humans HEV strains) alignments of the ORF3 region of genotype 4 HEV. A rapid, sensitive and stable TaqMan Real-time RT-PCR assay was established, and its specificity and sensitivity were assessed, and comparison of the Real-time RT-PCR with conventional and nested RT-PCR was performed. The results found that the crossing points showed linearly proportional to the logarithm of the input copy number. The correlation coefficient (R2) and the slope value of the standard curves with plasmid DNA were 0.994 and -3.312, respectively. The efficiency (E) of the PCR was 100%. Coefficients of variation values of the different diluted plasmid DNA were low in the same or different repeated experimental group. In addition, the assay was able to correctly detect genotype 4 HEV RNA from swine fecal samples. The sensitivity of established assay was 100-fold higher than that of conventional RT-PCR and 10-fold higher than nested RT-PCR.
Animals ; DNA Primers ; genetics ; Disease Reservoirs ; virology ; Feces ; virology ; Fluorescence ; Genotype ; Hepatitis E ; virology ; Hepatitis E virus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Swine ; virology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis incidence rates as well as the retention rate in a cohort with 6-month follow-up study among female sex workers (FSWs).

METHODSFrom December, 2004, to January, 2005, a community-based baseline survey was conducted to recruit 343 FSWs for a prospective cohort study in Xichang county of Sichuan province, China. Follow-up visits were conducted at 6 months to analyze risk factors associated with cohort retention for subjects' baseline sociodemographic and sexual behavioral characteristics. Blood specimens were also collected to test antibodies against HIV and syphilis.

RESULTSDuring the 6-month follow-up period, HIV and syphilis incidence appeared to be 1.00 per 100 person-years and 6.23 per 100 person-years, respectively. The rate of retention in the cohort was 53.6% (184/343). Results from multivariate logistic regression model showed that factors were significantly associated with cohort retention including people with minority ethnic background (OR = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.18-0.74), people having participated in AIDS prevention program (OR = 1.83; 95% CI: 1.17-2.86) or being clients in the last 6 months > or = 50 (OR = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.11-2.77) and having changed living/working place (OR = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.33-0.94).

CONCLUSIONThe results of this study showed that the syphilis incidence and unprotected sex behavior were high among local FSWs. People belonged to Han nationality, having participated in AIDS prevention program and having a steady living/working place were associated with cohort retention at 6-month follow-up study among FSWs, respectively.

China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Risk Factors ; Sex Work ; Sexual Behavior ; Substance-Related Disorders ; Syphilis ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo observe effect of Shufeng Xuanfei Recipe (SXR) and Jiebiao Qingli Recipe (JQR) on mRNA and protein expressions of Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in mice infected with influenza virus FM1.

METHODSOne hundred and eight mice were randomly divided into nine groups, i.e., the normal control group, the model group, the Oseltamivir group (at the daily dose of 2.5 g/mL), the high dose SXR group (at the daily dose of 3.762 g/kg), the middle dose SXR group (at the daily dose of 1.881 g/kg), the low dose SXR group (at the daily dose of 0.941 g/kg), the high dose JQR group (at the daily dose of 4.368 g/kg), the middle dose JQR group (at the daily dose of 2.184 g/kg), and the low dose JQR group (at the daily dose of 1.092 g/kg), 12 in each group. All mice were mildly anesthetized by ether. Mice in the normal control group were treated by nasal drop of 0.05 mL normal saline, while mice in the rest groups were infected by nasal drop of 0.05 mL influenza virus strain FM1 (LD50). The successful modeling rate was 100%. All medication was performed by gastrogavage 2 h after infection. Distilled water was given by gastrogavage to mice in the normal control group and the model group at the daily dose of 0.2 mL, each time per day for 4 successive days. mRNA expressions of TLR7, MyD88, and NF-kappaB in the lung tissue were determined by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, mRNA expressions of TLR7, MyD88, and NF-kappaB increased in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, mRNA and protein expressions of TLR7, MyD88, and NF-kappaB decreased in the Oseltamivir group, the high, middle, and low dose SXR groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); mRNA and protein expressions of TLR7 and NF-kappaB decreased in the high and middle dose JQR groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); mRNA expressions of MyD88 decreased in the high and middle dose JQR groups (P < 0.05); protein expressions of MyD88 decreased in the middle dose JQR group (P < 0.05); protein expressions of TLR7 and NF-kappaB decreased in the low dose JQR group (P < 0.05). Compared with the Oseltamivir group, protein expressions of MyD88 decreased in the low dose SXR group (P < 0.05); protein expressions of NF-kappaB decreased in the middle and low dose SXR groups (P < 0.01); mRNA and protein expressions of TLR7 (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and protein expressions of MyD88 (P < 0.01) decreased in the high, middle, and low dose JQR groups; mRNA and protein expressions of NF-kappaB decreased in the low dose JQR group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSEach dose SXR and middle dose JQR could down-regulating the activity of NF-kappaB through adjusting MyD88 dependent TLR signal pathway, thus fighting against influenza virus. SXR was more effective than JQR.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Lung ; metabolism ; Male ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 ; genetics ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; metabolism ; Orthomyxoviridae ; Orthomyxoviridae Infections ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Pneumonia, Viral ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Toll-Like Receptor 7 ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective:To established an approach of chemical fingerprinting and study the differences of the polysaccharides from three species of Polygonati Rhizoma in Chinese Pharmacopoeia,so as to provide reference for quality evaluation and clinical application of Polygonati Rhizoma. Method:The polysaccharides were extracted by water extraction and alcohol precipitation from Polygonati Rhizoma. After hydrolysis by trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and pre-column derivation by PMP,the chromatographic fingerprints of three kinds of Polygonati Rhizoma were established by high performance liquid chromatography. The fingerprinting model and chemometrics method,include similarity analysis (SA),cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were used for compare the differences among three species. Result:There were some differences in the PMP-HPLC fingerprints and monosaccharide composition from the three species. The D-mannose,L-rhamnose and L-fucose were not detected,but they all contained D-galacturonic acid,D-glucosamine hydrochloride,D-galactose,D-glucose and D-xylose among three species. The PCA and HCA analysis showed that chromatographic fingerprints of P. cyrtonema and P. sibiricum were similar,while P. kingianum and other two species were significantly different. Conclusion:There are differences in fingerprints of polysaccharides among three species of Polygonati Rhizoma. The possible effects of species should be considered in clinical application. The established PMP-HPLC is a simple,accurate and reproducible method,which can be used for the quality evaluation of Polygonati Rhizoma.