[Expression of coagulation factor IX gene mediated by human source vector pHrnF9 in intestinal epithelial sw480 cells].

The objective of this study was to explore the feasibility of intestinal epithelial cell and human source vector used in gene therapy for hemophilia B. The intestinal epithelial sw480 cells were transfected with human source vector plasmid pHrnF9 which contained human coagulation factor IX gene. Transcription of its mRNA were measured by RT-PCR. The transfection efficiency were observed under fluorescence microscope. The expression of its protein and coagulant activities in the transfected sw480 cells were measured by ELISA and one-stage method. The results showed that the expression of hFIX mRNA could be detected after transfection. The transfection efficiency reached to the maximum at 48 hour. The hFIX protein amount was 11.3 +/- 0.23 ng/(10(6) cells.24 h) at 24 hours after transfection and reached to 29.34 +/- 1.00 ng/(10(6) cells.24 h) at 48 hours and decreased to 12.45 +/- 0.15 ng/(10(6) cells.24 hr) at 72 hours. Sw480 cells transfected with pHrnF9 were capable of producing hFIX with coagulant activity. The coagulant activity reached to (6.07 +/- 0.17)%/10(6) cells at 48 hours and decreased to 1.81 +/- 0.06%/10(6) cells at 72 hours. It is concluded that the sw480 cells transfected with pHrnF9 plasmid can express hFIX with coagulant activity, the intestinal epithelial cells may become target cells in the gene therapy for hemophilia B.

Abdominal acupuncture for insomnia in women: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

A randomized single-blind trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of short-term abdominal acupuncture as a novel treatment for insomnia in Chinese women. Forty-four patients between the ages of 22 and 56 were randomly assigned to an acupuncture (n = 23) and a medication group (n = 21). The acupuncture group received abdominal acupuncture once a day for the first three days and once every three days for the remaining 11 days. In addition, every subject in acupuncture group also received a placebo pill once daily. Abdominal acupuncture was administered according to a standardized protocol involving four master and four adjunctive acupoints: Zhongwan (CV 12), Xiawan (CV 10), Guanyuan (CV 4), and Qihai (CV 6); bilateral Shangqu (KI 17), Huaroumen (ST 24), Xiafengshidian, and Qipang. Subjects in the medication group were treated with sham acupuncture at the same time as the acupuncture group and received estazolam once a day. The outcome measure was the Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire (LSEQ), administered before and after the trial. Subjects who received abdominal acupuncture lowered their LSEQ scores by an average of 26.32 points (95% CI: 37.34, 15.30). After controlling for potential confounding factors, the effect of abdominal acupuncture in relieving insomnia was still statistically significant. Results indicate that short-term abdominal acupuncture is more effective than pharmacological treatment for relieving insomnia in adult women and has few adverse effects.

[Effects of Guben Hutan Tongmai Recipe on expressions of macrophages and cell adhesion molecules of aortic endothelia in rats with syndrome of phlegm blocking blood vessel].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Guben Huatan Tongmai Recipe (GBHTTMR), a compound Chinese herbal recipe, on expressions of macrophages and cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) of aortic endothelia in rats with syndrome of phlegm blocking blood vessel, and to explore the pathogenesis of the phlegm-pathogen. METHODS: Fifty normal male Wistar rats, 7-week in age, were randomly divided into five groups: normal control group, untreated group, high-dose GBHTTMR-treated group, low-dose GBHTTMR-treated group and simvastatin-treated group, with 10 rats in each group. Syndrome of phlegm blocking blood vessel was induced in rats of the latter 4 groups by feeding the rats with high lipid diet. Levels of blood lipid were compared among the 5 groups. The expressions of macrophages and CAMs in aortic endothelia were tested by immunohistochemical staining method. RESULTS: The level of blood lipid, and the expressions of macrophages and CAMs showed statistical differences between the normal control group and the untreated group (P<0.01), and between the untreated group and the low-, high-dose GBHTTMR-treated and simvastatin-treated groups as well (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: GBHTTMR can decrease the level of serum cholesterol and triglycerides, and increase the level of high density lipoprotein. It also can inhibit the expressions of macrophages, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, P-selectin, and E-selectin.

[On clinical application and assessment of Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (Chinese Version)].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) into China, and to evaluate the quality of its Chinese Version. METHODS: MENQOL was translated into Chinese language and the reverse translation was done by several specialists. After retest study on 30 cases, validity, reliability and responsiveness were implemented in 409 cases with menopause syndrome in the multicenter study. RESULTS: 7 components were extracted in factor analysis, and the total cumulative contribution was 59.476%. By correlation analysis, 7 components were divided into four domains: vasomotor, psychosocial, physical and sexual items, same as in the English Version. The test-retest reliability of four domains were 0.806, 0.804, 0.941, 0.940 respectively. Cronbach alpha of four domains were 0.7258, 0.8234, 0.8475, 0.8641 respectively. There had been significant changes after treatment noticed. CONCLUSION: The measurement properties of MENQOL-Chinese Version including effectueness, reliability were met with satisfaction and seemed to be adaptable to Chinese menopause women.