Appendum consists of last two leaves. / Copies of author's previously published articles inserted. / Bibliography: leaves 241-283. / xviii, 284 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / The studies described were designed to identify and address (through the application of relatively novel and potentially useful adjunctive therapeutic strategies) some of the determinants of sub-optimal therapeutic response in intermediate coronary syndrome and chronic congestive heart failure; especially when targeted towards those patients who fail to gain the maximal benefit from pre-existing modalities of pharmacological treatment. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Medicine, 1999

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's degree in technology in Technology : Homeopathy, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2015. / Introduction There is no proper definition of acute mechanical neck pain (AMNP) but it has been theorized that it has a sudden onset pain and lasts for a relatively short time. It occurs with or without injury and presents with pain in the shoulder and upper arm. Acute mechanical neck pain should not be accompanied by an inflammatory disease, neurological disease, fracture, dislocation, neoplasm or infection AIM The purpose of this study was to compare the relative effectiveness of homoeopathic Simillimum against Traumeel® (a commercial homoeopathic complex) in the treatment of acute mechanical neck pain using the neck disability scale, range of motion measurements and a subjective observation. METHODOLOGY This study was a double blind, quantitative, comparative; clinical trial that involved two treatment groups: Half the participants received the homoeopathic Simillimum and the other half received oral Traumeel® drops. Patients self-selected homoeopathic treatment. Patients were screened and only those who fit the inclusion criteria of suffering from AMNP of maximal two weeks duration, were English conversant and between the ages of 18 and 55 were included. Those suffering with AMNP were required to sign an informed consent form after the procedure was explained thoroughly. Each patient read through the procedure of the clinical trial and were informed that their participation was on a voluntary basis and they could withdraw at any time. Convenience sampling was utilised in which an independent person, using a simple sampling method, randomly allocated the patients into the respective groups. Of the 30 patients, 15 received Traumeel® and 15 received homoeopathic Simillimum. It was hypothesized that the homoeopathic Simillimum treatment would be more effective in the treatment of acute mechanical neck pain than oral Traumeel®. The treatment protocol consisted of three homoeopathic consultations within a seven day period, with the consultations scheduled on days one, three and seven. Subjective and objective measurements were taken at each of the three consultations, Durban University of Technology Homoeopathic Day Clinic, Steve Biko Campus. A Simillimum treatment was prescribed for every patient based on full homoeopathic case history. This Simillimum was confirmed by the co-supervisor. Half of the patients were dispensed the Simillimum and the other half received Traumeel® according to the randomisation list. At the first follow up, on day three, the patients were reassessed according to their progress, perception and their range of motion, and the progress of the patient was analysed. In the last consultation on day seven, the progress of the patient was analysed using the perceptive questionnaire of the Neck Disability Index and the objective cervical range of motion. Full physical examinations were carried out during all three consultations. Upon collection of data, the statistical package SPSS 22.0 was used to record and analyse the data. Non parametric statistical tests were used as the data were non parametric - it does not follow any distribution, was ordinal (not relying on numbers but rather a ranking order of sorts). Inter-group comparisons were made using Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS The effectiveness of Traumeel® and homoeopathic Simillimum was measured firstly, in terms of the patients’ perception of the responses to the treatment applying the Neck Disability Index and secondly the increase in degree of movement in the range of motion of the cervical region. When applying an ANOVA with repeated measures with a Greenhouse-Geisser correction, the mean scores between groups were statistically not significantly different (p = 0.112). CONCLUSION Both the Traumeel® and Simillimum treatments were effective in the treatment of acute mechanical neck pain, but there was no evidence that one treatment was more beneficial than the other. The p-values (sig.) reported were greater than 0.05, thus implying that there is no significant difference between the groups.

In the UK angina affects 2 million people (BHF, 2010b) and unfortunately secondary prevention interventions such as Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) are not widely available for this population (NACR, 2011). This doctoral research project examined the effectiveness and feasibility of an alternative intervention for this population; CR delivered via the internet. The programme was interactive and comprised personalised goal setting orientated around exercise, diet, emotions, and smoking with support available through an online email link or synchronised chat room. A randomised controlled trial (RCT) and semi-structured interviews were used to evaluate the intervention. Primary care patients with angina were randomised to either an intervention group (n=48) or to a control group that did not receive any intervention other than treatment as usual (n=47). Outcome measures were taken at baseline, 6 week and 6 month follow ups. The primary outcome measure was daily steps (measured objectively using Sensewear Pro 3® accelerometer technology). Secondary outcome measures included daily energy expenditure (EE), daily duration of sedentary activity (DDSA), daily duration of moderate activity (DDMA), daily duration of vigorous activity (DDVA), weight, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), body fat %, fat intake, fibre intake, anxiety, depression, self-efficacy, and health related quality of life (HRQOL). At the 6 week follow up the intervention group had greater improvements than the control group in daily steps, daily EE, DDSA, DDMA, weight, self-efficacy, emotional quality of life and frequency of angina symptoms. In addition, at the 6 month follow up there were significantly greater improvements in anxiety, and frequency of angina symptoms among the intervention group compared to the control group. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with a subsample of intervention group participants at the 6 week follow up (n=16). Themes resulting from these interviews indicated a high level of programme acceptability and feasibility; ‘self reported improvements’ and ‘programme facilitators’. However, the theme labelled ‘programme barriers’ illustrated intervention related challenges which should be taken into account when delivering the programme. Overall the study demonstrated that a new web based CR programme was effective at improving lifestyle related cardiac risk factors for a primary care angina population in both the short-term (significantly improved daily steps, DDSA, DDMA, weight, self-efficacy, emotional QOL and frequency of angina) and medium-term (significantly improved anxiety, and frequency of angina). These findings on the whole suggest that the programme could be offered to a primary care angina population who are not routinely included within conventional CR. However, there is a need to consider the factors described to affect engagement of the programme; family and work commitments, bad weather, older age, receiving the programme late in angina diagnosis and levels of self-motivation.

published_or_final_version / Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

The leading cause of disability among older adults is osteoarthritis (OA) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2017). Chronic pain associated with arthritis interferes with daily living among older adults and has been related to depression (Zanocchi et al., 2008). Research suggests that ethnicity and psychosocial factors may influence health outcomes of older adults with arthritis who are experiencing chronic pain and depression (Im, Guevara, & Chee, 2007; Wilson et al., 2014). The influence of ethnicity on depression among older adults with OA experiencing chronic pain is the phenomenon of interest for this study. Chronic pain that interferes with activities of daily living gives rise to disability, followed by potential episodes of depression. This currently is impacting the quality of life for older adults with OA. The aim of this study was to gain new insight regarding the relationship and predictive factors for depression between pain interference, gender, and ethnicity among older adults with OA pain and depression. This study examined the research question, “Does ethnicity, gender, and pain interference predict depression among older adults with osteoarthritis?” This study was a secondary analysis of existing data from the National Institute of Health National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (Park, McCaffrey, Newman, Cheung, & Hagen, 2014) study titled, The Effect of Sit ‘N’ Fit Chair Yoga on Community-Dwelling Elders with Osteoarthritis. A descriptive retrospective correlational design was utilized to investigate factors that predict depression. Statistical analysis included multiple linear regression and analysis of variance. The study sample (n = 104) consisted of community-dwelling older adults ages 65 years or older with osteoarthritis. Findings indicated that (1) ethnicity, gender, and pain interference did predict depression; (2) there were no significant difference in depression between Hispanics and non-Hispanics while controlling for pain interference; and (3) there was statistically significant differential interaction with depression when pain interference increased, with Hispanics reporting higher levels of depressions as pain interference increased, as compared to non-Hispanics. The new knowledge gained from this study may help guide healthcare providers in developing effective alternative approaches for improving health outcomes of mismanaged ethnically diverse older adults with OA. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is associated with many cardiovascular conditions including hypertension and hyperhomocysteinemia. The decreased bioavailability of nitric oxide and increased oxidative stress are the hallmarks of ED. Apart from the mainstream Western medicine treatment, Chinese medical interventions have also demonstrated their capacity in dealing with a great variety of cardiovascular conditions. The effectiveness of acupuncture on hypertension has been recognized by the World Health Organization but the underlying mechanisms have hitherto remained largely obscure. A commonly prescribed Chinese herb, the Root of Rhodiola rosea has been used to treatment a wide range of cardiovascular conditions but its effect on ED is also unclear. In this thesis, we have explored the effects and the underlying mechanism of these two important Chinese medical interventions. / In the first part, we have performed an acupuncture study on hypertensive animals. Eighteen weeks old adult Wistor Kyoto Rats (WKYs) and Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHRs) were divided into WKY control, SHR control, Sham-acupuncture and real acupuncture groups. Electroacupuncture was performed on acupoints ST36 and LR3 in the real acupuncture group for 6 weeks. The blood pressure at the end of the treatment was lowered in acupuncture group when compared with SHR control and sham-acupuncture group. Serum angiotensin II level in SHR controls was higher than that in WKY control and acupuncture treatment significantly attenuated it. Dihydroethidium (DHE) imaging showed that the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was reduced in the aortas and carotid arteries of acupuncture treated SHR. Biochemical assays showed that acupuncture inhibited the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activity and enhanced antioxidant capacity. In functional studies, the endothelial dependent relaxation of aorta rings and carotid arteries to acetylcholine were improved in acupuncture group. SHRs received acupuncture also expressed a elevation of eNOS and peNOS level and inhibition of nitrotyrosine level in Western blotting assay. The nitrate/nitrite level in aortic tissue was also increased by acupuncture. The findings concluded that one of the possible mechanisms of acupuncture in lowering blood pressure involved the improvement of oxidative stress, nitric oxide bioavailability and endothelium functions. / In the second part, we have studied the effects of salidroside, an active ingredient of the root of Rhodiola rosea with documented antioxidative, antihypoxia and neuroprotective properties on homocysteine induced ED. Functional studies on the rat aortas were performed to delineate the vascular effect of salidroside. Exposure to homocysteine attenuated endothelium-dependent relaxations in rat aortas while salidroside pretreatment rescued it. DHE imaging revealed that salidroside inhibited homocysteine-induced elevation in ROS production in both aortas and cultured endothelial cells. Western blot analysis showed that salidroside increased the phosphorylation of eNOS which was diminished by homocysteine in endothelial cells. Moreover, salidroside inhibited the NOX2 expression which was promoted by homocysteine in aorta tissue. The findings suggested that salidroside was effective in preserving the NO bioavailability and reducing ROS level, thereby protecting against homocysteine-induced impairment of ED. / We have successfully demonstrated the two Chinese medicine modalities, i.e. acupuncture and salidroside, a naturally occurring chemical compound isolated from Rhodiola rosea, delivered beneficial effects on ED, and both of them exert anti-oxidative effects for their action. Our experimental findings have enhanced the prospective of using Chinese medical interventions to manage oxidative stress-associated cardiovascular conditions and also helped put the clinical use of Chinese medical interventions on a more scientific footing. / 內皮功能失調與很多心血管系統疾病，包括高血壓和高半胱氨酸過高症有著十分密切的關系，一氧化氮供應減少與氧化應激增加均為這病理現象的一個特徵。除了主流的西方醫學治療方法外，中醫藥也一直表現出對各種心血管系統疾病有著明顯的療效。其中以針灸治療高血壓雖然己被世界衛生組織認可為一有效之療法，然而其療效原理卻並未被完全了解。另外，中草藥當中的紅景天，其對心血管疾病的療效亦非常顯著，唯其對內皮功能失調之影響卻仍有待查証。在這部論文當中，作者將會對以上兩項中醫藥治療方法的原理作出深入探討。 / 在第一部份的實驗當中，作者對自發性高血壓的大鼠施行了針灸治療。把十八週歲的自發性高血壓大鼠與京都種大鼠分為1)京都種大鼠對照組 2)自發性高血壓大鼠對照組 3)假針組針針刺組。針刺組中所使用的方案乃於足三里和太沖施行為期六週的電針治療。治療後針刺組的血壓相對於高血壓大鼠對照組和假針組均有明顯下降。同時針刺組大鼠血液中的血管緊張素II亦明顯降低。顯微鏡螢光造影發現於主動脈與頸動脈組織中，超氧化因子數量於針刺後均低於另外兩組高血壓大鼠對照組與假針組。另外實驗結果亦發現尼克酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸磷酸氧化酶的活動於針刺後下降，而抗氧化總容量則有所提升。另一方面，血管功能測試則顯示在針刺組內，由乙酰胆碱所引發的血管舒張比對照所產生的有所增加。而內皮一氧化氮酶和磷化皮內皮一氧化氮酶於血管中的表達則於針刺治療後有所增加，反觀硝基酪氨酸的含量則於針刺後減少。針刺對於血管組織中的亚硝酸盐/硝酸盐含量均有刺激作用。綜合而言，針刺能透過抑制氧化應激從而增加血管中一氧化氮的含量，最後達至內皮功能改善而降低血壓。 / 在第二部份，作者對中藥紅景天內其中一種活性成份紅景天苷對半胱氨酸所引起的內皮功能損傷進行研究。血管功能測試顯示半胱氨酸抑制了由乙酰胆碱所引發的血管舒張，而紅景天苷則能有效逆轉該抑制作用。顯微鏡螢光造影則發現紅景天苷能壓制由半胱氨酸所刺激的超氧化因子，另一方面能增加由半胱氨酸所抑制的磷化皮內皮一氧化氮酶的表達。尼克酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸磷酸氧化酶為超氧化因子的其中一個主要來源，半胱氨酸被發現會對其當中NOX2亞組的表達有刺激作用，而紅景天苷則能減少其表達。實驗結果顯示紅景天苷對半胱氨酸所引起的內皮功能損傷有顯著保護作用，其原理則與減少氧化因子從而增加一氧化氮的含量有密切關系。 / 整體而言，本論文成功顯示針灸與紅景天苷兩項中醫藥治療方案均能夠透過抑制超氧化因子而改善內皮功能捐傷。實驗結果加強了中醫藥於治療氧化應激相關的心血管疾病的應用，為中醫藥發展提供堅實的科學基礎。 / Leung, Sin Bond. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2014. / Includes bibliographical references. / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on 01, November, 2016). / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only.

Cheng, Baohui. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 206-221). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts also in Chinese.

Luk Wing Yan Vivien. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 207-239). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgment --- p.i / Abstract --- p.iii / 摘要 --- p.vi / Contents --- p.viii / List of Figures --- p.xiv / List of Table --- p.xxv / Abbreviations --- p.xxv / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Ganoderma spp --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Bioactive components of Ganoderma spp --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Lingzhi polysaccharide --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Terpenes --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3 --- Ganoderma spp. as Chinese traditional medicine --- p.5 / Chapter 1.4 --- Artificial hybridisation of Ganoderma luciudm and G. tsugae --- p.6 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Protoplast isolation and fusion of Ganoderma tsugae and G. lucidum --- p.8 / Chapter 1.5 --- Breast Cancer --- p.8 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Anti-tumor effects of natural substances against breast cancer cell MCF-7 --- p.9 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Anti-tumor effects of natural substances against breast cancer cell MDA-MB-231 --- p.11 / Chapter 1.5.3 --- Anti-proliferation of cancer --- p.12 / Chapter 1.5.3.1 --- Cell cycle arrest --- p.12 / Chapter 1.5.3.2 --- Cell death --- p.13 / Chapter 1.5.4 --- Anti-proliferation assays --- p.17 / Chapter 1.5.4.1 --- MTT assay --- p.17 / Chapter 1.5.4.2 --- Trypan blue cell viability assay --- p.18 / Chapter 1.5.4.3 --- BrdU assay --- p.18 / Chapter 1.6 --- Endocrine system and hormones --- p.19 / Chapter 1.6.1 --- Estrogen --- p.23 / Chapter 1.6.2 --- Estrogen receptors --- p.24 / Chapter 1.6.3 --- Estrogen action --- p.29 / Chapter 1.6.4 --- Estrogenicity assays --- p.32 / Chapter 1.6.4.1 --- Recombinant yeast assay --- p.33 / Chapter 1.6.4.2 --- E-screen assay --- p.35 / Chapter 1.6.4.3 --- Estrogen receptor competitor binding assay --- p.36 / Chapter 1.6.4.4 --- Endogenous estrogen-regulated gene expression assay --- p.39 / Chapter 1.6.4.4.1 --- Transforming growth factor --- p.39 / Chapter 1.6.4.4.2 --- Monoamine oxidase A --- p.40 / Chapter 1.6.4.4.3 --- pS2 --- p.40 / Chapter 1.6.4.5 --- Uterotrophic assay --- p.41 / Chapter 1.6.4.6 --- Comparison of in vitro and in vivo assay --- p.42 / Chapter 1.7 --- Aim of study --- p.45 / Chapter 1.7.1 --- Objectives --- p.45 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.47 / Chapter 2.1 --- Fungal culture --- p.47 / Chapter 2.2 --- Artificial hybridization of Ganoderma tsugae and G. lucidum --- p.47 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Protoplast isolation of Ganoderma tsugae and G. lucidum --- p.47 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Protoplast fusion of Ganoderma tsugae and G. lucidum --- p.48 / Chapter 2.3 --- Screening and selection of hybrid ´Ø --- p.49 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Temperature screening --- p.49 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- DNA fingerprint by Arbitarily-primed polymerase chain reaction --- p.49 / Chapter 2.3.2.1 --- Extraction of genomic DNA --- p.49 / Chapter 2.3.2.2 --- Arbitrarily-primed polymerase chain reaction --- p.50 / Chapter 2.3.2.3 --- Gel electrophoresis --- p.51 / Chapter 2.4 --- Confirmation test --- p.51 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Somatic incompatibility test --- p.51 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- DNA fingerprinting by specific polymerase chain reaction --- p.52 / Chapter 2.4.2.1 --- Specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) --- p.52 / Chapter 2.4.2.2 --- Purification of PCR products --- p.52 / Chapter 2.4.2.3 --- Cycle-sequencing --- p.53 / Chapter 2.3.2.4 --- Sequencing --- p.54 / Chapter 2.3.2.5 --- Sequence analysis --- p.54 / Chapter 2.5 --- Characterization of the selected hybrid --- p.56 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) --- p.56 / Chapter 2.5.1.1 --- Preparation of specimens for scanning electron microscopy --- p.56 / Chapter 2.5.1.2 --- "Cytological studies of pileus, stipe and spores of G. lucidum, G. tsugae and hybrid" --- p.57 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Temperature effect --- p.57 / Chapter 2.5.3 --- Submerged fermentation --- p.57 / Chapter 2.5.4 --- Fruiting test --- p.58 / Chapter 2.6 --- "Bioactive components of G. lucidum, G. tsugae and hybrid" --- p.58 / Chapter 2.6.1 --- Sample preparation --- p.58 / Chapter 2 6.2 --- Lingzhi polysaccharide --- p.59 / Chapter 2.6.3 --- Terpenes --- p.59 / Chapter 2.7 --- Effect of extracts against breast cancer cell lines --- p.60 / Chapter 2.7.1 --- Cell culture --- p.60 / Chapter 2.7.2 --- Lingzhi Extract preparation --- p.61 / Chapter 2.7.3 --- Optimization of cell density --- p.61 / Chapter 2.7.3.1 --- MTT assay --- p.61 / Chapter 2 7.3.2 --- Trypan blue cell viability assay --- p.62 / Chapter 2.7.3.3 --- BrdU assay --- p.62 / Chapter 2.7.3.4 --- Growth curve of MCF-7 --- p.63 / Chapter 2.7.3.5 --- Growth curve of MDA-MB-231 --- p.64 / Chapter 2.7.4 --- Anti-proliferative effect of extracts on MCF-7 cells --- p.69 / Chapter 2.7.4.1 --- MTT assay --- p.69 / Chapter 2 7.4.2 --- Trypan blue cell viability assay --- p.69 / Chapter 2.7.4.3 --- BrdU assay --- p.70 / Chapter 2.7.5 --- Study of cultured medium effect of biomass and pileus extracts on MCF-7 cells --- p.71 / Chapter 2.7.5.1 --- Cultured medium effect ofbiomass and pileus extracts --- p.71 / Chapter 2.7.6 --- mRNA expression assay (RT-PCR) --- p.71 / Chapter 2.7.6.1 --- Effect of extract on gene expression --- p.71 / Chapter 2.7.6.2 --- Time effect of extract on gene expression --- p.72 / Chapter 2.7.6.3 --- Isolation of RNA --- p.72 / Chapter 2.7.6.4 --- Quantification and qualification of DNA and RNA by spectrophotometry --- p.73 / Chapter 2.7.6.5 --- First strand cDNA synthesis --- p.73 / Chapter 2.7.6.6 --- Amplification of cDNA --- p.74 / Chapter 2.7.7 --- Effect of biomass and pileus lingzhi polysacchandes and terpenes on MCF-7 cells --- p.75 / Chapter 2.7.7.1 --- Effect of reconstitution of lingzhi polysacchande and terpenes on MCF-7 cells --- p.75 / Chapter 2.7.8 --- Effect of biomass and pileus extracts on MDA-MB-231 cells --- p.76 / Chapter 2.8 --- Estrogenicigy assay --- p.76 / Chapter 2 8.1 --- E-screen test --- p.76 / Chapter 2.8.2 --- Estrogen receptor competitor binding assay --- p.77 / Chapter 2.8.3 --- pS2 mRNA expression assay --- p.78 / Chapter 2.9 --- DNA microarray analysis --- p.79 / Chapter 2.9.1 --- mRNA purification --- p.79 / Chapter 2.9.2 --- RT and LPR (Linear Polymerase Reaction) labeling --- p.80 / Chapter 2 9.3 --- pre-hybridization --- p.81 / Chapter 2.9.4 --- Hybridization --- p.82 / Chapter 2.9.5 --- Detection --- p.82 / Chapter 2.9.6 --- Image acquisition and analysis --- p.83 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Result --- p.84 / Chapter 3.1 --- Artificial hybndization of Ganoderma tsugae and G. lucidum --- p.84 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- protoplast isomation and fusion of Ganoderma tsugae and G. lucidum --- p.84 / Chapter 3.2 --- Screening and selection of hybrid --- p.84 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Temperature screening --- p.84 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- DNA fingerprint by Arbitrarily-primed polymerase chain reaction --- p.86 / Chapter 3.3 --- Confirmation tests --- p.88 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Somatic incompatibility test --- p.88 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- DNA fingerprinting by specific polymerase chain reaction --- p.90 / Chapter 3.4 --- Characterization of selected hybrid --- p.100 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Scanning electron micscropy --- p.100 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Temperature effect --- p.103 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Submerged fermentation --- p.105 / Chapter 3.4.4 --- Fruiting test --- p.107 / Chapter 3.5 --- "Bioactive components of G. lucidum, G. tsugae and hybrid" --- p.109 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Lingzhi polysaccharide --- p.109 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Terpenes --- p.109 / Chapter 3.6 --- Effect of extracts against breast cancer cell lines --- p.119 / Chapter 3.6.1 --- Anti-proliferative effect of extracts on MCF-7 cells --- p.119 / Chapter 3.6.2 --- Study of medium effect of biomass and pileus extracts on MCF-7 cells --- p.139 / Chapter 3.6.3 --- mRNA expression assay (RT-PCR) --- p.143 / Chapter 3.6.4 --- Effect of biomass and pileus lingzhi polysaccharides and terpenes on MCF-7 cells --- p.150 / Chapter 3.6.5 --- Effect of biomass and pileus extracts on MDA-MB231- cells --- p.159 / Chapter 3.7 --- Estrogenicity assay --- p.166 / Chapter 3.7.1 --- E-screen assay on biomass and pileus extracts --- p.166 / Chapter 3.7.2 --- E-screen assay on biomass and pileus terpenes and lingzhi polysaccharide --- p.166 / Chapter 3.7.3 --- Estrogen receptor competitor binding assay --- p.169 / Chapter 3.7.4 --- pS2 mRNA expression assay --- p.175 / Chapter 3.8 --- DNA microarray analysis --- p.177 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Discussion --- p.184 / Chapter 4.1 --- Artificial hybridization of Ganoderma tsugae and G. lucidum --- p.184 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Protoplast isolation and fusion of Ganoderma tsugae and G. luciudm --- p.184 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Screening and selection of hybrid --- p.184 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Characterization of the selected hybrid --- p.185 / Chapter 4.1.4 --- "Nature of hybrid, mutant and variant" --- p.189 / Chapter 4.2 --- Effect of extracts against breast cancer cell lines --- p.190 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Anti-proliferative effect of extracts on MCF-7 cells --- p.190 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Study of effect of cultured medium of biomass and pileus extracts on MCF-7 cells --- p.193 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Effect of biomass and pileus extracts on MDA-MB231- cells --- p.194 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- mRNA expression assay (RT-PCR) --- p.195 / Chapter 4.3 --- Estrogenicity --- p.198 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- E-screen assay --- p.198 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Estrogen receptor competitor binding assay --- p.199 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- pS2 mRNA expression assay --- p.200 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Ganoderma spp. As hormonal therapy --- p.201 / Chapter 4.4 --- DNA microarray analysis --- p.201 / Chapter 4.5 --- Further investigation --- p.204 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Conclusion --- p.205 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Reference --- p.207

Conclusions. SBL showed its efficacy in treating the animal model of allergic rhinitis. Its mechanisms may be related to its suppressive action on PCA reaction, the production of TXB2 and the expression of eNOS, as well as its modulation of cytokines, including IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, GM-CSF and TNF-alpha, release from mast cells. The clinical trial showed that SBL had more beneficial action on the quality of life, in comparison to the placebo, in the domains of RE and BP. Some symptoms evaluations of PAR patients, including GF, NB and SF were more markedly improved in the SBL group when compared with the placebo group. Furthermore, the use of SBL, with the study dose and treatment period, was safe. However, the accurate efficacy and mechanisms of SBL are largely unknown and need further investigation. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) / Introduction. Although great progress in treatment of allergic rhinitis have made in recent years, remarkably increasing prevalence and cost in epidemiology studies strongly suggest the difficulties in the management of allergic rhinitis. Shi-Bi-Lin (SBL) is a formula modified from the traditional Chinese herbal formula Cang-Er-Zi-San (CEZS) and a classic European formula SinupretRTM. CEZS has been used for the treatment of allergic rhinitis for several centuries in East Asia communities, and SinupretRTM has been used in treating paranasal sinusitis and rhinitis widely in Europe for decades. However, its therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. We examined the efficacy and the possible mechanism of SBL in an animal model of allergic rhinitis and in cell culture study using Human Mast Cell Line (HMC-1) and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC). In addition, a clinical trial was conducted to examine its clinical efficacy and safety. / Results. In the animal study, SBL showed a potent effect in relieving the symptoms of nasal obstruction, sneezing and nasal scratching (P<0.05 or P<0.01), but had no convincing effect in decreasing the nasal discharge (P>0.05). In PCA test, IgG1 increased in a modest manner in the SBL-treated group when compared with the sham group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Eosinophil infiltration and the expression of eNOS in nasal mucosa, but not iNOS, were obviously lower in the SBL treated group (P<0.05 or P<0.01) in comparison to the sham group. The levels of thromboxane B (TXB)2 in the nasal lavage fluid, but not histamine and peptide leukotrienes (p-LTs), showed significantly lower than that of the sham group (P<0.05). In vitro study showed that SBL modulated the cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-8, Granulocyte/Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, release from human mast cell line (HMC-1). However, the mRNA expressions of these cytokines were not significantly altered. As the controls, dexamethasone, desloratadine and budesonide had more potently inhibitory effects on cytokines release from HMC-1. The component herbs generally had stimulatory effects on the cytokine release from HMC-1 and variable effects on PBMC. In the clinical trial, a total of 84 patients were recruited in the clinical trial and 77 of them completed the trial. Although no significant differences of each domain between the SBL and placebo groups were detected, findings supported the efficacy of SBL were obtained. / by Zhao Yu. / "July 2005." / Advisers: C. A. Van Hasselt; Ping-Chung Leung; Kong-Sang Woo. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-01, Section: B, page: 0172. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references. / 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. / Abstract in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

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