Objective:To explore the mechanisms of the inhalation of atomized 1.0% anti-IL-1βand TNF-αimmunoglobulin yolk ( IgY) on treating guinea pigs with allergic asthma induced by the inhalation of aerosolized ovalbumin ( OVA).Methods:Healthy guinea pigs were randomly divided into the normal controls ( group C ) , the allergic asthma model group ( group M )-treated by the inhalation of atomized ovalbumin ( OVA ) , the inhalation of atomized 1.0% anti-IL-1βand TNF-αimmunoglobulin yolk ( IgY ) treatment group (group Z1)-treated asthma model guinea pigs by the inhalation of atomized 1.0% anti-IL-1βand TNF-αIgY,and positive control the inhalation of atomized budesonide treatment group (group Z2)-treated asthma model guinea pigs by the inhalation of atomized budesonide.The blood was gotten by cardiac puncture and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid ( BALF ) was collected by bron-choalveolar lavage at 2 h,4 h,8 h and 24 h after the last time atomization.The inflammatory cells in the peripheral blood ( PB) were counted by methylene blue and eosin staining.Cytokine concentrations of IL-1β,IL-4,IL-6,IL-8,IL-13,IL-16,TNF-α,TGF-β1 and IgE in the plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results:In PB,eosinophils was decreased from 2 h to 8 h in group Z1 compared to group M.In plasma,the levels of IL-1βat 4 h and 24 h,IL-16 at 2 h,4 h and 24 h,TGF-β1 from 4 h to 24 h and IgE at 24 h,as well as the levels of IL-1βand TNF-αfrom 2 h to 8 h,IL-4,IL-6,IL-8 and IL-13 from 4 h to 24 h,IL-16 at 8 h,and TGF-β1 and IgE from 4 h to 8 h,especially the level of IL-1βand TNF-αstarting at 2 h,in BALF were significantly reduced in group Z 1 compared to group M ( P<0.05 ).The levels of IL-1βand TNF-αwere positively cor-related with that of IL-4,IL-6,IL-8,IL-13,IL-16,TGF-β1 and IgE (P<0.05).Conclusion: The inhalation of aerosolized anti-IL-1βand TNF-αIgY effectively alleviates inflammatory responses in guinea pigs with allergic asthma induced by aerosolized OVA inhalation may be due to the significant decrease in the levels of various allergic inflammatory cytokines .

BACKGROUND: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) is a potent dopaminergic neurotrophin. The major pathological change in Parkinson disease(PD) is the degeneration and death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. There is a possibility that the onset of PD is associated with BDNF genetic polymorphisms.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between BDNF genetic polymorphisms and sporadic Parkinson disease(SPD) in Chinese population with the expectation of offering some genetic data for the primary rehabilitation and prevention of the disease.DESIGN: Explorative study based on DNA samples of SPD patients as study group and DNA samples of healthy population as control group.SETTING: Neurological Department of Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and Human Genome Center of Huazhong University of Science and Technology.PARTICIPANTS: Subjects included DNA samples of 85 SPD patients(study group, Han population, living in Huazhong area for a long term) offered by Department of Neurology of Wuhan Union Hospital and DNA samples of health persons(control group, Han population, living in Huazhong area for a long term) offered by Human Genome Center of Huazhong University of Science and Technology.METHODS: The genotype of healthy controls and SPD patients was analyzed with the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique (PCR-RFLP).MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Genotypes and alleles of the two polymorphisms: G196A and C270T of the two groups.RESULTS: G/A genotype was dominant in both SPD patients and control group with frequencies of 50.6% and 52.0% respectively. The C/C genotype occurred with the frequency of 100% in both groups. There were no significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies of G196A and C270T between SPD and control group( P ＞ 0. 05).CONCLUSION: No association existed between BDNF genetic polymorphisms and the onset of SPD in Chinese Han population of Huazhong area.

Objective To compare the therapeutic effect of three treatments for cerebrospinal fluid leakage induced by surgical operation of spinal fracture combined with dural injury.Methods From June 2005 to June 2010,64 patients with cerebrospinal fluid leakage after surgery to spinal fracture combined with dural injury were analyzed.Patients were treated with positioning adjustment and incision pressure dressing (Group A,n =21),with cerebrospinal fluid leakage drainage via a lumbar percutaneous subarachnoid catheter (Group B,n =21),and with continuous wound drainage followed by catheter removing and wound closure when wound is completely healed (Group C,n =22).Time to stop cerebrospinal fluid leaking from a surgical incision,wound healing time,success rate in the primary intervention and postoperative complications were reviewed among these groups.Results In Group A,the incisional cerebrospinal fluid leakage disappeared at (19.0 ±3.9)days,with healing time of (25.0 ± 4.6)days.The primary wound healing was achieved in 13 patients but failure to the primary intervention occurred in 8 patients,of whom 6 patients presented complications which were then cured.In Group B,the incisional cerebrospinal fluid leakage disappeared at (3.0 ± 1.0) days,with healing time of (16.0 ± 2.6) days.There were 15 patients with primary wound healing but 6 patients got healing after further treatment,with no complications occurred.In Group C,there was no incisonal cerebrospinal fluid leakage or complications and all patients presented primary wound healing in a period of (13.0± 1.0)days.Healing time was shorter and success rate in the primary intervention in Group C was higher than those in Groups A and B (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Continuous wound drainage till catheter removal and wound closure on complete wound healing is a good choice for treating cerebrospinal fluid leakage induced by surgical operation of spinal fracture combined with dural injury,for it has advantages of good incisional healing,high success rate and few complications in the primary treatment.

Objective Explore the change of IL-1β and IL-18 expression in pulmonary hypertension induced by monocrotaline.Methods Divide the mouses into two groups, control group and experimental group (n=10).Establish rats pulmonary hypertension model induced by monocrotaline.Detect the model by ultrasound, myocardial cells HE dyeing and tunnel test;ELISA was used to detect the serum biological markers NF-κB, COX2, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and NO;Immunohistochemical was used to detect the expression level of IL-1β and IL-18 in the lung tissue;the protein change of NLRP3 in the lung tissue was detected by Western blot.Results Serum biological markers of NF-κB, COX2, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and NO are significantly increased in PAH rats(P<0.05);The expression of IL-1β, IL-18 in the lung tissue increased obviously(P<0.05);The NLRP3 protein expression was significantly higher in experimental group.Conclusions Changes of NLRP3 effect increase expression of IL-1β and IL-18and which may play an important role in pulmonary hypertension induced by monocrotaline.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of local drug delivery into the inner ear using solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and evaluate its potential for inner ear disease treatment in terms of the pharmacokinetics of the delivered drug in the inner ear.

METHODSDexamethasone acetate (DA)-loaded SLN was prepared with Compritol 888 ATO as the matrix by means of hot dispersion-ultrasonic technique. A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was established for determining DA and dexamethasone (Dex). The pharmaceutical properties of DA-loaded SLN including the particle size, entrapment ratio and in vitro release were estimated. DA-loaded SLN was administered via intratympanic injection or intravenous injection in guinea pigs and Dex concentration in the perilymph was measured with HPLC for estimation of the pharmacokinetic parameters.

RESULTSThe mean diameter of the DA-loaded SLN was 106.8 nm with entrapment ratio of 83.8%, and the in vitro DA release from the nanoparticles well conformed to Weibull distribution, with sustained-release of DA from the SLN exceeding 6 days. After intravenous injection of DA-loaded SLN in guinea pigs, Dex failed to be detected in the perilymph. Compared with Dex-loaded in situ gel following intratympanic injection, the relative bioavailability of Dex in the perilymph was 504% following intratympanic injection of DA-loaded SLN, which also resulted in increased t(1/2) and mean residence time (MRT) by 0.5 and 1.9 folds respectively.

CONCLUSIONNanoparticles can be a promising tympanic drug delivery system for topical drug administration in the treatment of inner ear diseases.

Administration, Topical ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Dexamethasone ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Ear, Inner ; metabolism ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; Male ; Nanoparticles ; administration & dosage ; Round Window, Ear ; metabolism

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alcoholism ; Diabetes Mellitus ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Female ; Hepatic Encephalopathy ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Hepatitis B ; complications ; pathology ; Hepatitis B virus ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; etiology ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic ; etiology ; pathology ; Liver Function Tests ; Liver Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To investigate characteristics of molecular etiology of children with profound sensorineural hearing loss in Hubei province, and to provide reference for deafness treatment and genetic counseling. METHOD: Three hundred and six children with profound sensorineural hearing loss in Hubei province were enrolled, their genomic DNA were extracted from peripheral blood and a deafness gene test chip was used to screen nine hot spot mutation in the GJB2, GJB3, SLC26A4, and mitochondria 12SrRNA gene. All patients with SLC26A4 gene mutation were given temporal bone CT scan. RESULT: One hundred and thirty-two (43.14%) out of 306 children were found carrying at least one pathogenic gene mutation. The mutation rates of GJB2, SLC26A4 and mitochondria DNA 12SrRNA gene were 29.41% (90/306), 13.72% (42/306) and 0.65% (2/306), respectively. None out of 306 children was detected GJB3 gene mutation. Thirty-six patients carrying SLC26A4 gene mutation were detected enlarged vestibular aqueduct by CT scan. CONCLUSION Mutations of GJB2 and SLC26A4 gene are two major pathogenic gene for genetic hearing loss in children. 235delC mutation is the main mutation type, followed by IVS7-2A> G mutation type. The screening of SLC26A4 gene common mutations contribute to the diagnosis of enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Connexin 26 ; Connexins ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Deafness ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Testing ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Sulfate Transporters

OBJECTIVETo observe clinical efficacy of plum-blossom needle for follicular maldevelopment (FM).

METHODSFifty cases of FM were randomly divided into a plum-blossom needle group and a medication group, 25 cases in each one. In the plum-blossom needle group, the plum-blossom needle was applied along Thoroughfare, Conception, Governor and Belt Vessel as well as at Pishu (BL 20), Weishu (BL 21), Shenshu (BL 23), Luanchao (Extra), Zigong (EX-CA 1) during the follicular growth phase, once every other day. In the medication group, clomifene (CC) was prescribed for oral administration and human choriogonadotropin (HCG) was given by intramuscular injection, once each day. For both groups, one menstrual cycle constituted one course. After two courses of treatment, follicular development condition, the changes of endometrial thickness and morphology, ovarian resistent index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI), rate of ovulation and pregnancy were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAfter the treatment, the average diameters of the biggest follicle increased in both groups, while the endometrial thickness and morphology in the plum-blossom needle group were superior to those in the medication group (all P < 0.05). Ovarian RI and PI during mature follicular phase in the plum-blossom needle group were inferior to those in the medication group (both P < 0.05). The differences in ovulation and pregnancy rate were not significant statistically between the two groups (both P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe plum-blossom needle therapy based on regulating Thoroughfare, Conception, Governor and Belt Vessel could improve the ovarian blood perfusion, promote the follicular growth, increase the ovulation rate of mature follicle and avoid the out-of-sync between growth of follicle and endometrium during the treatment of western medication.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Clomiphene ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Needles ; Ovarian Diseases ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Ovarian Follicle ; growth & development ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of lymphatics in bacterial translocation from intestine of rats with burn.

METHODSEscherichia coli (E. coli) labeled with chloromethylbenzamidodialkylcarbocyanine (CM-DIL) were prepared. Sixty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into scald group and sham injury group according to the envelope method, with 30 rats in each group. Rats in both groups were gavaged with 0.5 mL fluid containing CM-DIL-labeled E. coli. Rats in scald group were inflicted with 30% TBSA deep partial-thickness scald (verified by pathological section) and resuscitated with fluid. Rats in sham injury group were sham injured by bathing in 25 degrees C water for 10 s (verified by pathological section) and also received with fluid infusion. Mesenteric lymph node (MLN), liver, mesenteric lymph fluid (MLF), and liver vein blood (LVB) were harvested at post injury hour (PIH) 2, 24, and 72. Bacteria translocation was detected with fluorescent tracing technique and bacteria culture. The endotoxin content in above-mentioned four kinds of specimens was quantitatively determined with chromogenic substrate limulus amebocyte lysate. The carrying capacity of endotoxin in MLF and LVB was calculated. Data were processed with t test or one-way analysis of variance.

RESULTS(1) Living bacteria were in short-stick form, and they were seen moving in single or in doubles or triples in sample fluid. Dead bacteria were in irregular aggregates. Labeled bacteria in small amount were detected in sham injury group, their number peaked at PIH 24. A large amount of labeled bacteria were detected in scald group at PIH 2, which peaked at PIH 24 and decreased at PIH 72. The largest amount of labeled bacteria were found in MLN in scald group as compared to those in the other samples, and the number peaked at PIH 24 [(5872 +/- 1976) x 10(3) CFU/g], which was obviously higher than that [(216 +/- 110) x 10(3) CFU/g, t = 30.129, P = 0.000] in sham injury group. The number of bacteria decreased at PIH 72, but it was still significantly different from that in sham injury group ( t = 4.323, P = 0.000). The number of bacteria in LVB was the smallest. (2) 29 (24.2%) samples out of the 120 samples in sham injury group were positive for bacteria. 72 (60.0%) samples out of the 120 samples in scald group were positive for bacteria. No alive bacterium was detected at any time point in LVB sample in both group; the other three samples were detected with alive bacteria since PIH 2. There were more alive bacteria detected in MLN and liver as compared with the other two kinds of samples in scald group. The amount of bacteria in MLN, liver, and MLF in scald group were higher than those in sham injury group (with t value respectively 4.353, 4.354, 4.965, P values all equal to 0.000). (3) The endotoxin level in each kind of sample at each time point was obviously higher in scald group than that in sham injury group, and it peaked at PIH 2 in liver and MLF. The difference of endotoxin level among 4 kinds of samples in scald group at PIH 2 was statistically significant ( F = 258.47, P = 0.000), and the endotoxin level was higher in liver, MLN, and MLF. They were obviously higher than those in sham injury group (with t value respectively 43.378, 43.123, 22.423, P values all equal to 0.000). The endotoxin level in MLF was 9 times of that in LVB. (4) The carrying capacity of endotoxin in LVB and MLF at each time point in scald group was higher than that in sham injury group.

CONCLUSIONSCM-DIL marked bacteria can reflect the microbial translocation condition. The lymphatic route is an important pathway for bacteria translocation.

Animals ; Bacterial Translocation ; Burns ; microbiology ; Intestinal Mucosa ; microbiology ; Lymph Nodes ; microbiology ; Lymphatic System ; microbiology ; Lymphatic Vessels ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

This study is to investigate the effects of indirubin on ATP-induced immune responses of macrophages. For this, neutral red dye uptake method was used to test phagocytosis, MTT assay was used for measuring cell death, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) was tested with fluorescent probe DHE. The data showed that extracellular ATP attenuated phagocytosis, induced cell death and increased ROS production, and these effects were restored by pre-treating with indirubin. This result suggested that indirubin blockade the effects of ATP on macrophages, because extracellular ATP-induced effects are dependent on P2 receptors, in particular P2X7 receptors. Furthermore, the effects of indirubin on the activation of P2 receptors were tested, in particular P2X7 receptors. The data showed that indirubin significantly decreased ATP-induced, P2 receptors mediated intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) rise and inhibited P2X7 receptor-based ethidium bromide (EB) dye uptake. These results suggested the inhibitory effects of indirubin on the activation of P2X7 receptors, which may underlying the effects on ATP induced ROS production, phagocytosis attenuation and cell death of macrophages.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Death ; drug effects ; Indoles ; pharmacology ; Macrophages ; cytology ; metabolism ; physiology ; Male ; Phagocytosis ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Receptors, Purinergic P2X7 ; metabolism