Visual targeted therapy of hepatic cancer using homing peptide modified calcium phosphate nanoparticles loading doxorubicin guided by T1 weighted MRI.

Effective treatment and real-time monitoring of hepatic cancer are essential. A multifunctional calcium phosphate nanoparticles loading chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin and magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid gadolinium (A54-CaP/Gd-DTPA/DOX) was developed for visual targeted therapy of hepatic cancer via T1-weighted MRI in real-time. A54-CaP/Gd-DTPA/DOX exhibited a higher longitudinal relaxivity (6.02 mM-1 s-1) than commercial MR contrast agent Gd-DTPA (3.3765 mM-1 s-1). The DOX release from the nanoparticles exhibited a pH dependent behavior. The cellular uptake results showed that the internalization of A54-CaP/Gd-DTPA/DOX into BEL-7402 cells was1.9-fold faster than that of HepG2 cells via A54 binding. In vivo experiments presented that A54-CaP/Gd-DTPA/DOX had higher distribution and longer retention time in tumor tissue than CaP/Gd-DTPA/DOX and free DOX, and also displayed great antitumor efficacy (95.38% tumor inhibition rate) and lower toxicity. Furthermore, the Gd-DTPA entrapped in the nanoparticles could provide T1-weighted MRI for real-time monitoring the progress of tumor treatment.

Factors Influencing the Initiation Time of Forensic Psychiatric Assessment of Criminal Cases in Hunan Province / 法医学杂志

Objective To discuss the related factors influencing the initiation time of forensic psychiatric assessment by analysis of the initiation time of forensic psychiatric assessment of criminal cases in Hunan Province. Methods Related data in assessment files of criminal cases accepted by 8 forensic psychiatric assessment institutions in Hunan Province from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2016 were extracted. The Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the factors influencing the initiation time of forensic psychiatric assessment. After using property score matching （PSM） to control the influence of confounding factors, the efficiency of public security organs to initiate assessments of suspects with （without） mental disorders and with （without） responsibilities were compared. Results A total of 4 346 cases were included. The Logistic regression analysis suggested that the factors independently related to the initiation time of assessment include： cause of assessment, nationality of the assessed, history of diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses, history of crimes, history of drug abuse, and status of alcohol consumption before the crime （all P<0.05）. The initiation time of assessment of suspects diagnosed with mental disorder was shorter than those with none （P<0.05）; the initiation time of assessment of suspects without criminal responsibility was shorter than those with responsibility （P<0.05）. After using PSM to control confounding factors, the differences above still existed. Conclusion The cause of assessment, nationality of the assessed, history of diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses, history of crimes, history of drug abuse, and status of alcohol consumption before the crime are factors that influence the efficiency of public security organs to initiate forensic psychiatric assessments. Under the current assessment initiation mode, forensic psychiatric assessment of suspects who have mental disorders, especially those with no responsibility may be given priority to initiate.

Effect of Chaijie Yiganxian on Hepatic Fibrosis Induced by Thioacetamide in Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To research the effect of traditional Chinese medicine compound Chaijie Yiganxian (CJYGX) on the hepatic fibrosis in rats and explore the mechanism. Method: Totally 60 SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, positive group (Biejia Jianwan), and low, medium and high-dose CJYGX groups. Except for the normal group, the remaining five groups were involved in establishing the hepatic fibrosis model through the intraperitoneal injection of thioacetamide (TAA). Fourth weeks after modeling, the positive group was given Biejiajian pill (1 g·kg-1·d-1), and high, medium and low-dose CJYGX groups were given CJYGX(7.96, 3.98, 1.99 g·kg-1·d-1), respectively. The model group was given normal saline once a day for 5 weeks. 24 h after the last intragastric administration with chloral hydrate, the rats were anesthetized slightly. Serum and liver tissues were collected. The liver wet weight was weighed electronically, and the liver index was calculated. Liver function indexes[alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP)] and serum markers[laminin (LN), hyaluronidase (HA), Ⅳ collagen (CⅣ), procollagen Ⅲ (PCⅢ)] of hepatic fibrosis were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The degree of hepatic fibrosis by Masson stain, mRNA expressions of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), Smad2, Smad3, Smad4, Smad7 were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), and protein expression levels of platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), TGF-β1 and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were detected by immunohistochemical or Western blot. Result: Compared with the blank group, the model group liver index was significantly increased; the contents of ALP, AST and ALT were significantly increased; the liver fibrosis indexes LN, HA, Ⅳ-C, PCⅢ and HYP were significantly increased; the degree of liver fibrosis was significantly increased in Masson tissue; the mRNA expressions of TGF-β1, Smad2, Smad3, Smad4 were significantly increased; and the Smad7 mRNA expression was significantly decreased. The protein expressions of TGF-β1, PDGF and α-SMA increased significantly (Pβ1, Smad2, Smad3, Smad4 and up-regulate mRNA expression of Smad7.Immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis show that, compared with model group, CJYGX could significantly reduce the protein expressions of TGF-β1, PDGF and α-SMA (PPConclusion: Traditional Chinese medicine compound CJYGX may protect TAA-induced hepatic fibrosis injury by interfering with TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.

Advantages of Chinese Medicine for Patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome in Rural Central China / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the effect of Chinese medicine (CM) on mortality and quality of life (QOL) of acquired immunodefificiency syndrome (AIDS) patients treated with combined antiretroviral therapy (cART).@*METHODS@#A random sample of AIDS patients enrolled in the National Chinese Medicine Treatment Trial Program (NCMTP) that met the inclusion criteria was included in this study. NCMTP patients were included as the CM+cART group, and those not in the NCMTP were included as the cART group. Survival from September 2004 to September 2012 was analyzed by retrospective cohort study. QOL was analyzed by cross-sectional study.@*RESULTS@#The retrospective cohort study included 528 AIDS patients, 322 in the CM+cART group and 206 in the cART group. After 8 years, the mortality in the CM+cART group was 3.3/100 person-years, which was lower than the cART group of 5.3/100 person-years (P<0.05). The hazard ratio (HR) for mortality in the cART group was 1.6 times that of the CM+cART group by Cox proportional hazard model analysis. After controlling for gender, age, marital status, education, and CD4 T-cell count, the HR was 1.9 times higher in the cART group compared with the CM+cART group (P<0.05). The cross-sectional study investigated 275 AIDS patients. The mean scores of all QOL domains except spirituality/personal beliefs were higher in the CM+cART group than in the cART group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#For AIDS patients, CM could help to prolong life, decrease mortality, and improve QOL. However, there were limitations in the study, so prospective studies should be carried out to confifirm our primary results.

Governor vessel moxibustion: Ancient Chinese medical technology with new vitality / 中国结合医学杂志

Moxibustion is an ancient therapeutic technique used in Chinese medicine. Governor Vessel moxibustion (GVM) was developed from long snake moxibustion, a popular technique used in China's Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces, and is significantly more effective than general moxibustion. We aimed to review GVM, including its theoretical basis, choices of moxibustion points and materials, operation procedures, clinical applications, and contraindications. This information could increase the appropriate use of GVM and support further in-depth research.

Th9 cells in peripheral blood of adult patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia and its clinical significance / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To observe Th9 cells and IL-9 level in adult patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), and to discuss their potential roles in the pathogenesis of ITP. Methods A total of 25 newly diagnosed ITP patients and 25 sex- and age-matched healthy controls were enrolled in the present study. The percentage of Th9 cells in the peripheral blood samples of the two groups were detected by flow cytometry, expressions of IL-9, TGF-ß, PU. 1 and IRF4 mRNA were analyzed by real time-RCR, and IL-9 protein level was examined by ELISA. The platelet count was recorded by sysmex XE-2100. Results Compared with the healthy controls, the ratio of Th9 cells was significantly increased in ITP patients(P30×109/L(P30 × 109/L(P<0.05). Compared with healthy controls, the mRNA expressions of IL-9, TGF-ß, PU.1 and IRF4 were raised significantly in ITP patients(P<0.05). The ratio of Th9 cells and IL-9 protein level were negatively correlated with PLT in ITP patients(r= -0.428 1, P = 0.032 8; r= -0.537 5, P = 0.005 6, respectively). Furthermore, follow-up study of 11 ITP patients found that both Th9 cells and IL-9 protein levels took a declining tendency after effective treatment(P<0.05). Conclusion Abnormal activation of Th9/IL-9 may participate in the occurrence and development of ITP disease, which provides new clues for further understanding of ITP pathogenesis and selecting potential therapeutic targets in immune therapy of ITP.

Unified-planning, graded-administration, and centralized-controlling: a management modality for treating acquired immune deficiency syndrome with Chinese medicine in Henan Province of China / 中国结合医学杂志

Henan Province in China has a major epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). Chinese medicine (CM) has been used throughout the last decade, and a management modality was developed, which can be described by unified-planning, graded-administration, and centralized-controlling (UGC). The UGC modality has one primary concept (patient-centered medicine from CM theory), four basic foundations (classifying administrative region, characteristics of CM on disease treatment, health resource conditions, and distribution of patients living with HIV), six important relationships (the "three uniformities and three combinations," and the six relationships therein guide the treatment of AIDS with CM), and four key sections (management, operation, records, and evaluation). In this article, the authors introduce the UGC modality, which could be beneficial to developing countries or resource-limited areas for the management of chronic infectious disease.

Use of Sargassum fusiforme Extract and its Bioactive Molecules to inhibit HIV Infection: Bridging Two Paradigms between Eastern and Western Medicine / 中草药·英文版

AIDS is a global pandemic that has seen the development of novel and effective treatments to improve the quality of life of those infected and reduction in the spread of the disease. While great advancements have been made in HIV/AIDS therapeutics, there is still no cure or viable vaccine in development. The high rate of HIV-1 mutation contributing to virus immune escape, combined with increase in sexual transmission and the significant clinical therapeutics side effects of the currently available treatments highlights the need for novel therapeutics with broad anti-viral activity against both CXCR4 (X4) and CCR5 (R5)-tropic viruses. In our search for novel modalities against HIV infection, we investigated several aqueous extracts from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) collection and identified Sargassum fusiforme (S. fusiforme) as a potent inhibitor of HIV infection. Following the Western approach of drug discovery and development, we isolated several bioactive molecules from S. fusiforme and determined their mechanism of action. TCM and Western approaches to disease treatment and drug development have been shown to be complementary to each other. The former provides a rich medicinal history for natural compounds that can have clinical impact on a variety of illnesses, while the latter enables the application of chemical informatics with rational drug design approach coupled to mechanistic underpinnings of such therapeutics. This multistep paradigm is demonstrated in the example of S. fusiforme as a treatment to prevent HIV infection, as described in this review.

Data mining analysis of professor Li Fa-zhi AIDS herpes zoster medical record / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Analysis of professor Li Fa-zhi in the treatment of AIDS drug laws of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia, provide reference for the use of Chinese medicine treatment of AIDS, herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>By using the method of analyzing the complex network of Weishi county, Henan in 2007 October to 2011 July during an interview with professor Li Fa-zhi treatment of AIDS of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia patients, patients are input structured clinical information collection system, into the analysis of the data, carries on the research analysis theory of traditional Chinese medicine compatibility system algorithm and complex network analysis the use of complex networks.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The use of multi-dimensional query analysis of AIDS drugs, the core of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia treated in this study are Scutellariae Radix, Glucyrrhizae Radix, Carthame Flos, Plantaginis Semen, Trichosamthis Fructus, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Gentianae Radix; core prescription for Longdan Xiegan decoction and Trichosanthes red liquorice decoction.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Professor Li Fa-zhi treatment of AIDS, herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia by clearing heat and removing dampness and activating blood circulation to.</p>

Data mining analysis of professor Li Fa-zhi AIDS itchy skin medical record / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Analysis of professor Li Fa-zhi in the treatment of AIDS drug laws of itchy skin, provide the corresponding drug reference basis for Chinese medicine treatment of AIDS, skin itching.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>By using the method of analyzing the complex network of Weishi county, Henan in 2007 October to 2011 July during an interview with professor Li Fa-zhi treatment of AIDS patients with skin pruritus, etiology and pathogenesis analysis, skin itching AIDS syndrome differentiation of old Chinese medicine treatment and medication rule.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The use of multi-dimensional query analysis, core drug skin itching AIDS treatment in this study as a windbreak, cicada slough, bupleurum, Qufeng solution table drug, licorice detoxification efficacy of drugs, Radix Scutellariae, Kochia scoparia, clearing away heat and promoting diuresis medicine; core prescription for Jingfang San streak virus.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Professor Li Fa-zhi treatment of AIDS in the skin itching Qufeng solution table dehumidification antipruritic treatment.</p>

Treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome with Chinese medicine in China: opportunity, advancement and challenges / 中国结合医学杂志

Chinese medicine (CM) has been used in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) for 30 years and the demonstrated therapeutic effects of CM, such as reducing plasma HIV viral load, increasing CD4(+)T cell counts, promoting immunity reconstitution, ameliorating symptoms and signs, improving the health related quality of life (HRQOL) and counteracting against the effects of anti-retroviral drugs, were summarized and reviewed in this article. The authors point out that it had been a good opportunity to use CM for the treatment of HIV infection and AIDS in the past and also there are huge challenges ahead for CM research and clinicians to discover more effective CM and its underlying mechanisms for treatment of AIDS.

Study on quality of life of asymptomatic HIV infected persons with traditional Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Study on quality of life of asymptomatic HIV infected persons with traditional Chinese medical, which can provide the clinical basis for improving the quality of life.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>This study applied a randomized, double-blind, and placeb-parallel control designed method to select 1 200 persons in the asymptomatic period of HIV infection as the subjects. The subjects were randomly divided into the treatment group and the control group at the ratio of about 2:1. According to the results of monthly differential diagnosis of TCM, the test group and the control group were given homologue Chinese drugs preparations and model Chinese drugs. The total study period was 18 months. Using PRO scale and the world health organization AIDS determination of quality of life short scale form (WHOQOL-HIV-BREF) to investigate asymptomatic HIV infected persons, according to different times, we calculated the total score and each domain score of quality of life of the treatment group and control group, we did statistical analysis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Form the PRO scale,we can see that the treatment group showed a trend of stability, compared with the control group with significant statistical difference (P < 0.05) after 6 months; from the WHOQOL-HIV scale analysis, we can see that compared with before treatment, the quality of life of the treatment group was increased, the difference was significant (P < 0.05), but the quality of life of the control quality of life was decreased, the differences was significant (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Dialectical therapy of Chinese medicine can significantly improve the patient's quality of life, which can provide the basis for the prevention and control policy formulation and implementation with asymptomatic HIV infected persons.</p>

Multi-centered, randomized controlled clinical study on Chinese medicine formula particles for hyperlipidaemia associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect and safety of Xiaozhi particles, integrated taohong Siwu tang and Erchen tang and Xuezhikang capsule in treating hyperlipidaemia (HLP) associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>In the multi-centered, randomized controlled clinical study, 180 hyperlipidaemia associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy cases were divided into the treatment group treated by Xiaozhi particles, integrated Taohong Siwu tang and Erchen tang, and the control group treated by Xuezhikang capsule. The treatment course was 12 weeks. The total cholesterol (Tch), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein(HDL) were observed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>After 12 weeks, compared with Xuezhikang capsule, the change difference of Tch, LDL, HDL in the Chinese traditional medicine formula groups of patients is significant (P < 0.05), the change of the TG has no significant difference. The effect of Tch, LDL in Xuezhikang capsule groups is better than in traditional Chinese medicine formula group,but the effect of HDL in traditional Chinese medicine formula group is better than in Xuezhikang capsule groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Integrated Taohong Siwu tang and Erchen tang, Xiaozhi particles and Xuezhikang capsule can be used to control the hyperlipidaemia associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy as one of the main Chinese native medicine preparation.</p>

Screening of granulocytes with cancer killing activity and their in vitro anti-tumor effects / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To explore the screening method for granulocytes with cancer killing activity (CKA) and to observe their in vitro anti-tumor effects. Methods (1) Anti-coagulated peripheral whole blood samples were collected from 21 healthy volunteers and were co-cultured with human lung cancer cell line A549. The proliferation activity of cancer cells was observed to screen granulocytes with CKA. (2) The screened granulocytes with CKA was used to treat various tumor cells, CCK-8 method was used to examine the vitality of tumor cells, and the cell apoptosis was detected by Annexin V-FTTC Apoptosis Detection Kit II. (3) The cancer cells were co-cultured using direct contact, Transwell and conditioned medium, and the effects of the three methods on the anti-tumor effect of CKA granulocytes were observed. Results (1) Six granulocyte clones showed noticeable inhibitory effect against A549 cells, and clone 3 had the most potent effect and was marked as CKA granulocyte. (2) The screened CKA granulocytes not only had noticeable inhibitory effects against A549, HepG2 and HeLa cells, but also promoted their apoptosis. (3)The order of the inhibitory efficiencies for the three culture methods from strong to weak was: direct contact > Transwell > conditioned medium. Conclusion CKA granulocytes have noticeable inhibitory effect against some cancer cells, which might be associated with their contact mode with the cancer cells.

Effects of fuzheng paidu tablet on tumor necrosis factor-alpha and neopterin of thirty-two asymptomatic HIV carriers / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of Fuzheng Paidu Tablet (FPT) on serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and neopterin (NPI) in patients with asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) carriers.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using flow cytometry detection technology, CD T lymphocyte in anticoagulant blood sample of 32 asymptomatic HIV infection patients who were taking FPT for 6 months was detected and compared with before treatment. The serum levels of TNF-alpha and NPI were determined using ELISA method and compared with 22 healthy volunteers.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 6 months of treatment by FPT, the CD4+ T lymphocyte of asymptomatic HIV carriers increased from (368.63 +/- 111.54)/mm3 to (412.72 +/- 159.63)/mm3. Before treatment the serum levels of TNF-alpha [(20.05 +/- 13.08) nmol/L] and NPI [(9.55 +/- 2.52) nmol/L] were obviously higher than those of the healthy volunteers [(12.20 +/- 4.07) nmol/L and (5.91 +/- 1.43) nmol/L] (P < 0.05). After 6 months of treatment by FPT, they were lower after treatment than before treatment (P < 0.05). But there was no statistical difference in the serum TNF-alpha level [(11.06 +/- 4.71) nmol/L] when compared with the healthy volunteers group (P > 0.05). But the serum NPI level [(8.08 +/- 2.13) nmol/L] was still higher than that of the healthy volunteers group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>One of the pathological factors for asymptomatic HIV infection is abnormal immune activation represented by increased serum levels of TNF-alpha and NPI. FPT could lower the serum levels of TNF-alpha and NPI in asymptomatic HIV infection patients, which was one of its possible mechanisms for its efficacy.</p>

Function and gene expression of the active efflux transporters in drug-resistant Candida albicans / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the function and gene expression of active efflux transporters in drug-resistant candida albicans.@*METHODS@#The broth microdilution method was performed to determined the minimal inhibitory concentration of 4 antifungal drugs to 20 candida albicans. We compared the efflux of Rhodamine 6G between sensitive and some of fluconazole-resistant candida albicans, and screened out the resistant strains with significantly increased efflux of Rhodamine 6G. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure the mRNA levels of active efflux gene CDR1 and CDR2.@*RESULTS@#The efflux of Rhodamine 6G was significantly increased in some fluconazole-resistant strains when glucose was added, and the gene expressions of CDR1 and CDR2 were also obviously increased, compared with those in the sensitive strains.@*CONCLUSION@#The excessive expression of active efflux pump gene is related to the resistance to fluconazole in candida albicans. The measurement of Rhodamine 6G efflux is a useful method for the identification of drug-resistant strains induced by the excessive expression of active efflux pump.