Arctigenin from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arctium lappa</Emphasis> inhibits interleukin-2 and interferon gene expression in primary human T lymphocytes

Background  

Arctium lappa (Niubang), a Chinese herbal medicine, is used to treat tissue inflammation. This study investigates the effects of arctigenin (AC), isolated from A. lappa, on anti-CD3/CD28 Ab-stimulated cell proliferation and cytokine gene expression in primary human T lymphocytes.     

Aphrodisiac activity of 50% ethanolic extracts of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myristica fragrans</Emphasis> Houtt. (nutmeg) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Syzygium aromaticum</Emphasis> (L) Merr. &; Perry. (clove) in male mice: a comparative study

Background  

Spices are considered as sexual invigorators in the Unani System of Medicine. In order to explore the sexual function improving effect of Myristica fragrans Houtt. (nutmeg) and Syzygium aromaticum (L) Merr. & Perry. (clove) an experimental study was conducted in normal male mice.     

Antiviral biflavonoids from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Radix Wikstroemiae</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Liaogewanggen</Emphasis>)

Background  

Radix Wikstroemiae is a common Chinese herbal medicine. The ethyl acetate fraction of the ethanolic extract of W. indica possesses potent in vitro antiviral activity against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This study aims to identify the antiviral components of the active fraction.     

Genetic variation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glucose Transporter-1</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">GLUT1</Emphasis>) and albuminuria in 10,278 European Americans and African Americans: a case-control study in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

Background  

Evidence suggests glucose transporter-1(GLUT1) genetic variation affects diabetic nephropathy and albuminuria. Our aim was to evaluate associations with albuminuria of six GLUT1 single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs), particularly XbaI and the previously associated Enhancer-2(Enh2) SNP.     

Mortality after infection with methicillin-resistant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus aureus</Emphasis>(MRSA) diagnosed in the community

Background  

Outbreak reports suggest that community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections can be life-threatening. We conducted a population based cohort study to assess the magnitude of mortality associated with MRSA infections diagnosed in the community.     

Mapping the potential distribution of high artemisinin-yielding <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemisia annua</Emphasis> L. (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Qinghao</Emphasis>) in China with a geographic information system

Background  

Artemisia annua L. is an important source for artemisinin, a potent drug for treating malaria. This study aims to map and predict the potential geographic distribution of A. annua L. in China.     

The D‐vitamin metabolite 1,25(OH)2D in serum is associated with disease activity and Anti‐Citrullinated Protein Antibodies in active and treatment naïve,early Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Rationale

Sufficient levels of vitamin D seem to be essential for proper immune function, and low levels might be associated to disease activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA ). Most studies investigate only 25OHD and not the physiologically active vitamin D metabolite, 1,25(OH )₂D.

Objective

To investigate associations between serum level of vitamin D metabolites and disease activity parameters in 160 inflammatory active and treatment naïve early RA patients. Serum level of vitamin D metabolites (25OHD ₂, 25OHD ₃ and 1,25(OH )₂D) was measured by isotope dilution mass spectrometry and radio‐immunoassays at baseline. Disease characteristics were gender, number of tender joints, number of swollen joints, DAS 28‐CRP , HAQ , VAS ‐scores, CRP , erosive status (Total Sharp Score; TSS ), ACPA and IgM‐RF ‐status. Associations were evaluated using Spearman's and Wilcoxon rank‐sum tests. The study was registered in clinical trials; trial registration number: NCT 00209859.

Findings

Statistically significant inverse associations were found between the active metabolite 1,25(OH )₂D and DAS 28‐CRP (P  = 0.004, rho = −0.23), HAQ (P  = 0.005, rho = −0.22), CRP (P  = 0.001, rho = −0.25), VAS _{patient‐pain} (P  = 0.008, rho = −0.21), and a positive association was found to ACPA ‐status (P  = 0.04).

Conclusion

The vitamin D metabolite 1,25(OH )₂D was inversely associated with disease activity and positively associated with ACPA in treatment naïve and inflammatory active early RA . The results indicate that in RA , both the degree of inflammatory activity, and the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity might affect—or might be affected by the level of vitamin 1,25(OH )₂D.

     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ginkgo biloba</Emphasis> extract (EGb761) inhibits mitochondria-dependent caspase pathway and prevents apoptosis in hypoxia-reoxygenated cardiomyocytes

Background  

EGb761 is a standard extract from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba (Yinxing) containing ginkgo-flavone glycosides and terpenoid. The flavonoid components of EGb761 scavenge free radicals and protect myocardia from ischemia-reperfusion injury. The present study aims to determine the effects of the active compounds of EGb761 on mitochondria-dependent caspase pathway.     

Tian Xian Liquid (TXL) induces apoptosis in HT-29 colon cancer cell <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> and inhibits tumor growth <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vivo</Emphasis>

Background  

Tian Xian Liquid (TXL) is a Chinese medicine decoction and has been used as an anticancer dietary supplement. The present study aims to investigate the effects of TXL on the apoptosis of HT-29 cells and tumor growth in vivo.     

Healing Potential of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Picrorhiza kurroa</Emphasis> (Scrofulariaceae) rhizomes against indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration: a mechanistic exploration.

Background  

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the potential of the rhizomes of the Indian medicinal plant, Picrorhiza kurroa in healing indomethacin-induced acute stomach ulceration in mice and examine its capacity to modulate oxidative stress and the levels of prostaglandin (PGE₂) and EGF during the process.     

Polymorphisms of the Flavin containing monooxygenase 3 (<Emphasis Type="Italic">FMO3</Emphasis>) gene do not predispose to essential hypertension in Caucasians

Background  

The recessive disorder trimethylaminuria is caused by defects in the FMO3 gene, and may be associated with hypertension. We investigated whether common polymorphisms of the FMO3 gene confer an increased risk for elevated blood pressure and/or essential hypertension.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Dichrostachys cinerea</Emphasis> (L.) Wight <Emphasis Type="Italic">et</Emphasis> Arn (Mimosaceae) hydro-alcoholic extract action on the contractility of tracheal smooth muscle isolated from guinea-pig

Background  

Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight et Arn. (Mimosaceae) is largely used in ethno-medically across Africa, and mainly employed for the treatment of asthma in Ivory Coast and Gabon. The paper analyses the relaxation induced by the methanolic extract of D. cinerea (Edici) in the guinea-pig trachea preparations (GPTPs). Purpose: This study aimed to bring out the scientific basis to the use of this plant leading to the validation of this phytomedicine.     

Chemokine (CCR) and fractalkine (CX3CR) receptors and end stage renal disease

Objective and design  

Genetic polymorphisms of chemokines and their receptors were reported to be independent risk factors for inflammation associated disease. We explored the role of CCR5-Δ32, CCR5–G59029A, CX3CR1 V249I and T280M gene polymorphisms as susceptibility for end stage renal disease (ESRD).     

Comparison of raw and processed <Emphasis Type="Italic">Radix Polygoni Multiflori</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Heshouwu</Emphasis>) by high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry

Background  

Radix Polygoni Multiflori is the dried root tuber of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. (Fam. Polygonaceae). According to Chinese medicine theory, raw (R-RPM) and processed (P-RPM) Radix Polygoni Multiflori possess different properties. The present study investigates the differences in chemistry between raw and processed Radix Polygoni Multiflori.     

Autosomal dominant hereditary spastic paraplegia: Novel mutations in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">REEP1</Emphasis> gene (SPG31)

Background  

Mutations in the SPG4 gene (spastin) and in the SPG3A gene (atlastin) account for the majority of 'pure' autosomal dominant form of hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP). Recently, mutations in the REEP1 gene were identified to cause autosomal dominant HSP type SPG31. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of REEP1 mutations in a cohort of 162 unrelated Caucasian index patients with 'pure' HSP and a positive family history (at least two persons per family presented symptoms).     

Polysaccharopeptides derived from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coriolus versicolor</Emphasis> potentiate the S-phase specific cytotoxicity of Camptothecin (CPT) on human leukemia HL-60 cells

Background  

Polysaccharopeptide (PSP) from Coriolus versicolor (Yunzhi) is used as a supplementary cancer treatment in Asia. The present study aims to investigate whether PSP pre-treatment can increase the response of the human leukemia HL-60 cells to apoptosis induction by Camptothecin (CPT).     

Maca (<Emphasis Type="Italic">L. meyenii</Emphasis>) for improving sexual function: a systematic review

Background  

Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is an Andean plant of the brassica (mustard) family. Preparations from maca root have been reported to improve sexual function. The aim of this review was to assess the clinical evidence for or against the effectiveness of the maca plant as a treatment for sexual dysfunction.     

The role of the fat mass and obesity associated gene (<Emphasis Type="Italic">FTO</Emphasis>) in breast cancer risk

Background  

Obesity has been shown to increase breast cancer risk. FTO is a novel gene which has been identified through genome wide association studies (GWAS) to be related to obesity. Our objective was to evaluate tissue expression of FTO in breast and the role of FTO SNPs in predicting breast cancer risk.     

Population-based study of diagnostic assays for Borrelia infection: comparison of purified flagella antigen assay (Ideia™, Dako Cytomation) and recombinant antigen assay (Liaison<Superscript>®</Superscript>, DiaSorin)

Background  

Testing for Borrelia-specific IgM and IgG-antibodies are often performed on a variety of poorly defined symptoms, and isolated IgM results are a frequent finding, which results in diagnostic uncertainty and further testing. We wanted to test the hypothesis that Borrelia-specific assays using recombinant antigens perform differently from assays based on purified flagella antigen.     

Effective quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of the parkin gene (<Emphasis Type="Italic">PARK2</Emphasis>) exon 1–12 dosage

Background  

One of the causes of Parkinson's disease is mutations in the PARK2 gene. Deletions and duplications of single exons or exon groups account for a large proportion of the gene mutations. Direct detection of these mutations can be used for the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.