BACKGROUND:As one of the main active ingredients in epimedium, icari n plays an important role in bone defect repair. Sustained and effective concentration of icari n in vivo is essential for bone damage repair.
OBJECTIVE:To recommend the research progress of epimedium glycoside for bone repair and to explore the pharmaco-active concentration of icari n.
METHODS:A computer-based online search of CNKI database (http://www.cnki.net/) and PubMed database (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed) from January 2000 to October 2013 was performed for related articles of the effect of icari n for bone defect repair and bone damage repair. The key words were“icari n, concentration, bone”in Chinese and English. After repeated articles were excluded, 76 related articles were screened out and 44 of them met the inclusive criteria.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The icari n-released scaffold materials can induce the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, promote the viability of osteoblasts and inhibit the resorption of osteoclasts, thus repairing bone tissue. It is certain that icari n promotes cellular dif erentiation, however whether it can promote cellular proliferation remains unclear. The pharmaco-active concentration of icari n ranges from10-8 to 10-5 mol/L, but clinical trial has not yet been carried out, and specific drug concentration is uncertain, which needs further exploration.

BACKGROUNDPolyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids may beneficially influence healing processes and patient outcomes. The aim of this research was to study the clinical efficacy of fish oil enriched total parenteral nutrition in elderly patients after colorectal cancer surgery.

METHODSFifty-seven elderly patients with colorectal cancer were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial. All patients received isocaloric and isonitrogenous total parenteral nutrition by continuous infusion (20 - 24 hours per day) for seven days after surgery. The control group (n = 28) received 1.2 g/kg soybean oil per day, whereas the treatment group (n = 29) received 0.2 g/kg fish oil and 1.0 g/kg soybean oil per day. Blood samples were taken pre-operatively, and at days one and eight after the operation. The plasma levels of CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8, interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were measured. Clinical outcomes were then analysed.

RESULTSPatient characteristics were comparable between the two groups. At day eight post-surgery, IL-6, TNF-α and CD8 titres were lower in the treatment group when compared to the control group; these results reached statistical significance. In the treatment group, there were fewer infectious complications and incidences of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and shorter lengths of hospital stay were observed. The total cost of medical care was comparable for the two groups. No serious adverse events occurred in either group.

CONCLUSIONSFish oil 0.2 g/kg per day administrated to elderly patients after colorectal surgery was safe and may shorten the length of hospital stay and improve clinical outcomes.

Aged ; CD4 Antigens ; blood ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; CD8 Antigens ; blood ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; blood ; surgery ; Colorectal Surgery ; Female ; Fish Oils ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parenteral Nutrition, Total ; methods ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the enhancing effect of crystal sugar-vinegar solution on the tolerance of alcohol consumption in mice and rabbits.

METHODCrystal sugar-vinegar solution was given to mice or rabbits 30 min before feeding a dose of alcohol. The toxic behavior and percentage of animal death in 24 hours were observed. Meanwhile, blood alcohol levels in the rabbits were measured.

RESULTCrystal sugar-vinegar solution could prolong the latent period of righting reflex disappearing of the drunk mice(P < 0.01) and decrease death percentage of drunk mice in 24 hours(P < 0.01). Crystal sugar-vinegar could also decrease blood alcohol levels in the drunk rabbits, especially 30 min(P < 0.01) and 180 min(P < 0.05) after administration of alcohol.

CONCLUSIONCrystal sugar-vinegar solution has an evident sober-up effect on drunk model animal.

Acetic Acid ; therapeutic use ; Alcoholic Intoxication ; blood ; drug therapy ; Alcoholism ; blood ; drug therapy ; Alcohols ; blood ; Animals ; Carbohydrates ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Crystallization ; Drug Combinations ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Rabbits

[Objective] We explore the diagnosis of Smith-Magenis syndrome and its clinical features of children,to raise the domestic awareness of this disease.[Methods] In this study,the child received peripheral blood chromosome microarray analysis,blood routine and urine routine,growth hormone provocation test,insulin-like growth factor Ⅰ and insulin-like growth factor binding protein Ⅲ test,cortisol (8a) test,prolactin test,adrenocorticotropic hormone test,thyroid function test,liver and kidney function test,blood biochemistry test,fasting insulin test,2-hour plasma glucose test,the antibodies and antigens test of hepatitis B.The bone age measurement and the pituitary gland MRI were also performed.We use the above figures to diagnose Smith-Magenis syndrome,assess and observe the condition of the child in Smith-Magenis syndrome.[Results] In this case,the chromosomal microarray analysis revealed a deletion of about 3.6Mb fragments in the chr17p11.2 region,including main functional gene RAI1,which was associated with Smith-Magenis syndrome.According to the clinical manifestations and the result of chromosome microarray analysis,the diagnosis of children with Smith-Magenis syndrome was made clear.[Conclusion] Genetic tests are the standard for diagnosing Smith-Magenis syndrome.When children have special facial features combined with multiple system disorders,early genetic examination is conducive to early diagnosis,and can reduce the time and economic cost.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the anti-HBV effect of fusion protein thymosin alpha1-interferon alpha (TA1-IFN) in vitro and to compare its effect with a combination of interferon alpha and thymosin alpha1.

METHODSAfter 2.2.15 cells were seeded for 24 hours, drugs of five serial concentrations (8000, 4000, 2000, 1000, 500 U/ml) were added to the wells, then the medium was changed every three days. After 2.2.15 cells were treated with drugs for 6 days, the medium was collected. The inhibitory rates on HBsAg and HBeAg were determined using Abbot kit, and the cytotoxicity of different drugs by means of MTT colorimetric assays was also observed.

RESULTSThe inhibitory rate of fusion protein on HBsAg, HBeAg was dose-dependent and reached the maximum at 8000 U/ml concentration. In the meantime, the inhibitory rates of fusion protein on HBsAg and HBeAg were 72.2% +/- 0.8% and 60.4% +/- 1.1% respectively, and the cell survival rate was 85.2% +/- 2.0%; In the corresponding concentration, the inhibitory rates of combination thymosin alpha 1 and interferon alpha on HBsAg and HBeAg were 40.0% +/- 0.7%, 34.5% +/- 3.2% respectively. The results showed significant statistical differences between them; cell survival rate 70.0% +/- 1.9%, and the difference of the results was also significant. Cytotoxicity of fusion protein was weaker than a combination of thymosin alpha 1 and interferon alpha.

CONCLUSIONFusion protein TA1-IFN exerted stronger anti-HBV effects in vitro. Its anti-HBV effects in vitro were stronger than the combination of thymosin alpha and interferon alpha, and its cytotoxicity was weaker than the combination of thymosin alpha and interferon alpha. Our studies provided important evidence for clinical research on TA1-IFN, and also brought new hope for hepatitis B therapy.

Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Thymosin ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of different subtypes IFN alpha (IFN alpha2b, IFN alpha2a, and IFN alpha1b) transduction molecular STAT1, STAT2, IFNAR, PKR, and RNase L, and to study the differences of their antiviral effects and to evaluate the key signaling transduction molecules.

METHODS(1) After HepG2 cells were treated with IFN alpha2b, IFN alpha2a, or IFN alpha1b, the mRNA levels of STAT1, STAT2, IFNAR, PKR, and RNase L were detected by RT-PCR. (2) After HepG2 cells were treated with 1000 U/ml IFN alpha2b, IFN alpha2a, or IFN alpha1b, the protein expression levels of STAT1 and IFNAR were examined by Western blot.

RESULTSRT-PCR results: (1) IFNAR, STAT1, and STAT2 mRNA expression levels were slightly higher in the IFN alpha1b group than those in the IFN alpha2b group (P > 0.05). The mRNA expression levels in IFN alpha1b or IFN alpha2b groups were significantly higher than in the IFN alpha2a group (P < 0.05). (2) The PKR mRNA expression showed no significant differences among IFN alpha1b, IFN alpha2b, and IFN alpha2a groups. (3) The RNase L mRNA expression was very weak. We could not compare the differences of the RNase L mRNA levels in different groups by RT-PCR. Western blot results: (1) The IFNAR, and STAT1 protein expressions were greatly up-regulated after IFN alpha induction compared with the untreated group (P < 0.05). (2) The IFNAR, and STAT1 protein expression levels in IFN alpha1b group were slightly higher than the IFN alpha2b group. IFNAR, and STAT1 protein levels of IFN alpha1b or IFN alpha2b group were significantly higher than IFN alpha2a group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTAT1, STAT2, IFNAR mRNA and protein expressions could all be markedly up-regulated after IFN alpha treatment. Effects of IFN alpha1b or IFN alpha2b were greatly stronger than IFN alpha2a. The PKR mRNA expression also was greatly up-regulated after IFN alpha treatment. Expression levels of PKR in IFN alpha1b, IFN alpha2b, and IFN alpha2a groups were all similar. The mRNA level results were consistent with the protein level results. Our results showed that the antiviral activity of IFN alpha1b or IFN alpha2b were stronger than that of IFN alpha2a. The signal transduction molecules STAT1, STAT2, and IFNAR could be regarded as a key index to evaluate antiviral activity of IFN alpha. Further confirmation is still needed to see whether PKR could be regarded as a key index.

Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; virology ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; pharmacology ; Liver Neoplasms ; virology ; Recombinant Proteins ; STAT1 Transcription Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; STAT2 Transcription Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Signal Transduction ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo study the difference of the gene expression profile and to identify the different expression after transfection of the ARL-1 gene.

METHODSThe cDNA probes were synthesized from total RNA of study group and control group, which was differentially hybridized to cDNA chips and confirmed by a gene specific semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSSix kinds of gene expression were increased and 9 kinds of gene expression were decreased. The findings were correlated with protein metabolism, signal pathway, metastasis, and drug resistance.

CONCLUSIONScDNA chips showed that gene expression profile of liver carcinoma cell was changed after transfection of the ARL-1 gene. It is a useful method in understanding the mechanism of drug resistance.

Aldehyde Reductase ; genetics ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Transfection

Objective:To explore the risk factors of acute kidney injury (AKI) in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients with mechanical ventilation.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted. ARDS patients with mechanical ventilation admitted to ICU of Taizhou People's Hospital from January 2019 to December 2019 were enrolled. Patients were divided into the AKI group and non-AKI group according to whether the patients had AKI. Clinical characteristics and laboratory indicators of the two groups were compared. Risk factors of incidence of AKI in ARDS patients were analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was drawn to evaluate the survival rates of the two groups.Results:A total of 120 ARDS patients with mechanical ventilation were included, and 57 patients (47.5%) developed AKI. Procalcitonin, increased basal creatinine, decreased pH and impaired consciousness were independent risk factors for AKI in ARDS patients with mechanical ventilation. Fifty-seven of the 120 patients died with a mortality of 38.3%. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the survival rate of the AKI group was significantly lower than that of the non-AKI group ( P<0.001). Conclusions:The incidence and mortality of AKI is high in ARDS patients with mechanical ventilation. Procalcitonin, increased basal creatinine, decreased pH and impaired consciousness are independent risk factors for AKI in ARDS patients with mechanical ventilation.

OBJECTIVETo assess the clinical efficacy of acupuncture pretreatment for the prevention of stroke based on promoting the circulation of the Governor Vessel and regulating mentality, and explore its effect mechanism.

METHODSSeventy cases of transient ischemic attack (TIA) were randomized into an acupuncture group (35 cases) and a western medicine group (35 cases). In the acupuncture group, acupuncture therapy of promoting the circulation of the Governor Vessel and regulating mentality was applied at Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Mingmen (GV 4), Zhiyang (GV 9), Shenzhu (GV 12), Dazhui (GV 14), Yamen (GV 15), Fengfu (GV 16), Baihui (GV 20) and Neck-Jiaji (EX-B 2). Acupuncture was given 6 times a week, at the interval of one day between two weeks. Totally, 21 days of treatment were taken as a session. In the western medicine group, aspirin enteric coated tablets were prescribed, 25 mg/tablet, 100 mg/day, once a night for oral administration, and 21 days of medication were taken as 1 session. There were 3 days at the interval between two sessions in each group and totally 2 sessions were required. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) was adopted before treatment and in two sessions of treatment to observe, mean flow velocity (Vm) of middle cerebral artery (MCA), vertebral artery (VA), basilar arte ry (BA) and pulsatility index (PI). The standard of the efficacy assessment of stroke aura was taken as the main efficacy index in the assessment of theraputic effect, the adverse reaction was observed.

RESULTS1In TIA, MCA blood flow was accelerated in internal carotid system, and BA blood flow was accelerated in vertebral-basilar artery system. The treatments in the two groups enabled the blood flow in the responsible blood vessels slow down and the results in the acupuncture group L(60. 54+/-11.76)cm/s, (36. 17+/-8. 65)cm/s] were better than those in the western medicine group [(72. 34+/-9. 15)cm/s,(65. 23 +/-8. 99)cm/s] (P0. 05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture intervention based on promoting the circulation of the Governor Vessel and regulating mentality achieves the superior efficacy on TIA and less adverse reactions as compared with aspirin. The effect mechanism is related potentially to the improvement of cerebral vascular hemodynamic.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Alpinia oxyphylla is mainly produced in Hainan,and also one of the four famous traditional Chinese medicines in South China with increasing importance in traditional Chinese medicine industry. Field surveys and literatures show that A. oxyphylla has widely used as a medicinal and edible plant,it is an important raw material for many Chinese patent medicines,health products and food,with a long history of artificial cultivation and application. The future development is prospected on health market. But A. oxyphylla industry has faced a lot of problems,including unreasonable planting layout,lack of good varieties,imperfect seed breeding system,low level of standardization,inconsistent quality of medicinal materials,low level of industry,and so on. The suggestions for sustainable development are listed below.First,it is essential to strengthen the research on the basis and application technology of A. oxyphylla,speed up the selection and breeding of improved varieties,and popularize standardized cultivation techniques. Secondly,it is important to strengthen the research on quality standards,improve the quality evaluation system of medicinal materials. Thirdly,it is necessary to take full advantage of the functional components to develop functional products with Hainan characteristics,find out the unique product characteristics of A. oxyphylla,build a famous brand and improve the product competitiveness in the market. It is also important to strengthen policy support and industrial supervision,promote the healthy and rapid development of A. oxyphylla industry.
Alpinia ; chemistry ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; trends ; Plant Breeding ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Seeds