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ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Yifei Huatan decoction on relieving airway hyperviscosity in asthmatic rats with spleen deficiency syndrome and its mechanism. MethodFifty-five SPF level SD rats at 8-9 week of age were used to induce asthma with spleen deficiency syndrome by animal modeling of traditional Chinese medicine combined with asthma of western medicine. After successful modeling， the rats were divided into model group， dexamethasone group， low， medium， and high-dose Yifei Huatan decoction groups by random number table method， and 11 clean SD rats at 8-9 week of age were recorded as a normal group. Rats in the dexamethasone group were given 0.087 5 mg kg-1 dexamethasone acetate by gavage. Rats in the low， medium， and high-dose Yifei Huatan decoction groups were given 0.8， 1.6， 3.2 g kg-1 Yifei Huatan decoction liquid extract by gavage， respectively. Rats in the model group and the normal group were given 10 mL kg-1 distilled water. The medicine were given once per day for 8 w， and the general situation of each group was observed. The levels of interleukin-4 （IL-4）， IL-13， and interferon-γ （IFN-γ） in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The pathological changes in lung tissues of rats were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Alcian blue-periodic acid Schiff （AB-PAS） staining was used to detect the hyperplasia of airway goblet cells and mucus secretion in rats. The mRNA expressions of transforming growth factor-β1 （TGF-β1）， Smad2， Smad3， mucin 5AC （MUC5AC）， and mucin 5B （MUC5B） in the lung tissues of rats were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The protein expressions of TGF-β1， Smad2， Smad3， MUC5AC， and MUC5B in the lung tissues of rats were detected by Western blot. ResultAs compared with the normal group， rats in the model group showed the symptoms of spleen deficiency syndrome， such as decreased body weight， muscle emaciation， decreased food intake， increased water intake， increased anal temperature， tiredness， and decreased swimming endurance， accompanied by dyspnea symptoms such as wheezing and nodding. As compared with the normal group， IL-4 and IL-13 levels in the BALF of the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）， while the IFN-γ level was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. In the model group， a large number of inflammatory cells were observed in the mucosa and submucosa of the airway， and the smooth muscle of the trachea was significantly thickened. The hyperplasia， deformation， and exfoliation of various epithelial cells were observed in the mucosa， and the pathological scores of lung tissue increased significantly （P<0.01） in the model group. A large number of goblet cells were observed in the airway with the formation of plenty of mucous thrombus in the model group， and the positive relative staining area of airway， and mRNA and protein expressions of TGF-β1， Smad2， Smad3， MUC5AC， and MUC5B were significantly increased （P<0.01）. As compared with the model group， IL-4 and IL-13 levels in BALF of the dexamethasone group and the Yifei Huatan decoction groups decreased， while the IFN-γ level increased. The inflammatory cell infiltration in airway mucosa and submucosa， the thickening of tracheal smooth muscle， the hyperplasia， deformation， and exfoliation of epithelial cells in mucosa were gradually decreased， and the pathological scores of lung tissues decreased significantly （P<0.01） in the dexamethasone group and the Yifei Huatan decoction groups. Goblet cell proliferation gradually decreased， and the positive relative staining area of airway， and mRNA and protein relative expressions of TGF-β1， Smad2， Smad3， MUC5AC， and MUC5B decreased with statistically significant difference （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There was no significant difference in the above indexes in the dexamethasone group and the Yifei Huatan decoction low-dose group. The above indexes were dose-dependent in the low， medium， and high-dose Yifei Huatan decoction groups. ConclusionYifei Huatan decoction reduces airway hyperviscosity in asthmatic rats with spleen deficiency syndrome， which may be related to the inhibition of TGF-β1， Smad2， Smad3， MUC5AC， and MUC5B expressions， down-regulation of IL-4 and IL-13 levels， and up-regulation of IFN-γ level.
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Objective:To assess the value of platelet-to-albumin ratio on overall survival(OS) and cancer specific survival(CSS) in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma(UTUC).Methods:169 patients with UTUC in Qilu hospital of Shandong University from January 2006 to December 2013 were included in this study, retrospectively. 107(63.3%) were male and 62(36.7%) were female. Their age ranged from 36 to 87 years old, mean 65 years old. 73(43.2%)were less than 65 years old and 96(56.8%) were more than 65 years old. 38 patients had the history of smoking.15 patients had the history of bladder cancer. The single tumor was found in 159 cases (94.1%). 10 patients(5.9) owned more than one site of tumor. For the ECOG, 159 cases (94.1%) were 0 score and 10 cases(5.9%) were ≥1 score. The mean Platelet count was 217.0×10 9/L, ranging (68.0-772.0)×10 9/L. The average serum albumin was 42.0 g/L, ranging (27.3-52.7)g/L. The mean PAR was 5.40×10 9, ranging(0-17.31)×10 9. 147(87.0%) patients accepted radical nephroureterectomy and 22(13.0%) cases accepted segmental ureterectomy.155 cases(91.7%) used postoperative adjuvant chemoradiation. The patients were divided into two groups as low PAR or high according to the receiver operating curve (ROC)analysis of PAR. And the Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess the OS and CSS and test the equivalences of the curves by log-rank tests. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were carried out using Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results:We set 6.67×10 9 was the optimal cutoff value of PAR. Therefore, the cohort was divided into 2 groups, 133(78.7%) patients had low PAR (<6.67×10 9) and 36 patients had high PAR (≥6.67×10 9). The 3-year OS and 5-year OS of high preoperative PAR group were 50.0% and 46.2%, respectively. And low preoperative PAR group were 77.6% and 66.7%, respectively. In univariate analysis, no difference was found in gender, age, tumor size, history of smoking and LVI. Meanwhile, tumor grade (G 1-2 or G 3), pathological T stage (pT a/T 1 or pT 2-4) and PAR (<6.67×10 9 or ≥6.67×10 9) were significantly associated with OS and CSS. Multivariate analysis with a Cox proportional hazards regression model were performed and showed that PAR was significantly associated with OS and CSS (OS: HR=1.850, 95% CI 1.095-3.127, P=0.022; CSS: HR=2.154, 95% CI 1. 242-3.736, P=0.006). Conclusions:Preoperative PAR is an independent prognostic factor in predicting patient with UTUC. And the platelet and serum albumin level are low cost and easy to obtain. PAR may be expected to become a biological factor to predict the prognostic factor in patients with UTUC.
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Objective To explore the relating factors for cognitive dysfunction in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).Methods Totally 150 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) and 150 gender and age-matched healthy subjects (controls) received the cognitive and depression function assessment.150 AECOPD cases were classified into two groups:COPD patients with or without cognitive dysfunction.Fasting blood uric acid (UA) was measured and compared between the two groups.Relating factors for cognition dysfunction were analyzed.Results The score of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was reduced in AECOPD patients as compared with controls [(19.01±3.58) vs.(26.58±1.42)scores,t=-3.48,P=0.032].The score of Hamilton depression (HAMD) scale was higher in AECOPD patients than in controls [(18.05 ± 4.50) vs.(9.98 ± 3.51) scores,t =4.63,P =0.028].The prevalence of cognitive impairment in the patients with AECOPD was 82 cases (54.7％).The serum UA level was lower in the AECOPD patients with cognitive impairment than in patients without cognitive impairment [(235±42) μmol/L (n=82) vs.(332±45) μmol/L (n=68),t=-6.65,P=0.003].In AECOPD patients,the cognitive function was correlated with education,length of hospital stay,serum UA level,COPD stages,disease duration and the depression level,but was not correlated with smoking and body mass index.Conclusions The cognitive impairment is highly prevalent in patients with AECOPD,which is associated with lower serum UA level,longer hospital stay and disease severity.
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Objective:To investigate the growth-promoting properties and applicability of the mycoplasma test culture media pre-scribed in Chinese pharmacopoeia, and provide reference for the standardization of the drug mycoplasma test method. Methods: Re-spectively using four quantitative detection methods including sensitivity, degree of color change, colony counts and colony diameter, and mycoplasma media widely used in the world as the reference media, the growth-promoting properties of 4 batches of mycoplasma broth and 4 batches of arginine mycoplasma broth from four domestic manufacturers were investigated. Results:The results of sensitivity assay and absorbance detection showed that all the media inoculated with below 100 CFU test microorganisms exhibited visible color change. Furthermore, the results of color change degree and colony diameter showed that there were significant differences among the media products from different manufacturers(P<0. 01). Conclusion:Mycoplasma broth and arginine mycoplasma broth both can sup-port the growth of below 100 CFU test microorganisms. Due to the difference in the growth-promoting properties among the media prod-ucts from different manufacturers, the drug mycoplasma test workers should use more sensitive methods to examine the applicability of the media.
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Microbiological data deviations ( MDD) investigation differs from out of the standard ( OOS) investigation in chemical inspection items. Investigating Out-of-Specification( OOS) Test Results for Pharmaceutical Production issued by FDA specifically ex-cludes microbiological and other biological assays. Until recently, there is not a definitive guideline for MDD investigation in the world. Some institutions and experts have explored the practice and theory of MDD investigation. Referred to the existing practical experience and theoretical achievement and based on the provisions of Chinese GMP (2010 revision) and the requirements of Chinese Pharmaco-poeia Ⅱ(2010 edition) Appendix XIX Q, the article discussed the methods for MDD laboratory investigation.
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Objective:To provide the basic data for the further revision of mycoplasma test method described in Chinese Pharma-copoeia and some references for the operation standardization of drug mycoplasma test. Methods:Two incubation conditions,namely aerobic conditions and microaerophilic conditions,were compared with respect to the growth status of mycoplasma in liquid and solid media. Results:The growth of mycoplasma was obvious difference between the two incubation conditions,and the microaerophilic con-ditions were better than the aerobic conditions. Conclusion:The microaerophilic conditions can be used in the incubation of mycoplas-ma test,which should be defined and standardized in the future Chinese Pharmacopoeia.
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Objective:To investigate overall quality status of rose bengal agar culture medium for drug control in China to provide technical support for the drug standard revision. Methods:Four quality control microorganisms, namely Aspergillus niger, Candida al-bicans, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, were used to evaluate the quality of rose bengal agar culture medium from 7 domes-tic and foreign manufacturers. Results:Including the control medium, the pH value of all the 8 media was different. The growth rate of Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans in the seven tested media were all above 0. 7 without significant difference (P>0. 05). The selectivity factors of Staphylococcus aureus in the seven media and the control medium was more than 6. The eight media showed differ-ences in the selectivity factors of Escherichia coli. Among them, A, B, C, E, G and the control medium had no inhibitory ( selectivi-ty) , while D and F showed certain selectivity. Conclusion:The rose bengal agar media from different manufacturers for drug control show similar growth-promoting ability with different pH value and selectivity to Escherichia coli.