Objective:To observe the effect of warm-unblocking acupuncture plus fluticasone propionate nasal spray on the pulmonary ventilation, level of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and sleep quality in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). Methods: A total of 112 AR patients were enrolled between January 2013 and August 2018 and were divided into an observation group and a control group by the random number table method, with 56 cases in each group. Patients in the observation group received warm-unblocking acupuncture plus fluticasone propionate nasal spray, and patients in the control group only received fluticasone propionate nasal spray. The nasal symptom score, pulmonary function indexes, the levels of IFN-γ and interleukin (IL)-4 in serum, and sleep quality in the two groups were compared. Results: After treatment, the total effective rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P＜0.05). The nasal symptom score dropped in both groups after treatment (both P＜0.05), and the score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P＜0.05). The pulmonary ventilation indexes all increased significantly after treatment in the observation group (all P＜0.05); the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) to forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio (FEV1/FVC) and the forced expiratory flow at 50%, 75% and 25%-75% of the vital capacity (FEF50%, FEF75%, FEF25%-75%) increased after treatment in the control group (all P＜0.05); the pulmonary ventilation indexes were higher in the observation group than those in the control group (all P＜0.05). The level of IFN-γ increased significantly after treatment in the two groups (both P＜0.05) and the level of IL-4 dropped significantly (both P＜0.05); the observation group had a higher IFN-γ level (P＜0.05) and a lower IL-4 level (P＜0.05) compared with the control group. Regarding the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), the scores of subjective sleep quality, habitual sleep efficiency and sleep disturbances and the general PSQI score decreased significantly after treatment in both groups (all P＜0.05), and the scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P＜0.05). Conclusion: Warm-unblocking acupuncture plus fluticasone propionate nasal spray can effectively control the clinical symptoms and improve pulmonary function in the treatment of AR; this approach can regulate the levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 towards the normal range in AR patients; it can also improve patient’s sleep quality. This method can produce more significant efficacy than fluticasone propionate nasal spray used alone.

To study the effect of Fuzheng Huayu recipe (FZHY) on five types of isozymes of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) of normal and liver fibrosis rats by using the cocktail probe method. Dimethylnitrosamine ( DMN) was injected to induce the liver fibrosis model. After the tail vein injection with Cocktail probe solutions prepared with five CYP450s probe substrates (phenacetin-CYP1A2, omeprazole-CYP2C9, tolbutamide-CYP2C19, dextromethorphan-CYP2D6, midazolam-CYP3A4), the plasma concentrations of the five probe substrates were determined by LC-MS/MS, and the pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by PK solutions 2. After the oral administration with FZHY, normal rats given phenacetin, omeprazole, tolbutamide and dextromethorphan showed increase in AUC(0-t) and decrease in CL to varying degrees, indicating that FZHY obviously inhibited the activities of CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 in normal rats, but with no obvious effect on the activity of CYP3A4. After the oral administration with FZHY, liver fibrosis rats treated with CYP2C9 showed the significant increase in AUC(0-t) and significant decrease in Vd, hut with no obvious changes in the pharmacokinetic parameters of other four types of prove substances, suggesting that FZHY could significantly inhibit the activity of CYP2C9 in rats but had no effect on the activities of CYP1A2, CYP2C19, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4. The changes in the activity of CYP450 isozymes in liver fibrosis rats may be the reason for FZHY's different effects on CYP450 isozymes in normal and liver fibrosis rats.
Animals ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Humans ; Isoenzymes ; genetics ; metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; Male ; Mass Spectrometry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

This study deals with colony expansion characteristics, biomass increment and Na accumulation in mycelia of three ectomycorrhizal fungi ( Boletus edulis, Xerocomus chrysenteron and Gomphidius viscidus ) under treatment of Na2SO4 and NaCl. The experimental results showed that no impact was observed from Na2SO4 and NaCl treatments on the growth mode of the mycelia, but the biomass increment of X. chrysenteron and G. viscidus was significantly restrained under 0.1 mol/L Nacl. Under the treatment of Na2SO4, biomass increment of X. chrysenteron is significantly higher than the control, but the biomass of G. viscidus is lower than that of the control, and no significant impact was measured on growth of B. edulis under both treatments of Na2 SO4 and NaCl. The experiment also indicated that Na accumulation in mycelia varied significantly among the three tested strains, highest Na accumulation was measured in X. chrysenteron under treatment of NaCl, while under the treatment of Na2SO4 , accumulation of Na in B. edulis is much higher than the other two strains.

To investigate the effect of losartan on the axis of prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP)--kallikrein of the two-kidney, one-clipped (2K1C) hypertensives rats, and explore the novel protection mechanism of losartan on the kidney. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used to develop the 2K1C hypertensive rats. Then, the rats were treated with prazosin (5 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) or losartan (5, 15 and 45 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) or vehicle, separately. At the same time, the blood pressures were observed. After treated for four weeks, the ratio of right kidney weight and body weight, the change of glomerular morphology, and K+, Na+, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of the serum were used for evaluation of kidney. The expressions of PRCP mRNA in the kidneys were determined by RT-PCR. The protein levels of PRCP, tissue kallikrein, plasma kallikrein, TGF-beta1 in kidney or plasma were measured by Western blotting. Results showed that the changes of body weight and kidney weight ratio, glomerular fibrosis degree and the biochemistrical index of serum induced by hypertension were relieved when the hypertensive rats treated with losartan for four weeks. Meanwhile, treatment of losartan also significantly decreased expression of TGF-beta1 and increased expressions of PRCP, plasma kallikrein and tissue kallikrein. The protective effects of losartan on the kidney of 2K1C hypertensive rats are activation of the axis of PRCP-kallikrein and reducing the expression of TGF-beta1.
Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; pharmacology ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Carboxypeptidases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hypertension, Renovascular ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Kallikreins ; blood ; metabolism ; Kidney ; metabolism ; pathology ; Kidney Glomerulus ; pathology ; Losartan ; pharmacology ; Male ; Organ Size ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; blood ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo compare the treatment effect on the prominence of profile in borderline cases between extraction and non-extraction treatment.

METHODSThe sample consisting of 33 borderline cases based on the judgment of 5 orthodontic specialists was divided into three groups according to the treatment way selected by the doctor in charge of the case. Three groups comprised 12 non-extraction cases, 13 four first premolars extraction cases and 8 four second premolars extraction cases. Structure superimposition was used to measure landmarks displacements which reflect the change of profile prominence before and after orthodontic treatment using pretreatment FH plane as a frame of reference.

RESULTSOnly the prominence of upper and lower incisors showed statistically significance between the extraction and non-extraction treatments. There was no statistically significant difference between the extraction of four first premolars and second premolars.

CONCLUSIONThe main effect of extraction vs. non-extraction on profile of borderline cases is the prominence of upper and lower incisors, while their influences on upper and lower base bone and soft-tissue profile are not obvious.

Cephalometry ; Humans ; Orthodontics, Corrective ; Tooth Extraction

Acute Disease ; Animals ; Astrocytes ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cats ; Dimethoate ; analogs & derivatives ; poisoning ; Female ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Male ; Poisoning ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the autophagy activity between rat bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) neural differentiation in order to explore the mechanism involve in this process.

METHODSBMSCs were passed by 3 generation, then was induced with the revulsant 2% (DMSO) + 200 µmol/L (BHA), NSE expression was detected by immunocytochemical stain, the mRNA expression of autophagy associated genes L3B, Beclinl, Atg5, Atg7, Atg10 were detected by RT-PCR, the autophagy protein LC3B was examined by Western blot and flow cytometry analysis.

RESULTSBMSCs were passed by 3 generation, the purity of BMSCs could reach more than 90%, the morphology of cells were like fibroblasts, after the revulsant 2% DMSO + 200 µmol/L BRA induced, cells were extended long neurites, like nerve cells, positive rate of NSE staining was (83±5) %, RT-PCR results showed that the expression of autophagy associated genes LC3B, Beclinl, Atg5, Atg7 Atg0 were rised after BMSCs neural differentiation, Western blot analysis showed that the LC3B-II protein expression was increased after neural differentiation and the MFI of L3B was highten by flow cytometry.

CONCLUSIONAutophagy is increased after rat BMSC neural differentiation.

Animals ; Autophagy ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Flow Cytometry ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Neurons ; cytology ; Rats

Watermelon is a popular fruit in the world with soluble solids content (SSC) being one of the major characteristics used for assessing its quality. This study was aimed at obtaining a method for nondestructive SSC detection of watermelons by means of visible/near infrared (Vis/NIR) diffuse transmittance technique. Vis/NIR transmittance spectra of intact watermelons were acquired using a low-cost commercially available spectrometer operating over the range 350~1000 nm. Spectra data were analyzed by two multivariate calibration techniques: partial least squares (PLS) and principal component regression (PCR) methods. Two experiments were designed for two varieties of watermelons [Qilin (QL), Zaochunhongyu (ZC)], which have different skin thickness range and shape dimensions. The influences of different data preprocessing and spectra treatments were also investigated. Performance of different models was assessed in terms of root mean square errors of calibration (RMSEC), root mean square errors of prediction (RMSEP) and correlation coefficient (r) between the predicted and measured parameter values. Results showed that spectra data preprocessing influenced the performance of the calibration models. The first derivative spectra showed the best results with high correlation coefficient of determination [r=0.918 (QL); r=0.954 (ZC)], low RMSEP [0.65 degrees Brix (QL); 0.58 degrees Brix (ZC)], low RMSEC [0.48 degrees Brix (QL); 0.34 degrees Brix (ZC)] and small difference between the RMSEP and the RMSEC by PLS method. The nondestructive Vis/NIR measurements provided good estimates of SSC index of watermelon, and the predicted values were highly correlated with destructively measured values for SSC. The models based on smoothing spectra (Savitzky-Golay filter smoothing method) did not enhance the performance of calibration models obviously. The results indicated the feasibility of Vis/NIR diffuse transmittance spectral analysis for predicting watermelon SSC in a nondestructive way.
Algorithms ; Citrullus ; chemistry ; Food Analysis ; methods ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Photometry ; methods ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Solubility ; Spectrophotometry, Infrared ; methods

Nondestructive method of measuring soluble solids content (SSC) of citrus fruits was developed using Fourier transform near infrared reflectance (FT-NIR) measurements collected through optics fiber. The models describing the relationship between SSC and the NIR spectra of citrus fruits were developed and evaluated. Different spectra correction algorithms (standard normal variate (SNV), multiplicative signal correction (MSC)) were used in this study. The relationship between laboratory SSC and FT-NIR spectra of citrus fruits was analyzed via principle component regression (PCR) and partial least squares (PLS) regression method. Models based on the different spectral ranges were compared in this research. The first derivative and second derivative were applied to all spectra to reduce the effects of sample size, light scattering, instrument noise, etc. Different baseline correction methods were applied to improve the spectral data quality. Among them the second derivative method after baseline correction produced best noise removing capability and yielded optimal calibration models. A total of 170 NIR spectra were acquired; 135 NIR spectra were used to develop the calibration model; the remaining spectra were used to validate the model. The developed PLS model describing the relationship between SSC and NIR reflectance spectra could predict SSC of 35 samples with correlation coefficient of 0.995 and RMSEP of 0.79 degrees Brix.
Biochemistry ; methods ; Calibration ; Citrus ; metabolism ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Light ; Models, Statistical ; Regression Analysis ; Reproducibility of Results ; Scattering, Radiation ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; methods ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared

OBJECTIVETo explore the prediction of the site for microsurgical vasoepididymostomy (VE) in the treatment of epididymal obstructive azoospermia (OA).

METHODSThis study involved 56 infertile men with confirmed OA whose obstruction was suspected to be in the epididymis. Based on their medical history and results of preoperative physical examination and ultrasonography, we predicted the sites for VE. We performed surgical scrotal exploration for the status of epididymal obstruction, conducted palpation and microscopic observation for the epididymal tubules to be anastomosed, and finally decided on the sites for VE by making sure of the presence of motile sperm in the epididymal fluid of the patients. After surgery, we followed up the patients for the rate of pregnancy.

RESULTSAll the patients received bilateral scrotal ultrasonography and surgical scrotal exploration, totaling 112 procedures, including 98 VE procedures. The accuracy rate of the predicted sites for VE was 80.5% (153/190) by medical history and physical examination, 80.3% (90/112) based on the results of ultrasonography, and 87.4% (90/103) according to the first selected epididymal tubules. Of the 28 patients followed up for more than 12 months, motile sperm were found in 19 (67.9% ) at 2 to 12 months and spontaneous pregnancies were achieved in 10 (35.7%), all with the anastomotic sites in the corpus or cauda.

CONCLUSIONMedical history and physical examination contribute to the selection of anastomotic sites and non-invasive scrotal ultrasonography is effective and practical for positioning epididymal obstruction. The epididymal tubules with motile sperm for anastomosis could be easily obtained from the most dilated ones in indurated epididymides.

Azoospermia ; surgery ; Body Fluids ; Epididymis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microsurgery ; methods ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Scrotum ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography ; Vas Deferens ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery