AIM: To explore the protective effects and mechanism of astragalus injection on asthmatic rats. METHODS: OVA was injected intraperitoneally and inhaled to produce the asthmatic rat models. Forty rats were randomly divided into five groups: control group, asthma group and astragalus groups of high, medium and low dose. The concentration of IL-5 in BALF and the expression of IL-5 mRNA, phospho-p38 MAPK in lung tissue were respectively measured by ELISA, in situ hybridization staining and Western blot. The number of inflammatory cell in BALF was calculated and histopathology changes were observed. RESULTS: The number of inflammatory cell and the concentration of IL-5 in BALF and the expression of IL-5 mRNA, phospho-p38 MAPK in lung tissue were higher in asthmatic rat group than those in normal control(P

Aim To explore the effects of SB203580,a special inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38 MAPK),on the airway inflammation and Th2 cytokines,interleukin 4(IL-4) and IL-5,in asthmatic mice.Methods Thirty mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal control,asthmatic group and SB203580 group.The expression of IL-4 mRNA and IL-5 mRNA in lung tissue and IL-4 and IL-5 protein in bronchial alveolar lavage fluid(BALF) were detected using in situ hybridization and ELISA,respectively.The number of inflammatory cells in BALF and histopathological changes were observed.Results The number of inflammatory cells and the concentrations of IL-4 and IL-5 in BALF,and the expression of IL-4 mRNA and IL-5 mRNA in lung tissue were higher in the asthmatic mice than in the normal control mice(P

60 years.

Objective To investigate the clinical manifestations and possible reasons of the missed and inaccurate diagnosis of Fuchs syndrome. Methods The clinical data of 85 patients with Fuchs syndrome who were diagnosed and treated from June 1999 to December 2003 were retrospectively analyzed. The disease history of each patient was carefully recorded. Slit-lamp microscopy was performed on the patients. The character and distribution of keratic precipitates (KP), color of the iris, depigmentation, and complications were noted in detail. The data recorded in other hospitals were analyzed and the reasons of missed and inaccurate diagnosis were statistically analyzed. Results The age of the patients ranged from 13 to 72 years, and binocular involvement was noted in 76 patients. None of the patients showed ciliary congestion and iris synechiae. Middle-sized or stellated KP was found. Triangle-distributed KP was seen in 13 patients, and diffuse distribution behind the corneal or in the pupil area was in 72. Anterior-chamber flare was observed in all of the patients, while anterior-chamber cells were only noted in 42 patients. The iris with different degrees of depigmentation was found in all the patients. Complicated cataract and increased intraocular pressure occured in 44 and 19 patients, respectively. The diagnosis in other hospitals mainly included uveitis, anterior uveitis and complicated cataract. Conclusions Fuchs syndrome is characterized by depigmented iris and typical KP. Missed and inaccurate diagnosis is mainly due to the unawareness of its clinical features.

Objective To explore the differences of the life styles and their influencing factors among students who came from city,countryside or migrant families.Methods The stratified cluster random sampling method was conducted to recruit 1980 college students from 4 colleges of Huainan,Anhui.Results The study showed that under the ternary social structure college students from city preferred to the higher degree of T1,T2 or T3 dietary patterns,of which the OR (95％ CI) were 0.432 (0.255-0.730),0.140 (0.073-0.267) and 0.402 (0.236-0.683),respectively.They chose to exercise in middle-intensity physical activity for 30 minutes,of which OR (95％CI) was 0.524(0.352-0.779).Also there were much more drinkers in this group,of which the OR (95％ CI) was 0.564(0.325-0.981).Secondly,college students from migrant families in city preferred to T2 and T4 dietary pattern in low degree,of which OR (95％ CI) were 1.714(1.165-2.519) and 1.592(1.100-2.305),respectively.And they exercise 5 times or less per week in middle-intensity physical activity and the OR (95％ CI) was 0.699(0.535-0.912).Thirdly,college students from countryside preferred to T1,T2 and T3 dietary pattern in low degree and the OR (95％ CI) were 1.548 (1.083-2.213),1.498 (1.048-2.141) and 1.740(1.216-2.491),respectively.However,they preferred T4 dietary pattern in high degree rather than in low degree,in which the OR (95％ CI) was 0.624(0.436-0.893).They exercise more than 5 times and more than 30 minutes per time in middle-intensity physical activity,of which OR (95 ％ CI) were 1.314 (1.022-1.688) and 1.472 (1.071-2.022).Conclusion College students from three groups lived in different life styles and much more attention should be paid to them.

This paper provides a brief overview of the current research activities which focused on the bio-application of gold magnetic nanocomposite particles. By combining the magnetic characteristics of the iron oxide core with the unique features of nano-gold particles such as targeting by surface modification and optical properties, such composite nanoparticles have a wide range of applications in cancer hyperthermia, CT and MRI imaging, bio-separation, bio sensors, gene diagnosis, drug targeting and many other biomedical fields.
Diagnostic Imaging ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Ferric Compounds ; chemistry ; Gold ; chemistry ; Humans ; Magnetics ; Nanocomposites ; chemistry ; Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Neoplasms

Objective To study the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1 ) in the rat cardiac heterotopic allo- grafts and the effect of cyclosporin A on prevention of allograft rejection. Methods Heart transplantated animals were divided into three groups: Group Ⅰ(control), Group Ⅱ(CsA 7. 5mg/kg B W, daily) and Group Ⅲ(CsA l5mg/kg B W, daily). Acute cardiac rejection grade was valued by the standrd of ISHLT(1990 ). Immunohistochemistry was performed to analyze the expression of ICAM-1 in heart grafts and donor aorta segments. Results After heart transplantation, it was found that from day 1 to 3, there was sligtly inflammatory infiltratiation, the rejection was graded 1A of 1B, But from day 11 to 12, there were disseminated inflammation and cardiac necrosis with serous hyperemia, exutation, edema, acute vasculitis and myocarditis. The rejection grade was 3B or 4, and could be reduced 1to 2. 5 grades by administration of CsA. It was also found that both in heart graft and donor aorta segments the expression of ICAM-1 on the endothelium cells, infiltrated lymphocytes was clearly increased. It was time-dependent and could be down-regulated by administra- tion of CsA. On Day 1 and Day 3 the suppressing function of CsA on expressing of ICAM-1 showed singificant dosage-dependent. But from Day 7 to Day 11, it appeared dosage- independent. Conclusiou Trea tment with CsA is an effect ive methed to down- regulate I - CAM-1 expression and could reduce the lympphocyte migration and filtration. These results may explain, in part, the mechanism of CsA reducing acute rejection in a rat cardiac transplantation medel.

Objective To investigate the correhtion between cognitive impairment and cerebral atherosclerosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods Acute ischemic stroke patients without cognitive impairment were recruited before symptom onset.The Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) was used to evaluate the cognitive function.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to identify the infarct locations and sides.Magnetic resonance angiography,CT angiography and digital subtraction angiography were used to identify atherosclerotic arteries.Resul~ A total of 101 patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled,including 75 (74.3％) with cognitive impairment.The proportions of age (54.54 ± 12.59 years vs.64.43 ± 10.37 years;t =-3.960,P ＜0.001),years of education ≤6 years (50.7％ vs.11.5％;x2 =12.257,P ＜ 0.001),and cerebral atherosclerosis (89.3％ vs.50.0％;x2 =18.137,P ＜0.001) of the cognitive impairment group were significantly higher than those of the normal cognitive function group.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that cerebral atherosclerosis was an independent risk factor for cognitive impairment in patients with acute ischemic stroke (odds ratio 1.720,95％ confidence interval 1.005-2.942;P=0.048).MoCA score was negatively correlated with the offending vessels (r=-0.365,P＜ 0.001) and the most severe vessels of atherosclerotic degree (r=-0.243,P =0.014).Conclusions Most patients with acute ischemic stroke had cognitive impairment in the early stage after onset,and the MoCA scores was negatively correlated with the degree of cerebral atherosclerosis.Cerebral atherosclerosis was an independent risk factor for cognitive impairment in patientswith acute ischemic stroke.

OBJECTIVE To establish the method to determine the microbial limit tests for Shuyu Capsules.METHODS According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2005 edition,two testing methods had different percentage recovery with 5 control trains.RESULTS Shuyu Capsules were Tradional Chinese Medicine(TCM),and that had antimicrobial effects,which could be eliminated by media dilution method.CONCLUSIONS This method can achieve the destination which is feasible and accurate.

Objective To explore the variation and clinical significance of growth hormone(GH) and insulin like growth factor-Ⅰ(IGF-Ⅰ) in children with critical disease.Methods One hundred and twenty-two cases were recruited into the study,among which 42 cases were sepsis in paediatric intensive care unit (sepsis group),20 cases had finished the cardiopulmonary bypass surgery without infection (surgery group).Sixty healthy children served as control group.Serum levels of GH and IGF-Ⅰ were deteced with immunochemiluminometric assay.Results The serum levels of GH were (6.71 ± 6.62) ng/ml in sepsis group,(8.86 ±8.06) ng/ml in surgery group,(3.87 ± 3.31) ng/ml in control group.Compared with the control group,the serum levels of GH in sepsis group and surgery group were increased significantly (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference between sepsis group and surgery group.The serum IGF-Ⅰ levels were (63.72 ±54.17) ng/ml in sepsis group,(119.06 ± 102.12) ng/ml in surgery group and(154.22 ± 107.10) ng/ml in control group separately.The serum IGF-Ⅰ level of sepsis group was significantly decreased compared to the other two groups (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference between surgery group and control group (P ＞0.05).In sepsis group,compared with those who died,the GH of the survival showed no significant difference,IGF-Ⅰ was significantly increased.(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion GH playes a positive effect in patients with critical disease.IGF-Ⅰ decreases greatly in patients with serious infection.It suggests that IGF-Ⅰ could be a sensitive marker for reflecting whether there is serious infection.The sharply decreasing of IGF-Ⅰ may predict a bad outcome.