A total of 152 strains of endophytic fungi were isolated from the barks of Eucommia ulmoides in three regions (Lueyang country, Zunyi country, Cili country). Based on morphological characteristics and analysis of ITS sequences, these strains were identified into 8 genera. Thereinto Phomopsis, Diaporthe and Alternaria were common genera to Eucommia barks from different sites. But the dominant genus was different: Alternaria was the dominant genus in the barks from Cili country, and Phomopsis was the dominant genus from Zunyi country, then Diaporthe was the one from Lueyang country. According to the similarity coefficient, the composition of the endophytic fungi was distinctly different between the barks from three sites. The diversity and species richness in Lueyang country and Cili country were found higher than those in Zunyi country. The evenness of endophytic fungi was 0.936 5 in Lueyang county, which was higher than 0.737 1 or 0.641 0 in Cili county or Zunyi county, respectively. After phylogenic analysis and calculating the genetic distances of typical strains belong to Phomopsis and its perfect stage--Diaporthe, there was very high genetic diversity in the two genera from our study. In conclusion, the community structure and diversity of endophytic fungi were significant different in Eucommia barks from the three habitats.
DNA, Fungal ; genetics ; DNA, Intergenic ; genetics ; Ecosystem ; Endophytes ; classification ; physiology ; Eucommiaceae ; microbiology ; Fungi ; classification ; genetics ; physiology ; Phylogeny ; Plant Bark ; microbiology

Objective To explore the clinical feature,diagnosis and treatment of postoperative chylothorax after congenital cardiac surgery.Methods From Jan.2000 to Jan.2008,36 consecutive infants following cardiac surgery were diagnosed postoperative chylothorax.Age at operation ranged 6 days to 4 years.Weight ranged 3.5 kg to 17.0 kg.Indications for cardiac surgery were:tetralogy of Fallot 18 cases,complete atrioventricular septal defect 5 cases,double outlet of right ventricle 4 cases,complex heart defect for Fontan operation 4 cases,coarctation of the aorta 2 cases,total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage 2 cases,patent ductus arteriosus 1 case.Chylothorax occurred in right side was 32 cases,in left side 3 cases,bilateral side 1 case.Diagnostic time for chylothorax was postoperative 1-10 d.Results Thirty-four cases were treated conservatively with success(34/36,94.44%).Only 2 cases needed surgical treatment.The chest drainage volume before con-servative treatment was 22-60 mL/(kg?d)[mean 40.82 mL/(kg?d)].The mean duration of chylous drainage was 15 d(ranged 7 d to 42 d).There was no death in hospital.Two children had sepsis.The cases were followed up 2 weeks-7 years.One newborn was abandoned because of the other reason after discharge.There was no recurrence of chylothorax.Twenty-two cases were still in low-fat diet.Conclusions The chylothorax following operation of congenital heart disease should be noticed and early diagnosed.The initial treatment is conservative,but surgical treatment ought to be considered if the conservative management is unsuccessful.J Appl Clin Pediatr,2009,24(1):70-72

OBJECTIVETo investigate effect of AP-1 and Ets binding site adjacent to matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) promoter on activation of MMP-9 transcription of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells transfected with EBV-encoded latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1), and to ascertain if cross-talk between c-Jun and Ets1 is involved in LMP1-regulating expression of MMP-9.

METHODSSite-directed mutagenesis technique was used to establish a series of mutants, including MMP-9-CAT-Ets(-540)mt, MMP-9-CAT-AP-1(-533)mt and MMP-9-CAT-AP-1(-533)/Ets(-540)mt. After the mutants were transfected into LMP1-expressing NPC HNE2 cells regulated by Tet-on system (pTet-on-LMP1 HNE2), CAT activity of these mutants were assayed with induction of LMP1. With blockade of c-Jun or Ets1 antisense oligonucleotides, the activity of MMP-9 induced by LMP1 was assayed with gelatin zymography.

RESULTSThe CAT activity of MMP-9-Ets(-540)mt-CAT, MMP-9-AP-1(-533)mt-CAT, MMP-9-AP-1(-533)/Ets(-540) mt-CAT decreased significantly compared to MMP-9-CAT wt. After blockade with c-Jun or Ets1 antisense oligonucleotides, activity of MMP-9 induced by LMP1 decreased significantly, especially with combined blockade of c-Jun and Ets1.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggest that transcription factor AP-1 and Ets play an crucial role in activation of MMP-9 transcription induced by LMP1, and cross-talk between c-Jun/Ets1 is involved in expression of MMP-9 mediated by LMP1.

Herpesvirus 4, Human ; genetics ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; virology ; Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1 ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; genetics ; Transfection ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Viral Matrix Proteins ; genetics

Sarcopenia is a syndrome associated with decreased muscle mass,decreased muscle strength,and reduced physical performance. Due to multiple factors such as tumor metabolism,systemic inflammatory response,disease progression,and reduced physical activity associated with treatment itself,the risk of sarcopenia in patients with lung cancer is higher than that of the general population. Sarcopenia is closely related to the clinical outcomes,including increased risk for mortality,and significantly impacts patients' long-term quality of life and mental health. This study systematic reviewed the risk factors for sarcopenia in patients with lung cancer,its negative effects on clinical outcomes,long-term quality of life and mental health,and the interventions for sarcopenia. Given the significant impact of sarcopenia on patients with lung cancer,it is urgent to explore a multidisciplinary intervention model to improve their survival and quality of life.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the availability of serum level of macrophage clony stimulating factor (M-CSF) as a marker for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODSThe serum levels of M-CSF in 70 patients with AD, 52 healthy controls, 22 patients with VAD (vascular dementia) were measured and the serum levels of IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha in 32 patients with AD and 20 controls were measured as well.

RESULTSSerum levels of M-CSF were significantly elevated in patients with AD when compared with healthy controls (P < 0.01) and VAD controls (P < 0.05) respectively. At the early stage of mild dementia and middle dementia, serum levels of M-CSF were significantly elevated, but at the later stage of severe dementia, they returned to normal level. Serum levels of IL-1 beta were significantly elevated in AD patients compared with controls (P < 0.05), and serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 were within the normal range in patients with AD.

CONCLUSIONSThe results suggest that serum M-CSF level may provide a convenient and sensitive means for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alzheimer Disease ; blood ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-1 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo probe into the mechanism of electroacupuncture intervention for lipid metabolism of metabolic syndrome patients.

METHODSEighty cases of metabolic syndrome were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture combined with western medicine group (observation group) and a simple western medicine group (control group), 40 cases in each group. The observation group was treated with electroacupuncture at Back shu points, Zusanli (ST 36),Zhongwan (CV 12),Sanyinjiao (SP 6) etc. as main combined with oral administration of Simvastatin, Glipizide XL, and Felodipine sustained-release tablets for lipid-lowering, glucose-lowering and antihypertensive treatment; the control group was treated with oral administration of western medicine only (the medicine was the same with observation group). The Body Mass Index (BMI) and the blood lipid of the patients were detected respectively before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe BMI, Three Acids Glyceride (TG), Total Cholesterol(TC), Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) and High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) were compared respectively before and after treatment, there were significant differences between them in observation group (all P < 0.01); while in control group, there were significant differences of TG,TC,LDL-C and HDL-C before and after treatment (all P < 0.01), and with no significant difference in BMI before and after treatment. There were significant differences of BMI,TG,TC,LDL-C and HDL-C between two groups after treatment (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe electroacupuncture has an obvious effect to reduce body mass, and acupuncture combined with medication has a better effect of improving the lipid metabolism than simple medication.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Body Mass Index ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; administration & dosage ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; therapy ; Middle Aged

This study was aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of telbivudine (LdT) in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and HBV-related liver cirrhosis (LC) and to observe the changes of immunological responses during LdT treatment. Clinical data of 80 CHB and 28 HBV-related LC patients who were administered with LdT for 108 weeks and followed up were retrospectively analyzed. The liver function indicators including ALT, AST and γ-GT, HBV DNA copy number in serum and the rates of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion were analyzed before and 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96 and 108 weeks after LdT treatment in CHB and LC groups. Four serum fibrosis-related markers, including hyaluronic acid (HA), human laminin (LN), human type IV collagen (IV-C) and human N-terminal procollagen III peptide (PC-III), were detected before and after LdT treatment in LC group. The results showed favorable viral suppression and biochemical responses after treatment with LdT for 12 weeks, and a high rate of virological and biochemical control was maintained during the course of 108-week treatment in both CHB and LC groups. The four fibrosis-related markers, especially HA and LN, were down-regulated to some degrees in LC group. Moreover, LdT treatment led to the fluctuation of the circulating interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels at different time points in CHB group. It was concluded that LdT could favorably lead to the virological suppression and biochemical remission. Besides, IFN-γ and IL-10 may represent a suitable and effective predictor of responsiveness during LdT therapy.
Adult ; Aged ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thymidine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo assess the association between 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in exonic regions of matrix metalloproteinase-10 (MMP-10) gene and instability of carotid plaques in a Han Chinese population.

METHODSFive hundred and eighty-five patients were divided into carotid vulnerable plaque group (n=206) and stable plaque group (n=379) based on results of carotid B-mode ultrasonography. The SNPs were genotyped by real-time polymerase chain reaction using an ABI 7300 TaqMan platform.

RESULTSThe distribution of rs17435959 between the two groups was significantly different at both genotypic (GC+CC vs. GG, P=0.006, OR=2.012) and allelic levels (C vs. G, P=0.001,OR=2.160). Above differences have remained significant with binary logistic regression analysis (P=0.007, OR=2.022; P=0.002, OR=2.104). The minor allele frequency of rs17293607 was 0.56%.

CONCLUSIONAbove findings suggested that rs17435959 of the MMP-10 gene is associated with carotid vulnerable plaque in ethnic Chinese Hans. The C allele may be a susceptible predictor for carotid vulnerable plaque.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 10 ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; enzymology ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Based on the syndrome and treatment system of collateral disease， and inheriting the development of the bloodline theory of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， academician WU Yi-ling systematically constructed the vessel-collateral theory of TCM and proposed that its core theory was the theory of Yingwei， that is， "Ying in the vein， and Wei outside the vein" （Huangdi Neijing·Lingshu·Yingwei Shenghui）， "obstructing of Yingwei， congelation of blood" （Treatise on Febrile Diseases· Pulse Differentiation Method）， "pathogen transferring through blood vessels， obstructed by blocking" （Jinkui Yaolue·Zangfu Jingluo Xianhou Bingmaizheng First）， and "damage of the heart， adjust its Yingwei". Based on the consistency of vessel-collateral as the channel of blood circulation in TCM with the blood vessels in western medicine， and guided by the Yingwei theory of vessel-collateral theory， the diagnostic criteria of syndrome differentiation of disease of vessel-collateral and vascular system represented by coronary heart disease， arrhythmia， heart failure and others was established to guide the prevention and treatment of vascular diseases. Based on the above analysis， guided by the Yingwei theory of vessel-collateral theory， and on the basis of related researches of vessel-collateral and vascular system， this paper discussed the etiology and pathogenesis of chronic coronary syndrome （CCS） in TCM. Taking useful collateral with unblocking as the treatment principle， the representative Tongluo prescription （Tongxinluo） was constructed， the research progress of Tongxinluo from various aspects such as animal experiment research， pharmacological research and clinical evidence-based research was summarized， a comprehensive system from etiology， pathogenesis， syndrome differentiation to treatment was formed， in order to provide new ideas for the clinical treatment of CCS.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture at "experienced ten acupoints" for postprandial distress syndrome. METHODS: A total of 62 patients with postprandial distress syndrome were randomly divided into an observation group (31 cases, 5 cases dropping off) and a control group (31 cases, 6 cases dropping off ). Acupuncture was applied at Baihui (GV 20), Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), Tianshu (ST 25), Neiguan (PC 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Gongsun (SP 4), Danzhong (CV 17) in the observation group. In the control group, 6 non-acupoint points were intervened with shallow puncture. The treatment was given 20 min each time, once every other day, 3 times a week for a total of 4 weeks in the two groups. Symptom index of dyspepsia (SID) and Nepean dyspepsia index (NDI) scores were compared before and after treatment, and the efficacy was evaluated in the two groups. RESULTS: The effective rate in the observation group was 76.9% (20/26), which was higher than 28.0% in the control group (7/25, <0.01). After treatment, the SID and NDI scores in the two groups were lower than those before treatment (<0.01, <0.05), and the SID and NDI scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (<0.01, <0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture at "experienced ten acupoints" can significantly reduce the symptoms of dyspepsia and improve the quality of life in patients with postprandial distress syndrome.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Dyspepsia ; therapy ; Humans ; Quality of Life ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome