Objective To characterize the systolic torsion in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) by velocity vector imaging(VVI).Methods Eighty-seven subjects were studied using VVI:27 patients with DCM and 60 healthy control subjects.Left ventricular short-axis acoustic images were acquired at base and apex levels.The rotation angle and rotation velocity of endocardium and epicardium were measured.Results LVEF of DCM group was significantly lower than that of control group ( P＜0.01).The basal and apical rotation angle, rotation velocity were significantly lower in DCM group.The endocardial and epicardial rotation angle, rotation velocity were also significantly lower in DCM group than those in control group (P＜0.01).Conclusions VVI is a rapid and noninvasive tool to quantitatively assess cardiac torsional deformation in DCM patients,which providing another useful modality for evaluating cardiac function.

In this study, we use pot experiment to evaluate the effect of plant growth regulator on plant morphology and biomass allocation of Salvia miltiorrhiza. Different concentrations of uniconazole were supplied to S. miltioohiza by means of foliar spray. Height, breadth and stem diameter were measured dynamically, the biomass of leaf, stem, flower and fruit, root biomass and biomass ratio were also examined at the harvest time. Owing to the treatment, plant morphology showed significant changes, the height had been greatly reduced and the breadth decreased largely. Meanwhile, the biomass allocation changed too. The biomass ratio of leaf and stem had been notably reduced while the biomass ratio of root had been increased remarkably. It appears that foliar application of uniconazole during vigorous growth period in S. miltioohiza has dramatic effect on dwarfing plant and improving resistant to lodging. This measure could also be applied to condensed cultivation of S. miltioohiza to increase production.
Biomass ; Plant Growth Regulators ; pharmacology ; Plant Leaves ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Plant Roots ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Plant Stems ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Triazoles ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo search for an effective therapy for chronic hepatitis with splenomegaly.

METHODSFive hundred and seventy eight cases of chronic hepatitis with splenomegaly were randomly divided into a treatment group (n=292) and a control group (n=286). The two groups were treated with intravenous drip of hepatocyte growth-promoting factors and Danshen Injectio, with TCM iontophoresis added to the treatment group, once daily, 20 sessions constituting one course. After one course, their therapeutic effects were observed.

RESULTSBoth the cured rate and the effective rate on splenomegaly were 66.1% and 98.6% in the treatment group, which were higher than 18.2% and 76.2% in the control group. The treatment group in the therapeutic effect in improvement of liver function and attenuation of the spleen and remission of hyperfunction of the spleen was better than the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTCM iontophoresis has obvious therapeutic effect on chronic hepatitis with splenomegaly.

Hepatitis, Chronic ; Humans ; Iontophoresis ; Splenomegaly

Hyoscyamine 6 beta-hydroxylase (H6H) is the last rate-limiting enzyme directly catalyzing the formation of scopolamine in tropane alkaloids (TAs) biosynthesis pathway. It is the primary target gene in the genetic modification of TAs metabolic pathway. Full-length cDNA and gDNA sequences of a novel H6H gene were cloned from Datura arborea (DaH6H, GenBank accession numbers for cDNA and gDNA are KR006981 and KR006983, respectively). Nucleotide sequence analysis reveals an open reading frame of 1375 bp encoding 347 amino acids in the cDNA of DaH6H, while the gDNA of DaH6H contains four exons and three introns, with the highest similarity to the gDNA of H6H from D. stramonium. DaH6H also exhibited the most identity of 90.5% with DsH6H in amino acids and harbored conserved 2-oxoglutarate binding motif and two iron binding motifs. The expression level of DaH6H was highest in the mature leaf, followed by the secondary root, and with no expression in the primary root based on qPCR analysis. Its expression was inhibited by MeJA. DaH6H was expressed in E. coli and a 39 kD recombinant protein was detected in SDS-PAGE. Comparison of the contents of scopolamine and hyoscyamine in various TAs-producing plants revealed that D. arborea was one of the rare scopolamine predominant plants. Cloning of DaH6H gene will allow more research in the molecular regulatory mechanism of TAs biosynthesis in distinct plants and provide a new candidate gene for scopolamine metabolic engineering.
Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; Datura ; enzymology ; genetics ; Escherichia coli ; Hyoscyamine ; chemistry ; Mixed Function Oxygenases ; genetics ; Plant Leaves ; enzymology ; Plant Roots ; enzymology ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; Scopolamine Hydrobromide ; chemistry

Objective To study the effects of Chinese herbs Yiyanheji on intestinal mucosa barrier in rats with SAP.Methods Animal models of SAP were induced by retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate (0.1ml/100g) into the common biliopancreatic duct.90 healthy Wistar rats weighing (250?30)g were randomly divided into 3 groups:sham operation group (SO,n=30),SAP group (SAP,n=30) and Chinese herbs Yiyanheji treated group(SAP+YH,n=30).Treated group was treated with Yiyanheji after operation.The SAP group was treated with physiological saline.Three groups of rats were killed at 72 hours after operation or treatment.Bacterial cultures were performed in all animals.The changes of terminal ileum' tissue were observed by optical electron mi- croscopy.The data of test were analyzed by statistic software.Results The incidence of bacterial translocation was 22.5% in Yiyanheji treated group,and it was lower than that in SAP group which was 90.0 %.The difference was significant(P

OBJECTIVETo evaluate clinical therapeutic effect and the safety of pricking blood therapy combined with ultraviolet irradiation for treatment of acute herpes zoster.

METHODSOne hundred and thirty cases were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 65 cases in each group. The observation group was treated with pricking blood therapy combined with ultraviolet irradiation. Firstly, the affected parts were heavily taped with a plum-blossom needle and then cupping. After the cup was removed, with the body surface-dividing field method, ultraviolet irradiation was given at the skin injury area and the nerve root area corresponding to paraspinal vertebra, and the control group was treated with Aciclovir and other western medicine. Seven days constituted one course. Their therapeutic effects and adverse reactions were observed.

RESULTSAfter treatment of 7 days, the cured rate of 76.9% and the total effective rate of 90.8% in the observation group were significantly higher than 38.5% and 66.2% in the control group, respectively (both P < 0.01); the incidence rate of post herpetic neuralgia of 3.1% in the observation group was significantly lower than 12.3% in the control group (P < 0.05); after treatment, the scores for pain, rash and sleep decreased significantly in the two groups (all P < 0.01), more significantly decreased in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05); the pain-relieving time, herpes-stopping time, scab-forming time and the cured time in the cured patients of the observation group were significantly shorter than those in the control group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe pricking blood therapy combined with ultraviolet irradiation has rapid therapeutic effect, effectively shortens duration of illness, decreases the incidence rate of post herpetic neuralgia and it is a safe remedy for treatment of herpes zoster.

Acupuncture Points ; Acyclovir ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Adult ; Aged ; Antiviral Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Dizziness ; etiology ; Erythema ; etiology ; Female ; Herpes Zoster ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; adverse effects ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultraviolet Therapy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Young Adult

Objective:Accumulating evidences prove that macrophages affect tumor initiation and prognosis. Especially,tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are considered to enhance tumor growth,progression,angiogenesis,invasion and metastasis. Furthermore,tumor suppressive microenvironment can " reeducate" and polarize the phenotype and function of TAM. Recently, researchers use different ways to interfere and modify the phenotype and function of macrophages,to improve the recognition, phagocytosis and antigen presentation of macrophage,and enhance its antitumor activity. We will discuss the pro-tumorigenic properties of macrophage and TAM-targeting therapy as a promising novel strategy for tumor immunotherapy.

Objective:To investigate the underlying mechanism of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor FK228-in- duced apoptosis of the prostate cancer cell line DU145.Methods:The inhibitory effect of FK228 on DU145 cell growth and its cytotoxicity were determined by MTT assay;cell cycle arrest was detected by flow cytometry assay;morphological change was observed by Giemsa staining;and defined kinase protein levels were determined by Western blot analysis.Re- suits:FK228 obviously inhibited DU145 cells growth,arrested cell cycle at G_0/G_1 phase,induced cells morphological changes and degraded several kinase proteins,including EGFR,Her2,Raf-1,Src,Cdk4 and IAP member Survivin.The degradation of these kinases blocked Raf-Mek-Erk and PI3K/Akt survival signal pathways,inducing apoptosis.Condu- sion:FK228 may induce DU145 cell apoptosis through depletion of multiple kinase proteins and blockade of survival sig- nal pathways of DU145 cells.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the activity of DNA polbeta promoter on p53 gene in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC) cells.

METHODSThe luciferase activity was examined and used to evaluate the activity of DNA polbeta promoter on SACC-83 cells. Eukaryotic expression plasmids of p53 gene were constructed and stably transfected into SACC-83 cells. RT-PCR was used to assess the expression of p53 gene. The SACC-83 cells were subjected to the treatments of H2O2, ultraviolet radiation, Bleocin, and affected p53 mRNA and protein level in SACC-83 cells were characterized with RT-PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTSThe result of luciferase activity proved that the activity of DNA polbeta promoter in SACC-83 cells was much higher than that of CMV promoter. The results of RT-PCR suggested that p53 gene with different promoters were all expressed effectively, but the expression efficiency was different. It was greater in DNA polbeta group than in CMV group. After DNA damage, p53 gene expression increased and DNA polbeta promoter could enhance the expression of p53 gene more than CMV promoter. The results of Western blotting indicated that the expression of P53 protein between the two groups did not show any difference.

CONCLUSIONIn SACC cells, the activity of DNA polbeta promoter was increased and DNA polbeta promoter could enhance the expression of p53.

Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA ; Genes, p53 ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; RNA, Messenger ; Salivary Gland Neoplasms ; Transfection ; Ultraviolet Rays

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effects of using the Chinese Shang Ring in circumcision children with either phimosis or redundant prepuce, and to investigate its superiority over the similar devices available.

METHODSA total of 824 children with phimosis or redundant prepuce underwent circumcision with the Shang Ring. The clinical data were assessed concerning the duration of the procedure, incidence of post-operative complications, time of recovery and appearance of the penis.

RESULTSThe procedure duration was (2.6 +/-1.2) min, and the complications included infection in 4 (0.6%), edema in 21 (3.2%), delayed removal of the ring in 10 (1.5%), redundant and asymmetric mucosa attributable to performance in 6 (0.9%) of the cases. The wounds healed and the rings were removed at 13.4 +/- 5.8 days after circumcision, with well-smoothed incision and good cosmetic results.

CONCLUSIONChild circumcision with the Chinese Shang Ring is easy and simple in performance, with less operative time, fewer complications and better cosmetic results.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Circumcision, Male ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Penis ; surgery ; Phimosis ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome