OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of Dendrobium officinale (Tiepi Shihu) extract (DOE) on insomnia. METHODS: Forty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=7 per group): normal control, model control, melatonin (MT, 40 mg/kg), and 3-dose DOE (0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 g/kg) groups. Rats were raised in a strong-light (10,000 LUX) and -noise (>80 db) environment (12 h/d) for 16 weeks to induce insomnia, and from week 10 to week 16, MT and DOE were correspondingly administered to rats. The behavior tests including sodium pentobarbital-induced sleep experiment, sucrose preference test, and autonomous activity test were used to evaluate changes in sleep and emotions of rats. The metabolic-related indicators such as blood pressure, blood viscosity, blood glucose, and uric acid in rats were measured. The pathological changes in the cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) region of rat brain were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin staining and Nissl staining. Additionally, the sleep-related factors gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate (GA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Finally, we screened potential sleep-improving receptors of DOE using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array and validated the results with quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: DOE significantly improved rats' sleep and mood, increased the sodium pentobarbital-induced sleep time and sucrose preference index, and reduced autonomic activity times (P<0.05 or P<0.01). DOE also had a good effect on metabolic abnormalities, significantly reducing triglyceride, blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood viscosity indicators (P<0.05 or P<0.01). DOE significantly increased the GABA content in hippocampus and reduced the GA/GABA ratio and IL-6 level (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, DOE improved the pathological changes such as the disorder of cell arrangement in the hippocampus and the decrease of Nissel bodies. Seven differential genes were screened by PCR array, and the GABA_A receptors (Gabra5, Gabra6, Gabrq) were selected for verification. The results showed that DOE could up-regulate their expressions (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION DOE demonstrated remarkable potential for improving insomnia, which may be through regulating GABA_A receptors expressions and GA/GABA ratio.
Animals ; Dendrobium/chemistry* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/blood* ; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use* ; Receptors, GABA-A/metabolism* ; Noise/adverse effects* ; Light/adverse effects* ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/metabolism* ; Sleep/drug effects* ; Rats ; Receptors, GABA/metabolism*

This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of Yunkang Oral Solution on the improvement of spleen deficiency and pregnancy outcomes in pregnant mice with spleen deficiency syndrome induced by irregular diet and over consumption of cold and bitter foods. To simulate human irregular diet and over consumption of cold and bitter foods leading to spleen deficiency, the pregnant mice with spleen deficiency syndrome were prepared using an alternate-day fasting and high-fat diet combined with oral administration of Sennae Folium. During the experiment, spleen deficiency-related indicators and diarrhea-related parameters were measured. Gastric and intestinal motility(gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsion rate) were evaluated. The levels of serum ghrelin, growth hormone(GH), gastrin(Gas), total cholesterol(TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-c), chorionic gonadotropin β(β-CG), progesterone(P), and estradiol(E_2) were measured. Intestinal barrier function in pregnant mice with spleen deficiency syndrome was assessed. Conception rate, ovarian coefficient, litter-bearing uterine coefficient, number of live fetuses, average fetal weight, and fetal length were calculated. The results showed that Yunkang Oral Solution significantly improved spleen deficiency-related indicators and diarrhea in pregnant mice with spleen deficiency syndrome, increased gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsion rate, elevated the levels of gastrointestinal hormones(ghrelin, GH, and Gas) in the serum, and reduced lipid levels(TC and LDL-c), thereby improving lipid metabolism disorders. It also improved colonic tissue morphology, increased the number of goblet cells, and promoted the mRNA and protein expression of occludin and claudin-1 in colonic tissues, thereby alleviating intestinal barrier damage. Yunkang Oral Solution also regulated the levels of pregnancy hormones(β-CG, P, and E_2) in the serum of pregnant mice with spleen deficiency syndrome. Moreover, it increased the conception rate, ovarian coefficient, litter-bearing uterine coefficient, number of live fetuses, average fetal weight, and fetal length. These findings suggest that Yunkang Oral Solution can improve spleen deficiency-related symptoms in pregnant mice before and during pregnancy, regulate pregnancy-related hormones, and improve pregnancy outcomes.
Pregnancy ; Female ; Mice ; Humans ; Animals ; Spleen ; Ghrelin ; Fetal Weight ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Diarrhea

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of BACs-on-Beads (BoBs) technique for the detection of chromosomal abnormalities in abortus tissues from recurrent pregnancy loss. METHODS: A total of 109 abortus samples were collected and analyzed with the BoBs technique. The incidence and types of chromosomal abnormalities for different age groups and gestational weeks were compared. RESULTS: The BoBs assay has succeeded in all cases, with an incidence for chromosomal abnormalities reaching 62.39% (68/109). The major findings included trisomy 16 (12/68), trisomy 22 (9/68), trisomy 13 (9/68) and trisomy 21 (8/68). The abnormal rate was significantly higher in those above 35-year-old compared with that of the <35-year-old group (P<0.05). More aberrations were found among abortus tissues derived from 42-70 days of pregnancy albeit with no statistical significance (P>0.05). The aberration rates were similar for samples derived from second, third and fourth time abortions (P>0.05). CONCLUSION BoBs technique can detect chromosomal aberrations in miscarriages and may be routinely used for the analysis of early spontaneous abortions.
Abortion, Habitual ; Abortion, Spontaneous ; Adult ; Chromosome Disorders ; Down Syndrome ; Female ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis

Objective To analyze the status of quality indicators(QI) on specimen acceptability and establish preliminary qual ity specification.Methods Web based External Quality Assessment system was used to collect data of laboratories partici pated in "Medical quality control indicators in clinical laboratory" from 2015 to 2017,including once in 2015 and 2017 and twice in 2016.Rate and sigma scales were used to evaluate incorrect sample type,incorrect sample container,incorrect fill level and anticoagulant sample clotted.The 25th percentile (P25) and 75th percentile (P75) of the distribution of each QI were employed to establish the high,medium and low specification.Results 5 346,7 593,5 950 and 6 874 laboratories sub mitted the survey results respectively.The P50 of biochemistry (except incorrect fill level),immunology and microbiology reach to 6σ.The P50 of clinical laboratory is 4 to 6σ except for incorrect sample container.There is no significant change of the continuous survey results.Based on results in 2017 to establish the quality specification,the P25 and P75 of the four QIs is 0 and 0.084 4 ％,0 and 0.047 6 ％,0 and 0.114 2 ％,0 and 0.078 4 ％,respectively.Conclusion According to the results of the survey,most laboratories had a faire performance in biochemistry,immunology and microbiology,and clinical laboratory needs to be strengthened.Laboratories should strengthen the laboratory information system construction to ensure the actual and reliable data collection,and make a long time monitoring to achieve a better quality.

Objective To explore the clinical application values of new type of double-lumen power PICC in tumor patients.Methods A total of 83 cancer patients,38 patients in study group were treated with double-lumen Power PICC guided by ultrasound based on modified seldinger technique,and 45 patients in control group were treated with single-lumen silicone PICC from January 2012 to August 2012 in the first affiliated hospital of Zhengzhou university.Results No significant difference was found in the one-time success rate of puncture between study group and control group (89.5％ vs 91.1％;P ＞ 0.05).While significant difference of the incidence of complication was found between study group and control group (0％ vs 28.9％;x2 =10.588,P =0.002).And patients' satisfaction in terms of daily life for the double-lumen Power PICC was higher than that for single-lumen silicone PICC,but lower in terms of economic burden.Conclusions The clinical application of the new type of double-lumen Power PICC placement can satisfy the complex needs of venous treatment.Patients who use Power PICC placement are much better than those use single-lumen silicone PICC for higher satisfaction,higher success rate of one-time puncture.So it's worth popularizing in cancer patients.

OBJECTIVETo study the role of lipid peroxidation injury and endoplasmic reticulum stress in Al-induced apoptosis.

METHODSNeurons from 0-3 day rats were cultured and treated with different concentrations of AlCl3.6H2O. Morphologic changes of neurons and endoplasmic reticulum were observed under fluorescent and transmission electron microscope; activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and ATP enzymes were detected.

RESULTSTypical morphologic changes in neurons apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum were found under fluorescent and transmission electron microscope; SOD enzyme viability and ATP enzyme viability were significantly increased in the low-dosage group, but reduced in mid and high-dosage group (P < 0.01), whereas MDA levels decreased in the low-dosage group, but increased in mid and high-dosage group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAluminum may induce neurons apoptosis, and lipid peroxidation injury in endoplasmic reticulum plays an important role in the apoptosis progression.

Aluminum ; toxicity ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; physiology ; Lipid Peroxidation ; physiology ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo develop a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detecting Bartonella henselae.

METHODSAccording to the 16S-23S rRNA intervening sequences (IVS) specific for B. henselae, one pair of primers and one TaqMan-MGB probe were designed. A quantitative real-time PCR was developed with the primers, the probe, and the IVS, a standard template, in DNA sequence detection system (ABI 7900HT).

RESULTSThe standard curve was established with the standard template and the relationship between the value of threshold cycle (Ct) and the DNA copy number was linear (r = 0.997). The sensitivity of this quantitative real-time PCR was about 1000 times higher than that of a common PCR used to detect homologous DNA. By this quantitative real-time PCR, the DNA sample of B. henselae was positively detected but not from other rickettsial or bacterial DNA samples. The variation coefficients of intra- and inter-assay reproducibility were 0.2%-1.9%. Using the real-time quantitative PCR to detect samples from mice that were experimentally infected with B. henselae, the small amount of B. henselae DNA was detected in blood samples on days 2, 3, and 5 and large amount of B. henselae DNA was detected in spleen samples on days 1 and 2 after infection.

CONCLUSIONResults from our study suggested that this quantitative real-time PCR was highly specific, sensitive and with good repeatability for detection of B. henselae. It seemed quite useful for rapid detection of tiny DNA of B. henselae in various samples and laboratory diagnosis of bartonellosis caused by B. henselae.

Animals ; Bartonella Infections ; diagnosis ; Bartonella henselae ; genetics ; DNA, Bacterial ; analysis ; Mice ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo develop a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR) assay for detecting Rickettsia rickettsii.

METHODSThe primers and TaqMan-MGB probe were designed according to the ompB gene of R. rickettsii. A DNA fragment of ompB gene amplified from R. rickettsii by PCR was used as a standard template for the development of the method.

RESULTS5 copies of ompB fragments of R. rickettsii were detected. The genomic DNA of R. rickettsii was detected by the developed quantitative PCR assay. However, the genomic DNA from another rickettsial or bacterial agent was not determined. Through this developed method, the positive results were obtained from the animals and cells, artificially infected with R. rickettsii.

CONCLUSIONThe real-time quantitative PCR assay seemed to be highly sensitive and specific which might be used to rapidly detect R. rickettsia DNA in various samples and to early diagnose patients infected by R. rickettsii.

DNA Primers ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Rickettsia rickettsii ; genetics ; Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever ; diagnosis ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo explore dysfunction mechanism of rat alveolar type II (AT-II) injured by bleomycin (BLM).

METHODSSD rats were injected with a single intratracheal dose of bleomycin or control saline. On day 7, 14, and 28 following intratracheal bleomycin or saline instillation, animals were killed under overdose of 1.5% sodium pentobarbital (0.25 ml/100 g, i.p.) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from the lung was tested for the activity of pulmonary surfactant (PS) by the Whihelmy Film Balance. Several concentrations of bleomycin stimulated the culture of rat AT-II cells, and surfactant protein (SP) A, B, and aquaporin-1 (AQP) mRNA were analyzed by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR).

RESULTSThe activity of PS and hypoxemia significantly decreased on day 7 and improved on day 14 and completely recovered to normal status on day 28. SP-A, B, and AQP-1 mRNA expression in BLM-stimulated group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONBLM-injured AT-II cells decrease the levels of SP-A, B, and AQP-1 mRNA and cause PS dysfunction, resulting in hypoxemia and pneumonedema.

Animals ; Aquaporin 1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Bleomycin ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Hypoxia ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Pulmonary Alveoli ; cytology ; drug effects ; Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein B ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Time Factors