Design,delivery and efficacy testing of therapeutic nucleic acids used to inhibit hepatitis C virus gene expression in vitro and in vivo

Despite major achievements in the treatment ofchronic hepatitis C with the combination ofinterferons and the nucleoside analog ribavirin themajority of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection cannot be treated effectively.Toimprove this response rate we used antisensetechnologies to inhibit HCV translation as possibleadditional option for experimental treatment.Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides(ODN) are

Therapeutic and Medicinal Uses of <i>Aloe vera</i>: A Review

The plant Aloe vera is used in Ayurvedic, Homoeopathic and Allopathic streams of medicine, and not only tribal community but also most of the people for food and medicine. The plant leaves contains numerous vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, natural sugars and other bioactive compounds with emollient, purgative, anti-microbial, anti inflammatory, antioxidant, aphrodisiac, anti-helmenthic, antifungal, antiseptic and cosmetic values for health care. This plant has potential to cure sunburns, burns and minor cuts, and even skin cancer. The external use in cosmetic primarily acts as skin healer and prevents injury of epithelial tissues, cures acne and gives a youthful glow to skin, also acts as extremely powerful laxative.

Continuous Wear of Hydrogel Contact Lenses for Therapeutic Use

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy and complications of continuous wear of etafilcon A for therapeutic use. Materials and Methods: The subjects were 228 eyes of 219 outpatients prescribed contact lens (CL) for one week of continuous therapeutic wear during 10 years. The reason for prescription of CLs, the primary disease, the duration of CL wear and the complications were assessed retrospectively. Results: The predominant reason for prescription of CLs was relief of pain or a foreign-body sensation (62.3%) and protection of the corneal epithelium (20.6%). The primary disease was post-penetrating keratoplasty (36.8%), followed by corneal epithelial erosion (14.5%), post-lamellar keratoplasty (14.0%) and bullous keratopathy (12.2%). The average duration of wearing single lens was 6.5 ± 3.2 days. The average duration of wearing CLs in total was 9.2 ± 10.7 months. The most frequent problem associated with continuous wear of CLs was their dropping out of CLs (12.3%). The complications associated with CLs included conjunctivitis with papillary hyperplasia, corneal erosion and superficial punctate keratitis, but corneal ulcer and corneal infiltrates were not found. Conclusion: Serious complications were not shown changing the lenses every week to keep to the prescribed time limit for continuous therapeutic wear, even if corneal epithelial barrier function is impaired.

Comparison of long-lasting therapeutic effects between succimer and penicillamine on hepatolenticular degeneration

AIM To compare the long term effect of succimer (Suc) with that of penicillamine (Pen) in treating hepatolenticular degeneration (HLD). METHODS One hundred and twenty patients with HLD were divided into 2 groups. Group A ( n =60) received Suc 750mg , po. bid. Group B ( n =60) received Pen 250mg , po. qid. The period of maintenance treatment varied from 6 months to 3 years, averaging 1 5 years. Symptoms and therapeutic effects were evaluated by modified Goldstein scale. RESULTS The total effectiveness of group A in two different periods of treatment were 80% and 85% respectively, higher than those of group B (58% and 59% respectively) ( P <0 05). Suc also had obvious curative effects for the patients who failed in the use of Pen. There were fewer side effect in group A than in group B ( P <0 05). Suc and Pen could increase urinary copper excretion effectively and continually. CONCLUSION Suc is more effective and safer than Pen. Clinically, it can replace Pen as first choice drug for long term maintenance therapy of HLD.

Functional dyspepsia of ulcer-dysmotility type:clinical incidence and therapeutic strategy

Ｆｕｎｃｔｉｏｎａｌｄｙｓｐｅｐｓｉａｏｆｕｌｃｅｒｄｙｓｍｏｔｉｌｉｔｙｔｙｐｅ：ｃｌｉｎｉｃａｌｉｎｃｉｄｅｎｃｅａｎｄｔｈｅｒａｐｅｕｔｉｃｓｔｒａｔｅｇｙＷＡＮＧＸｉａｏＺｈｏｎｇａｎｄＬＩＮＧｕＺｈｅｎＳｕｂｊｅｃｔｈｅａａｄｉｎｇｓ...

Therapeutic role of template-based lymphadenectomy in urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract

Lymphadenectomy for urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract has attracted the attention of physicians. The mapping study of lymphatic spread has shown that a relatively wide area should comprise the regional nodes for tumors of the right renal pelvis or the right upper two-thirds of the ureter. A prospective study showed that an anatomical templatebased lymphadenectomy significantly improved patient survival in tumors of the renal pelvis. This benefit was more evident for patients with p T2 stage tumors or higher. The risk of regional node recurrence is significant reduced by template-based lymphadenectomy,which is likely to be associated with improved patient survival. The removal of lymph node micrometastases is assumed to be the reason for therapeutic benefit following lymphadenectomy. The number of resected lymph nodes can be used to assess the quality of lymphadenectomy,but not to determine the extent of lymphadenectomy. The guidelines currently recommend lymphadenectomy for patients with muscle-invasive disease,even though the current recommendation grades are still low. The present limitation of lymphadenectomy is the lack of standardization of the extent of lymphadenectomy and the randomized trials. Further studies are warranted to collect the evidence to support lymphadenectomy.

Blastocystis hominis as a cause of chronic diarrhea in low-resource settings:A systematic review

BACKGROUND Blastocystis hominis(B.hominis),an anaerobic unicellular protist parasite,is known for its diverse clinical manifestations upon infecting the human gastrointestinal tract.Although globally distributed,it is particularly prevalent in developing nations.Examining the symptoms and treatment outcomes of B.hominis infection in low-resource settings holds immense significance,providing healthcare practi-tioners with valuable insights to enhance patient care.AIM To synthesize existing evidence on the symptomatology and treatment outcomes of B.hominis infection in low-resource settings.METHODS Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines,a systematic review was conducted.The search spanned electronic databases including PubMed,Scopus,and Google Scholar.After a comprehensive screening process,a thorough examination of the papers,adhering to inclusion and exclusion criteria,and data extraction from eligible studies was conducted.The findings underwent summarization through simple descriptive analysis.RESULTS The search yielded 1200 papers,with 17 meeting inclusion criteria.Chronic diarrhea due to B.hominis infection was reported in only two studies,while abdominal pain,diarrhea,flatulence,constipation,and nausea/vomiting emerged as the most commonly documented symptoms.Recovery rates after one week of treatment ranged from 71.8%to 100%,and after two weeks,from 60%to 100%.CONCLUSION In low-resource settings,chronic diarrhea resulting from B.hominis infection is infrequent.Common symptoms include abdominal pain,diarrhea,flatulence,constipation,and nausea/vomiting.Post-treatment,clinical outcomes are notably favorable,supporting the recommendation for treatment.Metronidazole is advocated as the first-line agent,with consideration for switching to a second-line option in cases of treatment failure or poor response.

Clinacanthus nutans:a review of the medicinal uses,pharmacology and phytochemistry

Clinacanthus nutans Lindau is known as snake grass belonging to the Acanlhaceae family.This plant has diverse and potential medicinal uses in traditional herbal medicine for treating skin rashes,insects and snake bites,lesions caused by herpes simplex virus,diabetes,and gout in Malaysia.Indonesia.Thailand and China.Phylochemieal investigations documented the varied contents of bioaclive compounds from litis plant namely flavonoids,glycosides,glycoglyeerolipids.cerebrosides and monoacylmonogalatosylglycerol.The pharmacological experiment proved that various types of extracts and pure compounds from this species exhibited a broad range of biological properties such as anti-inflammatory,antiviral,antioxidant,and anti-diabetic activities.The lindings of toxicity study showed that extracts from this plant did not show any toxicity thus it can be used as strong therapeutic agents for specific diseased conditions.However,further experiments on chemical components and their mode of action showing biological activities are required to elucidate the complete phytochemical profile and assess to confirm their suitability tor future drugs.This review summarizes the medicinal uses,phytochemistry and pharmacology of this plant in order to explore its therapeutic potential and gaps necessitating for prospected research work.

High-intensity focused ultrasound extracorporeal ablation of liver tissuesin rabbits

ＨｉｇｈｉｎｔｅｎｓｉｔｙｆｏｃｕｓｅｄｕｌｔｒａｓｏｕｎｄｅｘｔｒａｃｏｒｐｏｒｅａｌａｂｌａｔｉｏｎｏｆｌｉｖｅｒｔｉｓｓｕｅｓｉｎｒａｂｂｉｔｓＣＨＥＮＧＳｈｕＱｕｎ１，ＺＨＯＵＸｉｎＤａ１，ＴＡＮＧＺｈａｏＹｏｕ１，ＹＵＹａｏ１，Ｂ...

Controversies regarding transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells

Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)have tantalized regenerative medicine with their therapeutic potential,yet a cloud of controversies looms over their clinical tran-splantation.This comprehensive review navigates the intricate landscape of MSC controversies,drawing upon 15 years of clinical experience and research.We delve into the fundamental properties of MSCs,exploring their unique immuno-modulatory capabilities and surface markers.The heart of our inquiry lies in the controversial applications of MSC transplantation,including the perennial debate between autologous and allogeneic sources,concerns about efficacy,and lingering safety apprehensions.Moreover,we unravel the enigmatic mechanisms surro-unding MSC transplantation,such as homing,integration,and the delicate balance between differentiation and paracrine effects.We also assess the current status of clinical trials and the ever-evolving regulatory landscape.As we peer into the future,we examine emerging trends,envisioning personalized medicine and innovative delivery methods.Our review provides a balanced and informed perspective on the controversies,offering readers a clear understanding of the complexities,challenges,and potential solutions in MSC transplantation.

USE OF CELL-BASED BIOASSAY FOR THE QUALITY CONTROL OF BOTANICAL THERAPEUTICS

The single most important factor in modernization efforts of traditional oriental medicines is the limited understanding of active compounds responsible for claimed therapeutic effects.Indeed,the unknown identity of biologically active molecules generates major difficulties associated with botanical therapeutics in general.This includes management of raw materials,poor understanding of

青藤碱对骨关节炎的治疗作用及机制探讨

目的探讨青藤碱(SIN)对兔骨关节炎(OA)模型的治疗作用及机制。方法采用随机数字表法将15只体重在2.5~3.0 kg的普通级健康成年新西兰兔分为对照组、骨关节模型组(OA组)、青藤碱治疗组(SIN)组,每组5只。对照组应用生理盐水关节腔注射,OA组、SIN组分别用4%木瓜蛋白酶注射液和0.03 mol/L的L-半胱氨酸(2∶1)混合溶液以0.1 ml/kg关节腔内注射,分别于第1、4、7天共注射3次。造模2周后兔膝关节出现肿胀,活动障碍,造模成功。OA造模成功后SIN组给予盐酸SIN缓释片30 mg/(kg·d)灌胃,连续用药15 d,OA组、对照组不予特殊处理。4周后抽取兔血分别检测血清白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α),基质金属蛋白酶-1(MMP-1)、MMP-13、Ⅱ型胶原(Collagen-Ⅱ)、软骨低聚物基质蛋白(COMP)水平,并行关节病理解剖学观察。取各组兔软骨组织行免疫组织化学检测软骨组织Collagen-Ⅱ、聚蛋白多糖及衰老相关基因p21、p53蛋白表达水平。结果4周后OA组血清中IL-1β、TNF-α、MMP-1、MMP-13、Collagen-Ⅱ、COMP水平高于对照组(P<0.05);SIN组IL-1β、TNF-α、MMP-1、MMP-13、Collagen-Ⅱ、COMP水平低于OA组(P<0.05)。大体标本观察显示:对照组关节正常,OA组关节腔有中等量关节积液,滑膜充血水肿,关节软骨面毛糙,而SIN组关节腔积液少,滑膜充血改善。镜下显示:与对照组比较,OA组兔膝关节软骨关节面不光滑,软骨明显变薄,滑膜大量炎症细胞浸润,滑膜增生、水肿明显;SIN组滑膜炎症细胞浸润及水肿、软骨损伤均较OA组减轻。免疫组织化学检测显示:OA组p21、p53表达水平高于对照组(P<0.05),SIN组p21、p53表达低于OA组(P<0.05)。聚蛋白多糖表达结果显示:OA组较对照组下降,SIN组较OA组表达增加。各组Ⅱ型胶原蛋白表达比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论SIN对OA有治疗作用,与抑制炎症因子及MMP分泌相关,并抑制软骨细胞衰老,为SIN用于OA治疗提供理论依据。

Combination of "low-dose" ribavirin and interferon alfa-2a therapy followed by interferon alfa-2a monotherapy in chronic HCV-infected nonresponders and relapsers after interferon alfa-2a monotherapy

AIM To report on the efficacy, safety and tolerability of interferon alfa-2a combined with a "low dose" of ribavirin for relapsers and non responders to alpha interferon monotherapy.METHODS Thirty-four chronic hepatitis C virus-infected non-responders to interferon alfa2a monotherapy (a course of at least 3 months treatment) and 13 relapsers to interferon alfa 2a monotherapy (a dose of 3 to 6 million units three times per week for at least 20 weeks but not more than 18 months) were treated with the same dose of interferon alfa-2a used before (3 to 6 million units three times per week) and ribavirin (10 mg/ kg daily) for 6 months. In complete responders, interferon alfa-2a was administered for further 6 months at the same dose used before as monotherapy.RESULTS Seven (20.6%) of 34 non-responders stopped the combined therapy due to adverse events, including two patients with histological and clinical Child A cirrhosis. In 17/27 (63%)non-responders, the combined therapy was stopped after three months because of non-response. Ten of the 27 non-responders completed the 1;2-month treatment course. At a mean follow up of 28 months (16- 37 months)after the treatment, 4/10 (15%) previous non-responders still remained complete responders,All 13 previous relapsers completed the 12-month treatment course. At a mean follow up of 22months (9 - 36 months) after treatment, 6/13(46%) the previous relapsers were stillsustained complete responders.CONCLUSION Our treatment schedule of the combined therapy for 6 months of interferon alfa2a with a low dose of ribavirin (10 mg/kg/day)followed by 6 months of interferon alfa-2amonotherapy is able to induce a sustainedcomplete response rate in 15% of non-responders and 46% of relapsers with chronic hepatitis C virus-related liver diseases comparable to those obtained with the standarddoses of ribavirin 1000 - 1200 mg/day.Randomized prospective controlled trials using lower total amounts of ribavirin in combination with interferon should be performed.

盐酸青藤碱治疗性给药对胶原诱导性关节炎小鼠的保护作用

目的探讨盐酸青藤碱治疗性给药对胶原诱导性关节炎(CIA)小鼠的保护作用。方法采用尾根部注射鸡II型胶原建立C57BL/6小鼠关节炎模型。于第2次免疫注射后第7天,将造模成功小鼠随机分为模型组、盐酸青藤碱组(100 mg·kg^(-1))、地塞米松组(2 mg·kg^(-1)),同时设置正常组。给药组小鼠分别腹腔注射相应治疗药物,每天1次,连续治疗33 d,正常组和模型组小鼠腹腔注射等体积无菌生理盐水。给药周期内,每3 d进行1次小鼠足趾关节炎指数评分;采用ELISA法检测外周血中TNF-α、IL-6炎症因子水平;采用HE染色法观察关节滑膜炎性细胞浸润情况;采用Micro-CT扫描分析骨质破坏情况。结果与正常组相比,模型组小鼠足趾关节炎指数评分显著升高,血清中TNF-α和IL-6炎症因子水平显著升高(P<0.001);关节滑膜部位炎性细胞浸润明显增多、骨质破坏明显,膝、踝关节病理总评分均显著升高(P<0.001)。与模型组相比,盐酸青藤碱干预治疗后,能显著降低足趾关节炎指数评分及血清中TNF-α、IL-6炎症因子水平(P<0.05,P<0.01),并能阻止关节滑膜部位炎性细胞浸润,减轻骨质破坏,降低膝、踝关节病理总评分(P<0.01)。结论盐酸青藤碱治疗性给药可阻止CIA小鼠的关节骨质破坏,其作用机制与减轻关节滑膜炎症有关。

Probiotic mixture VSL#3:An overview of basic and clinical studies in chronic diseases

Probiotics are known as“live microorganisms”and have been proven to have a health effect on hosts at the proper dose.Recently,a kind of probiotic mixture including eight live bacterial strains,VSL#3,has attracted considerable attention for its combined effect.VSL#3 is the only probiotic considered as a kind of medical food;it mainly participates in the regulation of the intestinal barrier function,including improving tight junction protein function,balancing intestinal microbial composition,regulating immune-related cytokine expression and so on.The objective of this review is to discuss the treatment action and mechanism for the administration of VSL#3 in chronic diseases of animals and humans(including children).We found that VSL#3 has a therapeutic or preventive effect in various systemic diseases per a large number of studies,including digestive systemic diseases(gastrointestinal diseases and hepatic diseases),obesity and diabetes,allergic diseases,nervous systemic diseases,atherosclerosis,bone diseases,and female reproductive systemic diseases.

Medicinal plants with hepatoprotective activity in Iranian folk medicine

There are a number of medicinal combinations in the Iranian traditional medicine which are commonly used as tonic for liver.In this review,we have introduced some medicinal plants that are used mainly for the treatment of liver disorders in Iranian folk medicine,with focus on their hepatoprotective effects particularly against CCI_4 agent.In this study,online databases including Web of Science.PubMed.Scopus,and Science Direct were searched for papers published from January 1970 to December 2013.Search terms consisted of medicinal plants,traditional medicine,folk medicine,hepatoprotective.Iran,liver,therapeutic uses,compounds,antioxidant.CCI_4.anti-inflammatory,and antihepatotoxic,hepatitis,alone or in combination.Allium hirtifolium Boiss..Apium graveolens L..Cynara scolyinus.Berberis vulgaris L..,Calendula officinalis,Nigella sativa L..Taraxacum officinale.Tragopogon porrifolius.Prangos ferulacea L..Allium sativum,Marribium vulgare,Ammi majus L..Citrullus lanatus Thunb.Agrimonia eupatoria L.and Primus armeniaca L.are some of the medicinal plants that have been used for the treatment of liver disorders in Iranian folk medicine.Out of several leads obtained from plants containing potential hepatoprotective agents,silymarin,P-sitosterol,betalain,neoandrographolide.phyllanthin.andrographolide.curcumin.picroside.hypophyllanlhin.kutkoside,and glycyrrhizin have been demonstrated to have potent hepatoprotective properties.Despite encouraging data on possibility of new discoveries in the near future,the evidence on treating viral hepatitis or other chronic liver diseases by herbal medications is not adequate.

Treatment of rotaviral gastroenteritis with Qiwei Baizhu powder

AIM To observe the effects of Qiwei Baizhu Powder ( QWBZP) on rotaviral gastroenteritis in children and in animal models.``METHODS Enrolled patients were divided into two groups, and one group was treated with oral rehydration solution(ORS) and the other treated with oral liquid of QWBZP. Neonate mice were orally infected with 50 μLrotavirus suspension (4 × l0s PFU/mL) and treated with ORS or oral liquid of QWBZP, respectively.``RESULTS Eighty-three cases of rotaviral gastroenteritis treated with QWBZP revealed a better efficacy than that treated with ORS (x2 - 10.8T, P<0.05). The contents of sodium and glucose as well as number of patients with positive human rotavirus antigen in stool in QWBZP group were all less than that in ORS group. In animal models,QWBZP was found effective in treating rotavirus gastroenteritis in neonate NIH mice, as compared with control groups. In QWBZP group, the mortality of infected mice was decreased by 73.3%, the body weight of infected mice was increased, the contents of sodium and glucose as well as number of mice with positive rotavirus antigen in feces were significantly reduced, and the pathological changes such as damage of small intestinal mucosa and villi were also obviously alleviated.``CONCLUSION QWBZP has effects on improving the absorptive function of small intestine, shortening the duration of diarrhea and rotavirus shedding from stool and alleviating the pathological changes of small intestine induced by rotavirus.

Effect of Qinling granule in treatment of 102 patients with chronic hepatitis B

ＥｆｅｃｔｏｆＱｉｎｌｉｎｇｇｒａｎｕｌｅｉｎｔｒｅａｔｍｅｎｔｏｆ１０２ｐａｔｉｅｎｔｓｗｉｔｈｃｈｒｏｎｉｃｈｅｐａｔｉｔｉｓＢＨＵＡＮＧＺｈｅｎｇＭｉｎｇ１，ＹＡＮＧＸｉｎＢｏ１，ＣＡＯＷｅｎＢｉｎ１，ＺＨＯＵＹｉＪｕｎ２ａｎｄＬＵＬｉ...

Mechanism of exogenous nucleic acids and their precursors improving the repair of intestinal epithelium after 7-irradiation in mice

AIM To clone expressed genes associated withrepair of irradiation-damaged mice intestinalgland cells treated by small intestinal RNA,andto explore the molecular mechanism ofexogenous nucleic acids improving repair ofintestinal crypt.METHODS The animal mode of test group andcontrol group was established,forty-five micebeing irradiated by γ ray were treated with smallintestinal RNA as test group,forty mice beingirradiated by γ ray were treated withphysiological saline as control group,five micewithout irradiation were used as normal control,their jejunal specimens were collectedrespectively at 6h,12h,24h,4d and 8d afterirradiation.Then by using LD-PCR based onsubtractive hybridization,these gene fragmentsdifferentially expressed between test group andcontrol group were obtained,and then werecloned into T vectors as well as beingsequenced.Obtained sequences were screenedagainst.GeneBank,if being new sequences,they were submitted to GeneBank.RESULTS Ninety clones were associated withrepair of irradiation-damaged intestinal glandcells treated by intestinal RNA.These clonesfrom test group of 6h,12h,24h,4d and 8dwere respectively 18,22,25,13,12.By screening against GeneBank,18 of which werenew sequences,the others were dramaticallysimilar to the known sequences,mainly similarto hsp,Nmi,Dutt1,alkaline phosphatase,homeobox,anti-CEA ScFv antibody,arginine/serine kinase and BMP-4,repA.Eighteen genefragments were new sequences,their acceptnumbers in GeneBank were respectivelyAF240164-AF240181.CONCLUSION Ninety clones were obtained tobe associated with repair of irradiation-damagedmice intestinal gland cells treated by smallintestinal RNA,which may be related toabnormal expression of genes and matchedproteins of hsp,Nmi,Duttl,Na,K-ATPase,alkalineph-osphatase,glkA,single strandedreplicative centromeric gene as well as 18 newsequences.

Progress in studies of tetrandrine against hepatofibrosis

Ｔｅｔｒａｎｄｒｉｎｅ（Ｔｅｔ）ｉｓｔｈｅｍａｉｎａｌｋａｌｏｉｄｉｓｏｌａｔｅｄｆｒｏｍｔｈｅｌｕｍｐｙｒｏｏｔｏｆＳｔｅｐｈａｎｉａｔｅｔｒａｎｄｒａｓ．Ｍｏｏｒｅ．ＩｔｓｍｏｌｅｃｕｌａｒｆｏｒｍｕｌａｉｓＣ３３Ｈ４２Ｎ２Ｏ６ａｎｄｉｔｓｃｈｅ...