Objective:To observe the effect of warm-unblocking acupuncture plus fluticasone propionate nasal spray on the pulmonary ventilation, level of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and sleep quality in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). Methods: A total of 112 AR patients were enrolled between January 2013 and August 2018 and were divided into an observation group and a control group by the random number table method, with 56 cases in each group. Patients in the observation group received warm-unblocking acupuncture plus fluticasone propionate nasal spray, and patients in the control group only received fluticasone propionate nasal spray. The nasal symptom score, pulmonary function indexes, the levels of IFN-γ and interleukin (IL)-4 in serum, and sleep quality in the two groups were compared. Results: After treatment, the total effective rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P＜0.05). The nasal symptom score dropped in both groups after treatment (both P＜0.05), and the score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P＜0.05). The pulmonary ventilation indexes all increased significantly after treatment in the observation group (all P＜0.05); the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) to forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio (FEV1/FVC) and the forced expiratory flow at 50%, 75% and 25%-75% of the vital capacity (FEF50%, FEF75%, FEF25%-75%) increased after treatment in the control group (all P＜0.05); the pulmonary ventilation indexes were higher in the observation group than those in the control group (all P＜0.05). The level of IFN-γ increased significantly after treatment in the two groups (both P＜0.05) and the level of IL-4 dropped significantly (both P＜0.05); the observation group had a higher IFN-γ level (P＜0.05) and a lower IL-4 level (P＜0.05) compared with the control group. Regarding the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), the scores of subjective sleep quality, habitual sleep efficiency and sleep disturbances and the general PSQI score decreased significantly after treatment in both groups (all P＜0.05), and the scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P＜0.05). Conclusion: Warm-unblocking acupuncture plus fluticasone propionate nasal spray can effectively control the clinical symptoms and improve pulmonary function in the treatment of AR; this approach can regulate the levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 towards the normal range in AR patients; it can also improve patient’s sleep quality. This method can produce more significant efficacy than fluticasone propionate nasal spray used alone.

OBJECTIVESTo investigate mechanism for the increasing level of serum vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in tumour patients during radiotherapy and the inhibitory action of the antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AS-ODN) to the expression of VEGF protein by radiotherapy in the prostate cancer cell line (PC3M).

METHODSTo observe the changes of serum VEGF in the prostate cancer patients during radiotherapy dynamically and the inhibitory action of the antisense oligodeoxynucleotide to the expression of VEGF by radiotherapy in PC3M.

RESULTSThe changes of serum VEGF in three patients receiving radiotherapy had been observed continuously. The levels of serum VEGF began to increase when the patients received radiotherapy and rised up to peak value after fifteen days, then declined to the range of pre-radiotherapy. Irradiating the PC3M cells with X-rays significantly increased the VEGF expression and secretion. The expression of VEGF protein in the group treated by VEGF AS-ODNs and X-ray irradiation decreased significantly than the group treated only by X-ray irradiation.

CONCLUSIONSThe induction of VEGF protein expression by X-ray irradiation in tumor cells may result in the increasing of the VEGF in the prostate cancer patients during radiotherapy and the induction can be blocked by VEGF AS-ODNs.

DNA, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Endothelial Growth Factors ; antagonists & inhibitors ; blood ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; blood ; genetics ; Lymphokines ; antagonists & inhibitors ; blood ; genetics ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; Radiotherapy ; adverse effects ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors

To study the dynamic change law of bioactive constituents from Polygonum multiflorum, and to explore the optimal harvest period of P. multiflorum. Determination of stilhene glucoside, anthraquinones and catechin from P. multiflorum in different harvest times by MEKC-DAD, and principal component analysis (PCA) was used to comprehensive evaluation for bioactive constituents. There are obvious differences among the contents of active ingredients in various collecting periods samples, the content of stilbene glucoside was the highest in November, the total content of combined anthraquinone was the highest in November and December, the content of catechin was the highest in September. The comprehensive evaluation index obtained with principal component analysis showed that the sample collected in November is significantly higher than those with other samples. The optimal harvest period of P. multiflorum is November.
Electrophoresis ; Fallopia multiflora ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Time Factors

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy between the vaginal ovarian cystectomy and the laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy. Methods A total of 104 patients with ovarian cyst hospitalized in our hospital during June 2013-June 2016 were selected and divided into observation group (vaginal ovarian cystectomy, n=55) and control group (laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy, n=49). There were no significant differences in mean age, body mass index (BMI), abdominal surgical history, cyst diameter and cyst type between the two groups. The operation time, blood loss in operation, hospitalization expenses and average hospital stay were observed in the two groups. The ovarian reserve function before and after the operation was also observed. Results The operation time [(46.9±18.4 min)], hospitalization cost [(8165.3±951.8) yuan] and the average length of hospital stay (4.5 ± 1.9 days) were significantly less in the observation group than those of the control group [(62.3 ± 26.5) min], [(12543.9 ± 1464.4) yuan] and [(6.8 ± 2.3) days], (P<0.05). Before the operation, there were no significant differences in estradiol (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)/luteinizing (LH), FSH and antral follicle count (AFC) between the two groups. After the operation, the values of FSH/LH (1.4±0.4 vs. 1.8±0.6) and FSH [(9.2±2.9) U/L vs. (13.6±4.3) U/L] were significantly decreased in the observation group than those of the control group. The AFC (7.2±1.6 vs. 6.0±1.3) was significantly more in the observation group than that of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion The vaginal ovarian cystectomy is of little damage to ovarian reserve function, which is suitable for women of child-bearing age and conforms to the requirement of"value medicine".

This study aimed to examine the functional role of microRNA-20 (miR-20) and its potential target,Kir6.1,in ischemic myocardiocytes.The expression of miR-20 was detected by real-time PCR.Myocardiocytes were stained with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) reagent for apoptosis evaluation.Western blotting was used to detect the Kit6.1 protein in ischemic myocardiocytes transfected with miR-20 mimics or inhibitors.Luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to confirm the targeting effect of miR-20 on KCNJ8.The results showed that miR-20 was remarkably down-regulated,while the KATP subunit Kir6.1 was significantly up-regulated,during myocardial ischemia.The miR-20 overexpression promoted the apoptosis of ischemic myocardiocytes,but showed no such effect on normal cells.Under ischemic condition,myocardiocytes transfected with miR-20 mimics expressed less Kir6.1.On the contrary,inhibiting miR-20 increased the expression of Kir6.1 in the cells.Co-transfection of miR-20 mimics with the KCNJ8 3’-UTR plasmid into HEK293 cells consistently produced less luciferase activity than transfection of the plasmid alone.It was concluded that miR-20 may regulate myocardiac ischemia by targeting KATP subunit Kir6.1 to accelerate the cell apoptosis.Therefore miR-20 may serve as a therapeutic target for myocardial ischemic disease.

OBJECTIVE: To establish an accurate, simple, quick, specific and sensitive method for species identification by amplifying 12S rRNA gene with the same reaction system. METHODS: Based on the downloaded 12S rRNA gene sequences of eleven species (human, chicken, duck, goose, pig, rabbit, rat, sheep, bull, dog and goat) from GenBank, a pair of universal primers to eleven species and three pairs of specific primers to human, chicken and duck were designed. The amplicons amplified with universal primers were used for internal controls, and the amplicons amplified with specific primers were used as identification of human, chicken and duck. DNA was extracted from various samples including blood stains, fresh or freezing muscles, heat-treated muscles and hairs. Both single DNA of human, chicken or duck and mixed DNA of any two kinds of them were amplified. RESULTS: The lengths of universal amplicons were about 400 bp. The lengths of specific amplicons were 163 bp for human, 286 bp for chicken, and 374 bp for duck, respectively. No cross amplification was observed, indicating a high specificity of the specific primers. The identification rate was 100% for human, 99% for chicken, and 100% for duck, respectively. The detection sensitivity ranged from 2.5 pg to 200 pg of DNA concentration depending on species, even in mixtures of different species DNA without interference. CONCLUSION The method established could identify different species under the same reaction system.
Animals ; Blood ; Cattle ; DNA/analysis* ; Dogs ; Forensic Genetics ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary* ; Poultry/genetics* ; RNA, Ribosomal/genetics* ; Rabbits ; Rats ; Sheep ; Species Specificity ; Swine

Objective: To assess the effect of gene mutations on the efficacy of ruxolitinib for treating myelofibrosis (MF) . Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 56 patients with MF treated with ruxolitinib from July 2017 to December 2020 and applied second-generation sequencing (NGS) technology to detect 127 hematologic tumor-related gene mutations. Additionally, we analyzed the relationship between mutated genes and the efficacy of ruxolitinib. Results: ①Among the 56 patients, there were 36 cases of primary bone marrow fibrosis (PMF) , 9 cases of bone marrow fibrosis (ppv-mf) after polycythemia vera, and 11 cases of bone marrow fibrosis (PET-MF) after primary thrombocytosis (ET) . ②Fifty-six patients with MF taking ruxolitinib underwent NGS, among whom, 50 (89.29%) carried driver mutations, 22 (39.29%) carried ≥3 mutations, and 29 (51.79%) carried high-risk mutations (HMR) . ③ For patients with MF carrying ≥ 3 mutations, ruxolitinib still had a better effect of improving somatic symptoms and shrinking the spleen (P=0.001, P<0.001) , but TTF and PFS were significantly shorter in patients carrying ≥ 3 mutations (P=0.007, P=0.042) . ④For patients carrying ≥ 2 HMR mutations, ruxolitinib was less effective in shrinking the spleen than in those who did not carry HMR (t= 10.471, P=0.034) , and the TTF and PFS were significantly shorter in patients carrying ≥2 HMR mutations (P<0.001, P=0.001) . ⑤Ruxolitinib had poorer effects on spleen reduction, symptom improvement, and stabilization of myelofibrosis in patients carrying additional mutations in ASXL1, EZH2, and SRSF2. Moreover, patients carrying ASXL1 and EZH2 mutations had significantly shorter TTF [ASXL1: 360 (55-1270) d vs 440 (55-1268) d, z=-3.115, P=0.002; EZH2: 327 (55-975) d vs 404 (50-1270) d, z=-3.219, P=0.001], and significantly shorter PFS compared to non-carriers [ASXL1: 457 (50-1331) d vs 574 (55-1437) d, z=-3.219, P=0.001) ; 428 (55-1331) d vs 505 (55-1437) d, z=-2.576, P=0.008]. Conclusion: The type and number of mutations carried by patients with myelofibrosis and HMR impact the efficacy of ruxolitinib.
Humans ; Mutation ; Nitriles ; Primary Myelofibrosis/genetics* ; Pyrazoles ; Pyrimidines ; Retrospective Studies ; Technology ; Transcription Factors/genetics*

Human parechovirus type 3 (HPeV3) is an important pathogen of severe sepsis. HPeV3 is a non- enveloped, single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus with a linear and continuous genomic RNA. The complete genome of a HPeV3 (BJ-C3174) strain was analyzed from the serum specimen from a child with sepsis hospitalized in Beijing, China, in 2012. The whole genome of BJ-C3174 was 7329 nucleotides (nt) in length excluding a poly (A) tail. One large open reading frame (ORF) of 6531 nt encoding a putative polyprotein precursor of 2177 amino acids (aa) was flanked by a 5' untranslated region (UTR) of 709 nt and 3' UTR of 91 nt. Phylogenetic analysis showed that BJ-C3174 belonged to HPeV3 and was closest to the HPeV3 strain BONN-2 from Germany. Compared with HPeV1-8 reference strains, BJ-C3174 shared the highest similarities with BONN-2 in full length and in each of the gene segments of the genome. The nucleotide and predicted amino acid identities of the whole genome between BJ-C3174 and BONN-2 were 99.3% and 99.8%, respectively, which were higher than those compared with HPeV3 prototype. Recom- bination of the gene segment with other HPeVs types was not identified.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Child ; Genome, Viral ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Parechovirus ; classification ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; Sepsis ; blood ; virology

OBJECTIVEDuchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive disease caused by dystrophin gene mutations; 55%-65% of these pathogenic mutations are large deletion and duplication mutations that can be detected by multiplexed polymerase chain reaction. However, finding the remaining micro-mutations (substitutions, deletions or insertions of one or several nucleotides) cannot be achieved in this way. The aim of the present study was to detect mutations of the dystrophin gene in individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) and to establish a rapid and sensitive screening platform for micro-mutations leading to DMD.

METHODSTwenty patients negative for large deletions in the dystrophin gene by multiplex PCR were selected for further screening by DHPLC and 20 normal male without DMD family history as the control cohort. Dystrophin exons and their flanking sequences were individually amplified by genomic PCR and the amplicons showing abnormal DHPLC profile were directly sequenced to identify the position and the type of the mutations.

RESULTSAfter screening 68 exons covering the two deletion hotspots and 3'UTR region, four pathogenic mutations, including c.6808_6811del TTAA, c.4959_4960insA, c.8656C > T and c.8608C > T, were found in four DMD patients. Moreover, c.6808_6811del TTAA, c.4959_4960ins and c.8656C > T have not been reported previously. The first two frameshift mutations were predicted to produce premature stop codons, p.Leu2270MetfsX9 and p.Ser1654LysfsX5, respectively. The remaining two were nonsense mutations, leading to p.R2886X and p.R2870X, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThree novel and one recurrent dystrophin mutations have been identified in Chinese DMD patients. This study has demonstrated that DHPLC is an effective screening method for micro-mutation associated with DMD.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; trends ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Dystrophin ; genetics ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne ; genetics ; Mutation ; Sequence Deletion

Objectives: To compare regional cerebral tissue oxygen saturation (rScO2) changes during cardiac surgery in children with ventricular septal defect (VSD) and tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Methods: A total of 60 children aged 3~36 months were enrolled (28 in VSD group 32 in TOF group). rScO2was monitored by Fore-Sight near-infrared spectroscopy device. rScO2, pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2), systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, heart rate, stroke volume index, cardiac index, systemic vascular reststance index the maximal slope of systolic upstroke (dp/dt max) were obtained at following time points: after anesthesia induction (t0), pericardium opening (t1), 5 min after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) initiation (t2), 5 min before separation from CPB (t3), separation from CPB (t4), post-modified ultrafiltration (t5), end of surgery (t6). Results: (1) The lowest rScO2value was observed at separation from CPB (t4), and which was significantly lower than that at t0(P<0.05) for both groups; rScO2, stoke volume index, cardiac index, and dp/dt max at t5were significantly higher than at t4(all P<0.001) for both groups. (2) rScO2and SpO2were significantly higher at t5and t6than at t0(both P<0.05) in TOF group. rScO2at t0-t2was significantly lower in TOF group than in VSD group (both P<0.05). rScO2increased more significantly after modified ultrafiltration and rScO2was positively correlated with SpO2at t0and t1(r=0.35, P<0.05 and r=0.64,P<0.01) in TOF group. (3) In the total cohort, rScO2was positively correlated with age, weight at t0, t1, t3, t4, t5, t6(all P<0.01). After modified ultrafiltration, the increase in cardiac index was positively correlated with increase in rScO2(r=0.41, P<0.05), and the amount of cardiac index and rScO2increases were negatively correlated with age (r=-0.30;r=-0.34, both P<0.05). Conclusions: rScO2is closely related with age and weight. Cerebral oxygen delivery before biventricular surgical correction is lower in TOF group than in VSD group, and the cerebral oxygenation improves significantly after surgical repair. Modified ultrafiltration could significantly improve systemic hemodynamics and rScO2, and TOF children and younger children benefit more from modified ultrafiltration. Pre- and post-separation from CPB period is vulnerable to cerebral desaturation, it is therefore of importance to maintain the cerebral oxygen delivery-consumption balance at these periods for children with TOF and VSD undergoing surgical repair.