OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Kuntai Capsule (KC) on the number of retrieved oocytes, the quality of high-quality oocytes and embryos in in vitro fertilization of poor ovarian response (POR) patients.

METHODSTotally 70 POR patients preparing for in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) were randomly assigned to the observation group and the control group, 35 cases in each group. KC was administered to patients in the observation group in the preparation cycle (i.e., three menstrual cycles before IVF-ET) and during the superovulation process. Those in the control group took placebo during this period. Before and after medication the improvement of Shen yin deficiency syndrome (SYDS) was observed in the two groups. The basal follicle-stimulating hormone (bFSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), the ratio of FSH to LH, and antral follicle count (AFC) were observed. Besides, the E2 level of a single ovum on the day of HCG injection, the number of retrieved oocytes, the high-quality oocyte rate, and the high-quality embryos were observed.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the SYDS, decreased bFSH and LH levels, increased ACF numbers, the E2 level of a single ovum on the day of HCG injection, the number of retrieved oocytes, high-quality oocytes, and high-quality embryos were superior in the observation group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the decreased FSH/LH level (P > 0.05). E2 and AMH increased after medication of KC in the observation group, while they decreased after administration of placebos in the control group. There was statistical difference in the post-pre treatment difference of E2 and AMH between the two groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONKC could increase the number of retrieved oocytes, and elevate the quality of occytes and embryos in the IVF-ET.

Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Oocyte Retrieval ; Oocytes ; drug effects ; Pregnancy

Embryonic stem cells(ESCs),a kind of totipotent cells,can differentiate into cell type of the 3 germ layers.Adult stem cells(ASCs) are pluripotent stem cells,which can self-renew and transdifferentiate into a completely different tissue derivative cells.Thus ASCs can transdifferentiate into germ cells in a certain condition.Great progress has made for the study on human ESCs.However,use of ESCs faces the immunological rejection,oncogenicity and ethical controversies problems,and these limit their uses for treatment of human diseases.On contrast,ASCs can advoid these problems,and they may have a better perspective.Germ cells as carriers of genetic materials,are worth of studying.If male germ cells can be derived from ASCs,this will open the possibilities for the use of these cells for male infertillty in clinical application.In this review,we will introduce the progress on derivation of male germ cells from ESCs and ASCs.

Diabetic Neuropathies ; blood ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Phytotherapy

Objective To compare the efficacies of exposure to cigarette smoke alone and in combination with intra-tracheal injection of lipopolysaccharide in establishing rat models of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods A total of 24 8-week-old healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 model groups and a control group (Group C). The rat COPD models were established by two ways; intratracheal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) twice + exposure to cigarette smoke for 1 month (Group A), and cigarette smoke inhalation for 80 days only (Group B). The pathologic characteristics of animal models, including the mean lining interval (MLI) and the mean alveoli number(MAN), were determined. The total and different white blood cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) and blood samples were determined. Results The rats in the two model groups presented with cough or breathlessness periodically, and the white blood cell counts and neutrophil counts in the peripheral blood and BALF were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.01). H-E staining showed that the lung tissues of rats in Group A and B had typical pathological features of COPD and emphysema. MLI were significantly higher and MAN were significantly lower in Group A and B than those in group C (both P<0.01), but there was no statistical difference between the two model groups. Group A had more severe inflammatory response in the bronchial and lung tissues than Group B. And Group B was characterized by alveolar overdistension. Conclusion Both the two methods can successfully establish rat COPD model, with its pathophysiological changes similar to those of human COPD, with intra-tracheal injection of lipopolysaccharide being more consistent to the natural development of disease.

Objective:To investigate the influence of clinical outcomes and the risk factors of poor prognosis for preoperative nutritional risk in gastric cancer patients.Methods:A prospective study was performed in 140 patients with gastric cancer and the nutritional risk screening 2002 (NRS 2002) was done.The influence of preoperative nutritional risk on postoperative complications,hospital stay,ICU stay,hospital expenses,60 days readmission and mortality was analyzed,and the risk factors of perioperative complication were identified by univariate and multivariate analysis.Results:The significant difference (NRS 2002 ≥ 3 group vs.NRS 2002 ＜ 3 group) was observed in the rates of overall postoperative complications,pulmonary infection,overall hospital stay and postoperative hospital stay (P ＜ 0.05).The rates of anastomotic fistula,pleural effusion,60 days readmission,60 days mortality and hospitalization expenses in NRS 2002 ≥ 3 group were higher than that of NRS 2002 ＜ 3 group,but there were no differences between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).By univariate and multivariate analysis,preoperative high cholesterol levels and preoperative nutritional risk are the risk factors of poor prognosis and postoperative complications.Conclusion:Preoperative high cholesterol levels and preoperative nutritional risk are independent risk factors of postoperative complications.

OBJECTIVEThis research aimed to study the inhibitory effect of xylitol on the growth and acid production of Actinomyces viscosus (A. viscosus).

METHODSWe cultivated A. viscosus in anaerobic conditions with different concentrations (128, 64, 32, 16, 8, and 4 g x L(-1)) of xylitol brain heart infusion liquid medium and determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Subsequently, we measured the pH value of the control group, as well as those of 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 MIC, and MIC concentration groups at 1.5, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h. The Delta pH and OD550 at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 h were calculated. We discovered that the minimum xylitol concentrations suppressed 50% and 90% A. viscosus biofilm formation (i.e., MBIC50 and MBIC90). SPSS 19.0 was used to analyze the collected data, and conclusions were drawn afterward.

RESULTSXylitol inhibited the growth ofA. viscosus at MIC of 64 g x L(-1). After 12 h, the differences of pH value among groups were all statistically significant (P < 0.05), and Delta pH increased when the MIC concentration decreased. Except for the 1/2 MIC and MIC groups, the differences of OD550 among groups had no statistical significance (P>0.05), and OD550 also increased when the MIC concentration decreased. These results imply that the ability ofA. viscosus to grow and produce acid in 1/2 MIC and MIC conditions will be reduced with the increase in xylitol concentration. The value of MIBC50 was 64 g x L(-1), whereas the value of MIBC90 was 128 g x L(-1). This finding indicates that the xylitol medium can restrict A. viscosus biofilm formation.

CONCLUSIONXylitolcan effectively inhibit the growth, adhesion, and acid production ofA. viscosus, protecting teeth from cariogenic bacteria and preventing caries to a certain extent.

Actinomyces viscosus ; Bacteria ; Dental Caries ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Xylitol

OBJECTIVETo explore lupus nephritis (LN) patients' monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) and urinary IP-10 (ulP-10) levels, the correlation between each clinical activity index and rheumatism syndrome, thereby proving objective evidence for microscopic typing of rheumatism syndrome.

METHODSTotally 60 LN patients were assigned to the rheumatism group (31 cases) and the non-rheumatism group (29 cases). Besides, 20 healthy volunteers were recruited as the normal control group. Clinical data and renal pathology were collected, and urinary levels of MCP-1 and IP-10 detected by ELISA. The correlation between rheumatism syndrome and each activity index as well as manifestations of clinical activities was comprehensively analyzed. Results (1) Patients in the rheumatism group were more liable to occur fever, serositis, edema, and hypertension (P<0.05). (2) Compared with the non-rheumatism group, patients in the rheumatism group exhibited much higher levels of 24 h protein quantification and blood urea nitrogen, higher levels of uMCP-1 and ulP-10. Microscopic hematuria, anti-ds-DNA, anti-Sm, the positive rate of AnuA, scores of SLEDAI and BILAG were higher in the rheumatism group than in the non-rheumatism group (P<0.05). Levels of plasma albumin and complement C3 were lower in the rheumatism group than in the non-rheumatism group (P<0.05). (3) The average activity index (AI) of the renal pathology was higher in the rheumatism group than in the non-rheumatism group. The most frequent pathological type of rheumatism group was type IV of LN.

CONCLUSIONSMore severe renal damage and immune abnormality occurred in LN patients of rheumatism syndrome. Rheumatism syndrome is closely correlated to clinical activity indices.

Biomedical Research ; Chemokine CCL2 ; metabolism ; Complement C3 ; metabolism ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Kidney ; Lupus Nephritis ; epidemiology ; metabolism ; Rheumatic Diseases ; epidemiology ; metabolism

Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Methionine ; blood ; Tyrosine ; blood ; Tyrosine Transaminase ; deficiency ; Tyrosinemias ; blood ; diagnosis ; enzymology ; pathology ; therapy

Objective To explore the efficacy of trazodone replacement treatment on benzodiazepine drugs dependence and effect of cognitive function on senile patients.Methods 51 senile patients with benzodiazepine drugs dependence were assigned with dosage tacho-decrement and replaced by trazodone.The patients were discontinuanced taking benzodiazepine in 14 days and taken at a draught of trazodone before retiring about 6 months.Clinical effect and side effects were assessed with the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQJ) and treatment emergent symptom scale(TESS) before and after treatment.Cognitive function was evaluated with Wechsler intelligence scale for adult-Chinese revised (WAIS-RC) and Wechsler mermory scale for adult-Chinese revised ( WMS-RC ) once before and after treatment.Results The scores total PSQJ( ( 13.17 ± 3.70),( 11.05 ± 3.48 ) ),the sleep quality( (2.36 ± 0.33 ),( 1.91 ± 0.29 ) ),daily function disorder,sleep disorder were significantly lower than before treatment while the other factor scores were not significantly changed.Trazodone wes effective without severe side effects and dependence.The study group showed significantly lower scores in learning,calculation,the signs of figure,wood puzzles,long-term memory,short-term memory,immediate memory,memory quotient in the assessment of cognitive function than after treatmemt (P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusion Trazodone is an ideal medicine to senile insomnia.

ObjectiveTo determine optimal positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) in mechanical ventilation in children with severe asthmatoid disease based on the quasistatic pressure-volume (P-V) curve.MethodsA serf-control study was done on 23 children with severe asthmatoid disease in the pediatric intensive care unit( PICU ).Quasistatic lung P-V curve of these patients was analyzed and the lower inflection point (LIP) from P-V curve was determined.Three different PEEP (0 cm H2O,LIP,LIP+2 cm H2O,1 mm H2O =0.098 kPa) were given to the patients.The effects of PEEP at different levels on gas exchange,hemodynamic and airway pressure were observed.ResultsThe quasistatic LIP were (2.70 ±2.00)cm H2O.When PEEP was increased to the level of LIP + 2 cm H2O,PaO2 / FiO2 and lung compliance improved significantly (P ＜ 0.01 ) and dynamic lung compliance was the highest,peak inspiratory pressure was (22.30 ± 3.00) cm H2O and mean airway pressure was( 14.11 ± 1.01 ) cm H2O,without obvious adverse effects on mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate.There was no difference in PaCO2,when compared PEEP =0 cmH2O to PEEP =LIP + 2 cmH2O.ConclusionThe application of PEEP is safe.LIP + 2 cm H2O from quasistatic P-V curve could be set as the optimal PEEP under which mechanical ventilation has the best efficacy and do not aggravate CO2 retention and abnormality of hemodynamics in children with severe asthmatoid disease.