Objective To explore the influence of TAC protocol (pirarubicin,cyclophosphamide and docetaxel) and AC-T protocol (pirarubicin,cyclophosphamide and sequential docetaxel) on T lymphocytes cell subsets (included CD3+ T cells,CD3+ CD4+ T cells,CD3+ CD8+ T cells,CD3+ CD4+/CD3 + CD8+),natural killer (NK) cells and part of the quality of life in the peripheral blood of patients.Methods A total of 66 patients with breast cancer included 31 cases for TAC protocol (6 cycles of chemotherapy) and 35 cases for AC-T protocol(8 cycles of chemotherapy).Collected respectively before and after the last chemotherapy of peripheral blood,used flow cytometry technique to detect the proportion of T cell subsets and NK cells in peripheral blood,and compared the change of the part of the quality of life before and after chemotherapy.Results After chemotherapy of total of 66 patients CD3+ T cells,CD3+ CD4+T cells and NK cells of peripheral blood ((68.58± 11.03) ％,(33.53 ± 8.84) ％,(18.27 ± 10.65) ％) significantly lower than before chemotherapy ((74.03±13.04)％,(38.42±9.79)％,(19.83± 10.19)％),the differences were statistically significant(t =4.296,3.387,4.092,P＜ 0.05).Grouping was TAC protocol with AC-T,T cell subsets and NK cells before chemotherapy differences had no statistical significance.But after chemotherapy,CD3+ T cells,CD3+ CD4+T cells,CD3+CD8+ T cells and Karnofky score((64.63±10.01)％,(31.19±7.41)％,(24.66±7.40)％,(68.63± 5.100)％) of peripheral blood on TAC protocol were more decreased than AC-T protocol((72.29± 10.78)％,(35.74± 9.60) ％,(30.15 ± 11.12) ％,(77.29 ± 4.58) ％),the differences were statistically significant (t =2.99,2.15,2.35,2.237,P＜0.05).CD3+ CD4+/CD3+ CD8+ and NK cells were also decreased,but without statistical significance.The body quality of 66 patients was slightly increased after chemotherapy,but without statistical significance.Conclusion The body's immune function and the part of quality of the breast cancer patient's life have declined by chemotherapy drugs in varying degrees.Compared TAC,AC-T protocol has less influence on the immunological function and the part of living quality of patients with breast cancer.

To expound the basic strategies of translational medicine research based on clinical effect and scientific problems of acupuncture and moxibustion, and discuss the specific research ideas and methods of acupuncture translational medicine by taking acupuncture prevention and treatment of asthma as an example. The overall strategy of acupuncture translational medicine is to determine the effect of acupuncture first, then clarify the mechanism of acupuncture and transform the results into clinical practice. On the one hand, it is necessary to improve the objectivity and recognition of acupoints in experimental animals, and to realize the limitations and possible bias of animal experimental results; on the other hand, we should adhere to help and promote multidisciplinary research on the role of acupuncture.
Translational Science, Biomedical

With the emergence of the modified forms of acupuncture-moxibustion such as dry needle,the discipline acupuncture-moxibustion faces significant opportunities and challenges.The concept and treatment of acupuncture-moxibustion need to combine with modern medicine to consolidate the effectiveness and apply the research results to guide clinical treatment.By reviewing the brief history of acupuncture-moxibustion in the Western countries and summarizing the definitions,this article was to propose the trend and development strategies of this discipline in the future.

Acupuncture is the leading discipline of traditional Chinese medicine and undertakes the communication between traditional Chinese medicine and other natural sciences. With the rapid development of life science and technology and the exponential growth of knowledge, traditional acupuncture faces significant opportunities and challenges. In the context of great development of life sciences, we have re-recognized acupuncture, and we believe that acupuncture effects have corresponding material basis and regulatory mechanisms. The full embodiment of life science in the definition of acupuncture will contribute to the synergetic development of clinical and basic acupuncture research. In this paper, we discussed the value of acupuncture in life science based on the concepts of acupuncture and material basis of acupuncture effects.

S100A8, an important member of the S100 protein family, is a low-molecular-weight (10.8 kDa) calcium-binding protein containing conserved EF-hand structural motifs. Previous studies have shown that the biological function of S100A8 protein is associated with a variety of inflammatory diseases, for example asthma. S100A8 protein plays important roles in the regulation of inflammation. It can activate inflammatory cells and cytokines via chemotactic activity for neutrophils, and bind to the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), thus mediating intracellular inflammatory signaling transduction. Additionally, recent studies have reported the anti-inflammation activity of S100A8 protein, which indicates that S100A8 may have a more complex function of biological regulation in the different pathophysiological conditions. In this review, we summarized the studies on the functions and molecular mechanisms of S100A8 protein in inflammation, which would propose a novel strategy for the prophylaxis and treatment of asthma and other inflammatory diseases.
Animals ; Asthma ; physiopathology ; Calgranulin A ; physiology ; Humans ; Inflammation ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo validate and supplement the libraries of serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) by the application of the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction PCR).

METHODSThe primers were designed based on the full sequences of the genes. Nine single matched tags, 6 multiple matched tags, 1 non-matched tag due to the update of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database, and 2 non-matched tags were selected to fulfill the validation of real-time PCR.

RESULTSThe genes were all specifically amplified by the primers pairs. The expressions of the single matched tags were identical to those of the SAGE libraries; however, the expressions of only 3 genes of the 6 multi-matched tags were identical to those of the SAGE libraries. The PCR data of the non-matched tag due to the update of the NCBI database were opposite to those of the SAGE libraries. The data did not support the significant difference of the non-matched gene of the SAGE libraries.

CONCLUSIONSReal-time PCR is a reliable tool for the validation of high through-put data such as SAGE. The reliability of data depends on the match of the tags of the SAGE libraries.

Gene Expression Profiling ; methods ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; methods ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo establish a perforated patch-clamp technology with amphotericin B and beta-escin and to research the regulation of small conductance calcium-activated potassium channel SK2 currents by calcium ions.

METHODSSingle human atrial myocytes were enzymatically isolated from the right atrial appendage. Amphotericin B and / or beta-escin were used by perforated electrode liquid. The regulation of SK2 current by calcium ions in human atrial myocytes was performed with the perforated patch-clamp technique. The intracellular calcium changes were measured by the intracellular calcium test system.

RESULTSMixed perforated electrode liquid compared with 150 microg/ml amphotericin B or 6.88 microg/ml beta-escin alone, it was easy to seal cells and activate SK2 current by the former method. Moreover, the ration of F340/380 was consistent with the change of intracellular free calcium ion concentration increase after the formation of perforation. The ration of F340/380 was measured by intracellular calcium test system.

CONCLUSIONThe appropriate concentration of amphotericin B mixed with beta-escin can form a stable whole-cell patch recording technology that is appropriate for the research of SK2 current regulation by intracellular calcium.

Amphotericin B ; pharmacology ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Electric Conductivity ; Escin ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; physiology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo observe the anti-remodeling effect of acupuncture on asthma and to explore the mechanism of T-type calcium channel protein in airway smooth muscle cell in airway remodeling effect in asthma.

METHODSThirty-two rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, an acupuncture group and a sham acupuncture group, 8 rats in each group. The rats in the latter three groups were sensitized for consecutive 14 days by single peritoneal injection of aqueous suspension 1 mL of 10 mg ovalbumin (OVA), 200 mg aluminum hydroxide and saline together with 1 mL inactivated pertussis vaccine. From the 15th day, asthma was induced for 30 minutes by ultrasonic atomizing inhalation of 1% OVA for consecutive 14 days in the model group. The acupuncture group was treated with acupuncture at "Dazhui" (GV 14), "Fengmen" (BL 12) and "Feishu" (BL 13) for 30 minutes before the ultrasonic atomizing inhalation, once every two days for consecutive 14 days. The same acupoints selection and the course of treatment as the acupuncture group were produced in the sham acupuncture group and they were treated with acupuncture at 1 mm acupoint skin without retaining needles. The normal group remained unhandled. The respiratory function and the airway remodeling were evaluated by airway resistance and pulmonary histopathology, respectively, and the T-type calcium channel protein expression of Ca(v)3.1, Ca(v) 3.2, Ca, 3.3 in airway smooth muscle cell were detected by immunohistochemistry technique.

RESULTS(1) The airway resistance in the model group was higher than that in the normal group and in the acupuncture group (both P < 0.05), and the airway resistance in the acupuncture group was lower than that in the sham acupuncture group (P < 0.05). (2) The ratios of the airway wall thickness to the basement membrane perimeter (Awt/Pbm) and the airway outer perimenter to the airway internal perimeter (Po/Pi) in the model group were higher than those in the normal group and in the acupuncture group (all P < 0.05), and the ratios of Awt/Pbm and Po/Pi in the acupuncture group were lower than those in the sham acupuncture group (both P < 0.05). (3) The average optical of Ca(v) 3.1 and Ca(v) 3.2 in airway smooth muscle cell in the model group were higher than that in the normal group and in the acupuncture group (both P < 0.05), and the average optical of Ca(v) 3.3 in airway smooth muscle cell in the model group was higher than that in the normal group (P < 0.05) and it was lower than that in the sham acupuncture group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture can inhibit the airway remodeling and the accrementition of the airway smooth muscle and can reduce the airway resistance. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of T-type calcium channel protein in airway smooth muscle cell, especially in relation to the protein expression of Ca(v) 3.1.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Airway Remodeling ; Animals ; Asthma ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Calcium Channels, T-Type ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Respiratory System ; metabolism ; physiopathology

Objective::To study the effect of different packaging methods and storage conditions on the quality of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix pieces, in order to determine the optimal packaging method and suitable storage conditions for Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix pieces. Method::Different packaged Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix pieces were stored in different environments in a one-year long-term stability experiment. The appearance, water content, extract content and volatile oil content of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix pieces were regularly observed. Result::During the 1-year storage period, the Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix pieces under different packaging and storage conditions showed different degrees of quality changes. Among them, the samples packed in polyethylene plastic bags and polyethylene aluminum foil composite bags were better preserved. The fluctuations in water content of the sample packed in polyethylene plastic bags were relatively low, and the RSD value of water content during the month was less than 11.5%. The extracts and volatile oil contents of each sample were reduced to different degree, but the samples packed in plastic sealed bags and protected from light had the smallest annual loss of extracts (1.27%), with the lowest monthly loss rate of volatile oil (0.08%). Conclusion::The quality of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix pieces can be well preserved in plastic sealed bags and storage in dark and cool conditions, which is suitable for the storage of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix pieces.