Objective To investigate the distribution of gender,age,and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome elements and syndrome types in patients suffering from novel coronavirus infection complicated with asthma,and to explore the medication rules for the patients,thus to provide reference for the formulation of clinical diagnosis and treatment plans for novel coronavirus infection complicated with asthma.Methods From December 2022 to January 2023,the information of gender,age,syndrome elements,TCM syndrome types and medication frequency of the herbal medicine was collected among the patients suffering from novel coronavirus infection complicated with asthma who were treated in outpatient clinics of the respiratory department and emergency department of Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital.The information data were statistically analyzed and then the network visualization of results was presented.Results A total of 63 cases were included,including 27 males and 36 females,with an average age of 51.8 years old.Thirteen TCM syndrome types were involved,of which the three with the leading occurrence frequency were wind-phlegm syndrome(17 cases),spleen deficiency with dampness accumulation syndrome(11 cases),and phlegm-heat stagnation in the lung syndrome(8 cases).There were four disease-location syndrome elements,and the top two were lung(36 cases)and spleen(12 cases).Eight disease-nature syndrome elements were involved,and the top three were wind(36 cases),phlegm(28 cases)and qi deficiency(24 cases).A total of 128 Chinese herbal medicines were used,and their properties and flavors were predomiated by being pungent,bitter,sweet and cold.Most of the Chinese herbal medicines had the meridian tropism of lung,spleen,liver and stomach meridians,and most of the Chinese herbal medicines had the therapeutic actions of resolving phlegm,easing cough and relieving asthma.The top four Chinese herbal medicines with higher medication frequency were Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma(51 times),Ephedrae Herba(47 times),blanching Armeniacae Semen Amarum(44 times),and Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus(40 times).The core two-drug groups were Ephedrae Herba-Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Ephedrae Herba-Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus,and blanching Armeniacae Semen Amarum-Pinelliae Rhizoma.The core three-drug groups were Pinelliae Rhizoma-blanching Armeniacae Semen Amarum-Ephedrae Herba,and Ephedrae Herba-Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus-Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma.Conclusion Pathogenic phlegm retention in lung is the core pathogenesis of novel coronavirus infection complicated with asthma,which is protracted through the disease.The pathogenic wind is the driving factor of the disease's development and progression,and in the middle and late stages of the disease,the complicated syndrome manifestations of pathogenic heat,qi deficiency,qi and yin deficiency,and blockage of upper orifice are commonly seen.Its therapeutic principles are to relieve exterior syndrome and clear heat,resolve phlegm,ease cough and relieve asthma,thus to restore the qi movement of the zang-fu organs,support the healthy qi,eliminate pathogens and strengthen body resistance.

Objective To investigate the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome patterns and medication characteristics in corona virus disease 2019(COVID-19)patients complicated with chronic bronchitis at the initial phase of the termination of pandemic control policy in Shenzhen,and to provide evidence for TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment of these patients.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 76 COVID-19 patients complicated with chronic bronchitis who visited the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine or the Emergency Internal Medicine Clinic at Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital between December 15,2022 and February 28,2023,an initial phase of the termination of pandemic control policy in Shenzhen.Data of demographics,TCM syndrome patterns,and herbal prescriptions were collected.TCM syndrome distribution and medication patterns of the COVID-19 patients complicated with chronic bronchitis were summarized to enhance understanding of post-COVID sequelae,post-COVID syndrome,long COVID,post-infectious cough,and chronic cough,and to provide references for TCM management of acute/chronic post-COVID cough,long COVID syndrome,and emerging respiratory infectious diseases.Results A total of 76 medical records with full information were included,covering 63 herbal formulas and 140 herbal medicinals were analyzed.The most common TCM syndrome pattern was phlegm-turbidity obstructing the lung syndrome,followed by phlegm-heat stagnating the lung syndrome and lung qi deficiency syndrome.The properties of the herbs used were predominantly warm,cold,or mild;their flavors were bitter,pungent,or sweet;and their meridian tropisms primarily involved the lung,spleen,stomach,and liver.Twenty-five medicinals used exceeding 15 times in the formulas were identified,including Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma(Gancao),Ephedrae Herba(Mahuang),Coicis Semen(Yiyiren),and Poira(Fuling).Association rule analysis revealed the frequent herbal pairs of Gancao-Mahuang,Belamcandae Rhizoma(Shegan)-Mahuang,Gancao-Fuling,Fuling-Yiyiren,etc.Cluster analysis categorized high-frequency herbs into four distinct groups.Conclusion The retrospective analysis highlights the complexity of clinical manifestations in COVID-19 patients complicated with chronic bronchitis at the initial phase of the termination of pandemic control policy in Shenzhen.The pathogenic factors of the patients predominantly involve phlegm-turbidity and phlegm-heat.Therapeutic principles for the patients focus on diffusing the lung to alleviate adverse flow of qi,resolving phlegm and removing dampness,and clearing and draining damp-heat.Commonly prescribed formulas include San'ao Decoction,Yuebi Plus Banxia Decoction,Xiaoqinglong Decoction,Shegan Mahuang Decoction,and Suhuang Zhike Decoction,and the formulas are used by modification according to the symptoms.

Objective To provide molecular genetic basis for oncobiological difference in left sided colon cancer and right sided colon cancer. Differentially expressed proteins in left sided colon cancer and right sided colon cancer were screened by proteomic technique. Methods Tissue samples including left sided colon cancer and right sided colon cancer were collected and preserved in the -80℃ refrigerator. In the first part of our experiment, protein was separated by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and the images of the gels were acquired by the scanner and then analyzed to find the differentially expression protein-spots in different groups. The peptide mass fingerprintings (PMF) was acquired by matrix assisted laser desorptiorn/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and the proteins were identified by data searching in the Mascotdatabase. Differentially expressed proteins were assayed by RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemical method. Results Altogether 55 differentially expressed protein spots were screened and 21 spots of them were identified. Compared with the right sided colon cancer, 14 proteins were up-regulated and 7 proteins down-regulated including HSP27 in the left sided colon cancer. HSP27 expressed higher in the right sided colon cancer than in the left sided colon cancer.Conclusion There are differentially expressed proteins in left sided colon cancer and right sided colon cancer, especially difference in HSP27 expression at mRNA and protein level, which may be molecular genetic basis for oncobiological difference in left sided colon cancer and right sided colon cancer.

BACKGROUND: The studies about cellular cardiomyoplasty (CCM) of bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) are centered on modeling autologous cell transplantation while the study of myocardium transplantation of allogeneic BMSC is seldom reported domestically.OBJECTIVE: To study the hypothesis that the allogeneic BMSC, after transplanted into the myocardial infarction (MI) regions, can survive, further proliferate, differentiate, and its effects on host hearts.DESIGN: A randomized and controlled trial with experimental animals as subjects.SETTING: Laboratory of Internal Cardiology, Affiliated Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology.MATERIALS: Ten Wistar rats of one-month old, body mass of 100-120 g and unconfined sex were used to culture BMSC while eighty female Wister rats of three-month old, body mass of 200-250 g were used for animal models.METHODS: The experiment was completed in the Laboratory of of Internal Cardiology, Affiliated Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology from June to December 2004. ①Eighty rats were used to establish the acute myocardial infarction (AMI) models by ligating the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery, and 45 of them were successful. ② After 4 weeks, the models were divided into 2 groups at random. In the experiment group (n=25), the passaged and uninduced BMSC cultured in vitro were injected into the MI region of the recipients while only medium was injected in the control group (n=20). ③At 4 weeks after implantation,the hemodynamic indexes of recipients' hearts were examined. Then the samples were obtained to detect the survival, differentiation and angiogenesis status of the removal cells.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①Comparison of hemodynamic indexes in rats of two groups②Results of the implantation cells③Changes of angiogenesis in rats of two groups.RESULTS: Totally 13 rats in the experiment group and 11 in the control group were involved in the result analysis. ①The hemodynamic indexes of rats were significantly improved in the experiment groups compared with the control group [Left ventricle systolic blood pressure (LVSBP): (88.61±5.99),(76.93±4.75) mm Hg, left ventricle end-diastolic pressure(LVEDP): (7.72±1.36),(12.77±2.76) mm Hg, P ＜ 0.05;The maximum changing velocity of LVSBP:(2 365.26±266.31),(2 025.04±230.25) mm Hg/s; The maximum changing velocity of LVDBP:(2 313.26±159.30),(2 140.12±191.03) mm Hg/s]. ②After implanted in the MI region, the allogeneic BMSC passed the acute inflammation period and did not induce the remarkable reject reaction of transplantation. The BMSC in the infarcted region were mainly differentiated into fibroblast. Some cells around the infarcted region were differentiated into endothelial cells, and improved the angiogenesis. ③The number of angiogenesis in and around the transplantation regions was significantly higher in the experiment group than in the control group (P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: The allogeneic BMSC can not form cardiomyocyte in the infarcted region after cell transplantation, and the engendered endothelial cells of blood vessels may promote the angiogenesis after AMI and ameliorate the cardiac function.

BACKGROUND: Experimental evidence suggests that growth factors can promote myocardial angiogenesis, but the effect and mechanism of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in controlled release delivered via fibrin glue has not been fully recognized.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of controlled-release bFGF delivered via fibrin glue in the myocardium on the expressions of vascular growth factors and cell proliferation in the local acute myocardial infarct area in canines, and assess the therapeutic effect of this strategy.DESIGN: Completely randomized controlled experiment.SETTING: Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital University of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Shanghai Xinxing Blood Product Research Institute.MATERIALS: This experiment was carried out in the Laboratory of Animal Surgery, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and the Experimental Animal Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital between June 2001 And March 2003.Twelve clean healthy adult mongrel dogs of either sex were selected and randomized into transmyocardial laser revascularization group and bFGF group with 6 in each group.METHODS: With appropriate anesthesia, the chest of the dog was opened and the left anterior descending (LAD) branch of the coronary artery was ligated to establish acute myocardial infarction (AMI) model.The dogs were then randomized into transmyocardial laser revascularization group to receive transmural myocardial penetration 30 minutes after AMI and bFGF group with non-transmural myocardial penetration 30 minutes after AMI and subsequent injection of bFGF-containing fibrin glue into the channel. The expressions of vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the loacl ischemic myocardium were examined immunohistochemically (IHC) at postoperative 18 weeks.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Quantitative IHC analysis of VEGF,TGFβ1 and the PCNA expressions in the local ischemic myocardia in transmyocardial laser revascularization group and bFGF group.RESULTS: Five dogs in the transmyocardial laser revascularization group and 6 in the bFGF group survived the operations. Quantitative IHC analysis revealed obviously larger positive area stained for myocardial VEGF,TGFβ1 and PCNA in bFGF group than in transmyocardial laser revascularization group (t=-7.505, -2.690 and -6.895, P ＜ 0.05), and the average absorbance of PCNA staining in bFGF group was greater than that in the transmyocardial laser revascularization group (t= -5.271, P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION: Controlled-releasing bFGF delivered in the myocardium can increase local expressions of the vascular growth factors in the ischemic myocardium and enhance cell proliferation, promoting revascularization after AMI.

This study examined the potential roles of astragalus and angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2) in rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy. Of 52 female 4-week-old Wistar rats treated with high glucose and lipid diet to induce insulin resistance, 7 treated with sodium citrate buffer (pH=4.5) served as controls (con1) and the other 45 were treated by intraperitoneal injection (ip) of STZ to induce type 2 diabetes. After 20 weeks, the maximal velocity decrease of pressure per second in left ventricle within the period of isovolumic relaxation (-dp/dtmax) was detected by inserting cannula through right carotid artery. Of the 45 rats, 24 with -dp/dtmax < or = 700 mmHg/s (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) developing diabetic cardiomyopathy were grouped as follows: 7 treated with double distilled H2O (ip) were included in control group 2 (con2); other 8 treated with AT2 agonist (CGP42112A, ip) were included in experimental group1 (exp); 9 treated with astragalus (po) constituted experimental group 2 (exp2). All injections lasted 4 weeks (qd) and the heart weight (HW) was recorded. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis index (CAI), mRNA of AT2 and Bcl-2 as well as AT2 and Bcl-2 protein values in cardiomyocytes were also measured. Our results showed that -dp/dtmax in exp1, exp2 and con2 were much lower than those in con1 (P<0.01). CAI and AT2 in both mRNA and protein in con1 were lower than those in the other three groups (P<0.01). The three parameters above were higher in exp1 but less in exp2 than those in con2, respectively (P<0.01). The three parameters and HW in exp1 were much higher than those in exp2 (P<0.01). Changes of Bcl-2 were opposite to those of AT2. Our results suggested that high expression of AT2 might accelerate the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes in diabetic rats and play an important role in precipitating diabetic cardiomyopathy and astragalus protects diabetic rats from developing cardiomyopathy by downregulating AT2.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Cardiomyopathies ; etiology ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; complications ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; pathology ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics

To study the angiogenic potency of hypoxia-prestimulated bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) when transplanted into acute myocardial infarction models of rats. BMSCs were cultured under hypoxia condition for 24 h. Their expression of VEGF was investigated. The rat acute myocardial infarction models were made by coronary artery ligation and divided into 3 groups at random. In normoxia group, twice-passaged BMSCs were labeled with Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and then implanted into the infarction regions and ischemic border of the recipients in 4 weeks. The rats in hypoxia group were implanted with hypoxia-prestimulated BMSCs. In control group, the model rats received only DMEM medium injection. Six-weeks after AMI, the infarction regions were examined to identify the angiogenesis and the expression of the VEGF. Our results showed that viable cells labeled with BrdU could be identified in the host hearts. The infarction regions in normoxia and hypoxia groups had a greater capillary density and increased VEGF expression than the regions in control group. The capillary density and VEGF expression in hypoxia group were higher than in normoxia group. It is concluded that the enhanced expression of VEGF in BMSCs could be induced by ex vivo hypoxia stimulation. BMSCs implantation promoted the angiogenesis in myocardial infarction tissue via supplying exogenic VEGF. Angiogenic potency of bone marrow stromal cells was improved by ex vivo hypoxia prestimulation though the enhanced VEGF expression.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cells, Cultured ; Coronary Circulation ; Myocardial Infarction ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors ; biosynthesis ; genetics

AIM: To evaluate the method of inducing mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells in vitro to differentiate into cardiomyocytes without using any chemical reagents.METHODS: BRL conditioned medium was used to promote the growth of ES cells and maintain them in an undifferentiated state before the experiment of differentiation. Then a three-step method including ES cell culture in hanging drops and in suspending was used to induce the differentiation of ES cells. RESULTS: Rhythmically contracting cells were observed among differentiated cells, which were proved to be cardiomyocytes with electron microscope and immunocytochemistry. CONCLUSION: A simple and economical method was established to induce mouse ES cells cultured in vitro to differentiate into cardiomyocytes without using any chemical reagents. [

AIM: To study the electrophysiological characteristics of ion channels of stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (SCDC) of mouse. METHODS: Embryonic stem cells of D 3 line (ES-D 3) were cultured on the MEF feeder layer with BRL conditioned medium, and fetal mouse heart cells(FMHC)were cultured in vitro. Then ES-D 3 cells were induced to differentiate into many kinds of cells. SCDC were harvested on day 12 after differentiation initiating and identified by electro-microscope and immunocytochemistry. SCDC and FMHC were prepared for the patch-clamp research. Sodium and calcium currents together were elicited and compared between SCDC and FMHC. RESULTS: The current characteristics of sodium and calcium channels of SCDC were very similar to FMHC. CONCLUSION: The functional expression of ion channels occurred during ES-D 3 cells differentiation and the electrophysiological characteristics of sodium and calcium channels of SCDC are very similar to FMHC.

AIM: To evaluate whether tolerogenic dendritic cells (DC) loaded with heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) inhibit the progression of aortic atherosclerotic plaque in hypercholesterolemic apolipoprotein E (Apo-E) -null mice. METHODS: Bone marrow derived DC of the mice were loaded with HSP60 and co-cultured with rapamycin to generate tolerogenic DC. The tolerogenic DC, DC loaded only HSP60 and PBS were injected into the ApoE-null mice at 8 weeks of age for three times at a one-week interval. 8 weeks after the last injection, aorta were harvested for HE staining and anti-CD4~+T cell immunostaining. Responses of pleenic cells to HSP60 were also evaluated. RESULTS: Compared with DC, DC_ HSP60 expressed higher levels of CD86, and stimulated T lymphocytes to proliferation significantly, while the tolerogenic DC expressed lower levels of CD86, and inhibited T lymphocytes to proliferation. After immunization with different injection, the numbers of CD4~+ T cells in plaque were increased significantly in DC_ HSP60 group vs in PBS group (P