A novel method was developed for the rapid determination of multi-indicators in corni fructus by means of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) based least squares support vector machine was investigated to increase the levels of quality control. The calibration models of moisture, extractum, morroniside and loganin were established using the PSO-LS-SVM algorithm. The performance of PSO-LS-SVM models was compared with partial least squares regression (PLSR) and back propagation artificial neural network (BP-ANN). The calibration and validation results of PSO-LS-SVM were superior to both PLS and BP-ANN. For PSO-LS-SVM models, the correlation coefficients (r) of calibrations were all above 0.942. The optimal prediction results were also achieved by PSO-LS-SVM models with the RMSEP (root mean square error of prediction) and RSEP (relative standard errors of prediction) less than 1.176 and 15.5% respectively. The results suggest that PSO-LS-SVM algorithm has a good model performance and high prediction accuracy. NIR has a potential value for rapid determination of multi-indicators in Corni Fructus.
Algorithms ; Calibration ; Cornus ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Models, Theoretical ; Neural Networks (Computer) ; Quality Control ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; Support Vector Machine

Objective:To produce rhBMP-4 with bioactivity in E.coli. Methods: The full-length human BMP-4 gene was mutated by PCR without changes in amino acid sequence, then the synthesized gene was cloned into plasmid pET-3c, transducted into BL21(DE)plysS, and induced by adding IPTG to a final concentration of 1.0 mmol/L. The protein product was purified using ion-exchange chromatography method and then renaturated, bioactivity was checked by C2C12 differentiation in vitro and mouse ectopic bone formation in vivo. Results: A 438 bp gene fragment encoding mature peptide of hBMP-4 was cloned , the protein product was mostly in the form of inclusion body, after renaturation, the engineering protein shows better bioactivity. Conclusion:The mutant strategy can enhance the expression of bioactive rhBMP-4 in E.coli expression system.

Objective To investigate the changes and pathogenic significance of serum interleukin-12p70 (IL-12), intefferon-γ,(IFN-γ) and IL-4 in the course of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome(HFRS). Methods Twenty five eases were divided into mild group (14 eases) and severe group (11 cases) according to the severity of illness. Blood samples were collected in various stages(fever, hypotensian and oliguria,diuresis stage). Serum IL-12 and IFN-γ levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunoserbent assay(ELISA), IL-4 by radioimmunoassay (RIA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and platelet by automatic biochemical analyzer and blood analyzer. Results Serum IL-12 levels in mild and severe groups were significantly different during various stages of HFRS (F=5.765, P<0.01). The IL-12 level of both patient groups significantly increased(P<0.01) in fever[ (0.87±0.38), (1.08± 0.77)μg/L], hypotension and oliguria [ (0.77±0.21), (2.11±2.13)μg/L] ,and diuresis stage [ (1.42±1.10), (1.20±0.88)μg/L], compared with control group [(0.56±0.10)μg/L]. In various stages, IFN-γ levels of both case groups were respectively (8.04±13.05), (5.94±8.24), (15.95±18.05), (4.41±4.10), (1.09±1.24), (1.38±1.74), (1.12±1.26), (0.19±1.29)μg/L, and the difference was statistically significant compared with control [ (0.27±0.15)rig/L]. K,-4 levels did not change significantly in the stages(F=0.682, P0.05), while the ratios of IFN-γ and IL-4 contents in mild and severe cases were significantly higher than control [(0.36±0.26) μg/L] in fever[ (2.46±3.52), (16.92±22.77)p.g/L], hypotension and oliguria[(2.52±2.72), (1.77±2.06) μg/L],diuresis stage [(1.45±2.28), (2.32±3.98)μg/L], the difference had statically significant (P<0.05 or 0.01).The curve of IL-12 was similar to that of BUN, but was contrary to blood platelet count. Conclusions The elevated levels of IL-12 and IFN-γ, with the imbalance of Th1/Th2 might be the main cause of systemic inflammatoryresponse and involved in the pathogenesis of HFRS.

Objective To investigate the correlation of plasma interleukin ( IL)-17 level and IL-17 receptor (IL-17R) expression in the thymus of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG).Methods The blood samples of 63 patients (38 with glucocorticoid treatment, 25 with thymus removal) who admitted to Henan Provincial People′s Hospital between 2010 and 2014 were collected at three different stages: pre-treatment, 1 week post-treatment and 1 month post-treatment.The blood samples of 42 healthy controls were also collected.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to evaluate the levels of IL-17 in plasma.Twenty-five thymus tissues from MG patients and another 12 thymus tissues from patients with congenital heart disease who had surgery therapy were also collected.Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate the mRNA levels of IL-17R.The possible correlation between the expression of IL-17 and IL-17R with MG was analyzed.Results Before treatment, the levels of IL-17 in the plasma were much higher in all the MG patients ( both ocular and generalized) when compared to the healthy controls ( controls (3.2 ±0.7) pg/ml, MG patients (8.5 ±1.7) pg/ml, t =2.450, P <0.01; generalized type patients (9.7 ±1.4) pg/ml, t =2.532, P <0.01).In the patients with glucocorticoid treatment, IL-17 levels began to reduce after 1 week treatment and a statistically significant difference was found when compared to the pre-treatment samples (pre-treatment (8.3 ±1.2) pg/ml, 1 week after treatment (6.3 ±0.7) pg/ml, t=2.052, P<0.05) and healthy controls (t =1.933, P<0.05).One month after the glucocorticoid treatment, the levels of IL-17 decreased to the normal level (1 month after treatment (3.9 ±0.6) pg/ml, t=2.630, P <0.01, compared to the pre-treatment; t =1.395, P >0.05, compared to the healthy controls).In the surgery therapy cases, the IL-17 levels were also reduced after the thymus removal ( pre-surgery (8.8 ±1.4) pg/ml, 1 week after surgery (5.3 ±0.7) pg/ml, t=1.950, P<0.05;1 month after surgery (3.0 ±0.4) pg/ml, t=2.683, P<0.01).In the thymus tissues of the MG patients, the mRNA levels of IL-17R were much higher than that of the controls ( relative level 2.31 folds, t =2.682, P <0.01).Meanwhile, a positive correlation was found between the plasma IL-17 levels and the relative IL-17R levels in thymus tissues ( r =0.945 4, P <0.01 ).Furthermore, IL-17 was positively correlated with quantitative myasthenia gravis scores (QMGS) either pre-treatment (r =0.798 1, P <0.01) or post-treatment (r=0.906 5, P<0.01).And IL-17R was positively correlated with QMGS pre-treatment (r=0.775 5, P<0.01).Conclusions IL-17 is increased in the plasma of MG patients (both ocular and generalized) , and is decreased upon the glucocorticoid treatment or surgery therapy, suggesting that it can be used as a parameter to determine the therapeutic effects.IL-17R is increased in the thymus tissues of MG patients, suggesting that it can potentially be used as a pathological diagnosis parameter.

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between aberrant FHIT transcripts and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSReverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) assays were used to analyze the transcripts and mutations of FHIT gene in 24 matched tumorous tissues and para-tumorous tissues from patients with HCC and in 4 normal liver tissues.

RESULTSAberrant FHIT transcripts were observed in 11 out of 24 (46%) tumorous tissues and in 2 (8%) of the matched para-tumorous tissues.

CONCLUSIONFHIT aberrant transcripts may play an important role in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; Mutation ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical efficacy of 3 different treatment programs for oligospermia patients of Shen-essence deficiency syndrome (SEDS).

METHODSTotally 450 male patients were randomly assigned to 3 groups, i.e., the treatment group, the control group 1, and the control group 2, 150 in each group. Patients in the treatment group were treated by Bushen Yijing Decoction (BYD), tamoxifen tablet (TT), Licorzine Capsule (LC), and Vitamin E Soft Capsule (VESC). Those in the control group 1 were treated by BYD, LC, and VESC. Those in the control group 2 were treated by TT, LC, and VESC. All patients were treated for 3 months. Their pregnant rates were compared. Clinical efficacies of each Chinese medical symptom and sperm parameters [sperm density, grade a sperm motility rate, grade (a + b) sperm motility rate, grade (a + b + c) sperm motility rate, and normal sperm morphology rate] were compared before and after treatment.

RESULTSAt 3 months after treatment 61 patients were pregnant in the treatment group, 36 patients were pregnant in the control group 1, and 30 patients were pregnant in the control group 2. The differences in the sperm density, grade a sperm motility rate, and grade (a + b) sperm motility rate, and grade (a + b + c) sperm motility rate between before and after treatment were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group 1 and the control group 2 (P < 0.01). The difference in the normal sperm morphology rate between before and after treatment was obviously higher in the treatment group and the control group 1 than in the control group 2 (P < 0.01). Better results were obtained in the treatment group and the control group 1 in improving the sexual apathy, soreness and weakness of waist and knees, impotence, premature ejaculation, seminal emission, dizziness, tinnitus, forgetfulness, alopecia, when compared with the control group 2 (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the total effective rate of improving Chinese medical symptoms between the treatment group and the control group 1 (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBYD combined with TT, LC, and VESC could significantly improve sperm qualities and clinical Chinese medical symptoms of oligospermia patients of SEDS.

Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Oligospermia ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Phytotherapy ; methods ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the use of smartphone applications in the adherence with inhaled glucocortiocoids (ICS) therapy in asthma children. Methods Sixty-six asthma children and their caregivers in Shanghai Childrren's Medical center from July 2016 to February 2017 were recruited in this study using convenience sampling . All participants were randomly allocated to intervention and control groups. All participants were given routine education and technical guidance on inhalation. In addition all participants had the same chips attached to their regular nebulizers. The APP was installed on each caregivers' smartphone in the intervention group. Key modules of mobile applications include real-time monitoring of medication and health education. The ICS adherence rates were recorded by the chips and were monitored monthly by researcher. The frequency of asthma exacerbations, emergency department visits and hospital admissions in intervention group was collected by smartphone APP every 3 months. the frequency of asthma exacerbations, emergency department visits and hospital admissions in control group was investigated by researcher every 3 month. Results After 6 months follow up, although ICS compliance decreased in both groups. The first month's adherence in the intervention group was 98(97.0, 100.0)％, in the sixth month's was 96(92.0, 100.0)％. The first month's adherence in the control group was 93(68.5,100.0)％, in the sixth month's was 28(0, 55.5)％. The difference in adherence between the two groups was significant (Z=2.664, 4.318, P<0.01). The decline trend of the control group was significantly greater than that of the intervention group (F=25.097, P<0.01). The compliance of the control group was less than 60％from the third month and below 30％by the sixth month, below the average ICS compliance of 30％ to 60％ in China. Though the ICS compliance of intervention group was declining, the ICS compliance was more than 90％ and higher than the mean compliance in our country. No significant differences were found in the frequency of asthma exacerbations, emergency department visits and hospital admissions between the intervention and control group (χ2=3.043, 1.065, 1.015, P>0.05). But the frequency of asthma exacerbations, emergency department visits and hospital admissions of two times or more intervention group was lower than that in the control group. Conclusions Smartphone APP significantly improved the compliance of children with asthma aged 0 month to 3years old.

Objective To explore the epidemic factors of varicella transmission under high varicella vacince coverage, assess the vaccine effectineness of one dose of varicella vaccine, so as to provide scientific basis for controlling the varicella outbreak and optimizing the varicella immunization strategy. Methods A 1 ∶〗2 paired case-control study of a varicella outbreak was conducted in a primary school in central region of Jiangsu Province in 2018. Analysis of varicella epidemic factors was performed using conditional logistic stepwise regression. Results This outbreak lasted for 14 days. A total of 45 students were infected with varicella, of which 71.1% were breakthrough cases. The fever, rash degree and disease course of breakthrough cases were all relatively mild compared with those without immune history (all P<0.05).The results of conditional logistic stepwise regression suggested that participating in extracurricular tutoring institutions(OR=2.6, 95% CI:2.0-3.2), having brothers or sisters(OR=2.5, 95% CI:2.1-4.3), without vaccination history of varicella vaccine(OR=2.7, 95% CI:2.4-4.2), and contacting with varicella patients (OR=2.4, 95% CI:1.1-5.3) were risks factor for varicella transmission. Time since vaccination >5 years and the initial immunization age <15 months were potential risk factors for breakthrough cases. The overall vaccine effectiveness of one dose of varicella vaccine was 77.9%(95% CI: 53.3%-92.1%). The fever, severity of the rash and the course of the disease were all milder than those without the history of immunization (all P<0.05). Conclusions The clinical symptoms of the breakthrough cases are relatively mild, and one dose of varicella vaccine is insufficient to control the outbreak of varicella with limited vaccine effectiveness. Two doses of varicella immunization strategy is recommended.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic advantage of the ratio of ligamentum flavum(LF) thickness to oblique canal diameter(TODR)measured on CT images in patients with lumbar canal stenosis. Methods Seventy-one patients underwent CT and MRI examinations respectively,and they were divided into two groups,the positive group and negative group,according to the presence or absence of dural sac notch caused by the LF on bilateral parasagittal MR images.Meanwhile,50 volunteers without any symptom in the lumbar region or legs were examined by CT.TODRs were measured at the L3—S1 levels of the inferior margin of the intervertebral disc on transverse CT images,respectively.The results were further analyzed with the positive findings on MR images,clinical symptoms and physical examination,so as to find out the statistical correlation between them.Results LF thickness was(3.01?0.72)mm and TODR was 0.19?0.04 in the negative group,(3.94?0.84)mm and 0.28+0.06 in the positive group,and(3.16? 0.85)mm and 0.19?0.04 in the control group.There was significant difference between positive group and negative group or control group for LF thickness(P0.24, the sensitivity,specificity and positive predictive value were 74.8%,89.6% and 73.6% respectively. Positive correlation existed between LF thickness or TODR and clinical symptom(r=0.72,0.86,P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Xiezhuo Chubi Decoction (XZCBD) on the microRNA expression patterns of kidney in mice with hyperuricemia.

METHODSSixty Kunming male mice were randomly divided into the high-, medium-, and low-dose XZCBD groups, benzbromarone group, model group, and control group. Except the control group, all mice were established with yeast method combined with uricase inhibition method to build hyperuricemia model, and the corresponding drugs (37.5 g/kg, 18.75 g/kg, 9.375 g/kg, and 0.02 g/kg per day) were administrated on the 7th day. On the 22nd day, the blood uric acid concentration was detected, and microRNA with obvious changes in kidney was screened with qRT-PCR.

RESULTSThe uric acid in the model group was higher than that in the control group, and the levels of the uric acid were reduced after being treated with XZCBD; the differences among groups were significant (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, 32 kinds of microRNA expression changes were detected on the 15th day after being treated with high-dose XZCBD by microRNA expression profile screening. Among them, miR-34a could inhibit the expression of human urate anion exthanger 1, and miR-146a might have inhibited the inflammatory reaction.

CONCLUSIONXZCBD could significantly reduce the serum uric acid level; its effect on hyperuricemia might be through affecting microRNA expressions.

Animals ; Base Sequence ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Hyperuricemia ; blood ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Organic Anion Transporters ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Uric Acid ; blood