OBJECTIVETo explore the neuroprotective effect and mechanism of picroside II on extracellular regulated protein kinases1/2 (ERK1/2) signal transduction pathway in cerebral ischemia injuryrats. METHODS The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was established by inserting a monofilament into middle cerebral artery. Totally 96 successfully modeled Wistar rats were divided into the modelgroup, the treatment (picroside II) group, the Lipopolysachcaride (LPS) group, and the U0126 group according to random digit table. Each group was further divided into 3 subgroups, i.e. 6, 12, and 24 h sub-groups. Picroside II (20 mg/kg) was peritoneally injected to rats in the treatment group 2 h after ischemia.LPS (20 mg/kg) and Picroside II (20 mg/kg) were peritoneally injected to rats in the LPS group 2 h after ischemia. U0126-EtOH (20 mg/kg)and Picroside II (20 mg/kg) were peritoneally injected to rats in the U0126group 2 h after ischemia. Equal volume of normal saline was peritoneally injected to rats in the control groupand the model group. The neurobehavioral function was evaluated by modified neurological severity score(mNSS) test. The structure of neurons was observed using hematoxylin-eosinstaining (HE) staining. Theapoptotic cells were detected using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase1,2 (pERK1,2) in cortex was detected using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot.

RESULTSAfter cerebral ischemia injury neurological impairment score increased, the damage of neuron in the cortical area was aggravated, apoptotic cells increased in the model group as time went by. The expression of pERK1/2 increased more significantly in the model group than in the control group (P <0.05). The damage of neuron in the cortical area was milder, while apoptotic cells decreased, the expression of pERK1f2 obviously decreased more in the treatment group and the U0126 group (P < 0.05). The early damage of neuron in the cortical area was more severe, apoptotic cells and the expression of pERK12 were comparatively higher in early stage of the LPS group, but the expression of pERK1/2 was somewhat decreased in late stage.

CONCLUSIONSActivating ERK12 pathway could mediate apoptosis and inflammatory reactions of neurons after cerebral ischemia injury. Picroside II could protect the nerve system possibly through reducing activation of ERKI2 pathway, inhibiting apoptosis of neurons and inflammation reaction.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; Cinnamates ; pharmacology ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; drug therapy ; Iridoid Glucosides ; pharmacology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Neurons ; pathology ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo compare the advantages and disadvantages between exercise challenge test (ECT) and methacholine challenge test (MCT) in the measurement of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), in order to identify a better and safer method to measure AHR.

METHODSForty-seven children with controlled asthma after regular treatment were enrolled. ECT and MCT were performed for each child successively, and sensitivity was obtained through comparison with the golden standard (PD20). The occurrence of bronchospasm symptoms during the two tests was recorded.

RESULTSTaking PD20 as the gold standard, in children with moderate or severe AHR, the sensitivity of MCT (61%) for the measurement of AHR was significantly higher than that of ECT (9%) (P<0.05). The consistency between MCT results and PD20 was relatively high (κ=0.614), while the consistency between ECT results and PD20 was relatively low (κ=0.006). However, in the MCT, the incidence of bronchospasm symptoms was high and positively correlated with the incidence of cough and chest distress (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMCT has a higher sensitivity for the measurement of AHR, but has a higher incidence of adverse events, compared with ECT in children with controlled asthma after regular treatment.

Adolescent ; Bronchial Hyperreactivity ; diagnosis ; Child ; Exercise Test ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Methacholine Chloride ; pharmacology

To study the compatible mechanisms and compatible proportion of Shaoyao Gancao decoction, the intestinal absorption of main ingredients in Shaoyao Gancao decoction SG11 (Baishao-Zhigancao 1: 1) , SG31 (Baishao-Zhigancao 3: 1), Baishao water decoction S and Zhigancao (G) were investigated and compared using in vitro everted intestinal sac model and in situ single pass intestinal perfusion (SPIP) model. The concentration of paeoniflorin (PF), liquiritin (LQ) and mono-ammonium glycyrrhizinate (GL) in test samples and samples of intestinal sac and intestinal perfusion was determined by HPLC. The intestinal absorptive amount and absorption parameters were calculated. Results showed that in the everted intestinal sac model, three ingredients could be absorbed by duodenum, jejunum and ileum, and the absorption in the jejunum was best for all 3 ingredients. The absorption rate of three ingredients in SG11 was significantly higher than that in single decoction (P < 0.05), but had no significant difference compared with SG31. In SPIP model, the absorption rate constant K(a), the apparent absorption coefficient P(app) and the absorption rate of three ingredients in SG11 were significantly higher than those in single decoction. Parameters of PF and GL in SG11 were significantly higher than those in SG31, but had no differences of LQ. It proved that the compatibility of Baishao and Zhigancao could improve the intestinal absorption of PF, LQ and GL. The absorption of each ingredient in SG11 was better than that in SG31.
Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacokinetics ; Intestinal Absorption ; drug effects ; Intestines ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

ABSTRACT:Objective To investigate the distributional characteristics of anaphylactogens in prurigo nodularis (PN)patients so as to provide clinical basis for selecting the method of allergy test.Methods We divided 262 PN patients into four groups and then used skin-prick (5 4 patients ),skin-patch (5 0 patients ),serum IgE allergen detection (56 patients)and serum IgG allergen detection (102 patients)to analyze anaphylactogen positive rate and their distribution differences in PN.Results For skin-prick test in 54 PN patients,the detection rates of platanus orientalis,artemisia argyi,poplar,dust mite,dirt mite,cod,peanut and tomato were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05 ).For skin-patch test in 50 PN patients,the detection rates of nickel sulfate,flavor compounds,black rubber,and carba mix were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05).For serum IgE test in 5 6 PN patients,the detection rates of house dust,scandent hop,cat/dog hair,bug,penicillium/neurospora and mutton were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05).For serum IgG test in 102 PN ones,the detection rates of crab,shrimp,beef and cod were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion Skin-prick test and serum IgE detection have high application values in PN patients.Serum IgG detection is of certain importance in adjusting PN patients’diet structure while skin-patch test applied in PN needs further exploration.

OBJECTIVETo understand the trend of gastric cancer mortality based on the exploration of the death data from 1970 to 2004 in Zhaoyuan County.

METHODSThe death data of 1970-1974 were collected from the first malignant tumor death survey of China, and the data of 1985-2004 were derived from the cancer registration network of Zhaoyuan. The appreciation indexes were crude mortality rate and standardized mortality rates by the percentages of Chinese population in 1982 and the percentages of world population in 1966.

RESULTSThe crude mortality rates in the five periods of 1970-1974, 1985-1989, 1990-994, 1995-1999, and 2000-2004 were 34.94, 44.34, 40.05, 48.73, and 40.18 per 100,000, respectively; the standardized mortality rates by Chinese population were 30.82, 30.35, 27.78, 31.63, and 20.10 per 100,000, respectively. The gastric cancer mortality remained stability from 1970 to 1999, however, the standardized mortality rate of gastric cancer in 2000-2004 declined by 34.8% compared with that in 1970-1974. The study also observed that the highest age-specific gastric cancer mortality, in the past 35 years, has been postponed by 10 years. And, the gastric cancer mortality ranked from top first to top three.

CONCLUSIONThere is a decreasing trend for the incidence of stomach cancer and this might be associated with the changes of dietary consumption and pattern.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mortality ; trends ; Registries ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; mortality

Objective: To investigate the activities of daily living and the use of assistive devices among disabled people demanding assistive devices in Jiading Township, Jiading District, Shanghai Municipality, so as to provide the evidence for the implementation of rehabilitation interventions and the selection of assistive devices for the disabled people living in the community. Methods: The disabled people demanding assistive devices were sampled from 17 communities in Jiading Township in January 2020. A face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted to collect participants'age, gender, type of disability, provision and use of assistive devices. The activities of daily living were evaluated using the Activities of Daily Living Scale, and the difference in the frequency of assistive device use was compared among the disabled people with different activities of daily living. Results: A total of 377 questionnaires were allocated, and 328 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 87.00%. The respondents included 187 men ( 57.01% ) and 141 women (42.99%), and had a mean age of ( 71.78±13.86 ) years. Among all respondents, limb disability was predominant (248 people, 75.61%), and 84.45% (277 people) were provided with assistive devices. Assessment of activities of daily living showed complete self-care in 85 respondents ( 25.91% ), functional decline in 39 respondents ( 11.89% ) and functional dysfunction in 204 respondents ( 62.20% ). The proportion of functional dysfunction was predominantly detected among disabled people at ages of 80 years and older ( 79.63% ) ( P<0.05 ). Of the disabled people with assistive devices, 139 people used the devices daily ( 50.18% ), and the proportion of daily use of assistive devices was significantly higher in people with functional dysfunctions than in those with complete self-care ( 59.33% vs. 29.41%; P<0.05 ). In addition, no need was identified as the predominant cause of non-provision of assistive devices ( 29 people, 56.86% ). Conclusions Functional dysfunction of daily living is highly prevalent among the disabled people demanding assistive devices in Jiading Township, in whom the elderly are predominant, and the proportion of assistive device use is high among people with functional dysfunctions. The provision of assistive devices recommends to be improved based on assessment of activities of daily living.

Objective: To explore the effect of arecoline hydrobromide (AH) on the expression of rat hepatic and renal transporters. Methods: The effect of AH on the mRNA expression of 13 hepatic and renal transporters was studied after orally giver AH (0.8, 4, and 20 mg/kg/d) to rats for 21 d. Results: The results from the real-time PCR indicated that, AH treatment at low dose significantly decreased the mRNA levels of hepatic MRP2 and MDR1A, while significantly increased renal MRP5 mRNA level. On the other hand, AH treatment at high dose significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of hepatic OCT2, OAT2, OCTN2, OATP1A1, OATP1A4, OATP2B1, MRP2, and MDR1A, as well as renal MRP2, BCRP, and MDR1A. However, the mRNA expression of renal OCTN2, OATP1A1, OATP1A4, and MRP5 were significantly up-regulated following the treatment of high dose of AH. And the AH-induced effect on the above transporters was dose dependent in some extent. Conclusion: Due to the drug interaction caused by the alteration in expression and function of hepatic and renal transporters, it is suggested that the betel nut addicts should be paid more attention in case of adverse drug interactions.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship of gut flora and gut-derived endotoxin with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE).

METHODSPatients with hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis (HBV-LC) were screened for MHE using the number connect test-A (NCT-A) and digital symbol test (DST) and divided into the following groups: HBV-LC with (+) MHE (n = 26) and HBV-liver cirrhosis without (-) MHE (n = 25); in addition, one healthy immediate family member of each patient in the HBV-LC + MHE group was enrolled as a control. Each participant provided fecal and blood samples. PCR amplification and 454 pyrosequencing were used to detect bacterial 16S rRNA in feces. Turbidimetric Limulus amebocyte lysate assay was used to detect level of endotoxin in serum. The significance of inter-group differences was assessed by one-way ANOVA or Student's t-test.

RESULTSThe three groups showed different distributions of gut flora. The differences in the microbial communities' members and distributions were related to disease or health status, but not to the patient's genetic makeup or diet. In particular, the HBV-LC + MHE patients showed significantly lower amounts of different bacterial species and abundance of these species than the other two (non-MHE) groups (P less than 0.05). The healthy control family members had a richer diversity of gut flora than their counterparts with HBV-LC + MHE (P less than 0.05). The HBV-LV + MHE patients also had higher serum levels of endotoxin.

CONCLUSIONDevelopment of minimal hepatic encephalopathy in patients with HBV-LC may be related to a gut flora disorder or higher levels of endotoxin in serum.

OBJECTIVETo get the information of patients' understand to the knowledge of artificial teeth prosthetics, provide reference for the propaganda of the prosthetic knowledge.

METHODS500 patients were chosen as the research objects. The survey about patients' understand to the knowledge of artificial teeth prosthetics was made with a reasonable questionnaire designed by us. The questionnaire contained nine sections. The questionnaires were filled in by the patients, dispatched and received by special messengers. The information of the questionnaires was analyzed and summarized.

RESULTS477 effective questionnaires were received. Patients were more familiar with the knowledge of the opportunity to get the oral prosthetic and less familiar with the knowledge of common problems after the oral prosthetic, the curing process before the oral prosthetic and the visiting times of the ordinary cure. However, they were not familiar with the knowledge of the basic concepts of the oral prosthetic, prosthetic materials and construction of dental prosthetic restoration and announcements after the oral prosthetic. They were most unfamiliar with the knowledge of common problems in the oral prosthetic process.

CONCLUSIONThe propaganda of the oral prosthetic should focus on the basic concepts of the oral prosthetic, prosthetic materials and construction of dental prosthetic restoration, common problems in the oral prosthetic process and announcements after the oral prosthetic. Meeting such problems, dentists should explain them to the patients patiently.

Humans ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tooth, Artificial

Objective To investigate selcnium(Se) levels of environment and human body in Gaomi City and Zichuan District of Shandong. Methods Lijiaying Township in Gaomi City of Weifang City, Zhaili Township and Longquan Township in Zichuan District of Zibo City were selected. Two farming soil samples at different spot, local wheat and corn, residents nail samples from 3 to 4 families were collected in each natural village in the investigated towns. The contents of Se were detected by 2,3-diamino naphthalene fluorescence method. Results Se level of the soil, wheat, corn, and nails in Lijiaying [(0.054 ± 0.019), (0.022 ± 0.009), (0.018 ± 0.007), (0.365 ± 0.108)mg/kg] was significantly lower than that in Zhaili [(0.425 ± 0.080), (0.130 ± 0.043), (0.098 ± 0.026), (0.751 ± 0.134)mg/kg] and Longquan[(0.487 ± 0.153), (0.112 ± 0.030), (0.097 ± 0.029), (0.735 ± 0.145)mg/kg;P < 0.01]. In Lijiaying, Se was deficient in soil, wheat, corn(< 0.200, < 0.025 mg/kg), above Se deficiency diagnosis and below Se-adequate level in the nail, while in Zhaili and Longquan, the Se level in the soil (0.425, 0.487 mg/kg), wheat(0.130, 0.112 mg/kg), corn (0.098, 0.097 mg/kg), nails (0.751, 0.735 mg/kg) was adequate (≥0.400 mg/kg). Conclusions The external environment is Se-deficient in Lijiaying, Se-adequate in Longquan and Zhaili. The selenium level in human body is consistent with the external environment.