Objective To evaluate the toxic effects of different concentrations of Coptidis Rhizoma extract on Caenorhabditis elegans. Methods Coptidis Rhizoma was extracted by water, and then selected some indicators to evaluate the toxic effects of Coptidis Rhizoma by using C. elegans as model organism. The effects of different concentrations of water extracts of Coptidis Rhizoma on lethality, maximum lifespan and median lethal time, individual development, spawning number and locomotion behavior were measured to evaluate the toxic effects on C. elegans. Results Compared with the control group, the lethality of C. elegans was significantly increased by water extracts of Coptidis Rhizoma at 0.5, 1.0, and 2.5 mg/mL (P < 0.01), and maximum lifespan and median lethal time were significantly decreased (P < 0.01). In the aspect of individual development, Coptidis Rhizoma extract at 1.0 and 2.5 mg/mL significantly inhibited the growth of C. elegans (P < 0.01). Three concentration extracts could significantly reduce the number of spawning in a certain dose-dependent manner in the aspect of reproductive behavior (P < 0.001), and the head swing frequency of C. elegans (P < 0.01) in the aspect of locomotion behavior, respectively. There was no significant difference in body bending frequency between the 0.5 and 1.0 mg/mL exposed group, of which the lowest bending frequency was 2.5 mg/mL exposed group (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the frequency of forward swing, backward swing and Omega/U swing of three exposed groups. Conclusion The water extracts of Coptidis Rhizoma had obvious toxic effects on C. elegans, which provided the basis for the biological evaluation of the toxicity of different processed products of Coptidis Rhizoma by using C. elegans as a model organism, and provided new ideas and methods for the biological assessment of toxicity of Chinese medicinal materials.

Pulmonary function testing (PFT) is a widely used method in early screening, severity evaluating and outcome predicting of lung diseases. In the practice of standardized training of pulmonary function tests, through the problem-based theory teaching and participative teaching and so on, we made the lung function inspection personnel to realize the examination operation essentials, and through situational teaching, we also cultivated the inspection personnel to master the communication skills with the children, so as to improve their professional quality, and ensure the effectiveness of the quality control of pulmonary function.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of therapeutic bloodletting at Jing-well points and hypothermia on acute cerebral edema after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats.

METHODSSeventy-five SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group (Sham), TBI group (TBI), bloodletting group (BL), mild-induced hypothermia group (MIH), and bloodletting plus MIH group (BL + MIH) (n = 15). The model of TBI was established by electric controlled cortical impactor (eCCI). The rats of BL group were bloodletting at Jing-well points immediately after injury, twice daily. While the MIH group was settled on a hypothermia blanket promptly after TBI for 6 hours, so that the temperature dropped to 32 degrees. Each of measurement was performed after 48 hours. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to evaluate the dynamic impairment of cerebral edema after TBI (n = 3). In addition, mNSS score, measurements of wet and dry brain weight, and Evans Blue assay were performed to investigate the neurologic deficit, cerebral water content (n = 8), and blood-brain barrier permeability (BBB), (n = 4), respectively.

RESULTSMRI analysis showed that the cerebral edema, hematoma and midline shifting of rats in TBI group was more serious than other treatment group. Meanwhile compared with TBI group, the mNSS scores of every treatment group were meaningfully lower (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, treatment with BL+ MIH group was superior to the separated BL and MIH group (all P < 0.01). In addition, brain water content of each intervention group reduced to varying degrees (all P < 0.05), especially that of MIH group and BL + MIH group (P <0.01). BBB permeability of each treatment group was also significantly improved (all P < 0.01), and the improvement in MIH group and BL + MIH group was much better than the BL alone group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONOur major finding is that bloodletting at Jing-well points and MIH can reduce cerebral edema and BBB dysfunction and exert neuroprotective effects after TBI. The results suggest that the combination of BL and MIH is more effective than other treatment being used alone.

Animals ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; Bloodletting ; Brain ; pathology ; Brain Edema ; prevention & control ; Brain Injuries ; therapy ; Hypothermia, Induced ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective:To analyze the curative effect of tripterygium on NOD mice and the possible mechanisms.Methods:NOD mice were divided into 2 groups,Group A:tripterygium treatment(0.07 mg/kg,intraperitoneal injection,12 weeks);Group B:saline control.BALB/c mice were enrolled as control group( Group C).Results:After experiment,Group A had lower salivary flow rate than these of Group C,but higher than these of Group B at 12 and 20 weeks old( P<0.05).Group A had higher rate of inflammatory cells apoptosis than these of Group B and Group C(P<0.05).Group A mice had lower levels of TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1βthan these of Group B(P<0.05),but higher than these of Group C(P<0.05).Group A mice had a higher level of SHIP-1 but a lower level of Mir-155 than these of Group B mice(P<0.05).Group A mice had a better neuroelectrophysiological outcomes than these of Group B mice ( P<0.05).Conclusion:Tripterygium can meliorate the sailoadentitis of NOD mice,which may though activating the SHIP-1/Mir-155 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of thrombopoietin (TPO) on platelet engraftment in hematological malignancies patients after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).

METHODSOne hundred and twenty patients were enrolled in a multicenter, open-label, randomized, controlled clinical trial, and were randomized into 4 treatment groups following allo-HSCT. Group A was the control arm without TPO, while group B, C and D were trial arms with received 300 U×kg(-1)×d(-1) of TPO starting from day +1, +4 and +7, respectively. A total of 89 cases were evaluated, of which 22 cases in group A, 23 in group B, 20 in group C and 24 in group D. Efficacy evaluation (the time of platelet engraftment, the number of platelet transfusion) and safety evaluation \[adverse events, routine blood tests, liver and renal function, coagulation function and occurrence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)\] were observed.

RESULTSThe median platelet engraftment time in experimental groups (groups B, C and D) were on day (13.17 ± 2.89), day (12.15 ± 2.08), day (12.33 ± 1.76), respectively, and that in control group was on day (14.82 ± 5.05). There was statistically significant difference between two groups (P = 0.029), There were no statistically significant difference in the average amount of platelet transfusion, platelet engraftment time, and platelet nadir value among the 3 experimental groups. No significant adverse events were observed in experimental groups.

CONCLUSIONSTPO administration following allo-HSCT for patients with hematologic malignancies appears to shorten platelet engraftment time. TPO given starting from day +7 is effective and safe.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Platelets ; Child ; Female ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; surgery ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Platelet Transfusion ; methods ; Thrombopoietin ; therapeutic use ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Young Adult

The article investigates the feasibility of delivering drugs to brain via inner ear, and provides a novel route for delivering drugs to the brain tissues. Dexamethasone acetate (DA)-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) was prepared by using Compritol 888 ATO as material. HPLC assays for the determination of DA, dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DSP) and dexamethasone (Dex) were developed, separately. DA-loaded SLN and DSP solution were administered after intratympanic injection (IT) or intravenous injection (IV). Perilymph ( PL) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were collected periodically. The concentrations in PL and CSF were measured by HPLC, and used to estimate pharmacokinetic parameters of Dex in CSF. The AUC of Dex in CSF following IT DA-loaded SLN or DSP solution were respectively 2.5 and 4.3-fold higher than those following IV. After IT, DA-loaded SLN increased the AUC by 13 times and extended the MRT by 19 times, compared with the solution. Moreover, the AUC of Dex in PL following IT the SLN was 76% lower than that following IT the solution. Intra-cochlear administration shows great potential and offers a promising alternative to brain-targeted drug delivery.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Brain ; metabolism ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; metabolism ; Dexamethasone ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Ear, Inner ; metabolism ; Fatty Acids ; chemistry ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; Lecithins ; Male ; Nanoparticles ; Particle Size ; Perilymph ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Surface-Active Agents ; chemistry ; Tissue Distribution

The natural ventilation widely used in greenhouses has advantages of saving energy and reducing expense. In order to provide information for climate control of greenhouse, a model was developed to predict the variation of air temperature in the naturally ventilated greenhouse equipped with insect-proof screen. Roof ventilation and combined roof and sidewall ventilation were considered in the model. This model was validated against the results of experiments conducted in the greenhouse when the wind was parallel to the gutters. The model parameters were determined by the least squares method. In the used model, effects of wind speed and window opening height on the air temperature variation were analyzed. Comparison between two types of ventilation showed that there existed a necessary ventilation rate which results in air temperature decrease in natural ventilation under special climatic conditions. In our experiments when wind speed was less than 3.2 ms(-1), wind had a more gradual effect on greenhouse temperature for roof ventilation, compared with combined roof and sidewall ventilation, which had greater air temperature decrease than roof ventilation only.
Air Conditioning ; instrumentation ; methods ; Air Movements ; Computer Simulation ; Computer-Aided Design ; Equipment Design ; Equipment Failure Analysis ; methods ; Insect Control ; instrumentation ; methods ; Models, Theoretical ; Plant Development ; Plastics ; Rheology ; instrumentation ; methods ; Temperature ; Wind

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of hypertonic sodium chloride hydroxyethyl starch 40 injection (HSH) in treatment of acute intracranial hypertension complicated by hemorrhagic shock in dogs, and explore the mechanism of the effects of HSH.

METHODSTwenty dogs were randomized into 4 equal groups, namely the 7.5% NaCl (HS) group, Ringer-Lactates solution (RL) group, hydroxyethyl strarch (HES) group, and HSH group. Canine models of acute intracranial hypertension complicated by hemorrhagic shock were established by epidural balloon inflation with saline and rapid discharge of the arterial blood. One hour after the induced shock, the dogs were given HS (6 ml/kg), RL of 3-fold volume of blood loss, HES of equivalent volume of blood loss, and HSH 8 ml/kg in the 4 groups, respectively. During the shock and resuscitationperiod, the intracranial pressure (ICP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) of the dogs were monitored, and the serum sodium level and plasma osmolality were measured at 30 min, 1 h and 4 h after the resuscitation.

RESULTSAll dogs had similar MAP, CPP, and ICP before resuscitation (P>0.05). After resuscitation, the MAP was significantly improved (P<0.01), but the dogs in HSH group exhibited the fastest response; with the exception of the dogs in HS group to have significantly decreased MAP 2 h after resuscitation (P<0.01), all the other dogs maintained the MAP for 4 h. The CPP was also significantly increased after resuscitation (P<0.01), and in HS group, CPP decreased significantly after 2 h (P<0.01), and HSH group maintained the high CPP after 4 h. The ICP was increased significantly in RL and HES groups after resuscitation (P<0.01), reaching the peak level at 1 and 3 h, respectively, but in HS and HSH groups, the ICP decreased significantly to the lowest level at 1 h (P<0.01) which was maintained for 4 h. After resuscitation, the plasma sodium and plasma osmolality were significantly increased in HSH and HS groups.

CONCLUSIONIn dogs with acute intracranial hypertension and hemorrhagic shock, HSH can effectively resuscitate hemorrhagic shock and decrease ICP, and the effect is longer-lasting than that of HS.

Acute Disease ; Animals ; Dogs ; Female ; Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Intracranial Hypertension ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Male ; Plasma Substitutes ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Random Allocation ; Saline Solution, Hypertonic ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Shock, Hemorrhagic ; complications ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the characteristics of the phenylalanine hydroxylase gene (PAH) mutations in patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) in Henan province, in order to provide basic information for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis.

METHODSMutations of the PAH gene were detected in exons 1-13 with flanking introns of PAH gene by PCR and DNA sequencing in 47 families with PKU.

RESULTSA total of 25 different mutations were detected in 83 out of 94 PAH alleles (88.3%). Among them, E79fX13, H271R and D415Y have not been reported previously. It was the first time that IVS10-14C to G mutation was reported in Chinese PKU population. The mutations p.R243Q, EX6-96A to G, p.Y356X, IVS401G to A, p.R111X, p.V399V and p.R413P, were the prevalent mutations with relative frequencies of 20.5%, 12.0%, 9.6%, 9.6%, 8.4%, 8.4% and 7.2% respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe mutations of the PAH gene in patients with classical phenylketonuria in Henan province were similar to that in other areas of China. Prenatal gene diagnosis for PKU by PAH gene sequencing is efficient for most PKU families.

Base Sequence ; Child, Preschool ; China ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; methods ; Female ; Genetic Counseling ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phenylalanine Hydroxylase ; genetics ; Phenylketonurias ; diagnosis ; enzymology ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; methods ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; methods

Objective To investigate the levels and significance of Th17 cells and regulatory T cells (Treg) in peripheral blood of children with allergic rhinitis during pollen and non-pollen seasons.Methods Thirteen children with hay fever, 10 children with house dust mite(HDM)-allergic asthma and 10 healthy children were recruited into this study.Percentages of Th17 and Treg cells were detected by flow cytometry.Levels of IL-17, IL-10 and TGF-β in cell culture supernatants were measured by ELISA.Results (1) The percentages of Th17 cells in children with allergic rhinitis [(3.4±2.4)%] were significantly higher than those in HDM-allergic asthmatics [(2.1±1.6)%] and those in healthy children [(0.5±0.3)%] during pollen season (both P<0.05).The levels of Treg cells in allergic rhinitis group [(2.1±1.3)%] and in HDM-allergic asthma group [(3.6±1.9)%] were significantly lower than those in healthy control group [(5.5±2.8)%] (both P<0.05).The levels of Th17 cells [(3.0±1.9)% vs (3.4±2.4)%, P<0.05] and ratios of Th17/Treg cells [(1.4±1.0)% vs (1.7±1.5)%, P<0.05] in children with allergic rhinitis were significantly decreased during non-pollen season as compared with those during pollen season, but the levels of Treg cells were up-regulated [(2.4±1.6)% vs (2.1±1.3)%, P<0.05].(2) Correlation analysis revealed that the ratios of Th17/Treg cells were positively correlated with the concentrations of FeNO (fractional concentration of exhaled NO) (r=0.321, P<0.05) and the counts of circulating eosinophils (r=0.198, P<0.05) in children with allergic rhinitis during pollen season.Conclusion The imbalanced Th17 and Treg cells in children with allergic rhinitis during pollen season might play a vital role in the regulation of allergic airway inflammation.