Objective To optimize the volatile oil extraction and inclusion process of Wenweiyang capsules. Methods An orthogonal test was adopted in this study. The extraction technology was optimized for the yield of volatile oil regarding the amount of water loaded, grain size of medicinal material, and decoction time as factors. The inclusion technology was optimized for the inclusion yield and volatile oil inclusion rate using the ratio ofβ-CD:oil, amount of water and grinding time as factors. Results The optimized extraction parameters were as follows:breaking medicinal material through 10 mesh screen, adding 6 fold volume of water and extracting for 5 h. The optimized inclusion progress was grinding at theβ-CD:oil ratio of 81, loading equivalent amount of water and grinding for 30 minutes. The average yield of volatile oil is 1. 72%, the average inclusion rate is 93. 01% and the average volatile oil inclusion rate is 74. 82%. Conclusion The extraction and inclusion technology is simple, reliable, which can effectively retain the volatile oil and provide evidence for the preparation of Wenweiyang capsules.

BACKGROUNDTo study the clinical features and more reasonable typing criteria for patients with chronic severe hepatitis and decompensated liver function.

METHODSData of 106 cases of decompensated cirrhosis, 124 cases of chronic liver failure and 100 cases of chronic liver failure (chronic liver failure group I, CLF I) with decompensated cirrhosis (chronic liver failure group II, CLF II) were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS(1) The ages were youngest in chronic liver failure group I (about 30 years), and the oldest in decompensated cirrhosis group (about 50 years). (2) There were significant differences in albumin, globulin, ALT, AST, protruding activity, blood glucose, blood lipid and cholinesterase among the three groups. (3) There was no significant difference in upper digestive tract bleeding and hepatorenal syndrome, on the other hand, there was significant difference in ascites and hepatic encephalopathy. (4) The prognosis of the patients in decompensated cirrhosis group was better than that of chronic liver failure group I and chronic liver failure group II.

CONCLUSIONThe clinical feature and prognosis in three groups were different, so, it is suggested that chronic severe liver disease be divided into 2 types: one is chronic severe liver disease type I, which is associated with chronic hepatitis, and the other is chronic severe liver disease type II, which is associated with cirrhosis, and the typing criteria for decompensated cirrhosis remains unchanged.

Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; classification ; complications ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; classification ; complications ; diagnosis ; Liver Failure ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo realize the clinical features of autoimmune hepatitis-primary biliary cirrhosis (AIH+PBC) overlap syndrome.

METHODSWe analyzed and compared the biochemistry, autoimmune antibodies, and liver biopsy results of 129 autoimmune hepatic disease cases retrospectively, using the international criteria to see which could be diagnosed as AIH/PBC overlap syndrome.

RESULTSOur 35 AIH+PBC overlap syndrome patients were mainly women, with a sex ratio of 1 female: 10 male, and a median age of 50.79+/-11.27 (20 to 70 years old). They had AIH characteristics such as flare of ALT, AST and elevated immunoglobulin G (IgG), gamma-immunoglobulin. There were also antinuclear antibodies (74.3%); moderate or severe periportal or periseptal lymphocytic infiltration, piecemeal necrosis, and florid bile duct lesions, high serum levels of ALP, presence of mitochondrial antibodies (68.6%) and M2 antibodies (45.7%), and features of PBC.

CONCLUSIONSAIH+PBC overlap syndrome is not rare. It should be diagnosed in time and to find effective treatments for it.

Adult ; Autoantibodies ; blood ; Cholagogues and Choleretics ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hepatitis, Autoimmune ; complications ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary ; complications ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Ursodeoxycholic Acid ; therapeutic use

Objective To investigate the selective killing effect of MDA/IL-24 on human hepatocellular carcinoma line HepG2 in vitro and provide a theoretical basis for gene therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods The MDA-7/IL-24 gene was transfected into human hepatocullular carcinoma cell line HepG2 and normal liver cell line L02 with a replication-incompetent adenovirus vector.The mRNA and protein expression of MDA7/IL-24 in HepG2 and L02 cells was examined by RT-PCR and ELISA assay respectively.MTT assay and flow cytometry were used to study tumor cell proliferation and cell cycle in vitro.Hoechst and Annexin-V and PI staining were studied to indicate the apoptosis.Results RT-PCR confirmed that the exogenous MDA-7/IL-24 gene was expressed in HepG2 and L02 cells.The protein product was confirmed by assay of the supernatant with ELISA.MTT and apoptosis test indicated MDA-7/IL-24 induced growth suppression and cell apoptosis of the HepG2 cell in vitro but not in cell line L02,and cell cycle test revealed MDA-7/IL-24 could block HepG2 cell in G2/M but not in L02.Conclusions MDA-7/IL-24 selectively induces growth suppression and apoptosis in lines HepG2 in vitro but not in L02 cell,which indicates that adenovirus mediated MDA-7/IL-24 can be an excellent tool for gene therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical feature and more reasonable diagnostic typing criteria for patients with liver failure.

METHODS13/21 cases of ALF, SALF with no past liver disease, 49/72 cases of with chronic hepatitis, and 23/73 cases ALF, SALF with liver cirrhosis, were analyzed respectively.

RESULTS1 ALF patients (1). There exist significant statistic differences in ALB, ALT, CHE in three ALF groups.(2). It had statistic differences in those patients with hepatic encephalopathy.(3). The prognosis of the patients with chronic hepatitis group (42.85 percent) was best than that of chronic cirrhosis (26.09 percent) and no past liver disease (15.38 percent). (2) In SALF patients (1). There exist significant statistic differences in ALB, GLO, ALT, AST, BDIL, GLU and CHE in three SALF groups.(2). It had statistic differences in those patients with hepatic encephalopathy in three SALF groups.(3). The prognosis of the patients with chronic hepatitis group (51.39 percent) was best than that of chronic cirrhosis (36.85 percent) and no past liver disease (33.33 percent).

CONCLUSIONThere are different clinic feature and prognosis in three ALF or SALF groups, so we suggest that it were clinic practicability and science in classify of liver failure at present.

Humans ; Liver Failure ; classification ; Liver Failure, Acute ; classification ; Prognosis

Objective To analyze the factors related to the occurrence of extensive cerebral infarction following surgeries for severe head injury and analyze the clinical outcomes of the patients. Methods Twenty patients with extensive cerebral infarction following surgeries for severe head injury were retrospectively analyzed for preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, hemorrhage volume, skull base fracture, pupil size, presence and duration of cerebral hernia. All the patients were treated with standard large bone flap decompression and/or routine comprehensive treatments. Results Patients with preoperative GCS score less than 5, intraeranial hemorrhage over 60 mL, and skull base factures complicated by prolonged cerebral hernia had significantly increased incidence of cerebral infarction. The 20 patients were followed up for 12 months and their clinical outcomes were evaluated with Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), which showed good recovery in 8 cases, moderate disability in 3 cases, severe disability in 2 cases, and vegetative survival in 3 cases. Death occurred in 4 cases. Conclusion Multiple factors may contribute to extensive cerebral infarction following surgery for severe head injury, among which low preoperative GCS score, massive intracranial hemorrhage, and prolonged skull base fracture with cerebral hernia are highly risk factors. Early detection of the infarction and timely management with decompression, dehydration, intracranial pressure control, promoting brain circulation, prevention of cerebral vasospasm, and mild hypothermia treatment may help lower the disability and mortality rates of the patients.

OBJECTIVETo study the correlation between polyoma virus load and hemorrhagic cystitis after allogeneic stem cells transplantation for prevention of hemorrhagic cystitis.

METHODSBlood and urine specimens were collected from 40 healthy persons, 40 patient with stem cells transplantation and 20 cases complicated with hemorrhagic cystitis for determination of VP1 gene of polyomaviruses BK virus (BKV)/Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV) and simian virus 40 (SV40) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and EvaGreen stain fluorescence quantitative assay.

RESULTSIn the peripheral blood, all genes of BKV/JCV and SV40 were negative, while BKV gene in urine and blood from healthy persons and patient with stem cells transplantation was 15% (6/40) and 100% (40/40), respectively. The gene of JCV was positive in 10% (4/40) and 12% (5/40), the gene of SV40 was negative.

CONCLUSIONGenes of BKV and JCV was detectable in urine specimens of healthy persons and there was a correlation between the load of polyomavirus and incidence of hemorrhagic cystitis.

Capsid Proteins ; genetics ; Cystitis ; diagnosis ; etiology ; virology ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; genetics ; urine ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Hemorrhage ; diagnosis ; etiology ; virology ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Polyomavirus ; genetics ; growth & development ; Polyomavirus Infections ; complications ; virology ; Viral Load

OBJECTIVETo establish an animal model of prostate cancer (PCa) metastasis to the lung using PCa PR7 (PCa PC-3 cells stably expressing red fluorescent protein AsRed2) cell lines that can be monitored by in vivo fluorescence imaging technology.

METHODSMTT and Transwell assay were used to compare the abilities of proliferation, migration and invasion of PC-3 and PR7 cells. Twenty BALB/c nude mice were equally randomized to 4 groups to receive tail vein injection of PR7 cell suspension at the concentration of 1 x 107/ml (group A), 2.5 x 107/ml (group B), 5 x 107/ml (group C) and 2.5 x 107/ml followed by the same dose 1 week later (group D). PCa metastasis to the lung was then monitored by in vivo fluorescence imaging technology at the end of 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks.

RESULTSThere were no statistically significant differences between PC-3 and PR7 cells in their abilities of proliferation, migration and invasion (P > 0.05). At the end of 4 weeks, lung metastasis was observed in 40% of the mice in group D, and at the end of 8 weeks, it was detected in 20% in group A, 60% in group B, 100% in group C, and 100% in group D, all confirmed by pathological examination.

CONCLUSIONThe animal model of PCa metastasis to the lung that can be monitored by in vivo fluorescence imaging technology was established successfully by tail vein injection of PR7 cells carrying red fluorescent protein.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Luminescent Proteins ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; secondary ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Optical Imaging ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo determine the risk factors involved in the typhoon episodes and to put forward and evaluate the intervention measures.

METHODSWe defined a confirmed injury case as: 'a person with fall,scalpel and stab, collision, drowning, injuries and trauma due to flying debris and building collapse, asphyxiation due to entrapment in collapsed buildings by typhoon from 0 am,August 12 to 6 pm, August 14 2004' and a death case as: 'a person with fall, scalpel and stab, collision, drowning, injuries and trauma due to flying debris and building collapse, asphyxiation due to entrapment in collapsed buildings by typhoon from 0 am, August 12 to 12 am, August 18 2004'. We investigated all hospitalized injured cases in ten hospitals and telephoned to those who were not hospitalized and the cases of death. We did case-control study with 1 pair versus 2 cases. 74 cases were selected in ten hospitals. The controls were neighbors of the controls matched by occupation, sex, village, and within 5 years of age without injury in this typhoon. We asked the cases and the controls on their alertness regarding typhoon and what actions taken when typhoon arrived.

RESULTSThere were 392 injury cases in all ten hospitals and 50 death cases. The attack rate of injury was 27.3 per 100 000. The fatal rate was 11.3% with the death rate 3.1 per 100 000. We investigated 209 injury cases and 31 death cases. The number of cases who were injured from 1 to 6 hours before typhoon landing accounted for 64.6% (155) of all cases. The peak of epidemic curve was 4 hours before the landing of typhoon. Data on the analysis of 74 cases and 148 controls revealed that 42% (31) of the cases were outside their homes before and during typhoon compared to 15% (22) of the controls (OR = 3.9, 95% CI: 1.9-7.7). Compared with 20% (30) control persons (OR = 17,95% CI: 4.2-68). 28% (21) cases did not receive the alert of typhoon before it arrived compared with 18% (27) control persons (OR = 3.3, 95% CI:1.3-8.6). 53% (39) of the cases did not pay attention to the alert of typhoon before typhoon arrived.

CONCLUSIONStaying outdoor, not receiving or did not take seriously about the alert of typhoon seemed to be the risk factors of injury by the typhoon episode, suggesting that the government should increase the emergency preparedness and to raise the awareness on risks associated with typhoon.

Cause of Death ; China ; epidemiology ; Cyclonic Storms ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Risk Factors ; Wounds and Injuries ; epidemiology ; mortality

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of the hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway transcription factor glioma-associated oncogene hoinolog 1 (GLI-1) in EGF-regulated enhancement of the invasiveness of the prostate cancer ARCaP(E) cell line in vitro.

METHODSThe expressions of EGFR and GLI-1 in prostate cancer ARCaP(E) cells were analyzed by immunofluorescence staining. ARCaP(E) cells were treated with EGF at 100 ng/ml, followed by detection of the changes in cell morphology and invasiveness, as well as in the expressions of p-ERK, ERK and GLI-1. Migration transwell assay was used to determine the effects of 100 ng/ml EGF and GLI-1 antagonist GANT61 on the invasiveness of the ARCaP(E) cells.

RESULTSBoth EGFR and GLI-1 were expressed in the ARCaP(E) cells. EGF induced morphological transition of epithelial-like ARCaP(E) cells to mesenchymal-like cells, increased their in vitro invasiveness, and significantly upregulated the expressions of p-ERK and GLI-1 in the ARCaP(E) cells (P<0.05). GANT61 significantly inhibited the in vitro invasiveness of the ARCaP(E) cells and reduced the enhancing effect of EGF on their invasiveness (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe results from ARCaP(E) cells shed light on the cross-talk of the HH pathway with the EGF/ERK signaling pathway. GLI-1 might be responsible for EGF-regulated enhancement of the invasiveness of ARCaP(E) cells in vitro.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Signal Transduction ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Zinc Finger Protein GLI1