OBJECTIVETo compare the effect of citric acid stimulation on salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), total protein (TP), salivary flow rate, and pH value between Pi deficiency (PD) children and healthy children, thereby providing evidence for Pi controlling saliva theory.

METHODSTwenty PD children were recruited, and 29 healthy children were also recruited at the same time. Saliva samples from all subjects were collected before and after citric acid stimulation. The sAA activity and amount, TP contents, salivary flow rate, and pH value were determined and compared.

RESULTS(1) Citric acid stimulation was able to significantly increase salivary flow rate, pH value, sAA activities, sAA specific activity and sAA amount (including glycosylated and non-glycosylated sAA amount) in healthy children (P<0.05), while it could markedly increase salivary flow rate, pH value, and glycosylated sAA levels in PD children (P<0.05); (2) Although there was no statistical difference in determined salivary indices between the two groups (P>0.05), salivary indices except salivary flow rate and glycosylated sAA levels decreased more in PD children. There was statistical difference in sAA activity ratio, sAA specific activity ratio, and the ratio of glycosylated sAA levels between PD children and healthy children (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONPD children had decreased response to citric acid stimulation.

Child ; Citric Acid ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Saliva ; Salivary alpha-Amylases ; metabolism ; alpha-Amylases

Animals ; Disease Progression ; Kidney Diseases ; physiopathology ; Kidney Glomerulus ; drug effects ; pathology ; Rats ; Renal Agents ; pharmacology ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; drug effects ; Sclerosis

BACKGROUNDDonor and recipient risk factors on graft function have been well characterized. The contribution of demographic factors, such as age, gender, and other potential factors of donor and recipient at the time of transplantation on the function of a graft is much less well understood. In this study, we analyzed the effects of factors such as age, gender, etc., on the short-term and long-term graft function in kidney transplant recipients from living donor.

METHODSA total of 335 living donors and their recipients, who had kidney transplantation in our center from May 2004 to December 2009, were included. Serum creatinine level was used as the assessment criterion (serum creatinine level lower than 115 mmol/L is normal). Factors related to graft function such as age, gender, blood relation by consanguinity, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatch, ABO type, etc., were analyzed separately.

RESULTSDonor age is the key factor affecting both the short-term and long-term function of a grafted kidney from a living donor. The group with donors younger than 48 years showed the best kidney function post transplantation. Match of gender and age is another important factor that influences the function of grafted kidney from a living donor. The older donor to younger recipient group had the worst outcome after kidney transplantation. After 36 months post transplantation, female donor to male recipient group had worse kidney function compared to other groups. We also found that calcinerin inhibitor used in the maintenance period may influence the function of a grafted kidney. No significant statistical differences were found in consanguinity, blood type, and mismatch of HLA.

CONCLUSIONSDonor age is an important factor affecting the function of a grafted kidney from a living donor. We also recommend taking nephron, immunology factor, infection, and demographic information all into consideration when assessing the outcome of kidney transplantation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aging ; Child ; Female ; Histocompatibility Testing ; Humans ; Kidney ; physiopathology ; Kidney Transplantation ; Living Donors ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged

In this study, a rapid and sensitive analytical method was developed for the determination of 10 major compounds (procyanidin B1, catechin, procyanidin B2, rutin, isoquercitrin, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, astragalin, quercitrin, quercetin, and kaempferol) in Tetrastigma hemsleyanum by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) in multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. UPLC-MS/MS assay with negative ion mode was performed on a Waters CORTECS C18 (2.1 mm x 100 mm, 1.6 μm) with the mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile (A) and 0.1% aqueous formic acid (B) in gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.25 mL · min(-1) and the column temperature was set at 45 °C. Under the optimized chromatographic conditions, good separation for 10 target compounds were obtained including chiral isomer procyanidins B1 and B2 were completely separated within 8.5 min. Satisfactory linearity was achieved with wide linear range and fine determination coefficient (r > 0.996 6), the overall recoveries were ranged from 95.44%-110.40% with the RSD ranging from 2.37%-8.69%. It is the first report about simultaneous analysis of 10 major flavonoids components in Tetrastigma hemsleyanum by using UPLC-MS/MS method, which affords highly sensitive, specific, speedy and efficient method for quality control of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum
Acetonitriles ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; Kaempferols ; Quercetin ; analogs & derivatives ; Rutin ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Vitaceae ; chemistry

Anastomosis, Surgical ; Anastomotic Leak/surgery* ; Drainage ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Suction

Objective To probe into the application effect of quality control circle (QCC) activity in reducing the incidence rate of fistula puncture bleeding in hemodialysis patients.Methods Thirty-six hemodialysis patients in our hospital from January to June 2012 were chosen as the control group (before the QCC activity) ; 36 hemodialysis patients with the same rule in 1 group from July to December 2012 were chosen as the experiment group (after the QCC activity).Six nurses from nephrology volunteer to group a "circle" in order to build-up the QCC activity with the subject of reducing the blood exudation rate during hemodialysis fistula piercing.Before the QCC activity,the data of blood exudation rate was calculated,and the root cause of blood exudation was analyzed during hemodialysis fistula piercing; then the improvement plan was made-up,and the counter measure was implemented.The blood exudation rate during hemodialysis fistula piercing was compared before and after the QCC activity.Results The incidence rate of fistula puncture bleeding after QCC activity was 3.76％,was lower than 7.66％ before the QCC activity,and was better than the origin target,and the differences were statistically significant (x2 =20.634,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The implementation of QCC activity is not only benefit to reducing the incidence rate of fistula puncture bleeding in hemodialysis patients,but also is good at circle members' professional technical level and quality management capability,promote the quality improvement of hemodialysis.

Cycloartane triterpenoids, which exist widely in nature, are mainly distributed in Astragalus (Leguminosae) species, Trib. Cimicifuga (Ranunculaceae) and Thalictrium (Ranunculaceae) species and possess various bioactivities. Along with the development of isolation techniques of phytochemistry, more and more this kind of compounds are isolated and identified. However, bioactivity researches on the compounds are relatively lagged behind. Most researches are still in screening level, deficient in mechanism elucidation, short of action proven in vivo and SAR analysis. The author summarized the bioactivity of this kind of compounds from all aspects: anti-tumor, anti-virus, antibacterial, anti-inflammation, immune-regulatory, cardiovascular system, hepatic protection and so forth. This will be benefit for the further research and development of the compounds.
Animals ; Anti-Infective Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; Cimicifuga ; chemistry ; Humans ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Thalictrum ; chemistry ; Triterpenes ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo observe the outcome after sacral canal injection in patients with disc herniation associated with without sciatica.

METHODSFrom December 2010 to June 2011, 65 patients with acute low back pain without sciatica due to lumbar disc herniation or bulging confirmed by CT or MRI were randomly divided into sacral canal injection group (experimental group) and lumbar oblique wrench group (control group): the experimental group had 35 cases, including 30 males and 5 females, with an average age of (43.90 +/- 1.14) years old ranging from 33 to 56 years old. The control group had 30 cases, including 27 males and 3 females,with an average age of (44.00 +/- 1.19) years old ranging from 34 to 57 years old. The course of morbidity was 1 to 3 days. All patients received sacral canal injection or lumbar oblique wrench method. The visual analog scale (VAS) scores before and at 30 min after treatment were compared between two groups.

RESULTSThe symptom of acute low back pain were relieved obviously. The average VAS scores before and after treatment in experimental group were decreased from 6.63 +/- 0.97 to 3.06 +/- 1.51,in control group were from 6.67 +/- 0.96 to 3.93 +/- 1.20 respectively. These two methods could improve the VAS score,but the effect of sacral canal injection group was better than that of lumbar oblique wrench group, there was statistically differences (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIt is effective that the methods of sacral canal injection and lumbar oblique wrench applied to patients with acute low back pain without sciatica due to lumbar disc herniation or bulging confirmed, the former has better effect.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Injections, Spinal ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; drug therapy ; Lidocaine ; administration & dosage ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prednisone ; administration & dosage ; Sacrococcygeal Region ; Visual Analog Scale

A qualitative analytical method of liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was developed for identification of multi-constituents and an analytical method was developed for simultaneously determining 4 major compounds (rutin, isoquercitrin, kaempferol-3-0-rutinoside, and astragalin) in Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg. The HPLC-Q-TOF-MS assay was performed on a Welch Ultimate XB-C18 column (4.6 mm x 150 mm, 5 microm) with the mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile (A) and water containing 0.1% Formic acid (B) in gradient mode at a flow rate of 0.8 mL x min(-1). The column temperature was at 30 degrees C, and negative ion mode was used for TOF-MS. The UPLC-QqQ-MS assay was performed on a Waters CORTECS C18 (2.1 mm x 100 mm, 1.6 microm) with the mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile (A) and water containing 0.1% formic acid (B) in gradient mode at a flow rate of 0.25 mL x min(-1). The column temperature was at 45 degrees C, and MRM mode was used for QqQ-MS. Based on the retention time and MS spectra, 24 compounds were identified or tentatively characterized by comparing with reference substances or literatures. For quantitative the linear range of 4 detected compounds were good (r > 0.9966), and the overall recoveries ranged from 98.27% to 101.58%, with the RSD ranging from 3.15% to 5.88%. The results indicated that new approach conbined HPLC-Q-TOF-MS and UPLC-QqQ-MS was applicable in qualitative and quantitative quality control of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum.
Acetonitriles ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Formates ; chemistry ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Vitaceae ; chemistry ; Water ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the antiinflammatory activities of aqueous extract of Occimum gratissmium (OGE) with emphasis on expression of proinflammatory cytokines in Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated epithelial cell BEAS-2B.

METHODSEffects of OGE on cell viability were determined by MTT assay. mRNA expression were analyzed by and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and quantitative real-time PCR. Activation of kinase cascades was investigated by immunoblot. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was analyzed by flow cytometry.

RESULTSOGE (<200 μg/mL) treatment or pretreatment and following LPS exposure slightly affected viability of BEAS-2B cells. Increase of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 and the elevated level of intracellular ROS in LPS-stimulated BEAS-2B cells were diminished by OGE pretreatment in a dose-dependent manner. OGE suppressed inflammatory response-associated mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and Akt activation. Additionally, OGE pretreatment increased level of cellular inhibitor of κBα (IκBα) and inhibited nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB).

CONCLUSIONThese findings indicate that significant suppression of IL-6 and IL-8 expressions in LPS-stimulated BEAS-2B cells by OGE may be attributed to inhibiting activation of MAPKs and Akt and consequently suppressing nuclear translocation of NF-κB.

Cell Nucleus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cytosol ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; I-kappa B Proteins ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Interleukin-8 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Intracellular Space ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Ocimum ; chemistry ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Protein Transport ; drug effects ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Respiratory System ; cytology ; Water