Objective:To observe the effect of rapid point pressure on clinical effect and pulmonary function of patients with chronic persistent bronchial asthma.
Methods:A total of 60 confirmed chronic persistent bronchial asthma cases were randomly allocated into two groups, 30 in each group. Cases in the treatment group were treated with rapid point pressure, 1 h for the initial treatment, and 40 min for the ensuing treatments. The treatment was done once a day for 40 d. Cases in the control group were treated with Compound Methoxyphenamine Hydrochloride Capsules, 2 capsules for each dose, 3 times a day. The treatment lasted for 7 consecutive days. A 1-year follow-up was made for both groups.
Results:After treatment, the scores of each symptom and total symptom scores for the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05);the total effective rates in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group in each time frame; and there was a between-group statistical significance in total effective rate after 7 d of treatment (P<0.01). After 40-day treatments, there were statistical significances in the forced expiratory volume in 1 s percentage of predicted value (FEV 1%) and inspiratory capacity (IC%) in the treatment group (P<0.05); however, there were no statistical significances (P>0.05) in forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity ratio (FEV1/FVC), peak expiratory flow rate (PEF%) and maximum midexpiratory flow rate (MMEF%); and there were no statistical significances in pulmonary function parameters in the control group. In addition, as for pulmonary function parameters, there were no intra-group statistical significances in differences before and after treatment (P>0.05).
Conclusion:Rapid point pressure can alleviate patients’ TCM symptoms and improve their FEV%and IC%.

This research uses six Agrobacterium rhizogenes R1601, R15384, R1000, A4, R1025 and R1 to infect silymarin explants to induce hairy roots and silibin. All of the six A. rhizogenes can induce Silybum marianum to generate hairy roots and the A. rhizogene A4 shows comparatively high infection on the plant. This research determines the condition to induce silymarin hairy roots by the factors of infection time, pre-culturing, co-culturing and pH value. The fact that MS liquid medium fits the proliferation of silymarin hairy roots is determined. Through PCR molecular identification, it can be seen that the DNA plasmids in the A. rhizogenes are successfully integrated into the genome of transformed roots. Using liquid chromatography, it is determined that the silibin content in silymarin hairy roots is 2.5 times that in the plant In this research, the silymarin hairy roots culturing system is established, which lays a foundation for the study of culturing silymarin hairy roots and producing silibin.
Agrobacterium ; genetics ; physiology ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Milk Thistle ; chemistry ; genetics ; growth & development ; microbiology ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; genetics ; growth & development ; microbiology ; Silymarin ; analysis ; Transformation, Genetic

Objective To investigate the effects of maternal long-term exposure to low-dose trichlorfon on the serum paraoxonase (PON) activity of pregnant mice and development of embryos. Methods Female ICR mice (n=120) were randomly divided into control group and trichlorfon groups of different doses,and were managed by intragastric injection with trichlorfon of 0,2,10 and 50mg/kg,respectively. All the mice were managed once a day for a consecutive of 27 days,and were subjected to mating. The pregnant mice were continued to be managed with trichlorfon for 3 days,and were sacrificed on day 3 of gestation. The serum PON and acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activities were detected,and the development of embryos was evaluated. Results The serum PON activity of 2,10 and 50mg/kg trichlorfon group were (14.15?1.22),(12.78?1.80) and (10.45?1.95)IU/mL,respectively,and that of 50mg/kg trichlorfon group was significantly lower than that of control group [(13.37?2.31)IU/mL] (P0.05),while the the percentage of abnormal embryos of 50mg/kg trichlorfon group had an increased tendency. Conclusion Long-term exposure to low-dose trichlorfon can inhibit serum PON and AchE activity in pregnant mice without obvious effect on the development of embryos.

To study the chemical constituents from the the deep-sea fungus Alternaria sp. F49. Seven compounds were isolated from the EtOAc extract by using silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS and HPLC methods. Based on the spectroscopic analysis, their structures were identified as (8R)-5-O-methyl-orcinotriol (1), orcinotriol (2), α-acetylorcinol (3), 3'-hydroxyalternariol 5-O-methyl ether (4), altenusiol (5), altenusin (6), and 5'-methoxy-6-methyl-biphenyl-3,4,3'-triol (7). (8R)-5-O-Methyl-orcinotriol (1) is a new phenolic compound which has never been reported in the literature. Compounds 4-7 showed strong DPPH free radical scavenging activity; whereas compounds 1-7 showed strong ABTS free radical scavenging activity.

Objective To explore early diagnosis and treatment of congenital esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula.Methods Clinical data of 11 patients with congenital esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula were analyzed retrospectively.Definite diagnoses were made for all cases in 24 hours through making an esophagus opacification with acetrezoic acid or iodinated oil.And an esophagus anastomosis outside pleura was made.Some experience of diagnosis and therapy were summarized.Results All of the 11 cases underwent operation.Among them,9 cases were cured (81.8%),and 2 cases died(18.2%).Anastomosis stenosis of esophagus was found in 1 case after operation,which was cured through esophagus dilatation.Tracheoesophageal fistula was found in another case after operation and it was cured through combined treatment including anti-infection, nutritional support and sufficient draining.Conclusion Early diagnosis and surgical treatment, postoperative care,prevention and cure of complication are very important to improve the survival rate of the patients with congenital esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula.

Objective To explore the effects of down regulation of osteopontin(OPN)on the bio- logical behavior of MKN28 and SGC7901 cell lines.Methods OPN siRNA was designed according to the relevant literature and was transfected into the two cell lines.Fluorescent labeling was used to test the transfected efficiency.The down-regulation of OPN protein was measured by Western blot.Real- time PCR was used to test the ratio and time difference of down-regulation of OPN mRNA after siRNA transfection.The biological changes before and after OPN siRNA transfected into these two cell lines were tested by flow cytometry(to test cell cycle and apoptosis)and MTT method(to test the prolifera- tion for the consecutive seven days)and the difference between OPN siRNA transfected or non-transfect- ed cells was compared using mixed model.The capability of moving and invasion of cancer cells were tested by Transwell method and analyzed by t-test.Results The transfected efficiency of OPN siRNA were more than 90% in the two cell lines.OPN mRNA down-regulated to 47% at the 72th hour in SGC7901,while 40% at the 48th hour in MKN28.The expression of OPN protein was both down- regulated after siRNA transfection in the two cell lines.The proliferation decreased after transfected with OPN siRNA both in MKN28 andSGC7901(P

BACKGROUNDAngiotensin II (Ang II) acting at angiotensin AT(1) receptor (AT(1)R) has well documented effects on cardiovascular structure such as the promotion of cardiovascular hypertrophy and fibrosis, which are believed to be opposed by angiotensin AT(2) receptor (AT(2)R) stimulation. The expressions of AT(1)R and AT(2)R are up-regulated in senescent hearts. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interaction of signal transduction between AT(1)R and AT(2)R, and to detect whether there is any difference in the interaction in rat hearts of different age.

METHODSIn 3.5-, 12-, 18- and 24-month-old rats, the heart cell membrane activities of protein kinase C (PKC) and tyrosine kinase were measured when AT(1)R and AT(2)R were both activated by Ang II or just the AT(1)R was activated by Ang II and PD123319. The activities of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)) and the levels of cGMP were investigated when AT(1)R and AT(2)R were both activated by Ang II or just the AT(2)R was activated by Ang II and losartan.

RESULTSWhen AT(1)R and AT(2)R were both activated compared to when the AT(1)R was activated, the activities of PKC were not different in hearts from 3.5- and 12-month-old rats, but decreased significantly in 18- and 24-month-old rats; the activities of tyrosine kinase were not different in 3.5-month-old rats but decreased significantly in 12-, 18- and 24-month-old rats. The activities of cPLA(2) were all decreased significantly in rats of different age when AT(1)R and AT(2)R were both activated compared to when the AT(2)R was activated. Treatment with Ang II alone compared to Ang II and losartan decreased the levels of cGMP (fmol/mg) in rats of different age (102.7 +/- 12.7 versus 86.0 +/- 8.0 in 3.5-month-old rats, P < 0.05; 81.0 +/- 9.4 versus 70.0 +/- 6.3 in 12-month-old rats, P < 0.05; 69.8 +/- 5.6 versus 54.2 +/- 5.3 in 18-month-old rats, P < 0.01; 57.7 +/- 8.0 versus 39.0 +/- 3.0 in 24-month-old rats, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe activation of AT(1)R inhibited the signal transduction of AT(2)R during the aging variation, and the activation of AT(2)R inhibited the signal transduction of AT(1)R in rat heart of different age.

Aging ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cyclic GMP ; analysis ; Male ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Phospholipases A2 ; metabolism ; Protein Kinase C ; metabolism ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 ; physiology ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2 ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; physiology

The effects of the feed attractants on Whitmania pigra were studied. The average weight of Wh. pigra were 5.0 g. Arginine was selected as feed attractants, xanthan gum was selected as feed substrate. The times of Wh. pigra going into the inducing room were recorded. The water temperature was 22-25 degrees C during the whole experiment. Arginine that had better inducing effect was chosen to carry on in the gradient experiment. The results showed that the best inducing effect was found when the added amount of arginine was 0.3%, which was close to the arginine content of the natural body fluid of Wh. Pigra and Bellamya purificata, 2.97 mg x g(-1).
Animal Feed ; analysis ; Animals ; Arginine ; analysis ; metabolism ; Body Weight ; Feeding Behavior ; Leeches ; growth & development ; physiology

Triclosan(TCS)is a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent that is widely used in personal care products. Humans are exposed to these chemicals through oral intake or direct dermal absorption. The main way to eliminate TCS is through urine. Studies have shown that TCS may interfere with thyroid function and the reproductive endocrine system. In recent years, increasing epidemiological studies have focused on TCS exposure during pregnancy and the relationship between TCS exposure and birth outcomes. Compared with other countries and regions, pregnant women have lower levels of TCS exposure in China. Animal experiments suggested that high dose of TCS exposure during pregnancy may affect birth outcomes through its endocrine disruption. This review is aimed to summarize the effects of TCS exposure during pregnancy on the birth outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and the least-squares estimation (IDEAL) method with a fat-saturated T2-weighted (T2W) fast recovery fast spin-echo (FRFSE) imaging of the spine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Images acquired at 3.0 Tesla (T) in 35 patients with different spine lesions using fat-saturated T2W FRFSE imaging were compared with T2W IDEAL FRFSE images. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)-efficiencies measurements were made in the vertebral bodies and spinal cord in the mid-sagittal plane or nearest to the mid-sagittal plane. Images were scored with the consensus of two experienced radiologists on a four-point grading scale for fat suppression and overall image quality. Statistical analysis of SNR-efficiency, fat suppression and image quality scores was performed with a paired Student's t test and Wilcoxon's signed rank test. RESULTS: Signal-to-noise ratio-efficiency for both vertebral body and spinal cord was higher with T2W IDEAL FRFSE imaging (p < 0.05) than with T2W FRFSE imaging. T2W IDEAL FRFSE demonstrated superior fat suppression (p < 0.01) and image quality (p < 0.01) compared to fat-saturated T2W FRFSE. CONCLUSION: As compared with fat-saturated T2W FRFSE, IDEAL can provide a higher image quality, higher SNR-efficiency, and consistent, robust and uniform fat suppression. T2W IDEAL FRFSE is a promising technique for MR imaging of the spine at 3.0T.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/*methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Signal-To-Noise Ratio ; Spinal Diseases/*diagnosis/pathology ; Statistics, Nonparametric