OBJECTIVETo study the effect of treatment of renal anemia by combination of Bushen Jianpi Recipe (BJR, a Chinese experience recipe for supplementing Shen and supporting Pi) and low dosage erythropoietin (EPO), and the influence of treatment on change of serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) so as to explore the possible mechanism of integrative Chinese and western medicine (ICWM) in treating renal anemia.

METHODSPatients with renal anemia were randomly divided into two groups, the ICWM group and the control group, symptomatic and supporting treatment such as dialysis, supplementing of ferrous, foliac acid and vitamin B12, was given to both groups. Additionally, to the ICWM group, 50 IU/kg of EPO subcutaneous injection for twice every week, and oral intake of BJR, one dose per day taken in two parts, were given, and to the control group, EPO alone, 50 IU/kg by subcutaneous injecting, 3 times per week, was given. The therapeutic course for two groups was 3 months. Blood levels of hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), TNF-alpha were measured before treatment and the therapeutic effect was observed.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the levels of Hb and Hct increased significantly in both groups (P < 0.01), comparison between the two groups in Hb and Hct after being treated for 3 months showed significant difference (P < 0.05). The serum level of TNF-alpha was markedly higher than normal range in both groups before treatment, it significantly lowered after treatment in the ICWM group (P < 0.05), but unchanged in the control group.

CONCLUSIONCombination of BJR and EPO could significantly inhibit the production of TNF-alpha, this may be an important factor for ICWM in effectively improving sensitivity to EPO.

Adult ; Anemia ; blood ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Chronic Disease ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Erythropoiesis ; drug effects ; Erythropoietin ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Recombinant Proteins ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

When the glomerular mesangial cells of rats were cultured in vitro at high glucose concentration,the activity of extraeellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK),the expression of transforming growth factor-?_1(TGF-?_1)mRNA and the content of typeⅣcollagen in the supematant were higher than those at normal glucose concentration.These effects were inhibited by fluvastatin.The results showed that the activation of ERK signal transduction pathways appeared to play a role in the onset and progression of diabetic nephropathy. Furthermore,fluvastatin could protect the kidney by inhibiting ERK signal transduction pathway and TGF-?_1 expression.

Objective To study the relationship between the leukoaraiosis (LA) and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS)in the elderly. Methods 169 cases of OSAHS diagnosed by polysomnogram (PSG) underwent brain MRI to evaluate the incidence and degree of LA and to explore the relationship between LA and OSAHS in the elderly. Results LA was found in 145 (85.80%) of 169 OSAHS cases, and rdmong them, mild LA in 27 cases (15.98%), moderate in 65 (38.46%) and severe in 53 (31.36%). There was a significant correlation of LA with age, oxygen desaturation index,MSaO2 sleep time spent when SaO2＜90%,apnea hyponea index(AHI)(P＜0.05).By multivariate regression analyses, age and oxygen desaturation index were the most vital effective factors for LA. Conclusions With the increase of patients'age and oxygen desaturation index,LA becomes more common and aggravated. Appropriate interventive treatment for OSAHS will be able to ameliorate the LA-induced cognitive dysfunction.

OBJECTIVETo explore an effective method for treatment of senile habitual constipation.

METHODSSixty-four cases were randomly divided into a treatment group treated with moving cupping at Hechelu plus Shenque (CV 8) Bazhenxue moxibustion, and a control group with oral administration of Tab phenolphthaleinum, 32 cases in each group. Improvement of constipation in the patients were observed and compared.

RESULTSThe short-term (14 days) clinical cured-markedly effective rate was 84.4% in the treatment group, which was significantly better than 59.4% of the control group (P < 0.05), and there was a significant difference between the two groups in the long-term (2 months) therapeutic effect (P < 0. 01).

CONCLUSIONMoving cupping at the Hechelu combined with Shenque (CV 8) Bazhenxue moxibustion is an effective method for senile habitual constipation.

Acupuncture Points ; Administration, Oral ; Constipation ; Humans ; Moxibustion

BACKGROUNDVitrification is a prospective technology in ovarian tissue cryopreservation, but it is still in an initial stage. This study was conducted to investigate a modified vitrification protocol for human ovarian tissue, which can be used as an alternative to preserve fertility for young women with cancer who have to undergo cytotoxic therapy and sterilization.

METHODSOvarian tissue samples were collected from 15 patients and randomly allocated to groups of fresh, vitrification, and conventional slow freezing. A modified carrierless vitrification method was applied. The proportion of morphologically intact follicles in fresh ovarian tissues was compared with that in warmed/thawed tissues. The initial growth of the follicles and the concentrations of estradiol and progesterone were detected to determine the viability and endocrine function of the cryopreserved tissues.

RESULTSThe proportion of morphologically intact primordial follicles in the fresh group (97.6%) was significantly higher than that in the other two groups (vitrification group 80.3% and slow-freezing group 72.6%, P < 0.001). In both the vitrification and slow-freezing groups, estradiol and progesterone were secreted continuously during 2-week culture in vitro, the proportion of primary follicles were both significantly increased compared to the fresh group. No statistically significant differences existed between the two groups after cryopreservation in the proportion of both primordial and primary follicles, and the concentrations of estradiol and progesterone (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe modified vitrification method for cryopreservation of human ovarian tissues is effective, simple, and inexpensive.

Adult ; Cryopreservation ; methods ; Estradiol ; biosynthesis ; Female ; Humans ; Ovary ; cytology ; metabolism ; Progesterone ; biosynthesis ; Tissue Culture Techniques

OBJECTIVETo compare clinically therapeutic effects of warming needle moxibustion and simple acupuncture on knee osteoarthritis.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty cases conformed with the diagnostic criteria of knee osteoarthritis with TCM kidney-yang deficiency and cold syndrome were randomly divided into a warming needle moxibustion group and a simple acupuncture group. Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6), Zusanli (ST 36) and others were selected in the two groups. Their therapeutic effects were assessed with joint pain scale, knee osteoarthritis severity index scale and cold syndrome differentiation factors.

RESULTSBoth warming needle moxibustion and simple acupuncture could alleviate pain of knee osteoarthritis, improve dysfunction of the knee joint, reduce symptoms. The clinically basic cured rate and the total effective rate were 32.1% and 96.4% in the warming needle moxibustion group, which were better than 7.4% and 92.6% in the simple acupuncture group.

CONCLUSIONWarming needle moxibustion is an effective therapy for knee osteoarthritis with kidney-yang deficiency and cold type.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; Needles ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; therapy ; Yang Deficiency

Objective: This study aims to estimate the economic burden of disease of outbreak of norovirus gastroenteritis in the Pearl River Delta Region, and provide scientific evidence for the government’s decision-making and control measures. Methods: Using a unified questionnaire, a survey was conducted to the schools and students’ families which had suffered an outbreak of norovirus gastroenteritis in the Pearl River Delta Region from October 2017 to April 2018. Results: The survey found that the mean total economic burden of sick students was 720.41(95%UI=640.45-804.63)RMB. The mean economic burden of sick students who were inpatient, outpatient and self-treatment were 1 712.75(95%UI=328.50-34 00.00), 213.70(95%UI=191.83-236.33) and 58.97(95%UI=43.00-77.69)RMB, respectively. The mean economic burden of transport, extra tutoring and cost of lost labor were 53.63(95%UI=43.98-63.58), 558.49(95%UI=381.40-774.01) and 695.62(95UI=630.25-767.29)RMB. The mean total economic burden of health students was 382.62(95%UI=343.29-424.45)RMB. The mean total economic burden of school was 49 264.53(95%UI=22 363.38-79 976.25)RMB. The total economic burden of disease increases as the level of outbreak increases. The larger the epidemic level, the proportion of sick students’ financial burden gradually decreased, 56.58%,23.27% and 10.93%. Conclusion The high economic burden of disease of norovirus gastroenteritis in the Pearl River Delta Region, respectively, indicating that relevant departments should strengthen the prevention, control and education in order to mitigate the disease economic burden.

Objective To analyze the epidemic trend of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 18 minority nationalities in Yunnan Province from 2009 to 2018, so as to explore the ethnic differences in the incidence of HBV in Yunnan Province. Methods Based on the reported incidence data of hepatitis B in China's disease prevention and control information system from 2009 to 2018, descriptive epidemiology method was used to describe and analyze the incidence of hepatitis B in different ethnic groups, and K-means clustering method was used to explore and analyze the annual average incidence of hepatitis B in different ethnic groups. Results From 2009 to 2018, the average incidence of hepatitis B in Yunnan Province was 44.26/100 000, which was much lower than the overall level of China every year; the average incidence of hepatitis B in ethnic groups was 41.27/100 000, slightly lower than the overall level of Yunnan every year. The prevalence of hepatitis B was different in different ethnic groups. The average incidence of Wa was significantly higher than others (95.26/100 000), and Jingpo was the lowest (22.51/100 000). According to the incidence of hepatitis B, different ethnic groups were divided into three categories: high incidence ethnic group, middle incidence ethnic group and low incidence ethnic group. Conclusion There are ethnic differences in the incidence of hepatitis B in Yunnan Province. The incidence of hepatitis B in some ethnic groups is higher than that in the whole country all the year round, which is the key population in the prevention and control of hepatitis B.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the variance and drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria isolated from children with infectious diseases seen between 2001 and 2006 in Chengdu area.

METHODSA total of 2888 pathogenic bacterial strains isolated from children in Chengdu Children's Hospital from 2001 to 2006 were analyzed. Tests were performed according to the guidelines of National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) of the United States.

RESULT(1) Of the 2888 strains, 1845 (63.9%) were Gram negative bacteria. The main pathogenic bacteria included Escherichia coli (Ec, 718 strain, 24.9%), Hemophilus (H, 476 strain, 16.5%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp, 412 strain, 14.3%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp, 369 strain, 12.8%), Staphylococcus aureus (Sa, 353 strain, 12.2%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (Se, 278 strain, 9.6%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa, 146 strain, 5.1%) and other non-zymocyte (Onz, 136 strain, 4.7%). (2) The common pathogens found in blood specimen were 158 strain, which included Se (78 strain, 49.4%), Ec (23 strain, 14.6%), Kp (17 strain, 10.8%), Sa (14 strain, 8.9%), Onz (14 strain, 8.9%), Sp (7 strain, 4.4%) and Pa (5 strain, 3.2%). (3) The number of common pathogens isolated from patients with lower respiratory tract infection was 2018, including Ec (441 strains, 21.9%), H (430 strains, 21.3%), Sp (368 strains, 18.2%), Kp (253 strains, 12.5%), Sa (207 strains, 10.3%), Se (149 strains, 7.3%), Pa (97 strains, 4.8%) and Onz (73 strains, 3.6%). (4) There were 120 strains of common pathogens isolated from urine specimens, including Ec (78 strains, 65%), Kp (25 strains, 20.8%), Onz (7 strains, 5.8%), Pa (5 strains, 4.2%) and Se (5 strains, 4.2%). (5) There were 497 strains of common pathogens found in pus specimens, including Ec 167 strains, (33.6%), Sa (126 strains, 25.4%), Se (46 strains, 9.3%), H (44 strains, 8.9%), Onz (37 stains, 7.4%), Kp (31 strains, 6.2%), Sp (26 strains, 5.2%) and Pa (20 strain, 4.0%). The trend of drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria to antibiotics deteriorated. The proportion of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was 6.7% and the methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci (MRCNS) rate was 20% in 2001 - 2003. The total proportion of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase stains (ESBL(S)) in Ec and Kp was 21.8%, and the rate of beta-lactamase production stains of Hemophilus influenzae (Hi) was 19.4% in 2001 - 2003.The proportion of MRSA was 17.2% and the MRCNS rate was 70.2%, the total proportion of ESBL(S) in Ec and Kp was 43.8%, and the rate of beta-lactamase producing stains of Hi was 39.7% in 2004 - 2006.

CONCLUSIONThe distribution of common pathogenic bacteria seen in Chengdu Children's Hospital has changed and the trend of drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria to antibiotics deteriorated in recent three years. Regionally monitoring the changes in pathogenic bacteria and the trend of drug resistance to antibiotics is paramount in guiding the pediatric clinical treatment.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Bacterial Infections ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ; drug effects ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests

OBJECTIVETo explore the toxicity of joint exposure to diazinon, propoxur and bisphenol A on phagocytosis.

METHODSFlow cytometer was employed to detect the influence of diazinon and bisphenol A, propoxur and bisphenol A in mixture (mixed according to ratio of IC(50)) on mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells' function to phagocyte fluorescent microspheres, adopting the percentage of phagocytic cells (PP) and the phagocytic index (PI) as measurement indicators. The final concentrations of mixture of diazinon and bisphenol A were (0.4 + 0.1), (3.6 + 0.7), (36.2 + 7.2), (43.4 + 8.7), (52.1 + 10.4), (62.5 + 12.5), (75.0 + 15.0) µg/ml; while those of mixture of propoxur and bisphenol A were (0.2 + 2.0 × 10(-2)), (2.4 + 0.2), (23.7 + 2.0), (35.6 + 3.0), (53.3 + 4.4), (80.0 + 6.7), (120.0 + 10.0) µg/ml. Then based on the dose-response relationship, a 2 × 2 factorial design was then carried out among different doses of mixture with statistical significance to statistically evaluate the interaction between diazinon and bisphenol A, propoxur and bisphenol A.

RESULTSAfter the joint exposure, compared to the control group (PP = (23.6 ± 2.2)%; PI = 0.36 ± 0.03), any dose of the mixture of diazinon and bisphenol A ((52.1 + 10.4), (62.5 + 12.5), (75.0 + 15.0) µg/ml) could significantly increase the levels of PP ((29.0 ± 1.4)%, t = 3.89, P < 0.05; (30.2 ± 2.3)%, t = 4.74, P < 0.05; (35.0 ± 3.4)%, t = 8.21, P < 0.05) and PI (0.43 ± 0.03, t = 3.86, P < 0.05; 0.41 ± 0.02, t = 2.95, P < 0.05; 0.46 ± 0.03, t = 5.34, P < 0.05); while that of propoxur and bisphenol A ((35.6 + 3.0), (53.3 + 4.4), (80.0 + 6.7), (120.0 + 10.0) µg/ml) reduced the levels of PP ((20.6 ± 1.1)%, t = -3.00, P < 0.05; (20.2 ± 1.0)%, t = -3.42, P < 0.05; (19.4 ± 1.3)%, t = -4.23, P < 0.05; (18.8 ± 2.1)%, t = -4.81, P < 0.05) and PI (0.31 ± 0.01, t = -4.75, P < 0.05; 0.31 ± 0.01, t = -4.58, P < 0.05; 0.30 ± 0.01, t = -4.92, P < 0.05; 0.27 ± 0.02, t = -7.80, P < 0.05) on the contrary. The 2 × 2 factorial design was carried out between the mixture of diazinon (60.0 µg/ml; PP = (28.5 ± 3.4)%; PI = 0.49 ± 0.07) and bisphenol A (12.0 µg/ml; PP = (35.7 ± 2.7)%; PI = 0.67 ± 0.07), and the mixture of propoxur (48.0 µg/ml ; PP = (28.1 ± 2.2)%; PI = 0.48 ± 0.04) and bisphenol A (4.0 µg/ml; PP = (34.4 ± 2.7)%; PI = 0.59 ± 0.07). The mixture of diazinon and bisphenol A (PP = (30.4 ± 1.4)%, F(interaction) = 6.22, P < 0.05; PI = 0.53 ± 0.03, F(interaction) = 7.35, P < 0.05) and the mixture of propoxur and bisphenol A (PP = (27.5 ± 4.1)%, F(interaction) = 4.56, P < 0.05; PI = 0.46 ± 0.08, F(interaction) = 11.13, P < 0.05) both showed a significant antagonistic interaction on phagocytosis of RAW264.7 cell.

CONCLUSIONIt is suggested that the interactions between diazinon & bisphenol A and propoxur & bisphenol A both played the antagonistic role on phagocytic function of macrophages in vitro.

Animals ; Benzhydryl Compounds ; Cell Line ; Diazinon ; toxicity ; Drug Synergism ; Environmental Exposure ; Macrophages ; cytology ; drug effects ; Mice ; Phagocytosis ; drug effects ; Phenols ; toxicity ; Propoxur ; toxicity