Bronchoscopy ; Child ; Congenital Abnormalities ; pathology ; Humans ; Respiratory System ; pathology

Bronchoscopy ; Child ; Congenital Abnormalities ; pathology ; Humans ; Respiratory Tract Diseases ; complications ; pathology

Objective To investigate the changes of serum immunoglobulin E(IgE)?T cell subgroups and cytokines in asthmatic children and to provide theoretical basis for the management of asthmatic children.Methods T cell subgroups were determined by indirect immuofluorence method mono clone antibody, the detection of IgE,interleukin(IL) 4,IL 6,IL 8,interferon ?(IFN ?) were done by ELISA method, and 20 normal children were served as control group.Results There were significant differences of CD3 +,CD4 +,CD4 +/CD8 + among the stages of exacerbation and convalescence of asthmatic children and control group.( P0.05).In the stage of convalescence the levels of IL 2,IFN ? were lower than control group( P0.05).Conclusions Allergic asthmatic patients between the exacerbation and convalescence stages still had immunologic imbalance,indicating increased number of CD4 +T cell(mainly Th2 cells)and hyperfunction;the insufficient number and(or) the inactivity of CD8 +T cell may induce immunological disturbance ,which is the major mechanism of asthmatic attacks. These findings suggest the patients in an abnormal immunological state should receive continuous anti allergic therapy.

It was difficult to prepare traditional Chinese medicine pellets due to the adverse characteristics of the herbal extract. In this study, Danshen extract (DS) powder mixed with different proportions of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), lactose and starch were made into pellets by extrusion-spheronization. Particle size, span, bulk density, tapping density, compressibility, Hausner ratio and angle of repose were used to evaluate the micromeritic properties of mixing powders. Feret diameter, aspect ratio, yield, density and friability were used to evaluate the properties of the pellets. The correlations between micromeritic properties of raw material powders and the formability of their pellets were analyzed by cluster analysis, principal component analysis and partial least squares regression analysis. As a result, the particle size of the powders was negatively correlated with the size, density, yield, and was positively correlated with the friability of their pellets. The span, density, compressibility and angle of repose of the powders were positively correlated with the size, density, yield, and were negatively correlated with the friability of their pellets. So there were certain correlations between the micromeritic properties of raw material powders and the properties of their pellets prepared by extrusion-spheronization. This research provided a foundation for the technology and method of traditional Chinese medicine extract pellets.
Cellulose ; chemistry ; Drug Compounding ; methods ; Drug Implants ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Excipients ; chemistry ; Lactose ; chemistry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Particle Size ; Powders ; chemistry ; Starch ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo determine whether oral statins can delay the progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

METHODSWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of 50-69-year-old males who came for physical examination in our hospital between January 2003 and December 2008. We designed the inclusion criteria, followed them up for 5 years, and investigated the relationship of oral statins with the clinical progression of BPH and LUTS.

RESULTSTotally, 653 men met the inclusion criteria and were included in this study, of whom 283 were treated with oral statins (group 1) while the other 370 with none (group 2). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in age and baseline IPSS, Qmax, and prostate volume (PV) (P > 0.05). During the follow-up, 24 cases in group 1 and 35 cases in group 2 were excluded for obvious dys-uria. A gradual increase was observed in IPSS in both groups 1 and 2 year by year from the baseline to the 5th year of follow-up, but significantly lower in the former group (4.27 +/- 1.16, 4.63 +/- 1.05, 5.27 +/- 0.96, 6.41 +/- 1.04, 7.21 +/- 1.21, and 7.93 +/-1.50) than in the latter (4.24 +/- 1.35, 5.26 +/- 1.23, 6.84 +/- 1.20, 8.75 +/- 1.84, 10.82 +/- 3.01, and 12.98 +/- 4.21) (P < 0.01); a gradual decrease was seen in Qmax, though markedly higher in group 1 ([26.56 +/- 2.09], [24.06 +/- 1.94], [21.33 +/- 1.66], [19.24 +/- 1.54], [17.44 +/- 1.53], and [16.27 +/- 1.37] ml/s) than in group 2 ([26.74 +/- 2.40], [23.62 +/- 2.01], [20.63 +/- 1.69], [17.72 +/- 1.48], [14.82 +/- 1.11], and [11.86 +/- 1.24] ml/s) (P < 0.01); and a gradual increase was found in PV, but remarkably smaller in the former group ([19.82 +/- 4.94], [22.60 +/- 4.99], [25.80 +/- 5.20], [27.92 +/- 5.05], [29.11 +/- 5.24], and [29.97 +/- 5.26] ml) than in the latter ([20.21 +/- 4.78], [24.30 +/- 4.98], [28.50 +/- 5.14], [32.84 +/- 4.77], [36.99 +/- 4.78], and [40.90 +/- 4.78] ml) (P < 0.01). Longer medication of statins was associated with better efficacy.

CONCLUSIONOral statins can significantly delay the clinical progression of BPH and LUTS.

Aged ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Longitudinal Studies ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of simvastatin on the proliferation and apoptosis of prostatic epithelial RWPE-1 cells.

METHODSRWPE-1 cells cultured in vitro were treated with simvastatin at 0, 10, 20, and 40 μmol/L for 24, 48, and 72 hours followed by determination of their proliferation by MTT assay, and their apoptosis by flow cytometry. The mRNA and protein expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, and Cx43 were detected by fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively.

RESULTSAfter 72 hours of treatment with simvastatin at 10, 20, and 40 μmol/L, the inhibition rates of the RWPE-1 cells were (21.07 ± 6.41)%, (34.87 ± 9.65)%, and (47.18 ± 10.88)%, respectively, significantly higher than (1.21 ± 0.54)% in the control group (P < 0.05) and in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05); the cell apoptosis rates were (0.066 ± 0.016)%, (0.126 ± 0.023)%, and (0.192 ± 0.025)%, respectively, remarkably higher than (0.015 ± 0.005)% in the control (P < 0.05) and also in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05); the mRNA and protein expressions of Bcl-2 were decreasing while those of Bax and Cx43 increasing with the increased concentration of simvastatin (P < 0.05). The expression of Cx43 was correlated negatively with that of Bcl-2 but positively with that of Bax.

CONCLUSIONSimvastatin inhibits the proliferation of prostate epithelial cells and induce their apoptosis by acting on the gap junctional intercellular communication.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Connexin 43 ; metabolism ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Humans ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; pharmacology ; Male ; Prostate ; cytology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Simvastatin ; pharmacology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of periradicular compound betamethasone injections into the periganglionic space in the treatment of radicular pain.Methods Periganglionic compound betamethasone infiltrations were performed in 76 patients with lumbar radicular pain under MSCT guidance.All patients were divided into two groups including group 1(31 cases of lumbar disc herniation)and group 2(45 cases of lumbar degenerative disorders).The total and two groups scores of VAS were compared after the therapeutic procedure with evaluation of the efficacy.Results 88%(69/76)of patients showed significant pain reduction,with the score of VAS 6.5?2.0(before therapy)dropping to 3.4?1.8(after 1 week)and 3.8?1.9(after 3 month).Differences in improvements before and after the therapy were statistically significant.Differences between one-week and three-month follow-up were not statistically significant.Differences between the two groups demonstrated no statistical significance.Conclusion Periradicular compound betamethasone injection under CT guidance is safe and useful in the treatment of lumbar radicular pain.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of Qishen Xiaodian Decoction combined with laser acupoint irradiation for treatment of recurrent Hen?ch-Sch?nlein purpura (HSP) in children. Methods Totally 120 cases of children with recurrent HSP were divided into treatment group and control group according to the digital random table method, with 60 cases in each group. The control group was given anti-allergy, hormones, immunosuppressive agents and other conventional treatment for 4 weeks, while the treatment group was treated with Qishen Xiaodian Decoction based on conventional treatment, 1 dose each day, morning and night (age 4–5 take 1/3 dose, age >5–10 take the half dose, and age >10–14 take the whole dose), for 4 weeks. Zusanli, Xuehai, and Sanyinjiao acupoints were under laser vertical irradiation, 12 min for each time, once a day for 2 weeks. The disappearing time of the main symptoms and the total effective rate of the two groups were compared. Peripheral blood contents of Th17 and Treg cells and serum interleukin-17 (IL-17), and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) level before and after the treatment were observed. The recurrence rate in 6 months and in 12 months of the two groups were compared. Results The disappearing time of rash, abdominal pain and joint swelling pain and kidney damage of the treatment group were less than those of the control group (P<0.01). The total effective rate was 95％(57/60) in treatment group, significantly higher than control group 80％ (48/60), with statistical significance (P<0.05). Compared with before treatment, Th17 cell content, serum IL-17 and TGF-β1 decreased, and Treg cell content increased after treatment of the two groups (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, contents of Th17 cell and serum IL-17 of the treatment group decreased (P<0.01). The recurrence rate was lower than that of the control group in 6 and 12 months after treatment, with statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusion Based on the conventional western medicine treatment, Qishen Xiaodian Decoction combined with laser acupoint irradiation on recurrent HSP in children can quickly relieve symptoms and reduce the recurrence rate.

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus MOTOmed intelligent motor training in treating children with spastic cerebral palsy, and analyze the effects on lower limb motor function, intelligence development level, immune function and cerebral hemodynamics.Methods: A total of 42 children with spastic cerebral palsy were selected as the observation objects, and enrolled into the observation group. Another 42 cases treated in the same period were selected as the control group. Both groups received MOTOmed intelligent motor training, and the observation group was given additional acupuncture therapy, and the control group was given additional conventional rehabilitation treatment. After 2 consecutive treatment courses, the psychomotor development index (PDI) and mental development index (MDI) of Children's Developmental Center of China (CDCC) scale, the scores of gross motor function measure (GMFM) scale and modified Ashworth scale (MAS), and the changes in CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+ were observed. The peak systolic velocity (PSV) and mean flow velocity (MFV) of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA), middle cerebral artery (MCA) and posterior cerebral artery (PCA) were observed and measured. The clinical efficacy was evaluated. Results: Compared with the same group before treatment, the scores of GMFM, PDI and MDI, levels of CD3+, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+, PSV and MFV levels of ACA, MCA and PCA in both groups were significantly increased after treatment (all P<0.05), while the CD8+ level had no significant change (both P>0.05). After treatment, the total effective rate of lower limb spasm in the observation group was 90.5％, significantly higher than 71.4％ in the control group (P<0.05). The scores of GMFM, PDI and MDI, the levels of CD3+ and CD4+, PSV and MFV, and the levels of ACA, MCA and PCA in the observation group were all significantly higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the CD8+ level and CD4+/CD8+ between the groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture plus MOTOmed intelligent motor training has a better clinical efficacy than conventional rehabilitation plus MOTOmed intelligent motor training in treating children with spastic cerebral palsy, and is also superior in improving lower limb motor function and the level of intellectual development. And the mechanism may be related to the improvement of cerebral hemodynamics.

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of Qilin Pills combined with clomiphene on idiopathic oligoasthenospermia.

METHODSWe randomly assigned 300 patients with idiopathic oligoasthenospermia to a trial (n = 156) and a control group (n = 144) to be treated with Qilin Pills (6 g, tid) combined with clomiphene (50 mg, qd) and clomiphene alone (50 mg, qd), respectively, both for a course of 12 weeks. Before and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of medication, we determined sperm concentration, the percentages of grade a and grade a + b sperm, sperm motility, and the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone (T), followed by evaluation of the clinical efficacy of Qilin Pills with the pregnancy rate in the patients' spouses as the secondaty therapeutic indexes.

RESULTSCompared with the baseline, both groups of patients showed remarkably improved semen parameters and hormone levels after treatment (all P < 0.01). After 4, 8, and 12 weeks of medication, statistically significant differences were observed between the trial and control groups in sperm concentration ([17.06 ± 2.24] vs [15.07 ± 2.48], [22.10 ± 2.65] vs [18.11 ± 2.97], and [28.13 ± 3.59] vs [21.21 ± 3.60] x 10(6)/mL, P < 0.01), the percentage of grade a sperm ([15.03 ± 2.39] vs [13.08 ± 2.51], [21.08 ± 3.16] vs [16.04 ± 3.05], and [28.08 ± 4.70] vs [20.14 ± 4.74]%, P < 0.01), the percentage of grade a + b sperm ([30.10 ± 5.07] vs [26.21 ± 3.96], [38.08 ± 5.64] vs [30.07 ± 4.80], and [48.04 ± 6.49] vs [35.28 ± 4.77]%, P < 0.01), sperm motility ([42.04 ± 4.86] vs [40.29 ± 4.19], [52.05 ± 5.58] vs [48.03 ± 4.40], and [65.03 ± 5.13] vs [56.67 ± 4.99]%), the FSH level ([7.75 ± 1.38] vs [7.20 ± 1.17], [10.83 ± 1.23] vs [9.10 ± 1.32], and [14.22 ± 0.84] vs [12.06 ± 1.45] IU/L, P < 0.01), the LH level ([10.05 ± 1.68] vs [9.18 ± 1.54], [13.96 ± 1.68] vs [11.99 ± 1.71], and [19.01 ± 2.42] vs [15.86 ± 2.08] IU/L, P < 0.01) and the T level ([19.19 ± 192] vs [18.34 ± 1.79] [21.06 ± 1.63] vs [20.06 ± 1.56], and [24.63 ± 1.06] vs [22.03 ± 1.49] nmol/L, P < 0.01). The pregnancy rate in the patients' spouses was significantly higher in the trial than in the control group at 4, 8, and 12 weeks (1.92 vs 0.69, 4.81 vs 3.47, and 11.54 vs 8.33%, P < 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences in drug tolerance between the two groups (P > 0.05). No obvious adverse reactions were observed.

CONCLUSIONQilin Pills combined with clomiphene can evidently improve the seminal quality and hormone level of oligoasthenospermia patients with no obvious adverse events. However, its long-term efficacy and tolerance deserve further clinical investigation.

Asthenozoospermia ; blood ; drug therapy ; Clomiphene ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Fertility Agents ; therapeutic use ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Semen ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; Testosterone ; blood