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Wei Z, Lin JG, Xu F, Zhao YT. Deadly electrocardiogram pattern in Takotsubo syndrome: shark fin sign. QJM 2024; 117:290-291. [PMID: 38039356 DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcad272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Z Wei
- Department of Cardiology, Suzhou Hospital of Anhui Medical University (Suzhou Municipal Hospital of Anhui Province), 299 Bianhe Road, Suzhou 234000, China
| | - J-G Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine, People's Hospital of Hailing Island Economic Development Pilot Zone, No. 5236 Yangzha Road, Arctic Village Committee, Zhapo Town, Hailing Island Experimental Zone, Yangjiang, Guangzhou 529500, China
| | - F Xu
- Department of Cardiology, Suzhou Hospital of Anhui Medical University (Suzhou Municipal Hospital of Anhui Province), 299 Bianhe Road, Suzhou 234000, China
| | - Y-T Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Aerospace Center Hospital, 15 Yuquan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100049, China
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2
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Chen YS, Kuo CN, Lue CS, Lin JG. Insight into intrinsic ferromagnetism in quasi-2D Cr 5-yTe 8. J Phys Condens Matter 2021; 33:235401. [PMID: 33784652 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/abf388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Cr5Te8is a half metal with 2D van der Waals ferromagnetic structure and its magnetic properties can be tuned by changing the proportionality of Cr and Te. We report an investigation of magnetization and magnetic anisotropy near the critical transition region of a Cr5-yTe8single crystal with the static and dynamic probes, to unravel the nature of field-dependent spin-spin interactions. The magnetic transition temperatureTCincreasing from 255 K (at near zero-field) to 279 K (at 65 kOe along theab-plane) has been identified. Accordingly, a phase diagram of field versus transition temperature has been established. From the analysis of the field dependence of the critical behavior, we provided evidence that the scenario of 2D Heisenberg-type interactions can be employed to interpret the field-dependent magnetic transitions in Te-rich Cr4.8Te8. The precise picture for the field-reduced spin-spin interaction range has been obtained. The conclusion drawn from the present study demonstrated that Cr4.8Te8is a promising candidate for the spintronic applications with a tunable magnetic transition temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y S Chen
- Center for Condensed Matter Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - C N Kuo
- Department of Physics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - C S Lue
- Department of Physics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - J G Lin
- Center for Condensed Matter Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
- Center of Atomic Initiatives for New Materials, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
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Shih CC, Yeh CC, Yang JL, Lane HL, Huang CJ, Lin JG, Chen TL, Liao CC. Reduced use of emergency care and hospitalization in patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment treated with traditional Chinese medicine. QJM 2019; 112:437-442. [PMID: 30778546 DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcz044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on the outcomes of dementia remains unclear. Our purpose is to compare the use of emergency care and hospitalization in patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) with or without treatment of TCM. METHODS In a stroke cohort of 67 521 patients with PSCI aged over 40 years obtained from the 23 million people in Taiwan's national health insurance between 2000 and 2007, we identified 6661 newly diagnosed PSCI patients who were treated with TCM and 6661 propensity score-matched PSCI patients who were not treated with TCM. Under the control of immortal time bias, we calculated the adjusted rate ratios (RRs) and 95% CIs of the 1-year use of emergency care and hospitalization associated with TCM. RESULTS The means of the emergency care medical visits (0.40 ± 0.98 vs. 0.47 ± 1.01, P = 0.0001) and hospitalization (0.72 ± 1.29 vs. 0.96 ± 1.49, P < 0.0001) were lower in the PSCI patients treated with TCM than in those without the TCM treatment. The RRs of emergency care and hospitalization associated with TCM were 0.87 (95% CI = 0.82-0.92) and 0.81 (95% CI = 0.78-0.84), respectively. The PSCI patients treated with a combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine had the lowest risk of emergency care visits and hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS Our study raises the possibility that TCM use was associated with reduced use of emergency care and hospitalization after PSCI. However, further randomized clinical trials are needed to provide solid evidence of this benefit and identify the underlying mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- C-C Shih
- School of Chinese Medicine for Post-Baccalaureate, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Ph.D. Program in Clinical Drug Development of Herbal Medicine, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Taiwan Chinese Medical Association, Taipei, Taiwan
- Taipei Chinese Medical Association, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - C-C Yeh
- Department of Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - J-L Yang
- Center for Traditional Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Faculty of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - H-L Lane
- Taipei Chinese Medical Association, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - C-J Huang
- Taipei Chinese Medical Association, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Health Promotion and Health Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - J-G Lin
- School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - T-L Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - C-C Liao
- School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Anesthesiology and Health Policy Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shuan Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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4
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Liu Z, Zhang DC, Gong LJ, Lin JG, Wen C. Microstructures and mechanical properties of in situ TiC-β-Ti-Nb composites with ultrafine grains fabricated by high-pressure sintering. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9496. [PMID: 29934506 PMCID: PMC6014990 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27535-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, an in situ β–Ti–Nb composites reinforced with TiC particles with an ultrafine grain size were fabricated using a powder metallurgical (PM) method. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the composites were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and compression tests. TiC particles were formed in the ball-milled powders after annealing at 600 °C due to a chemical reaction between stearic acid and titanium. Using high-pressure sintering (HPS) on an apparatus with six tungsten carbide anvils, a fully dense β–Ti–Nb composite reinforced with fine in situ TiC particles was obtained. The TiC particles exhibit particle sizes of ~500 nm, uniformly distributed in the composite matrix, which had grain sizes of ~600 nm. Thus, the TiC–β–Ti–Nb composite show very high compression yield strength and relatively high plasticity contributed by grain refinement and TiC particles strengthening. The composite with 45 vol.% TiC exhibited excellent mechanical properties, with a yield compressive strength of 1990 MPa and plastic strain of 9.12%. More over, a modified rule-of-mixture (ROM) was presented to describe the combined strengthening effect of grain refinement and TiC particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, Hunan, China
| | - D C Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Materials Design and Preparation Technology of Hunan Province, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, Hunan, China.
| | - L J Gong
- Key Laboratory of Materials Design and Preparation Technology of Hunan Province, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, Hunan, China
| | - J G Lin
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, Hunan, China.
| | - Cuie Wen
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Victoria, 3083, Australia
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5
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Lai CY, Wu MY, Chiang JH, Sun MF, Chen YH, Chang CT, Lin JG, Yen HR. Utilization of Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine among patients with Alzheimer's disease in Taiwan: a nationwide population-based study. Eur J Neurol 2017; 24:1166-1172. [PMID: 28744942 DOI: 10.1111/ene.13361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Large-scale studies of utilization of medical services among patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) are lacking. We aimed to investigate the usage of Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) among these patients in Taiwan. METHODS We analyzed one million samples from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. Patients (n = 1814) newly diagnosed with AD in 2001-2010 were divided into TCM users (n = 528) and non-TCM users (n = 1286). RESULTS Compared with non-TCM users, TCM users were younger, had a higher female:male ratio and higher utilization rate of Western medicine. The median interval between diagnosis and the first TCM consultation was 7.92 months. Donepezil and rivastigmine were commonly prescribed medications. Chinese herbal medicine was the most popular treatment among TCM users. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed the specific usage patterns of TCM and non-TCM medical services among patients with AD. The information could be used for improving the healthcare of patients with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- C-Y Lai
- School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung.,Department of Emergency Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung
| | - M-Y Wu
- Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung
| | - J-H Chiang
- Health Data Management Office, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung.,School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung
| | - M-F Sun
- School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung.,Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung
| | - Y-H Chen
- Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, China Medical University, Taichung.,Research Center for Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture, China Medical University, Taichung
| | - C-T Chang
- School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung.,Kidney Institute and Division of Nephrology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung
| | - J-G Lin
- School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung
| | - H-R Yen
- School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung.,Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung.,Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung.,Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung.,Department of Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
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6
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Abstract
Ferromagnetic resonance driven spin pumping (FMR-SP) is a novel method to transfer spin current from the ferromagnetic (FM) layer into the adjacent normal metal (NM) layer in an FM/NM bilayer system. Consequently, the spin current could be probed in NM layer via inverse spin Hall effect (ISHE). In spite of numerous ISHE studies on FM/Pt bilayers, La0.7Sr0.3MnO3(LSMO)/Pt system has been less explored and its relevant information about interface property (characterized by spin mixing conductance) and spin-charge conversion efficiency (characterized by spin Hall angle) is a matter of importance for the possible applications of spintronic devices. In this work, the technique of FMR-SP has been applied on two series of LSMO/Pt bilayers with the thickness of each layer being varied. The thickness dependences of ISHE voltage allow to extract the values of spin mixing conductance and spin Hall angle of LSMO/Pt bilayers, which are (1.8 ± 0.4) × 1019 m−2 and (1.2 ± 0.1) % respectively. In comparison with other FM/Pt systems, LSMO/Pt has comparable spin current density and spin mixing conductance, regardless its distinct electronic structure from other ferromagnetic metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Y Luo
- Department of Physics, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan.,Center for Condensed Matter Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - J G Lin
- Center for Condensed Matter Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan.
| | - Wen-Chung Chiang
- Department of Optoelectric Physics, Chinese Culture University, Taipei, 11114, Taiwan.
| | - Ching-Ray Chang
- Department of Physics, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
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Liang IC, Weng CY, Huang C, Chang CK, Sheu HS, Lin JG, Hsu KF. New metal chalcogenides found in Mn N-1(Gd 2-xIn x)S N+2 (N = 3, 4, 5): syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties. Dalton Trans 2017; 46:1228-1236. [PMID: 28058412 DOI: 10.1039/c6dt04382h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Three new metal chalcogenides have been identified in MnN-1(Gd2-xInx)SN+2 with N = 3, 4, and 5 via a flux-growth synthesis. All compounds crystallize in the same space group of orthorhombic Cmcm with cell constants: Mn2GdInS5 (1), a = 3.789(1) Å, b = 12.411(1) Å, and c = 15.489(1) Å; Mn3Gd2S6 (2), a = 3.778(1) Å, b = 12.505(2) Å, and c = 19.114(2) Å; Mn4Gd2S7 (3), a = 3.769(1) Å, b = 12.466(2) Å, and c = 22.289(3) Å. Compounds 1-3 form a homologous series through the modulation of the MnS unit, whose structures represent a complete system of the corresponding lillianites (N1,N2L) of 3,3L, 4,4L and 5,5L. The gradually wider slabs formed in the series result in a monotonic increase along the c dimensions from 1 to 3. Crystal 3 is the first to achieve a predicted structure of 5,5L. Mn2GdInS5 (1) displays a weak antiferromagnetic (AFM) ordering at 10 K and the Weiss constant (θ) of -0.76 K. Mn2Gd1.5In0.5S5 (1a), an isostructure of 1, shifts the AFM transition temperature to 12 K and possesses a slightly larger θ constant of -6.06 K. Mn4Gd2S7 (3), featuring the thickest slabs in this series, shows a significant antiferromagnetic behavior beginning at a high temperature of 70 K and has a largest θ constant of -40.25 K. A small amount of impurity α-Gd2S3 with an AFM transition temperature around 4 K was characterized in sample 3, which does not interfere with the magnetic ordering of 3 at much higher temperatures. These magnetic chalcogenides display band gaps of 1.66 eV for 1, 1.75 eV for 1a, and 1.44 eV for 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- I C Liang
- Department of Chemistry, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan.
| | - C Y Weng
- Department of Chemistry, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan.
| | - C Huang
- Department of Chemistry, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan.
| | - C K Chang
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - H S Sheu
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - J G Lin
- Center for Condensed Matter Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - K F Hsu
- Department of Chemistry, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan.
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8
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Zhang DC, Tan CG, Tang DM, Zhang Y, Lin JG, Wen CE. Effect of thermomechanical treatment on the superelasticity of Ti-7.5Nb-4Mo-2Sn biomedical alloy. Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl 2014; 44:76-86. [PMID: 25280682 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2014.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2013] [Revised: 07/07/2014] [Accepted: 08/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Effects of thermomechanical treatment on the microstructure and superelasticity of Ti-7.5Nb-4Mo-2Sn biomedical alloy were investigated by using XRD measurement, optical microscope (OM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and tensile tests. The titanium alloy samples were prepared by annealing at a temperature in the range of 600 to 1000°C after severe cold rolling; and the samples that were annealed at 800°C were further aged at 600 and 700°C. The volume fraction of α phases decreased while that of ω phases increase with increasing annealing temperature. The α→β transformation temperature of the alloy was determined to be between 700 and 800°C. The alloy that was annealed at 700°C exhibited a high level of superelasticity with relatively high first yield stress (σSIM) at room temperature because it contained a fine α phase. A certain amount of ω phases also resulted in an increase in σSIM, leading to an improvement in the superelasticity of the alloys that were annealed at 900 and 1000°C. Aging treatment led to the precipitations of α and ω phases in the alloy after annealing at 800°C; and the volume fraction of α phases decreased while that of ω phases increased with increasing aging temperature. Excellent superelasticity with high recovered strain (εrecoverable) and strain recovery rate (η) were obtained in the aged alloy due to the reinforcement of α and ω phases induced by aging treatment. The alloy annealed at 700°C for 0.5h exhibited the best superelasticity in all the thermomechanically treated alloys due to the strengthening from the subgrain refining and the precipitating of fine α phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- D C Zhang
- Faculty of Material and Optical-electronic Physics, Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Materials & Application Technology (Ministry of Education), Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105 Hunan, China
| | - C G Tan
- Faculty of Material and Optical-electronic Physics, Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Materials & Application Technology (Ministry of Education), Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105 Hunan, China
| | - D M Tang
- Faculty of Material and Optical-electronic Physics, Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Materials & Application Technology (Ministry of Education), Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105 Hunan, China
| | - Y Zhang
- Faculty of Material and Optical-electronic Physics, Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Materials & Application Technology (Ministry of Education), Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105 Hunan, China
| | - J G Lin
- Faculty of Material and Optical-electronic Physics, Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Materials & Application Technology (Ministry of Education), Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105 Hunan, China.
| | - C E Wen
- Faculty of Engineering & Industrial Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia
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9
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Luo GY, Chang CR, Lin JG. Influence of damping constant on inverse spin hall voltage of La 0.7Sr 0.3MnO 3(x)/platinum bilayers. J Appl Phys 2014; 115:17C508. [PMID: 24753635 PMCID: PMC3977888 DOI: 10.1063/1.4863485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2013] [Accepted: 10/30/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Pure spin transport via spin pumping in the condition of ferromagnetic resonance can be transformed to charge current in the ferromagnetic/paramagnetic bilayer systems, based on inverse spin Hall effect (ISHE). Here, we explore La0.7Sr0.3MnO(x)/Pt(5.5 nm) [x = 10 to 65 nm] bilayers to investigate the influence of damping constant on spin pumping efficiency. The results show that the ISHE voltage depend on the damping constant of magnetic moment, suggesting that the precession energy tansferred to lattice/electron of normal metal is a key parameter to control the magnitude of spin current.
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Abstract
A series of anatase phase Fe-doped TiO2 nanoparticles are prepared by a modified sol-gel method. Spontaneous Raman spectroscopy is utilized to characterize the crystal structures of these nanoparticles and investigate their structural transformation under the exposure of a 532 nm green laser. The anatase phase of TiO2 can be effectively converted into the rutile phase with the assistance of Fe doping. It is found that the critical laser intensity for phase transformation decreases with increasing the Fe content. We ascribe this tendency to the enhanced optical absorption and the photo-induced thermal heating effect, which can be associated with the defect structure within the bandgap of Fe- TiO2 nanoparticles. Our study demonstrates an all-optical approach to pump and probe the phase transformation of metal-doped TiO2 nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- H-Y Lee
- Center for Condensed Matter Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
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11
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Lin YJ, Wan L, Wu JY, Sheu JJC, Lin CW, Lan YC, Lai CH, Hung CH, Tsai Y, Tsai CH, Lin TH, Lin JG, Hsueh KC, Huang YM, Chang JS, Tsai FJ. HLA-E gene polymorphism associated with susceptibility to Kawasaki disease and formation of coronary artery aneurysms. Arthritis Rheum 2009; 60:604-10. [PMID: 19180512 DOI: 10.1002/art.24261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Kawasaki disease (KD) is a pediatric systemic vasculitis of unknown cause for which a genetic influence is supposed. The purpose of this study was to identify possible genetic variants in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region that are associated with KD and the development of coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) in a Taiwanese population. METHODS The 168 genetic variants covering the MHC locus were analyzed in an association study of a Taiwanese cohort of 93 KD patients and 680 unrelated healthy children matched for sex and age with the study patients. RESULTS Eleven single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were associated with the occurrence of KD. The SNP located at the 3'-untranslated region of HLA-E (rs2844724) was highly associated (P < 1 x 10(-7)). In addition, the frequency of the C allele was higher in KD patients without CAAs than in controls (P < 0.001) due to a significantly increased frequency of the CC and CT genotypes. Plasma levels of soluble HLA-E were significantly higher in KD patients than in controls regardless of the presence of CAAs. Furthermore, there was a trend toward higher plasma levels of soluble HLA-E in KD patients with the CT and TT genotypes of the HLA-E gene polymorphism. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that the HLA-E gene polymorphism may play a role in the pathogenesis of KD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y-J Lin
- China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, and Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
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12
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Shen Y, Pang ECK, Xue CCL, Zhao ZZ, Lin JG, Li CG. Inhibitions of mast cell-derived histamine release by different Flos Magnoliae species in rat peritoneal mast cells. Phytomedicine 2008; 15:808-814. [PMID: 18585022 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2008.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2008] [Revised: 02/21/2008] [Accepted: 04/28/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Flos Magnoliae (FM) is a commonly used Chinese medicinal herb for symptomatic relief of allergic rhinitis, sinusitis and headache. A number of FM species have been used as substitutes or adulterants for clinical application, although the differences in their pharmacological actions have not been reported. The present study investigated the effects of six identified FM species M. biondii, M. denudata, M. kobus, M. liliflora, M. sargentiana and M. sprengeri, as well as the marker compounds magnolin and fargesin on compound 48/80-induced histamine release in rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) in vitro. Ethanolic extracts of all FM species produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of compound 48/80-induced histamine release in RPMC. The rank order of the IC(50)s was M. biondii<M. kobus<M. liliflora<M. denudata<M. sprengeri<M. sargentiana. The marker compound magnolin, but not fargesin, only slightly inhibited the histamine release. The contents of magnolin and fargesin, determined by using RP-HPLC, varied significantly among these FM species. Magnolin was found in M. biondii, M. kobus and M. liliflora, but not in M. denudate, M. sprengeri and M. sargentiana, while fargesin was only found in M. biondii and M. kobus. These findings provide the first evidence of differences in pharmacological actions of different FM species on mast cell-derived histamine release in vitro. In addition, the marker compounds magnolin and fargesin may not play a major role in the observed pharmacological actions of FM species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Shen
- RMIT Chinese Medicine Research Group, School of Health Sciences, RMIT University, Victoria, Australia
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Wang XJ, Li YC, Lin JG, Yamada Y, Hodgson PD, Wen CE. In vitro bioactivity evaluation of titanium and niobium metals with different surface morphologies. Acta Biomater 2008; 4:1530-5. [PMID: 18485846 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2008.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2007] [Revised: 01/29/2008] [Accepted: 04/07/2008] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Current orthopaedic biomaterials research mainly focuses on designing implants that could induce controlled, guided and rapid healing. In the present study, the surface morphologies of titanium (Ti) and niobium (Nb) metals were tailored to form nanoporous, nanoplate and nanofibre-like structures through adjustment of the temperature in the alkali-heat treatment. The in vitro bioactivity of these structures was then evaluated by soaking the treated samples in simulated body fluid (SBF). It was found that the morphology of the modified surface significantly influenced the apatite-inducing ability. The Ti surface with a nanofibre-like structure showed better apatite-inducing ability than the nanoporous or nanoplate surface structures. A thick dense apatite layer formed on the Ti surface with nanofibre-like structure after 1 week of soaking in SBF. It is expected that the nanofibre-like surface could achieve good apatite formation in vivo and subsequently enhance osteoblast cell adhesion and bone formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- X J Wang
- Centre for Material and Fibre Innovation, Deakin University, Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Geelong, Victoria 3217, Australia
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Abstract
The coding regions for the major epitopes of structural protein VP2 (vp2e) and structural protein VP3 were amplified from marine birnavirus (MABV) cDNA and efficiently expressed as glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins in Escherichia coli. Polyclonal antibodies against VP2e and VP3 were raised in rabbits and fish using the purified proteins of GST/VP2e and GST/VP3. The rabbit anti-serum against VP3 was more sensitive than the rabbit anti-VP2e serum in detecting virus in MABV-infected fish, while fish anti-VP2e serum showed a stronger neutralization response than fish anti-VP3 serum.
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Affiliation(s)
- H-J Xu
- College of Agriculture & Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Zhang WG, Lin JG, Niu ZY, Zhao R, Liu DL, Wang NL, Yao XS. Total synthesis of two new dihydrostilbenes from Bulbophyllum odoratissimum. J Asian Nat Prod Res 2007; 9:23-8. [PMID: 17365185 DOI: 10.1080/10286020500289543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
A total synthetic route of two new dihydrostilbenes 5-(2-benzo[1,3]dioxole-5-ylethyl)-6-methoxy benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-ol (1) and 5-(2-benzo[1,3]dioxole-5-ylethyl)benzo[1,3]dioxole-4,7-diol (2), which were isolated from Bulbophyllum odoratissimum Lindl. with significant cytotoxicity toward human cancer cell lines, was developed via Horner reaction etc. The natural products 1 and 2 were obtained in 10.5% and 3.3% overall yield, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- W-G Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
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16
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Hsu CH, Hwang KC, Chao CL, Lin JG, Kao ST, Chou P. Effects of electroacupuncture in reducing weight and waist circumference in obese women: a randomized crossover trial. Int J Obes (Lond) 2006; 29:1379-84. [PMID: 15953937 DOI: 10.1038/sj.ijo.0802997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of weight control on simple obese women between electroacupuncture and sit-up exercise. DESIGN Randomized and crossover trial conducted from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2002. The subjects were randomly divided into groups A and B. Group A received electroacupuncture treatment first while group B received sit-up exercise treatment first. After 6 weeks of treatment and 7 days of washout, group A switched to sit-up exercise treatment and group B received electroacupuncture treatment for another 6 weeks. PATIENTS In total, 54 simple obese women, with waist circumference (WC)>90 cm and body mass index (BMI)>30 kg/m(2), and who had not received any other weight control maneuver within the last 3 months. MEASUREMENT The measurements of body weight (BW), BMI and WC were performed at the beginning, 6, 8 and 13 weeks. The data at different time periods were compared and expressed as % reductions. RESULTS Electroacupuncture (n=46) showed significant differences in the % reductions in BW (P=0.001), BMI (P=0.003) and WC (P=0.005) compared with sit-up exercise. At the end of 13 weeks, there were no significant difference between groups A (n=24) and B (n=22) in all the measurements. At the end of the study, groups A and B showed significant differences in the % reductions in BW (P=0.004; 0.001), BMI (P=0.003; 0.021) and WC (P< or =0.001; 0.001) compared with the initial values. CONCLUSIONS Electroacupuncture treatment is more effective than sit-up exercise in reducing weight and WC, making it an alternative treatment option for weight and WC control on obese women.
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Affiliation(s)
- C-H Hsu
- Community Medicine Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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17
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Lin JG, Chen GW, Su CC, Hung CF, Yang CC, Lee JH, Chung JG. Effects of garlic components diallyl sulfide and diallyl disulfide on arylamine N-acetyltransferase activity and 2-aminofluorene-DNA adducts in human promyelocytic leukemia cells. Am J Chin Med 2003; 30:315-25. [PMID: 12230020 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x02000338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Two components of garlic, diallyl sulfide (DAS) and diallyl disulfide (DADS), inhibited arylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity and 2-aminofluorene-DNA adduct in human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60). The NAT activity was measured by high performance liquid chromatography assaying for amounts of N-acetyl-2-aminofluorene (2-AAF) and remaining 2-aminofluorene (2-AF). Cellular cytosols and intact cell suspensions were assayed. The inhibition of NAT activity and 2-AF-DNA adduct formation in human leukemia cells by DAS and DADS were dose-dependent and were directly proportional. The data also indicated that DAS and DADS decrease the apparent values of Km and Vmax from human leukemia cells in both assays. This is the first report of garlic components affecting human leukemia cell NAT activity and 2-AF-DNA adduct formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J G Lin
- Institute of Chinese Medical Science, China Medical College, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC
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18
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Lin JG, Chen SY, Su CR. Assessment of sediment toxicity by metal speciation in different particle-size fractions of river sediment. Water Sci Technol 2003; 47:233-241. [PMID: 12793685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Mobility and toxicity of metals associated with sediments are generally affected by metal speciation and granular compositions. Due to the various speciation patterns of heavy metals in sediments, it is not reliable to assess the potential toxicity of heavy metals on the aquatic environment with the total concentrations of heavy metals in sediments. The purposes of this study were to investigate the distribution of metal speciation in different particle-size fractions of sediments collected from two rivers (the Ke-Ya River and Ell-Ren River) in Taiwan, and to assess their potential toxicity to the aquatic ecosystem. Metals in the exchangeable, carbonate-bound and Fe/Mn oxide-bound forms obtained by sequential extraction were considered to be mobile and related with anthropogenic pollution. The degree of metal pollution and potential toxicity of sediments were higher in the lower reaches of both rivers. The metal speciation in sediments had a bimodal distribution over particle-size fractions. Heavy metals were subject to accumulation in the silt/clay fraction (< 25 microm) and coarse sand (420-2,000 microm). By normalizing the sum of the exchangeable, carbonate-bound, and Fe/Mn oxide-bound metals, it suggested that the potential toxicity to the aquatic ecosystem was caused by the fine sediments as well as coarse sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- J G Lin
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, 75 Po-Ai Street, Hsinchu, Chinese Taiwan.
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19
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Chen SY, Lin JG, Lee CY. Effects of ferric ion on bioleaching of heavy metals from contaminated sediment. Water Sci Technol 2003; 48:151-158. [PMID: 14682582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Bioleaching is one of the promising procedures for removal of heavy metals from contaminated sediments. The advantages of this biotechnology are that it is easy, efficient, less costly and friendly to the environment. However, the principal disadvantage of this process is its slow kinetics in metal solubilization, which may limit practical application of the bioleaching process. In order to enhance the rate and efficiency of metal solubilization, the ferric ion was used as a catalytic agent in the bioleaching process. It was found that the sediment pH apparently decreased in the bioleaching after addition of ferric ion. The metal solubilization increased quickly after the addition of ferric ion. The rate of metal solubilization was enhanced by the addition of ferric ion, especially for Cr and Pb. An increase in the amount of ferric ion added increased the final efficiency of metal solubilization. The highest final efficiency of metal solubilization was obtained in the bioleaching with 1 g/L of ferric ion. Besides, the growth of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria was not affected by addition of ferric ion in the bioleaching. It was concluded that the kinetics of metal solubilization were enhanced by addition of ferric ion in the bioleaching process.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Y Chen
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, 75 Po-Ai Street, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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20
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Cheng YS, Cheng WC, Yao CH, Hsieh CL, Lin JG, Lai TY, Lin CC, Tsai CC. Effects of buyang huanwu decoction on peripheral nerve regeneration using silicone rubber chambers. Am J Chin Med 2002; 29:423-32. [PMID: 11789585 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x01000447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the effect of buyang huanwu decoction on the regeneration of a 10-mm gap of rat sciatic nerve created between the proximal and distal nerve stumps, which were sutured into silicone rubber tubes. Empty silicone rubber tubes with no further treatment were used as controls. Six weeks after implantation, 89% of the animals orally administered the buyang huanwu decoction exhibited regeneration across the nerve gaps, whereas only 70% had regenerated in the control group. Both qualitative and quantitative histology of the regenerated nerves revealed a more mature ultrastructural organization with significantly higher numbers of myelinated axons, larger endoneurial areas, higher axon densities and a larger percentage of axon area per total nerve area in the buyang huanwu group than in the controls. These results showed that the buyang huanwu decoction had a growth-promoting effect on the regenerated nerves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y S Cheng
- Institute of Chinese Medical Science, China Medical College, Taichung, Taiwan
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21
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Chen YS, Yao CH, Chen TH, Lin JG, Hsieh CL, Lin CC, Lao CJ, Tsai CC. Effect of acupuncture stimulation on peripheral nerve regeneration using silicone rubber chambers. Am J Chin Med 2002; 29:377-85. [PMID: 11789580 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x01000393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine whether acupuncture could affect the regeneration of a 10-mm gap of rat sciatic nerve created between the proximal and distal nerve stumps, which were sutured into silicone rubber tubes. Empty silicone rubber tubes with no further treatment were used as controls. Six weeks after implantation, the animals received the acupuncture or the electroneedling treatment exhibited a more mature ultrastructural nerve organization with significantly higher numbers in the axon density, the blood vessel area, and the percentage of blood vessel area occupied in total nerve area than the controls. In addition, the electroneedling could combine both the needling and the electrical stimulation to potentiate the nerve-growth promoting effect of the acupuncture treatment. These results showed that acupuncture treatment could elicit positive effects on regenerated peripheral nerves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y S Chen
- Institute of Chinese Medical Science, China Medical College, Taichung, Taiwan
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22
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Abstract
Several studies find that manual acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) are via different mechanisms and generate different effect on the central nervous system, therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the effect of manual acupuncture (MA) and TENS on the spinal cord using H-reflex recordings. A total of 13 healthy adult volunteers were studied. The electrical stimuli were delivered to the posterior tibial nerve transcutaneously at the left popliteal fossa to evoke the soleus H-reflex. MA, 2Hz TENS, 100 Hz TENS, respectively, was applied to the surface of the right first dorsal interosseous muscle exactly at the Hegu acupoint (LI.4). Four assessments were performed randomly, separated by an interval of at least three days in all the subjects as follows: 1) Control assessment: a pair of electrodes placed on the surface of the right Hegu acupoint (LI.4), but no electrical stimulation was delivered throughout the test; 2) MA assessment: MA was done at the right Hegu acupoint (LI.4) for 15 minutes; 3) TENS assessment at 2Hz: electrical stimulation (40 mA in intensity) at 2Hz was applied to the surface of the right Hegu acupoint (LI.4) for 15 minutes; 4) TENS assessment at 100 Hz: electrical stimulation (20 mA in intensity) at 100 Hz was applied to the surface of the right Hegu acupoint (LI.4) for 15 minutes. Each assessment was divided into three periods as follows: 1) Baseline period: H-reflexes recorded prior to MA or TENS; 2) TENS period: six H-reflex recordings after MA or TENS for a duration of 4-5 min, 9-10 min and 14-15 min, respectively; 3) Post TENS period: H-reflex recordings of 6 after TENS period 4-5 min and 9-10 min, respectively. Our results indicate that both 2Hz TENS and 100 Hz TENS increased the amplitude of the H-reflex, and that these increases may be retained longer with 100 Hz TENS than with 2 Hz TENS, whereas MA could not increase the amplitude of the H-reflex. MA, TENS at 2 Hz or 100 Hz didn't change the latencies of the H-reflexes. We conclude that both 2Hz and 100 Hz TENS increased the amplitude of the H-reflex, suggesting that TENS enhances the excitability of the motoneuron pool in the spinal cord, and 100 Hz TENS has a greater effect than 2Hz TENS, whereas MA was not similar effect to TENS on spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Q Y Chang
- Institute of Chinese Medical Science, China Medical College Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.
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23
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Liu HJ, Hsu SF, Hsieh CC, Ho TY, Hsieh CL, Tsai CC, Lin JG. The effectiveness of Tsu-San-Li (St-36) and Tai-Chung (Li-3) acupoints for treatment of acute liver damage in rats. Am J Chin Med 2002; 29:221-6. [PMID: 11527065 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x01000253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of acupuncture on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced acute liver injury in male rats (n=36). The experimental groups were injected with CCl4 before, during, or after acupuncture therapy. Acupoints similar to the human Tsu-San-Li (St-36) and Tai-Chung (Li-3) were needled bilaterally. Rats treated with CCl4 had higher levels of serum glutamate-oxalate-transaminase (sGOT) and serum glutamate-pyruvate-transaminase (sGPT). Comparing the experimental groups, biochemical and pathological parameters of liver injury were significantly reduced when rats were acupunctured after, not before, CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. Acupuncture at the Tsu-San-Li and Tai-Chung acupoints cannot prevent acute liver injury but may be effective in treating liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J Liu
- Acupuncture Research Center, Graduate Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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Chen YS, Hu CL, Hsieh CL, Lin JG, Tsai CC, Chen TH, Yao CH. Effects of percutaneous electrical stimulation on peripheral nerve regeneration using silicone rubber chambers. J Biomed Mater Res 2001; 57:541-9. [PMID: 11553884 DOI: 10.1002/1097-4636(20011215)57:4<541::aid-jbm1200>3.0.co;2-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine whether 0.8-1 mA, 2 Hz of percutaneous electrical stimulation could affect the regeneration of a 10-mm gap of rat sciatic nerve created between the proximal and distal nerve stumps, which were sutured into silicone rubber tubes. Six weeks after implantation, though the group receiving the electrical stimulation had a lower success percentage of regeneration (57%) compared with the controls receiving no stimulation (70%), quantitative histology of the successfully regenerated nerves revealed that the mean values of the axon density, blood vessel number, blood vessel area, and percentage of blood vessel area in total nerve area in the group with the electrical stimulation were all significantly larger than those in the controls (p < 0.05). These results showed that the electrical stimulation could elicit rehabilitating effects on the regenerated nerves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y S Chen
- Institute of Chinese Medical Science, China Medical College, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC
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Lin KJ, Chen JC, Tsauer W, Lin CC, Lin JG, Tsai CC. Prophylactic effect of four prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine on alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate and carbon tetrachloride induced toxicity in rats. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2001; 22:1159-67. [PMID: 11749818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To study the prophylactic effects of four Chinese traditional prescriptions against experimental liver injury. METHODS Liver toxins, alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT), and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) were used to induce acute liver injury. Simo Yin(SMY), Guizhi Fuling Wan (GFW), Xieqing Wan (XQW), and Sini San (SNS) were fed (500 mg/kg, in saline, po) to the rats before toxin administration. All the animals were killed 48 h after toxin insulted. Serum index of liver function and hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO) were estimated. Histopathological observation was conducted simultaneously. RESULTS The rats treated with ANIT exhibited elevations of serum total bilirubin (TBI), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamate-oxalate- transaminase (GOT), glutamate-pyruvate-transaminase (GPT), as well as cholestasis and parenchyma necrosis. In rats, challenged with ANIT, receiving the pre-treatment of prescriptions of SMY, XQW, and SNS, the biochemical and morphological parameters of liver injury were significantly reduced. The increased LPO level in liver tissue, associated with the provoked serum GOT and GPT levels were the salient features observed in CCl4-insulting rats. Pre-treatment of four prescriptions showed a remarkable protective effect, and also was effective in counteracting the free radical toxicity by bringing about a significant decrease in peroxidative level. CONCLUSION These recipes ameliorate liver damage induced by both ANIT and CCl4 despite the differences in their mechanisms of injury. Therefore they may be able to exert hepatoprotective effects through more than one mechanism of action because they contained a mixture of anti-hepatotoxic ingredients with mutual reinforcement and assistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J Lin
- Department of Surgery, China Medical College-Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, China
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26
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Su YC, Lin CJ, Chen KT, Lee SM, Lin JS, Tsai CC, Chou Y, Lin JG. Effects of huangqi jianzhong tang on hematological and biochemical parameters in judo athletes. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2001; 22:1154-8. [PMID: 11749817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of Huangqi Jianzhong Tang (HQJZT) on hematological and biochemical parameters in judo athletes. METHODS Sixteen male and eight female judo athletes in Hsin-Ming senior high school were randomly and stratified divided into control and experimental group, which received placebo and HQJZT respectively during the five-week training program. The measurement of the hematological and biochemical parameters was performed twice, just before and after the training. The data was analyzed with paired-t test and ANOVA. RESULTS The values of RBC, Hb, and Hct were obvious decreased after intervention, while the value of GOT, GPT, BUN, and CK was elevated. CONCLUSION The results indicated the hematological and biochemical changes were caused by the physical training but not the effects of HQJZT. The HQJZT had no adverse effects on the judo athletes in our study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y C Su
- Institute of Chinese Medical Science, China Medical College, Taichung, Taiwan, China
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Kao ST, Lin CS, Hsieh CC, Hsieh WT, Lin JG. Effects of xiao-qing-long-tang (XQLT) on bronchoconstriction and airway eosinophil infiltration in ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs: in vivo and in vitro studies. Allergy 2001; 56:1164-71. [PMID: 11736745 DOI: 10.1034/j.1398-9995.2001.00982.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Xiao-qing-long-tang (XQLT sho-seiru-to), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been used to treat patients with bronchial asthma in Oriental countries for several centuries. However, the therapeutic mechanisms of this Chinese medicine remain a matter of considerable debate. Therefore, a series of experiments using ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs was performed to elucidate the possible antiasthmatic effect of XQLT. METHODS The effect of XQLT on ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation in a guinea pig model of allergic asthma was examined, and early and late asthmatic responses were measured in terms of airway resistance and extent of eosinophil infiltration. Furthermore, the bronchorelaxing effect of XQLT was measured in isolated guinea pig trachea. RESULTS XQLT significantly inhibited the antigen-induced immediate asthmatic response (IAR) and late asthmatic response (LAR) in actively sensitized guinea pigs. Cumulative administration of XQLT caused concentration-dependent relaxation of the carbachol-precontracted guinea pig trachea. The bronchorelaxing effect of XQLT was reversed by ICI-118551, a selective beta2-adrenoceptor antagonist. Furthermore, examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) revealed that XQLT significantly suppressed the increase in eosinophils (24 h after antigen challenge) in the airway. In addition, XQLT significantly attenuated the increase in eosinophils at 1, 6, 24, 48, and 72 h after antigen challenge when it was administered once daily from the day of sensitization to the day of challenge. Histopathologic examination results showed that XQLT suppressed eosinophil infiltration into lung tissue. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that the antiasthmatic effects of XQLT appear to be partly mediated by stimulation of beta2-adrenoceptors, leading to bronchorelaxation, and that XQLT inhibits the infiltration of eosinophils into the airway. Thus, XQLT may be useful for the prevention or treatment of asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- S T Kao
- Institute of Chinese Medical Science, China Medical College, No. 91 Hsueh Shih Road, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC
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Liao ET, Chiang SY, Lao CJ, Tang NY, Hsieh CT, Lin JG. Effect of Rhizoma Corydalis on focal cerebral infarct in ischemia-reperfusion injured rats. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2001; 22:1143-8. [PMID: 11749819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To investigate the effect of Rhizoma Corydalis (RC) on focal cerebral infarct. METHODS A total of 30 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were studied. Focal cerebral infarct was established b y occluding the bilateral common carotid arteries and the right middle cerebral artery for 90 min. After 24 h reperfusion, the neurological status was evaluated and then the rats were killed and the brain tissue was stained with 2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride. The neurological status and the changes in the area of cerebral infarct were used as an index to evaluate the effect of RC on cerebral infarct. In addition, the whole blood was examined 24 h after RC treatment in the other 24 SD rats. RESULTS Pretreatment with RC 100 mg/kg can improve neurological status and also can reduce the area of cerebral infarct in ischemia-reperfusion injured rats. The counts of erythrocyte and the amount of hematocrit increased in whole blood of RC-treated rats. CONCLUSION RC can improve neurological status and reduce the area of cerebral infarct in ischemia-reperfusion injured rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- E T Liao
- Internal Medicine of Chinese Medicine Department, China Medical College Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, China
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29
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Kao ST, Yeh CC, Hsieh CC, Yang MD, Lee MR, Liu HS, Lin JG. The Chinese medicine Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang inhibited proliferation of hepatoma cell lines by inducing apoptosis via G0/G1 arrest. Life Sci 2001; 69:1485-96. [PMID: 11554610 DOI: 10.1016/s0024-3205(01)01226-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang (BZYQT), a Chinese herbal medicine, inhibited the proliferation of human hepatoma cell lines (Hep3B, HepG2 and HA22T) dose-dependently. The IC50s of BZYQT on the proliferation of Hep3B, HepG2 and HA22T were 432.5+/-31.8 microg/ml, 455.4+/-24.2 microg/ml, and 2284.3+/-77.2 microg/ml respectively on day 3. However, BZYQT did not significantly inhibit the proliferation of normal human hepatocytes (Chang liver, CCL-13) at the concentration under 5,000 microg/ml. Major compounds of BZYQT, including astragaloside IV, ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1, saikosaponin a and c, and glycyrrhizin, have been identified. To investigate the key inhibitors of BZYQT. Hep3B cells were treated with BZYQT, individual major compounds of BZYQT, and mixture of major compounds in the same ratio as present in BZYQT. Significant inhibition of proliferation was detected in BZYQT and its major compounds mixture in a comparable level. Not any individual major compound examined could suppress the proliferation of Hep3B cells. This data indicated that there could be synergistic or additive effects of the ingredients in BZYQT. BrdU incorporation, cell cycle analysis and DNA fragmentation assay revealed that BZYQT suppressed the proliferation of hepatoma cells via G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and inhibition of DNA synthesis followed by apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- S T Kao
- China Medical College Hospital, China Medical College, Taichung, Taiwan.
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30
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Kao ST, Yeh TJ, Hsieh CC, Shiau HB, Yeh FT, Lin JG. The effects of Ma-Xing-Gan-Shi-Tang on respiratory resistance and airway leukocyte infiltration in asthmatic guinea pigs. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2001; 23:445-58. [PMID: 11694034 DOI: 10.1081/iph-100107343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Ma-Xing-Gan-Shi-Tang (MXGST), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been used in treatment of the bronchial asthma for several centuries. However, the therapeutic mechanisms of this Chinese medicine are still far from clear. To understand the mechanism of anti-asthmatic property of MXGST, a guinea pig model of allergic asthma was used to investigate the effects of MXGST on Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus-induced early and late asthmatic responses and airway inflammation, and examine direct beta2-adrenoceptor agonist activity in guinea-pig isolated trachea. Administration of MXGST (10 g/kg) extracts significantly inhibited the antigen induced immediate asthmatic responses (IAR) in actively sensitized guinea pig. MXGST caused concentration-dependent relaxation in strips of guinea pig trachea contracted with carbachol, and ICI-118551, a selective beta2-adrenoceptor antagonist, significantly inhibit the relaxation caused by MXGST. Furthermore, examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) revealed that MXGST significantly inhibited the increase in neutrophil in the airway at 1, 6 and 24 hr after antigen challenge. Histopathologic examination results showed that MXGST suppressed the neutrophil infiltration into lung tissue. In conclusion, we suggest that the anti-asthmatic effects of MXGST are mainly due to its stimulation of beta2-adrenoceptors on bronchial smooth muscle and its anti-inflammatory ability to inhibit the neutrophil into the airway. The precise mechanism of action of MXGST in asthma remains to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- S T Kao
- Institute of Chinese Medical Science, China Medical, College, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.
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Abstract
Bioleaching process, which causes acidification and solubilization of heavy metals, is one of the promising methods for removing heavy metals from contaminated sediments. The solubilization of heavy metals from contaminated sediments is governed by the sediment pH. In the present study, the significance of pH in bioleaching of heavy metals from contaminated sediment was evaluated at different solid contents of sediments in a bench-scale reactor. Results showed that a temporal change of pH in the bioleaching process was effected by the buffering capacity of the sediment particulates. The variations of pH in this bioleaching process were calculated by a modified logistic model. It was observed that solubilization of heavy metals from sediments is highly pH-dependent. In addition, a non-linear equation for metal solubilization relating pH value in the bioleaching process was established. This allows an easier and faster estimate of metal solubilization by measuring pH in the bioleaching process.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Y Chen
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, ROC
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Chen KT, Su YC, Lin JG, Hsin LH, Su YP, Su CH, Li SY, Cheng JH, Mao SJ. Identification of Atractylodes plants in Chinese herbs and formulations by random amplified polymorphic DNA. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2001; 22:493-7. [PMID: 11747753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM An efficient, precise, and sensitive method for identifying Atractylodes plants has been established and will contribute significantly to quality control and scientific analysis in Chinese traditional medicine. METHODS Twenty primers were applied for setting up the RAPD (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA) markers of Atractylodes plants, Atractylodes lancea DC (A lancea DC), Atractylodes japonica Koidz (A japonica K), and Atractylodes ovata DC (A ovata DC). The primer OPF03, OPF05, and OPF14 could discriminate them successfully. The results were also able to apply on the Chinese formulations with Atractylodes purchased from local markets. RESULTS RAPD was used to investigate phylogenetic relationships among and within closely related species. RAPD analysis reflects heritable changes in the nucleotides sequence in both the coding and noncoding regions, because it is conducted directly from the DNA level. This work first conducted RAPD analysis of Atractylodes plants to establish their RAPD makers. CONCLUSION The RAPD markers could be applied extensively in the Chinese herbal formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- K T Chen
- Department of Cosmetics Application and Management, Department of Chemical Engineering, Chin-min College, Miao-li 351, Taiwan, China
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33
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Abstract
Nutrition is the major source of bioenergy. The present study investigated the physiological response to fasting by analyzing the effect of fasting on the pulse spectrum of the radial artery. Sixteen subjects were allowed to take only mineral water for 24 hours, and the pulse was measured at intervals during fasting and after eating resumed. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Scheffe's test for pairwise comparisons. The results indicate the second harmonic of the radial pulse increased and the sixth harmonic decreased significantly after 24 hours of fasting. The proportions of the second harmonic then decreased significantly and those of the sixth harmonic increased significantly 12 hours after eating resumed. These findings suggest that a rhythm exists in physiological changes and the distribution of bioenergy, which ensures that the overall heart load will remain unchanged during the fasting and re-feeding periods, maintaining a stable overall balance in body function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y C Su
- Basic Chinese Medicine Laboratory, Institute of Chinese Medical Science, China Medical College, Taichung, Taiwan
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34
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Abstract
The remediation of metal-contaminated sediment was studied using the bioleaching process with a mixed culture of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. The effects of substrate concentration (elemental sulfur) on sediment acidification, sulfur oxidation and metal solubilization from contaminated sediment during the bioleaching process were investigated with free-cell suspensions. Sulfur concentration greater than 0.5% (w/v) was found to be inhibitory to bacterial activity and metal solubilization from sediment. The sulfate production was well described by a substrate inhibition expression and Haldane's equation. In addition, an empirical equation related to sulfur concentration was also used to describe the metal solubilization in the bioleaching process.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Y Chen
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, 75 Po-Ai Street, Hsinchu, Taiwan, ROC
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Chung JG, Chen GW, Hung CF, Lee JH, Ho CC, Ho HC, Chang HL, Lin WC, Lin JG. Effects of berberine on arylamine N-acetyltransferase activity and 2-aminofluorene-DNA adduct formation in human leukemia cells. Am J Chin Med 2001; 28:227-38. [PMID: 10999441 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x00000271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Berberine is an alkaloid occurring in the plant genera Berberis and Coptis. Although berberine had been demonstrated to have antineoplastic function by inhibiting DNA-synthesis in activated lymphocytes, there is no available information to address berberine affects on human leukemia cell N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity and 2-aminofluorene (AF)-DNA adduct formation. Thus, berberine was tested for inhibition of arylamine NAT activity and AF-DNA adduct formation in human leukemia cells. The NAT activity was measured by a high performance liquid chromatography assaying for the amounts of N-acetyl-2-aminofluorene (AAF) and N-acetyl-p-aminobenzoic acid (N-Ac-PABA) and the remaining AF and p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA). The NAT activity and AF-DNA adduct formation in human leukemia cells were inhibited by berberine in a dose-dependent manner, i.e. the higher the concentration of berberine, the higher the inhibition of NAT activity and AF-DNA adduct. The data also indicate that berberine decreased the apparent values of Km and Vmax from human leukemia cells in both cytosol and intact cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- J G Chung
- Department of Microbiology, China Medical College, Taichung, Taiwan
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36
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Chiu JH, Cheng HC, Tai CH, Hsieh JC, Yeh TC, Cheng H, Lin JG, Ho LT. Electroacupuncture-induced neural activation detected by use of manganese-enhanced functional magnetic resonance imaging in rabbits. Am J Vet Res 2001; 62:178-82. [PMID: 11212024 DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.2001.62.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of acupuncture on neural activity detected by use of manganese-enhanced functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and elucidate the relationship between somatic acupoint stimulation and brain activation. ANIMALS 40 New Zealand White rabbits. PROCEDURE Manganese-enhanced fMRI was performed in anesthetized rabbits manipulated with electroacupuncture (EA) on Zusanli (ST-36) and Yanglingquan (GB-34) acupoints. Image acquisition was performed on a 1.5T superconductive clinical scanner with a circular polarized extremity coil. T1-weighted images were acquired sequentially as follows: baseline, after mannitol injection, after manganese infusion, and 5 and 20 minutes after initiation of EA. RESULTS Changes in focal neural activity were detected by use of manganese-enhanced fMRI. Stimulation on Zusanli (ST-36) for 5 minutes resulted in activation of the hippocampus, whereas stimulation on Yanglingquan (GB-34) resulted in activation of the hypothalamus, insula, and motor cortex. Activation became less specific after 20 minutes of EA. Furthermore, stimulation on ipsilateral acupoints led to bilateral brain activation. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Each acupoint has a corresponding cerebral linkage, and stimulation on these points resulted in time-dependent neural activation. Understanding the linkage between peripheral acupoint stimulation and central neural pathways may provide a useful guide for clinical applications of acupuncture.
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Affiliation(s)
- J H Chiu
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
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37
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Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Much is still unknown about the clinical significance of TT virus (TTV), which has been reported as a candidate for non A-G hepatitis virus. The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical significance of TTV in patients coinfected with TTV and hepatitis C virus (HCV). METHODS The 95 subjects studied had chronic hepatitis C (CHC), and underwent interferon (IFN) therapy. TT Virus DNA was detected by using polymerase chain reaction. The nucleotide sequences were determined by using a dideoxy chain termination method. A phylogenetic tree was drawn up by using the neighbor-joining method. RESULTS TT Virus DNA was detected in 37.9% of patients with the use of an open reading frame 1 (ORF1) primer, and in 88.4% of patients by using a 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) primer. Using both sets of primers, no differences were found between TTV-DNA-positive and -negative subjects with CHC in the clinical findings. Serum TTV DNA was eradicated in 30.6% of patients with the ORF1 primer, and in 19.1% of patients with the 5' UTR primer at 6 months after the cessation of IFN therapy. The levels of TTV DNA before IFN therapy were significantly lower in the viral eradication group than in non-eradication group. The changes in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentrations were significantly correlated with changes in HCV-RNA in CHC patients with TTV. Moreover, there was no correlation between the changes in TTV DNA and the course of ALT. CONCLUSION Hepatocellular injury in patients with chronic hepatitis who are coinfected with HCV and TTV appears to primarily be caused by HCV and is less attributable to TTV.
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Affiliation(s)
- X W Meng
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Akita University School of Medicine, Akita City, Japan
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38
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Cheng HF, Chen SY, Lin JG. Hazardous organic matters in municipal sewage sludge in Taiwan. Water Sci Technol 2001; 44:65-70. [PMID: 11794683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Application of municipal sewage sludge to agricultural land has attracted significant attention in recent years because it conserves abundant nutrients and hydrocarbons that can be used as a soil amendment. The presence of hazardous organic matters (HOMs) in sewage sludge limits the feasibility of reuse of sewage sludge. The purpose of this study was to investigate the types and the concentrations of HOMs in municipal sewage sludge in Taiwan. An efficient SFE/GC/MS method was used to determine HOMs in sludge samples. The results indicated that di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was persistently found in both aerobically and anaerobically digested sludges. 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) was only found in anaerobically digested sludges. Both DEHP and 4-NP have been characterized as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) or environmental endorine disruptors (EEDs). It suggested that sludges containing high levels of DEHP and 4-NP need further treatment and reduction of possible impacts on the environment before their reuse as soil fertilizers.
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Affiliation(s)
- H F Cheng
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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39
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Kao ST, Yang SL, Hsieh CC, Yang MD, Wang TF, Lin JG. Immunomodulation of Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang on in vitro granulocyte colony-stimulating-factor and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2000; 22:711-20. [PMID: 11105783 DOI: 10.3109/08923970009016434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang (BZYQT) is a Chinese medicine, and has been used for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. At present, we still do not fully understand the effects of BZYQT on the cellular physiology. Present in vitro study demonstrated that BZYQT is capable of increasing granulocyte colony-stimulating-factor (G-CSF) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in healthy volunteers and patients with HCC. The productions of G-CSF and TNF-alpha by PBMC of volunteers were significantly stimulated by more than 125 microg/ml of BZYQT. G-CSF levels stimulated by PBMC of healthy volunteers were higher than in PBMC of the HCC patients when more than 625 microg/ml of BZYQT was administrated. The reason may be due to the impaired immunologic reactivity of mononuclear cells in HCC patients. However, the production levels of TNF-alpha in HCC patients can be stimulated to levels as high as those in healthy volunteers. When adding high concentration (3.125 mg/ml) of BZYQT to the cultured PBMC, the increments of G-CSF and TNF-alpha production decreased although there were no obvious changes in the number of metabolic active PBMC changed. TNF-alpha andG-CSF are known to play important roles in the biological defensive mechanism. These findings show that BZYQT is a unique formula for the stimulation of PBMC to produce G-CSF and TNF-alpha. Administration of BZYQT may be beneficial for patients with HCC to modulate these cytokines.
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MESH Headings
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/administration & dosage
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/pharmacology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/blood
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/immunology
- Case-Control Studies
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology
- Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor/biosynthesis
- Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor/blood
- Humans
- In Vitro Techniques
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/drug effects
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/immunology
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism
- Liver Neoplasms/blood
- Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Liver Neoplasms/immunology
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/biosynthesis
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Affiliation(s)
- S T Kao
- Department of Immunology and Cellular Physiology, School of Post Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, China Medical College, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.
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40
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Hsieh CL, Chang CH, Chiang SY, Li TC, Tang NY, Pon CZ, Hsieh CT, Lin JG. Anticonvulsive and free radical scavenging activities of vanillyl alcohol in ferric chloride-induced epileptic seizures in Sprague-Dawley rats. Life Sci 2000; 67:1185-95. [PMID: 10954052 DOI: 10.1016/s0024-3205(00)00706-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Vanillyl alcohol (VA) is a component of Gastrodia elata Bl. (GE), which is a traditional Chinese herb widely used to treat convulsive disorders or dizziness. This study examined the role of VA in the anticonvulsive properties of GE in a Sprague-Dawley rat model of epilepsy. The anticonvulsive and free radical scavenging activities of VA were examined after intracortical injection of ferric chloride (100 mM, 8 microl) to induce epileptic seizures. These seizures were verified by behavioral observations and electroencephalographic (EEG) and electromyographic (EMG) recordings. Ferric chloride injection resulted in increased lipid peroxide levels in the ipsilateral and contralateral cerebral cortex, and increased luminol-chemiluminescence (CL) and lucigenin-CL counts in the peripheral blood. Intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of VA (200 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg) or phenytoin 10 mg/kg prior to ferric chloride administration significantly inhibited wet dog shakes (WDS) and lipid peroxide levels in the bilateral cerebral cortex. VA 200 mg/kg also significantly reduced luminol-CL and lucigenin-CL counts in the peripheral blood, but no significant effect was observed following administration of VA 100 mg/kg or phenytoin. These data indicate that VA has both anticonvulsive and suppressive effects on seizures and lipid peroxidation induced by ferric chloride in rats. Data from the present study also demonstrate that VA has free radical scavenging activities, which may be responsible for its anticonvulsive propertics. This finding is consistent with the results from previous studies that generation of superoxide radical evoked by injection of iron salt into rat brain plays a critical role in ferric chloride-induced seizures. In addition, the results of the present study suggest that the anticonvulsive effect of GE may be attributable, at least in part, to its VA component.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Hsieh
- School of Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Science, China Medical College, Taichung, Taiwan
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41
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Kao ST, Yeh TJ, Hsieh CC, Yeh FT, Lin JG. Effect of San-Ao-Tang on immediate and late airway response and leukocyte infiltration in asthmatic guinea pigs. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2000; 22:143-62. [PMID: 10737263 DOI: 10.3109/08923970009016412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
San-Ao-Tang (SAT), a traditional Chinese medicines, has been used to treat patients with the bronchial asthma for several centuries. However, the therapeutic mechanisms of this Chinese medicine are still far from clear. To understand the mechanism of antiasthmatic property of SAT, a guinea pig model of allergic asthma was used to investigate the effects of SAT on Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus-induced immediate and late asthmatic responses and airway inflammation. Our results showed that administration of SAT (10 g/kg) extracts significantly inhibited the antigen induced immediate asthmatic responses (IAR) in actively sensitized guinea pig. Examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) revealed that SAT significantly inhibited the increase in neutrophil in the airway at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 hr after antigen challenge. Histopathologic examination showed SAT suppressed the neutrophil infiltration into lung tissue. These results suggest that the antiasthmatic effect of SAT be mainly due to its bronchodilator effect and its ability to inhibit the neutrophil into the airway. The precise mechanism of action of SAT in asthma remains to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- S T Kao
- Department of Immunology and Cellular Physiology, School of Post Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, and China Medical College Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of acupuncture on delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) produced by exercise. Baseline data were collected on 20 male subjects for intensity of muscle soreness and serum creatine kinase (CK) activity. All values were subsequently reassessed 24, 48 and 72 hours after exercise. The experimental group received acupuncture treatment while the control group received no treatment. Muscle soreness perception was significantly less (P < 0.05) at 72 hours in the acupuncture treated group compared to control group. However, the change in CK was not significantly different between groups. These results suggest that acupuncture is effective in decreasing muscle soreness but does not prevent CK release from muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- J G Lin
- Acupuncture Research Center, China Medical College, Taichung, Taiwan
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43
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Hsieh CL, Tang NY, Chiang SY, Hsieh CT, Lin JG. Anticonvulsive and free radical scavenging actions of two herbs, Uncaria rhynchophylla (MIQ) Jack and Gastrodia elata Bl., in kainic acid-treated rats. Life Sci 1999; 65:2071-82. [PMID: 10579461 DOI: 10.1016/s0024-3205(99)00473-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Jack (UR) and Gastrodia elata BI. (GE) are traditional Chinese herbs that are usually used in combination to treat convulsive disorders, such as epilepsy, in China. The aim of this study was to compare the anticonvulsive and free radical scavenging activities of UR alone and UR in combination with GE in rats. For the in vitro studies, brain tissues from 6 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were treated with 120 microg/ml kainic acid (KA), with or without varied concentrations of UR or UR plus GE. For the in vivo studies, male SD rats (6 per group) received intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of KA 12 mg/kg to induce epileptic seizures and generation of free radicals, with or without oral administration of UR 1 g/kg alone or UR 1 g/kg plus GE 1 g/kg. Epileptic seizures were verified by behavioral observations, and electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) recordings. These results showed that UR alone decreased KA-induced lipid peroxide levels in vitro, whereas UR plus GE did not produce a greater effect than UR alone. UR significantly reduced counts of wet dog shakes (WDS), paw tremor (PT) and facial myoclonia (FM) in KA-treated rats and significantly delayed the onset time of WDS, from 27 min in the control group to 40 min in the UR group. UR plus GE did not inhibit seizures more effectively than UR alone, but did further prolong the onset time of WDS to 63 min (P < 0.05 vs. UR alone). UR alone reduced the levels of free radicals in vivo, as measured by lipid peroxidation in the brain and luminol-chemiluminescence (CL) counts and lucigenin-CL counts in the peripheral whole blood, but the combination of GE and UR did not reduce free radical levels more markedly than UR alone. In conclusion, our results indicate that UR has anticonvulsive and free radical scavenging activities, and UR combined with GE exhibit greater inhibition on the onset time of WDS than UR alone. These findings suggest that the anticonvulsive effects of UR and GE may be synergistic. However, the mechanism of interaction between UR and GE remains unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Hsieh
- School of Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Science, China Medical College, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC
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44
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of tetramethylpyrazine, an alkaloid isolated from a Chinese herb Ligusticum wallichii Franch, on portal hypertensive rats. METHODS There were three groups of animals: partial portal vein ligated (PVL) rats, bile duct ligated (BDL) rats and sham-operated (Sham) rats. Each rat in every group was given only one of three treatment regimens: tetramethylpyrazine 30 or 50 mg/kg/12 h, or vehicle (0.2 N HCl, 0.7 ml/12 h). There were seven rats allocated to each regimen, with a total of 63 rats studied. Tetramethylpyrazine or vehicle was given via gastric gavage every 12 h for 8 days, starting just after PVL or 3 weeks after BDL, and haemodynamic parameters were measured thereafter. RESULTS Both PVL and BDL rats exhibited portal hypertensive and hyperdynamic state as compared with Sham rats. Eight-day tetramethylpyrazine treatment induced dose-dependent reductions of portal venous pressure (PVP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and total peripheral resistance (TPR) in both PVL and BDL rats. Tetramethylpyrazine at 30 and 50 mg/kg/12 h induced PVP reduction by 10.2 and 16.1% in PVL rats, and 10.5 and 14.8% in BDL rats, respectively, as compared with the vehicle group. There were no significant changes of cardiac index or heart rate (HR) after tetramethylpyrazine treatment in either PVL or BDL rats. In the Sham rats, tetramethylpyrazine did not significantly change PVP, MAP, HR or TPR, despite a tendency of reduction. CONCLUSION Our results showed that 8-day treatment of tetramethylpyrazine induced reductions of both portal venous and systemic arterial pressure in portal hypertensive rats with and without cirrhosis. Overall, the therapeutic effects are neither outstandingly efficacious nor altogether beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- F C Chang
- Xiyuan Hospital and Institute of Geriatrics, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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45
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Lin JG, Chung JG, Wu LT, Chen GW, Chang HL, Wang TF. Effects of berberine on arylamine N-acetyltransferase activity in human colon tumor cells. Am J Chin Med 1999; 27:265-75. [PMID: 10467460 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x99000306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Berberine was used to determine loss of viable cells and inhibition of arylamine Nacetyltransferase (NAT) activity in a human colon tumor (adenocarcinoma) cell line. The viable cells were determined by trypan blue exclusion under a light microscope. The NAT activity was measured by high performance liquid chromatography for the amounts of N-acetyl-2-aminofluorene (AAF), N-acetyl-p-aminobenzoic acid (N-Ac-PABA), and the remaining 2-aminofluorene (AF) and p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA). The viability and NAT activity in a human colon tumor cell line was inhibited by berberine in a dose-dependent manner, i.e., the higher the concentration of berberine, the higher the inhibition of NAT activity and cell death. The NAT activities measured in the intact human colon tumor cells were decreased over 50% by AAF and NAc-PABA production from acetylation of AF and PABA. The apparent values of Kmoff and Vmax of NAT from colon tumor cells were also inhibited by berberine in cytosols and in intact cells. This report is the first to show that berberine did affect human colon tumor cell NAT activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- J G Lin
- Institute of Chinese Medical Science, China Medical College, Taichung, Taiwan
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46
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Abstract
This work investigated the therapeutic effects of the improved form of moxibustion (MT) on experimental tumor. Sarcoma 180 cells (1 x 10(7)) were transplanted into the subcutaneous tissue in the breast area of female ICR mice. Mice bearing a tumor were divided into one control and four experimental groups. The experimental groups were treated with MT for 1, 2, 3 and 4 times (abbreviated as MT1, MT2, MT3, MT4, respectively). This study showed that the experimental group treated with MT3 displayed the optimal therapeutic response. The longest mean survival time (87.8 days) within 120 days after treatment of MT3 significantly differed from the control group (60.2 days). In addition, uptake of 86Rb-radioactive tracer significantly decreased in tumors treated with MT3. The improved form of moxibustion used in this study is a reliable model of localized hyperthermia in tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- D M Hau
- Department of Life Science, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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47
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Hsieh CL, Chen MF, Li TC, Li SC, Tang NY, Hsieh CT, Pon CZ, Lin JG. Anticonvulsant effect of Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq) Jack. in rats with kainic acid-induced epileptic seizure. Am J Chin Med 1999; 27:257-64. [PMID: 10467459 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x9900029x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the anticonvulsant effect of Uncaria rhynchophylla (UR) and the physiological mechanisms of its action in rats. A total of 70 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were selected for study. Thirty four of these rats were divided into 5 groups as follows: 1) CONTROL GROUP (n = 6): received intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of kainic acid (KA, 12 mg/kg); 2) UR1000 group (n = 10), 3) UR500 group (n = 6) 4) UR250 group, received UR 1000, 500, 250 mg/kg i.p. 30 min prior to KA administration, respectively; 5) Contrast group: received carbamazepine 20 mg/kg i.p. 30 min prior to KA administration. Behavior and EEG were monitored from 15 min prior to drug administration to 3 hours after KA administration. The number of wet dog shakes were counted at 10 min intervals throughout the experimental course. The remaining 36 rats were used to measure the lipid peroxide level in the cerebral cortex one hour after KA administration. These rats were divided into 6 groups of 6 rats as follows: 1) Normal group: no treatment was given; 2) CONTROL GROUP: received KA (12 mg/kg) i.p.; 3) UR1000 group, 4) UR500 group, 5) UR250 group, received UR 1000, 500, 250 mg/kg i.p. 30 min prior to KA administration, respectively; 6) Contrast group: received carbamazepine 20 mg/kg i.p. 30 min prior to KA administration. Our results indicated that both UR 1000 and 500 mg/kg decreased the incidence of KA-induced wet dog shakes, no similar effect was observed in the UR 250 mg/kg and carbamazepine 20 mg/kg group. Treatment with UR 1000 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, or 250 mg/kg and carbamazepine 20 mg/kg decreased KA-induced lipid peroxide level in the cerebral cortex and was dose-dependent. These findings suggest that the anticonvulsant effect of UR possibly results from its suppressive effect on lipid peroxidation in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Hsieh
- School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical College, Taichung, Taiwan
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48
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Chen GW, Hung CF, Chang SH, Lin JG, Chung JG. Purification and characterization of an arylamine N-acetyltransferase from Lactobacillus acidophilus. Microbios 1999; 98:159-74. [PMID: 10464952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
N-acetyltransferase from Lactobacillus acidophilus was purified by ultrafiltration, DEAE-Sephacel, gel filtration chromatography on Sephadex G-100, and DEAE-5pw on high performance liquid chromatography, as judged by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) on a 12% (w/v) slab gel. The purified enzyme was thermostable at 37 degrees C for 1 h with a half-life of 32 min at 37 degrees C, and displayed optimum activity at 37 degrees C and pH 7.0. The K(m) and Vmax values for 2-aminofluorene were 0.842 mM and 2.406 nmol/min/mg protein, respectively. Among a series of divalent cations and salts, Zn2+, Ca2+, Fe2+, Mg2+, and Cu2+ were demonstrated to be the most potent inhibitors. The enzyme had a molecular mass of 44.9 kD. The three chemical modification agents, iodoacetamide, phenylglyoxal, and diethylpyrocarbonate, all exhibited dose-, time-, and temperature-dependent inhibition effects. Preincubation of purified N-acetyltransferase with acetyl coenzyme A (AcCoA) provided significant protection against the inhibition of iodoacetamide and diethylpyrocarbonate, but only partial protection against the inhibition of phenylglyoxal. These results indicate that cysteine, histidine, and arginine residues are essential for this bacterial activity, and the first two are likely to reside on the AcCoA binding site, but the arginine residue may be located close to the AcCoA binding site. This report is the first demonstration of acetyl CoA:arylamine N-acetyltransferase in L. acidophilus.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W Chen
- Department of Surgery, China Medical College Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Chang FC, Huang YT, Lin HC, Hong CY, Lin JG, Chen KJ. Beneficial effects of combined terlipressin and tetramethylpyrazine administration on portal hypertensive rats. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 1999; 77:618-24. [PMID: 10543725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of terlipressin (TP) alone or in combination with tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) on anesthetized portal hypertensive rats. Portal hypertension was induced by either partial portal vein ligation (PVL, without cirrhosis) or bile duct ligation (BDL, with cirrhosis) in Sprague-Dawley rats. Each PVL or BDL rat received only one of the two regimens: vehicle for 3 min followed by TP (0.017 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1) for 3 min) or TMP (10 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1) for 3 min) followed by TP. In PVL rats, infusion of vehicle followed by TP induced significant reduction of portal venous pressure (PVP, -15.0+/-1.0%) and prominent elevation of mean arterial pressure (MAP, 57.3+/-8.1%) as well as total peripheral resistance (TPR, 113+/-11%) from baseline, and there was a cardiodepressant response (cardiac index, CI, -26.3+/-1.1%). Infusion of TMP followed by TP induced significant reduction of PVP (-20.3+/-0.4%) and CI (-9.9+/-1.2%) and significant elevation of MAP (31.3+/-2.5%) and TPR (46.0+/-4.1%) from baseline. In BDL rats, infusion of vehicle followed by TP also induced significant reduction of PVP (-13.8+/-1.7%) but an increase in MAP (57.1+/-2.2%) and TPR (101+/-6%) from baseline, and there also was a cardiodepressant response (CI, -21.4+/-2.3%). Infusion of TMP followed by TP induced significant reduction of PVP (-18.9+/-1.4%) and CI (-11.9+/-2.1%), but an increase in MAP (36.2+/-2.5%) and TPR (55.0+/-5.2%). Compared with vehicle followed by TP, TMP not only significantly enhanced portal hypotensive (PVP reduction) effects of TP but also attenuated the systemic pressor (MAP and TPR elevation) and cardiodepressant (CI reduction) effects of TP in both PVL and BDL rats. Our results suggest that TP, alone or in combination with TMP, induced portal hypotensive effects in two models of portal hypertensive rats. Combination of TP and TMP was beneficial in enhancing portal hypotensive effects of TP and ameliorating the systemic pressor and cardiodepressant effects of TP.
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Affiliation(s)
- F C Chang
- Xiyuan Hospital and Institute of Geriatrics, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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Chen ML, Lin LC, Wu SC, Lin JG. The effectiveness of acupressure in improving the quality of sleep of institutionalized residents. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 1999; 54:M389-94. [PMID: 10496543 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/54.8.m389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elderly people often suffer from disturbed sleep. Because traditional Chinese medicine indicates that acupressure therapy may induce sedation, testing the effectiveness of acupressure in enhancing the quality of sleep of institutionalized residents with a well-designed scientific study is needed. METHODS A randomized block experimental design was used. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire was used as a screening tool to select subjects with sleep disturbance. By matching the effects of hypertension, hypnosis, naps, and exercise, subjects were randomly assigned to an acupressure group, a sham acupressure group, and a control group. Each group had 28 subjects for a total of 84 subjects. The same massage routine was used in the acupressure group and the sham acupressure group, whereas only conversation was employed in the control group. RESULTS There were significant differences in PSQI subscale scores of the quality, latency, duration, efficiency, disturbances of sleep, and global PSQI scores among subjects in the three groups before and after interventions. Furthermore, there was a significant reduction in the frequencies of nocturnal awakening and night wakeful time in the acupressure group compared to the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS This study confirmed the effectiveness of acupressure in improving the quality of sleep of elderly people and offered a nonpharmacological therapy method for sleep-disturbed elderly people.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Chen
- Department of Nursing, National Taipei Nursing College, Taiwan
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