[Analysis of inhaled allergen spectrum characteristics of allergic rhinitis in 5 019 cases in Xinjiang area].

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of allergen spectrum in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) in Xinjiang area in recent 13 years. Methods: The skin prick test (SPT) results of 5 019 AR patients from 2007 to 2019 were retrospectively summarized, and 14 allergens of different age, gender and race were analyzed. Results: The distribution of 14 allergens was significantly different in different years, the difference was significant (P<0.05). The top three positive rates of 14 allergens were quinoa 48.2% (2 398/4 970), plantain 33.3% (1 221/3 667), and Artemisia 33.1% (1 647/4 974). There was no significant difference in the positive rate of dog epithelium between different genders and ages (χ²=0.041, P>0.05; χ²=3.8, P>0.05), the difference of other allergen in positive rates was statistically significant (all P<0.05). The positive rates of Alternaria Alternata (χ²=7.3), Penicillium Sp. (χ²=0.3), Cat Epithelium (χ²=3.1), Dust Mite (χ²=1.4), Acaroid Mite (χ²=0.5) and Cockroach (χ²=2.9) had no significant difference among different races (all P>0.05). The positive rates of other eight allergens including Artemisia Vulgaris (χ²=64.9), Chenopodium (χ²=204.1), Artemisiifolia (χ²=72.4), Plantain (χ²=87.8), Phleum Pratense L(χ²=55.4), Robinia Pseudoacacia (χ²=67.8), Canis Familiari (χ²=70.8), Dog Epithelium (χ²=15.7) were significantly different among different races (all P<0.05). Conclusion: The distribution of allergens in Xinjiang area changes with time, the main allergens are mainly herbaceous, and the distribution of allergens in patients with AR is different in gender, age and race.

Effect of music intervention during hemodialysis: a comprehensive meta-analysis.

Aggravating disease and the accompanying increase in the frequency of hemodialysis interventions worsen the quality of life of patients leading to poor physical and psychological outcomes. Music-based interventions have been suggested to improve both the physical and psychological prognoses for patients undergoing hemodialysis. Two meta-analyses on the impact of music-based interventions on anxiety in patients undergoing hemodialysis failed to evaluate the impact of these interventions on other physiological outcomes. Therefore, in this study, we gather evidence on the effects of music-based interventions on physical and psychological outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis. To determine the influence of music-based interventions on anxiety, pain, heart rate, and blood pressure (systolic, diastolic) in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis, we performed a systematic literature search adhering to PRISMA guidelines on the EMBASE, CENTRAL, Scopus, and MEDLINE academic databases. We performed meta-analyses to consolidate the evidence on the influence of music-based interventions on the physical and psychological outcomes of patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis. From 1,402 studies, we found eight eligible studies with 597 (264 women, 287 men) patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis (mean age, 56.9 ± 10.8 years). Among these patients, 298 received the music-based intervention and 299 were included as controls. Our meta-analysis revealed a small-to-medium effect of the music-based intervention to reduce pain levels (Hedge's g, -0.75), anxiety (-0.16), heart rate (-0.15), and systolic (-0.14) and diastolic blood pressure (-0.11) in patients with chronic kidney disease receiving hemodialysis as compared to the values of the same variables in the control group. The evidence from our analyses supports the beneficial impact of music-based interventions to alleviate anxiety and pain, and to reduce heart rate and blood pressure in these patients.

[From Chinese Medical Association Medical History Museum to the Shanghai Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine: commemoration of the 130th anniversary of the birthday of modern medical historian Wang Jimin].

The Shanghai Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine, formerly known as the Chinese Medical Association Medical History Museum, is the first professional medical history museum in China. Wang Jimin is the main planner and founder of the Medical History Museum of the Chinese Medical Association and served as the first curator. In 1951, the Chinese Medical Association moved to Beijing, and the Medical History Museum stayed in Shanghai. In 1959, it was merged into Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Wang Jimin has been the curator until his death. For 28 years, he has devoted his life to the maintenance and development of the museum. In 1998, the Museum of Medical History was restored to the Chinese Medical Association, and was named the Chinese Medical Association/The Museum of Medical History of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In 2003, the Chinese Medical Association/Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum of Medical History merged with the Chinese Herbarium and the Party History School Editing Office. It was named "Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum" and was opened in Zhangjiang Campus in 2004. At present, the Shanghai Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine has a collection of more than 14, 000 pieces. Many of them are rare treasures. Each year, it services about 100, 000 visitors from domestic and abroad, and has held nearly 100 popular science activities. The Museum has held temporary exhibitions in 11 countries overseas in recent years.

[How to improve the prevention and treatment of ocular chemical burns in China: important elements].

Ocular chemical burns are common and serious ocular emergencies which require immediate and intensive evaluation and treatment. Loss of vision and disfigurement affect the victims, bringing great sufferings to themselves and their families. China is the biggest developing country in the world with a large number of such cases. The prevention of ocular chemical burns is emphasized in different aspects. After emergency treatment, proper care of chemical burns is started by control of inflammation with corticosteroids. Topical and systemic ascorbic acid supplement is important. Re-epithelialization is critical to stabilize the ocular surface and to prevent corneal ulceration and melting. The goal of treatment is mainly to restore the ocular structure and function. Neuroprotection is important during the treatment course for control of both glaucoma and inflammation. Prognosis depends on the degree of limbal, corneal and conjunctival involvement at the time of injury as well as the management. Medical treatments only or with combination of surgical procedures, including amniotic membrane transplantation, epithelial or limbal stem cell transplantation, tenonplasty, keratoplasty and keratoprosthesis, are according to the classification of ocular chemical burns and the phases. Further investigations should be done in the future in both prevention and management of ocular chemical burns in China. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2018, 54: 401-405).

[The clinical value of China Savin pollen extract used for skin prick test].

Objective:The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of China Savin pollen extract which was used for skin prick test (SPT) in the diagnosis of China Savin pollen allergy. Method:Patients with diagnosis of allergic diseases were collected from Allergy Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital. All patients were given SPT with China Savin pollen extract, and the mean wheal diameter (MWD) was measured after 15 minutes. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was performed based on the results of serum specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE). The effectiveness of SPT in the diagnosis of China Savin pollen allergy was evaluated under different diagnostic cutoff values. Adverse events were also recorded to evaluate the safety. Result:A total of 1 029 patients were enrolled in this study without drop out case. There were 1 007 patients in full analysis set (FAS) and 765 patients in per protocol analysis set (PPS). The elimination rate was 25.66%. The area under the ROC curve of FAS is 0.814 (95%CI: 0.788-0.839); which of PPS is 0.829 (95%CI: 0.801-0.857). Based on the ROC curve of PPS, the optimal and the 95% specificity diagnostic cutoff values of MWD were 3.25 mm and 4.75 mm respectively. Based on different diagnostic cutoff value (3.00, 3.25 and 4.75 mm), the sensitivities of SPT with China Savin pollen extract were 0.740 0 (95%CI: 0.701 6-0.778 4), 0.700 (95%CI: 0.659 8-0.740 2) and 0.532 (95%CI: 0.488 3-0.575 7) respectively, whereas the specificity was gradually increased in sequence, which was 0.769 8 (95%CI: 0.719 1-0.820 5), 0.826 4 (95%CI: 0.780 8-0.872 0) and 0.950 9 (95%CI: 0.924 9-0.976 9) respectively. There were 7 adverse events observed among 6 patients (rate: 0.583%, 6/1 029). The manifestation was mild. There was no severe adverse event. Conclusion:SPT with China Savin pollen extract is an effective and safe tool for the diagnosis of China Savin pollen allergy. The effectiveness of diagnosis could be improved based on integration of medical history and different diagnostic threshold values of SPT.

[Changing analysis of allergic rhinitis inhalant allergen spectrum in Xinjiang region].

Objective: To investigate the aeroallergen spectrum in allergic rhinitis in Xinjiang area and analyze its relating factors. Methods: Skin prick test was carried out in 480 cases with allergic rhinitis using 20 inhaled allergens. The major change in recent years with allergic rhinitis and allergen distribution was compared.SPSS 17.0 software was used to analyze the data. Results: Among 480 cases, 406 showed positive reaction. The most common allergens found in patients were chenopodium (61.6%) and mugwort (44.1%), followed by willow(37.7%), maple(37.7%), poplar(30.3%), house dust mite(30.3%), plantain(29.8%), acacia(25.9%), dust mite maple(25.4%), and so on. The rate of positive reaction to only one allergen was 9.6%, of which 21 were mite allergens. The positiverate to allergensin male and female were 84.2% and 85.1%, the distribution of allergens in both sexes did not differ(χ(2)=0.001, P=0.978). The positiverate to allergens in patients aged 21 to 35 years old was 88.6%, in patients aged 36 to 54 years old was 78.4%, the difference was statistically significant(χ(2)=0.258, P<0.01). The positive rate to allergens in Kazakhs was slightly higher than that in other ethnic groups (91.7%). The positive rates to allergens in the Han, Uygur and other ethnic groups were 84.8%, 86.4% and 63.3% respectively, the difference was statistically significant(χ(2)=9.779, P=0.044). Seventy-five point four percent of all allergen-positive patients(306 cases) combined with asthma. Conclusions: The major allergen with allergic rhinitis is chenopodium. Among them, Kazakh allergic positive rate is higher than other ethnic groups.

Ruscogenin suppresses mouse neutrophil activation: Involvement of protein kinase A pathway.

Ruscogenin, a natural steroidal sapogenin, presents in both food and medicinal plants. It has been found to exert significant anti-inflammatory activities. Considering that activation of neutrophil is a key feature of inflammatory diseases, this study was performed to investigate the inhibitory effect of ruscogenin and its underlying mechanisms responsible for neutrophil activation. Ruscogenin displayed potent antioxidative effects against Formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (FMLP)-induced extra- and intracellular superoxide generation in mouse bone marrow neutrophils, with IC50 values of 1.07±0.32 µM and 1.77±0.46 µM, respectively. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-elicited extra- and intracellular superoxide generation were also suppressed by ruscogenin, with IC50 values of 1.56±0.46 µM and 1.29±0.49 µM, respectively. However, ruscogenin showed weak inhibition in NaF-induced response. Inhibition of superoxide generation was mediated neither by a superoxide-scavenging ability nor by a cytotoxic effect. Furthermore, ruscogenin inhibited the membrane translocation of p47phox and p67phox. It reduced FMLP-induced phosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) and p21-activated kinase (PAK). The cellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels and protein kinase A (PKA) expression were increased by ruscogenin. Moreover, ruscogenin inhibited phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). In addition, the inhibitory effects of ruscogenin on superoxide production and the phosphorylation of Akt, p38MAPK, and ERK1/2 were reversed by PKA inhibitor (H89), suggesting a PKA-dependent mechanism. In summary, our data suggest that ruscogenin inhibits activation of neutrophil through cPLA2, PAK, Akt, MAPKs, cAMP, and PKA signaling pathways. Increased PKA activity is associated with suppression of the phosphorylation of Akt, p38MAPK, and ERK1/2 pathways.

Inhibition of oxidant-induced biochemical changes of pork myofibrillar protein by hydrolyzed potato protein.

The objective of the study was to investigate the role of hydrolyzed potato protein (HPP) in protecting myofibril protein isolate (MPI) from oxidative modification. MPI prepared from pork muscle was suspended (30 mg protein/mL) in 15 mM piperazine-N, N-bis(2-ethane sulfonic acid) buffer (pH 6.0) with 0, 0.3, 0.75, and 1.5 mg/mL of antioxidative HPP (1-h Alcalase hydrolysate). Oxidation was induced by incubating the protein suspensions at 4 degrees C for 24 h with (1) an iron-catalyzed oxidizing system (IOS: 0.01 mM FeCl3, 0.1 mM ascorbic acid, and 1.0 mM H202) and (2) a metmyoglobin-oxidizing system (MOS: 0.1 mM metmyoglobin and 0.1 mM H2O2). Changes in oxidized MPI were measured as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonylcontent, Ca- and K-ATPase activities, and ultraviolet (UV) spectra. Oxidation increased the production of TBARS and protein carbonyls by 2.9- and 0.24-fold in IOS and 5.6- and 2.2-fold in MOS, respectively. The 2 oxidizing systems altered the Ca- and K-ATPase activities and exposed hydrophobic groups buried in MPI. The presence of HPP reduced the extent of MPI oxidation in all physicochemical categories tested. Therefore, HPP may be used as a potential functional ingredient in meat products to enhance their oxidative stability.

Effects of simvastatin on lung injury induced by ischaemia-reperfusion of the hind limbs in rats.

We investigated whether simvastatin reduces lung injury caused by ischaemia-reperfusion of the hind limbs in rats. The control group underwent dissection of bilateral femoral arteries; another group (I/R group) underwent ischaemia of bilateral hind limbs for 2 h followed by 3 h reperfusion; and two other groups were pretreated with 5 or 10 mg/kg per day simvastatin for 3 days and then underwent ischaemia-reperfusion. The control and I/R group rats received placebo (water) instead of simvastatin. The lungs of the I/R rats showed marked histopathological changes compared with the other groups. Lung tissue myeloperoxidase, malondialdehyde, neutrophil count and lung injury scores in both simvastatin groups were significantly lower than in the I/R group; 10 mg/kg per day simvastatin significantly reduced lung water content although 5 mg/kg per day did not. Expression of haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein in lung tissue was significantly greater in the simvastatin groups than in the I/R group. Simvastatin protects against lung injury associated with lower extremity ischaemia-reperfusion by reduction of neutrophil aggregation and oxidative damage, and upregulation of HO-1 expression in the injured lung.

Radiosensitization of heat resistant human tumour cells by 1 hour at 41.1 degrees C and its effect on DNA repair.

The present study was undertaken to determine if short duration (1-2 h), moderate hyperthermia (41.1 degrees C) could radiosensitize human tumour cells. It was found that moderate hyperthermia (41.1 degrees C), for as little as 1 h, can radiosensitize heat resistant human adenocarcinoma cells, NSY42129 (NSY), provided the cells are irradiated 15 min prior to the end of the heat exposure. Analysis of the survival data showed a 2.5-3-fold increase in the alpha parameter with no significant change in the beta parameter of the survival curve, implying that the cells had become more susceptible to killing by single radiation energy deposition events as opposed to lethal events that require an interaction between two separate energy deposition events. 41.1 degrees C hyperthermia did not affect the induction or repair of alkaline labile DNA damage in a way that correlated with radiosensitivity. In contrast, heat-induced changes in the induction of micronuclei by radiation correlated with changes in cell killing. Therefore, the effect of 41.1 degrees C hyperthermia on the intracellular localization of the DNA double strand break repair protein, Mre11, was measured using in situ immunofluorescence and immunoblotting of soluble and insoluble cellular fractions. The results showed that Mre11 delocalizes from the nucleus as a function of time at 41.1 degrees C. It was then determined if 41.1 degrees C hyperthermia altered the association of Mre11 with its functional partner, Rad50. A significant decrease in the amount of Rad50 recovered with Mre11 occurred under the experimental conditions that produced significant radiosensitization. These results are consistent with the possibility that the heat-induced perturbation in Mre11 localization and its radiation-induced association with Rad50 contributes to an increase in radiosensitivity.

[Effect of shenqi fuzheng injection on immune function in gastric carcinoma patients in post-operational and chemotherapeutic period].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Shenqi Fuzheng injection (SQFZI) on immune function in gastric carcinoma patients in post-operational and chemotherapeutic period. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-three gastric carcinoma post-operational patients and 36 cases of gastric carcinoma patients on chemotherapy, according to their using SQFZI or not, parameters of immune function, including red blood cell C3b receptor rosette (RBC-C3bRR) and immune complex rosette (RBC-ICR), T-lymphocyte subsets and NK cell activity were determined. RESULTS: RBC-C3bRR, CD3, CD4 and NK cell activity were significantly higher, but RBC-ICR was lower in patients of post-operational period treated with SQFZI than those in patients untreated with SQFZI (P < 0.01). The same difference also revealed between the patients in chemotherapeutic period treated and untreated with SQFZI (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The immune function of gastric carcinoma patients in post-operational or chemotherapeutic period could be effectively improved by addition of SQFZI.

Effects of MN-9202 on platelet aggregation, 5-HT release, TXB2 synthesis, and calcium mobilization in rabbit platelets in vitro.

AIM: To study the effects of MN-9202, a new effective Ca2+ channel blocker, on platelet aggregation, 5-HT and TXB2 release, and calcium transport induced by platelet activators. METHODS: The mobilization of cytosolic-free calcium induced by thrombin in washed platelets was observed by Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent indicator, Fura-2 AM and time scan measurement. Aggregation induced by ADP and thrombin in rabbits citrate platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was measured by aggregometer. 5-HT and TXB2 were assayed by HPLC/ECD and RIA, respectively. RESULTS: MN-9202 inhibited platelet aggregation induced by ADP and thrombin in a concentration-dependent manner. MN-9202 1 mumol.L-1 inhibited release of 5-HT in PRP induced by collagen at 15 mg.L-1 (113 +/- 15 vs 178 +/- 18, P < 0.05), however, MN-9202 did not have effect on 5-HT secreted by high dose of collagen. MN-9202 0.1 and 1 mumol.L-1 blocked extracellular calcium influx and sarcoplasmic calcium release, and the suppression on extracellular calcium influx was more obvious. Furthermore, treatment with MN-9202 0.01, 0.1, and 1 mumol.L-1 markedly decreased ADP-induced TXB2 (pg/10(8) platelet) release from PRP (906 +/- 200, 881 +/- 131, and 793 +/- 169 vs 1264 +/- 202, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: MN-9202 acts as an effective Ca2+ antagonist and blocks platelet activation by inhibiting platelet Ca2+ influx and arachidonic acid metabolism.

Thermal radiosensitization of human tumour cell lines with different sensitivities to 41.1 degrees C.

While much work on radiosensitization by hyperthermia in the 43 degrees C and higher temperature range has been done, relatively little work has been done at temperatures in the 41-42 degrees C range. In this moderate hyperthermia range there are dramatic differences in the resistance of mammalian cells to hyperthermia. Therefore, thermal radiosensitization was measured in two human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines, one that expresses chronic thermotolerance and proliferates at 41.1 degrees C, NSY 42129 (NSY) cells and one that is slowly killed at 41.1 degrees C, HCT15 cells. Heat-resistant NSY cells were found to be more radioresistant than heat-sensitive HCT15 cells. Hyperthermia at 41.1 degrees C enhanced the radiation sensitivity in NSY cells, but no significant induction of heat-induced radiosensitization was observed in HCT15 cells. The radiation sensitivity induced by 41.1 degrees C in NSY cells appeared to be related to both intrinsic heat-induced radiosensitization (HIR) and cell-cycle redistribution at 41.1 degrees C. Incidentally, cells incubated at 41.1 degrees C for between 8-16 h displayed an identical radiosensitivity to those heated for 24 h. This result implies that modest hyperthermia for 2 h or more can have a radiosensitizing effect in heat-resistant cells.

[The effects of Panax quinquefolium saponin (PQS) and its monomer ginsenoside on heart].

Experiments have shown that PQS (0.03-3 mg/ml) can inhibit the contractility of papillary muscle of guinea pigs, and on depolarized sample of papillary muscle with high potassium, PQS (0.03-0.3 mg/ml) can increase this contractility. Monomer saponin-Re (10 mg/kg),-Rb3 (30 mg/kg) can inhibit the hemodynamic indication of rats, but pseudogisenoside-F11 (10 mg/kg) acts the other way round. These results prove that PQS contains two components of opposite actions.