OBJECTIVEThymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) plays an important role in initiating dendritic cell mediated allergic inflammation. This study was designed to examine the effects of inhaled budesonide on TSLP expression in the lung tissues and on the bronchial-pulmonary pathology in asthmatic rats.

METHODSThirty-two female Sprague-Dawley rats were sensitized and challenged with inhaled ovalbumin (OVA) to induce asthma. The asthmatic rats were randomly divided into 2 groups on the 22nd day of OVA challenge: a budesonide treatment group that received inhaled budesonide at 0.32 mg/kg daily for 7 days and an asthma control group that received inhaled 0.9% normal saline for 7 days. TSLP expression in the lung tissues was measured by Western blot and fluorescent-immunohistochemistry 29 and 36 days after OVA challenge. Bronchial-pulmonary pathological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin & eosin and periodic acid-schiff staining.

RESULTSBudesonide treatment alleviated airway inflammation when compared with the asthma control group 29 days after OVA challenge. However, the airway inflammatory reactions were aggravated in the budesonide treatment group 36 days after OVA challenge (7 days after budesonide discontinuance). TSLP expression in the lung tissues was significantly lower in the budesonide treatment group than that in the asthma control group both 29 and 36 days after OVA challenge (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSInhaled budesonide can inhibit the TSLP expression in the lung tissues and alleviate lung inflammatory reactions in asthmatic rats, but there is end-of-dose failure.

Administration, Inhalation ; Animals ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Blotting, Western ; Bronchi ; pathology ; Budesonide ; administration & dosage ; Cytokines ; analysis ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

AIMSTo screen for the predominant bacteria strains distributed in clean rooms and to analyze their phylogenetic relationships.

METHODS AND RESULTSThe bacteria distributed in air, surfaces and personnel in clean rooms were routinely monitored using agar plates. Five isolates frequently isolated from the clean rooms of an aseptic pharmaceutical production workshop were selected based on their colony and cell morphology characteristics. Their physiological and biochemical properties, as well as partial 16S rDNA sequences, were analyzed. Results showed that all the five isolates belong to Gram positive bacteria, of which three were Staphylococcus, one Microbacterium and one Bacillus species. Sensitivity tests for these bacteria isolates to 3 disinfectants showed that isolate F03 was obtuse, and had low susceptivity to UV irradiation, while isolates F02, F01 and F04 were not sensitive to phenol treatment. Isolates F04, F01 and F05 were resistant to chlorhexidine gluconate.

CONCLUSIONBacteria widely distributed in clean rooms are mainly a group of Gram positive strains, showing high resistance to selected disinfectants.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDYClean rooms are essential in aseptic pharmaceutical and food production. Screening bacteria isolates and identifying them is part of good manufacturing practices, and will aid in finding a more effective disinfection method.

Bacteria ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Drug Industry ; Environment, Controlled ; Industrial Microbiology

AIM:To remark the effect of Qingguang'an Ⅱ on expression of PAX6, Ngn1, and Ngn2 mRNA of rats with chronic high intraocular pressure.METHODS:Totally 40 male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, that was:A:blank group, B:model group, C:Qingguang'an Ⅱ low dose group, D:Qingguang'an Ⅱ moderate dose group, E:Qingguang'an Ⅱ high dose group, F:Yimaikang disket group.B, C, D, E, F groups of experimental rats were established the model of chronic high intraocular pressure (IOP) by cauterizing of superficial scleral vein.Animal model was established successfully by using monitoring IOP consistently keep above 25mmHg for 8wk as cut-off criterion.Tissues of Eyes were obtained after intragastric administration for 2wk and 4wk.The expressions of PAX6, Ngn1, and Ngn2 mRNA were investigated by Real-time PCR.RESULTS:At the time-point of 2wk, PAX6, Ngn1, and Ngn2 mRNA in group B were statistically expressed in lower level comparing with other groups (P<0.05).Moreover, at the time-point of 4wk, PAX6, Ngn1, and Ngn2 mRNA in group C, D and E were statistically expressed in higher level comparing with group F (P<0.05).Besides, PAX6, Ngn1, and Ngn2 mRNA in group C and D were statistically expressed in lower level comparing with group E (P<0.05).PAX6, Ngn1, and Ngn2 mRNA in group C and D were expressed in similar level(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:In summar, Qingguang'an Ⅱ and Yimaikang disket can remarkably increase the expressions of PAX6, Ngn1, and Ngn2, which suggest protecting the optic nerve of rats caused by chronic high IOP.What's more, this study indicated that, in the protection of optic nerve of rats with chronic high IOP, the high dose of Qingguang'an Ⅱ at the time-point of 4wk was the better choice.

Objective To invesgate the safety and efficacy of the second generation biodegradable polymer Cobalt-Chromium sirolimus-eluting stent (EXCEL2) stent in diabetic patients by a subgroup analysis of of the CREDITⅡand CREDIT Ⅲ trials. Methods All patients who were implanted with the EXCEL2 stent were enrolled in the CREDITⅡand CREDIT Ⅲ trials. The primary endpoint was target lesion failure at 24-month, defi ned as a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction (TV-MI) and target lesion revascularization(TLR). The secondary endpoint was endpoints including all-cause death, all myocardial infarction (MI) or any revascularization.Results A total of 828 patients were included from the patients who were implanted with the EXCEL2 stent in the CREDIT II and CREDIT Ⅲ trials. 24-month follow-up rate was 99.5%. There was no significant difference in the primary endpoint (P>0.05) and event rates of the secondary endpoints(P>0.05) between the diabetic and non-diabetic group, which included all-cause death[diabetics (2.5%)vs.non-diabetics(1.4%),P>0.05],myocardial infarction(MI)(7.5% vs.5.0%,P>0.05),all from of revascularization(5.0% vs.3.9%,P>0.05),and stent thrombosis(0.6% vs.0.4%,P>0.05).Conclusions EXCEL 2 stent met the objective performance goal on effcacy and safety, which can reduce make stent restenosis, target vessel revascularization ,with 160 diabetic cases among them, and stent thrombosis in diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVESTo observe the effects of pioglitazone on morphological changes and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF b)-induced rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vitro, and to investigate the anti-fibrotic mechanism of pioglitazone.

METHODSCultured rat HSCs were divided into a no-treatment control group, a TGF b-treated group, and a TGFb plus different dosage pioglitazone-treated group. The morphological changes of the cultured HSCs were observed. The expression of CTGF was assessed by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. The level of collagen type III in the culture supernatant was measured by ELISA.

RESULTSTGFb induced morphological changes, and increased the expressions of CTGF and collagen type III of the HSCs (P less than 0.05). Pioglitazone prevented the TGFb induced morphological changes of the HSCs. The expression of CTGF and the levels of collagen type III in the pioglitazone group were lower than the TGF b-treated group (P less than 0.05). This prevention effect was dose-dependent (P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPioglitazone blocks the excretion of CTGF and collagen type III of cultured HSCs, preventing the development of liver fibrosis.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen Type III ; secretion ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Thiazolidinediones ; pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical value of simultaneously combined pelvic floor dynamic MRI and pelvic organography in diagnosing female pelvic floor disorders and search for the best imaging model for diagnosing pelvic floor disorders.

METHODSThirty women with pelvic floor disorders received pelvic floor dynamic MRI and simultaneously combined pelvic organography including cystourethrography, peritoneography, vaginography and defecography. Clinical diagnostic value was compared between this two methods.

RESULTSThe diagnostic accuracy of pelvic floor dynamic MRI and simultaneously combined pelvic organograph for cystocele,anorectal junction abnormal descent, pelvic floor hernia,uterocervical prolapse was 100%, 95.2 %, 86.7%, 85.7% respectively. Rectocele and prolapse of rectal were diagnosed by pelvic organograph in 12 and 28 cases respectively, while only 6 and 0 cases were diagnosed by pelvic floor dynamic MRI respectively. The mean examining time of pelvic floor dynamic MRI and simultaneously combined pelvic organography was (16 +/- 3)min, (34 +/- 9)min respectively (P< 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPelvic floor dynamic MRI combined with defecography is the best imaging model for diagnosing pelvic floor disorders.

Adult ; Aged ; Encopresis ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Genital Diseases, Female ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Floor ; physiopathology ; Pelvis ; diagnostic imaging ; Radiography, Abdominal ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging

This paper has introduced the terms, concept and characteristics of superfine comminution of traditional Chinese medicine. The progress in the study on the superfine comminution of the single drug and compound prescription was analyzed, and work principles of equipment in common use for superfine comminution were outlined. The future application of superfine comminution technique in traditional Chinese medicine was forecast and the problems that should be solved during the future research work were also pointed out in the paper.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Nanotechnology ; Particle Size ; Powders ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; instrumentation ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study pharmacological effects of PEC (the oral liquid which consists of Panax quinquefolium, Epimedium brevicornum, Schisandra chinensis Bail and Cervus eplaphus) on mice.

METHODExperiments were carried out through swimming test, step-through, spontaneous activity and sleeping time.

RESULTWhen 5-10 mL x kg(-1) of PEC was given orally for 7 days, it could prolong swimming duration of mice in water tank, and increase the tolerant ability against oxygen-deficiency. PEC could also improve cognitive-deficiency induced by taking off sleep with force in mice after given orally for 7 days. The PEC could increase the spontaneous activity in mice, antagonize the inhabitation induced by Valium, and shorten the sleeping time caused by sodium pentobarbital.

CONCLUSIONPEC has strong potential neuro-pharmacological activities such as anti-fatigue, improving cognitive-deficiency in mice.

Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Fatigue ; drug therapy ; Hypoxia ; drug therapy ; Male ; Memory Disorders ; drug therapy ; Mice ; Panax ; chemistry ; Pentobarbital ; pharmacology ; Phytotherapy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Schisandra ; chemistry ; Sleep ; drug effects ; Swimming

To investigate the Fe2+ effects on root tips in rice plant, experiments were carried out using border cells in vitro. The border cells were pre-planted in aeroponic culture and detached from root tips. Most border cells have a long elliptical shape. The number and the viability of border cells in situ reached the maxima of 1600 and 97.5%, respectively, at 20-25 mm root length. This mortality was more pronounced at the first 1-12 h exposure to 250 mg/L Fe2+ than at the last 12-36 h. After 36 h, the cell viability exposed to 250 mg/L Fe2+ decreased to nought, whereas it was 46.5% at 0 mg/L Fe2+. Increased Fe2+ dosage stimulated the death of detached border cells from rice cultivars. After 4 h Fe2+ treatment, the cell viabilities were > or =80% at 0 and 50 mg/L Fe2+ treatment and were <62% at 150, 250 and 350 mg/L Fe2+ treatment; The viability of border cells decreased by 10% when the Fe2+ concentration increased by 100 mg/L. After 24 h Fe2+ treatment, the viabilities of border cells at all the Fe2+ levels were <65%; The viability of border cells decreased by 20% when the Fe2+ concentration increased by 100 mg/L. The decreased viabilities of border cells indicated that Fe2+ dosage and treatment time would cause deadly effect on the border cells. The increased cell death could protect the root tips from toxic harm. Therefore, it may protect root from the damage caused by harmful iron toxicity.
Iron ; toxicity ; Oryza ; cytology ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Plant Roots ; cytology ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Seedlings ; cytology ; drug effects ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo study the alteration of thymus matrix lymphocyte generator (TSLP) and change of the Th factor in the course of disease development, and to analyze the curative effect of inhalation of Vitamin A (VA) with corticosteroid for the treatment of asthmatic pneumonia.

METHODSAsthmatic pneumonia models were prepared by challenging rats with inhalation of ovalbumin for 4 weeks, and rested for 1 week. The treatment with VA and corticosteroid inhalation for 1 week was followed. The rat thymus and lung specimen were examen by histochemical and immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTSAfter 4 - 5 weeks of stimulation, there were more TSLP-positive cells and alveolar macrophages (AM) found in thymus and lung tissue of asthmatic group, the cell proliferation in spleen and thymus was obvious, and blood Th factors elevated. The inflammation within the lung tissue aggravated gradually. In VA group, the expression of TSLP and Th2 factors were all lowered at the 4th week. The TSLP expression slightly increased at the 5th week, and the cell proliferation within T-cell zone of spleen and thymus was strong at first and weakened later. Alveolar microphages (AM) increased significantly and the inflammation in the lung subsided gradually at the 5th week. In the hormone group, TSLP and Th2 factors expression in both thymus and lung were decreased at the 5th week, while the cell proliferation in thymus and lung was gradually increased. The quantity of AM was decreased, whereas the inflammation of the lung was increased gradually at the 5th week.

CONCLUSIONDuring asthmatic period elevated TSLP expression was accompanied by Th2 type responses while VA and corticosteroid both suppressed TSLP and Th2 factors expression. VA alone promoted T lymphocyte proliferation as well as the antigen elimination function by AM, after ceasing the usage, the lung inflammation abated gradually. In contrast, after ceasing the use of corticosteroid, inflammation aggravated.

Administration, Inhalation ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Asthma ; complications ; Beclomethasone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Pneumonia ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vitamin A ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use