By searching the registry information of systematic review regarding acupuncture included before March 31, 2014 in PROSPERO systematic review registry platform, information in the project plan such as care gories of diseases, interventions, research team and the completion status was analyzed to make a comprehensive understanding on registry status of acupuncture systematic review in this platform. As a result, a total of 52 project plans was finally included. The health problem concerned was mainly painrelated diseases, and the interventions were mostly simple acupuncture or combination of acupuncture and moxibustion. The registered plan participated with Chinese team appeared comparatively late, which was featured with fewer independent projects and concentrated research organization, so its scientific research advantage in acupuncture did not present. In conclusion, it is believed that the consciousness on systematic review registry in domestic researchers needs to be improved, and researchers might take good advantages of the PROSPERO platform in the future.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Databases, Factual ; Humans ; Registries ; Review Literature as Topic

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the preventive and therapeutic effect of Shuganning injection on alcoholic liver fibrosis (ALF) in model rats,and provide experimental basis for its clinical application for alcoholic liver disease. METHODS:50 rats were enrolled and intraperitoneally given mixed liquid of 60% alcohol-corn oil-pyrazole to reduce ALF model. Another 10 rats were enrolled and intraperitoneally given normal saline,as normal control group. After 16 weeks,survived model rats(n=40)were ran-domly divided into model group,positive control group(Anluo huaxian pill 0.75 g/kg,ig),Shuganning injection high-dose,medi-um-dose,low-dose groups(4.8,2.4,1.2 mL/kg,ip),8 in each group. Normal control group and model group were intraperitone-ally injected equal volume of normal saline (5 mL/kg),administration groups were given relevant medicines,once a day,for 8 weeks;and modeling was contiuously conducted at the same time. After administration,body mass of rats was weighed,and the levels of liver function indexes [aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alanine aminotransferase(ALT)] and liver fibrosis indexes [hyal-uronic acid(HA),laminin(LN),type Ⅲ procollagen(PⅢNP),type Ⅳ collagen(Ⅳ-C)] in serum of rats were detected. Liver index of rats was determined and pathological changes of liver tissue were observed. RESULTS:Compared with normal control group,body mass of rats in model group was significantly decreased(P<0.05);liver index,and liver function index,liver fibro-sis index levels in serum were significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Liver tissue showed steatosis,hepatocyte vacuoliza-tion,a large number of fibrous tissue deposition around portal areas and other pathological changes. Compared with model group,above-mentioned changes were improved significantly in administration groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS:Shugan-ning injection can obviously improve liver tissue damage of model rats with ALF,showing certain preventive and therapeutic effect on alcoholic liver disease.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Bushen Tiaojing Recipe (BTR) on the quality of oocytes, reproductive hormones, and the expression of bone morphogenetic protein-15 (BMP15) of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) patients.

METHODSSixty infertility patients who prepared for IVF-ET were assigned to two groups according to the treatment order, the treatment group [20 cases, treated with BTR + controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH)] and the control group (treated with COH alone, 40 cases). Age, the time limit for infertility, basal follicle-stimulating hormone (bFSH) concentration, usage days and the dosage of gonadotropins (Gn), serum levels of estradiol (E2), luteotropic hormone (LH), and progesterone (P) on the HCG injection day, the number of retrieved occytes, the fertilization rate, the number of embryos, the high quality embryo rate, and the clinical pregnancy rate were compared. Concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), LH, E2, testosterone (T), and P in the follicular fluid were detected via chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay. The mRNA and protein expression of BMP-15 in mature granulosa cells was detected by real-time fluorescent PCR and Western blot.

RESULTSThirty-two patients were pregnant and the total pregnancy rate was 53.3%. Of them, 19 were pregnant and the total pregnancy rate was 47.5% in the control group, while 20 were pregnant and the total pregnancy rate was 65.0% in the treatment group. But there was no statistical difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the Gn dosage was lower and the high quality embryo rate was higher in the treatment group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in serum concentrations of E2, LH, or P on the HCG injection day, the number of retrieved oocytes, or the fertilization rate (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, FSH concentrations in the follicular fluid were significantly lower and LH concentrations were significantly higher in the treatment group (P < 0.05). The LH concentrations in the follicular fluid were significantly higher in pregnant patients than non-pregnant patients, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05).There was no statistical difference in E2, T, or P concentrations (P > 0.05). The mRNA and protein expression of BMP-15 in granulosa cells was higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). It was also higher in pregnant patients than non-pregnant patients, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONDuring the IVF-ET process, BTR could elevate the quality of oocytes, and increase the sensitivity of ovarian follicles to exogenous Gn, which was correlated with the mRNA and protein expression of BMP-15 in granulosa cells, and changing concentrations of FSH and LH.

Adult ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Embryo Transfer ; Estradiol ; blood ; metabolism ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; metabolism ; Follicular Fluid ; metabolism ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; metabolism ; Oocytes ; drug effects ; Pregnancy ; Progesterone ; blood ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo develop a new technique for assessing the risk of birth defects, which are a major cause of infant mortality and disability in many parts of the world.

METHODSThe region of interest in this study was Heshun County, the county in China with the highest rate of neural tube defects (NTDs). A hybrid particle swarm optimization/ant colony optimization (PSO/ACO) algorithm was used to quantify the probability of NTDs occurring at villages with no births. The hybrid PSO/ACO algorithm is a form of artificial intelligence adapted for hierarchical classification. It is a powerful technique for modeling complex problems involving impacts of causes.

RESULTSThe algorithm was easy to apply, with the accuracy of the results being 69.5%±7.02% at the 95% confidence level.

CONCLUSIONThe proposed method is simple to apply, has acceptable fault tolerance, and greatly enhances the accuracy of calculations.

Algorithms ; Artificial Intelligence ; China ; epidemiology ; Environmental Exposure ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Models, Biological ; Neural Tube Defects ; epidemiology ; Risk Factors

Objective To evaluate family function and quality of life of Alzheimer′s disease( AD)caregivers. Methods Family APGAR index questionnaire,the short form-36(SF-36)questionnaire and the Chinese version of WHO quality of life scale-brief form questionnaire( WHOQOL-BREF)were used to evaluate family function and quality of life of 93 AD caregivers which were selected as case group. 87 ordinary family caregivers were selected as control group. Results A total of 47 AD caregivers(50. 54%)had family functional disorder and the proportion(26. 44%)was significantly higher than that of control group(P<0. 01). The total score and each factor score of APGAR and WHOQOL-BREF were significantly lower than those of control group(P<0. 01)while the same differences were found for factor scores by SF-36 such as physiological function,general health,social function,emotional function and mental health. Conclusion The family function,health status and quality of life are severely damaged among AD caregivers.

To construct and express Hsp70-HSV2gD fusion protein. Genes of Hsp70 and HSV-2gD were subcloned into vectors pGEX-4T-1 respectively. After confirmed by DNA sequence analysis, the recombinant plasmids pGEX-4T-HSP-gD was transformed into E. coli DH5alpha and induced to express with IPTG. The expressed protein was characterized by SDS-PAGE and Western blot after purified. BALB/c mice were immunized with fusion proteins respectively via intra-m uscular injection. The proliferation of spleen lymphocytes, the level of y-IFN in culture and anti-HSV-2gD IgG antibody in serum was detected was detected. The expressed protein was analyzed by SDS-PAGE after induced with IPTG, which showed a new band with an apparent molecular mass corresponding to the predicted size (118 kD). Western Blotting analysis demonstrates that the purified Hsp70-HSV2gD fusion protein had specific binding activity. The stimulation indexes of spleen lymphocytes, the level of gamma-IFN in culture and anti-HSV-2gD IgG antibody in serum of GST-Hsp70-gD group was obviously higher than that of other groups (P < 0.05 respectively). The successful expression of the Hsp70-HSV2gD fusion protein, which can induce immune responses, laid a solid foundation for its further research.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Expression ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; immunology ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Mice ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Spleen ; cytology ; immunology ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between expression of Smad3, Smad7 and ventricular remodeling in rats after myocardial infarction.

METHODSMyocardial infarction was induced by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation in rats (n = 11) and sham-operated rats were used as control (n = 10). The rats were sacrificed 8 weeks later. Heart weight/body weight (HW/BW), mean blood pressure, left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), collagen content in the un-infarcted area were examined. The mRNA levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)beta(1), Smad 3, Smad7 were determined by RT-PCR.

RESULTCompared with controls, the level of HW/BW, LVEDP and collagen content were significant increased. The mRNA expression of TGFbeta(1) and Smad3 was significantly increased in areas of myocardial infarction, border of the infarction, interventricular septum and right ventricle. The expression of Smad7 mRNA in these areas was decreased.

CONCLUSIONThese results indicated that TGFbeta(1)-Smads signaling was correlated to the ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction. Smad3 might promote the process while Smad7 inhibit the process.

Animals ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Smad3 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Smad7 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism ; Ventricular Remodeling

BACKGROUNDTransforming growth factor (TGF) beta(1)-Smads signal plays an important role in cardiac remodeling following myocardial infarction (MI). In addition, both angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and angiotensin II type I receptor blocker (ARB) can effectively prevent left ventricular remodeling. The current study focused on whether the combination of ACEI and ARB is more beneficial for preventing ventricular remodeling and whether Smad proteins mediate this beneficial effect.

METHODSMI was induced by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery in rats. Twenty-four hours after ligation, the survived rats were randomly divided into five groups and treated for 8 weeks: placebo group, ACEI group (benazepril 10 mg.kg(-1).d(-1)), ARB group (irbesartan 50 mg.kg(-1).d(-1)), ACEI + ARB group (benazepril 10 mg.kg(-1).d(-1) + irbesartan 50 mg.kg(-1).d(-1)) and control group (sham-operated rats). After 8 weeks, we examined the following indexes: the ratio of ventricular weight to body weight (VW/BW), left ventricular end diastolic dimension (LVDd), ejection fraction (EF), fractional shortening (FS), ratio of E-wave to A-wave velocity, collagen of noninfarcted zone, the mRNA expression of TGFbeta(1), Smad 2, and Smad 3 by RT-PCR in noninfarcted zone, the protein expression of Smad 2 and Smad 3 in noninfarcted zone by Western blot.

RESULTSVW/BW significantly increased in the placebo groups compared with that in the control group (P < 0.01). This increase was limited in ACEI, ARB, and combined groups (P < 0.01 compared with placebo group). There was no significant difference among the three actively treated groups. Collagen was increased in placebo group (5.68 +/- 0.5)% compared with that in control group (P < 0.01). ACEI, ARB and combined treatment attenuated this increase of collagen [(4.3 +/- 0.5)%, (3.5 +/- 0.5)%, (3.2 +/- 0.4)%] in comparison with that in placebo group (P < 0.01 respectively). Combined treatment showed more significant effect on collagen deposition. EF and FS significantly decreased, LVDd and E/A significantly increased in placebo group compared with that in control group (P < 0.01 respectively). ACEI, ARB and combined treatment ameliorated these indexes (P < 0.01 compared with placebo group). The mRNA expression of TGFbeta(1), Smad 2, and Smad 3 (0.700 +/- 0.045, 0.959 +/- 0.037 and 0.850 +/- 0.051) increased in placebo group compared with that in control group (P < 0.01). ACEI, ARB and combined treatment normalized the increase (P < 0.01). Furthermore, ARB and combined treatment proved to be more effective in decreasing TGF beta(1) and Smad mRNA expression than ACEI treatment (P < 0.01). The expression of Smad 2 and Smad 3 protein increased in placebo group compared with that in control group (P < 0.01). ACEI, ARB and combined treatment normalized the increase (P < 0.01). Furthermore, ARB and combined treatment proved to be more effective than ACEI alone (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSTGFbeta(1)-Smads signal activation is correlated with ventricular remodeling following MI. ACEI and ARB treatment prevents ventricular remodeling by inhibiting expression of Smad 2 and Smad 3. ARB and combined treatment are more effective than ACEI alone.

Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Echocardiography ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; drug therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Smad2 Protein ; analysis ; genetics ; Smad3 Protein ; analysis ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; Ventricular Remodeling ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo study changes to CD4(+)CD25(high+)CD127(low) regulatory T cells (Treg) in peripheral blood from children with bronchiolitis, and to explore its clinical significance.

METHODSThirty-one children with bronchiolitis and aged under two years were randomly enrolled as the bronchiolitis group, and 25 under two-year-olds with bronchopneumonia were randomly enrolled as the bronchopneumonia group. A further twenty-five children with non-infectious diseases such as hernia and renal calculus served as the control group. The level of CD4(+)CD25(high+)CD127(low) Treg in peripheral blood was measured by multi-color detection and multi-parameter flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe proportion of CD4(+)CD25(high+)CD127(low) Treg in peripheral blood in the bronchiolitis group (8.0%±2.1%) was significantly lower than in the bronchopneumonia (9.6%±2.6%; P<0.05) and control groups (11.3%±2.9%; P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCD4(+)CD25(high+)CD127(low) Treg level in peripheral blood may be an index of immunological function in infants. A decreased level of CD4(+)CD25(high+)CD127(low) Treg in peripheral blood suggests that Treg cells may be involved in the pathogenesis and development of bronchiolitis.

Bronchiolitis ; immunology ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Infant ; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit ; blood ; Interleukin-7 Receptor alpha Subunit ; blood ; Male ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology

The study was aimed to isolate and establish mesenchymal stem cell line from adult murine bone marrow as well as to identify its biological characteristics and differentiation potential. Bone marrow cells (BMCs) were collected by flushing the femurs and tibias of 4 - 5-week-old male C57BL/6 mice, and were inoculated at a concentration of 1 x 10(6)/cm(2). mMSCs were isolated, enriched and expanded by using bone marrow adherant culture and monoclonal culture. The characteristics of the cells, such as morphology, growth pattern, cell cycle, phenotype, karyotype and multipotent differentiation potential, cytogenetic stability and tumorigenesis were determined. The results indicated that the cell population consisted of spindle- and star-shaped cells, they were highly positive for CD29, CD44, Sca-1, MHC-I, moderate positive for CD13, CD90.2 and negative for CD117, CD45, Flk-1 and MHC-II. mMSCs could be induced to differentiate into adipocytes, osteoblast cells and chondrocytes. It is concluded that mMSC can be isolted, expanded and enriched by using bone marrow adhcrent culture and monoclonal culture. No tumor formations are observed for 3 months in nude mice after subcutaneous injection. mMSCs retain their properties after at least 30 passages in culture as well as from frozen stocks.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Separation ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Hyaluronan Receptors ; metabolism ; Integrin beta1 ; metabolism ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; physiology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Nude