Objective: To observe the therapeutic efficacy of acupoint application at different groups of acupoints in treating bronchial asthma in remission stage. Methods:A total of 120 patients with bronchial asthma in remission stage were recruited and divided by the random number table method into acupoint application group 1, acupoint application group 2 and acupoint application group 3, with 40 cases in each group. In all the three groups, Tiantu (CV 22), Dazhui (GV 14) and Feishu (BL 13) were selected, with Dingchuan (EX-B 1) added in acupoint application group 1, Shenshu (BL 23) added in acupoint application group 2, and Gaohuang (BL 43) added in acupoint application group 3. Before intervention, one month and 3 months after intervention, clinical symptoms, peak expiratory flow (PEF) andforced expiratory volume in 1 second percentage of predicted value (FEV1％) of the three groups were observed, and their clinical efficacies were evaluated. Results: Comparing the therapeutic efficacy regarding traditional Chinese medicine symptoms and signs, after 1-month treatment, the total effective rate was 87.5％ in acupoint application group 1, versus 62.5％ in acupoint application group 2 and 55.0％ in acupoint application group 3, and the between-group differences were statistically significant. After 3-month treatment, the total effective rate was 95.0％ in acupoint application group 1, versus 70.0％ in acupoint application group 2 and 65.0％ in acupoint application group 3, and the between-group differences were statistically significant. After intervention, the three groups all showed significant improvements in pulmonary function with statistical significance; among the three groups, the improvement in acupoint application group 1 was more significant than that in the other two groups. Conclusion: Tiantu (CV 22), Dazhui (GV 14) and Feishu (BL 13) as basic prescription plus Dingchuan (EX-B 1) can improve symptoms of bronchial asthma in remission stage, and it works better in improving pulmonary function than the basic prescription plus Shenshu (BL 23) or Gaohuang (BL 43).

Background Reasearches showed that α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) inhibits inflammation and ameliorates the ocular surface abnormalities in a scopolamine-induced dry eye rat model,and the managing effect of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) on dry eyes also has been determined.However,whether α-MSH can enhance the therapeutic effects of CMC remains to be investigated.Objective This study was to investigate the protective effects of α-MSH combined with CMC on ocular surface in a scopolamine-induced dry eye rat model.Methods Sixty clean female Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group,model control group,NaCl group,CMC group,α-MSH group and α-MSH+CMC group,and 10 rats for each group.The dry eye models were established by subcutaneous injection of scopolamine hydrobromide at 9:00,12:00,15:00 and 18:00 per day for 28 days.0.9％ NaCl solution,1×10 3 mg/ml α-MSH solution,0.5％ CMC eye drop,and 1 ×10-3 mg/ml α-MSH+0.5％ CMC solution were topically administered twice a day (8:00,17:00) since the initial day of modeling according to grouping.Shirmer Ⅰ test (S Ⅰ t),breakup time of tear film (BUT) and corneal fluorescence staining were performed before and 7,14,21,28 days after the application of drugs.At 28 days following the administration of drugs,the eyeballs of the rats were collected.Hemotoxylin and eosin staining was employed to examine the morphology of corneas,and periodic acid schiff (PAS) staining was used to count the conjunctival goblet cells.This study protocol was approved by Experimental Animal Ethic Committee of Tianjin Medical University (SYXK 2009-0001),and the use and care of the rats complied with ARVO Statement.Results The S Ⅰ t and BUT values were significantly reduced,and the corneal fluorescence staining scores were significantly increased over time following modeling in the model control group (all at P＜0.01).No significant differences were found in the S Ⅰ t,BUT and corneal fluorescence staining scores between model control group and NaCl group at various time points (all at P＞0.05).At 7,14 and 21 days after intervention,the S Ⅰ t values were (4.800±0.789),(4.100±0.516) and (4.300±0.856) mm in the α-MSH+CMC group,which were considerably higher than (2.875 ±0.719),(2.375 ±0.619) and (2.532±0.957)mm in the NaCl group (all at P＜0.01).At 7 days after intervention,the BUT values were (4.938± 1.843) seconds and (5.000±1.491) seconds in the α-MSH group and α-MSH+CMC group,which were significantly higher than (3.250±1.000) seconds in the NaCl group (both at P＜0.01).The corneal fluorescence staining scores in the CMC group,α-MSH group and α-MSH+CMC group were significantly lower than that in the NaCl group,with the lowest score in the α-MSH +CMC group (all at P＜0.05).The thickening of corneal epithelial layer,corneal edema and arrangement disorder of corneal stroma were found in the model control group and NaCl group;while slight corneal edema and epithelial cell proliferation were exhibited in the α-MSH+CMC group by hemotoxylin and eosin staining.PAS staining showed that the number of goblet cells was much more in the CMC group,α-MSH group and α-MSH+ CMC group than that in the model control group and NaCl group (all at P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions The sole application of α-MSH or CMC alleviates ocular surface damage and morphological abnormality to certain extent,and the combination of α-MSH and CMC generates more effective protection in comparison with sole administration of α-MSH or CMC.The early application of the drugs plays an improvement role in tear secretion and tear film stability in dry eyes.

Objective To study the clinical presentations,radiologic features,prognosis,and possible causes of liver injury associated umbilical venous catheter (UVC ).Methods We reviewed database of our NICU from December 2012 to November 2015 and identified preterm infants with liver injury while UVC in place.The gestational age,birth weight,gender,days of UVC in place prior to liver injury, the depth of UVC (cm),UVC tip position,ultrasound findings of liver injury,laboratory tests,treatment and outcomes were collected.Results During study period,322 infants received UVC insertion.Ten cases (3.1 %)of liver injury associated with UVC were diagnosed.Of the ten infants,nine were diagnosed as extravasation of fluid to liver parenchyma,and one was diagnosed as liver hematoma.The mean birth weight was (1184 ±207)g,mean gestational age was (28.5 ±1.7)weeks.The UVC tip was at thoracic (T) vertebrae T 9 to T 11 level,nine UVC tips were below the right diaphragm level.All UVCs were used for total parenteral nutrition before liver injury was diagnosed.Six infants had clinical manifestations,and four infants were free of clinical manifestations.The most prominent clinical signs were abdominal distension (n =5),weak bowel sounds (n =5)and hepatomegaly (n =4).One infant who was diagnosed with liver hematoma also had progressive hemoglobin decline (minimum 34 g/L)and shock.Abdominal ultrasound showed well-limited,irregular,hyperechoic rimmed lesions with heterogeneously hypoechoic centers or anechoic liquid dark space.Extravasation of fluid to liver parenchyma will restorate within one week after the UVC was remove.One baby who was diagnosed as liver hematoma passed away at 9 days of life.Liver ultrasound of eight returned to normal in 52 days to 3.5 months,and one had calcified lesions at 9 months of age.Conclusions Liver injury is an unusual complication of UVC insertion and usage.Proper positioning of the UVC tip may help to avoid this complication.Early recognition,prompt diagnosis with liver ultrasound examination and timely treatment can lead to better outcome in newborns with extravasation of fluid to liver parenchyma.

Objective:To explore the related risk factors of aortic arch calcification (AoAC) and the relationship between AoAC and long-term outcome in maintenance hemodialysis patients.Methods:The patients who underwent hemodialysis in the Blood Purification Center of Beijing Shijitan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from March to June 2015 were recruited. Calcification of the aortic arch was estimated with plain chest radiology. The patients were divided into AoAC group and no-AoAC group. Multivariate binary logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of AoAC. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression model were used to examine the association between AoAC and adverse prognostic events (all-cause death and cardiovascular events).Results:There were 157 hemodialysis patients included in this study, with age of (62.63±15.05) years (30-90 years old) and 85 males (54.14%). The median follow-up time was 54(20, 54) months. There were 99 cases (63.06%) in AoAC group and 58 cases (36.94%) in no-AoAC group. The age, proportion of diabetes history, serum corrected calcium and triglyceride levels in AoAC group were higher than those in no-AoAC group (all P<0.05), while the proportion of using active vitamin D, serum albumin and intact parathyroid hormone level were lower than those in no-AoAC group (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that older age ( OR=1.109, 95% CI 1.067-1.152, P<0.001), diabetes ( OR=4.110, 95% CI 1.551-10.890, P=0.004), longer dialysis duration ( OR=1.026, 95% CI 1.010-1.043, P=0.001), higher systolic pressure ( OR=1.039, 95% CI 1.012-1.067, P=0.005) and higher triglycerides levels ( OR=1.932, 95% CI 1.148-3.125, P=0.013) were the independent risk factors of AoAC, and higher hemoglobin was a protective factor ( OR=0.967, 95% CI 0.938-0.998, P=0.035) of AoAC. Sixty-three cases (63.64%) died, and 78 cases (78.79%) had cardiovascular events in AoAC group. Fourteen cases (24.14%) died, and 12 cases (20.69%) had cardiovascular events in no-AoAC group. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed higher incidence rate of all-cause death (Log-rank χ2=22.499, P<0.001) and cardiovascular events (Log-rank χ2=50.797, P<0.001) in patients with AoAC. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed AoAC was the independent risk factor of all-cause death ( HR=2.003, 95% CI 1.039-3.859, P=0.038) and cardiovascular events ( HR=5.642, 95% CI 3.003-10.600, P<0.001). Conclusions:Older age, diabetes mellitus, longer dialysis duration, hypertension, higher triglyceride levels and lower hemoglobin are significantly associated with AoAC. AoAC is the independent risk factor of all-cause death and cardiovascular events in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

To clone the 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate cytidylyltransferase (TwMCT) full length cDNA from Tripterygium wilfordii, the specific primers were designed according to the transcriptome data and the LCPCR were carried out. After a series of bioinformatics analysis on the TwMCT, the MeJA induced expression content were investigated by real-time fluorescence quantification polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The result showed that the full of TwMCTcDNA was 1 318 bp nucleotides encoding 311 amino acids. The molecular weight of the deduced TwMCT protein was about 34.14 kDa and the theoretical isoelectric point was 8.65. Result of the RT-qPCR analysis indicated that the content of TwMCT mRNA expression in T. wilfordii suspension cell was rising after treating with MeJA and reached the maximum in 24 h. Cloning and analyzing TwMCT gene from T. wilfordii provided gene element for studying the function and expression regulation of secondary metabolites.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Erythritol ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Nucleotidyltransferases ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Structure, Secondary ; Sequence Alignment ; Sugar Phosphates ; metabolism ; Tripterygium ; chemistry ; enzymology ; genetics

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

Breast cancer has the highest incidence rate among all women's malignant tumors worldwide.Surgery,radiotherapy and chemotherapy are three major treatments,while most patients showed adverse effects or complications during or after the treatment,including lymphedema,gastrointestinal reactions and leukopenia,which cause severe impact on patients' recovery and quality of life.Moxibustion has been used and certified to alleviate adverse effects of surgery or chemoradiotherapy for breast cancer.We have summarized literatures in recent years and suggest more systematic research in the future for the underlying mechanism.

A full-length cDNA of GGPPS gene from Tripterygium wilfordii suspension cells was obtained by use of RACE strategy (GeneBank: KM978333), and then analyzed by bioinformatics approaches. TwGGPPS cDNA has 1857 nucleotides and an open reading frame (ORF) encoding a protein of 514 amino acid residues. The deduced protein has isoelectric point (pI) of 7.85, a calculated molecular weight about 57.13 kD, 5 conserved domains and 2 functional domains. PSORT Prediction showed it was located at plasma membrane. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that TwGGPPS1 was similar to GGPPS from other species of plants. For the first time the cloning of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase gene from T. wilfordii was reported, it lays the foundation for further research of diterpenoids biosynthetic pathway.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Farnesyltranstransferase ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Sequence Alignment ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Tripterygium ; chemistry ; enzymology ; genetics

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the incidence of intra- and extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) and growth restriction in premature infants, and to illustrate the growth pattern of them in postnatal and infantile period.

METHODSAll premature infants were admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) during the recent 7 years. The criteria for enrollment were (1) gestational age < 37 weeks; (2) single fetus; (3) admitted within the first 24 hours of life; (4) hospitalization period ≥ 14 days; (5) clinical follow-up persisted till ≥ 3 months of corrected gestational age. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), EUGR and growth restriction were defined as having a measured growth value (weight) that was ≤ 10(th) percentile of Chinese infants' growth curve in corrected age on admission, discharge and follow-up period. Results were analyzed by using SPSS 12.0 statistical software package by chi-square test, rank-sum test, and t test.

RESULTSTwo hundred and thirty nine infants were involved, 134 were boys and 105 girls. The incidence of IUGR and EUGR assessed by weight was 25.5% and 40.6%, respectively. The lower the birth weight was, the higher the incidence of IUGR and EUGR was. The percentile of body weight in the growth curve at discharge was lower than that at birth (Z = -7.784, P = 0.000). The incidence of growth restriction assessed by weight was 20.5%, 15.0%, 8.8%, 17.0%, 10.4%, 10.1%, 11.9%, 7.0% at corrected gestational age of 38 - 40 weeks, corrected age of 28 d, 61 d, 91 d, 122 d, 152 d, 183 d, and 274 d, respectively. The incidences of growth restriction were stable when the corrected age was older than 91 days. The incidence of growth restriction in female premature infants at 183 days' corrected age was higher than that in male children (χ(2) = 6.181, P = 0.017), the incidence was 19.3% and 3.8% respectively. During the follow-up period, most of the average body weight of premature infants whose gestational age was < 32 weeks or birth weight ≤ 1500 g were lower than the 50(th) percentile of the growth curve except the average body weight of boys whose gestational age < 32 weeks at corrected age of 2 and 4 months.

CONCLUSIONSPremature and/or low birth weight infants are at high risk of growth restriction, especially very low birth weight infants. The incidence of growth restriction decreased with growth. Long-term prognosis requires further investigation.

Body Weight ; Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; growth & development ; Male ; Weight Gain

OBJECTIVETo examine whether acupuncture treatment would improve outcome in chronic Achilles tendinopathy.

METHODSA randomized, controlled trial at two centers of 64 randomized patients aged 18 to 70 years with chronic Achilles tendinopathy was conducted from July 2007 to April 2010, with follow-up until October, 2010. These patients were randomly allocated into an acupuncture treatment group (acupuncture group) and an eccentric exercises group (control group). The validated Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire was completed at baseline and 8, 16, and 24 weeks. The pain at rest and after activity was accessed at baseline and 8 weeks with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

RESULTSAfter randomization into the acupuncture group or control group, one patient was loss of follow-up. The mean VISA-A score improved signifificantly after 8 weeks in the acupuncture group to 67.1 points [95% confifidence interval (CI), 64.1-70.2] and in the control group to 48.5 points (95% CI, 45.5-51.6) with an additional 18.6 points increase in acupuncture treatment patients (P=0.0000). Acupuncture treatment resulted in a significant increase from baseline in VISA-A of 25.8 after 16 weeks and 28.4 after 24 weeks. Whereas, in the control group the increase from baseline in VISA-A were 10.0 and 16.6 after 16 and 24 weeks, respectively (P=0.0000). The VAS diminished by 2.0 cm after activity, and by 1.5 cm at rest after 8 weeks in the control group. In the acupuncture group, the pain scores diminished significantly more than in the control group, with pain reduction of 3.7 cm after activity (P=0.0000) and 3.2 cm at rest (P =0.0000).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture intervention could improve pain and activity in patients with chronic Achilles tendinopathy compared with eccentric exercises.

Achilles Tendon ; pathology ; Acupuncture ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tendinopathy ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Visual Analog Scale