Several cytokines which play key role in asthma patients with chronic inflammation and reconstruction of air duct,are important targets for anti-asthma agents.In this review,we summarize the latest advancement of anti-asthma agents which targeted for cytokines(interleukins,TNF,eotaxin)and investigation development of new anti-asthma agents emerged in recent years.

Objective To research the hygroscopicity of Astragalus extrating powder by use of Bentonite Clarifying Agent of Fruit Wine. Methods Determing the hygroscopicity rate of extracting powder whether or not dealing with bentonite, drawing and comparing hygroscopicity graphs, and determing the transforming rates of the content of total Astragalim, polysacch-aride in Astragalus. Results Extracting powder dealing with bentonite reduces hygroscopicity, and the transforming rates of the content of total Astragalim, polysacch-aride in Astragalus are high. Conclusions The method can be used for increasing the moisture-proof properties of Astragalus extrating powder.

Objective To evaluate the role of microglial activation in dorsal root ganglia in a rat model of persistent postoperative pain evoked by skin/muscle incision and retraction (SMIR).Methods Seventy male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 200-250 g,were randomly divided into 2 groups (n =35 each):group sham operation (group S) and group SMIR.The rat model of persistent postoperative pain evoked by SMIR was established according to the method described by Flatters.Pain behavior was assessed by mechanical paw withdrawal threshold to yon Frey filament stimulation at 1 day before and 1,3,7,12,22 and 32 days after operation.Five animals were sacrificed at each time point in each group for microglia count in dorsal root ganglia.Results Compared with group S,mechanical paw withdrawal threshold was significantly decreased at 3-22 days after operation,and microglia count was significantly increased at 3-12 days after operation in group SMIR (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Microglial activation in dorsal root ganglia may be involved in the development of SMIR-evoked persistent postoperative pain in rats.

Objective To investigate the effect of morphine on P-glycoprotein (P-gp) expression in mouse brain microvascular endothelial cells. Methods The mouse brain microvascular endothelial cell line b. End3 was purchased from ATCC company (USA) and cultured at 37 ℃ in high glucose serum-free medium RPMI 1640 in 10 cm petri dishes and assigned to one of 3 groups(n = 9 each): Ⅰ control group (group C); Ⅱ morphine group (group M) and Ⅲ PDTC + morphine group (group P + M). In group M the cells were exposed to morphine 1 μg/ml while in group P + M the cells were pre-incubated with PDTC (NF-κB inhibitor) 5 μmol/L for 1 h before treatment with morphine. In group M and P+ M after being treated with morphine 1 μg/ml for 24 h, the cells were collected for determination of P-gp expression and NF-κB p65-abcb1b protein-DNA binding analysis. Results P-gP expression and NF-κB p65-abcb1b protein-DNA binding were up-regulated in group M as compared with group C. The up-regulation was negated by pre-incubation with PDTC in group P + M. Conclusion Morphine can induce up-regulation of the expression of endogenous P-gp in mouse brain microvascular endothelial cells by NF-κB mediated-abcb1 b gene activation.

Objective To compare clinical effects of continuous spinal, epidural and combined spinal-epidural anesthesia for arthroplasty in the elderly over 70 years. Methods Sixty geriatric patients, ASA status Ⅱ~Ⅲ degree, aged 71~98 yr, undergoing arthroplasty operation on hip or knee joint, were randomly assigned to group of continuous spinal anesthesia, group of combined spinal-epidural anesthesia, or group of continuous epidural anesthesia, with twenty patients of per group. T_ 10 anesthesia level was aimed by 0.5% bupivacaine titrated carefully. Results All anesthesia were clinically satisfied with average anesthesia level T_ 10(T_ 7~11). Bromage's motor blockade scale in group of continuous spinal anesthesia was higher than that in group of continuous epidural anesthesia. Amount of bupivacaine consumptions were (8.0?1.8)mg, (13.7?9.7)mg, (39.4?16.6)mg in groups of continuous spinal anesthesia, combined spinal-epidural anesthesia, and continuous epidural anesthesia respectively (P0.05). Conclusions With 0.5% bupivacaine titrated carefully, all kinds of continuous spinal, epidural and combined spinal-epidural anesthesia are clinical efficient in the elderly over 70 years for arthroplasty, of which continuous spinal anesthesia is recommended due to the most stable hemodynamics.

Objective To evaluate the different effects of laryngeal mask and mask ventilation during bronchoscopy in elder patients. Methods 120 old patients (ASA I-III) were divided into three group according to the table of random number as following:surface anesthesia with autonomous respiration (group I);endoscope mask ventilation (group II);laryngeal mask airway ventilation (group III). Oxygen inhalation through nasal tube in groupⅠ,group II and group III was ventilated with endoscope mask and LMA respectively ,thenwe observed whether there were adverse effects or not during the procedure. Results The adverse reactions of group I were more than other groups. Compared with the group I, variance of MAP,HR, RR, SpO2 in the groupⅡand groupⅢ had less changes, the cases with severe bucking decreased significantly, and satisfaction degree increased markedly, (P <0.01or P<0.05 ) . The incidence rate of resp iratory depression and airway obstruction in groupⅡwas higher than that in groupⅢ (P<0.05). Conclusion Endoscope mask ventilation and LMA can both be adopted in analgesia bronchoscopy for old patient. LMA under general anesthesia to transbronchial lung biopsy would control respiration according to the demand at any time.LMA has more advantage in the operation for the stable respiration and hemodynamics and less complications.

Objective To solve part of executive problems by analyzing and editing the control files of brachytherapy.Methods By recording the sources of radioactivity,the time when patients were treated and using the program designed by the C language,the source location and the time treated in this location were tracked to the source urgently.By editing the control files,the follow-up treatment files were produced and then tested with a solid water measuring model.Results For the point A,B defined in the measure model,the deviation between Dose A4 and Dose A1 was 6.12％,the deviation between Dose B4 and Dose B1 was 2.09％.For the planar dose measure in the MapCheck,Plane Dose 4 and Plane Dose 1 rendered as pear-shaped dose distribution,and the dose difference less than 4％ reached 93.8％.The point dose and plane dose meeted the clinical standards.Conclusions The follow-up treatment files can complete the part of the unfinished brachytherapy plan exactly and achieve requirements of the dose distribution.

Objective To investigate the effects of skin/muscle incision and retraction(SMIR)on mechanical paw withdrawal threshold and the ability of spatial learning and memory in immature rats after adulthood. Methods 27 male SD rats aged 3 weeks and weighing 60 ~ 80 g were randomly divided into 3 groups(n = 9):control group(group C),sham operation group(group Sham)and skin/muscle incision and retraction group (group SMIR). Group SMIR received operation for skin/muscle incision and retraction. Sham group received skin/muscle incision but no retraction.No surgery was operated on C group. Pain behavior was assessed by mechanical paw withdrawal threshold(MWT)to von Frey filament stimulation before and 1,3,7,12,22 and 32 days after operation.The effects of spatial learning and memory function were assessed by Morris water-maze test at 33 days after operation. Results Mechanical paw withdrawal threshold of group SMIR decreased 1 day after operation (P<0.05)and showed no significant difference before and 3,7,12,22,32 days after operation in 3 groups(P >0.05). In Morris water-maze test,compared with Sham and C group,the average escape latency in SMIR was sig-nificantly longer in the water maze navigation experiment(P < 0.01);the ratios of time and path in the quadrant of the platform were obviously lower in SMIR(P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference between sham and C group(P>0.05).Conclusion SMIR did not cause chronic pain but may cause a decrease in the ability of spatial learning and memory in immature rats.

A novel Cu-IUDs material, PU/PEG/Cu nanocomposite, was prepared by melt blending method with thermoplastic polyurethane (PU) as the matrix, with polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a hydrophilic modifier, and with nanometer particles of copper as active matter instead of copper wire or copper tube. The structure, morphology, mechanical properties, thermal stability and water absorption were investigated by using FT-IR, XRD, SEM and so on. The results indicated that the nanometer particles of copper were uniformly dispersed in the matrix in PU/PEG/ Cu nanocomposites. It can be seen that the water absorption ability of this nanocomposite was obviously improved while mechanical properties and thermal stability were at high levels. These results provided a good basis for the studies on the cupric ions release of the nanocomposites in future.
Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Intrauterine Devices, Copper ; Nanocomposites ; chemistry ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Polyurethanes ; chemistry