Objective: To explore the effect of transgenic metallothionein (MT) mushroom on anti-radiation ability of mice. Method: Dried power of transgenic MT mushroom was mixed into the feed of ICR mice. After being fed for 23 d, they were irradiated by 5.0Gy 60Co-?rays. Then their anti-radiation ability was determined after being fed 7 d again. Results: Transgenic MT mushroom can evidently alleviate the injury of platelet and spleen induced by radiation, and apparently increase SOD activity and reduce MDA content in irradiated mice’s serum. Conclusion: Transgenic MT mushroom can improve anti-oxidation ability of irradiated mice.

The clinical study on acupuncture-moxibustion of traditional Chinese medicine has been attracting more and more global attention. With the development of medical pattern, we hold that, to prove the therapeutic efficacy, not only modern clinical research methods should be adopted, but a scientific and standard evaluation method in accord with the features of acupuncture-moxibustion also needs to be developed. We also believe that, in the clinic of acupuncture-moxibustion, disease differentiation treatment and syndrome differentiation treatment share an equal role, as they are relatively independent but mutually unified, together boosting the completion of treatment for a type a disease in a dynamic variation process.

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy and safety on moderate and severe persistent allergic rhinitis treated with acupuncture.

METHODSSixty-six patients of moderate and severe persistent allergic rhinitis were randomized into an acupuncture group (34 cases) and a western medication group (32 cases). In the acupuncture, group, acupuncture was applied to Dazhui (GV 14), Feishu (BL 13), Pishu (BL 20), Ganshu (BL 18) and Shenshu (BL 23) in the prone, retained for 20 min; then in the supine, at Baihui (GV 20), Yintang (GV 29), yingxiang (LI20) Taichong (LR 3) and Hegu (LI 4), retained for 20 min. Acupuncture was given once every two days, three times a week, continuously for 8 weeks. In the western medication group, cetirizine hydrochloride was taken orally, 10 mg each time, once every day, continuously for 8 weeks. Separately, before treatment, after the treatment of 1 and 2 months and in 1 month after treatment, the total nasal symptom score (TNSS), the scores in the emotion rating scale for Ganzangxiang of TCM (ERSG) and the rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) were observed in the patients of the two groups. The clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups.

RESULTS(1) For TNSS, the results after 1 and 2 months treatment and in 1 month after treatment were all, reduced as compare with that before treatment separately in the two groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) The result after 2 months treatment was lower than that after 1 month treatment in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05). In 1 month after treatment, the result in the acupuncture group was lower than that in the western medication group (P < 0.05). (2) For ERSG, the score after 2 months treatment was lower than that before treatment in the two groups (both P < 0.05). The score after 2 months treatment in the acupuncture group was lower than that in the western medication group (P < 0.05). (3) For RQLQ, the score after 1 month treatment was lower than that before treatment and the score after 2 months treatment was lower than that after 1 month treatment in the two groups (all P < 0.05). The score after 1 and 2 months treatment and in 1 month after treatment in the acupuncture group was lower than that in the western medication group separately (all P < 0.05). (4) The total effective rate was 91.2% (31/34) in the acupuncture group and was 90.6% (29/32) in the western medication group, without significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture is the safe and effective intervention on moderate and severe persistent allergic rhinitis. Compared with the western medicine group, the efficacy in the acupuncture group presents much more advantageous at its durability.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVESTo obtain prokaryotic expressed IA-2 recombinant protein and to identify its immunological activity.

METHODSThe complimentary DNA (cDNA) coding for the intracytoplasmic part of IA-2 (IA-2ic) was amplified from human fetal brain RNA, and was subcloned into the PinPoint Xa-1 T vector to construct recombinant expression plasmid, and was then expressed in E. coli JM109 cells as a fusion protein with a biotinylated peptide sequence at the aminoterminus. The biotinylated fusion protein was then purified by affinity chromatography and was subsequently dialyzed. Finally, its immunogenicity was evaluated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe purified IA-2ic fusion protein resolved on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) as a single Coomassie brilliant blue stained band with a molecular weight of 59 kDa and its immunogenicity was confirmed by ELISA.

CONCLUSIONSE. coli expressed IA-2ic fusion protein has immunological activity. It can be used for detection of IA-2 autoantibodies (IA-2A) and for further studies on type 1 diabetes in future.

Animals ; Autoantigens ; biosynthesis ; DNA, Complementary ; analysis ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; immunology ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Plasmids ; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 1 ; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Rabbits ; Receptor-Like Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases, Class 8 ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; immunology ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical efficacy of herbal-partitioned moxibustion on moderate and severe persistent allergic rhinitis (AR) with spleen-deficiency syndrome.

METHODSWith prospective case series study method, forty-seven patients of moderate and severe persistent AR with spleen-deficiency syndrome were treated with herbal-partitioned moxibustion at Yintang (GV 29), Shenque (CV 8), Hegu (LI 4) and Zusanli (ST 36), once every two days, three treatments a week, continuously for 8 weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS), rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) and scores of spleen-deficiency syndrome were recorded before treatment, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks into treatment as well as 4 weeks after treatment; in addition, the improvement rate of each index was compared before and after treatment.

RESULTSCompared before treatment, the VAS, RQLQ and scores of spleen-deficiency syndrome were significantly reduced 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks into treatment as well as 4 weeks after treatment (<0.05,<0.01). The efficacy was gradually increased 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks into treatment (all<0.01). On the 8 weeks into treatment, the improved and markedly effective rate was 59.6% (28/47) for VAS, 19.1% (9/47) for RQLQ and 14.9% (7/47) for scores of spleen-deficiency syndrome; the total effective rate was all 85.1% (40/47). Compared with 4 weeks after treatment, there was no significant difference (all>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe herbal-partitioned moxibustion has superior efficacy for moderate and severe persistent allergic rhinitis with spleen-deficiency syndrome.