Aged ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Silicosis ; blood ; classification ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; metabolism

Objectiye To optimize the depth of the microchannel and the time point for sperm collection,and improve the efficiency of sperm screening on a microfluidic device. Methods Microchannels with four different depths of 25, 50, 100 and 200 μm were tested. Mice sperm were added to the inlet of the microchannel. The relative quantity and motility of sperm in the outlet were recorded at different collection times, i.e. ,5, 15, 30 and 60 min. Statistical method one-way ANOVA and appropriate post-hoc testing were applied to analyze differences between different groups, and further to select the best-fit depth of the microchannel and the time point for collection. Results In microchannels with depths of 25, 50, 100 and 200 μm, the sperm motilities measured in each outlet were (85.4 ± 2.3)%, (85.8 ± 5.8)%,( 87. 2 ± 2. 8 ) %, (76. 5 ± 2. 8 ) % respectively with statistical significance ( F = 5.8, P ＜ 0. 05 ). No obvious differences were found among 25-100 μm channels, however the motility dramatically decreased in the 200 μm group. The relative sperm quantities were (5.2 ±2.0)%, (7.2 ±2.5)%,(12.3 ±2.0)%,(7. 7 ± 1.1 ) % respectively with statistical significance ( F = 6. 9, P ＜ 0. 05), which increased with channel depth from 25 to 100 μm,while it decreased in the 200 μm channel Taking 2 indexes into account, 100 μmwas the most fit channel depth for sperm motility screening. The sperm motility in the outlet gradually decreased with time. At the time points of 5, 15, 30 and 60 min after adding sperm, the sperm motilities were (99. 6 ±0. 7)%, (87.2 ±2. 8)%, (79. 3 ±2. 2)% and (62. 6 ±8.0)% respectively with statistical significance ( F = 37. 3, P ＜ 0. 01 ). Yet the relative quantities of sperm in the outlet increased almost three times in this process. At the time points mentioned above, the relative quantities of sperm were (5.8±1.1)%, (10.6 ± 0.9)%, (12.1 ± 1.7)%, (17.9 ± 3.4)% respectively with statistical significance ( F = 17.8, P ＜ 0. 01 ). Thus 15-30 min was the ideal screening time. Conclusion An effective microdevice for sperm screening with optimized depth and collection time period is developed,which may contribute significantly for the screening of healthy sperm on microfluidic chips.

Animals ; Male ; Particle Size ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; chemically induced ; Silicon Dioxide ; chemistry ; toxicity

OBJECTIVETo observe the impacts of acupoint catgut embedding therapy and acupuncture-moxibustion therapy on the long-term efficacy and patient's life quality in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

METHODSSixty-nine patients were randomized into the combined acupuncture-moxibustion and acupoint catgut embedding therapy group (combined therapy group, 36 cases) and an acupuncture-moxibustion group (33 cases). In the acupuncture-moxibustion group, acupuncture was applied at Yingxiang (LI 20), Shangyingxiang (EX-HN 8), Yintang (GV 29), Shangxing (GV 23), Tongtian (BL 7) and Zusanli (ST 36). Moxibustion was applied at Zusanli (ST 36), Feishu (BL 13), Dazhui (GV 14) and Fengmen (BL 12). In the combined therapy group, on the basis of the treatment as acupuncture-moxibustion group, the catgut embedding therapy was applied at Feishu (BL 13), Fengmen (BL 12), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Qihai (CV 6). The treatment duration was 4 weeks in the two groups. The clinical efficacy of allergic rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) score were observed before and after treatment as well as in the 4-weeks follow-up after the end of treatment respectively.

RESULTSThe markedly effective rate was 72.7% (24/33) in the combined therapy group and 48.4% (15/31) in the acupuncture-moxibustion group after treatment. The efficacy was similar between the two groups (P > 0.05). It was 57.6% (19/33) in the combined therapy group and was 22. 6% (7/31) in the 4-week follow-up after treatment, indicating the long-term efficacy in the combined therapy group was superior to that in the acupuncture-moxibustion group (P<0. 05). Scores of RQLO after treatment and in 4-week follow-up after treatment in both groups were improved as compared with those before treatment (all P < 0.05). In 4-week follow-up, the improvements in sleep and affection in the combined therapy group were superior to the acupuncture-moxibustion group (3.27 +/- 3.23 vs 4.61 +/- 3.56, 3.48 +/- 3.67 vs 5.81 +/- 4.15, both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe acupoint catgut embedding therapy combined with acupuncture-moxibustion therapy are safe and effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and display the more roles in the long-term efficacy.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Catgut ; utilization ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Quality of Life ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To establish a method for studying molecular mechanism of Rhubarb inhibiting anti-Yersinia pesti based on DNA microarray.Methods A whole genome DN A microarray containing 4005 annotated genes of Yersiniapesti Was used.The minimal inhibitory concentration(MIC)of Rhubarb to Yersiniapestiwas determined by liquid dilution method.The gene expression profile of Yersinia pesti was performed after the exposure to Rhubarb at a concentration of 10×MIC for 30 minutes.The total RNA extracted and purified from Yersinia pesti Was reversely transfected to cDNA and labeled by Cy3-Cy5 dye.The labeled probes were hybridized to the microarray anti the results were obtained by a laser scanner and the microarray data was confirmed by real-time quantitative RT-PCR.Results The platform of the DNA microarray-based bacteria transcriptional profile was established.A total of 498 genes of Yersinia pesti changed significantly in response to Rhubarb.Among them.358 genes were up-regulated,140 down-reguated.Conclusions The whole genome DNA microarray can be used in the studying of molecular anti-Yersinia pesti mechanism of Rhubarb.

Objective to explore the current situation and related influencing factors on the retention time of patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). Methods Information on basic situation and daily treatment of the patients were collected from the 7 MMT clinics opened in the pro-two batch in Hunan province. Retention rate and influencing factors were analyzed. Results (1) The retention rates after 6 and 12 months of MMT became 72.06% and 49.65% respectively. (2) The retention rates of high-dosage group and low-dosage group were 85.03% and 68.03% after 6 months on MMT program while became 60.48% and 46.28% after 12 months of MMT respectively. (3) The mean retention time of HIV+ patients and HIV- patients were 9.46 months and 8.62 months respectively during the 12 months follow-up observation, showing a significant difference. (4) Patients who took large dose methadone, did not share needles, at older age or HIV+ , were prone to keep MMT at a long period. Conclusion The retention rates for 6 months and 12 months in the MMT program in Hunan province were similar to the national data. Dose, type of drug abuse, age and HIV status were related to the period of retention.

Catheterization ; adverse effects ; methods ; Catheterization, Central Venous ; adverse effects ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Subclavian Artery ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between coxsackievirus infection and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), and observe the changes of T lymphocyte subsets in the development of T1DM.

METHODSWe detected Coxsackievirus RNA by reverse transcription PCR, and measured the change in T-lymphocyte subsets by flow cytometry in 22 cases of newly diagnosed T1DM (group I), 30 patients with diabetes for some time (group II), and 30 healthy subjects (group III).

RESULTSThe positivity rate of coxsackie virus RNA in groups I, II, and III was 55.55%, 23.33%, and 6.67%, respectively, showing a significant difference among the 3 groups (P<0.01). Patients with upper respiratory tract infection had a higher positivity rate for coxsackie virus RNA than those without upper respiratory tract infection in group I (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the percentage of CD3, CD4 and CD4/CD8 ratio decreased significantly in groups I and II (P<0.01 or P<0.05). CD3, CD4 and CD4/CD8 tended to increase in group II in comparison with group I, and there was an significant difference in CD3 and CD4 between the two groups (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Compared with the control group and CVBRNA-negative group, CVBRNA-positive group showed significantly lowered CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD4/CD8 (P<0.01 or P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe occurrence and development of type 1 diabetes is closely related to coxsackie virus infection, and the changes in T lymphocyte subsets serves as a probable mechanism of its pathogenicity.

Adolescent ; Adult ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Coxsackievirus Infections ; complications ; immunology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; complications ; virology ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Count ; Male ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology ; Young Adult

We reviewed the modern development of clinical application and experimental reseach on the prescription Biejiajian Wan (BJ), which are the basement that we will study its anti-renal fibrosis. At present, the prescription BJ is mainly applied to the treatment of chronic heptic desease. Its experimental reseach is mainly confined to the studing of anti-heptic fibrosi. Refering the scientific and technological result of anti-heptic fibrosis, we think the prescription BJ would have the effection of anti-renal fibrosis on the basis of theory of planning treatment according to diagnosis. But it has not been reported to the prescription BJ on the clinical and experimental reseach on anti-renal fibrosis. Therefore, it is very important to take on clinical reseach of the prescription BJ and discuss the effecting mechanism of anti-renal fibrosis from the level of integration, cell and molecule, which will help to enlarge the clinical application of the prescription Biejiajianwan and explained the essence of "persistent diseases injuring collateral branch of large channel" in traditional Chinese medicine.
Animals ; Clinical Medicine ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Fibrosis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; Laboratories ; Prescription Drugs ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

Objective To investigate the antibacterial molecular mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine Coptis rhizome against Yersinia pestis(Y.pestis).Methods The method based on whole genome DNA micrnarray of Y.pestis was used.The minimal inhibition concentration(MIC)of berberine to Y.pestis was determined with liquid dilution method.Then gene expression profile of Y.pestis was performed after exposed to berberine at the concentration of 10×MIC for 30 minutes.Total RNA extracted and purified from Y.pestis and reverse-transcribed to cDNA,then labeled by Cy-dye.Finally,the labeled probes were hybridized to the microarray and the results were obtained by a laser scanner and analyzed by the SAM software.Results The gene expression profile data revealed that the response of Y.pestis to berberine was a global phenomenon.A total of 360 genes changed significantly.Among them,333 genes were up-regulated,27 down-regulated.These differentially expressed genes were further classified into 24 different functional categories based on the genomie annotation of Y.pestis CO92,in which the number of mainly related genes were 83,75 and 48,including cell envelop,unkown,transport/binding proteins functions.The 40 genes related to the metabolism were upregulated,which was a remarkable change.Conclusion Our results have revealed the general gene expression changes of Y.pestis in response to berberine and demonstrated the antibacterial molecular mechanism of the Coptis rhizome.The major mechanism of Y.pestis in response to berberine is the upregulation of genes related to the metabolism.