Zhang Yongwen. / "February 2003." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 174-188). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

Both SM and ST reduced ALT elevation in rats in the prevention study. In the treatment study, ALT of all rats was resolved. Only ST reduced the fibrosis in both prevention and treatment studies. Maximum reduction of fibrosis compared to control was 44.12% in the prevention group and 56.83% in the treatment group. Activated HSC was decreased and apoptosis increased in rats with improved fibrosis. / Conclusion. ST prevented formation of liver fibrosis and promoted resolution of established fibrosis in the rat model. These effects were mediated through induction of HSC apoptosis in the liver. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) / Hepatic fibrosis results from the wound healing response to prolonged liver insult such as chronic hepatitis. It represents an imbalance of fibrogenesis and fibrolysis, causing formation of scars. Activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) is a key to fibrogenesis while apoptosis of HSC is associated with resolution of fibrosis. / Intense efforts are currently underway to evaluate potential anti-fibrotic agents in herbal medicine. The study hypothesized that herbs may resolve hepatic fibrosis through induction of apoptosis of HSC. In this study, the anti-fibrotic potentials of fourteen commonly used herbs were examined. The anti-fibrotic effect and the underlying mechanism of two herbs were further investigated in an animal model. / Method. Fourteen herbs including Angelica sinensis(AS), Astragalus membranaceus(AM), Cordyceps sinensis(CS), Curcuma wenyujin(CW), Carthamus tinctorius(CT), Curcuma kwangsinensis(CK), Bupleurum chinensis(BC), Ligusticum chuanxiong(LC), Paeconia lactiflora(PL), Prunus persiea(PP), Poria cocos(PC), Salvia miltorrhiza(SM), Schisandra chinensis(SC) and Stephania tetrandra(ST) were selected for screening based on documented safety and effectiveness, and availability in commercial extracts. These two herbs were also authenticated by chemical profiling using HPLC. / Result. For in vitro bioassay, five herbs, namely Angelica sinensis (AS), Carthamus tinctorius (CT), Ligusticum chuanxiong(LC), Salvia miltiorrhiza(SM) and Stephania tetrandra(ST) demonstrated both anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities in T6. SM and ST showed highest potencies with 51.63% and 44.52% of T6 cells showing apoptotsis respectively. Fas and Bax expression was up-regulated and BclxL expression decreased in HSC after incubation with SM and ST. Fas ligand and Bcl2 expression remained unchanged. / Treatment of chronic liver disease with herbal medicine has been documented in ancient China. Nowadays, practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) also use herbs to treat chronic liver disease and it is conceivable that such herbs redress the imbalance between fibrogenesis and fibrolysis. / Chor Sin Yee. / "July 2005." / Adviser: Joseph J. Y. Sung. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-01, Section: B, page: 0172. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 196-217). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

by Zhang Yanbo. / "December 2003." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 163-185). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

Lun Samantha Wei Man. / "August 2006." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 181-206). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

by Ngan Fai Ngor Karenda. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 128-134). / Acknowledgements --- p.i / Abstract --- p.ii / Table of Contents --- p.iii / Abbreviations --- p.viii / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Authentication of Chinese Medicinal Herbs / Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Traditional Identification of Chinese Herbs / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Morphology --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Histology --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Chemical Analysis --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Proteins and Isozymes --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3 --- Molecular Technology in Authentication / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCRs) / Chapter 1.3.2.1 --- Random-Primed PCRs --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3.2.2 --- Simple Sequence Repeats --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3.2.3 --- Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) --- p.11 / Chapter 1.4 --- Objectives and Strategies of the Study --- p.13 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter 2.1 --- Reagents and Buffers / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Buffers for Total DNA Extraction --- p.15 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Reagents for Agarose Gel Electrophoresis --- p.16 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Reagents for Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis --- p.17 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Reagents for Plasmid and Single-Stranded DNA Preparation --- p.17 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- Media for Bacterial Culture --- p.19 / Chapter 2.1.6 --- Reagents for Preparation of Competent Cells --- p.20 / Chapter 2.2 --- DNA Isolation / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Sample Preparation --- p.21 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Cetyl triethylammonium bromide (CTAB) Extraction --- p.21 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Cesium Chloride Gradient Ultracentrifugation --- p.21 / Chapter 2.3 --- Phenol/Chloroform Extraction --- p.22 / Chapter 2.4 --- Ethanol Precipitation --- p.23 / Chapter 2.5 --- DNA Concentration/Purity Estimation --- p.23 / Chapter 2.6 --- Random-Primed Polymerase Chain Reactions / Chapter 2.6.1 --- Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) --- p.24 / Chapter 2.6.2 --- Arbitarily-Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR) --- p.24 / Chapter 2.7 --- rDNA Amplification --- p.24 / Chapter 2.8 --- Agarose Gel Electrophoresis of DNA --- p.25 / Chapter 2.9 --- Purification of rDNA / Chapter 2.9.1 --- from Agarose Gel using Geneclean II Kit (Bio 101 Inc.) --- p.25 / Chapter 2.9.2 --- using Microspin´ёØ Columns --- p.26 / Chapter 2.10 --- Preparation of Escherichia coli Competent Cells --- p.26 / Chapter 2.11 --- Ligation and Transformation of Escherichia coli --- p.27 / Chapter 2.12 --- Isolation of Plasmid DNA --- p.27 / Chapter 2.13 --- Screening of Plasmid DNA by Restriction Digestion --- p.28 / Chapter 2.14 --- Isolation of Plasmid DNA / Chapter 2.14.1 --- Minipreparation of Plasmid using Magic´ёØ Miniprep DNA Purification Kit from Promega --- p.28 / Chapter 2.14.2 --- Megapreparation of Plasmid using Qiagen-tip100 --- p.28 / Chapter 2.15 --- Single-Stranded DNA Preparation / Chapter 2.15.1 --- Transfection --- p.29 / Chapter 2.15.2 --- Single-Stranded DNA Isolation --- p.29 / Chapter 2.16 --- DNA Sequencing / Chapter 2.16.1 --- Plasmid Sequencing using T7 Sequencing Kit --- p.30 / Chapter 2.16.2 --- Cycle Sequencing from PCR Products --- p.30 / Chapter 2.16.3 --- Cycle Sequencing from PCR Products or Plasmid --- p.31 / Chapter 2.16.4 --- DNA Sequencing Electrophoresis --- p.31 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Studies of Panax Species by Random-Primed PCRs / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.34 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Plant Materials --- p.39 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- DNA Extraction and Random-Primed PCRs --- p.39 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Data Analysis --- p.39 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results and Discussion / Chapter 3.3.1 --- DNA Isolation --- p.40 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- DNA Fingerprinting --- p.41 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Relationship between the Six Panax Species --- p.45 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Studies of Acorus by Random-Primed PCRs / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.48 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Plant Materials --- p.49 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- DNA Extraction and Random-Primed PCRs --- p.50 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results and Discussion / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Acorus DNA --- p.50 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Reproducibility of Random-Primed PCRs --- p.51 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- DNA Fingerprinting --- p.53 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Studies of Epimedium by Random-Primed PCRs / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.70 / Chapter 5.2 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Plant Materials --- p.71 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- DNA Extraction and Random-Primed PCRs --- p.71 / Chapter 5.3 --- Results and Discussion / Chapter 5.3.1 --- DNA Extraction --- p.71 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- DNA Fingerprinting --- p.72 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Application of AP-PCR in Commercial Ginseng Products / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.90 / Chapter 6.2 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Materials --- p.91 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- DNA Extraction and Random-Primed PCRs --- p.91 / Chapter 6.2.3. --- Data Analysis --- p.91 / Chapter 6.3 --- Results and Discussion / Chapter 6.3.1 --- DNA Isolation --- p.92 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- AP-PCR Analysis --- p.93 / Chapter Chapter 7 --- Ribosomal DNA as a Marker in Authentication of Panax Species / Chapter 7.1 --- Introduction --- p.99 / Chapter 7.2 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter 7.2.1 --- Plant Materials --- p.100 / Chapter 7.2.2 --- DNA Extraction and rDNA Amplification --- p.101 / Chapter 7.2.3 --- rDNA Sequencing --- p.101 / Chapter 7.2.4 --- Generation of Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms / Chapter 7.2.4.1 --- Restriction Digestion of rDNA Fragment --- p.102 / Chapter 7.2.4.2 --- Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (PAGE) --- p.103 / Chapter 7.2.4.3 --- Silver Staining for Nucleic Acids --- p.103 / Chapter 7.2.5 --- Data Analysis --- p.104 / Chapter 7.3 --- Results and Discussion / Chapter 7.3.1 --- rDNA Amplification and Plasmid Isolation --- p.104 / Chapter 7.3.2 --- rDNA Sequencing / Chapter 7.3.2.1 --- Sequence Comparison between the Six Panax species and the Two Adulterants --- p.107 / Chapter 7.3.3 --- Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms / Chapter 7.3.3.1 --- Restriction Profiles between Ginsengs and their Adulterants --- p.113 / Chapter 7.3.3.2 --- Restrciton Profiles of Ginsengs from Different Sources --- p.118 / Chapter 7.3.4 --- Panax Phylogeny --- p.121 / Chapter Chapter 8 --- General Discussion / Chapter 8.1 --- Advantages of Random-Primed PCRs --- p.124 / Chapter 8.2 --- Weaknesses of the Random-Primed PCRs --- p.125 / Chapter 8.3 --- Molecular Markers for Phylogenetic Studies --- p.126 / Chapter 8.4 --- Specific PCR-RFLP Patterns in Authentication --- p.126 / Chapter 8.5 --- Conclusions --- p.127 / References --- p.128 / Appendix --- p.135

Cao Hui. / Publication date from spine. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 180-194). / Acknowledgments --- p.v / Abstract --- p.vii / List of Tables --- p.xv / List of Figures --- p.xvii / Abbreviations and symbols --- p.xx / Chapter Chapter 1. --- General introduction / Chapter 1.1. --- Historical background --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2. --- Pharmacognostical development --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3. --- Importance of herb authentication --- p.3 / Chapter 1.4. --- Objective of study --- p.5 / Chapter Chapter 2. --- Literature review / Chapter 2.1. --- Botanical and taxonomic aspects --- p.9 / Chapter 2.1.1. --- Morphology --- p.9 / Chapter 2.1.2. --- Scientific names --- p.11 / Chapter 2.2. --- Chemical aspects --- p.13 / Chapter 2.3. --- Pharmacological aspects --- p.14 / Chapter 2.3.1. --- Antibacterial effect --- p.14 / Chapter 2.3.2. --- Antiphlogistic effect --- p.14 / Chapter 2.3.3. --- Antipyretic effect --- p.15 / Chapter 2.3.4. --- Effect in gastrointestinal propulsion --- p.15 / Chapter 2.3.5. --- Antineoplastic activity --- p.15 / Chapter 2.3.6. --- Hepatoprotective effect --- p.15 / Chapter 2.3.7. --- Inhibitory activity on enzymes --- p.17 / Chapter 2.3.8. --- Cardiovascular effect --- p.17 / Chapter 2.3.9. --- Acute toxicity (LD50) --- p.18 / Chapter 2.4. --- Pharmacognostical aspects --- p.18 / Chapter Chapter 3. --- Kudidan in Ben-cao literature / Chapter 3.1. --- Introduction --- p.23 / Chapter 3.2. --- Name evolution --- p.23 / Chapter 3.3. --- Natural distribution --- p.24 / Chapter 3.4. --- Characteristics --- p.25 / Chapter 3.5. --- Substitutions investigation --- p.26 / Chapter 3.6. --- Summary --- p.29 / Chapter Chapter 4. --- Morphological differences / Chapter 4.1. --- Plant identification --- p.36 / Chapter 4.1.1. --- Introduction --- p.36 / Chapter 4.1.2. --- Collection of voucher materials --- p.36 / Chapter 4.1.3. --- Plant morphology --- p.36 / Chapter 4.2. --- Macroscopical identification --- p.46 / Chapter 4.2.1. --- Introduction --- p.46 / Chapter 4.2.2. --- Materials and methods --- p.46 / Chapter 4.2.2.1. --- Commercial samples --- p.46 / Chapter 4.2.2.2. --- Macroscopical characteristics --- p.46 / Chapter 4.2.3. --- Results --- p.49 / Chapter Chapter 5. --- Histological identification / Chapter 5.1. --- Introduction --- p.58 / Chapter 5.2. --- Materials and methods --- p.59 / Chapter 5.2.1. --- Commercial samples --- p.59 / Chapter 5.2.1.1. --- Kudidan --- p.59 / Chapter 5.2.1.2. --- Pugongying --- p.59 / Chapter 5.2.1.3. --- Substitutes --- p.59 / Chapter 5.2.2. --- Authentic plant materials for comparison --- p.60 / Chapter 5.2.3. --- Methods --- p.60 / Chapter 5.2.3.1. --- Paraffin method --- p.60 / Chapter 5.2.3.2. --- Light microscopy --- p.62 / Chapter 5.2.3.3. --- Quantitative microscopy --- p.63 / Chapter 5.2.3.4. --- Scanning electron microscopy --- p.64 / Chapter 5.3. --- Results --- p.64 / Chapter 5.3.1. --- Microscopical characters of comparative plants --- p.64 / Chapter 5.3.2. --- Internal structures of herbs --- p.83 / Chapter 5.4. --- Discussion --- p.83 / Chapter Chapter 6. --- Chemical analysis / Chapter 6.1. --- Introduction --- p.99 / Chapter 6.2. --- Materials and methods --- p.100 / Chapter 6.2.1. --- Authentic samples --- p.100 / Chapter 6.2.2. --- Commercial samples --- p.100 / Chapter 6.2.3. --- Methods --- p.100 / Chapter 6.2.3.1. --- Isolation and characterization of standard substances --- p.100 / Chapter 6.2.3.2. --- Extraction of plant materials --- p.102 / Chapter 6.2.3.3. --- Thin layer chromatography --- p.102 / Chapter 6.3. --- Results and discussion --- p.104 / Chapter 6.3.1. --- TLC synopsis --- p.104 / Chapter 6.3.2. --- TLC analysis --- p.105 / Chapter 6.3.2.1. --- Qualitative evaluation of authentic plants --- p.105 / Chapter 6.3.2.2. --- Qualitative evaluation of commercial samples --- p.107 / Chapter 6.4. --- Summary --- p.107 / Chapter Chapter 7. --- Molecular fingerprinting / Chapter 7.1. --- Introduction --- p.115 / Chapter 7.2. --- Materials and methods --- p.120 / Chapter 7.2.1. --- Plant materials --- p.121 / Chapter 7.2.2. --- Herbal materials --- p.121 / Chapter 7.2.3. --- Total genomic DNA preparation --- p.121 / Chapter 7.2.3.1. --- CsCl/EtBr gradient method --- p.121 / Chapter 7.2.3.2. --- CTAB/CsCl gradient method --- p.123 / Chapter 7.2.3.3. --- CTAB miniprep method --- p.124 / Chapter 7.2.4. --- Qualitative analysis of genomic DNA --- p.125 / Chapter 7.2.5. --- Quantitative analysis of genomic DNA --- p.126 / Chapter 7.2.6. --- Genomic DNA fingerprinting --- p.126 / Chapter 7.2.6.1. --- DNA amplification --- p.126 / Chapter 7.2.6.1.1. --- AP-PCR --- p.127 / Chapter 7.2.1.1.2. --- RAPD --- p.128 / Chapter 7.2.6.2. --- Data analysis --- p.129 / Chapter 7.3. --- Results --- p.129 / Chapter 7.3.1. --- Studies on extraction of genomic DNA --- p.129 / Chapter 7.3.2. --- Genomic DNA fingerprinting by AP-PCR --- p.130 / Chapter 7.3.3. --- Genomic DNA fingerprinting by RAPD --- p.131 / Chapter 7.4. --- Discussion --- p.131 / Chapter 7.4.1. --- DNA extraction --- p.132 / Chapter 7.4.2. --- DNA fingerprinting of Kudidan --- p.136 / Chapter 7.4.3. --- Phylogenetic relationship between two genera Elephantopus and Pseudo-elephantopus of by DNA fingerprinting --- p.141 / Chapter Chapter 8. --- General summary and conclusion / Chapter 8.1. --- General summary --- p.165 / Chapter 8.1.1. --- Ben-cao investigation --- p.166 / Chapter 8.1.2. --- Investigation of commercial samples --- p.166 / Chapter 8.1.3. --- Histological characteristics --- p.167 / Chapter 8.1.4. --- Chemical analysis --- p.168 / Chapter 8.1.5. --- DNA fingerprinting --- p.168 / Chapter 8.2. --- Conclusion --- p.169 / Appendices / Chapter A) --- Solutions --- p.171 / Chapter B) --- Chinese characters cited in this Thesis --- p.173 / Chapter a) --- Herbal names --- p.173 / Chapter b) --- Book names --- p.175 / Chapter c) --- Personal names --- p.176 / Chapter d) --- Place names --- p.177 / Chapter e) --- Miscellaneous names --- p.179 / Bibliography --- p.180

Ng, Chor Fung. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 130-144). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / ABSTRACT (ENGLISH VERSION) --- p.i / ABSTRACT (CHINESE VERSION) --- p.iv / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.vi / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.viii / LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES --- p.xii / ABBREVIATIONS --- p.xiv / Chapter CHAPTER 1. --- GENERAL INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Definition of asthma --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Asthma epidemiology --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- Pathogenesis of Asthma --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Gene-environment interaction --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Allergens and atopic sensitization --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Other environmental factors --- p.5 / Chapter 1.4 --- House dust mite (HDM) --- p.5 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Characteristics of HDM allergens --- p.5 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- HDM and asthma --- p.6 / Chapter 1.5 --- Pathophysiology of asthma --- p.8 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Airway inflammation --- p.8 / Chapter 1.5.1.1 --- Cellular mechanism --- p.8 / Chapter 1.5.1.2 --- Characteristics of chronic inflammation --- p.9 / Chapter 1.5.1.3 --- Inflammatory cells in airway inflammation --- p.10 / Chapter 1.5.1.3.1 --- Mast cell --- p.10 / Chapter 1.5.1.3.2 --- Macrophages --- p.11 / Chapter 1.5.1.3.3 --- T lymphocytes --- p.12 / Chapter 1.5.1.3.4 --- Eosinophils --- p.12 / Chapter 1.5.1.3.5 --- Epithelial cells --- p.13 / Chapter 1.5.1.4 --- Cytokines in asthma --- p.14 / Chapter 1.5.1.4.1 --- Inflammatory cytokines --- p.14 / Chapter 1.5.1.4.1.1 --- Interleukin-4 --- p.14 / Chapter 1.5.1.4.1.2 --- Interleukin-5 --- p.14 / Chapter 1 5.1.4.1.3 --- Interleukin-6 --- p.15 / Chapter 1.5.1.4.1.4 --- Granulocyte Monocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) --- p.15 / Chapter 1.5.1.4.1.5 --- Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) --- p.16 / Chapter 1.5.1.4.2 --- Anti-inflammatory cytokines --- p.17 / Chapter 1.5.1.4.2.1 --- Interleukin-10 --- p.17 / Chapter 1.5.1.4.2.2 --- Interferon-γ(IFN-γ) --- p.17 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) --- p.18 / Chapter 1.5.3 --- A irway remodeling --- p.19 / Chapter 1.6 --- Asthma therapy --- p.21 / Chapter 1.6.1 --- β2-agonists --- p.21 / Chapter 1.6.2 --- Cromolyn and nedocromil --- p.21 / Chapter 1.6.3 --- Theophylline --- p.22 / Chapter 1.6.4 --- Leukotriene modifiers --- p.22 / Chapter 1.6.5 --- Corticosteroids --- p.23 / Chapter 1.7 --- Traditional Chinese Medicine --- p.24 / Chapter 1.7.1 --- Introduction --- p.24 / Chapter 1.7.2 --- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) --- p.24 / Chapter 1.7.3 --- "Chinese herbal formula, CU Formula 2 (CUF2) and Kuan Dong Hua" --- p.26 / Chapter 1.8 --- Objectives of our studies --- p.28 / Chapter CHAPTER 2. --- ESTABLISHMENT OF A HDM-INDUCED ASTHMATIC ANIMAL MODEL IN SD RATS --- p.32 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.32 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Buffers and solutions --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Animals --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Preparation of aluminum hydroxide gel --- p.34 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- HDMAllergen --- p.34 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Sensitization Procedure --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Intratracheal instillation challenge --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.7 --- Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and BAL Cell counting --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.8 --- Lung Histopathological Analysis --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2.9 --- Measurement of cytokine and chemokine by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) --- p.39 / Chapter 2.2.10 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.40 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results --- p.41 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Cellular Analysis of BALF --- p.41 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Histopathology --- p.42 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Cytokine and chemokine --- p.43 / Chapter 2.4 --- Discussion --- p.44 / Chapter CHAPTER 3. --- IMMUNOMODULATORY EFFECT OF CUF2 AND KUAN DONG HUA IN A RAT MODEL OF HDM-INDUCED ASTHMA --- p.65 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.65 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.67 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Herbal materials and extraction method --- p.67 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- "Antigen sensitization, challenge, and treatment" --- p.68 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Bronchoalveolar lavage and cell differential counts --- p.69 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Histological Studies --- p.69 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Measurement of BALF cytokines and chemokines --- p.70 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- "Body weight, thymus index and spleen index" --- p.70 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- Statistical analysis --- p.70 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.71 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Effect of herbs and DXA on total cells and eosinophils in BALF --- p.71 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Effect of herb and DXA on lung histology --- p.72 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Effect of herbs and DXA on cytokine and chemokine level in BALF --- p.73 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- "Effect of herb and DXA on body weight, thymus index and spleen index" --- p.75 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.77 / Chapter CHAPTER 4. --- IMMUNOMODULATORY EFFECT OF KUAN DONG HUA ON HUMAN MAST CELLS (HMC-1) --- p.109 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.109 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.110 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Reagents --- p.110 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Cell line and Cell Culture --- p.111 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Herb and extraction procedure --- p.111 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Cell Viability Assay --- p.112 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Assay of cytokine secretion --- p.113 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- Quantitative Analysis of cytokines --- p.113 / Chapter 4.2.7 --- Bacterial endotoxin contamination --- p.114 / Chapter 4.2.8 --- Statistical analysis --- p.115 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results --- p.116 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Effect of Kuan Dong Hua on cell viability of HMC-I --- p.116 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Effect of Kuan Dong Hua on cytokine release from HMC-I --- p.116 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Effect of endotoxin contamination in the extract --- p.117 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.118 / Chapter CHAPTER 5. --- GENERAL CONCLUSION --- p.125 / Chapter 5.1 --- Conclusion --- p.125 / Chapter 5.2 --- Limitations of this study and Future work --- p.128 / REFERENCES --- p.130 / APPENDICES --- p.145 / Appendix A. Wright-Giemsa Stain for cytospin preparations --- p.145 / Appendix B. Hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) staining --- p.145 / Appendix C. Congo Red staining --- p.146 / Appendix D. Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining --- p.146

Research suggests acupuncture is potentially an effective treatment for osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip or knee. Essential for the evaluation of Chinese acupuncture treatment is the availability of a reliable and valid measurement. However, currently there is no appropriate measurement instrument validated within traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) concepts and frameworks. Objective is to develop and validate a TCM questionnaire as a health status instrument for TCM assessment in patients with OA of the hip and knee. Methods The TCM questionnaire was developed from TCM theory and clinical experience. The questionnaire was examined by experts, for content and faces validity and pre-tested on a volunteer sample of three subjects. The developed questionnaire was validated on a convenience sample of ten subjects from six different clinical settings in Auckland region. The practitioner or receptionist from the selected clinical sites handed out the questionnaire package to their patients who fulfilled the study criteria. Each patient (subject) completed the questionnaire on their arrival and the re-testing questionnaire at a two-week interval. The reliability of the questionnaire was estimated by examining the internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha statistic) and test-retest reliability (Intra-class correlation coefficients). The content validity of the questionnaire was examined by literature review, interviews with patients, and experts' judgement. The construct validity was estimated by the methods of known groups, correlations between scales, and correlations with the SF-36 health survey. The success of the grouping or scaling of the questionnaire was estimated by examining the item (i.e. question) internal consistency and item (i.e. question) discriminant validity. Results The TCM questionnaire scales corresponded to the "eight principal syndromes", "ten questions", and "eight patterns of OA" within TCM concepts and frameworks. Internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha) was above .70 for all scales on both occasions of the first test and the second test. Test-retest reliability (intra-class correlation coefficient) for each scale was also above .70 for all scales, except the exterior (EXT) scale, which was .44. Moderate associations were found between the age of subjects and the scores of the interior (INT) scale and summary (SUM) scale. There was a significant difference between the groups of use and non-use of on-going medication in the EXT scale scores on the first test, p = .012. However, this significant difference was not found on the second test. As expected, strong or moderate associations were found between the TCM questionnaire and SF-36 comparable scales. Conclusions The TCM questionnaire was developed within TCM concepts and frameworks. The questionnaire contains 23 items with two main scales (the EXT scale and the INT scale) and one additional scale (the SUM scale). It takes approximately five minutes to complete and is entirely self-administered. Results from this pilot study indicate that this TCM questionnaire might have adequate reliability and validity. Therefore, the questionnaire has potential usage as an outcome measurement instrument for the assessment of TCM in the patients with OA of the hip or knee. For this application to be possible, the questionnaire needs further development and validation with a larger sample of patients who have a variety of OA conditions.

Research suggests acupuncture is potentially an effective treatment for osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip or knee. Essential for the evaluation of Chinese acupuncture treatment is the availability of a reliable and valid measurement. However, currently there is no appropriate measurement instrument validated within traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) concepts and frameworks. Objective is to develop and validate a TCM questionnaire as a health status instrument for TCM assessment in patients with OA of the hip and knee. Methods The TCM questionnaire was developed from TCM theory and clinical experience. The questionnaire was examined by experts, for content and faces validity and pre-tested on a volunteer sample of three subjects. The developed questionnaire was validated on a convenience sample of ten subjects from six different clinical settings in Auckland region. The practitioner or receptionist from the selected clinical sites handed out the questionnaire package to their patients who fulfilled the study criteria. Each patient (subject) completed the questionnaire on their arrival and the re-testing questionnaire at a two-week interval. The reliability of the questionnaire was estimated by examining the internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha statistic) and test-retest reliability (Intra-class correlation coefficients). The content validity of the questionnaire was examined by literature review, interviews with patients, and experts' judgement. The construct validity was estimated by the methods of known groups, correlations between scales, and correlations with the SF-36 health survey. The success of the grouping or scaling of the questionnaire was estimated by examining the item (i.e. question) internal consistency and item (i.e. question) discriminant validity. Results The TCM questionnaire scales corresponded to the "eight principal syndromes", "ten questions", and "eight patterns of OA" within TCM concepts and frameworks. Internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha) was above .70 for all scales on both occasions of the first test and the second test. Test-retest reliability (intra-class correlation coefficient) for each scale was also above .70 for all scales, except the exterior (EXT) scale, which was .44. Moderate associations were found between the age of subjects and the scores of the interior (INT) scale and summary (SUM) scale. There was a significant difference between the groups of use and non-use of on-going medication in the EXT scale scores on the first test, p = .012. However, this significant difference was not found on the second test. As expected, strong or moderate associations were found between the TCM questionnaire and SF-36 comparable scales. Conclusions The TCM questionnaire was developed within TCM concepts and frameworks. The questionnaire contains 23 items with two main scales (the EXT scale and the INT scale) and one additional scale (the SUM scale). It takes approximately five minutes to complete and is entirely self-administered. Results from this pilot study indicate that this TCM questionnaire might have adequate reliability and validity. Therefore, the questionnaire has potential usage as an outcome measurement instrument for the assessment of TCM in the patients with OA of the hip or knee. For this application to be possible, the questionnaire needs further development and validation with a larger sample of patients who have a variety of OA conditions.

Thesis (Ph.D. in Nursing) -- University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, 2006. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 200-215). Free to UCDHSC affiliates. Online version available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations;