[Effect of No-tillage on Soil Aggregates in Farmland：A Meta Analysis].

In order to clarify the impact of no-tillage on the quality of farmland soil aggregates in China and promote the adaptive application of no-tillage practices， a Meta-analysis was conducted by collecting data from 116 published studies. The effects of no-tillage on aggregate size distribution， mean weight diameter （MWD）， and aggregate-associated C were studied. The results showed that compared with that under tillage， no-tillage significantly increased the proportion of macroaggregates （10.9%） and MWD （12.8%） and decreased the proportion of clay and silt （-15.5%） but had no significant effect on soil microaggregate and aggregate-associated C. The subgroup and Meta regression analysis showed that no-tillage significantly increased the proportion of macroaggregates in Northwest China （17.6%） and MWD in North China （15.4%）. In upland and clay loam， no-tillage increased MWD by 12.6% and 18.4%， respectively. The effect of no-tillage on increasing the proportion of macroaggregates increased with the soil pH. When straw returned， no-tillage significantly increased the proportion of macroaggregates （9.6%） and MWD （11.6%）， but no significant effect of no-tillage on aggregates was found after straw removal. Regarding test duration， short-term （ < 5 a） no-tillage could significantly increase the proportion of macroaggregates， whereas long-term （ > 10 a） no-tillage could improve the MWD. In different soil layers， no-tillage could only significantly improve the aggregate size distribution and MWD in topsoil （0-20 cm） but had no effect in subsoil （ > 20 cm）. In summary， no-tillage could improve aggregate size distribution and stability but had no effect on aggregate-associated C. Production region， soil properties， field management methods， and other factors should be fully considered in production practice to effectively improve the quality of soil aggregates.

Whole fresh fruit intake and risk of incident diabetes in different glycemic stages: a nationwide prospective cohort investigation.

PURPOSE: Fruit intake is beneficial to several chronic diseases, but controversial in diabetes. We aimed to investigate prospectively the associations of whole fresh fruit intake with risk of incident type 2 diabetes (T2D) in subjects with different glucose regulation capacities. METHODS: The present study included 79,922 non-diabetic participants aged ≥ 40 years from an ongoing nationwide prospective cohort in China. Baseline fruit intake information was collected by a validated food frequency questionnaire. Plasma HbA1c, fasting and 2 h post-loading glucose levels were measured at both baseline and follow-up examinations. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for incident diabetes among participants with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and prediabetes, after adjusted for multiple confounders. Restricted cubic spline analysis was applied for dose-response relation. RESULTS: During a median 3.8-year follow-up, 5886 (7.36%) participants developed diabetes. Overall, we identified a linear and dose-dependent inverse association between dietary whole fresh fruit intake and risk of incident T2D. Each 100 g/d higher fruit intake was associated with 2.8% lower risk of diabetes (HR 0.972, 95%CI [0.949-0.996], P = 0.0217), majorly benefiting NGT subjects with 15.2% lower risk (HR 0.848, 95%CI [0.766-0.940], P = 0.0017), while not significant in prediabetes (HR 0.981, 95%CI 0.957-4.005, P = 0.1268). Similarly, the inverse association was present in normoglycemia individuals with a 48.6% lower risk of diabetes when consuming fruits > 7 times/week comparing to those < 1 time/week (HR 0.514, 95% CI [0.368-0.948]), but not in prediabetes (HR 0.883, 95% CI [0.762-1.023]). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that higher frequency and amount of fresh fruit intake may protect against incident T2D, especially in NGT, but not in prediabetes, highlighting the dietary recommendation of higher fresh fruit consumption to prevent T2D in normoglycemia population.

Prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus infection and characteristics of lymphocyte subsets in newly onset juvenile dermatomyositis.

BACKGROUND: The underlying etiology of juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is unknown. T cell deficiency as well as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection had been suspected to be involved in the pathogenesis, but it has been poorly evaluated in JDM patients. METHODS: This study described the traits of T and B lymphocyte subsets in newly onset JDM patients and the incidence of EBV infection in JDM patients compared with match controls. Newly developed JDM patients from 2014 to 2018 were included in the study. Lymphocytes with different markers (CD3+, CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+, CD3-CD19+ and CD3-CD16+CD56+) were tested with flow cytometry in the first admission or after 6 months of treatment. Statistical analysis was conducted to compare the EBV infection in the group of JDM patients and controls. RESULTS: We observed that JDM patients had higher positive rate of Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen-immunoglobulin G (IgG) (P < 0.0001) as well as EBV capsid antigen-IgG (P < 0.05) than normal controls. CD3-CD16+CD56+ lymphocyte was found to be extremely low in early stage of JDM patients, but increased after 6 months of treatment (P = 0.0091). CONCLUSIONS: The level of CD3-CD16+CD56+ cells may associate with the clinical course of JDM. EBV may act as an environmental factor predisposing patients to the development of JDM.

A guide to human microbiome research: study design, sample collection, and bioinformatics analysis.

The purpose of this review is to provide medical researchers, especially those without a bioinformatics background, with an easy-to-understand summary of the concepts and technologies used in microbiome research. First, we define primary concepts such as microbiota, microbiome, and metagenome. Then, we discuss study design schemes, the methods of sample size calculation, and the methods for improving the reliability of research. We emphasize the importance of negative and positive controls in this section. Next, we discuss statistical analysis methods used in microbiome research, focusing on problems with multiple comparisons and ways to compare ß-diversity between groups. Finally, we provide step-by-step pipelines for bioinformatics analysis. In summary, the meticulous study design is a key step to obtaining meaningful results, and appropriate statistical methods are important for accurate interpretation of microbiome data. The step-by-step pipelines provide researchers with insights into newly developed bioinformatics analysis methods.

Clinical and laboratory features, treatment, and outcomes of macrophage activation syndrome in 80 children: a multi-center study in China.

BACKGROUND: Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric rheumatology. We aimed to further understand the clinical features, treatment, and outcome of MAS in China. METHODS: A multi-center cohort study was performed in seven hospitals in China from 2012 to 2018. Eighty patients with MAS were enrolled, including 53 cases with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA-MAS), 10 cases of Kawasaki disease (KD-MAS), and 17 cases of connective tissue disease (CTD-MAS). The clinical and laboratory data were collected before (pre-), at onset, and during full-blown stages of MAS. We compared the data among the SJIA-MAS, KD-MAS, and CTD-MAS subjects. RESULTS: 51.2% of patients developed MAS when the underlying disease was first diagnosed. In patients with SJIA, 22.6% (12/53) were found to have hypotension before the onset of SJIA-MAS. These patients were also found to have significantly increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), as well as decreased albumin (P < 0.05), but no difference in alanine aminotransferase, ferritin, and ratio of ferritin/erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) at onset of MAS when compared to pre-MAS stages of the disease. In addition, ferritin and ratio of ferritin/ESR were significantly elevated in patients at full-blown stages of SJIA-MAS compared to pre-MAS stage. Significantly increased ferritin and ratio of ferritin/ESR were also observed in patients with SJIA compared to in KD and CTD. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis showed that 12,217.5 µg/L of ferritin and 267.5 of ferritin/ESR ratio had sensitivity (80.0% and 90.5%) and specificity (88.2% and 86.7%), respectively, for predicting full-blown SJIA-MAS. The majority of the patients received corticosteroids (79/80), while biologic agents were used in 12.5% (10/80) of cases. Tocilizumab was the most commonly selected biologic agent. The overall mortality rate was 7.5%. CONCLUSIONS: About half of MAS occurred when the underlying autoimmune diseases (SJIA, KD, and CTD) were first diagnosed. Hypotension could be an important manifestation before MAS diagnosis. Decreased albumin and increased AST, LDH, ferritin, and ratio of ferritin/ESR could predict the onset or full blown of MAS in patient with SJIA.

[Spatial niche and differentiation of major nekton species in Yueqing Bay, Zhejiang, China]. / ä¹æ¸ æ¹¾ä¸»è¦æ¸¸æ³³åŠ¨ç‰©ç©ºé—´ç”Ÿæ€ä½åŠå ¶åˆ†åŒ–.

The index of relative importance (IRI), niche breadth, and niche overlap (Qik) of nekton species were calculated using data collected from four fishery resource surveys from May 2016 to February 2017 in Yueqing Bay, Zhejiang Province. The results showed that there were 27 major nekton species (IRI＞100) with higher turnover rates across different seasons, while their niche breadth values differed greatly and showed significant positive correlation with IRI. The niche overlaps of nekton were generally low, with the highest overlap value in autumn and the lowest in spring. The total amount of species pairs with niche overlap over 0.6 (Qik＞0.6) were 14 in the autumn and five in the spring, which represented 15.4% and 7.6% of the total pairs, respectively. Results from the redundancy analysis suggested that the distribution of main nekton species were mainly affected by temperature, salinity and turbidity, which cause ecological differentiation of nekton species.

Serum Fetuin-A Levels and Thyroid Function inMiddle-aged and Elderly Chinese.

Serum fetuin-A levels are reportedly elevated in hyperthyroidism. However, there are few relevant epidemiologic studies. We conducted a cross-sectional study in Songnan community, China in 2009 to investigate the association between serum fetuin-A concentrations and thyroid function. A total of 2,984 participants aged 40 years and older were analyzed. Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed that serum fetuin-A concentra- tions were positively associated with log (free triiodothyronine) and were inversely associated with log (thyroid peroxidase antibody) after adjustment (both P < 0.05). Compared with the participants in the lowest tertile of free triiodo-thyronine and free thyroxine level, those in the highest tertile had higher fetuin-A concentrations. Additionally, high serum fetuin-A concentrations were related to high thyroid function (odds ratio 1.27, 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.61), after adjustment for conventional risk factors.

[Clinical and laboratory features of macrophage activation syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical and laboratory features of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) at the early stage of diagnosis, and to explore a method for early identification of MAS. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for the demographic data, clinical and laboratory features, and treatment outcomes of 21 MAS patients. RESULTS: Of the 21 MAS patients, 14 had systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, 5 had Kawasaki disease (KD), and 2 had connective tissue disease (CTD) as primary diseases. The median time of MAS onset was 19 days. The KD patients had the shortest time of MAS onset, while the CTD patients had the longest onset time (P=0.009). The top 10 clinical symptoms were fever (95%), rash (86%), lymph node enlargement (67%), hemophagocytic phenomenon in bone marrow (63%), pulmonary disease (62%), serous effusion (62%), hepatomegaly (52%), cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities (50%), central nervous system damage (43%), and splenomegaly (38%). The median of hemoglobin level was lower than the normal value. The medians of C-reactive protein level and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were higher than the normal values. There were significant increases in serum ferritin, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and triglyceride. The median of fibrinogen level was lower than the normal value. There were significant increases in D-dimer, interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). Of the 21 patients, 20 were improved and discharged. CONCLUSIONS: If patients with rheumatic disease have persistent fever, hepatic dysfunction, coagulation disorders, multiple organ impairment, significantly increased IL-10 and IFN-γ, and a persistent increase in serum ferritin, the development of MAS should be considered.

Theoretical and experimental study of structural slow light in a microfiber coil resonator.

In this paper, a compact slow-light microfiber coil resonator (MCR) is fabricated and the slow-light properties of it are analyzed and tested. Based on coupled-wave theory, a theoretical model for describing the slow-light propagation in the MCR is established. Experimentally, the MCR slow-light element is fabricated and its relative slow-light time delay is measured. The group velocity of the light pulse in the MCR slow-light element can be reduced to about 0.47c (c is the speed of light in vacuum) and the shape of the light pulse passing through the MCR is well preserved.

[Association of vitamin D concentrations with juvenile idiopathic arthritis].

OBJECTIVE: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] is the main product of vitamin D and can reflect the absolute concentration of active vitamin D in the body. This study examined serum 25(OH)D3 levels in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in order to explore the association of vitamin D concentrations with the pathogenesis and disease activity of JIA. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 53 children confirmed as having JIA between January 2013 and March 2014, as well as 106 healthy children (control group) who underwent physical examination in the same period. Serum concentrations of 25(OH)D3 were measured using ELISA and compared between the cases and healthy controls. The association of serum 25(OH)D3 levels with JIA subtypes, ACR Pediatric 30 Score, peripheral blood C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were analyzed in children with JIA. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the JIA group had significantly reduced serum 25(OH)D3 levels (median: 42.6 nmol/L vs 49.9 nmol/L; P<0.01). The percentage of subjects with severe deficiency of vitamin D in the JIA group was significantly higher than that in the control group (17.0% vs 6.6%; P<0.05). Serum 25(OH)D3 showed no significant correlations with JIA subtypes, ACR Pediatric 30 Score, CRP, and ESR in children with JIA. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D concentrations are significantly decreased in children with JIA. Decreased vitamin D concentrations may be associated with the pathogenesis of JIA. However, vitamin D concentrations may have no correlations with JIA subtypes, disease severity, and disease activity.

[Serum cytokine levels in children with newly diagnosed active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes in serum cytokines levels in children with newly diagnosed active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) and to explore the role of cytokines in the development and progression of SJIA. METHODS: Seventy-four pediatric patients with active SJIA between January 2010 and December 2013 were included in the study. Serum levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukine-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) were measured by flow cytometry in these patients. The levels of cytokines were also determined in 202 healthy children as the control group. Routine laboratory parameters including white blood cell (WBC) count, percentage of neutrophils, hemoglobin level, platelet count, hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were monitored in the patient group. RESULTS: The WBC count, percentage of neutrophils, hs-CRP, and ESR in 74 cases of SJIA were significantly above the normal range, their platelet counts were within the normal range, whereas hemoglobin levels were below the normal range. Compared with the control group, the patient group showed a significantly increased level of IL-6 (P<0.01) and significantly reduced levels of IL-4, IL-10, and TNF (P<0.01). However, there were no significant changes in serum levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ in the patient group (P>0.05). In SJIA children, IL-6 level, which was significantly elevated, was negatively correlated with hemoglobin level, which was significantly reduced (r=-0.244, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Serum level of IL-6 is significantly increased in children with SJIA, and it has a negative correlation with anemia.

[Study on mechanism of trimethyltin chloride-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of trimethyltin chloride (TMT) on proliferation, apoptosis, oxidative damage, and NF-κB expression in PC12 cells in vitro. METHODS: PC12 cells were treated with 0, 0.3125, 0.6250, 1.2500, 2.5000, 5.0000, 10.0000, and 20.0000 µmol/L TMT for 24 and 48 h, and MTT assay was used to evaluate cell viability. PC12 cells were treated with 1.25, 2.50, 5.00, and 10.00 µmol/L TMT for 12 and 24 h, and flow cytometry was used to measure the apoptotic rates of cells. PC12 cells were treated with 1.25, 2.50, 5.00, and 10.00 µmol/L TMT for 6 h, and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) levels were measured. PC12 cells were treated with 1.25, 2.50, 5.00, and 10.00 µmol/L TMT for 12 h, and Western blot was used to measure NF-κB levels. RESULTS: Compared with solvent controls, the PC12 cells treated with 2.5000, 5.0000, 10.0000, and 20.0000 µmol/L TMT for 24 h showed significantly decreased cell viability (P < 0.05); the PC12 cells treated with 1.2500, 2.5000, 5.0000, 10.0000, and 20.0000 µmol/L TMT for 48 h showed significantly decreased cell viability (P < 0.05). The PC12 cells treated with 1.2500, 2.5000, 5.0000, and 10.0000 µmol/L TMT for 12 h had apoptotic rates of 15.30% ± 0.75%, 18.90% ± 0.61%, 22.00% ± 0.60%, and 36.50% ± 0.66%, respectively, and the PC12 cells treated with 1.25, 2.50, 5.00, and 10.00 µmol/L TMT for 24 h had apoptotic rates of 28.6% ± 0.40%, 43.54% ± 2.00%, 65.73% ± 0.71%, and 74.67% ± 0.40%, respectively, all significantly higher than those of the control group (12 h: 12.80% ± 1.00%, 24h: 16.83% ± 0.25%) (P < 0.05). The ROS fluorescence intensities of the PC12 cells treated with 1.25, 2.50, 5.00, and 10.00 µmol/L TMT were 1.42, 1.71, 1.78, and 1.89 times that of the control group (P < 0.05); the PC12 cells treated with 2.50, 5.00, and 10.00 µmol/L TMT had GSH levels of 0.17 ± 0.0, 0.20 ± 0.04, and 0.07 ± 0.03 µmol/µg protein, significantly lower than that of the control group (0.30 ± 0.01 µmol/L protein) (P < 0.05). The PC12 cells treated with 2.50, 5.00, and 10.00 µmol/L TMT had significantly higher expression of NF-κB p65 than the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Under our laboratory conditions, TMT can significantly inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in PC12 cells, which may be related to oxidative stress and NF-κB signaling pathway activation.

The effect of stimuli on basophil-mediated atopic responses during asthmatic lying-in women and in newborns.

Morbidity from allergic diseases is increasing. Basophils play a critical role in systemic anaphylaxis and chronic allergic inflammation. The prenatal environment must be regarded as a possible early risk factor for allergic diseases in children. Our objective was to determine if basophils harvested from neonates genetically predisposed to atopic disease had different levels of CD63 expression and IL-4 release properties in response to various stimuli (peptidoglycan, Dermatophagoides farinae, hyperosmotic mannitol). Blood samples were collected from 16 asthmatic and 18 healthy women and their newborns. Peripheral blood basophil histamine was measured using the human basophil degranulation test (HBDT), whereas activation was assessed by flow cytometric measurement of CD63 expression on the cord blood basophil surface. IL-4 levels were quantified by ELISA following allergen stimulation. The basophil degranulation index (DI) in granulocytes harvested from the peripheral blood of asthmatic women was assessed following stimulation with peptidoglycan (PGN), Dermatophagoides farinae (Df ) extract, or hyperosmotic mannitol. The DI was significantly higher in atopic women than in healthy controls. Upregulation of CD63 on the cord blood basophil surface was also detected in response to these stimuli. Basophils purified from the cord blood of neonates born to atopic mothers produced more IL-4 compared to basophils purified from the controls. These data suggested that various stimuli play a role in augmenting allergic reactions via modulation of activated basophil cytokine secretion. It may require new methods to stabilize the basophils in allergic diseases.

The effect of peptidoglycan stimulation on basophil-mediated atopic responses during pregnancy and in newborns.

BACKGROUND: Toll-like receptor (TLR) molecules play critical roles in directing the course of atopic diseases by recognizing specific microbial products that activate immune effector cell function. OBJECTIVE: We determined if basophils harvested from neonates genetically predisposed to atopic disease had different levels of TLR2 expression and determined whether putative TLR2 ligands mediated cytokine secretion. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 10 asthmatic and 12 healthy women and their newborns. Basophil histamine was measured using the human basophil degranulation test and TLR2 expression was determined using nucleic acid hybridization in situ and flow cytometry. IL-4 levels were quantified by ELISA following allergen stimulation. RESULTS: The basophil degranulation index (DI) in granulocytes harvested from peripheral blood of asthmatic women was assessed following stimulation with either peptidoglycan (PGN) or Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) extract. The DI was significantly higher in atopic women than in healthy controls. Basophils purified from the cord blood of neonates born to atopic mothers produced more IL-4 compared with basophils purified from children born to nonatopic controls. Finally, TLR2 expression at the protein and mRNA levels was upregulated in cord blood basophils from neonates born to mothers with asthma following stimulation with PGN but not Df. CONCLUSION: These data suggested that TLR2-mediated innate immune responses play a role in augmenting allergic reactions through the modulation of basophil cytokine secretion and histamine release. Microbial components may activate basophils through TLR2 (especially for genetically predisposed infants) to release cytokines associated with an increased incidence of allergic diseases.

Method for umbilical cord blood-derived basophils by FCM.

We have devised a method for the purification of human basophils from umbilical cord blood by FCM. Umbilical cord blood was collected from six healthy, full-term deliveries. After separation of red blood cells, mononuclear cells were isolated by Ficoll-Hypaque. Six samples followed by positive selection using flowcytometry (FCM) for CD203c(+)CD45(int+) cells. Purity and recovery of cells were measured. Purity and recovery of basophils by FCM with CD203c(+)CD45(int+) markers were 95.02 +/- 2.94% and 61.42 +/- 5.95%. Cell sorting for CD203c(+)CD45(int+) cells by FCM is an improved method for obtaining pure umbilical cord blood-derived basophils. We established cord blood-derived basophil purification technique as a source from which active basophils can be isolated for immunochemical characterization.

Development of an immunochromatographic assay for rapid detection of 1-Aminohydantoin in urine specimens.

A rapid immunochromatographic assay was developed and validated for detection of 1-aminohydantoin (AHD) in urine specimens. Colloidal gold-labeled polyclonal antibody specific to AHD derivative was used as the marker; based on the competitive reactivity theory, the metabolite of nitrofurantoin after derivatization with benzaldehyde would compete with carboxyphenyl AHD derivative-conjugated ovalbumin. The test strip could efficaciously detect the novel analyte with a visual detection limit of 10 ng mL(-1) and high specificity. The reliability of the assay was determined by testing 80 standard samples comparing with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The semi-quantitative detection was accomplished in less than 15 min with low cost, especially for requirements of rapid and simple screening. This is the first publication of an immunochromatographic assay for detection of nitrofuran residues.

[Effects of melatonin on nerve cell apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2 & cytochrome C genes in rat cerebrum with deltamethrin induction].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of melatonin (MT) on nerve cell apoptosis and the expression of bcl-2 and cytochrome C genes in rat cerebrum with deltamethrin induction. METHODS: 35 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (eight rats per group): olive oil control, deltamethrin-treated (12.5 mg/kg), deltamethrin plus melatonin (25.0 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg respectively) group. Animal models were established by intraperitoneal injection deltamethrin in rats. Nerve cell apoptosis and the protein expression of bcl-2 and cytochrome C genes were detected by flow cytometry with PI staining and immunohistochemistry respectively. RESULTS: Compared with DM group (20.73 +/- 3.34), the positive expression gradation of the bcl-2 protein in nerve cell was increased significantly in MT groups (DM + MT(25) was 45.26 +/- 3.84, DM + MT(50) 39.4 +/- 4.04 and DM + MT(100) 34.4 +/- 4.52) (P < 0.05) but significantly lower than the control group (59.33 +/- 4.03). Compared with DM group (34.86 +/- 4.15), the cytochrome C protein in nerve cell was decreased significantly in MT groups (20.53 +/- 3.17, 28.73 +/- 2.61 and 28.66 +/- 4.82 respectively) (P < 0.05). Compared with DM group (23.06 +/- 3.63), the apoptotic rate in nerve cell was decreased significantly in MT groups [(15.0 +/- 1.77)%, (14.88 +/- 1.84)% and (11.75 +/- 1.93)% respectively] (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: MT can protect nerve cell against deltamethrin induced brain injury by inhibiting nerve cell apoptosis, downregulate the protein expression of cytochrome C gene and upregulate the protein expression of bcl-2 gene.

[Expression of T-bet, GATA-3 and FOXP3 mRNA in asthmatic peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated by Dermatophagoides farinae antigen].

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of T-bet, GATA-3 and FOXP3 mRNA in asthmatic peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) before and after stimulation by Dermatophagoides farinae antigen (Df), and the relationship among the three transcription factors. METHODS: Twenty-five patients of asthma and 15 healthy controls were included. The mRNA levels of T-bet, GATA-3, and FOXP3 in PBMC before and after Df stimulation were detected by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chair reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: There was no statistical difference (t = 0.78, 0.38 respectively, all P > 0.05) in the levels of T-bet and FOXP3 mRNA between the patients (0.3 +/- 0.4, 0.42 +/- 0.24 respectively) and the healthy controls (0.4 +/- 0.3, 0.39 +/- 0.37 respectively). However, GATA-3 mRNA was statistically different (t = 2.27, P < 0.05) between the patients (1.0 +/- 0.3) and the healthy controls (0.8 +/- 0.3). After the stimulation of PBMC by Df, the levels of T-bet, GATA-3 and FOXP3 mRNA showed statistical difference (t = 2.30, 3.79, 2.08 respectively, P < 0.05, < 0.01, < 0.05 respectively) between the patients (0.33 +/- 0.39, 1.58 +/- 1.44, 0.11 +/- 0.32 respectively) and the healthy controls (0.03 +/- 0.40, 0.11 +/- 0.53, 0.43 +/- 0.66 respectively). The FOXP3 mRNA level in the asthmatics was negatively correlated with T-bet and GATA-3 mRNA (r = -0.46, P < 0.05, r = -0.62, P < 0.01 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: There are a predominant expression of GATA-3 and T-bet, but a decreased expression of FOXP3 in Df-stimulated PBMCs from patients with asthma.

[Clinical evaluation for sublingual immunotherapy of allergic asthma and atopic rhinitis with Dermatophagoides Farinae Drops].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy with 'Dermatophagoides Farinae Drops' in D. farinae allergic asthma and/or rhinitis patients. METHODS: A 25-week double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centered trail was conducted in 278 children (aged 4 - 18 yr) with mite-induced asthma and/or rhinitis. Patients were randomly assigned to receive sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with 'Dermatophagoides Farinae Drops' (n = 139) or placebo (n = 139) for 25 weeks and the dosage and administration strictly followed the manufacturer's instructions. At the beginning of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 10th, 14th, 18th, 22nd week of the treatment, the patients were asked to accept follow-up visit, during the clinical trial all patients and parents were asked to keep a daily record of their asthma symptom scores, rescue medicine use, rhinitis symptom scores, morning and evening peak expiratory flow. Asthma symptom scores, reduction in use of rescue medicine, rhinitis symptom scores, lung function tests, skin sensitivity to mite, mite-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E and IgG4, and quality of life and adverse effect were assessed during the study. RESULT: (1) Of the 278 children, 27 dropped out before the study completion. (2) After 25 weeks of treatment, the median variability of PEFR was -1.38 for SLIT group and -0.90 for the placebo (P < 0.05). (3) Besides, the mean variability of medicine score of asthma was -0.08 for SLIT group and 0.52 for the plcebo (P < 0.05). (4) The median variability of rhinitis symptom score was -1.96 for SLIT group and -1.03 for the placebo (P < 0.01). (5) The rescue medicine usage of SLIT reduced but did not show significant differences between SLIT and placebo. (6) After 25 weeks treatment, the increase of D. farinae specific IgE antibody of two groups were similar, while specific IgG4 increased significantly in SLIT compared to the patients in control one (P < 0.01); (7) No severe adverse events happened in the trial and the most-likely adverse events were mild asthma and local rash. CONCLUSION: Dermatophagoides Farinae Drops is safe and effective in treating allergic asthma and atopic rhinitis.