BACKGROUND:Atopic individuals predispose to alergic rhinitis after contacting with an alergen, which is mainly released by IgE-mediated histamine. Alergic rhinitis is a kind of non-infectious inflammatory disease that involves a variety of immune cels and cytokines and is related to Th1 and Th2 immune imbalance. Interferon γ is a cytokine secreted by Th1 cels, while interleukin-4 is a cytokine secreted by Th2 cels. OBJECTIVE:To establish a stable 129Sv mouse model of alergic rhinitis, so as to lay the foundation of establishing gene knockout 129Sv mouse models of alergic rhinitis, and to observe the concentration variation of IgE, interleukin-4 and interferon γ. METHODS: Twenty-four mice were randomly divided into 2 groups: model and control groups. Mice in the model group were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin to establish mouse models of alergic rhinitis. Mice in the control group were subjected to intraperitoneal injection of PBS. After successful modeling, pathological changes of nasal eosinophils and plasmocyte infiltration were evaluated by nasal mucosa staining. Interleukin 4 and interferon γ levels and ovalbumin-specific IgE antibody concentration were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that compared with the control group, serum ovalbumin-IgE and interleukin-4 concentrations were significantly increased, and Interferon γ concentration was significantly lower in the model group (P < 0.05). Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed that cilia lodging and submucosal serous gland hyperplasia, eosinophils and plasmocyte infiltration were obvious. These results confirm that a mouse model of allergic rhinitis was successfully constructed in this study and the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis was related to Th1/Th2 imbalance.

BACKGROUND:HLA-DRB1 is related to the pathogenesis of alergic rhinitis. Construction ofHLA-DRB1 gene knockout animal models not only elucidates the pathogenesis of alergic rhinitis, but also provides a good way for the elucidation of the pathogenesis of alergic rhinitis-related diseases. OBJECTIVE:To establish the HLA-DRB1gene knockout animal models. METHODS:Homozygous, wild-type and heterozygous mice were obtained by inbreeding of the heterozygous mice. Confirmed by gene and protein identification, 24 female wild-type (H2-eb1+/+) mice and 12 H2-eb1-/-mice aged 8 weeks were selected according to the random number table. 12 H2-eb1+/+ mice and 12 H2-eb1-/- mice were sensitized with ovalbumin to establish the mouse models of alergic rhinitis. Another 12 mice were sensitized with PBS as comparison. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control mice, serum levels of ovalbumin-specific IgE and interleukin-4 were significantly increased, while serum level ofγ-interferon was significantly decreased in the mouse models of alergic rhinitis. Serum levels of IgE and interleukin-4 were lower, while serumγ- interferon level was higher, inH2-eb1-/-gene knockout mice of alergic rhinitis than those in the H2-eb1+/+ gene knockout wild-type mice. These results suggest thatH2-eb1 gene may play an important role in regulating Th1/Th2 imbalance in the pathogenesis of alergic rhinitis.

This study is to investigate the effect of total flavonoids of Uygur medicine bugloss (BTF) on rats with myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, and to explore the mechanisms by which it acts. Left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery in rats was occluded for 30 min followed by 4 h reperfusion. Meanwhile, BTF dissolved in saline was administered intraperitoneally at dosage of 10, 30 and 50 mg x kg(-1). Electrocardiograph, infarction index, serum myocardial enzymes and heart function were determined to evaluate the effect of BTF. Some other observations were carried out to explore whether inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis is involved in the mechanisms underlying BTF. Our results showed that in ischemia/reperfusion injured rats BTF could dose-dependently reduce myocardial infarction index and myocardial enzyme leakage, and enhance heart function, indicating that it possesses significant cardio protection. ELISA analysis showed that BTF could decrease the content of myocardial inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha. Western-blotting confirmed that BTF could increase the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and reduce the expression of proapoptosis protein Bax. Further more, the phosphorylation level of PI3K and Akt was upregulated by BTF treatment. BTF can protect rat against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. Anti-inflammation and inhibition of apoptosis through upregulating PI3K/Akt signal pathway may contribute to the protective effect of BTF.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; Boraginaceae ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Heart ; Interleukin-6 ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; Myocardium ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Phosphorylation ; Protective Agents ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein

OBJECTIVETo review the experience in repair of aortic coarctation with intracardiac anomaly in infants and toddlers.

METHODSFrom January 2000 to December 2006, 84 infants and children diagnosed as aortic coarctation with intracardiac anomaly underwent surgical treatment. Mean age of the patients was 13.5 months, with a range from 1 month to 3 years. Mean body weight was 7.3 kg, with a range from 3.3 to 15 kg. Twelve patients complicated with complex intracardiac anomaly. Seventy-two patients complicated with ventricular septal defect and other simple anomaly. Twenty-one patients had hypoplasia of the aortic arch. Sixty-two patients had one-stage repair. Median sternotomy was used to simultaneously repair coarctation and intracardiac defect in 49 patients. Left thoracotomy and median sternotomy were applied to repair aortic coarctation and intracardiac anomaly respectively in 13 patients. Twenty-two patients had staged repair. Operational techniques for aortic coarctation include 42 patients of patch aortoplasty, 30 patients of resection and end-to-end anastomosis, 6 patients of subclavian flap aortoplasty, 3 patients of vascular bypass, and 1 patient of balloon dilation. In all 49 patients of one-stage operation through median sternotomy, selective cerebral perfusion was used in 43 patients, deep hypothermia low flow was applied in 4 patients, deep hypothermia circulatory arrest was performed in 2 patients.

RESULTSThere were 8 hospital deaths. The mortality is 9.5%. Among 8 deaths, 3 patients were misdiagnosed.

CONCLUSIONSSurgeries for aortic coarctation with intracardiac anomaly have satisfactory short-term results in infants and toddlers. One-stage repair through median sternotomy can be applied to most of the patients. Selective cerebral perfusion with deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest in lower body can protect the brain and other vital organs.

Aortic Coarctation ; complications ; surgery ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo retrospectively review the experience in repair of interrupted aortic arch (IAA) and associated cardiac anomaly.

METHODSFrom January 1997 to January 2008, 36 patients with interrupted aortic arch and associated cardiac anomaly underwent surgical treatment. There were 22 male and 14 female. Mean age of the 35 children patients was 2.8 years, with a range from 2 months to 7 years. There was a 31 years old adult patient. Types of interrupted aortic arch include 30 cases of type A and 6 cases of type B. In all 36 patients, 33 cases had patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and intracardiac abnormality, including 28 cases of simple anomaly as ventricular septal defect and 5 cases of complex anomaly, two cases were single IAA arch without PDA and other cardiac defect, one case had no intracardiac anomaly but PDA. For 33 patients with PDA and intracardiac anomaly, median sternotomy was used to simultaneously repair interrupted aortic arch and intracardiac defect in 31 cases, left thoracotomy and median sternotomy were applied to repair IAA and intracardiac anomaly respectively in one case, one patient had palliative repair. For three patients without intracardiac anomaly, left thoracotomy was applied in two cases, median sternotomy and abdominotomy were used in one adult patient. Techniques of operation for interrupted aortic arch include 16 cases of conduit connection, 9 cases of direct anastomosis, 9 cases of direct anastomosis with patch augmentation, 1 case of subclavian flap aortoplasty. In all 31 cases of one-stage operation through median sternotomy, selective cerebral perfusion was used in 17 patients, deep hypothermia and low flow were applied in 8 cases, deep hypothermia circulatory arrest was performed in 6 patients.

RESULTSThere were 5 hospital deaths. Three cases died of pulmonary infection, 1 case died of of pulmonary hypertension crisis, and another case died of postoperative low cardiac output, which was misdiagnosed before operation. Seven cases had other main postoperative complications. Thirty-one survivors were followed up from 3 months to 5 years, there was no late death and reoperation.

CONCLUSIONOne-stage repair through median sternotomy using selective cerebral perfusion or deep hypothermia and low flow can be applied to most of the cases with associated cardiac anomaly.

Aorta, Thoracic ; abnormalities ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo prepare tanshinone transfersome (TTs) and evaluate its deformability.

METHODSThe transfersomes were prepared by film dispersion method followed by sonication, and their physical properties, morphology, content, entrapment efficiency, particle size, polydispersity, and Zeta potential were investigated. The stability and deformability of TTs were studied. Liposomes with different molar ratios of cholate and lecithin were compared for their permeability under external pressure.

RESULTSThe prepared TF were spherical vesicles with content of 1.0192+/-0.075 mg/ml, entrapment efficiency of (62.3+/-0.08)%, particle size of 110 nm, polydispersity of 0.19 and Zate potential of -15.0 mV. The TTs remained stable during light-proof preservation for 3 months at 4 degrees C, and sodium cholate contributed to the flexibility of the lecithin vesicles.

CONCLUSIONTTs prepared by film dispersion method has good entrapment efficiency and stability. The vesicles possess high deformability in relation to the molar ratio of sodium cholate to lecithin and the external pressure.

Diterpenes, Abietane ; Drug Compounding ; methods ; Lecithins ; chemistry ; Liposomes ; chemistry ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Particle Size ; Phenanthrenes ; chemistry ; Sodium Cholate ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Temperature

OBJECTIVETo study the protection of Zibu Piyin Recipe (ZBPYR) on the insulin signal pathway in the hippocampus of Pi-yin deficiency diabetic encephalopathy rats and to explore its possible mechanisms.

METHODSThe type 2 diabetic model was established using high fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of small dose streptozotocin (STZ). The Pi-yin deficiency model was established referring to classic compound factors. The learning and memory capabilities were tested in rats by the behavioral changes. The protein expressions of hippocampal IRE1alpha, JNK, and IRS-1 were detected using Western blot.

RESULTSThere was statistical difference in the learning and memory capabilities of Pi-yin deficiency rats when compared with the blank control group (P<0.05). The learning and memory capabilities could be improved by ZBPYR. The protein expressions of hippocampal phospho-IRS-1, phospho-JNK, and total IRE1alpha were enhanced (P<0.05). But they were weakened after treatment of ZBPYR.

CONCLUSIONSZBPYR could significantly improve the learning and memory capabilities of Pi-yin deficiency diabetic rats. Its functions might be correlated with improving the endoplasmic reticulum stress to regulate the insulin signaling pathway.

Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; Endoribonucleases ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Insulin ; metabolism ; Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins ; metabolism ; Insulin Resistance ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Male ; Multienzyme Complexes ; metabolism ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the relationship of the transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1) mRNA expression in atrial myocardium and the effectiveness of radiofrequency Maze procedure in patients with rheumatic valvular disease (RHD) and permanent atrial fibrillation (AF).

METHODSBetween January 2008 and September 2008, 40 patients with RHD and AF underwent a radiofrequency Maze procedure with concomitant valvular surgery. The patients were assigned to normal sinus rhythm (SR) group (group A) and persistence AF group (group B) according to the results of the 6-month follow-up. Another 10 patients with SR and RHD undergone valvular surgery alone were assigned to control group (group C). Left atrial appendage were obtained in all patients. Expressions of TGF-β1 mRNA were detected by semiquantitative RT-PCR technique. CVF-I and CVF-III were observed by sirius red staining.

RESULTSAt 6-month follow-up, there were 28 patients in group A and 12 in group B. Patients in group A and group B had higher mRNA expressions of TGF-β1, CVF-I and CVF-I/CVF-III compared with group C (P < 0.05). Also, the group B had higher mRNA expressions of TGF-β1, CVF-I and CVF-I/CVF-III than group A (P < 0.05). The patients who had return of functional atrial contraction in group A had lower mRNA expression than the non-return patients (39 ± 12 vs. 60 ± 12, P < 0.05). The TGF-β1 mRNA expression had a correlation with both the contents of CVF-I and left atrial diameter (r = 0.786, P < 0.05; r = 0.858, P < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the risk factors which independently associated with the postoperative persistence of atrial fibrillation at 6-month follow-up includes mRNA expression levels of TGF-β1 (OR = 1.13, 95%CI 1.05 - 1.18, P = 0.031), CVF-I (OR = 1.07, 95%CI 1.00 - 1.13, P = 0.037) and lett atrial diameter (OR = 2.23, 95%CI 1.08 - 4.59, P = 0.042).

CONCLUSIONSThe atrial TGF-β1 mRNA expression level could predict the persistence of AF and the return of the functional atrial contraction at 6-month follow-up in patients who underwent rheumatic valvular surgery and concomitant radiofrequency Maze procedure.

Atrial Fibrillation ; etiology ; metabolism ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Atria ; metabolism ; Humans ; Rheumatic Heart Disease ; complications ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the high-yield and high-quality cultivating technology of Plantago asiatica, adapt to the demands of GAP.

METHODThe main factors which influenced the yield and quality in the production process of P. asiatica was studied.

RESULTThe standard system cultivating technology of high yield and quality of P. asiatica was established.

CONCLUSIONThe seeds of P. asiatica can reach the objective of high yield and high quality on the basis of this cultivating technology.

China ; Fertilizers ; Pest Control ; Plant Diseases ; Plantago ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; Quality Control ; Seeds ; Soil

OBJECTIVETo explore an ideal method for repairing the skin-soft tissue defects according to the different anatomical units of cheek, and find reasonable design principles to transfer the expanded flaps.

METHODSAccording to the location of the defect, we placed 1-3 appropriate expanders nearby, when the flap expanded enough we adopted advanced skin flaps, rotation-advanced skin flaps or transposition skin flaps to repair the defect. In this group of 269 cases, the defects were secondary to hemangioma, various scars, nevus or nevus excision.

RESULTSIn all 269 cheek defects, 305 expanded flaps were developed which included 145 rotation-advanced flaps, 121 advanced skin flaps and 39 transposition skin flaps. 52 of them generated complications, including blood circulation disorder of the distal part of flaps, hematoma, infection, injection, lower eyelid ectropion, expander extrusion and capsule contracture. Mostly, these complications didn't affect the final results.

CONCLUSIONSThe principles presented in this article are the guidelines to treat the skin-soft tissue defect of check with tissue expansion. The satisfied results come from the reasonable flap designs.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cheek ; surgery ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Tissue Expansion ; methods ; Young Adult