Complementary and alternative medicine use in Irish paediatric patients

Background  Although very little scientific data exists on the efficacy and side effects of complementary and alternative medicines, their profile and availability is increasing. Use among Irish children is unknown. Aims  To determine the nature and prevalence of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) use in our paediatric population. Methods  Parental questionnaires were distributed in 13 paediatric settings over a 4-month period. Results  There were 57% of parents reported using CAM for their child. Use was significantly higher in the 2–4 years age group (34/105, 32%, P = 0.005). The commonest medicinal CAMs used were vitamins (88%), fish oils (27%) and Echinacea (26%). The commonest non-medicinal CAMs used were homeopathy (16%) and craniosacral therapy (14%). Use varied between paediatric specialties, with the highest in neurological patients (23/25, 92%, P = 0.005). Only 13% of parents had informed their Paediatrician of their child’s CAM use. Conclusions  More than half of the children surveyed had used some form of CAM, usually without their Paediatrician’s knowledge.     

Expression of Platelet Membrane Glycoprotein Ib/Ⅸ/Ⅴ Complex,a Receptor of Thrombin,in Patients with Hemorrhagic Thrombopathy

To investigate the role of platelet membrane glycoprotein （GP） Ib/Ⅸ/Ⅴ complex and its subunit GP Ibα in patients with hemorrhagic thrombopathy （HT）, the expressions of GP Ib/Ⅸ/Ⅴ complex and GP Ibα,defined as mean fluorescence intensity （MFI）, were assessed by flow cytometry. The maximum aggregation of platelet was determined by turbidity method. These indicators were compared among 68 HT patients with the presenting complaint of hemorrhage, 33 well-controlled HT patients and 32 normal healthy subjects. The results showed that the MFI of GP Ib/Ⅸ /Ⅴ complex and GP Ibα was markedly lower in HT patients with current hemorrhage than that in the healthy subjects, with difference being statistically significant （P〈0.05）. There was no significant difference in the expressions of GP Ib/ Ⅸ/ Ⅴ complex and GP Ibα between well-controlled HT patients and normal healthy subjects （P〉0.05）. It was concluded that the expression of GP Ib/Ⅸ /Ⅴ complex, the receptor of thrombin and von Willebrand factor, was down-regulated in HT patients with current hemorrhage, which might result in the dysfunction of platelet aggregation and recurrence of HT.     

重组血管生成抑制因子r—K4K5的分离纯化与功能鉴定

目的 分离纯化r-K4K5,探讨r-K4K5对牛毛血管内皮（BCE）细胞、鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜（CAM）新生血管生成及实验性人肺腺癌SPC-A1生长的抑制作用。方法 通过盐析、凝胶过滤提纯r-K4K5,BCE细胞在含r-K4K5的DMEM中培养24、48、72h后分别计数;孵化7d的鸡胚加r-K4K5后继续孵育72h,观察新生血管生成;已经接种入SPC-A1肺腺癌组织的荷瘤裸小鼠（Balb/c,nu/nu）,瘤旁注射r-K4K5继续饲养,观察肿瘤生长变化。结果 r-K4K5抑制BCE细胞增殖,48～72h作用明显;r-K4K5处理的CAM组中直径小于50um的小血管明显减少;高剂量r-K4K5治疗的荷瘤裸小鼠组,平均瘤重与对照组比较有统计学意义。结论 r-K4K5能够抑制BCE细胞增殖,抑制鸡胚CAM新生血管生成,抑制实验性人SPC-A1肺腺瘤生长。     

Expression of macrophage inflammatory protein 1α in the endothelial cells exposed to diamide

Summary In order to study whether the endothelial cells (ECs) with lipid peroxidation induced by diamide can express and secrete macrophage inflammatory protein 1α (MIP-1α), the expression of MIP-1α protein in the cells was detected by cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and that of MIP-1α mRNA was determined by cell in situ hybridization and nuclease S1 protection assay after the ECs were exposed to different concentrations of diamide for 4 h. The chemotactic activity of MIP-1α was tested by micropore filter method using modified Boyden chambers. Cell ELISA showed that the expression of MIP-1α protein in endothelial cells exposed to 1 μmol/L, 5 μmol/L and 10 μmol/L diamide was 1.9-fold, 2.3-fold and 1.7-fold respectively as much as that in the control cells, which was statistically significant by analysis of variance. In situ hybridization revealed that the mRNA expression of ECs treated with 1 μmol/L, 5 μmol/L and 10 μmol/L diamide was 1.3-fold, 3.0-fold and 1.7-fold as much as that in the control group, which had statistical significance (F=188. 93,P<0.01). The mRNA expression in 5 μmol/L dimide treated ECs, measured by nuclease S1 protection assay, was 3.4-fold as much as that in the control group (t=8.70,P<0.05). Chemotactic response (99.50±4.31 μm) to the culture medium conditioned by 5 μmol/L diamide treated ECs, which was stronger than that (66.47±3.25 μm) conditioned by the ECs (F=404.31,P<0.05), was significantly decreased (F=192.25,P<0.05) after adding MIP-1α antibody. It suggests that diamide, a lipid peroxidation inducer, could stimulate ECs to produce high level of MIP-1α, and might play an important role in atherogenesis by promoting the migration of peripheral blood monocytes into arterial intima. YANG Limin, female, born in 1973, M. D., Ph.D. This project was supported by a grant from National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (No. 39730220).     

Clinical study on effect of electro-acupuncture combined with different anesthetics on auditory-evoked potential index

Auto regressive with exogenous inputmodel (ARX-model) auditory evoked index(AAI) is an index that could continuously andaccurately reflect the real-ti me degree of an-esthesia, constituting some new content inanesthesia monitoring that has been studiedextensively in recent years . But there hasbeen so far no report published involving theeffect of electro-acupuncture on AAI under dif-ferent conditions of anesthesia.For this rea-son ,the authors conducted a clinical obser-vation on 48 patien…     

The Effects of PDTC plus Leflunomide and Cyclosporine on the NF-κB Signaling Pathway in Mouse-to-rat Cardiac Xenografts

In this study, the effects of pirrolidine dithiocarbamate （PDTC） plus leflunomide （Lef） and cyclosporine （CsA） on the NF-κB signaling pathway in mouse-to-rat cardiac xeno-transplantation models were investigated. NIH mice and Wistar rats served as donors and recipients respectively. Mouse-to-rat cardiac xenotransplantation was performed. The recipients were divided into 5 groups： group A （the control group）, group B （PDTC group）, group C （PDTC plus CsA group）, group D （PDTC plus Lef group） and group E （PDTC plus Lef and CsA group）. The expressions of IKKa/[3, NF-κB-P65, IκBct, ICAM-1 and NF-κB DNA binding activity in xenograft tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot as well as electrophoretic mobility shift assay （EMSA）. The median survival time of cardiac xenografts in the control group, PDTC group, PDTC plus CsA group, PDTC plus Lef group and PDTC plus Lef and CsA group was （2.17±0.41）, （2.33±0.52）, （4.67±1.21）, （7.00±1.79） and （9.00±1.41） days respectively. The survival time of xenografts in the PDTC plus Lef and CsA group was significantly longer than that in other four groups （P〈0.05 for all）, that in the PDTC plus Lef group longer than that in the control group, PDTC group and PDTC plus CsA group （P〈0.05 for all）, that in PDTC plus CsA group longer than the control group and PDTC group （P〈0.05 for all）. The expressions of IKKα/β, NF-κB-P65, IκBα and ICAM-1 and NF-κ3 DNA binding activity were notably increased in mouse-to-rat cardiac xenografts. The expressions were decreased in the control group, PDTC group, PDTC plus CsA group, PDTC plus Lef and PDTC plus Lef and CsA group in turn. It was concluded that PDTC plus Lef and CsA can significantly suppress the expressions of IKKα/β, NF-κB-P65, IκBα, ICAM-1 and NF-κB DNA binding activity, thereby prolonging the survival of the cardiac xenografts.     

Protective effect and mechanism of sodium tanshinone II A sulfonate on microcirculatory disturbance of small intestine in rats with sepsis

To explore the protective effect of sodium tanshinone ⅡA sulfonate(STS) on microcirculatory disturbance of small intestine in rats with sepsis,and the possible mechanism,a rat model of sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture(CLP).Rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:sham operated group(S),sepsis group(CLP) and STS treatment group(STS).STS(1 mg/kg) was slowly injected through the right external jugular vein after CLP.The histopathologic changes in the intestinal tissue and changes of mesenteric microcirculation were observed.The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in the intestinal tissue were determined by using enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay(ELISA).The expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) in the intestinal tissue was detected by using immunohistochemisty and Western blot,that of nuclear factor κB(NF-κB) and tissue factor(TF) by using Western blot,and the levels of NF-κB mRNA expression by using RT-PCR respectively.The microcirculatory disturbance of the intestine was aggravated after CLP.The injury of the intestinal tissues was obviously aggravated in CLP group as compared with S group.The expression levels of NF-κB p65,ICAM-1,TF and TNF-α were upregulaed after CLP(P<0.01).STS post-treatment could ameliorate the microcirculatory disturbance,attenuate the injury of the intestinal tissues induced by CLP,and decrease the levels of NF-κB,ICAM-1,TF and TNF-α(P<0.01).It is suggested that STS can ameliorate the microcirculatory disturbance of the small intestine in rats with sepsis,and the mechanism may be associated with the inhibition of inflammatory responses and amelioration of coagulation abnormality.     

血清Wnt5a、sIL-2R检测在老年2型糖尿病合并肺部感染患者中的应用及与肺部感染病情严重程度、预后的关系

目的 分析血清Wnt5a、可溶性白细胞介素-2受体（sIL-2R）水平对老年2型糖尿病（T2DM）合并肺部感染的诊断价值,及与肺部感染病情严重程度、预后的关系。方法 选取2021年1月—2022年12月河南科技大学第一附属医院收治的84例老年T2DM合并肺部感染患者作为观察组,选取同期住院的30例T2DM患者作为糖尿病组,选取同期该院体检的健康志愿者30例作为对照组。比较3组Wnt5a、sIL-2R水平,绘制受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线评估Wnt5a、sIL-2R水平对老年T2DM合并肺部感染的诊断价值,采用Pearson法分析观察组Wnt5a、sIL-2R水平与实验室指标的相关性;将观察组根据肺部感染严重程度分为轻度、中度、重度3个亚组,比较3个亚组Wnt5a、sIL-2R水平;根据观察组预后情况分为康复组及死亡组,比较2个亚组Wnt5a、sIL-2R水平。结果 观察组及糖尿病组Wnt5a、sIL-2R、FPG较对照组升高（P <0.05）,FEV1较对照组降低（P <0.05）,观察组sIL-2R较糖尿病组升高（P <0.05）,FEV1较糖尿病组降低（P <...     

Naloxone or Vagotomy Does Not Influence Centrally Octreotide-induced Inhibition of Gastric Acid Secretion in Rats

Octreotide is a long-acting somatostatin analogue with the similar bioactivity as somatostatin. It is clinically employed in the treatment of acromegaly, stress ulcer hemorrhage and other conditions[1]. In the basic research on the central effect of octreotide on gastric acid secre- tion there are few literatures available up to now. More- over, the outcome (stimulation or inhibition of gastric acid secretion) and the underlying mechanisms vary due to differences in routs of drug administratio…     

Antagonistic effects of trasilast on proliferation and collagen synthesis induced by TGF-\sB<Subscript>2</Subscript> in cultured human trabecular meshwork cellsin cultured human trabecular meshwork cells

Summary Whether tranilast had antagonistic effect on proliferation inhibition and collagen synthesis promotion induced by TGF-\sB₂ in cultured human trabecular meshwork cells was investigated. Suspension of 1×10⁴ cultured human trabecular meshwork cells of 3–5 passage was distributed in each well of a 96-well disk and divided into control group and experimental group. After 24 h, 0 μg/ml (control), 12.5 μg/ml, 25 μg/ml, 50μg/ml tranilast with 3.2 ng/ml TGF-\sB₂ were added into the incubation medium. Another 24 h later, proliferation and collagen synthesis in cultured human trabecular meshwork cells were examined respectively by using tetrazolium-based semiautomated colormetric (MTT) assay and³H-proline incorporation with liquid scintillation technique. The results showed absorbance (A) values of the experimental groups were 0.9036±0.3017, 1.1361±0.1352, 1.2457±0.1524 according to the different concentrations of tranilast, and 0.8956±0.1903 of the control group. In comparison with the control group, 25 μg/ml (q=3.23,P<0.05), 50 μg/ml (q′=4.70,P<0.01) tranilast significantly antagonized the decrease of theA values induced by TGF-\sB₂ in the cultured human trabecular meshowrk cells. In comparison with the control group [817.37±124.21 cpm/10⁴ cells], 12.5 μg/ml (620.33±80.46 cpm/10⁴ cells,q′=4.26,P<0.05), 25 μg/ml (59.4.58±88.13 cpm/10⁴ cells,q′=4.81,P<0.01), 50 μg/ml (418.64±67.90 cpm/10⁴ cells,q′=8.62,P<0.01) tranilast significantly inhibited the incorporation of³H-proline into the cultured human trabecular meshwork cells promoted by TGF-\sB₂ in a dose-dependent manner. It was concluded that tranilast had the antagonistic effect on the proliferation inhibition and collagen synthesis promotion induced by TGF-\sB₂ in the cultured human trabecular meshwork cells. Da Banghong, female, born in 1973, Resident. This project was supported by a grant from the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (No. 38970758).     

The expression of TNF-α and ICAM-1 in lesions of lichen planus and its implication

Summary In order to investigate the role of TNF-and ICAM-1 in the pathogenesis of lichen planus, immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of TNF-and ICAM-1 in skin lesions of the patients with lichen planus and skin tissues of normal subjects. The results showed that positive rates of TNF-α and ICAM-1 expressions in lichen planus were significantly higher than those in normal skins (both P<0.05). Meanwhile, there was a obvious correlation between the increase of TNF-α and that of ICAM-1 in lichen planus. The expression of TNF-α and ICAM-1 might play an important role in the development of lichen planus.     

Protective effects and mechanism of total coptis alkaloids on A β25–35 induced learning and memory dysfunction in rats

Objective: To observe the effect of total coptis alkaloids (TCA) on β-amyloid peptide (Aβ25-35) induced learning and memory dysfunction in rats, and to explore its mechanism. Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: the control group, the model group, the TCA low dose (60 mg/kg) group and the TCA high dose (120 mg/kg) group, 10 in each. Aβ25-35 (5μl, 2μg/μl) was injected into bilateral hippocampi of each rat to induce learning and memory dysfunction. TCA were administered through intragavage for consecutive 15 days. Morris Water Maze test was used to assess the impairment of learning and memory; concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in cerebral cortex was determined by thiobarbituric acid reactive substance to indicate the level of lipid peroxidation in brain tissues; activity of manganese-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) in cerebral cortex was determined by xanthine-oxidase to indicate the activity of the enzyme; and NF-κB protein expression in cerebral cortex was measured by SP immunohistochemistry. Results: (1) Morris Water Maze test showed that, during the 4 consecutive days of acquisition trials, the rats in the model group took longer latency and searching distance than those in the control group (P<0.01), which could be shortened by high dose TCA (P<0.05); during the spatial probe trial on the fifth day, the rats in the model group took shorter searching time and distance on the previous flat area than those in the control group (P<0.01), which could be prolonged after TCA treatment (for low dose group, P<0.05; for high dose group, P<0.01). (2) Analysis of cerebral cortical tissues showed that, compared with the control group, MDA level got significantly increased and Mn-SOD activity decreased in the model group (both P<0.01). After having been treated with TCA, the MDA level got significantly decreased (P<0.05 and P<0.01 respectively for low and high dose group), while relative increase of Mn-SOD activity only appeared in high dose group (P<0.05). (3) Immunohistochemistry analysis showed the protein expression of NF-κB got significantly increased after modeling, while high dose TCA can significantly inhibit it. Conclusion: TCA could improve Aβ25-35 induced dysfunction of learning and memory in rats, and its protective mechanism is associated with its actions in decreasing MDA level, increasing Mn-SOD activity and inhibiting the expression of NF-κB in cerebral cortex.     

Inhibitory Effect of Curcumin on Proliferation of Human Pterygium Fibroblasts

In order to investigate the effect of curcumin on proliferation and apoptosis of human pterygium fibroblasts (HPF) in culture and search for a new method to prevent the recurrence after pterygium surgery, HPF was incubated with 0-160 μmol/L curcumin for 24-96 h. The MTT method was used to assay the biologic activities of curcumin at different time points and different doses. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in each group was detected by immunohistochemistry. The cell cycle distribution was detected by flow cytometry (FCM). Admini- stration of 20-80 μmol/L curcumin for 24-72 h could significantly inhibit HPF proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P<0.05). After treatment with curcumin at different concentrations of 20, 40, 80 and 160 μmol/L for 24 h, FCM revealed there was a significant sub-G1 peak at each concentration. The number of HPF in G0/G1 phase was increased, while in S phase, it was decreased (P<0.05). At the concentration of 20-80 μmol/L, curcumin, in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05), could inhibit the expression of PCNA in HPF. It was suggesterd that curcumin could significantly in- hibit the proliferation of HPF, make HPF arrest in G0/G1 phase and induce the apoptosis of HPF in a dose- and time-dependent manner.     

Effect of Nuclear Factor-κB on Airway Remodeling in Asthmatic Rats

Summary In order to investigate the effect of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) on airway remodeling in asthmatic rats. 18 Wistar rats were divided into three groups: asthmatic group: pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) group, in which rats were injected intraperitoneally with NF-κB specific inhibitor PDTC (100 mg/kg) before ovalbumin (OVA) challenge; control group. The NF-κB activity and the expression of inhibitory protein κBα (I-κBα) in airway were detected by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Western blot and immunohistochemistry respectively. The infiltration of inflammatory cells, the number of Goblet cells, the area of collagen and smooth muscle in airway were measured by means of image analysis system. The results showed that with the up-regulation of airway NF-κB activity in asthmatic group, the number of goblet cells (3.08±0.86/100 μm basement membrane (BM)), the area of collagen (24.71±4.24 μm²/μm BM) and smooth muscle (13.81±2.11 μm²/μmBM) in airway were significantly increased (P<0.05) as compared with control group (0.14±0.05/100μmBM. 14.31±3.16 μm²/μm BM and 7.67±2.35 μm²/μm BM respectively) and PDTC group (0.33±0.14/100 μmBM, 18.16±2.85 μm²/μm BM and 8.95±2.16 μm²/μm BM respectively). However, there was no significant difference between PDTC group and control group (P>0.05). It was concluded that the activity of NF-κB is increased in airway of asthmatic rats. Inhibition of NF-κB, activation can attenuate constructional changes in asthma airway, suggesting NF-κB may contribute to asthmatic airway remodeling. XU Shuyun, female, born in 1970, M. D. Ph. D. This project was supported by a grant from Foundation for University Key Teacher by the Ministry of Education (2000 year).     

Effect of ephrin-A1/EphA2 on invasion of trophoblastic cells

The effect of axon guidance factors ephrin-A 1/EphA2 on the invasion of trophoblastic cells and the possible mechanism were investigated in this study.The expression of EphA2 in vascular endothelial ce...     

Placental Isoferritin Action in Pathogenesis of Pre-eclampsia and/or Intrauterine Growth Retardation and Its Earlier Predictive Value

Pre- eclampsia and intrauterine growth retarda-tion(IUGR) are major sources of clinical morbidityand mortality in pregnant women and prenatal in-fants.Their mechanisms are not completely clear.The imbalance of maternal- fetal immune interactionwas demonstrated to play a role in them[1] .Recentlyplacental isoferritin (PLF) was demonstrated to be asignificant immune regular factor in pregnant im-mune inhibition[2 ] ,butitsrole in pathogenesisof pre-eclampsia and/or IUGR is unknown.In this s…     

高山尖杉酯碱抑制鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜血管生成

目的　了解高山尖杉酯碱 (H)对血管生成的影响 ,为进一步研究打基础。方法　于发育第 8天的鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜(CAM)上植入明胶海绵载体 ,其中加入不同剂量的H ,计数长入载体的血管和载体内的微管密度 (MVD)。结果　在CAM上 ,长入载体边缘的血管数和MVD在 10 0ng以上组与对照组间的差别有统计学意义 (p <0 .0 1)。结论　在CAM中 ,10 μg/kg的低剂量能抑制CAM的血管生成 ,显示了H有较强的抗血管生成活性     

Inhibitory effect of PPARγ agonist on the proliferation of human pterygium fibroblasts

The effects of DK2,a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ agonist,on cultured human pterygium fibroblasts (HPFs) in virto were studied.The HPFs were incubated with 0-200 μmol/L DK2 for 12-72 h.The MTT method was used to assay the bio-activity of DK2 at different doses and time.The cytotoxic effect of DK2 was measured by LDH release assay.The cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were flow cytometrically detected.The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in each group was detected by real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blotting.The results showed that administration of 1-75 μmol/L DK2 for 12-72 h could significantly inhibit HPF proliferation in a dose-and time-dependent manner.DK2-treated cells did not release significant amount of LDH as compared with rosiglitazone-treated cells.After treatment with DK2 at concentrations of 15,25 μmol/L for 24 h,the number of HPFs in G 0 /G 1 phase was significantly increased while that in S phase was significantly decreased (P<0.05),leading to arrest at G 0 /G 1 phase.The apoptosis rates of HPF cells in drug-treated groups were significantly higher than the rate of control group (P<0.05).At the dosage range between 15-25 μmol/L,DK2 could inhibit the expression of PCNA mRNA and protein in HPFs in a dose-dependent fashion (P<0.05).It was concluded that PPARγ agonist can significantly inhibit HPF proliferation,resulting in the arrest at G 0 /G 1 phase,induce the apoptosis of HPFs,and suppress the synthesis of PCNA,in dose-and time-dependent manners.     

Effect of Diallyl Trisulfide on the Activation of T Cell and Macrophage－mediated Cytotoxicity

(冯作化)(张桂梅)(郝天玲)(周斌)(张慧)(姜志尧)ＥｆｆｅｃｔｏｆＤｉａｌｌｙｌＴｒｉｓｕｌｆｉｄｅｏｎｔｈｅＡｃｔｉｖａｔｉｏｎｏｆＴＣｅｌｌａｎｄＭａｃｒｏｐｈａｇｅ－ｍｅｄｉａｔｅｄＣｙｔｏｔｏｘｉｃｉｔｙ￥ＦＥＮＧＺｕｏ－ｈｕａ；ＺＨＡＮＧＧｕｉ－...