The article describes immune disorder mechanisms of allergic rhinitis and the progress and clinical application status of the nonspecific immune therapy of allergic rhinitis, which can raise people's understanding about the nonspecific immune therapy of this disease.
Humans ; Immunotherapy ; methods ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; therapy

Objective:To investigate the effect and mechanism of Fuzheng Jiedu Tongluofang on the expression of MMP-2,MMP-9 and invasion of human hepatoma HepG2 cell.Methods:Hepatioma HepG2 cell was treated with Fuzheng Jiedu Tongluofang.The cell viability was measured by CCK8.The invasion of HepG2 was detected by Transwell assay.The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was analyzed by ELISA.Results:In the CCK8 assay,Fuzheng Jiedu Tongluofang could inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells at a density and time measure.In the Transwell assay,the inhibitory rate of invasion was 52.45% when treated with Fuzheng Jiedu Tongluofang at a concentration of 2.65 mg/ml. The ELISA assay indicated that the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 decreased significantly after treated with Fuzheng Jiedu Tongluofang(P<0.05). Conclusion:Fuzheng Jiedu Tongluofang suppressed the invasion of HepG2 with the possible mechanism of down-regulating the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in HepG2.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture incorporate with acupuncture point injection in treating cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.Methods 103 cases from Chen Jia Qiao Community Health Service Centre and other community centers during February 2011 to November 2012 were collected and randomly allocated into three group:a electroacupuncture group of 34 cases; an acupuncture point injection of another 34 cases and an observation group of 35 cases treated with electroacupuncture which incorporated with traction therapy.After the treatment,the therapeutic effects among three groups were compared.Results ① clinical efficacy comparing:total efficacy rate of observation group was 91.4％ (32/35),the electroacupuncture group was 73.5％ (24/34),the group treated with acupuncture point injection was 70.6％ (25/34).There were statistically significant differences between the observation group and the other two groups (Z=1.721,P＜0.05),while there's no statistically significant of comparison between the group treated with electroacupuncture and the group treated with acupuncture point injection (Z=2.473,P＞0.05).② NDI score comparing:NDI score of these three groups before and after treatment.Before treatment,the score of observation group was (12.32 ± 5.03) ; the electroacupuncture group was (12.96± 6.10) ; the acupuncture point injection group was (12.79±5.07),after treatment,the separate sore was (7.40±4.12),(6.08±3.60) and (6.08 ± 3.60) sequentially.There were statistically significant differences of NDI score of the three groups before and after treatment (P＜0.05).After treatment,the efficacy of observation group was better than the group treated with electroacupuncture and the group treated with acupuncture point injection(P＜0.05).③ signs or symptoms comparing:After treatment,there were statistically significant differences between the observation group and the other two groups on the aspect of relieving pain of neck and arm,numbness of arm and hand,and alleviating soreness when doing spurling test on cervical intervertebral foramen (Z-score is 2.603,2.862,2.307,P＜0.05).There's no statistically significant of comparison among three groups on the aspects of neck functional activities and segmental tenderness of cervical spondylosis (Z-score is 1.414,1.572,P＞0.05).Conclusion In treating cervical spondylotic radiculopathy,the total efficacy rate of electroacupuncture incorporate with acupuncture point injection was higher than only treat with electroacupuncture or acupuncture point injection.

Objective To investigate the effect of combination of cervical manipulation with cervical conditioning exercise for the treatment of cervical spondylosis of neck type or nerve root type. Methods Seventy-two patients were randomly divided into a treatment group (37 patients) or a control group (35 patients) by using a random number table. Patients in the treatment group and in the control group were treated with combination of cervical manipulation or cervical manipulation only, respectively. At the end of treatment and 3 months, treatment effects were assessed by Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Results NDI scores in both of the treatment group and the control group after treatment were significantly lower han those before treatment (t=4.471 in the treatment group, t=3.599 in the control group, all P<0.05), and NDI score in the treatment group were significantly lower than that in the control group after treatment (t=-2.085,P<0.05). Follow-up at 3 months, NDI score in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (t=-4.549, P<0.05). Proportions of improved patients, as assessed by NDI items, including pain intensity, personal care, lifting, reading, headaches, concentration, work, sleeping, driving and recreation in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control groups (Z=-3.521,-3.331,-3.003,-3.001,-3.265,-3.198,-3.016,-3.000,-2.102,-2.971, respectively, all P<0.05). VAS scores in both of the treatment group and the control group after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment (t=7.986 in the treatment group, t=6.507 in the control group, all P<0.05), and VAS score in the treatment group were significantly lower than that in the control group after treatment (t=-2.426,P<0.05). Follow-up at 3 months, the VAS score in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (t=-7.065, P<0.05). Proportions of improved patients in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group (91.89% vs 74.29%; χ2=4.014, P=0.045). Conclusion Combination of cervical manipulation with cervical conditioning exercise may be superior to cervical manipulation only for the treatment of cervical spondylosis of neck type or nerve root type.

Objective To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of HBV recurrence after liver transplantation. Methods The retrospective analysis of the clinicopathological changes was performed on 17 patients who had HBV recurrence after liver transplantation in our medical department. Results HBV recurrence happened from 4 to 48 months. Twelve of them which were identified to be YMDD mutation switched to entecavir or added adefovir. Three of them receiving chemotherapy when liver cancer recurred switched to entecavir. Two of them with withdrawal of lamivudine were given lamivudine continuously. Liver function returned to the normal level and HBVDNA was ＜ 102 U/ml after anti-hepatitis B virus. The histological changes in the transplanted livers included hepatocellular degeneration, necrosis and apoptosis, portal infiltrations and fibrosis.With time after recurrence, it was easier to see hepatitis B virus replication in liver cells, incidence of acute rejection, increases of liver fibrosis and the formation of fibrous septa, even pseudolobule.Conclusion In native HBV infection livers, fibrosis occurs more early and develops rapidly. The number of virus is closely related to liver necrosis and inflammation. Early discovery and change to quick and effective treatment of anti-hepatitis B virus in time can improve greatly the prognosis of the patients.

Chitosan is a polymer with good biocompatibility, unique pH-responsive solubility, convenient modification and easier film-formability. Chitosan could serve as an active mediator between biological components and microfabricated devices to prepare biological micro electro mechanical systems (BioMEMS) with high selectivity and sensitivity. Recently, there has been a growing interest in BioMEMS based on biofabrication of chitosan. We reviewed the mechanisms and processes of three biofabrication methods based on chitosan, including directed assembly, enzymatic assembly and self-assembly. Current applications and research progress in biological, medical and environmental fields are also discussed. Finally, future research directions are prospected.
Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Biomimetics ; Biosensing Techniques ; Catalysis ; Chitosan ; chemistry ; Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems ; methods ; Nanotechnology ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization

Objective To investigate the effects of mannan-binding lectin (MBL) on IL-8 and TNF-α production induced by Candida albicans ( C. albicans) in human THP1/CD14 monocytes. Methods The THP1/CD14 cells were stimulated for 24 h with heat-inactivated yeast form or hyphal form cells of C. albicans strain at the indicated ratios after pretreated with human natural MBL at concentrations ranging from 1 to 20 mg/L for 2 h. The content of IL-8 and TNF-α in culture supernatants were detected by ELISA,and the levels of IL-8 and TNF-α mRNA expressions in these cells were determined by RT-PCR. Western blot was used to detect C. albicans-induced NF-κB translocation in THP1/CDI4 cells. Results ELISA showed that secretion of IL-8 and TNF-α from THP1/CD14 cells could be induced by both yeast cells and hyphal cells. Hyphal cells proved to be much less efficient than yeast cells in stimulating production of IL-8and TNF-α by THP1/CD14 cells. The productions of IL-8 and TNF-α by THP1/CD14 cells induced with C.albicans were profoundly inhibited by MBL at higher concentrations ( 10-20 mg/L) but not MBL at lower concentrations ( 1 mg/L). RT-PCR analysis also indicated that the mRNA expressions of IL-8 and TNF-αt in THP1/CD14 cells were decreased to various extents by MBL at higher concentration, compared to the corresponding THP1/CD14 cells stimulated with C. albicans only. Similarly, MBL at higher concentration ( 20mg/L) decreased the NF-κB translocation in THP1/CD14 cells. Conclusion MBL may inhibit IL-8 and TNF-α production induced by dimorphism C. albicans in THP1/CD14 cells, suggesting that MBL can play some roles on the regulation of C. albicans immune response.

Objective:To investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of receptor-associated protein at the synapse ( rapsyn ) with myasthenia gravis ( MG ).Methods: The genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood cells , sampled from 132 patients with MG and 153 control individuals.The 8 exons of rapsyn gene were amplified by PCR ,then the products of PCR sequenced directly.Each sequence was compared with wild-type rapsyn gene , and the association between mutation and clinical symptoms of MG analysed.Results:No mutation was found in the exons 1,2,4,5,6,7,and 8 of rapsyn gene both in MG patients and control group compared with the wild-type rapsyn gene.However,a new SNP,L222R[CTG>CGG(2)] or T665G,was found in exon-3.The allele and genotype frequencies of SNP L 222R met Hardy-Weinberg genetic equilibrium (P>0.05),indicating the group repre-sentativeness.The allele frequencies of G were not statistically different between patient and control groups ( P>0.05 ).There were differences in the 3 genotypes TT , TG and GG between patient ( 42.4% vs 48.5% vs 9.1%) and control ( 49.0% vs 33.3% vs 17.6%) groups ( P<0.05 ).The genotype frequencies of GG were statistically higher in control group than that in patient group , showing a recessive model of inheritance.Conclusion: The SNPs in the rapsyn gene are associated with MG in this study.L222R ( T665 G) is a new SNP found and allele G might be a protective factor for MG.

Objective:To investigate the regulatory effects and mechanism of mannose-binding lectin(MBL) on autophagy during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and provide the feasibility for targeting autophagy to prevent obesity and related pathological conditions in natural immunity.Methods:3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured in vitro and induced to differentiation. Cell differentiation and lipid accumulation were analyzed by oil red O staining and CCK-8 was used to detect the effect of different concentrations of MBL (0, 1, 5, 10 μg/ml) on cell proliferation ability at different differentiation stages. Western blot was used to analyze the expression of MBL(10 μg/ml) on the key autophagy factors LC3B, Beclin1 and p62 protein at different stages of differentiation, and the changes of lipid droplet accumulation under the intervention of MBL were observed by oil red O staining. The protein and mRNA expression of autophagy key factors under the intervention of different concentrations of MBL were detected by Western blot and qRT-PCR. And autophagy flow analysis based on autophagic degradation was used to further illustrate the autophagic activity. The expression and phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) signaling molecules were analyzed by Western blot. Results:The results of oil red O staining showed that 3T3-L1 preadipocytes could achieve complete differentiation after 10 days of induction. CCK-8 showed that the concentration of MBL (1-10 μg/ml) in the experimental group had no effect on cell proliferation at different differentiation stages. During the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, Western blot and qRT-PCR showed that the expression of autophagy-related proteins and mRNA levels was enhanced in the MBL treated group, and presented a concentration-dependent relationship. Oil red O staining showed that the lipid droplets in adipocytes at different stages of differentiation are reduced to varying degrees under the intervention of MBL. Fluorescence microscopy results further confirmed that MBL enhanced the autophagy activity of adipocytes by increasing the synthesis of autophagosomes. Moreover, under the intervention of MBL, the phosphorylation level of AMPK was significantly up-regulated, while the phosphorylation level of mTOR was significantly down-regulated, also showing a concentration-dependent relationship.Conclusions:MBL accelerates the autophagy process during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes through AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway, reduces lipid accumulation, providing a possible functional pathway for the treatment of obesity and related metabolic diseases.

OBJECTIVETo assess the association of T190C polymorphism of β3 adrenergic receptor gene (β3-AR) with chronic heart failure (CHF), and to evaluate the effect of this polymorphism on clinical response to β-AR blockade among patients with CHF.

METHODSThree hundred and thirty patients with stable CHF receiving basic therapy for heart failure were included. Before initiation and 5 months after the maximal tolerated dose of carvedilol was reached, all indices including heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), left atrial diameter (LAD), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level, 6 min walk distance were measured and compared with the indices of those with a T190C genotype. Distribution of the T190C polymorphisms in the control group and CHF group was compared.

RESULTSThe frequencies of T190C genotypes of the β3-AR gene have fit with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No significant difference was found between the frequencies of T190C alleles and genotypes between the two groups (P > 0.05). Compared with CC-homozygotes, TT-homozygous patients showed substantially greater improvement in LVEF and BNP (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONNo difference has been detected in the prevalence of the three genotypes between healthy and CHF subjects. The T190C variation of the β3-AR gene was not associated with increased risk for CHF. CHF patients with a T allele have greater response to carvedilol than those carrying a C allele in ethnic Han Chinese.

Adult ; Carbazoles ; therapeutic use ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Propanolamines ; therapeutic use ; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-3 ; genetics ; Ventricular Function, Left