Objective To compare the sensitivity and specificity of Leptospira interrogans using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and real-time PCR technology, then looking for a rapid,sensitive and specific methods for the detection of Leptospira interrogans. MethodsIn accordance with lipL41 gene from Leptospira interrogans, primers for LAMP and real-time PCR were designed and used to detect Leptospira interrogans in cultured 15 reference strains of 15 serogroups in China, then compared the sensitivity and specificity of the two methods in the detection of Leptospira interrogans. ResultsThe LAMP reaction could be completed within 30 min, and whole process of it less than 60 min. The whole real-time PCR reaction could be finished at about 60 min. Both of them had the same detection sensitivity and specificity,the lower detection limits in the reactions was approximately 100 copies and there was no false positive occurred. ConclusionBoth LAMP and real-time PCR were time-saving and had the same sensitivity and specificity. But LAMP reaction could be done under a constant temperature conditions, and need not a special expensive equipment. Therefore, as a sensitive and specific method for quantifying Leptospira interrogans,the LAMP assay was more rapidly and convenient than conventional methods.

Aim To observe the changes of endothelin receptors and their subtypes of left ventricules in normal SD rats and dilated cardiomyopathy rats. Methods To establish the best conditions of the binding experiment, different protein concentrations, incubation temperature ?and?incubating?time?were?tested? with 125 I-ET-1 ligand respectively. With the selected conditions, saturation binding experiments were performed to determine the amount of endothelin receptor and its subtypes in normal SD rats and in dilated cardiomyopathy ones. Results (1) The optimal incubating temperature was 37 ℃. Under this condition, the binding amount of 125 I-ET-1 increased rapidly in 0～30 minutes, and reached to saturation point at 60 minutes, and there was a linear correlation between 125 I-ET-1 binding amount and cell membrane protein concentration. (2) Endothelin-1, bosentan,BQ123,BQ788 etc. could competitively suppress the bound of 125 I-ET-1 to endothelin receptors. (3) The amount of endothelin receptor in left ventricle of dilated cardiomyopathy rats was ( 92.21? 34.34) nmol?kg -1 protein, which was significantly low than that in normal SD ones. There was no change on the ratio of endothelin receptor subtypes A and B. Conclusion 125I-ET-1 can be used to determine the amount of endothelin receptor and its subtypes in varied tissues specifically. The amount of endothelin receptor in left ventricle of dilated cardiomyopathy rats is down regulated, but the ratio of endothelin receptor subtype A vs B remains to be 21.

To study preliminarily the effect of Jiawei Bazhen decoction combined with oxytocin in promoting cervical ripening of full-term pregnancy women who were in the deficiency of qi and blood type through the syndrome differentiation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). 180 patients that met the inclusion criteria of the study were randomly divided into three groups: the control group(oxytocin group), the treatment group (Jiawei Bazhen decoction combined with oxytocin group), the blank control group (expected and observation group). Cervical maturity score (Bishop score), vaginal and cervical secretions fetal fibronectin (FFN), the result of induced labor, the result of mother and baby were observed in each group before and after treatment. The result comes out that the cervical Bishop score of pregnant women for treatment group were significantly higher than the control group and blank control group after treatment (P < 0.05). The FFN of pregnant women for the treatment group were significantly different from the control group and blank control group after treatment (P < 0.05). The pregnancy outcome of the three groups: the labor rate and rate of vaginal delivery of the treatment group were higher than the other two groups, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The cesarean section rate of the treatment group was significantly lower than the other two groups, the difference was also statistically significant (P < 0.05). The three groups did not appear the phenomenon of neonatal asphyxia. Jiawei Bazhen decoction combined with oxytocin is effective in producing cervical ripening and induce labor. It is convenient, safe and reliable, for it is no obvious adverse effects on mother and fetus, but effective in reducing the rate of cesarean section, and playing a positive role in promoting natural delivery.
Adult ; Cervical Ripening ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Fibronectins ; secretion ; Humans ; Labor, Induced ; Oxytocin ; administration & dosage ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Qi ; Vagina ; drug effects ; secretion ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical efficacy and action mechanism of acupuncture for premature ovarian failure (POF).

METHODSAccording to prospective cohort study design, 30 cases were included. Based on theory of regulating Chong and Conception Vessels as well as soothing the liver and calming the nerves, acupuncture at Guanyuan (CV 4), Dahe (KI 12), Taixi (KI 3), Taichong (LR 3), Baihui (GV 20) was applied, three times per week and 3 months were considered as one session. Totally two sessions were performed. The menstruation condition, estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and scores of the clinical perimenopausal symptoms were taken as treatment outcomes.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 86.7% (26/30) and the cured rate was 16.7% (5/30). The recovery rate of menstruation was 16.7% (5/30) and the regain rate of menstruation was 56.7% (17/30). After the treatment, the level of E2 was significantly increased from (45.41 +/- 18. 09) pmol/L to (59.07 +/- 24.21) pmol/L (P < 0.05), and the score of perimenopausal symptoms was obviously reduced from 14.28 +/- 8. 30 to 4.04 +/- 3.28 (P < 0.01). However, no statistical differences could be seen in FSH before and after treatment (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture has certain effect on improving menstruation and perimenopausal symptoms in POF patients, which is likely to he related with increasing the level of E2.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Estradiol ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; metabolism ; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency ; metabolism ; therapy ; Prospective Studies ; Young Adult

The quality of guidelines of clinical practice in acupuncture and moxibustion was evaluated with AGREE II tool. After retrieval of officially-issued guidelines of clinical practice in acupuncture and moxibustion from 2004 to 2013, totally 5 types of evidence-based guidelines of clinical practice in acupuncture and moxibustion were acquired, including depression, herpes zoster, pseudobulbar palsy after stroke, migraine and Bell's palsy. With AGREE II tool, independent score in six areas, including guideline's scope and purpose, participants and personnel, preciseness, clarity and readability, applicability and editorial independence were analyzed to perform a comprehensive evaluation in the end. The assessment results indicated that the score of editorial independence in evidence-based guidelines of clinical practice in acupuncture and moxibustion was the highest, averagely 97.9%, which was followed by clarity and readability (83.3%), participants and personnel (78.1%), preciseness (75.6%), the scope and purpose (68.1%) and the applicability (62.5%). The total evaluation score was all 6 points in the five guidelines with recommended as comprehensive evaluation advice. This study results indicate that although the guideline of clinical practice in acupuncture and moxibustion is low in number, the total quality is considerable.
Acupuncture Therapy ; standards ; Evidence-Based Medicine ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; standards ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Quality Assurance, Health Care

The effects of pretreatment methods of Jerusalem artichoke tubers on microbial lipids fermentation with an oleaginous yeast strain Rhodosporidium toruloides Y4 were investigated in shaking flask culture.The yeast strain accumulated substantial amount of lipids using either purple-or white-skinned Jerusalem artichoke tubers as sole carbon and energy source.When cells were cultured on the extracted juice or the acidhydrolysate,cellular lipid content reached 40%(w/w),while cultured on the pulp,the white-skinned tubershadhigher lipid productivity,yielding 12.1 g lipids per100 g dried tubers.Major fatty acid constituents of microbial lipids were those contained 16-and 18-carbon atoms based on GC analysis,which is quite similar to traditional vegetable oil.Microbial lipids prepared from Jerusalem artichoke can be applied to biodiesel production.

Objective To compare the therapeutic efficacy betweenLing Gui Ba Fa(eight magic turtle techniques) acupuncture and ordinary acupuncture in treating irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D).Method Sixty patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened byLing Gui Ba Faacupuncture at Gongsun (SP4) and Neiguan (PC6), and the control group was intervened by ordinary needling Gongsun and Neiguan. For both groups, Tianshu (ST25), Dachangshu (BL25), Shangjuxu (ST37), Fenglong (ST40), and Pishu (BL20) were added. Theclinical efficacies of the two groups were compared by evaluating the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) clinical symptoms score and IBS Quality of Life (IBS-QOL) questionnaire. The two groups were treated 3 times a week, 10 sessions as a treatment course, andwere evaluated by using the scales before and after the treatment followed by statistical analysis and determination of the therapeutic efficacy.Result The scales were significantly improved in both groups after the treatment (P<0.05), and the improvement in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group (P<0.01); the total effective rate was 90% (27/30) in the treatment group, higher than 80% (24/30) in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Ling Gui Ba Faacupuncture can produce a more significant efficacy than ordinary acupuncture in treating IBS-D, and can obviously enhance the quality of life of thepatients, providing an advantageous treatment scheme to clinic.

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical characteristics of orthostatic hypertension (OHT) in children.

METHODA total of 96 children with OHT who met the diagnostic criteria and clinical manifestations were recruited in the Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital. Age and sex distributions were observed. The duration of disease, the frequencies of symptoms and the predisposing factors were recorded. The hemodynamic changes from supine to up-right positions were also analyzed.

RESULTThere were 50 boys and 46 girls in the study group. The mean age was (11.8 ± 2.7) years. Thirty-two children were from 6 to 10 years old, accounting for 33.3% of all subjects, while 64 patients were from 11 to 17 years old, accounting for 66.7%. Durations of symptoms of OHT were less than 1 month in 22.9% children, from 1 month to 1 year in 51.1% children and longer than 1 year in 26.0% children. The most common clinical manifestations were syncope and dizziness. The incidence of them was 70.8% and 46.9%, respectively. Other clinical manifestations included transitional amaurosis, nausea and/or vomiting, pallor and so on. These clinical manifestations often occurred on position change (24.0%) and long-time standing (57.3%) in children. Other predisposing factors included exercise, emotion changes and fuggy environment. The baseline systolic and diastolic blood pressures were (103 ± 8) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) and (59 ± 6) mm Hg, respectively, the up-right systolic and diastolic blood pressure at 3 min were (113 ± 8) mm Hg and (73 ± 6) mm Hg and the differences were significant (t = 27.674, P < 0.01; t = 17.936, P < 0.01). The baseline heart rate in supine position was (81 ± 11) bpm and the maximum heart rate in up-right position was (113 ± 12) bpm (t = 33.092, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONOHT is commonly seen in puberty of children. The chief complaints are syncope and dizziness. They were mostly induced by position change and long-time standing. Blood pressure was significantly increased from supine to up-right position.

Adolescent ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Child ; Dizziness ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypotension, Orthostatic ; epidemiology ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Posture ; Risk Factors ; Syncope ; epidemiology ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo establish osteoblast model, primary cilla model was removed by chloral hyrate, observe effects of osteoblast primary cilla moved on enhancing ALP staining and calcified nodules staining in electromagnetic field.

METHODSThree 3-day-old male SD rats weighed between 6 and 9 g were killed, cranial osteoblast was drawed and adherencing cultured respectively. Cells were subcultured and randomly divided into 4 groups until reach to fusion states. The four groups included chloral hydrate non-involved group (control group), 2 mM, 4 mM and 8 mM chloral hydrate group, and cultured in 37 °C, 5% CO2 incubator for 72 h. Morphology of primary cilla was observed by laser confocal scanning microscope, and incidence of osteoblast primary cilia was analyzed by Image-Pro Plus 6.0 software. Cells in the correct concentration group which can removed cillia most effectively were selected and divided into 3 groups, including control group (C), Electromagnetic fields group (EMFs), and EMFs with 4 mM chloral hydrate group. DMEM nutrient solution contained 10%FBS were added into three groups and cultured for 9 days and formation of ALP were observed by histochemical staining of alkaline phosphatase. After 12 days' cultivation, formation of mineralization nodes was observed by alizarin red staining.

RESULTSCompared with control group and 2mM chloral hydrate group,4 mM chloral hydrate group could effectively remove osteoblast primary cilla (P<0.01). Removal of osteoblast primary cilla could weaken the formation of ALP and mineralization nodes in osteoblast in EMFS. Compared with EMFs group, the area of ALP and mineralization nodes in EMFs with 4 mM chloral hydrate group were decreased obviously (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION4mM chloral hydrate could effectively remove osteoblast primary cilia. Primary cilla participate in EMFs promoting formation of ALP and mineralization nodes in osteoblast and provide new ideas for exploring mechanism of EMFs promoting osteoblast maturation and mineralization.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cell Culture Techniques ; instrumentation ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Chloral Hydrate ; pharmacology ; Cilia ; drug effects ; enzymology ; physiology ; Male ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; enzymology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo review the vasorelaxant effects of hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) in arterial rings in the cardiovascular system under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions and the possible mechanisms involved.

DATA SOURCESThe data in this review were obtained from Medline and Pubmed sources from 1997 to 2011 using the search terms "hydrogen sulfide" and "vascular relaxation".

STUDY SELECTIONArticles describing the role of hydrogen sulfide in the regulation of vascular activity and its vasorelaxant effects were selected.

RESULTSH(2)S plays an important role in the regulation of cardiovascular tone. The vasomodulatory effects of H(2)S depend on factors including concentration, species and tissue type. The H(2)S donor, sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), causes vasorelaxation of rat isolated aortic rings in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was more pronounced than that observed in pulmonary arterial rings. The expression of K(ATP) channel proteins and mRNA in the aortic rings was increased compared with pulmonary artery rings. H(2)S is involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of cardiovascular diseases. Downregulation of the endogenous H(2)S pathway is an important factor in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. The vasorelaxant effects of H(2)S have been shown to be mediated by activation of K(ATP) channels in vascular smooth muscle cells and via the induction of acidification due to activation of the Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchanger. It is speculated that the mechanisms underlying the vasoconstrictive function of H(2)S in the aortic rings involves decreased NO production and inhibition of cAMP accumulation.

CONCLUSIONH(2)S is an important endogenous gasotransmitter in the cardiovascular system and acts as a modulator of vascular tone in the homeostatic regulation of blood pressure.

Animals ; Cardiovascular System ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; metabolism ; Vasodilation ; physiology