OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of polysaccharide 2-1 from Gastrodia elata (PGE2-1) on blood coagulation and thrombosis.

METHODClotting time (CT) and bleeding time (BT) of mice were measured by glass method and tail-cutting method. Bleeding capacity (A540) was measured by cutting tail in 5 min. Plama recalcificatic time (RT) were measured in mice. Platelet aggregation was caused by adenosine diphosphate (ADP). Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), and thrombin time (TT) were measured by reagent boxes. During thrombosis in vitro, their lengths, wet and dry weights were measured by instrument; wet weights of arteriovenous experimental thrombosis were measured and the impressive rates were analyzed.

RESULTCT and BT of groups PGE2-1 (60, 120 mg x kg(-1)) were remarkably prolonged, and bleeding capacity (A540) were significantly increased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). RT of groups PGE2-1 (30, 60, 120 mg x kg(-1)) were remarkably prolonged, and platelet aggregation (PAG) were inhibited (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Human serous TT and APTT of groups PGE2-1 (10, 20, 40 mg x mL(-1)) were remarkably prolonged (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), but the difference of effect on PT had no statistic significance. PGE2-1 (30, 60, 120 mg x kg(-1)) could make the mice obviously eliminate thrombus symptom and reduce the time of restoring independent activity (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01); thrombosis in vitro: Lengths, wet and dry weights of groups PGE2-1 (30, 60, 120 mg x kg(-1)) were significantly decreased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01); wet weights of arteriovenous experimental thrombosis were dramatically decreased (P < 0.01), and impressive rates were respectively 32.5%, 49.0% and 61.5%.

CONCLUSIONPGE2-1 has remarkable effects of anticoagulation and antithrombosis, so it may be the main component of the isolation from G. elata in the field of antithrombosis.

Animals ; Anticoagulants ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Blood Coagulation Tests ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Gastrodia ; chemistry ; Glycoproteins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Phytotherapy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Prothrombin Time ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Thrombin Time ; Thrombosis ; pathology ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo explore the safety and curative effects of autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in the treatment of silicosis.

METHODSThe protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the hospital, and ten patients with silicosis who had given written consent were enrolled in this study. BMSCs isolated from 100 ml of bone marrow for each case were purified and cultured. In each case the 3rd generation of qualified BMSCs (5 × 10(7)) were intravenously administered weekly for 3 weeks. Three cases among 10 patients were treated with BMSCs modified by hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) gene. The clinical symptoms, chest films, chest CT, pulmonary functions, T cells, serum IgG and ceruloplasmin (CP) were observed in 6 or 9 months after treatment.

RESULTSNo obvious sub-effect was observed in cases treated with BMSCs, the clinical symptoms (such as cough, sputum and chest tightness) basically disappeared in 9 months after treatment. Pulmonary function tests showed that FVC increased from 71.2% ± 17.0% to 84.0% ± 10.9% (P < 0.01) and FEV1.0 increased from 67.5% ± 17.7% to 80.6% ± 14.9% (P < 0.01). The levels of serum CP and IgG significantly decreased (P < 0.01). Further, the chest films and CT in cases treated with autologous BMSCs modified by HGF gene were improved to different extent.

CONCLUSIONTreatment with autologous BMSCs modified by HGF gene exhibit a beneficial effect on silicosis.

Adult ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Female ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Silicosis ; surgery ; Transfection ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Treatment Outcome

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

In order to study the value of sequential and quantitative analysis of chimerism in determination of optional time of donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) and prediction of efficacy of DLI, six patients with leukemias who relapsed or failed of engraftment were treated with DLI. Serial and quantitative analyses of donor chimerism (DC) both prior to and following DLI were performed by multiplex PCR amplification of STR markers (STR-PCR) and capillary electrophoresis with fluorescence detection. The results showed that at the time of relapse or graft rejection, STR-PCR indicated the decreasing donor chimerism in all six patients, at levels ranging from 27.3% to 85.7%. The declining value of DC (<90%) was detected in four patients at 26 days before relapse or graft rejection diagnosed clinically. Therefore the decrease of value of DC can be identified the high risk of relapse or graft failure and can be used to guide DLI implementation at early stage. In this study the clinical response were seen in two patients, the value of DC in these patients increased with convertion to a predominant donor profile (>90%) or converted to stable FDC shortly after DLI, while in the patients without clinical response, the level of DC decreased persistently or declined after transient increase. Three patients without response received second DLI. It is concluded that the monitoring of chimerism is proved to be a valuable to determine the optional time point of DLI and to early evaluate the efficacy of DLI. Furthermore, it can present a rational basis for treatment of intensification in the patients who did not respond to first-line DLI treatment.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Transfusion ; Recurrence ; Tissue Donors ; Transplantation Chimera

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical features of hemophilia A (HA), and the factors associated with the factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitor development.

METHODSOne huandred and thirteen patients with HA were recruited in this retrospective study, among whom, 85 were treated with FVIII replacement therapy. The FVIII inhibitor levels and factors associated with the inhibitor development were correspondingly investigated in these 85 patients.

RESULTSFVIII inhibitor developed in 28.24% of the 85 severe and moderate patients treated with FVIII. Factors of statistical significance (P < 0.05) associated with the low-titer FVIII inhibitor development were as follows: the first enduring adminstration of FVIII, the situation of the patients, and the high dose FVIII used in severe bleeding or major operation.

CONCLUSIONThe development of FVIII inhibitor by Bethesda assay in Chinese hemophilia A patients is not rare, especially that with low-titer. Most of them are severe and moderate patients. The inhibitor development was associated with the following factors: the first adminstration of FVIII for more than 5 days, the severe or moderate conditions of patients, the high dose FVIII used in severe bleeding or major operation.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Factor VIII ; administration & dosage ; Hemophilia A ; therapy ; Hemorrhage ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the T13254C polymorphism frequency in GPVI gene among Chinese Han population and its relevance to the arterial thrombotic diseases.

METHODSThe enrolled population in this study consisted of 314 healthy subjects and 274 patients with myocardial or cerebral infarctions. GPVI T13254C genotypes were determined by PCR amplification of a 355 bp fragment encompassing exon 5 of GPVI gene, followed by Msp I digestion of the product. The digested products were analyzed in 15% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE).

RESULTSThe frequencies of the T allele and C allele in the T13254C polymorphism were 0.9809 and 0.0191, respectively, with a frequency of heterozygous of 0.0319, which were significantly different from those reported in western population (P < 0.01). As compared with controls, no significant difference in T13254C genotype distribution was found in the arterial thrombotic diseases group.

CONCLUSIONThe GPVI T13254C polymorphism appears in a low frequency in Chinese Han population. No relationship is found between T13254C polymorphism and the risk for thrombotic diseases.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Brain Infarction ; ethnology ; genetics ; China ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Myocardial Infarction ; ethnology ; genetics ; Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Stroke has caused a heavy disease burden across the world, and it has become a worldwide public health problem. Several studies have assessed the relationship between psychological and social factors and risk of stroke so far. This paper summarizes the progress in epidemiological research on the relationship between psychological and social factors (depression, psycho-social stress, anxiety, loneliness, psychological distress, social support, social isolation, and social network) and the risk for stroke, the results of these studies were inconsistent. Most studies showed an association between these factors and the incidence of stroke, but there were still some studies showing no such association.

OBJECTIVEImprovement in lung function was reported after acupuncture treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but little is known about the underlying mechanisms. Because an immune response imbalance could be seen in COPD, we hypothesize that electroacupuncture (EA) may play a role in regulating inflammatory cytokines and contribute to lung protection in a rat model of smoke-induced COPD.

METHODSA COPD model using male Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to cigarette smoke was established. The rats were randomly divided into four groups (control, sham, COPD, and COPD plus EA), and COPD model was evaluated by measuring pulmonary pathological changes and lung function. EA was applied to the acupuncture point Zusanli (ST36) for 30 min/d for 14 d in sham and COPD rats. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was used to measure levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and malonaldehyde (MDA).

RESULTSCompared with the control rats, COPD rats had significant changes in lung resistance (RL) and lung compliance (CL) (both P<0.01), bronchi and bronchiole airway obstruction (P<0.01), and levels of MDA, TNF-α, and IL-1β (P<0.01). There were no significant differences between the control and the sham groups. Compared with the COPD rats, the COPD plus EA rats had decreased RL and increased CL (both P<0.05), and reduced bronchi and bronchiole airway obstruction (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively), while levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and MDA in BALF were lowered (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). However, TNF-α and IL-1β levels of the EA group rats remained higher than those of the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONEA at ST36 can reduce lung injury in a COPD rat model, and beneficial effects may be related to down-regulation of inflammatory cytokines. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects may prolong the clinical benefit of EA.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; immunology ; Male ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; etiology ; immunology ; therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the potential role of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) autograft for the treatment of silicosis.

METHODSBone marrow (100 ml) was aspirated from a severe silicosis patient. BMSCs isolated, purified and cultured in vitro. When BMSC came to 70% confluence at passage 3, the culture medium was added liposomes (lipo2000) and plasmid-HGF (p-HGF) and cultured for 2 d. HGF-MSCSs (5 × 10(7) cells) were resuspended in 50 ml 0.9% sodium chloride (NS) and infused Intravenous drip at 3 consecutive times (once a week). Clinical follow-up were performed before and after treatment: (1) pulmonary high-kV X-ray, chest CT examination; (2) pulmonary function test; (3) determination of serum ceruloplasmin.

RESULTSThe symptoms such as coughing, chest tightness disappeared at 12 months after treatment. Pulmonary function tests showed significant changes after treatment: forced vital capacity (FVC) increased from 64.6% to 81.0%, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1.0)) increased from 68.7% to 90.1%, 1 second rate (FEV(1.0)/FVC%) reduced from 111.6% to 107.1%, the maximum mid-expiratory flow (FEF(25%∼75%) decreased from 100.2% to 94.6%, forced expiratory vital capacity 75% of the moment bit of gas flow (MEF(75%)) increased from 99.2% to 113.5%, forced expiratory vital capacity 50% of the moment bit of gas flow (MEF(50%)) increased from 125.3% to 130.2%, forced expiratory vital capacity 25% of the moment bit of gas flow (MEF(25%)) reduced from 86.9% to 71.7%; serum ceruloplasmin levels decreased from 690 mg/L to 180.6 mg/L; lung high-kV X-ray at 1st review showed that diffuse lung nodules had been absorbed and getting smaller than before treatment; chest CT showed that the distribution and number of small nodules at double lung fields decreased than before treatment.

CONCLUSIONHGF combined with BMSC transplantation may have some potential role for the treatment of silicosis patients.

Adult ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Silicosis ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of cannabinoid receptor I (CB1R) during mice skin incised wound healing course and time-dependent changes of CB1R in wound age determination. METHODS: The changes of CBIR expression in skin incised wound were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. RESULTS: The control group showed a low expression of CB1R detected mainly in epidermis, hair follicles, sebaceous gland and dermomuscular layer. CB1R expression was undetectable in neutrophils in the wound specimens from 6h to 12h post-injury. CB1R positive cells were mostly mononuclear cells (MNCs) and fibroblastic cells (FBCs) from 1 d to 5 d post-injury. CB1R positive cells were mostly FBCs from 7 d to 14d post-injury. The ratio of the CB1R positive cells increased gradually in the wound specimens from 6 h to 3 d post-injury, reached peak level at 5 d, and then decreased gradually from 7d to 14 d post-injury. The positive bands of CB1R were observed in all time points of the wound healing course by Western blotting. The expression peak showed at 5 d post-injury. CONCLUSION CB1R is activated during the wound healing course. The expression of CB1R is found in mononuclear cells, which could be involved in inflammation reaction. CBIR is observed in fibroblastic cells, which could participate in the wound healing. CB1R may be a potentially useful marker for determination of wound healing age.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fibroblasts/metabolism* ; Forensic Pathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Monocytes/metabolism* ; Random Allocation ; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/metabolism* ; Skin/metabolism* ; Staining and Labeling ; Time Factors ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries/pathology*