ObjectiveTo observe the effect of cognitive therapy and acupuncture on insomnia. Methods72 insomnia sufferers were divided into two groups averagely. 36 sufferers were treated with cognitive therapy and acupuncture (treatment group), and other 36 sufferers were treated with acupuncture (control group) only.ResultsA month after treatment, ,15 sufferers were cured, 18 sufferers were obviously improved, 2 sufferers were improved and one did not show any improvement in the treatment group.Otherwise, 6 sufferers were cured, 12 sufferers were obviously improved, 12 sufferers were improved and 6 did not show any improvement in the control group. (P<0.05)ConclusionCognitive therapy and acupuncture used together shows more efficacy on insomnia compared with acupuncture alone.

SCHWABE Company in German is the first and largest manufacturer of Ginkgo biloba preparation. The company not only has leading technology in this field, but also protects its own market effectively through the high quality of patent drafting and exactly patent layout. Based on multi-angle analysis for patent portfolio of G. biloba preparation at application time, legal status, globally layout, Chinese layout, the article provides technical reference of research and development of G. biloba, also provides valuable experience of traditonal Chinese medicine patent portfolio layout for Chinese enterprises.
Drug Industry ; economics ; legislation & jurisprudence ; trends ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Humans ; Patents as Topic ; legislation & jurisprudence ; Phytotherapy ; economics ; trends ; Plant Preparations ; isolation & purification ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; economics ; trends

SMART-RACE was performed after isolating the total RNA of Armillariella tabescens to amplify the full-length cDNA of arabinosidase (GenBank Accession No. AJ620046). Bioinformatics analysis was used to analyze the code frame of arabinosidase, to predict its structure and function. Recombinant plasmid pPIC9-AF was constructed and then electroporated into methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris GS115. The secreted 6 ? His fusion protein was purified to analyze its enzymology property. This arabinosidase had high activity at 30-35℃ under acid condition, and was stable within wide range of pH and temperature. It maintained about 80% activity at the range of pH4. 0-8.0 and 20-40℃,wider than many other cloned arabinosidase. So it was worthy to go step further to study this enzyme, and recombinant expression provided a chance of highly expressing arabinosidase.

Objective To observe Meissner's corpuscles in prepuces of different shapes and ages. Methods The Meissner's corpuscles were detected with immunohistochemical stain in 204 prepuce sam- ples of different shapes and ages (3-59 years),and the density of Meissner's corpuscles in every sample was obtained as well.The difference of Meissner's corpuscle densities between phimosis and redundant pre- puce,and correlation between Meissner's corpuscle densities and ages were analyzed with Chi-square test and linear regression,respectively.Results The density of Meissner's corpuscles in redundant prepuce has begun to increase since infancy and reached the peak at the age about 15 years.No significant difference in densities of Meissner's corpuscles between phimosis and redundant prepuce was observed till the age of 20 years,and then there was a trend of disappearance of Meissner's corpuscles in redundant prepuce.A signifi- cantly negative correlation between the densities of Meissner's corpuscles and ages was revealed in redundant prepuce (r=-0.236,P=0.009),whereas an insignificantly positive correlation between the densities of Meissner's corpuscles and ages was shown in phimosis (r=0.193,P=0.084).Conclusions The den- sities of Meissner's corpuscles in redundant prepuce develop synchronically with genital differentiation and accord with the status of sexual function in adult males.The persistent high level of Meissner's corpuscles in adult phimosis might be a mechanism of physiological compensation.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of sFRP2 on the biological behavior of human hepatoma carcinoma HepG2 cells.

METHODSHepG2 cells were infected with recombinant adenovirus containing mouse sFRP2 gene, and then the proliferation, cell cycle distribution, expression of tumor metastasis related factors (CD44, CD82/KAI1, EMMPRIN) and beta-catenin protein, and migration ability of the cells were detected by MTT, FCM, immunohistochemistry, Western blot and Transwell inserts, respectively.

RESULTSsFRP2 protein inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells, and increased the percentage of G0/G1 period cells. Expression of CD44 and CD82/KAI1 proteins, which could inhibit invasion and metastasis of tumor cells, was upregulated. However, EMMPRIN protein, which could promote the above properties of tumor cells decreased in HepG2 cells infected with the recombinant adenovirus containing mouse sFRP-2 gene. Western blot demonstrated that beta-catenin was expressed in HepG2 cells and there was no significant difference between the treated and the control groups. Transwell insert test showed sFRP2 protein decreased the migration ability of HepG2 cells.

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant adenovirus containing mouse sFRP-2 gene could infect HepG2 cells. sFRP2 protein could significantly reduce the capability of proliferation, invasion and metastasis of HepG2 cells.

Adenoviridae ; Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Mice ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Transfection ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of serum cytokines concentrations and A- PACHE scores in evaluating the illness state for critical trauma patients.Methods A clinical prospective self-control trial was performed,in which 36 patients admitted to ICU by SIRS were enrolled.Objects were divided into mild and severe trauma group according to APACHE score.The TNF-?and IL-6 concentrations were determined on the 1st, 3rd and 5th day of admission,the APACHE score were assessed at the same time.Statistic analysis was performed according to this group.Results The TNF-?concentrations decreased continuously in the following days while IL-6 decreased from the 7th day in the mild trauma group.In the severe trauma group the TNF-?and IL-6,APACHE score concentrations kept increasing.There was a significant difference of TNF-?and IL-6 concentrations between severe trauma and mild trauma group.Conclusion Dynamic measurement of TNF-?and IL-6 concentrations with APACHE score provide great help to evaluate the illness state and predict the prognosis.

OBJECTIVETo examine the genetic polymorphisms in the promoter region of cyclooxygenase-2 ( COX-2) and evaluate their association with the risk of gastric cancer.

METHODSSingle-strand conformational polymorphism and DNA sequencing were used to screen the genetic variants of the COX-2 promoter region. Total 323 patients with gastric cancer and 646 frequency-matched controls were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated by logistic regression. Haplotype frequency was estimated using Haplo. stat software.

RESULTSThree single nucleotide polymorphisms, including - 1290A > G, -1195G > A, and -765G > C were identified in the promoter of COX- 2. Case-control analysis showed an increased risk of developing gastric cancer for the -1290AG (OR 1.64; 95% CI 1.03-2.61), -1195AA (OR 2.68; 95% CI 1.65-4.33), and -765CG (OR 2.66; 95% CI 1.53-4.64) genotype carriers, respectively, compared with noncarriers. A greater risk of developing gastric cancer was observed for the A(-1290) -A(-1195) -C(-765) haplotype compared with the A(-1290) -G(-1195) -G(-765) haplotypes (OR 11.80; 95% CI 2.43-57.25).

CONCLUSIONGenetic polymorphisms in COX-2 promoter region may play a role in gastric carcinogenesis.

Adult ; Aged ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Risk ; Stomach Neoplasms ; enzymology ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influencing factors for asthma control level in children and the practicability of evaluation indicators for asthma.

METHODSA total of 185 children with asthma were enrolled. Questionnaires and pulmonary function test were used to evaluate the asthma control level and the factors influencing the control level. The correlation between evaluation indicators and asthma control level was analyzed.

RESULTSAmong the 185 children with asthma, 139 (75.1%) achieved full control, 36 (19.5%) achieved partial control, and 10 (5.4%) had uncontrolled asthma. Application of inhaled corticosteroids and eosinophil count showed significant effects on asthma control level (P<0.05). There were significant differences in the percentage of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1%), fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), childhood asthma control test (C-ACT) questionnaire score, and pediatric asthma quality of life questionnaire (PAQLQ) score between the full control, partial control, and uncontrolled groups (P<0.05). In the children with asthma, FEV1% was positively correlated with C-ACT and PAQLQ scores (P<0.05), while there was no significant correlation between FEV1% and FeNO (P=0.214).

CONCLUSIONSApplication of inhaled corticosteroids and eosinophil count are factors influencing asthma control in children. A combination of FEV1%, FeNO, C-ACT score, and PAQLQ score helps with the evaluation of asthma control level.

Asthma ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; analysis ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Abstract: Objective　To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and related factors of norovirus in Guangxi from 2015 to 2020, and to provide scientific recommendations for norovirus prevention and control. Methods The foodborne diseases surveillance data were collected from 11 sentinel hospitals through the National Foodborne Disease Monitoring and Reporting System from 2015 to 2020. R software with version 4.0.3 was used for descriptive and statistical analysis, including epidemic curve, chi-square test, and trend chi-square and so on. Logistic regression was used to analyze norovirus-related factors, OR values and 95% confidence intervals were calculated respectively with the statistical test level of P<0.05. Results There were 1 008 norovirus cases detected, with a detection rate of 12.75% (1 008/7 903). Children with age less than 5 years (OR=1.43, 95%CI: 1.13-1.82) and patients at age 20-45 (OR=1.45, 95%CI: 1.13-1.87) were high risk population. The detection rate was higher in autumn (OR=1.29, 95%CI: 1.08-1.53) but lower in summer (OR=0.67, 95%CI: 0.55-0.80). In addition, the tourist area (Guilin City) presented a higher detection rate than other areas (OR=1.41, 95%CI: 1.10-1.80). Aquatic products (OR=1.40, 95%CI: 1.03-1.91), meat and dairy products (OR=1.31, 95%CI: 1.06-1.61) were high-risk foods for norovirus infection. The prevention and control policies of COVID-19 can reduce the possibility of norovirus by 61% (OR=0.39, 95%CI: 0.31-0.49) showed a declining trend (Trend χ2=85.33, P<0.001). In addition, prolonged visit time can lead to 19%-23% decrease in the detection rate of norovirus (OR24-48 hours=0.81, 95%CI: 0.70-0.95; OR>48 hours=0.77, 95%CI: 0.63-0.93). Conclusions　The epidemic of norovirus presented seasonal and regional distribution in Guangxi with a declining detection rate trend in diarrhea patients during recent 6 years. Young children were high-risk population in infection norovirus. The intake of seafood can increase the risk of norovirus infection. The prevention and control policies of COVID-19 can sharply decrease the possibility of infection norovirus. The monitoring of key foods such as seafood should be strengthened, and the early screening of suspected cases should be taken. The norovirus monitoring should be improved to ensure the health of the population.

We have observed earlier that testosterone at physiological concentrations can stimulate tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) gene expression through the androgen receptor in endothelial cells. This study further investigated the impact of testosterone on TFPI levels in response to inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells were incubated in the presence or absence of testosterone or TNF-alpha. TFPI protein and mRNA levels were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. To study the cellular mechanism of testosterone's action, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) translocation was confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. We found that after NF-kappaB was activated by TNF-alpha, TFPI protein levels declined significantly by 37.3% compared with controls (P < 0.001), and the mRNA levels of TFPI also decreased greatly (P < 0.001). A concentration of 30 nmol L(-1) testosterone increased the secretion of TFPI compared with the TNF-alpha-treated group. NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity was significantly suppressed by testosterone (P < 0.05). This suggests that physiological testosterone concentrations may exert their antithrombotic effects on TFPI expression during inflammation by downregulating NF-kappaB activity.
Androgens ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Drug Combinations ; Endothelium, Vascular ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Lipoproteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B p50 Subunit ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology