Objective:To investigate the relationship between clinical effects of acupuncture for elderly patients with sensorineural deafness and ear distending sensation.Methods:A total of 120 elderly patients with sensorineural deafness were randomly divided into a comprehensive treatment group,an acupuncture group and a Western medicine group,with 40 cases in each group.The acupuncture group received acupuncture treatment,the Western medicine group received oral mecobalamin tablets and the comprehensive treatment group received acupuncture plus acupoint injection and auricular acupoint sticking.The values of pure tone hearing threshold test of the three groups were observed before and after treatment,and the relationship between clinical effects and ear distending sensation was compared.Results:The total effective rate of the comprehensive treatment group was 82.5％ versus 67.0％ in the acupuncture group and 62.5％ in the Western medicine group.The inter-group comparisons showed statistically significant differences in the comprehensive treatment group versus the Western medicine group (P＜0.01) and the acupuncture group (P＜0.05).In the comprehensive treatment group,there were 23 cases (57.5％) with ear distending sensation,the clinical total effective rate was 86.9％;there were 17 cases (42.5％) without the sensation,the clinical total effective rate was 76.5％.In the acupuncture group,there were 24 cases (60.0％) with ear distending sensation,the clinical total effective rate was 71.0％;there were 16 cases (40.0％) without the sensation,the clinical total effective rate was 63.0％.In the Western medicine group,there were 21 cases (52.5％) with ear distending sensation,the clinical total effective rate was 66.7％;there were 19 cases (47.5％) without the sensation,the clinical total effective rate was 57.9％.The total effective rate of patients with ear distending sensation were higher than the rates of those without ear distending sensation in the three groups,but the differences were insignificant (all P＞0.05).Conclusion:The comprehensive therapy is one of the effective methods to treat elderly patients with sensorineural deafness.In the three groups of elderly patients with sensorineural deafness,the relief of ear distending sensation and the hearing loss were basically simultaneous,and the hearing recovery in the patients with ear distending sensation may be slightly better than that in those without ear distending sensation.Nevertheless,further research is needed.

Objective To investigated the effects of combined arsenic trioxide(ATO) and resveratrol(Res)on the viability of NB4 human leukemia cells. Methods NB4 human leukemia cell was used in this experiment.Cells were cultured in ATO (0,0.1875,0.3750,0.7500, 1.1250, 1.5000,2.2500,3.0000,5.0000 μmol/L) and Res (0, 1.5625,3.1250,6.2500, 12.5000, 18.7500,25.0000,37.5000,50.0000 μmol/L). Cell viabilities were measured by MTT in different treatment groups. Half inhibitory concentration(IC50) was calculated. The ratio of concentration of ATO and Res 1.5∶ 18,1.5∶ 25,1.5∶ 35 was added to cells, and the combination index(CI) was calculated. The level of ROS in control, ATO( 1.5000 μmol/L), Res(25.0000 μmol/L) and ATO(0.9000 μmol/L) + Res( 12.5000μmol/L) groups was measured by chemiluminescence assay. Results ①ATO( ≥0.7500 μmol/L) reduced the viability of NB4 cells in a concentration-dependent manner(P ＜ 0.05 ), and IC50 was (1.78 ± 0.11 )μmol/L. ②)Res (≥18.7500 μ mol/L) dose-dependently decreased the viability of NB4 cells (P ＜ 0.05 ), and IC50 was ( 18.71 ±0.18)μ mol/L. ③Combination of ATO and Res showed an antagonistic effect on NB4 cells viability. ④The ROS in Res group( 1670.55 ± 13.97) was significantly lower than that in control group(2345.88 ± 14.48,P ＜ 0.05). The ROS in ATO group (3092.42 ± 94.84) was significantly higher than that in control group(P ＜ 0.05). The ROS in ATO + Res group (1860.27 ± 15.99) was significantly lower than that in ATO group(P ＜ 0.05). Conclusions NB4 cell survival rate can be decreased by ATO and Res. The combination of arsenic trioxide and Res presents an antagonistic effect on NB4 cell viability, in part by reducing intracellular ROS formation.

OBJECTIVEWe investigated the in vivo effects of recombinant adenovirus-associated virus type-2 (AAV-2) mediated interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene transfer on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, 9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, collagen type I and type III in a rat acute myocardial infarction model.

METHODMale Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups (each n = 6): sham operation group, MI/AAV2 group, and MI/AAV2-IL-10 group (10(10) vg/ml x 0.1 ml injection at peri-infarct regions immediately post MI). Five days later, the expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were measured by RT-PCR, Western blot and zymography. The expression of TIMP-1 was measured by RT-PCR and Western blot. Collagen type I and type III were assessed by RT-PCR and immunohistochemical stain.

RESULTSThe myocardial expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 and collagen contents in MI/AAV2 group were significantly increased than those in sham operation group. Myocardial expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 were significantly decreased and the expression of TIMP-1 significantly increased in the MI/AAV2-IL-10 group than those in MI/AAV2 group. Moreover, the expressions of collagen type I, collagen type III and the ratio of I/III collagen in border zones of infarcted myocardium were decreased by 47.6% (P < 0.01), 23.6% (P < 0.05), and 17.9% (P < 0.05) respectively, while the expression of TIMP-1 increased by 73.1%(P < 0.05) in MI/AAV2-IL-10 group compared to MI/AAV2 group.

CONCLUSIONIn vivo myocardial IL-10 transfer reduced myocardial MMP and collagen expression and increasing the TIMP expression.

Animals ; Extracellular Matrix ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Therapy ; Interleukin-10 ; genetics ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Myocardial Infarction ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Ventricular Remodeling

In order to explore the differences of chemical constituents of Paeoniae Radix Alba and Paeoniae Radix Rubra, a qualitative analytical method of liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was developed for identification of multi-constituents and an HPLC-DAD analytical method was developed for simultaneously determining 14 major compounds (gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, paeoniflorin sulfonate, protocatechuic aldehyde, methyl gallate, oxypaeoniflorin, catechin, albiflorin, and paeoniflorin, ethyl gallate, benzoic acid, pentagaloylglucose, benzoyl-paeoniflorin, and paeonol) in Paeoniae Radix Alba and Paeoniae Radix Rubra. Q-TOF/MS qualitative analysis was performed under negative ion mode and inferred 38 components of Paeoniae Radix Alba and 30 components of Paeoniae Radix Rubra. HPLC-DAD quantitative method result showed the contents of 8 ingredients were different between Paeoniae Radix Alba and Paeoniae Radix Rubra. The results indicated that the new approach was applicable in qualitative and quantitative quality control of Paeoniae Radix Alba and Paeoniae Radix Rubra.
Bridged-Ring Compounds ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Monoterpenes ; chemistry ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; classification ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; methods

BACKGROUNDInterleukin (IL)-27 has been reported to have anti-proliferate and anti-angiogenic activities on cancer cells. However, the involvement of IL-27 in malignant pleural effusion (MPE) remains unknown. Thus, in this research, we compared the immune functions of IL-27, interferon (IFN)-γ, and IL-17 on lung cancer cells and revealed the regulatory mechanism of IL-27 in MPE.

METHODSThe distribution of IL-27 in both MPE and blood was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometry. The expressions of cytokine receptors and the levels of the phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signalings were detected by flow cytometry. As well as the effects of proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and adherent activity of IL-27, IFN-γ, and IL-17 on lung cancer cells were also explored.

RESULTSThe expression of IL-27 was increased in MPE when compared with blood (147.3 ± 25.1 pg/ml vs. 100.3 ± 13.9 pg/ml, P = 0.04). IL-27 was noted to suppress both proliferation (18.33 ± 0.21 vs. 27.77 ± 0.88, P = 0.0005) and migration (1.82 ± 0.44 vs. 3.13 ± 0.07, P = 0.04) of A549 cells, but obviously promoted apoptosis of A549 cells (9.47 ± 1.14 vs. 4.96 ± 0.17, P = 0.02) by activating STAT1 signaling. Interestingly, IL-27 played totally opposite effects on A549 cells by activating STAT3 pathway. Moreover, IL-27 exerted different intercellular adherent activities of A549 cells to pleural mesothelial cell monolayer by activating different STAT signalings.

CONCLUSIONSIL-27 might exert an important immune regulation on lung cancer cells in human pleural malignant environment.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cell Line ; Cell Movement ; genetics ; physiology ; Cell Proliferation ; genetics ; physiology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukins ; metabolism ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pleural Effusion, Malignant ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

Objective To understand the prevalence and risk factors of agricultural activities related injuries among rural residents in Shandong province. Methods A retrospective investigation was conducted among agricultural profession-related workers in 20 villages with multistage cluster sampling method in Shandong province. Four times face-to-face interview were conducted by trained interviewers, including 32 students and local medical personnel under constructed questionnaires.Accidental injuries occurred in the activities or in the agricultural profession-related jobs were recorded, from May 1st 2009 to April 30st 2010. Data was input and analyzed by SPSS 13.0 statistical software. Results A total of 837 cases reported at least 1 job-related injury out of the 11 902 people who had been surveyed in one year. The crude incidence rate was 7.03% and the standardized incidence rate was 7.36%, higher in males (9.01%) than in females (4.10%), X2= 105.53, P=0.000.Children and adolescents (≤ 14 aged) had the higher incidence rate (9.50%), X2=9.70, P=0.008.People working in the area of commercial service related to agricultural products had the highest incidence rate (12.94%). In particular, those occupations that related to agricultural construction or materials appeared to have had higher incidence rates as 16.80% and 15.59% respectively, than other kinds of jobs (X2= 167.30, P=0.000). There were higher proportion of injuries occurred in the roads (28.79%), in the fields(28.08%) during labor work(38.00%) transportation(27.97%), respectively.The seasonality of agricultural injures mostly occurred between June and August, accounted for 47.43%. Major external causes related to injuries were instruments or tools (31.42%) being used,transportation (24.13%) and falls (20.19%). Wounds on limbs took the majority (56.39%). The accidental self-inflicted injury occupied 76.82%, while accidents to passive injuries occupied 11.47%,other kinds accounted for 11.71%. Most of the accidents caused mild or moderate damage, accounted for 60.22% and 30.34% respectively. 7 cases died of injuries, with the fatality rate as 0.84% and the mortality rate was 58.81 per one hundred thousand. 72 cases ended up in disability caused by injuries,with the morbidity rate as 6.05 per thousand. Answers to the major internal causes of injuries appeared to be: "did not know how to protect oneself" (29.87%) with females (45.41%) in particular,followed by "over fatigue" and "inappropriate treatment" which took the 2nd place in males. Major natural environmental factors of injuries would relate to "high air temperature and humidity but lower wind velocity"(14.93%), "unclear signs on the country road"(12.19%), "the sky was cloudy or dark"(10.87%), "slippery road caused by rain or snow" (10.51%), "kids were unintended" (10.27%) etc.Most of the wounded received treatment clinically (50.18%), with the percentile (P50) of medical cost as 182.76 RMB (Yuan). The proportion of inpatient was 27.72% and with percentile of time as P50=7.57 day and cost as P50=2840.00 RMB Yuan. The wounded had a rest of P50=5.9 days, with an indirect cost as P50=233.16 RMB Yuan. Conclusion The results of this study indicated that the incidence of agricultural profession-related injuries was high, with serious harm. Behavioral intervention and awareness of injuries should be enhanced, together with the improvement of environmental condition.

Objective:To observe the effect of warm joint needling plus rehabilitation techniques on the balance function and quality of life (QOL) of patients with spastic hemiplegia after ischemic cerebral stroke.Methods:Ninety patients with spastic hemiplegia after ischemic cerebral stroke were randomized into a rehabilitation group,a warm joint needling group and an observation group,with 30 cases in each group.The rehabilitation group was intervened by Bobath therapy,the warm joint needling group was treated with joint needling on the affected side plus warm needling,and the observation group was given the same rehabilitation treatment as the rehabilitation group together with the same warm joint needling as the warm joint needling group.The three groups were treated once another day,1 month as a treatment course for 6 months.Before the treatment,and respectively after 2-week,1-month,3-month,and 6-month treatment,the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) was used to measure the anti-spasm ability of the lower limb,the Berg balance scale (BBS) was adopted to evaluate the balance function,and the stroke-specific quality of life scale (SS-QOL)was employed to estimate the QOL.Results:After 3-month and 6-month treatment,the lower-limb MAS scores in the observation group were significantly better than those in the rehabilitation group and the warm joint needling group (all P＜0.05).After 1-month,3-month and 6-month treatment,the BBS scores in the observation group were significantly better than those in the rehabilitation group and the warm joint needling group (all P＜0.05).After 2-week,1-month,3-month and 6-month treatment,the SS-QOL scores in the observation group were markedly better than those in the rehabilitation group and the warm joint needling group (all P＜0.05).Conclusion:Warm joint needling plus rehabilitation can effectively improve the lower-limb spasticity state,balance function and QOL in patients with spastic hemiplegia after ischemic cerebral stroke.

Objective To evaluate the validity and reliability of an item-specific physical activity scale for Chinese children and adolescents(I-PASCA). Methods Students from Grade 4-12 in Nanjing were randomly selected using a multi-stage sampling approach, 7-days physical activity (PA) level was recorded by self-reported I-PASCA and PA log and were objectively measured with accelerometers. The total moderate and vigorous PA (MVPA) time was calculated. Cronbach α was calculated to estimate the reliability of I-PASCA. Pearson correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman were used to examine I-PASCA's validity. Results There were 815 students recruited in 2013 to evaluate the reliability and validity of I-PASCA using PA log. Cronbach α for I-PASCA was 0.73 regarding moderate and vigorous PA (MVPA). The Spearman correlation coefficients of the values of PA recorded by I-PASCA and PA log were 0.59 for MVPA, and the Bland-Altman coefficient was 95.8% for MVPA. 624 students were involved to examine the reliability and validity of I-PASCA using accelerometers. Cronbach α for I-PASCA was 0.72 regarding MVPA. The Spearman correlation coefficient was 0.36 for MVPA, while the Bland-Altman coefficient was 95.5% for MVPA. Conclusions The I-PASCA, the first physical activity questionnaire specific to Chinese children and adolescents, shows acceptable reliability and validity and can be used to evaluate Chinese students' physical activity level in population-based studies.

Objective To predict monthly incidents of extended spectrum β-Lactamases (ESBLs)-producing Escherichia coli in Zhejiang Hospital by establishing multiple seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model, so as to provide scientific evidence for reducing the incidents of nosocomial infection of ESBLs producing Escherichia coli. Methods Multiple seasonal ARIMA model was established by monthly records of ESBLs producing Escherichia coli from 2010 to 2016 in Zhejiang hospital. Monthly incidents of ESBLs producing Escherichia coli from 2017 to February 2018 were used to verify the predicted result. The predictions were evaluated by models of mean absolute percent error (MAPE) and bayesian information criterion (BIC) . Results The optional model for the monthly incidence from 2010 to 2016 was ARIMA (0, 1, 1) (0, 1, 1)12. The MAPE was 14.76, BIC was 2.01, and the Ljung-Box statistics value Q was 16.79 (P=0.40) . These parameters suggested a good model fitting. The average relative error between the predictive value and the actual value of the monthly incidents ESBLs producing Escherichia coli from 2017 to February 2018 was 14.08%.The actual values were within the 95% confidence interval. Conclusion The multiple seasonal ARIMA model of ARIMA (0, 1, 1) (0, 1, 1 )12 fits and can be used for short-term prediction and dynamic analysis of the incidents of ESBLs producing Escherichia coli in Zhejiang Hospital.

This study is to investigate the influence and the expression of CMTM family of testosterone on spermatogenesis suppression in the male rats treated by gossypol and cyclophosphamide. Gossypol (50 mg kg(-1)) and cyclophosphamide (20 mg kg(-1)) were administered to male rats to induce spermatogenesis suppression. Testosterone propionate was administrated at the dose of 5 mg kg(-1) every other day for 6 times. Sperm was collected from the left caudal epididymis, the count and motility of sperm were analyzed by CASA. Morphological change of testis tissue was observed with HE staining. The expression of CMTM family was examined by Western blotting assay. Gossypol (50 mg kg(-1)) and cyclophosphamide (20 mg kg(-1)) decreased the count and motility of sperm, and the pathological change of testis tissue was also observed. But, testosterone (5 mg kg(-1)) had positive effect. Furthermore, CMTM4 down-expressed remarkably in the gossypol and cyclophosphamide treated rats, the expression of the CMTM4 was up-expressed after testosterone administration. On the contrary, the expression of CMTM2 increased significantly only in gossypol treated male rats, but not in cyclophosphamide treated male rats. The expression of CMTM2 was down-expressed after testosterone administration. However, no obvious change of CMTM2 was observed in cyclophosphamide treated rats. Testosterone did not influence the expression of CKLF1, CMTM3 and CMTM5, the CMTM6, CMTM7 and CMTM8 of CMTM family were not detected in testis tissue. These demonstrated that the spermatogenesis effect of testosterone (5 mg kg(-1)) was associated with the expression of CMTM family, and CMTM2 and CMTM4 may take part in the spermatogenesis process.
Animals ; Cyclophosphamide ; toxicity ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Gossypol ; toxicity ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Testis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Testosterone ; pharmacology