Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways,caused by multiple genetic and environmental factors.Thtee key methods including candidate gene study,the positional cloning and genomewide association studies.are used for asthma susceptibility gene identification.There are many candidate genes that haye been identified as asthma susceptibility gene, including ADRB2,IL4R,FLG,NPPA,INPP4A,ADAM33, DPP10,OPN3,0RMDL3,PDE4D,CHBLI etc.Replication of genetic associations and demonstration of a functional mechanism for the associated gene variants are needed to COnfirm an asthmasusceptibility gene, this will help us to understand the aetiology of asthma and explore new drugs to treat asthma.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Female ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; complications ; Optic Nerve Diseases ; etiology ; therapy ; Retinal Degeneration ; etiology ; therapy

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effect of Changchun'an sustained-release capsules and Nimodipine tablets on the treatment of vascular cognitive impairment.METHODS: A total of 120 patients with vascular cognitive impairment were randomly divided into treatment group and control group, with 60 patients for each group. Patients In the treatment group were treated with Changchun'an sustained-release capsules, 30 mg for each administration, twice a day; the other patients in the control group were treated with Nimodipine tablets,30 mg for each administration, 3 times a day. The treatment course was 6 months for both groups. The scores of clinical efficiency,Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Activity of Daily Living Scale (ADL) were analyzed.RESULTS: The total effective rates of Changchun'an sustained-release capsules and Nimodipine tablets were 60.0% and 53.3%,respectively, and there was significant difference in the total effective rates between treatment and control groups (P < 0.05). The scores of MMSE and ADL in both groups were improved obviously after treatment compared with before treatment (P < 0.01),and there was a significant difference between the two groups after treatment (P < 0.05). The side effects of Changchun'an sustained-release capsules were obviously posterior to those of Nimodipine tablets.CONCLUSION: Changchun'an sustained-release capsules are effective in treating vascular cognitive impairment with few side effects.

[Objective] To observe analgesic action produced by electvoacupuncture (EA) of different intensity in adjuvant arthritis (AA) rats. [Methods] AA rat models were induced and the rats were randomized into 3 groups: group A, group B and group C. Group A and group B were treated with EA on points of Kunlun (BL60) and Yangtingquan (GB34) at the same wave type and wave frequency but at different electric current (3.5mA and 5.5mA respectively). Group C was performed with mimic EA. Pain threshold (PT) in the three groups before and after EA was observed. [Results] After EA, PT of the affected limb in group A and group B was increased (P0.05). [Conclusion] Analgesic action of EA at the same wave type and wave frequency while at different electric current is different: analgesic action at middle-intensity current is superior to that at large-intensity current; its possible mechanism is related to the participation of central nervous system.

Chinese herbal property theory (CHPT) is the fundamental characteristic of Chinese materia medica different from modern medicines. It reflects the herbal properties associated with efficacy and formed the early framework of four properties and five flavors in Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica. After the supplement and improvement of CHPT in the past thousands of years, it has developed a theory system including four properties, five flavors, meridian entry, direction of medicinal actions (ascending, descending, floating and sinking) and toxicity. However, because of the influence of philosophy about yin-yang theory and five-phase theory and the difference of cognitive approach and historical background at different times, CHPT became complex. One of the complexity features was the multiple methods for determining herbal property, which might include the inference from herbal efficacy, the thought of Chinese Taoist School and witchcraft, the classification thinking according to manifestations, etc. Another complexity feature was the multiselection associations between herbal property and efficacy, which indicated that the same property could be inferred from different kinds of efficacy. This paper analyzed these complexity features and provided the importance of cognitive approaches and efficacy attributes corresponding to certain herbal property in the study of CHPT.

Chinese herbal property is the highly summarized concept of herbal nature and pharmaceutical effect, which reflect the characteristics of herbal actions on human body. These herbal actions, also interpreted as presenting the information about pharmaceutical effect contained in herbal property on the biological carrier, are defined as herbal property expressions. However, the biological expression of herbal property is believed to possess complex features for the involved complexity of Chinese medicine and organism. Firstly, there are multiple factors which could influence the expression results of herbal property such as the growth environment, harvest season and preparing methods of medicinal herbs, and physique and syndrome of body. Secondly, there are multiple biological approaches and biochemical indicators for the expression of the same property. This paper elaborated these complexities for further understanding of herbal property. The individuality of herbs and expression factors should be well analyzed in the related studies.

Objective To analyze the effect of Kangfuxin Liquidon on gingiva groove liquid interleukin 1β(IL-1β), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), soluble adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM)in fixed orthodontic patients with gingivitis. Methods 96 cases of patients with fixed orthodontic gingivitis consult the draw method were divided into control group and experimental group, 48 cases in each group. The control group were treatedby gums clean, experimental group based on the control group were treattedby Kangfuxin Liquidon. The IL-1β, PGE2, sICAM-1 levels, periodontal status, the grade of swelling and pain, the clinical curative effect were compared between two groups. Results After treatment, the IL-1β, PGE2, sICAM levels of experimental group were lower than the control group (10.54±1.41) ng/L vs.(11.85±1.71)ng/L, (284.62±35.21) ng/L vs.(314.65±39.48)ng/L, (150.49±18.11) μg/L vs.(162.83±20.26) μg/L,the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).The periodontal status, swelling and pain grading ofexperimental group were better than control group (P<0.05). Theeffective rate of experimental group was higher than the control group (95.83%vs.79.17%) (P<0.05). Conclusion Kangfuxin Liquidon can reduce fixed orthodontic patients with gingivitis gingiva groove IL-1β, PGE2, sICAM-1 levels, improve the periodontal status, relieve swelling and pain, improve the clinical curative effect.

Hepatitis B ; pathology ; therapy ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; Humans

Erectile dysfunction (ED) results from the interaction of many pathological factors. Studies show that a high incidence of ED is associated with chronic diseases of various systems, and its pathogenesis is not fully understood. This article outlines the progress in recent studies on the impact of chronic diseases on erectile function.
Chronic Disease ; Erectile Dysfunction ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Penile Erection ; physiology

The theory of ascending and descending activities of qi is one basic theory that guides diagnosis and treatment of disease clinically. It has been esteemed by ancient physicians throughout their academic thinking and clinical diagnosis. As a kind of unbalanced disease in the whole body, the basic internal mechanism of tumor formation may be caused by unbalanced ascending and descending activities of qi. Better clinical efficacy is liable to get by applying the theory of ascending and descending activities of qi in cancer treatment. Therefore, we hope to provide a reference for clinicians from the following aspects: historical status and academic value of the theory of ascending and descending activities of qi, case examples and classical prescriptions.
Humans ; Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Qi