Respiratory virus poses a serious threat to human life and health. Airway epithelial cells are the body's first line of defense from a wide variety of foreign pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria. Therefore, successful airway epithelial cell culture can provide a model for investigating the mechanisms underlying respiratory pathogenic diseases following airway virus infection. This respiratory disease model can also be used for the potential development of novel therapeutics. Here we provide a brief review of recent developments on the culture of cells derived from human trachea-bronchial airway epithelium, and the application of this model for studying respiratory virus and disease.
Animals ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Epithelial Cells ; virology ; Humans ; Respiratory Tract Diseases ; virology ; Virus Diseases ; virology ; Virus Physiological Phenomena ; Viruses ; genetics ; isolation & purification

Objective To explore the role of apelin in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.Methods A total of one hundred and fourteen patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Qingdao Municipal Hospital from July 2015 to June 2016 were divided into normal albuminuria group (56 cases in the NA group) and micro-albuminuria group (58 cases in the MA group),depending on whether the level of urinary micro-albumin in 24 h was higher than 30 mg,with 60 healthy subjects included as the controls group (NC group).Levels of serum apelin and other biochemical indexes were tested.Results (1) WC,BMI,TC,TG,LDL-C,FBG,FINS,HOMA-IR and apelin in the patients of the NA group and MA group were respectively (87.99±10.27) cm,(24.75±3.35) kg/m2,(5.27±1.28) mmol/L,(1.84±1.25) mmol/L,(3.36±0.91) mmol/L,(7.58±0.87) mmol/L,(13.29±3.57) U/L,4.50±1.41,(364.22±85.03) ng/L ,(90.10±8.97) cm,(25.47±2.82) kg/m2,(5.19±1.11) mmol/L,(2.23±1.43) mmol/L,(3.68±0.83) mmol/L,(7.89±1.11) mmol/L,(15.50±5.00) U/L,5.55±2.27,(397.42±91.29) ng/L,which were higher than those of the NC group ((83.20±5.36) cm,(22.59±2.67) kg/m2,(4.68±1.10) mmol/L,(1.37±0.58) mmol/L,(2.56±0.94) mmol/L,(5.11±0.82) mmol/L,(7.17±2.80) U/L,1.65±0.77,(309.34±68.28) ng/L,P<0.05).FINS,HOMA-IR and apelin in the MA group were significantly higher than those in the NA group (P<0.05).(2) After age,sex and BMI were taken into control,partial correlate analysis showed that serum apelin was positively correlated with LDL-C,FPG,FINS and HOMA-IR (r=0.183,0.314,0.374,0.378,P<0.05).(3) Multifactor regression analysis showed that HOMA-IR and BMI were independent related factors to serum apelin (r2=0.288,0.389,P<0.05).Conclusion Apelin levels in the MA group were significantly higher than those in the NA group,and the serum apelin was positively correlated with HOMA-IR.Thus,apelin may contribute to the pathogenesis and progress of diabetic nephropathy.

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of extracorporeal shock wave combined with orthopaedic insole on plantar fasciitis. Methods: A total of 153 plantar with plantar fasciitis were randomly divided into a combined group (n=51), an extracorporeal shock wave group (n=53) and an orthopaedic group (n=49). The combined group received treatment of both extracorporeal shock wave and orthopaedic insole while the extracorporeal shock wave or the orthopaedic group only received the treatment of extracorporeal shock wave or orthopaedic insole. The therapeutic parameters such as visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, continued walking time and thickness of the plantar fascia were monitored before and atf er the treatment for 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months, respectively. Results: The VAS scores in the 3 groups were all reduced after the treatment compared with the corresponding scores before the therapy (P<0.05). hTe VAS score in the extracorporeal shock wave group was greater than that in the orthopedic group atfer the treatment for 2 weeks. hTe VAS score in the combined group was smaller than that in the orthopedic group atfer the treatment for 2 weeks and 3 months (P<0.05). hTe VAS scores in the orthopedic group and the combined group were smaller than those in the extracorporeal shock wave group after the treatment for 1 month or 3 months (P<0.05). The continued walking time and thickness of the plantar fascia was improved after the treatment (P<0.05). hTe cure rate and total effective rate in the combination group were obviously greater than those in the two other groups. hTe cure rate in the orthopedic group was greater than that in the extracorporeal shock wave group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Extracorporeal shock wave combined with orthopaedic insole therapy is an effective method to treat plantar fasciitis. It is recommended to spread in clinic.

Objective To translate the findings from fundamental research into clinical application and to evaluate the clinical efficiency and safety of Fritillaria thunbergii Miq. granule as adjunctive means of chemotherapy during peri chemotherapy of refractory acute leukemia. Methods Patients in multiple hospitals were randomly divided into two groups with Fritillaria thunbergii Miq. granule treatment or synchronous control at three days before chemotherapy respectively, according to random approaches for medical treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were then determined after one course of treatment. Results According to the research project, 138 patients were analyzed statistically, 72 in Fritillaria thunbergii Miq. granule group and 66 in control group. The complete remission rate (CR) of Fritillaria thunbergii Miq. granule group and control group were 36.8% and 25.8% respectively, while the total effects were 77.8% and 53.0%, which was significantly different (P

Objective To investigate the state of oxidative stress in the subjects with different levels of serum uric acid and to explore the cause of endothelial dysfunction induced by hyperuricemia. Methods Male subjects with normal serum uric acid or hyperuricemia were enrolled in this study. According to the levels of serum uric acid,all the partieipante were divided into five groups. Every group consisted of about fifty subjects. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) were determined. In the mean time plasma nitric oxide(NO) ,plasminogen activator inhihitor-1(PAI-1), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and other biochemical variables were also determined. Results When the serum uric acid level was more than 380 μmol/L, the levels of plasma MDA,SOD,GSH-Px, PAI-1 and ET-1 became higher, while the level NO became lower(P<0.05). However SOD and GSH-Px became much lower when the serum uric acid level was more than 420 μmol/L. Multivariate stepwise regressive analysis showed that PAI-1 was positively related to MDA,UA,HOMA-IR and TG, but negatively related to SOD and NO(t =-3.64 - 6. 08,P < 0.05). ET-1 was positively related to MDA, UA, HOMA-IR and negatively related to NO, GSH-Px and SOD (t = - 4.75 - 6.35,P < 0.05 ). Conclusions It is indicated that oxidative stress became much obvious when the serum uric acid level was more than 380 μmol/L . Oxidative stress,high serum uric acid level and insulin resistance may result in endothelial dysfunction.

Pigs are increasingly recognized as "natural" hosts of infection by human respiratory viruses because of their similarities to humans in terms of lung physiology, airway morphology, cell types, and distribution of cell receptors in the respiratory tract. We wished to explore the mechanisms of infection by respiratory viruses and screening of drug that could be used to treat respiratory-system diseases. Hence, we developed a model of well-differentiated porcine airway epithelial cells (PAECs) derived from pig-lung tissue and cultured them with serum-free medium under an air-liquid interface condition in vitro. We identified the PAEC model using scanning electron microscopy, electrophysiology, and immunohistology. To evaluate application of gene therapy of adeno-associated virus (AAV)6 on the PAEC model, we generated recombinant adeno-associated virus 6-green fluorescent protein (rAAV6-GFP) using the three-plasmid transfection method and infected PAECs from the apical surface with rAAV6-GFP. Results demonstrated that the PAEC model comprised a multilayer epithelial structure containing ciliated mucous secretory cells, with basal cells located directly beneath the multilayer. rAAV6-GFP could infect PAECs from the apical surface and efficiently transduce PAECs to mediate the long-term expression of the exogenous gene. Establishment of a model of well-differentiated PAECs in vitro could lay a solid foundation for the study of infection by respiratory pathogens, as well as the screening and gene therapy of agents used to treat diseases of the respiratory system.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Dependovirus ; genetics ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Lung ; cytology ; Membrane Potentials ; Mucins ; metabolism ; Swine ; Transduction, Genetic ; Tubulin ; metabolism

Insomnia has become a threat to public health, and acupuncture has shown an advantage in treatment of insomnia with good efficacy and few side effects.

BACKGROUND: Cholinergic system projected in brain and hippocampal structure is relevant with learning and memory. Piracetam acts on protecting and repairing cerebral neural cell, resisting cerebral functional injury due to physical and chemical factors and improving learning-memory capacity.OBJECTIVE: Chronic epilepsy in childhood animal and learning-memory complex animal model were self-prepared to observe the changes in content of acetylcholine and activity of cholinacetyltranslase in cerebral hippocampus and the intervention of piracetam.DESIGN: Randomized control experiment and non-blind evaluation were designed.SETTING: Department of Pediatrics of Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University and Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Hebei Medical UniversityMATERIALS: The experiment was performed in Hebei Medical University and College of Life Sciences of Hebei Normal University from July to December 2004, in which, 50 Wistar childhood rats of clean grade and either sex were employed.METHODS: Coriamyrthin injection was administrated muscularly to duplicated chronic epileptic grand mal model in rats. Muscular injection was repeated once every three days. During modeling, those with general paroxysmal convulsion with posterior extremities standing or falling with standing or general stiffness-paroxysmal attack continuously for 3 times, the injection was changed to be once every 14 days. Ten rats were selected to be in normal control without modeling. The rest 40 rats after 3 months of modeling were randomized into 4 groups, named piracetam of 2.4 g/'L group (Group A), piracetam of 4.8 g/L group (Group B), dilantin 6 g/L +piracetam 4.8 g/L group (Group C) and model group (Group D), 10 rats in each. In each group, gastric infusion was performed continuously in 3 months after modeling, once per day, 10 mL/kg. In Group A and Group B,piracetam mixed solution of 2.4 g/L and 4.8 g/L was administrated for infusion respectively. In Group C, dilantin 6 g/L and piracetam 4.8 g/L were infused. In group D and the control group, normal saline 10 mL/kg was administrated. Relevant index determination was done 1 month after medication. Morris water maze test was performed to discover platform time and searching distance of epileptic rats, continuously for 3 days, twice per day. After test, the rats were sacrificed to collect brains to determine the content of acetylcholine in bilateral hippocampus. The activities of cholinacetyltranslase and acetylcholinesterase were determined with radioimmunity method.of acetylcholine in bilateral hippocampus and the activities of cholinacetyltranslase and acetylcholinesterase of rats in each group.ing platform time of rats in every group: the corresponding average searching time in Group D was increased compared with the control group [(63±11) s, (40±8) s; (61±9) s, (38±7) s; (57±8) s, (36±9) s; (55±11) s,(33±10) s; (52±7) s, (30±9) s; (49±9) s, (27±6) s, P ＜ 0.01]. In Group C and Group B, the searching time of 6 tests was decreased of various degrees compared with Group D [(44±9) s, (45±9) s;(43±9) s, (42±8) s; (42±7) s,(42±7) s; (40±9) s, (39±9) s; (38±7) s, (35±9) s; (35±6) s, (34±8) s,t=2.352-4.029, P ＜ 0.05-0.01]. In every medication group, the average searching time was decreased gradually by the increased frequency of erage searching distance in Group D was remarkably increased compared with the control [(793±74) cm, (420±81) cm;(763±89) cm, (418±57) cm;(690±67) cm, (382±69) cm; (623±81) cm, (356±71) cm;(592±98) cm,(330±69) cm;(550±54) cm,(301±97) cm,P＜ 0.01]. In Group C and Group B, the average searching distance of 6 tests was decreased of various degrees compared with Group D [(586±91) cm, (510±89) cm;(566±70) cm,(497 ±76) cm; (521 ±84) cm, (455 ±56) cm; (480 ±74) cm, (421 ±63) cm;(437±51) cm, (396±79) cm;(392±79) cm, (385±48) cm, t=2.364-4.230, P ＜ 0.05-0.01]. In every medication group, the average searching distance tent of acetylcholine in brain hippocampus and the activities of cholinacetyltranslase and acetylcholinesterase of rats in each group: those in Group D were all remarkably reduced compared with the control [(2.2±0.7) nmol/g,(3.8±0.9) nmol/g;(503.3±103.3) pkat/g, (778.3±125.0) pkat/g;(190.0±51.7) μkat/g, (368.3±86.7) μkat/g, P ＜ 0.01]. In mixed group and Group B, the content of acetylcholine and activity of acetylcholinesterase were remarkably higher than the Group D [(2.7±0.6) nmol/g, (2.9±0.6) nmol/g;(256.7±58.3) μ kat/g, (306.7±88.3) μkat/g, t=3.445-4.148, P ＜ 0.01]. In Group B, the activity of cholinacetyltranslase [(668.3±118.3) kat/g] was remarkably higher than those in the Group D(P ＜ 0.01). Every index in group A was basically same as model group.CONCLUSION: Grand mal of chronic epileptic rat model is characterized as declined capacity of spatial learning and memory and associated with decreased content of acetylcholine and the activities of cholinacetyltranslase and acetylcholinesterase in brain hippocampus, explaining the successful complex model of learning and memory disturbance. Piracetam 4.8 g/L may increase content of acetylcholine and the activities of cholinacetyltranslase and acetylcholinesterase in brain hippocampus and improve learning-memory capacity, but its effect at 2.4 g/L was not remarkable.

Objective To investigate the characteristics in sleep architecture of sub-healthy people with in-somnia,and to study the relationship between the sleep architecture and the degree of insomnia.Methods Sleep ar-chitecmre and Pittsburg sleep quality index(PSQI)value and PSQI scale were detected respectively.Results Sleep architecture of 46 subjects was abnormal-including shortened total-sleep-time(26.1%),excessive superficial-sleep stage(100%).inadequate deep-sleep stage(87.0%),insufficient rapid eye movement sleep(REM) (60.9%),longer sleep latency(65.2%)-more wakening times(47.8%)and longer wakeful time(43.5%).PSQI value of each insomniac exceeded 7,and the valtie of most objects was between 12 and 16(73.9%).The in-gredients of sleep architecture were not significantly correlated with the values of PSQI (P>0.05).Conclusion The sleep architecture of sub-healthy people with insomnia is mainly characterized with difficulty in falling asleep,light sleep and festless sleep,but the characteristics of sleep architecture is not inevitablly related with the degree of insomnia.

Objective:To study and design measurement scale which can judge and survey sub-health state and itscharacteristic of TCM syndrome.Methods:Making use of methods of scale technique,literature research,expertise consultation et al,based on TCM theory,via conceptualization and operation of sub-health and TCM syndrome,forming structure and type of scale,establishing item pool and results,and then through item selection,assessment of validity and reliability of pre-investigation,making the measurement scale.Results:The scale is made up of 4 parts:body function state,psychological function state,social function state and particular state of TCM.The 4 parts are divided into 15 sorts,including 120 items.Conclusion:The scale contributes much to the diagnosis of sub-health state and the clari cation of clinical manifestations,features,distributions of TCM syndrome of public of sub-health,which is one of the most important methods for investigating TCM syndrome of sub-health state.