Objective: To research the anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects of Qifangbimin particle.Methods: The anti-inflammatory effects were observed by the methods of xylene-induced ear-swelling in mice and cotton-ball induced granuloma in rats.The anti-allergic effects were evaluated by the method of passive skin allergy model in rats and ear-heterogeneous passive skin allergy model in mice.Results: In the treatment groups with Qifangbimin particle, the swelling degree of ear edema induced by dimethylbenzene in mice was significantly suppressed when compared with that in the control groups (P<0.01 or 0.05) , however, the particle had no significantly inhibitory effect on granulation tissue hyperplasia induced by cotton-ball in rats.The Qifangbimin particle groups obviously decreased the absorbance value of locus coeruleus on rats' back (P<0.01 or 0.05), and Qifangbimin particle at high dose significantly reduced the absorbance value of locus coeruleus of auricle in mice (P<0.01 or 0.05).Conclusion: Qifangbimin particle has significant anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects.

Objective To establish a simple animal model of cough variant asthma(CVA)through sensitizing Brown-Norway(BN)rats with ovalbumin(OVA). Methods A total of 36 BN rats were randomly divided into three groups, including the normal control group,the model control group and the montelukast group. BN rats in the model group and the montelukast group were intraperitoneally administered with 2.0 mg of OVA and 100 mg of Al(OH)3,and the same volume of sterile saline was given to the normal group by intraperitoneal injection. Boosting was carried out by intraperitoneal administration with 0.01 mg of OVA and 100 mg of Al(OH)33 weeks later,and the rats in the normal group were injected with the same dose of physiological saline. Three weeks later,the actively sensitized BN rats were challenged with aerosolized OVA for 7 times on alternative days,and the rats in the normal group were treated with sterile saline instead of OVA. At the same time, the montelukast group was given 1.3 mg/kg of montelukast 30 minutes before atomization by intragastric administration once a day for 2 weeks,and the normal group and the model group were given the same volume of water. The tests of cough sensitivity to capsaicin and bronchial responsiveness were performed 24 h after the last administration. Results Compared with the normal group, the times of coughing(P< 0.01)and the lung resistance(RL)(P< 0.05)in the model group were significantly increased,while the lung compliance(Cdyn)was significantly decreased(P< 0.05). There was a significant difference(P < 0.05)in the times of coughing caused by capsaicin between the model group and the montelukast group. Compared with the model group,RLin the montelukast group was decreased significantly(P< 0.05), and Cdynwas increased significantly(P< 0.05). Conclusions This rat model of CVA is similar to a variety of clinical features of CVA and is easy to operate. Thus it can be used as an effective animal model of CVA.

OBJECTIVETo describe a hospital outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and summarize its clinical features and therapeutic approaches.

METHODSThe outbreak started with a SARS patient from the community, and a total of 96 people (76 women and 20 men, mean age (29.5 +/- 10.3) years, 93.8% of whom were health care workers) who had exposure to this source patient became infected in a short time. Clinical data in this cohort were collected prospectively as they were identified.

RESULTS(1) The incubation period ranged from 1 to 20 (mean: 5.9 +/- 3.5) days. The duration of hospitalization was (17.2 +/- 8.0) days. (2) The initial temperature was (38.3 +/- 0.6) degrees C, while the highest was (39.2 +/- 0.6) degrees C (P < 0.001), with fever duration of (9.0 +/- 4.2) days. (3) Other most common symptoms included fatigue (93.8%), cough (85.4%), mild sputum production (66.7%), chills (55.2%), headache (39.6%), general malaise (35.4%) and myalgia (21.9%). (4) The radiographic changes were predominantly bilateral in the middle or lower lung zones. The number of affected lung fields was 1.2 +/- 0.8 on presentation, which increased to 2.9 +/- 1.4 after admission (P < 0.001). The interval from the beginning of fever to the onset of abnormal chest radiographs was (3.5 +/- 2.3) days, which increased in size, extent, and severity to the maximum (6.7 +/- 3.5) days later. The time before the lung opacities were basically absorbed was (14.9 +/- 7.8) days. (5) Leukopenia was observed in 67.7% of this cohort. The time between the onset of fever and leukopenia was (4.4 +/- 2.3) days, with the lowest white blood cell count of (2.80 +/- 0.72) x 10(9)/L. (6) The lowest arterial oxygen saturation was (94.8 +/- 3.1)% with supplementary oxygen. (7) Antibiotical therapies included tetracyclines (91.0%), aminoglycosides (83.3%), quinolones (79.2%); 18.8% of the patients received a combination of tetracyclines and aminoglycosides, while 11.5% received a combination of tetracyclines and quinolones, and 63.5% received a combination of tetracyclines, aminoglycosides and quinolones. Vancomycin was used in 13.5% of the patients. (8) 68.8% of the patients were treated with methylprednisolones for a mean interval of (4.9 +/- 2.4) days. The initial dose was (67.3 +/- 28.2) mg/d and the maximal dose was (82.4 +/- 30.5) mg/d. (9) Human gamma-globulin, interferon-alpha, antiviral drugs (oral ribavirin or oseltamivir) were used respectively in 68.6%, 46.9% and 92.7% of the patients. (10) Ninety-five patients (99.0%) had a complete clinical recovery, and only 1 patient (1.0%) died.

CONCLUSIONSSARS appears to be quickly infectious and potentially lethal among health care workers, characterized by acute onset and rapid progression, and mostly bilateral lung involvement on chest radiographs. Proper administration of glucocorticosteroids seems to be of some benefits. Antibiotics, human gamma-globulin, interferon-alpha, and antiviral drugs, although empirically, might be useful to shorten the clinical course.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross Infection ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Disease Outbreaks ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo identify valid measures for preventing outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) among protected healthcare workers in isolation units.

METHODSArchitectural factors, admitted SARS cases and infection of healthcare workers in different isolation wards between January 30 and March 30, 2003 were analyzed.

RESULTSFour types of isolation wards were analyzed, including the ward where the thirty-first bed was located on the twelfth floor, the laminar flow ward in the Intensive Care Unit where the tenth bed was located on the fifteenth floor, the ward where the twenty-seventh bed was located on the thirteenth floor of the Lingnan Building, and thirty wards on the fourteenth to eighteenth floors of the Zhongshan Building. The ratios (m(2)/m(3)) of the area of the ventilation windows to the volume of the rooms were 0, 0, 1:95 and 1:40, respectively. Numbers of SARS cases in the wards mentioned above were 1, 1, 1 and 96, respectively. Total times of hospitalization were 43, 168, 110 and 1272 hours, respectively. The infection rates of the healthcare workers in the areas mentioned above were 73.2%, 32.1%, 27.5% and 1.7%, respectively. The difference in the infection rates was of statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONSIsolating SARS cases in wards with good ventilation could reduce the viral load of the ward and might be the key to preventing outbreaks of SARS among healthcare workers along with strict personal protection measures in isolation units.

Adult ; Disease Outbreaks ; prevention & control ; Facility Design and Construction ; Female ; Hospital Units ; Humans ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional ; prevention & control ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Patient Isolation ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; prevention & control ; Ventilation

Objective To investigate the effects of cyclic stretch on migration of MC3T3-E1 cells and its related mechanism. Methods The strain loading system was used to stretch MC3T3-E1 cells cultured in vitro with 15% amplitude, to simulate the mechanical condition in vivo. The wound healing assay was used to detect the migration of MC3T3-E1 cells. Western blotting was used to test Runx2 expression. RNA interfering was used to decrease Runx2 expression. Results Cyclic mechanical stretch with 15% amplitude, 1.25 Hz frequency and lasting for 24 hours could promote the migration of MC3T3-E1 cells and increase the expression level of Runx2. Runx2 interference inhibited the migration of MC3T3-E1 cells in static culture condition. Interference with Runx2 expression in MC3T3-E1 cells could partially reduce the positive effect of cyclic mechanical stretch on cell migration. Conclusions Cyclic stretch can promote the migration of MC3T3-E1 cells, and Runx2 may play an important role in this process. This study provides experimental basis for finding innovative clinical treatment method to promote fracture healing.

Objective This article aims to investigate the association between hypertension and the risk of GSD by conducting a national multicenter study,a systematic review,and a meta-analysis.Methods The study was conducted in three stages.In the first stage,subjects were recruited for health examination in four hospitals in Chengdu,Tianjin,Beijing,and Chongqing,China,from 2015 to 2020,and the multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between hypertension and the risk of GSD in each center.In the second stage,Embase,PubMed,Wanfang Data,VIP,and CNKI databases were searched for related studies published up to May 2021,and a meta-analysis was conducted to further verify such association.In the third stage,the random effects model was used for pooled analysis of the results of the multicenter cross-sectional study and the findings of previous literature.Results A total of 633 948 participants were enrolled in the cross-sectional study,and the prevalence rate of GSD was 7.844%.The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that hypertension was positively associated with the risk of GSD(P＜0.05).Subgroup analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the association between hypertension and GSD between individuals with different sexes,ages,and subtypes of GSD.A total of 80 articles were included in the systematic review and the meta-analysis,and the results showed that the risk of GSD was increased by 1.022 times for every 10 mmHg increase in diastolic pressure and 1.014 times for every 10 mmHg increase in systolic pressure.Conclusion Hypertension significantly increases the risk of GSD,and the findings of this study will provide a basis for the etiology of GSD and the identification of high-risk groups.