Objective To investigate the relationship between children history of asthma and family history of asthma.Methods Three thousand and five hundred outpatients of asthma children were selected as investigation subjects.Family history of asthma was investigated in the form of questionnaire,and analyzed them from whether or not having family history of asthma,the first and second degree relative having family history of asthma.Results There was no family history of asthma in 1 659 cases(47.4%) and while 1 841 cases had family history of asthma(52.6%).The children who had family history of asthma were slightly more than those who had no family history of asthma.Among the 1 841 cases with family history of asthma,the first degree relatives with family history of asthma were more than those second degree relatives with fa-mily history of asthma.The incidence rate of relatives with family history of asthma on mother′s side was 59.9%,and the incidence rate of the father′s relatives was 40.1%.The incidence rate of mother′s relatives was higher than that of father′s relatives(P

AlM: To investigate the effect of exogenous peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor-γcoactivator-1α ( PGC-1α) on vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF) expression in human retinal vascular endothelial cells ( HRVEC) .METHODS:Recombinant PGC-1α protein was added to HRVEC, and no recombinant PGC-1α protein was added to HRVEC as control group. After 24h of incubation, two groups of cells were then placed into a normoxic ( 20%O2 ) or hypoxic ( 1% O2 ) environment for another 16h. The expression of VEGF mRNA and protein were detected by real - time PCR, ELlSA and immunofluorescence cytochemistry.RESULTS: VEGF mRNA and protein levels in the cells were significantly increased by recombinant PGC - 1αprotein both under normoxia and hypoxia conditions as compared with control groups (P<0. 01).CONCLUSlON: PGC-1α can upregulate the expression of VEGF in HRVEC under normoxia and hypoxia conditions.

Objective To discuss the role of p38MAPK signal pathway in the process of TWEAK inducing rheumatoid arthritis(RA) fibroblast-like synoviocyte(FLS) to synthesize MMP-9 and look for a new target for RA treatment. Methods RA FLS were primarily cultured and stimulated with TWEAK. Western blot was used to detect the expression of p-p38MAPK and p65 in RA FLS. FLS were pretreated by SB203580 or not. ELISA was used to detect the concentration of MMP-9 in cell-cultured fluid. The mRNA expression of MMP-9 was measured by RT-PCR. Results TWEAK( 100 ng/ml) can make p38MAPK phosphorylated and increased the expression of p65 protein in the cell nucleus. SB203580 can partially inhibit the expression of MMP-9 and MMP-9 mRNA produced by RA FLS which is induced by TWEAK. Conclusion TWEAK induced RA FLS to synthesize MMP-9, in that process, the p38MAPK signal trausduction pathway was in active state, and induced the expression of NF-κB.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of external application of Zhuangshenling Recipe (ZR) combined with Western medicine (WM) on the heart function of chronic heart failure (CHF) patients of Xin-Shen yang deficiency, interior retention of water-fluid syndrome (XSYDIRWFS).

METHODSTotally 140 CHF patients of XSYDIRWFS were randomly assigned to two groups, the treatment group and the control group, 70 in each group. All patients received WM therapy. Those in the treatment group were applied with ZR at Xinshu (BL15) and Shenshu (BL23), while those in the control group were applied with placebos at Xinshu (BL15) and Shenshu (BL23). The therapeutic course for all was 12 weeks. The integrals of TCM syndrome, grading of cardiac function, brain natriuretic polypeptide (BNP), and 6 min walking distance were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSAfter twelve weeks of treatment, the effective rate of improved grading of cardiac function, the total effective rate of TCM syndrome efficacy, and the BNP level were obviously better in the treatment group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in 6 min walking distance between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONExternal application of ZR combined with WM could improve the heart function of CHF patients of XSYDIRWFS.

Aged ; Chronic Disease ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy

Objective To study whether p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38MAPK) signal pathway were activated in the process of tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) which then induces rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast-like synoviocyte (FLS) to synthesize matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and look for the relative mechanisms of how TWEAK was involved in the destruction of articular bones and cartilage. Methods RA FLS were primarily cultured and stimulated with TWEAK. FLS were pretreated with SB203580 or not. ELISA was used to detect the concentration of MMP-1 in cell-cultured supernatant. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of p-p38MAPK and P65 in RA FLS. Results TWEAK (100 ng/ml) could induce RA FIS to synthesize MMP-1. SB203580 could partially inhibite the expression of MMP-1 producted by RA FLS which was induced by TWEAK. TWEAK could make p38MAPK phosphorylated and increase the expression of P65 protein in the cell nucleus. Conclusion TWEAK induces RA FLS to synthesize MMP-1. In this process, p38MAPK signal transduction pathway is activated and then induce the expression of NF-κB.

AlM: To evaluate the clinical effect of 200g/L protein-free calf blood extract eye gel for corneal epithelial defect.METHODS: One hundred and sixty - eight cases of corneal epithelial defect ( 58 cases with herpes simplex keratitis; 24 cases with chemical injury; 85 cases with pterygium operation injury ) were randomly divided into two groups: 84 eyes were treated with protein-free calf blood extract eye gel; 84 cases were treated with basic fibroblast growth factor eye gel ( bFGF ) . The bFGF and protein-free calf blood extract eye gels were used 4 times a day. The treatment course was 7d. Epithelial defect restoration, local symptom and sign were observed.
RESULTS: The difference between pre-treatment and post-treatment was significant ( P<0. 01 ) in the two groups. The effect of protein-free calf blood extract eye gel (83. 3%) group was prior to that of bFGF (69%) for corneal epithelial defect. The effective rate of protein-free calf blood extract eye gel in the herpes simplex keratitis, chemical injury and pterygium operation injury was 72. 4%,69. 2% and 95. 2%. Localized stimulus and adverse reaction of all over the body were not been observed.
CONCLUSlON: Protein-free calf blood extract eye gels is valuable and safe for corneal epithelial defect.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α308,TNF-β252 genotypes and serum TNF-α and TNF-β levels in patients with gastric cancer (GC).MethodsA total of 57 pathological diagnosed GC patients were collected,of which 49 cases were from Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University and 8 cases were from Tumor Hospital of Hubei Province.Another 18 age and sex matched healthy controls were enrolled at the same time.The TNF-α308 and TNF -β252 polymorphism was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).The serum TNF-α and TNF-β levels of 57 GC patients and 18 healthy controls were measured by ELISA.The difference of TNF serum level in different TNF genotypes of GC and the difference between GC patients and the healthy controls was analyzed.Its relationship with clinical pathological characters was also analyzed.Results With TNF-α308 genotype,GA were 6 cases and GG were 51 cases.With TNF-β252 genotype,GG were 17 cases,GA and AA each were 20 cases.The serum TNF-α level of GC patients was significant higher than that of healthy controls (median 445 × 10-3 μg/L vs 5 × 10-3 μg/L,P＜0.05),and the serum level of each TNF-α308 andTNF-β 252 genotypes was significant higher than that of healthy controls (P＜0.05).However there was no statistical significance in TNF -β level compared with healthy controls (P＞0.05).In addition,the serum TNF-α levels of the TNF-α308G/TNF-β252G and TNF-α308G/TNF β252A haplotypes in GC patients were significant higher than those of the healthy controls (P＜0.05),and the increase like serum TNF-α level was associated with the patients'age and lymph node metastasis (P＜0.05).The TNF-β level in patients with TNF-α308A and TNF-β252G high-risk haplotypes showed a significant relation with smoking history (P＜ 0.05). Conclusions Serum TNF-α level of GC patients was significantly higher,however there was no significant association between the increase and TNF-α308 and TNF-β252 genotypes.The serum TNF-α levels of TNF-α308G/TNF-β252G and TNF-α308G/TNF-β252A haplotypes in GC patients were significant higher,and associated with the patients'age and lympb node metastasis.It was indicated that TNF haplotypes may have certain impact on the TNF expression and clinical subtypes in GC.

OBJECTIVETo observe the intervention of Shenkangling Decoction (SD) on the renal injury of primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) children patients of Shen deficiency blood stasis syndrome (SDBSS) and to explore its mechanism.

METHODSTotally 65 PNS children patients were randomly assigned to the combined group (33 cases, treated by SD +Western medicine) and the Western medicine group (32 cases, treated by Western medicine). Meanwhile, 30 healthy children were recruited as the healthy control group from the medical examination center. Those in the Western medicine group were treated with prednisone (5 mg per tablet) at the daily dose of 1.5 -2.0 mg/kg till two weeks after their urine protein turned to negative. Then the dosage was reduced once daily per every other day. The therapeutic course lasted for more than 1 year. For those with no effect of prednisone or partial effect, cyclophosphamide intravenous pulse therapy was additionally applied for 2 successive days per week, a total of 6 times, or they took cyclosporine A. Patients in the combined group additionally took SD while starting treatment of prednisone. SD was decocted in water for oral dose, once daily, taken in two portions until 2 months after prednisone was discontinued. Efficacy was evaluated based on serum levels of chemotactic factor CXCL16, disintegrin metalloproteinase 10 ( ADAM10 ), disintegrin metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17), albumin (ALB), total cholesterol (TC), and 24-h urine protein excretion (UPE) detected by ELISA before and after treatment.

RESULTSCompared with before treatment in the same group, levels of CXCL16, ADAM10, ADAM17, TC, and 24-h UPE were significantly lower in the two treatment groups (P <0. 01). Compared with the control group, levels of CXCL16, ADAM10, ADAM17, TC, and 24-h UPE significantly increased, and the serum ALB level decreased in the two treatment groups (P <0.01). Compared with the Western medicine group at the same time point, levels of CXCL16, ADAM10, ADAM17, TC, and 24-h UPE significantly decreased in the combined group. The 1 -year recurrence rate and the recurrence times decreased in the combined group (P <0.01). The complete remission rate increased in the combined group (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONSD could effectively improve the clinical prognosis of PNS children patients possibly by reducing the release of inflammatory mediators such as CXCL16, ADAM10, and ADAM17, decreasing UPE and the TC level, and elevating the serum ALB level.

Child ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; drug therapy ; Prednisone ; Syndrome

Objective To report the clinical outcome and prognostic factors for locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC)treated with intensity modulated radiotherapy(IMRT).Methods From January 2001 to August 2004,the data of 132 such NPC patients were analyzed retrospectively;104 male and 28 female with a median of 44.5 years(range 21-73 years).Ninety-eight patients(74.2%)were confirmed by biopsy as having NPC:9 with WHO TypeⅡand 89 WHO TypeⅢ.The other 34 patients were only diagnosed by MRI scan because of the extension/invasion was in the base of skull and/or cavernous sinus.Median interval time were 24 months(range 6-184 months).According to the 1992 Chinese Fuzhou Staging System:stageⅠ3.8 %,Ⅱ10.6 %,Ⅲ22.0% andⅣa 63.6%;T1 5.3%,T2 10.6%,T3 22.7% and T4 55.3%.Twenty-two patients had recurrence in the neck lymph nodes.IMRT was given with the sequential tomotherapy system(NOMOS Peacock systems)of 6 MV X-rays.Prescription dose was 60-70 Gy in GTV,with the fractional dose of 1.94-2.8 Gy.Sixty patients were also supplemented with two to six courses of cisplatin-based chemotherapy.Results The median volume of GTV was 39.5 cm~3(range 0.8-158.9 cm~3).The D95,V95,mean dose and fractionation dose of GTV was 66.9 Gy,98.3%,69.8 Gy and 2.32 Gy,respectively.The median follow-up time was 12 months(range,2-47 months).The 1-,2-and 3-year local progression-free rate was 96.4%,88.4% and 85.3%,respectively.The overall 1-,2-and 3-year survival rate was 6.5.9%,49.6% and 41.6%,respectively.Eleven patients developed distant metastases.Forty-seven patients were observed to devdop mucosa necrosis and/or massive hemorrhage in the nasopharynx.On univariate and multivariate analysis,fractional dose and vohane of GTV were significant prognostic factors for overall survival(P=0.016,0.009).Conclusions The local control and survival rate can be improved for patients with locally recurrent nasopharygeal carcinoma after treatment of intensity modulated radiotherapy.The fractional dose and volume of GTV are independent prognostic factors for the overall survival. The main death reasons are mucosa necrosis and/or massive hemorrhage in the nasopharynx.

OBJECTIVETo observe effects of serum Bushen Huoxue prescription(Chinese characters) on classic Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways of osteoblasts, and explore mechanism of Bushen Huoxue prescription (Chinese characters) for preventing osteoporosis.

METHODSTwenty health female rats were randomly divided into two groups, including Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters) group and saline group,10 in each group. Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters) group and Saline group were gavaged Bushen Huoxue and saline every day for 1 week. Bushenhuoxue containing serum and saline containing serum were got according to methods of serum preparation of drug-containing. The osteoblasts was cultured with neonatal rat skull according to Enzyme Consumer Law, and was identified by Wright-Giemsa staining (R-J) and alkaline phosphatase staining (ALP). The third generation of osteoblasts was divided into three groups, including saline group, normal group,Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters) group. Each group were added to 15% appropriate medium. ALP activity of osteoblasts and osteoblasts proliferation rate were tested, mineralized nodules were observed, the expression of β-catenin, Runx2, Osx mRNA of osteoblasts were tested by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThere was blue granules in cytoplasm, cell nucleus was flint with 1 to 3 nucleoli showed by R-J staining, morphology of osteoblasts were cultured. ALP staining showed cytoplasm with purple granules, the results showed that the cultured cell was osteoblasts. The content of ALP in Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters)group was (6.272±0.131) ,appreciation rate was (0.81? 0.172), and could significantly improve differentiation and proliferation activity of osteoblasts compared with Saline group (P< 0.01). There were four different size orange nodules, the Maximun nodule was 1.0 x 1.0 cm in Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters) group after Alizarin red staining, the results showed Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters)group could obviously improve mineralization of osteoblasts. The expression of mRNA of β-catenin, Runx2 and Osx in Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters)group were (1.782±0.944), (1.935±0.994) and (1.610±0.811) by RT-PCR,it was significantly increased compared with saline group (P<0.01), but there was no difference between Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters)group and normal group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONBushen Huoxue (Chinese characters)group could obviously promote differentiation, proliferation and mineralization of osteoblasts through activation of Wnt, β-catenin signaling pathway. It suggested that the mechanism of action of Bushen Huoxue (O'f f Il.t)particle clould prevent osteoporosis through the activation of Wnt, β-catenin signaling pathway.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Osteoporosis ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Wnt Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; drug effects ; beta Catenin ; genetics ; metabolism