[Principal component analysis of nutrients in five varieties of velvet antler (Cornu Cervi Pantotrichum)].

Studies were carried out by basically analyzing the contents of conventional ingredients, inorganic elements and amino acids of five varieties of velvet antler. The contents of inorganic elements in velvet, antler samples were determined by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The contents of amino acids in velvet antler samples were determined by spectrophotometry after being separated by an amino acid analyzer. The principal component analysis was applied to the study of characteristic elements in velvet antler. The results showed that crude protein, Ca, P, Na, Ba, Sr, glutamate and glycine are the characteristic elements in velvet antler. Velvet antlers (Cervus nippon Temminck and Elaphodus davidianus) were differentiated from others by the score plot of inorganic elements for five varieties of velvet antler samples. However, according to the score plots of conventional ingredients and amino acids, no differences were found among the five varieties of velvet antler samples. The similarities and differences of nutrients in velvet antlers were revealed by principal component analysis. All these data would provide important evidence for further exploitation of velvet antler.

[Association of Q576R polymorphism in the interleukin-4 receptor gene with serum IgE levels in children with asthma].

OBJECTIVE: Interleukin-4 plays a key role in the development of asthma. Overseas studies have shown that Q576R polymorphism in the interleukin-4 receptor (IL-4R) gene is related to asthma as well as increased serum IgE levels. This study was designed to investigate the association of Q576R polymorphism in IL-4R gene with childhood asthma and serum IgE levels. METHODS: The polymorphism of IL-4R Q576R was determined by PCR/RFLP and serum total IgE level was measured using ELISA in 94 children with asthma. Sixty-eight healthy children served as controls. RESULTS: The distribution frequency of heterozygous genotype Q576R (41%) and mutant allele R576 (26%) was significantly higher in children with asthma than that of controls (16% each) (P < 0.01; P < 0.05). The total serum IgE level between patients with genotype Q576R and Q576Q was not significantly different (225.78 +/- 51.43 IU/mL vs 163.24 +/- 31.32 IU/mL, P> 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The mutant R576 allele of IL-4R may be one of the candidate genes for susceptibility to asthma. Allele R576 of IL-4R is related to asthma but is irrelevant to the total serum IgE level in children with asthma.

Edaravone combined with Schwann cell transplantation may repair spinal cord injury in rats.

Edaravone has been shown to delay neuronal apoptosis, thereby improving nerve function and the microenvironment after spinal cord injury. Edaravone can provide a favorable environment for the treatment of spinal cord injury using Schwann cell transplantation. This study used rat models of complete spinal cord transection at T9. Six hours later, Schwann cells were transplanted in the head and tail ends of the injury site. Simultaneously, edaravone was injected through the caudal vein. Eight weeks later, the PKH-26-labeled Schwann cells had survived and migrated to the center of the spinal cord injury region in rats after combined treatment with edaravone and Schwann cells. Moreover, the number of PKH-26-labeled Schwann cells in the rat spinal cord was more than that in rats undergoing Schwann cell transplantation alone or rats without any treatment. Horseradish peroxidase retrograde tracing revealed that the number of horseradish peroxidase-positive nerve fibers was greater in rats treated with edaravone combined withSchwann cells than in rats with Schwann cell transplantation alone. The results demonstrated that lower extremity motor function and neurophysiological function were better in rats treated with edaravone and Schwann cells than in rats with Schwann cell transplantation only. These data confirmed that Schwann cell transplantation combined with edaravone injection promoted the regeneration of nerve fibers of rats with spinal cord injury and improved neurological function.