Study on time-toxicity relationship and mechanism of Gardeniae Fructus extract on hepatoxicity in rats based on proteomics / 中国中药杂志

To study the time-toxicity relationship and mechanism of Gardeniae Fructus extract on the hepatoxicity in rats. Rats were randomly divided into C group(0 day), D5 group(5 days), D12 group(12 days), D19 group(19 days), and D26 group(7 days recovery after 19 days of administration). The rats in normal group received normal saline through intragastric administration, and the rats in other groups received 10 g·kg~(-1 )Gardeniae Fructus extract through intragastric administration. After the final administration, the livers were collected. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in the liver tissue. Total liver proteins were extracted for proteomic analysis, detected by the Nano-ESI liquid-mass spectrometry system and identified by Protein Disco-very software. SIEVE software was used for relative quantitative and qualitative analysis of proteins. The protein-protein interaction network was constructed based on STRING. Cytoscape software was used for cluster analysis of differential proteins. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) database was used to perform enrichment signal pathway analysis. Pearson correlation analysis was performed for the screened differential protein expression and liver pathology degree score. The results showed that the severity of liver injury in D5, D12 and D19 groups was significantly higher than that in group C. The degree of liver damage in D5 group was slightly higher than that in D12 and D19 groups, with no significant difference between group D26 and group C. Totally 147 key differential proteins have been screened out by proteomics and mainly formed 6 clusters, involving in drug metabolism pathways, retinol metabolism pathways, proteasomes, amino acid biosynthesis pathways, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways. The results of Pearson correlation analysis indicated that differential protein expressions had a certain temporal relationship with the change of liver pathological degree. The above results indicated that the severity of liver damage caused by Gardeniae Fructus extract did not increase with time and would recover after drug with drawal. The above pathways may be related to the mechanism of liver injury induced by Gardeniae Fructus extract.

Effect of Packaging and Storage Conditions on Quality of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix Pieces / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To study the effect of different packaging methods and storage conditions on the quality of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix pieces, in order to determine the optimal packaging method and suitable storage conditions for Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix pieces. Method::Different packaged Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix pieces were stored in different environments in a one-year long-term stability experiment. The appearance, water content, extract content and volatile oil content of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix pieces were regularly observed. Result::During the 1-year storage period, the Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix pieces under different packaging and storage conditions showed different degrees of quality changes. Among them, the samples packed in polyethylene plastic bags and polyethylene aluminum foil composite bags were better preserved. The fluctuations in water content of the sample packed in polyethylene plastic bags were relatively low, and the RSD value of water content during the month was less than 11.5%. The extracts and volatile oil contents of each sample were reduced to different degree, but the samples packed in plastic sealed bags and protected from light had the smallest annual loss of extracts (1.27%), with the lowest monthly loss rate of volatile oil (0.08%). Conclusion::The quality of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix pieces can be well preserved in plastic sealed bags and storage in dark and cool conditions, which is suitable for the storage of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix pieces.

Air Embolism during Upper Endoscopy: A Case Report

Air embolism is a rare complication of upper endoscopy and potentially causes life-threatening events. A 67-year-old man with a history of surgery of cardiac carcinoma and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor underwent painless upper endoscopy because of tarry stools. During the procedure, air embolism developed, which caused decreased pulse oxygen saturation and delayed sedation recovery. He recovered with some weakness of the left upper limb in the intensive care unit without hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The etiology, clinical manifestations, and treatments of air embolism are discussed based on the literature reports. Although air embolism is uncommon in endoscopic examinations, the patients’ outcomes could be improved if clinicians are alert to this potential complication, and promptly start proper diagnostic and therapeutic measures.

Transcriptomic analysis in Anemone flaccida rhizomes reveals ancillary pathway for triterpene saponins biosynthesis and differential responsiveness to phytohormones / 中国天然药物

Anemone flaccida Fr. Schmidt is a perennial medicinal herb that contains pentacyclic triterpenoid saponins as the major bioactive constituents. In China, the rhizomes are used as treatments for a variety of ailments including arthritis. However, yields of the saponins are low, and little is known about the plant's genetic background or phytohormonal responsiveness. Using one-quarter of the 454 pyrosequencing information from the Roche GS FLX Titanium platform, we performed a transcriptomic analysis to identify 157 genes putatively encoding 26 enzymes involved in the synthesis of the bioactive compounds. It was revealed that there are two biosynthetic pathways of triterpene saponins in A. flaccida. One pathway depends on β-amyrin synthase and is similar to that found in other plants. The second, subsidiary ("backburner") pathway is catalyzed by camelliol C synthase and yields β-amyrin as minor byproduct. Both pathways used cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenases (CYPs) and family 1 uridine diphosphate glycosyltransferases (UGTs) to modify the triterpenoid backbone. The expression of CYPs and UGTs were quite different in roots treated with the phytohormones methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid and indole-3-acetic acid. This study provides the first large-scale transcriptional dataset for the biosynthetic pathways of triterpene saponins and their phytohormonal responsiveness in the genus Anemone.

Metabolomic profiling of the effects of Curcumae rhizoma and Sparganii rhizome on stress-led blood stasis

Blood stasis [BS] is a complex syndrome with blood flow retardation or cessation. The Traditional Chinese Medicine, Curcumae rhizome [CR] and Sparganii rhizome [SR], showed promising effects on this disease, and especially effective when used in combination. However, the detailed influence of the TCMs on the BSS disturbed metabolic pathways was still unclear. In this study, a BS model was constructed in SD rat and the TCMs were used individually or in combination to assess the effects. As a result, combination of CR and SR led to the improvement in hemorheology parameters of up to 80% in the BS model. Further analyzing using metabolomics showed several metabolic pathways, including center carbon metabolism, amino acid metabolism, etc., recovered to the normal levels after treatment. Informatively, tyrosine and thymidine exhibited potential importance in the BSS and its treatment process. From these results, the metabolic profiles of BS and the SR-CR treatment were provided, which may helpful for better understanding the BSS mechanism and the development of more effective therapies

Effect of Er-xian decoction on femur proteomics in ovariectomized osteoporosis rats / 中国中药杂志

This experiment was mainly aimed to investigate the effect of Er-xian decoction on osteoporosis and the femur proteomics in ovariectomized rats with osteoporosis. The female SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, Alendronate group (1 mg•kg⁻¹), Er-xian decoction group (in dose of 8 g•kg⁻¹) according to their weight. The rats in sham operation group and model group were gavaged with normal saline; the rats in Alendronate group were gavaged with the Alendronate at the dose of 1 mg•kg⁻¹ and the rats in Er-xian decoction group were gavaged with Er-xian decoction at the dose of 8 g•kg⁻¹, once a day for continuous 90 days. Then the femoral bone mineral density (BMD) was detected. The femoral bone proteins were detected by NanoLC-LTQ-Orbitrap system, identified by Protein Discovery software, and the intensity of differentially expressed proteins were quantitated by SIEVE software. The results showed that Er-xian decoction could significantly improve femoral BMD in ovariectomized rats. As compared with model group, 41 differentially expressed proteins whose variation trend was consistent with the sham operation group, were found in Er-xian decoction group, mainly including biological oxidation related protein, signal transduction pathway related protein, proteins involved in aliphatic acid metabolism, cytoskeleton related protein, proteins involved in energy metabolism, and proteins involved in glucose metabolism etc. The osteoporosis could be prevented and cured by Er-xian decoction. The differentially expressed proteins such as carbonic anhydrase 2 and integrin β1 may be the action targets for Er-xian decoction.

Role of astrocyte CCL2 in microglial activation: an in vitro experiment / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective To evaluate the role of astrocyte chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) in microglial activation in an in vitro experiment.Methods Primary astrocytes and microglias were isolated from the brain tissues of C57BL/6J mice at postnatal day 1-2.The experiment was performed in two parts.Experiment Ⅰ Astrocytes were inoculated in 6-well culture plates at a density of 3 × 104 cells/well (2 ml/well) and divided into 5 groups (n=3 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-cα) group,1 μg/ml CCL2 small interference RNA (siRNA) group (group CCL2-siRNA1),2 μg/ml CCL2-siRNA (group CCL2-siRNA2) and negative control siRNA group (group NC-siRNA).Astrocytes were cultured routiuely in group C,and 10 ng/ml TNF-α was added and astrocytes were incubated for 15 min followed by washout with phosphate buffer solution (PBS),and then astrocytes were incubated for 3 h in the other 4 groups.At 24 h before TNF-α was added,CCL2-siR-NA 1 and 2 μg/ml were added in CCL2-siRNA1 and CCL2-siRNA2 groups,respectively,and NC-siRNA 2 μg/ml was added in group NC-siRNA.The concentrations of CCL2 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Experiment Ⅱ Microglias were inoculated in 6-well culture plates at a density of 3×104 cells/well (2 ml/well) and divided into 3 groups (n=3 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),TNF-α group and CCL2-siRNA group.Microglias were cultured routinely in group C.In group TNF-α,10 ng/ml TNF-α was added to astrocytes which were incubated for 15 min followed by washout with PBS,astrocytes were then incubated for 3 h,and the supernatant was collected and added to microglias which were incubated for 24 h.In group CCL2-siRNA,2 μg/ml CCL2-siRNA was added to astrocytes which were incubated for 24 h,10 ng/ml TNF-α was also added to astrocytes which were incubated for 15 min followed by washout with PBS,astrocytes were then incubated for 3 h,and the supernatant was collected and added to microglias which were incubated for 24 h.The activity of microglias was measured by immunofluorescence,and the migration of microglias was evaluated by Transwell migration assay.Results Experiment Ⅰ The concentrations of CCL2 were significantly higher in TNF-α,CCL2-siRNA1,CCL2-siRNA2 and NC-siRNA groups than in group C (P＜0.05).The concentrations of CCL2 were significantly lower in CCL2-siRNA1 and CCL2-siRNA2 groups than in TNF-α and NC-siRNA groups (P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in CCL2 concentrations between group TNF-α and group NC-siRNA (P＞0.05).Experiment 1Ⅱ Compared with group C,the activity of microglias was significantly increased,and the migration of microglias was enhanced in TNF-α and CCL2-siRNA groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group TNF-α,the activity of microglias was significantly decreased,and the migration of microglias was weakened in group CCL2-siRNA (P＜0.05).Conclusion Astrocyte CCL2 is involved in mieroglial activation in an in vitro experiment.

Proteomics research of intervention effect of "Qi enriching" herbs on "Qi deficiency" rats based on technology of NanoLC-LTQ-Orbitrap / 中国中药杂志

Proteomics method, based on NanoLC-LTQ-Orbitrap technology, was applied to explore the biological basis of intervention effect of "Qi enriching" herbs on "Qi deficiency" rats. The "Qi deficiency" rat model was established with caloric restriction combined with excessive swimming. Muscle proteins of vastus lateralis from the blank group, the model group and the ginseng group were detected by NanoLC-LTQ-Orbitrap system. The data were imported into Protein Discovery software to identify the proteins and all the raw datum were analyzed by SIEVE software. Compared with model group, 26 significant difference proteins were found in ginseng group, which the variation trend was consistent with the blank group. Through the biological function analysis, the found proteins could be classified into proteins involved in energy metabolism, proteins involved in glucose metabolism, electrolyte balance and material transfer related proteins, inflammation related protein and cytoskeleton protein. The above target proteins and their regulation pathways may be the biological basis which ginseng played a role of tonifying "Qi" of "Qi deficiency" symptom.

Effects of extractionfrom raspberry on hippocampus proteomics of mice suffered from ovariectomized-induced AD / 中国中药杂志

This paper was aimed to investigate the impact of the extraction from raspberry on the Alzheimer disease model protein expression. According to weight, the ovariectomized mice were randomly divided into shame operation group, model group, estrogen positive control group(0.1 g•L⁻¹) and ethyl acetate extraction part control group(in dose of 18 g•kg⁻¹). Each mouse in positive control group was subcutaneous injected of estradiol with 0.2 mL every two days. Raspberry effective parts group were given 0.01 mL•g⁻¹ raspberry ethylacetate extracts, model group and control group were given 0.01 mL•g⁻¹ saline once a day. The drug administration lasted for 32 days. Proteins from mice's hippocampus were extracted, then Nanol-ESI liquid-mass spectrometry system was used for detection and ProteinDiscovery software was used for identification to qualitative analysis different groups of hippocampal proteins by using the software of SIEVE. The results showed that model group compared with the mice of ethyl acetate extraction part control group have 66 differentially expressed proteins including heat shock protein, microtubule protein, protein involved in energy metabolism and protein of brain protection related proteins associated with AD. Those differences protein may be the target that Raspberry prevention and treatment of AD.

Advances in research on ovarian cancer-related metastatic genes / 肿瘤

Ovarian cancer is the disease with a high mortality in gynecologic malignant tumors. Most patients had metastasis once diagnosed, and the invasion and metastasis are considered as the main reasons contributing to patients' death. The process of invasion and metastasis is complicated, involving multiple genes and steps which are related to diverse elements. In recent years, with the more and more research in the mechanism of tumor metastasis, it has found that a great deal of genes plays a significant role in invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer. In this paper, it reviews the important advances about the role of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), metastasis-associated in colon cancer-1 (MACC1) and high mobility group A2 (HMGA2) in the invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer.

Effect of compound qizhu granule on cellular immunity of chronic hepatitis B patients / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of compound qizhu granule (CQG) on cellular immunity of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 103 CHB patients treated with lamivudin (LAM) for 6 months, who had partial virological response (HBeAg positive) were randomly assigned to two groups, 50 in the treatment group and 53 in the control group. All patients took LAM 100 mg (once a day) plus ADV 10 mg (once a day). Patients in the treatment group additionally took CQG, one dose per day. After one-year treatment hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA negative rates, HBeAg seroconversion, levels of HBV specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), non-specific CTL and natural killing (NK) cells were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 1-year treatment, HBV DNA negative rate of the treatment group was 88: 0% in 44 cases, slightly higher than that of the control group (41 cases, 77.4%), but with no statistical difference (P >0.05). HBeAg seroconversion of the treatment group was 32.0% in 16 cases, higher than that of the control group (8 cases, 15.1%), with statistical difference (P <0.05). Levels of HBV specific CTL (0.79%±0. 07%), non-specific CTL (19.4%±1.8%) and NK cells (14. 1%± 1.5%) of the treatment group were higher than those of the control group (0.58% ± 0.08%, 17.5% ± 1.7%, and 11.1%±1.5%, respectively; allP <0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Treating CHB patients with partial virological response by ADV plus CQG could improve specific and non-specific cellular immunity, thereby elevating HBeAg seroconversion rate.</p>

Influence of non-sodium restricted diet with diuretics on plasma rennin, renal blood flow and in patients with cirrhotic ascites / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore influence of sodium restricted diet and non-sodium restricted diet on plasma rennin (PRA), angiotensin II (All), ALD, renal blood flow (RBF) and subside of ascites in patients with cirrhotic ascites.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty cases of hepatitis B with cirrhotic ascites were randomly divided into sodium restricted diet group and non-sodium restricted diet group. 39 cases were in non-sodium restricted diet group, taking sodium chloride 6500-8000 mg daily; 41 cases were in sodium restricted diet group, taking sodium chloride 5000 mg daily. Both groups received diuretics furosemide and spironolactone. Blood sodium, urine sodium, PRA, AII, ALD, RBF ascites subsiding were compared after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In non-sodium restricted diet group, blood sodium and urine sodium increased 10 days after treatment compared with those before treatment, and compared with those of sodium restricted diet group 10 days after treatment, P <0. 01. RBF increased compared with that before treatment, and compared with that of sodium restricted diet group 10 days after treatment, P < 0. 01. Renal damage induced by low blood sodium after treatment was less in non-sodium restricted diet group than that in sodium restricted diet group, P <0. 05. Ascites disappearance upon discharge was more in sodium restricted diet group than that in non-sodium restricted diet group, P <0. 01. Time of ascites disappearance was shorter in non-sodium restricted diet group than that in sodium restricted diet group, P < 0. 01.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compared with sodium restricted diet, while using diuretics of both groups, non-sodium restricted diet can increase level of blood sodium, thus increasing excretion of urine sodium and diuretic effect. It can also decrease levels of PRA, AII and ALD, increase renal blood flow and prevent renal damage induced by low blood sodium and facilitate subsiding of ascites.</p>

Relationship between effect of lamivudine in the treatment of cirrhotic patients with uncompensated hepatitis B with HBV genotypes and cytotoxic T lymphocyte / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore relationship between effect of Lamivudine in the treatment of cirrhotic patients with uncompensated hepatitis B with hepatitis B virus (HBV)genotypes and HBV specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>80 cases of uncompensated cirrhotic hepatitis B (40 cases with genotype B and 40 with genotype C), HBV DNA positive, HBeAg positive and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2 positive,were treated with Lamivudine 100 mg/d, one year later, its effect and relationship with HBV genotypes and HBV specific CTL were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>HBV DNA turned negative:40 cases with genotype B turned negative (100%). In the 9th and 10th month of treatment, there was one case with genotype C had YMDD variation respectively and Adefovir dipivoxil was used for treatment, of the rest 38 cases, HBV DNA of 26 cases (68.42%) turned negative,HBV DNA negative rate of patients with genotype is lower than that of patients with genotype B, chi2 = 14.91, P < 0.01. HBeAg turned negative: 18 cases with genotype B (45%) turned negative, more than that of patients with genotype C (7 cases, 18.42%), chi2 = 6.32, P < 0.05. Peripheral blood HBV specific CTL level: before treatment, it was (0.33 +/- 0.03)% of patients with genotype B,higher than that of patients with genotype C [(0.11 +/- 0.02)%], t = 8.12, P < 0.001. 1 year after treatment: it was (0.44 +/- 0.04)% of patients with genotype B, higher than that before treatment, t = 4.01, P < 0.001, it was also higher than that of patients with genotype C 1 year after treatment [(0.23 +/- 0.03)%], t = 5.63, P < 0.01, alanine amino-transferase (ALT) returned to normal: 38 cases with genotype B (95%) returned to normal, more than that of patients with genotype C (28 cases, 73.68%), X2 = 6.79, P < 0.01.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Effect of Lamivudinein the treatment of cirrhotic patients with uncompensated hepatitis B is better in patients with genotype B than patients with genotype C, its mechanism may be related to lower level of HBV specific CTL in patients with genotype C than patients with genotype B.</p>

Relationship between serum HBV DNA level and follicular helper T lymphocyte in patients with chronic hepatitis B and its significance / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore relationship between HBV DNA level and peripheral blood follicular helper T lymphocyte (Tfh) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and its significance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HBV DNA levels of 179 cases of CHB patients with positive HBV DNA, positive HBeAg and positive human leukocyte antigen(HLA)-A2 were tested with real time fluorescent quantitative PCR. Tfh and HBV specific CTL were tested with flow cytometry. IL-21 was also tested. 179 cases of CHB patients were divided into group A and group B based on HBV DNA levels, 86 cases in group A, HBV DNA levels were 10(4)-10(5) copies/ml, 93 cases in group B, HBV DNA levels were 10(6)-10(7) copies/ml. Above testing indexes of the two groups were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>HBV DNA levels of group A were (4.85 +/- 0.37) log10 copies/ml, HBV DNA levels of group B were (6.83 +/- 0.31 ) log10 copies/ml, t = 27.31, P < 0. 001; Tfh of group A was (5.96 +/- 1.59)%, higher than that of group B (3.71 +/- 2.15)%, t = 4.92, P < 0.01; IL-21 of group A was (42.61 +/- 15.11)ng/L, higher than that of group B (14.91 +/- 3.15) ng/L, t = 8.62, P < 0.01; HBV specific CTL of group A was (0.36 +/- 0.08)%, higher than that of group B (0.18 +/- 0.06)%, t = 19.99, P < 0.001.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Serum HBV DNA level of CHB patients is related to the level of peripheral blood Tfh level: patients with low HBV DNA level have high Tfh level, high IL-21 level and high HBV specific CTL level. Patients with high HBV DNA level have low Tfh level, low IL-21 level and low HBV specific CTL level. The mechanism of baseline HBV DNA level affecting anti-viral therapy may be related to Tfh level.</p>

Effect of kurarinol on peripheral blood CTL surface PD-1 expression of patients with chronic hepatitis B / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the anti-viral mechanism of kurarinol through studying its influence on cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) surface program death receptor-1 (PD-1) expression of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>69 cases of CHB, HBV DNA > or = 10(4) copies/ml, HBeAg positive, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2 positive, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) > 2 x upper limit of normal value(ULN).69 cases were randomly divided into two groups:34 cases in treatment group,600 mg of kurarinol glucose injection was used for intravenous dripping, once a day, one month later, 200 mg of kurarinol capsule was used orally,three times a day and 200 mg of silybin meglumine tablet was used orally, three times a day. 35 cases in control group, only silibin meglumine tablet was used, method and dosage were the same as those of treatment group. Three months later, their peripheral blood HBV specific CTL surface PD-1 expression, non-specific CTL surface PD-1 expression and level of HBV specific CTL,HBV DNA and HBeAg negative rate and liver functions were analyzed and compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>3 months after treatment, peripheral blood HBV specific CTL surface PD-1 expression of the treatment group decreased compared with that before treatment (t = 2.39, P < 0.05), it also decreased compared with that of the control group 3 months after treatment (t = 2.26, P < 0.05), HBV specific CTL increased compared with that before treatment( t = 3.01, P < 0.01), it also increased compared with that of the control group after treatment (t = 2.65, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference of non-specific CTL surface PD-1 expression compared with that before treatment (P > 0.05), and there was no significant difference compared with that of the control group after treatment (P > 0.05). HBV DNA of 11 cases (32.5%) turned negative ( HBV DNA < 500 copies/ ml), higher than that of the control group after treatment (2 cases, 5.71%) chi2 = 7.99, P < 0.01, HBeAg of 9 cases (26.47%) turned negative, higher than that of the control group after treatment (1 case, 2.86%), chi2 = 7.75, P < 0.01.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Kurarinol can increase level of HBV specific CTL by down-regulating peripheral blood HBV specific CTL surface PD-1 expression of CHB patients, which may be one of the possible mechanisms that kurarinol can remove or inhibit HBV of CHB patients.</p>

Effect of oxymatrine on specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte surface programmed death receptor-1 expression in patients with chronic hepatitis B / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Oxymatrine has certain antiviral effects in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB), but its exact mechanism is unclear. The objective of the present study was to explore oxymatrine's antiviral mechanism by studying its effect on the hepatitis B virus (HBV) specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) surface programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) expression in CHB patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-five CHB patients who had HBV DNA(3)10(4) copies/ml, positive HBeAg, positive human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) > 2 x upper limit of normal value (ULN) were randomly divided into two groups: treatment group (n = 33), treated with an intravenous infusion of 600 mg oxymatrine in glucose solution once a day for a month, then with a 200 mg oxymatrine oral capsule three times a day, and a 200 mg silibin meglumine tablet three times a day; control group (n = 32) patients were treated only with silibin meglumine tablet, method and dosage were the same as those of treatment group. Three months later, peripheral blood HBV-specific CTL surface PD-1 expression, HBV-specific CTL level, HBV DNA, HBeAg, and results of liver function tests were analyzed and compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Three months post-treatment, in the treatment group, peripheral blood HBV-specific CTL surface PD-1 expression ((19.42 ± 15.94)%) decreased significantly compared to the pretreatment level ((31.30 ± 24.06)%; P < 0.05), and decreased significantly compared to that of control group three months after treatment ((29.45 ± 21.62)%; P < 0.05). HBV-specific CTL level ((0.42 ± 0.07)%) significantly increased compared with the pretreatment ((0.29 ± 0.15)%; P < 0.01), and the control group posttreatment level was (0.31 ± 0.15)% (P < 0.05). HBV DNA level in 11 cases became negative (HBV DNA < 500 copies/ml, 33.33%), which was higher than that of the control group after treatment (two cases, 6.25%; χ(2) = 7.45, P < 0.01), HBeAg of nine cases turned negative (27.27%), which was higher than that of the control group after treatment (one case, 3.13%; χ(2) = 7.27, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Oxymatrine could downregulate peripheral blood HBV-specific CTL surface PD-1 expression in CHB patients, increase HBV-specific CTL level, which may be one of the possible mechanisms by which oxymatrine clears or inhibits HBV in CHB patients.</p>

Study on effects of kurarinol combined with glycyrrhizic acid on cellular immunity of patients with chronic hepatitis B / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore effects of kurarinol combined with Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate on specific cellular immunity of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-three CHB patients were randomly divided into two groups, 32 cases in group of kurarinol combined with Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate group (combined therapy group) were treated with 600 mg kurarinol glucose injection intravenously, once a day for one month, then 200 mg kurarinol capsule was used orally, three times a day for two months. 150 mg Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate for Injection was added to 250 ml 10% glucose injection for intravenous drip, once a day for one month, then 150 mg Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate capsule was used orally, three times a day for two months; 31 case in kurarinol group (single drug group) only used kurarinol, methods and dosage were the same as those of treatment group. HBV specific CTL, T cell subgroups, change of Th1 and Th2 level, HBV-DNA and HBeAg negative rate of the two groups were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Three months after treatment, HBV specific CTL, CD4 + and Th1 of combined therapy group were higher than those before treatment, and higher than those of single drug group after treatment (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HBV-DNA and HBeAg negative rate between the two groups had no statistic significance (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Kurarinol combined with Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate can further increase HBV specific CTL, CD4+ and Th1 level of CHB patients.</p>

Serum levels of IL-13 and TNF-alpha in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine serum levels of interleukin-13 (IL-13) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) pneumonia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty children with MP pneumonia complicated by wheezing or without (n=40 each), 40 children with pneumonia from non-MP infection and 40 healthy children were enrolled. Serum levels of IL-13 and TNF-alpha were measured using ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The serum levels of IL-13 and TNF-alpha in the MP pneumonia group were significantly higher than those in non-MP pneumonia group and the healthy control group (P<0.01). The children with MP pneumonia complicated by wheezing had increased serum levels of IL-13 (214.6 + or - 67.2 ng/L vs 189.6 + or - 52.1 ng/L; P<0.01) and TNF-alpha(0.55 + or - 0.13 ng/mL vs 0.42 + or - 0.16 ng/mL; P<0.01)compared with those without wheezing.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The increase in serum levels of IL-13 and TNF-alpha may play important roles in the pathogenesis of MP pneumonia and wheezing attack in children.</p>

Influence of Kurarinol on specific and non-specific cell immunity in patients with chronic hepatitis B / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore influence of Kurarinol on specific and non-specific cell immunity in patients with chronic hepatitis B.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>74 cases of CHB were randomly divided into two groups, 36 cases in treatment group, treated with 600 mg Kurarinol glucose injection, IV, once a day. After one month, Kurarinol capsule was used orally, three times a day for 2 months, 200 mg Silybin Meglumine Tablets orally, three times a day for 3 months. 38 cases in control group, only Silybin Meglumine Tablets was used, method and dosage were the same as treatment group. Compare HBV specific CTL, non-specific CTL, sub-group of T cells, changes of Th1 and Th2, negative conversion rate of HBV DNA and HBeAg of the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In treatment group, 3 months after treatment with Kurarinol, HBV specific CTL is higher than that before treatment (P < 0.01), it is also higher than that of control after treatment, P < 0.05) . Non-specific CTL is higher than that before treatment (P < 0.05), it is also higher than that of control after treatment (P < 0.01). CD4 is higher than that before treatment (P <0.05), it is also higher than that of control after treatment (P < 0.01), Thl is higher than that before treatment (P < 0.05), it is also higher than that of control after treatment (P < 0.01) . Negative conversion of HBV DNA and HBeAg is higher than that of control (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Kurarinol can improve specific and non-specific cell immunity in patients with CHB. It is one of the mechanisms that Kurarinol can clear or inhibit HBV of patients with CHB.</p>

A research on rotaviral diarrhea outbreak in Guangxi Province / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze epidemiological characters of an outbreak of rotavirus diarrhea in Daxing County, Guangxi Province.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rotavirus-positive specimens were identified by ELISA kit. G/P typing assays were confirmed with multiplex seminested RT-PCR. Full-length VP7 genes of 4 positive specimens were amplified and analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>30 cases of Rotavirus-positive were identified from 64 specimens. The attack rate was 46.9%, and G/P typing was G1P[8]. A change of VP7 amino acid residue is at positions 68.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>G1P[8] rotavirus is the etiologic agents of this diarrhea outbreak. In addition, adults were included in this outbreak.</p>