Some unhealthy life habits, such as long-term smoking, heavy drinking, sexual overstrain and frequent stay-up could induce the Yin deficiency symptoms of zygomatic red and dysphoria. Stems of Dendrobii officinalis flos (DOF) showed the efficacy of nourishing Yin. In this study, the hyperthyroidism Yin deficiency model was set up to study the yin nourishing effect and action mechanism of DOF, in order to provide the pharmacological basis for developing DOF resources and decreasing resource wastes. ICR mice were divided into five groups: the normal control group, the model control group, the positive control group and DOF extract groups (6.4 g · kg(-1)). Except for the normal group, the other groups were administrated with thyroxine for 30 d to set up the hyperthyroidism yin deficiency model. At the same time, the other groups were administrated with the corresponding drugs for 30 d. After administration for 4 weeks, the signs (facial temperature, pain domain, heart rate and autonomic activity) in mice were measured, and the facial and ear micro-circulation blood flow were detected by laser Doppler technology. After the last administration, all mice were fasted for 12 hours, blood were collected from their orbits, and serum were separated to detect AST, ALT, TG and TP by the automatic biochemistry analyzer and test T3, T4 and TSH levels by ELISA. (1) Compared with the normal control group, the model control group showed significant increases in facial and ear micro-circulation blood flow, facial temperature and heart rate (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), serum AST, ALT (P < 0.01), T3 level (P < 0.05), TSH level (P < 0.05) and notable deceases in pain domain (P < 0.01), TG level (P < 0.01). (2) Compared with the model control group, extracts from DOF (6 g · kg(-1)) could notably reduce facial and ear micro-circulation blood flow, facial temperature and heart rate (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and AST (P < 0.05) and enhance pain domain (P < 0.01) and TG (P < 0.01). Extracts from DOF (4 g · kg(-1)) could remarkably reduce AST and ALT levels (P < 0.01, 0.05). Extracts from DOF (6 g · kg(-1) 4 g · kg(-1)) could significantly reduce T3 and increase serum TSH level (P < 0.05). DOF could improve Yin deficiency symptoms of zygomatic red and dysphoria in mice as well as liver function injury caused by overactive thyroid axis. According to its action mechanism, DOF may show yin nourishing and hepatic protective effects by impacting thyroxin substance metabolism, improving micro-circulation and reducing heart rate.
Animals ; Dendrobium ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Phytotherapy ; Thyroxine ; metabolism ; Yin Deficiency ; drug therapy ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the effects of antihypertension and reversing left ventricular hypertro- phy by carvedilol or bisoprolol in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension.Methods 40 cases of mild to moderate essential hypertension patients were selected for this random single-blind,paralleling controlled clinical study.Results Patients were randomized to take 12.5～25mg carvedilol tablet orlce daily or bisoprolol 2.5～5mg once daily if DBP was still in the range of 12.0～14.6kPa(90～110mmHg)after 2 weeks' placebo baseline. Carvedilol group included 20 cases,bisoprolol group included 20 cases,and the course was 24 weeks.Blood pressure and heart rate were measured and symptoms and signs were recorded.At the end of placebo and in 24 weeks heart ultrasound,blood routine,serum glucose,blood lipid,hepatic function and renal function were examined.SBP,DBP and heart rate of patients in two groups decreased obviously.There were significant differences between the two groups.Ventricular hypertrophy of carvedilol group improved than that in pretherapy.There were significant differ- ences between the two groups.Conclusion Carvedilol was well-tolerated with less side effects such as mild headache,tiredness,dizziness,slightly elevating of serum glucose.Carvedilol could well treat the mild moderate essen- tial hypertension effectively and safely by 12.5～25mg once daily.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of sulindac on proliferation and apoptosis of human gastric cancer BGC-823 cells and its antineoplastic mechanisms.

METHODSHuman gastric cancer BGC-823 cells were incubated with sulindac at various concentrations and for different times. Morphological changes of BGC-823 cells were observed under an inversion microscope. MTT colorimetric assay was used to examine the effect of sulindac on the proliferation of BGC-823 cells. Flow cytometry was used to determine the cell cycle distribution and apoptosis. Transmission electron microscopy was performed to examine cell apoptosis morphology. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expressions of COX-2, bcl-2 and ki-67 in the cells.

RESULTSsulindac induced morphologic alterations in BGC-823 cells, inhibited cell proliferation, increased the proportion of cells in G0/G1 phase and decreased the proportion of cells in S phase, induced apoptosis of BGC-823 cells, and decreased expressions of COX-2, bcl-2, ki-67 in the cells. All the effects were in a time- and dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). Some characteristic morphologic features of apoptosis were revealed by transmission electron microscopy.

CONCLUSIONsulindac may inhibit the growth of gastric cancer BGC-823 cells in vitro and the anti-tumor mechanism may be related to changes in cell cycle distribution, induction of apoptosis and inhibition of expression of COX-2, bcl-2, and ki-67.

Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Sulindac ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo better understand the acquired factor V (FV) inhibitors.

METHODSThe clinical features, laboratory manifestations, treatment options and prognosis of 3 cases were reported and related literature were reviewed.

RESULTSAll the 3 patients were older than 50 years without family history and related disease. Their clinical manifestations included spontaneously mucous bleeding, hematuria, epistaxis and encephalic bleeding. Laboratory test showed prolonged prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). The FV levels decreased and the presence of FV inhibitor was confirmed by Bethesda method. All patients were treated with glucocorticoid and immunosuppressive agents. The haemorrhages of two patients stopped but their coagulation test and FV level recovered slowly. One patient died from encephalic bleeding.

CONCLUSIONSAcquired FV inhibitor is a rare coagulation disorder with variable clinical symptoms. Immunosuppressive agents are effective to eliminate the inhibitors. The prognosis of acquired FV inhibitors seemed to be strictly related to the basic disease.

Coagulation Protein Disorders ; Factor V ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

To explore the genetic characteristics of viral quasispecies in HIV-1 CRF07_BC infections among intravenous drug users (IDU), the gp120 fragments of HIV-1 env gene were amplified from plasma samples collected from 6 CRF07_BC infected persons using single genome amplification and sequencing (SGA/ SGS) method, and 11 to 28 sequences were obtained from these samples, respectively, A neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree was reconstructed to describe the genetic characteristics of viral quasispecies. The Simplot, segments' phylogenetic trees and diversity plots based on average pairwise distance (APD) were used to identify the recombination events between quasispecies. The SGA sequences derived from single specimen formed a large monophyletic cluster in the neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree and showed the complex topologic structures of viral quasispecies. Of the 6 CRF07_BC infected patients, only one possessed the high genetic homogeneity, whereas the other five individuals showed high heterogeneity, with two to four subclusters inside the monophyletic cluster for each specimen. In addition, the recombinant events were identified among viral quasispecies from 3 cases. The results show SGA technique and phylogenetic analyses are useful tool to investigate the intrahost CRF07_BC gp120 complex quasispecies variation and high genetic diversity.
Adult ; Drug Users ; Female ; HIV Infections ; virology ; HIV-1 ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous ; virology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the immune effect of a chimeric adenovirus type 5 vector with type 35 fiber (rAd5/F35) vaccine in BALB/c mice.

METHODSThe expression of HIV Gag protein was determined using indirect immunofluorescent staining. The rAd5/F35-mod.gag vector was injected intramuscularly to mice. The IgG antibody was detected by ELISA and CTL response was detected by intracellular cytokine stain assay.

RESULTSThe rAd5/F35-mod.gag vector could express HIV Gag protein in vitro and generate strong HIV-specific immune responses in vivo. But anti-Ad5 immunity could limit its immunogenicity in vivo.

CONCLUSIONThe rAd5/F35-mod.gag vector can elicit specific CTL response and IgG antibody in animal model. In mice with high Ad5 vector-specific immunity, Ad5/F35-mod.gag showed lower level of Gag specific CTL and antibody response than in mice without pre-existing adenovirus type 5 immunity. The results indicated that fiber exchange alone does not evade pre-existing Ad5 immunity.

AIDS Vaccines ; genetics ; immunology ; Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Gene Products, gag ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; HIV Antibodies ; blood ; HIV-1 ; genetics ; immunology ; Immunization ; methods ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Random Allocation ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the apoptotic effect on the squamous cell carcinoma cell line TCa83 induced by recombined adenovirus vector containing TRAIL gene and CMV promoter.

METHODSThe TCa83 cell line was firstly infected with different titre of AdCMV-EGFP containing enhanced green fluorescence protein gene (EGFP) as control, and investigated the transducing rate through fluorescence to obtain the definite titre. Then TCa83 cell line was infected with AdCMV-TRAIL in proper titre, and TRAIL gene was detected by means of RT-PCR. After TCa83 cell line was infected with AdCMV-TRAIL and AdCMV-EGFP at day 1, 3, 5, 7, the activity of TCa83 cell line were evaluated by MIT and the apoptosis were detected by flow cytometer.

RESULTSProper titre was of 1,000 particles/cell, and TCa83 cell line could be infected 100% in this titre. TRAIL gene was detected by RT-PCR after infected with AdCMV-TRAIL. The activity of TCa83 decreased in both groups, but the AdCMV-TRAIL group decreased more sharply than AdCMV-EGFP group (P < 0.001). Both AdCMV-TRAIL and AdCMV-EGFP could lead to apoptosis of TCa83 cells, but the AdCMV-TRAIL, function stronger than AdCMV-EGFP. Especially there was remarkable statistic difference between two groups (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONAdCMV-TRAIL could effectively decrease the activity of TCa83 cell line and induce apoptosis.

Adenoviridae ; Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Line ; Genetic Vectors ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; Humans ; Promoter Regions, Genetic

This study was purposed to investigate the immune reconstitution of T-cells in patients who received haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (hiHSCT). The peripheral blood was harvested from 22 patients before transplantation and at month 1, 3, 6 after hiHSCT. The proportions of T lymphocyte subtypes including CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), CD45RO(+), and CD45RA(+)CD62L(+) were analyzed by flow cytometry, followed by the calculation of T cell numbers according to the amounts of peripheral blood leukocytes. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) value in CD4(+) T cells was measured by ImmuKnow method to evaluate the function of lymphocytes. The results showed that the CD3(+) cell absolute value before transplantation was 833.75 ± 359.84/µl, but those values at month 1, 3, 6 after transplantation were 318.87 ± 266.71/µl, 1006.76 ± 512.32/µl and 1296.38 ± 958.77/µl respectively. The CD4(+) cell absolute value before transplantation was 336.99 ± 211.11/µl, but such values at month 1, 3, 6 after transplantation were 45.89 ± 44.21/µl, 142.97 ± 114.85/µl, and 181.78 ± 120.61/µl respectively. The CD8(+) cell absolute value before transplantation was 430.21 ± 159.48/µl, but those values at month 1, 3, 6 after transplantation were 230.44 ± 195.89/µl, 621.64 ± 318.83/µl, and 823.07 ± 633.55/µl respectively. The CD4(+)CD45RO(+) memory T cell absolute value before transplantation was 227.44 ± 73.34/µl, but such values at month 1, 3, 6 after transplantation were 43.47 ± 43.40/µl, 138.69 ± 110.17/µl, 147.73 ± 82.94/µl respectively. The CD8(+)CD45RO(+) memory T cell absolute value before transplantation was 212.70 ± 98.48/µl, but such values at month 1, 3, 6 after transplantation were 184.76 ± 168.65/µl, 445.90 ± 252.50/µl, 519.80 ± 475.53/µl respectively. CD4(+)CD45RA(+)CD62L(+) naive T cell number before transplantation was 68.94 ± 59.74/µl, but such cell numbers at month 1, 3, 6 after transplantation decreased to 2.44 ± 2.93/µl, 3.14 ± 3.48/µl, 23.22 ± 38.38/µl respectively. The CD8(+)CD45RA(+)CD62L(+) naive T cell absolute value before transplantation was 124.82 ± 60.95/µl, but those values at month 1, 3, 6 decreased to 19.37 ± 17.71/µl, 76.63 ± 50.85/µl, and 114.49 ± 174.29/µl respectively. The ATP value in CD4(+) T cells decreased to 210.19 ± 119.37 ng/ml at month 1 after transplantation and increased to 280.62 ± 110.03 ng/ml at month 3, and 357.28 ± 76.18 ng/ml at month 6 after transplantation. It is concluded that CD8(+) memory T cell reconstruction contributes critically to T cell recovery early after hiHSCT, while the thymic output function remains low. However, T cell function recovers to normal range at month 3 after transplantation.
Adolescent ; Adult ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Haplotypes ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Lymphocyte Count ; Male ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of ultraviolet (UV) light-treatment on the physicochemical properties and bioactivity of micro-arc oxidation (MAO) titanium surfaces in vitro.

METHODSThe pure titanium were prepared using MAO. MAO titanium samples were treated with 15 W bactericidal lamp UVC [λ = (250 ± 20) nm] or 15 W mercury lamp [λ = (360 ± 20) nm] for 24 h under ambient conditions. Three sample groups were prepared: MAO, UVA treated after MAO (MAO + UVA), UVC treated after MAO (MAO + UVC). The surface physicochemical properties were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle measuring device, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Bicinchoninic acid (BCA) based colorimetric detection was used to quantify the percentage of albumin adsorption after 2 h, 6 h, and 24 h incubation on the titanium surfaces. The rates of MG-63 cells attached to each group titanium surfaces were calculated by nucleus immunofluorescence using Hoechst 33342 after 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h incubation. SEM was used to observe cell morphology on titanium surfaces in each group.

RESULTSNo obvious differences in surface topography, TiO(2) crystal and elemental composition were detected on titanium surfaces with or without UV treatment. Statistically significant difference in contact angles among MAO + UVC group (65.34 ± 1.16)°, MAO + UVA group (44.64 ± 1.28)°, and MAO group (3.41 ± 0.48)° were found (P < 0.001). The percentage of albumin adsorption reached the plateau after 2 h incubation on MAO + UVC titanium surfaces (48.16 ± 1.24)%, which was higher than those in MAO [(8.22 ± 2.99)%] and MAO + UVA groups [(5.29 ± 2.27)%, P < 0.001]. The rates of cells attached to the surfaces of MAO + UVC titanium was greater than that on MAO surfaces and MAO + UVA surfaces after 1 h [(40.71 ± 4.08)%], 2 h [(53.72 ± 2.38)%], 4 h [(70.32 ± 2.85)%] incubation (P < 0.05). The MAO + UVC surfaces remarkably enhanced the spread of MG-63 cells, however, there was no significant difference between the group of MAO and MAO + UVA.

CONCLUSIONSPretreatment of micro-arc oxidation titanium with UVC light considerably improved the surface bioactivity to MG-63 cells, which showed an increase in cellular attachment and spread.

Absorption ; Albumins ; metabolism ; Cell Adhesion ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Osteosarcoma ; pathology ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission ; Surface Properties ; Titanium ; chemistry ; radiation effects ; Ultraviolet Rays ; X-Ray Diffraction