BACKGROUND: Moxibustion can improve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and reduce inflammation, but there are no uniform operation standards. The moxibustiondistance becomes one of factor influencing the therapeutic efficacy.OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of different moxibustion distances on rheumatoid arthritis, and to explore the optimal distance.METHODS: The 8 of 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomlyselected as controls. The other 32 were used to make animal modes of collagen type Ⅱ-induced ankle arthritis, and then given moxibustion at Shenshu (BL23) and Zusanli (ST36) at an interval of 1, 2 and 3 cm, respectively, once daily, 10 minutes at each point, 6 days per course for three courses, with a course interval of 1 day. Model rats with no treatment acted as model group.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the control group, the toe volume, arthritis index and serum levels ofinterleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α except the body mass were significantly increased in the model group (P < 0.01).After moxibustion treatment, these indexes were significantly decreased in the three treatment groups (P < 0.01), especially in the 1 and 2 cm groups (P < 0.01). Narrowed articular cavity, intra-articular inflammation and pannus formation were observed in the model group, while only moderate inflammatorycell infiltration and few pannus formation were found in the 1,2, 3 cm groups. These results indicate that moxibustion improvesjoint functions and regulates immune reaction by downregulating the levels of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosisfactor-α, as well as reducing synovial hyperplasia. In addition,the optimal distance for moxibustion is 1 or 2 cm, which is amomentous proposition to improve therapeutic efficacy.

Objective: To observe the effect of different moxibustion durations on rats with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to evaluate the relationship between moxibustion amount and moxibustion efficacy.Methods: Eight rats were randomly selected as a normal group from the 40 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, and the other 32 rats were used to establish typeⅡ collagen-induced RA models. After successful modeling, the 32 rats were randomly divided into a model group, a moxibustion for 20 min group, a moxibustion for 40 min group and a moxibustion for 60 min group, with 8 rats in each group. Rats in the normal group did not receive modeling and moxibustion intervention; rats in the model group did not receive moxibustion after modeling; rats in the moxibustion for 20 min group, the moxibustion for 40 min group and the moxibustion for 60 min group were treated with moxibustion at Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36) for 20 min, 40 min and 60 min, respectively. Six days were a course of treatment, with a total of 3-course treatments and a 1-day rest between the courses of treatment. After treatment, the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, arthritis index (AI) scores, toe volumes and pathological score of synovitis were evaluated in the rats.Results: Compared with the normal group, the serum IL-1β and TNF-α levels, and the toe volumes in the model group were increased, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.01), before the treatment. Compared with the model group, the serum IL-1β and TNF-α levels, toe volumes and arthritis index (AI) scores were significantly decreased in the moxibustion for 20 min group, the moxibustion for 40 min group and the moxibustion for 60 min group (P<0.05 orP<0.01 ). Compared with the moxibustion for 20 min group and the moxibustion for 60 min group, serum IL-1β and TNF-α levels, toe volumes and AI scores were decreased more significantly in moxibustion for 40 min group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05 orP<0.01). There were no significant differences in serum IL-1β and TNF-α levels, AI scores and toe volumes between the moxibustion for 20 min group and the moxibustion for 60 min group (allP>0.05). The synovial histopathological improvement was the most obvious in the moxibustion for 40 min group, when the synovial histopathological changes were compared among the moxibustion for 20 min group, moxibustion for 40 min group and moxibustion for 60 min group.Conclusion: The therapeutic efficacy of moxibustion for 40 min in RA rats was more significant than that of moxibustion for 20 min and moxibustion for 60 min, indicating that the duration of moxibustion is the main factor affecting its therapeutic efficacy.

Based on reservoir condition and fluid characteristics, the oil-degrading bacterial strain NX-2 was screened from Ma-2 fault block of Huabei oil field. Bacterial metabolism and the capability of improving oil property were evaluated on oxygen-deficient condition. At 87℃ which reservoir temperature is, artificial homogeneous core displacement experiment indicated the enhanced oil recovery of microbe was 7.1% higher than that of waterflooding. In experiment on individual well Ma-410, additional oil production of 669 tons was gained, and decreased water production of this trial well reached more than 3000 tons. These results demonstrated NX-2 could adapt to stratum conditions, enhance oil recovery and improve oil property as well.

The paper analyzes the difficulties in reading promotion of libraries of medical colleges,states the countermeasures,and indicates that libraries of medical colleges shall perfect the reading promotion system,improve the reading promotion mechanism,set up the reading promotion department,innovate the reading promotion activity mode,enrich featured medical reading promotion activities,and construct the reading culture for medical students.

Melittin exhibits high antibacterial potency against drug-resistant bacteria. However, the clinical utility of melittin is limited by its serious hemolytic activity. Thus, the need for developing novel melittin analogues with high antimicrobial activity and low hemolytic activity has grown. We designed, synthesized, and evaluated 20 novel melittin analogues with varying hydrophobic, polar or positively charged amino acids. The results showed that 8 compounds had antimicrobial activity (MIC: 1-4 μg·mL^-1) against gram-positive pathogens equal to or better than that of melittin, and 16 compounds had low hemolytic activity (HC₅₀ ≥ 11.9 μg·mL^-1). Compounds 13 (MIC: 2-4 μg·mL^-1) and 15 (MIC: 1-2 μg·mL^-1) showed equal or better antimicrobial activity against both susceptible and resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium compared to melittin (MIC: 4 μg·mL^-1). Compound 13 (HC₅₀: 24.0 ± 4.3 μg·mL^-1) displayed noticeably decreased hemolytic activity compared to melittin (HC₅₀: 5.3 ± 0.4 μg·mL^-1). This work established a base for further study on the structure-activity relationships and structure-toxicity relationships of melittin.

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of unsaponifiable matter from the seed oil of Momordica cochinchinensis.

METHODThe fatty oil from the seeds of M. cochinchinensis was extracted with petroleum ether, and the saponification was carried out with potassium hydroxide. The unsaponifiable matter was isolated and purified by silica gel column chromatography, and the structures of their constituents were elucidated by means of IR, MS, 1H-NMR, and authentic chemicals.

RESULTKarounidiol (1), isokarounidiol (2), 5-dehydrokarounidiol (3), 7-oxodihydrokarounidiol (4), beta-sitosterol (5), stigmast-7-en-3beta-ol (6), and stigmast-7,22-dien-3beta-ol (7) were elucidated.

CONCLUSIONThese compounds were found in this plant for the first time.

Molecular Structure ; Momordica ; chemistry ; Oleanolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Oils ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Seeds ; chemistry ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo compare the prognostic value of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and GRACE score in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

METHODSA total of 246 patients with chest pain to hospital time < 24 hours were followed up to 30 days. Admission plasma B-type natriuretic peptide was measured by point-of-care. Endpoints included death, reinfarction, recurrent ischemia and new onset of congestive heart failure. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate prognostic value of BNP and GRACE score. The logistic regression models were used to assess the prognostic contribution of BNP level and GRACE score.

RESULTSThe mean age was (67.6 +/- 12.0) years (61.8% males) and ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was diagnosed in 135 patients (54.9%). During the follow up, 34 endpoints (13.8%) were recorded including 9 deaths (3.7%). The systolic blood pressure [(121 +/- 29) mm Hg vs. (130 +/- 23) mm Hg, P = 0.034; 1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa] was significantly lower while the heart rate and plasma creatinine were significantly higher in the endpoints group than in non-endpoints group. TNI and CRP levels were similar between the two groups. The BNP level at admission (median 883.5 ng/L vs. 216.5 ng/L) and GRACE score (median 164.5 vs. 142.0) were significantly higher in the endpoints group than in non-endpoints group (all P < 0.05). The prognostic criteria for BNP level (area under cure, 0.704) was 194.5 ng/L determined by ROC (P = 0.043). For GRACE score, the predictive value for endpoints was 0.742 (P = 0.003) and the cut-off point was 158. In the logistic regression model, BNP concentration (> 194.5 ng/L, OR = 3.174) and GRACE score (> 158, OR = 4.031) were independent predictors of endpoints in patients with ACS.

CONCLUSIONBoth BNP level at admission and GRACE score were independent predictors for endpoints at 30 days in patients with ACS.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; diagnosis ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; analysis ; Prognosis ; ROC Curve ; Risk Assessment

OBJECTIVETo investigate the distribution and clonality of T cell receptor (TCR) Vγ and Vδ subfamily in peripheral blood of patients with allergic rhinitis before and after 1 year treatment with immunotherapy.

METHODSThe specific IgE and the complementary determinant region 3 (CDR3) of TCR V γ (I-III) and Vδ(1-8) subfamily genes in mononuclear cells were amplified from 10 effective cases of allergic rhinitis before and after 1 year treatment with immunotherapy, to observe the distribution and utilization of TCR Vγ and Vδ repertoire. The positive PCR products were further labeled with RT-PCR and analyzed by gene scan technique to determine the CDR3 size and evaluate the clonality of the detectable TCR Vγ and Vδ T cells. Peripheral blood of 10 healthy adults served as controls.

RESULTSAll symptoms were significantly improved after 1 year specific immunotherapy, but no changes were seen in specific IgE [(22.89 ± 9.60) kU/L before treatment, (19.62 ± 7.63) kU/L after treatment, Z = 1.051, P > 0.05]. No statistically significant differences of expression levels of the TCR Vγ I-III subfamily genes were found between patients with allergic rhinitis normal control group (t value were -0.679, -0.516, -0.808, all P > 0.05), but significantly decreased after 1 year treatment. There were statistically significant differences of expression levels of the TCR VγI-II subfamily genes before and after treatment (t value were -2.904, -2.217, all P < 0.05). 5.30 ± 0.82, 4.90 ± 0.57 and 5.20 ± 1.40 out of TCR Vδ (1-8) subfamilies were selectively expressed in T cells in patients with allergic rhinitis before and after 1 year treatment and normal control group, predominantly for TCR Vδ 1, 2, 3 and 6. The TCR Vδ 6 subfamily was found to have statistically significant differences in these groups (Fisher's Exact Test, P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group and the allergic rhinitis group before treatment, a significant higher frequency of Vδ 6 oligoclonal was identified in T cells in patients with allergic rhinitis after 1 year treatment.

CONCLUSIONSThere was difference in the expression levels of the TCR Vγ I-III subfamily genes and distribution and clonality of TCR Vγ and Vδ subfamily T cells in peripheral blood of patients with allergic rhinitis before and after 1 year treatment. Specific immunotherapy can be effective in alleviation of the symptom in patients with allergic rhinitis during the early stage, possibly by inducing TCR γδ T cells, especially the TCR Vδ6 subfamily, and possibly no significant relativity between symptom and specific IgE.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Genes, T-Cell Receptor ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Immunotherapy ; Male ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta ; genetics ; immunology ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta ; genetics ; immunology ; Rhinitis ; genetics ; immunology ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of peripheral blood gammadelta T cells/CD4 CD25+ regulatory T cells(Treg) and cytokines interleukin 17 (IL-17) and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) in patients with allergic rhinitis.

METHODSFrom March 2012 to July 2012, 32 patients with allergic rhinitis (AR group) and 20 healthy control subjects (control group) were collected. The expression of peripheral blood gammadelta T cells/Treg cells were measured by flow cytometry and the levels of IL-17 and TGF-beta1 were evaluated by ELISA. SPSS 16.0 software was used to analyze the data.

RESULTSThe percentages of gammadeltaT cells in AR group were (13.30 +/- 8.62)%, which was significantly higher (t = 5.18, P < 0.01) than those in control group (5.18 +/- 1.86)%. The percentages of Treg cells in AR group were (1.75 +/- 0.56)%, which were significantly lower (t = 7.46, P < 0. 01) than those in control group (4.76 +/- 1.74)%. The IL-17 levels in AR group were (668.55 +/- 45.15) pg/ml, which were also significantly higher (t = 8.97, P < 0.01) than those in control group (573.53 +/- 17.42) pg/ml. The TGF-beta1 levels in AR group were (0.34 +/- 0.04) pg/ml, which were also significantly lower (t = 9.51, P < 0.01) than those in control group (0.49 +/- 0.06) pg/ml. There was a negative correlation between the percentages of gammadelta T cells and Treg cells (r = -0.561, P < 0.01). There was a negative correlation between the percentages of gammadelta T cells and TGF-beta1 levels (r = -0.622, P < 0.01). A positive correlation was shown between the percentages of gammadelta T cells and IL-17 levels in AR (r = 0.469, P < 0.01). A positive correlation was shown between the percentages of Treg cells and TGF-beta1 levels in AR (r = 0.738, P < 0.01). There was no correlation between IL-17 levels and the percentages of Treg cells or TGF-beta1 levels (r value was -0.111, -0.196, all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere are imbalances of gammadelta T and Treg cells in peripheral blood of patients with allergic rhinitis. gammadelta T cells may be the main cell to produce IL-17, which may play an important role in allergic rhinitis.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Interleukin-17 ; metabolism ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; immunology ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of puerarin on ADRP gene mRNA expression in fatty tissue of type 2 diabetes mellitus rats (T2DM).

METHODWiastar rats of T2DM model were made by feeding with high glucose and fat diet and injecting with small dose of streptozocin (25 mg x kg(-1)). 40 model rats were randomly divided into model control group and three puerarin groups (40, 80, 160 mg x kg(-1)), another 10 rats were selected as normal control group. FBG and FINS were measured to calculate IR after rats were injected consecutively for 6 weeks. The level of ADRP gene mRNA in fatty tissue was determined by RT-PCR after rats were injected eight weeks.

RESULTCompared with model control group, high and middle dosage of puerarin can decreased ADRP gene mRNA expression in fatty tissue obviously, FBG, IR level in each puerarin group and FINS in high and middle dosage puerarin groups decreased obviously.

CONCLUSIONPuerarin can decrease the blood glucose level of T2DM by downregulating ADRP mRNA expression and depressing the insulin resistance.

Adipose Tissue ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Animals ; Blood Glucose ; drug effects ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; In Vitro Techniques ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Perilipin-2 ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Vasodilator Agents ; pharmacology