Objective To study the clinical significance of lung function and allergen detection in the diagnosis of cough variant asthma (CVA) in children. Method Forty-three cases of chronic cough in children with bronchial provocation (diastolic) test and skin prick allergy test results were analyzed, CVA group was 23 cases and control group was 20 cases. Results The positive of bronchial provocation (diastolic) test in CVA group was 19 cases, significantly higher than that in control group (3 cases, χ2=14.745, P ＜ 0.01 ).The positive of skin prick allergy test in CVA group was 17 cases , significantly higher than that in control group (5 cases, χ2 = 10.243,P ＜0.05). The correlation analysis showed that bronchial provocation (diastolic) test and skin prick allergy test was significantly correlated (r =0.404,P＜0.01 ).Conclusion Bronchial provocation (diastolic) test has an important role in the diagnosis of CVA; skin prick allergy test has a supporting role on the CVA diagnosis;allergens affect on lung function, bronchial provocation (diastolic) test with the help of skin prick allergy test in children with cough variant asthma diagnosis.

This systematic review evaluated the impact of using digital pinna-cue preserving technologies (PPT) on front/back sound localization for adult hearing aid users. Two peer-reviewed studies and two non-peer-reviewed studies were included. Lab-based and self-report outcomes were both assessed. The overall findings suggested that PPT was superior to omni-directional and full directional settings in a relatively quiet, well-controlled laboratory environment but not in the real world. However, observed individual differences in self-report measures suggested that PPT was potentially beneficial to certain hearing aid users. PPT candidacy was discussed and the importance of a pre-fitting interview/consultation was emphasized to assist clinicians in making a solid evidence-based and cost-effectiveness decision when prescribing hearing aids to adults with hearing impairment.
Adult* ; Hearing Aids* ; Hearing Loss ; Humans ; Individuality ; Sound Localization

Resveratrol is a naturally occurring stilbene, a kind of polyphenolic compounds, found in a limited number of plant species such as grape, peanut, and pine. It has been considered as a phytoalexin in plants, and many studies have also shown its health benefits such as antioxidant activities, cancer prevention, blood thinning, and life span extension. This paper reviews the characteristics of resveratrol in aspects of synthesis, extraction, purification, and determination. In particular, the new outcomes of physiology function and the transgenic approaches have been presented. The challenges and chances for genetic engineering and health-related industries were also discussed.
Genetic Engineering ; Plants ; chemistry ; Stilbenes ; chemical synthesis ; metabolism ; pharmacology

Objective To establish a rapid method for detection of drug-resistance mutation in HBV, based on PCR-MALDI-TOF MS, and to explore the influential factors on this method. Methods One hundred blood serum samples, which were collected from chronic HBV patients with single drug-resistance or multiple drug-resistance of Lamivudin, Adefovi, Entecavir and Telbivudine, and 10 kinds of mutant HBV plasmids were analyzed using PCR-MALDI-TOF MS and confirmed by PCR-based sequencing. Results Of 100 samples detected, thirty-one samples were positive for drug-resistance and 69 samples were negative. The PCR-MALDI-TOF MS results of 94 samples were completely consistent with PCR-based sequencing. Six samples were inconsistent , of which three samples were positive by the two methods, but more mutation loci were detected by PCR-MALDI-TOF MS than sequencing. The consistent rate of two methods was 94%,detection sensitivity was up to 100 copies/μl, and the cut off value of detectable mutation level was 5%.Conclusion PCR-MALDI-TOF MS could be used for rapid and simple analysis of the drug resistance for the clinical application with features of high sensitivity and accuracy, high throughput and automation.

Objective To investigate the effects of inhalation anesthetics on human sperm motility and capacitation in vitro. Methods Sperm samples were obtained from normal adults and prepared with discontinuous percoll gradient centrifugation technique. The samples were incubated for 5 h in an airtight glass container filledwith 5% CO2-95% air at 37 ℃ with or without sevoflurane (SEV 2%, 4% ) or isoflurane (ISO 1.1%, 2.2% ).Then human sperm motility was examined in vitro at 37℃ and analyzed by the computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA), including sperm motility (a + b)%, curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight line velocity (VSL), averagepath velocity (VAP) and amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH). The capacitation effect was assessed by using the chlortetracycline (CTC) staining and phase-contract microscopy. Results 2% and 4% SEV significantly reduced (a + b)% , VCL, VSL and VAP in a dose-dependent manner, while only 4% SEV significantly decreased ALH and the capacitation ability of the sperm compared with control group. 2.2% ISO significantly decreased ( a + b)%, VCL, VSL and VAP compared with control and 1.1% ISO group. The capacitation ability of the sperm was significantly decreased by 1.1% and 2.2% ISO as compared with control group. Conclusion Sevoflurane and isoflurane have significant inhibitory effects on human sperm motility and capacitation in a dose-dependent manner. Sevoflurane has stronger inhibitory effect than isoflurane.

Objective: To explore the main characteristics of syndromes in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in post-stroke depression (PSD) and to provide basis for treatments with TCM herbs. Methods: According to diagnostic criteria of PSD, stroke patients and depression patients from Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were assigned into cerebral stroke group (150 cases), depression group (151 cases) and PSD group (123 cases). Neuropsychological assessments and imaging and biochemical analyses were conducted. TCM syndrome differentiation for these diseases was performed. We also determined the characteristics of TCM syndromes of PSD, relative risk of the syndromes and their correlations with ages as well. Results: Scores of qi stagnation and blood stasis, liver qi depression, and transformation of fire due to qi stagnation in PSD group were significant higher than those in cerebral stroke group (P<0.05, P<0.01). In cerebral stroke group, majority of the patients displayed one syndrome, while in PSD and depression groups, the patients had three or more syndromes. Of these syndromes, the incidence rate of syndrome of liver qi depression complicated with transformation of fire due to qi stagnation or flaring of fire due to yin deficiency was high. The syndrome of liver qi depression occurred much more frequently in PSD group and depression group than in cerebral stroke group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The logistic regression analysis showed that the syndrome of qi stagnation and blood stasis had high relative risk to PSD. The syndrome of deficiency of heart and spleen was positively correlated with age in cerebral stroke group. Conclusion: The main TCM syndromes of PSD and depression are qi stagnation and blood stasis, liver qi depression, and transformation of fire due to qi stagnation. The syndrome of deficiency of heart and spleen is closely related to age among the stroke patients. The syndrome of qi stagnation and blood stasis serves as an independent risk factor for PSD. The more complicated the syndromes are, the more serious depression becomes.

Human bocavirus (HBoV) is a recently discovered parvovirus, which is suspected to be an etiologic agent of respiratory disease and gastrointestinal disease in human. In the present study, we screened 941 nasopharyngeal aspirates collected from hospitalized children with lower respiratory tract infections from October 9, 2007 to March 20, 2009 in the Children's Hospital of Hubei Province. Our results showed that 33 of 941 samples (3.51%) were detected positive for HBoV. To obtain a full-length HBoV clone, three segments which covered the nearly full-length genome were amplified by PCR from HBoV positive samples separately and cloned into pBluescript SK II vector, and the resulting plasmid was designated as pWHL-1 (GenBank Acession No. GU139423). We constructed the both EGFP and luciferase reporter gene vectors under the control of the HBoV unique promoter, respectively. Our data demonstrated that the HBoV promoter exhibited very high activity in all mammalian cells tested by fluorescent microscopy observation of the EGFP and luciferase activity assay and its strength was 4-5 fold higher compared to that of the CMV promoter. This work provided an excellent tool for further study of the mechanism of transcription and expression of the viral genome.
Base Sequence ; Child, Preschool ; Cloning, Molecular ; Female ; Genome, Viral ; genetics ; Human bocavirus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Pneumonia ; virology ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the protective effect of amlodipine against contrast agent-induced renal injury in elderly patients with coronary heart disease.

METHODSA total of 189 elderly patients (>60 years) with coronary heart disease undergoing coronary artery angiography were randomly assigned into amlodipine group and control group to receive amlodipine or placebo, respectively, before and after administration of the contrast agent. At 24 h, 48 h and 5 days after contrast agent administration, the parameters of renal function were measured including serum cystatin C, urea nitrogen, creatinine, creatinine clearance rate, urine β2-microglobulin, and urine N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase.

RESULTSIn both groups, the contrast agents obviously affected the renal functions of the patients (P<0.05). At 24 h after contrast administration, the levels of serum cystatin C, urine β2-microglobulin and urine NAG were significantly lower in amlodipine group than in the control group, but the other functional parameters showed no significant difference. At 48 h after contrast administration, the glomerular and tubular functional parameters were all superior in amlodipine group (P<0.05). At 5 days, the two groups showed significant differences in such glomerular and tubular functional parameters as urea nitrogen, creatinine, creatinine clearance rate, urine β2-microglobulin, and urine NAG (P<0.05), but not in serum cystatin C level. The incidence of contrast agent-induced nephropathy was significantly lower in amlodipine group than in the control group (5/95 vs 10/94, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAmlodipine offers protection against radiographic contrast agent-induced renal injury in elderly patients with coronary heart disease.

Aged ; Amlodipine ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Contrast Media ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Kidney Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged

Toxoplasma gondii cathepsin C proteases (TgCPC1, 2, and 3) are important for the growth and survival of T. gondii. In the present study, B-cell and T-cell epitopes of TgCPC1 were predicted using DNAstar and the Immune Epitope Database. A TgCPC1 DNA vaccine was constructed, and its ability to induce protective immune responses against toxoplasmosis in BALB/c mice was evaluated in the presence or absence of the adjuvant α-GalCer. As results, TgCPC1 DNA vaccine with or without adjuvant α-GalCer showed higher levels of IgG and IgG2a in the serum, as well as IL-2 and IFN-γ in the spleen compared to controls (PBS, pEGFP-C1, and α-Galcer). Upon challenge infection with tachyzoites of T. gondii (RH), pCPC1/α-Galcer immunized mice showed the longest survival among all the groups. Mice vaccinated with DNA vaccine without adjuvant (pCPC1) showed better protective immunity compared to other controls (PBS, pEGFP-C1, and α-Galcer). These results indicate that a DNA vaccine encoding TgCPC1 is a potential vaccine candidate against toxoplasmosis.
Animals ; B-Lymphocytes ; Cathepsin C* ; Cathepsins* ; DNA* ; Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte ; Immunoglobulin G ; Interleukin-2 ; Mice* ; Peptide Hydrolases ; Spleen ; Toxoplasma* ; Toxoplasmosis* ; Vaccines, DNA*

BACKGROUNDSpinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious neurological injury that often leads to permanent disabilities for the victims. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) mediated by recombinant adeno-associated virus type 2 (rAAV2) alone or in combination with early rehabilitation training on SCI.

METHODSSCI was induced on the T8-9 segments of the spinal cord by laminectomy in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Then besides the sham operation group, the SCI rats were randomly divided into four groups: natural healing group, gene therapy group, rehabilitation training group, and combination therapy group (gene therapy in combination with rehabilitation training). Motor dysfunction, protein expression of GDNF, edema formation, and cell injury were examined 7, 14, and 21 days after trauma.

RESULTSThe topical application of rAAV-GDNF-GFP resulted in strong expression of GDNF, especially after the 14th day, and could protect the motor neuron cells. Early rehabilitative treatment resulted in significantly improved motor function, reduced edema formation, and protected the cells from injury, especially after the 7th and 14th days, and increased the GDNF expression in the damaged area, which was most evident after Day 14. The combined application of GDNF and early rehabilitative treatment after SCI resulted in a significant reduction in spinal cord pathology and motor dysfunction after the 7th and 14th days.

CONCLUSIONThese observations suggest that rAAV2 gene therapy in combination with rehabilitation therapy has potential clinical value for the treatment of SCI.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Dependovirus ; genetics ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Motor Activity ; genetics ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; metabolism