Integration of Traditional and Western Medicine in Vietnamese Populations: A Review of Health Perceptions and Therapies.

In Vietnam, two types of traditional medicine (TM) are practiced: thuoc nam, medicine of the South, and thuoc bac, medicine of the North, both of which are largely based on herbal drugs used by different Vietnamese ethnic groups. This review presents recently published information from various databases regarding TM, especially herbal drugs, and its integration with Western medical practices outside and inside Vietnam. We first discuss the integration of traditional and modem health concepts by Vietnamese immigrants living outside Vietnam.

NGF induces the expression of group IIA secretory phospholipase A2 in PC12 cells: the newly synthesized enzyme is addressed to growing neurites.

We proposed that group IIA secretory phospholipase A(2) (GIIA) participates in neuritogenesis based on our observations that the enzyme migrates to growth cones and neurite tips when PC12 cells are induced to differentiate by nerve growth factor (NGF) (Ferrini et al., Neurochem Res 35:2168-2174, 2010). The involvement of other secretory PLA(2) isoforms in neuronal development has been suggested by others but through different mechanisms.

[Botulinum toxin type-A toxin activity on prostate cancer cell lines].

Aim Of The Study: Botulinum toxin A (BoNT/A) has been recently used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia due to its apoptotic activity on prostatic epithelium but few data exist on this issue in prostate cancer. Also no information exist on the eventual modulation exerted by the neurotoxin on Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) expression in prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of BoNT/A on cell growth and expression of PLA2 in prostate cancer lines.

Low molecular weight phospholipases A2 in mammalian brain and neural cells: roles in functions and dysfunctions.

Several "low molecular weight" or "secretory" phospholipases A(2) isoforms may be expressed in mammalian neural cells. Indeed, mRNAs for GIB, GIIA, GIIE, GIII, GV, GX, and GXII were detected in brain tissues despite different levels. However, only the presence of GIB, GIIA, and GV proteins has been clearly demonstrated in neural cells or in the nervous tissue.

Group IIA secretory phospholipase A2 (GIIA) mediates apoptotic death during NMDA receptor activation in rat primary cortical neurons.

Phospholipases A(2) (PLA(2)) participate in neuronal death signalling pathways because of their ability to release lipid mediators, although the contribution of each isoform and mechanism of neurotoxicity are still elusive. Using a novel fluorogenic method to assess changes in a PLA(2) activity by flow cytometry, here we show that the group IIA secretory phospholipase A(2) isoform (GIIA) was specifically activated in cortical neurons following stimulation of N-methyl-d-aspartate glutamate receptor subtype (NMDAR). For activation, GIIA required Ca(2+) and reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, and inhibition of its activity fully prevented NMDAR-mediated neuronal apoptotic death.

Secreted phospholipases A(2): A proinflammatory connection between macrophages and mast cells in the human lung.

Secretory phospholipases A(2) (sPLA(2)) are an emerging class of mediators of inflammation. These enzymes accumulate in plasma and other biological fluids of patients with inflammatory, autoimmune and allergic diseases. sPLA(2)s are secreted at low levels in the normal airways and tend to increase during inflammatory lung diseases (e.

The presence of a secretory phospholipase A2 in the nuclei of neuronal and glial cells of rat brain cortex.

Confocal immunofluorescence analysis indicated a relatively high localization of group V secretory phospholipase A(2) (GV) in the nuclei of cultured PC12 and U251 astrocytoma cells. Here, we report the biochemical evidence for the presence of a secretory PLA(2) in the nuclei of neuronal and glial cells from rat brain cortex. Enzymic activity was determined using [(3)H]oleate labelled Escherichia coli membranes in intact nuclei and in their soluble fractions in which the specific activity was significantly more elevated.

Botulinum-A toxin injections into the detrusor muscle decrease nerve growth factor bladder tissue levels in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity.

Purpose: We investigated the effects of BTX-A on visceral afferent nerve transmission by measuring bladder tissue NGF levels in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity before and after intravesical treatment with BTX-A. We also compared the bladder tissue NGF content with clinical and urodynamic data.

Materials And Methods: A total of 23 patients underwent clinical evaluation and urodynamics with detection of the UDC threshold, maximum pressure and maximum cystometric capacity before, and at the 1 and 3-month followups.

Rat brain cortex mitochondria release group II secretory phospholipase A(2) under reduced membrane potential.

Activation of brain mitochondrial phospholipase(s) A(2) (PLA(2)) might contribute to cell damage and be involved in neurodegeneration. Despite the potential importance of the phenomenon, the number, identities, and properties of these enzymes are still unknown. Here, we demonstrate that isolated mitochondria from rat brain cortex, incubated in the absence of respiratory substrates, release a Ca(2+)-dependent PLA(2) having biochemical properties characteristic to secreted PLA(2) (sPLA(2)) and immunoreacting with the antibody raised against recombinant type IIA sPLA(2) (sPLA(2)-IIA).