Validation of NoSAS Score and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome Screening Model for Female Snorers in Females with Obstructive Sleep Apnea / 中国医学科学院学报

To evaluate the NoSAS score and the obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS)screening model for female snorers with obstructive sleep apnea(OSA)in females and compare the performance of these two tools. A total of 425 females with suspected OSA who underwent overnight polysomnography(PSG)were consecutively recruited into this study.The above two questionnaires were completed.Based on the severity of OSA which was determined by apnea-hypopnea index(AHI),the patients were classified into four groups:non-OSA group(AHI15 events/h),and severe OSA group(AHI>30 events/h).The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive values,negative predictive values,and the area under the receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curve of two questionnaires were calculated. The sensitivity of NoSAS score for OSA,moderate-to-severe OSA,and severe OSA groups were 57.3%,64.9%,and 69.5%,and its specificity was 83.5%,76.6%,and 70.9%,respectively.The sensitivity of the OSAHS screening model of female snorers was 62.7%,74.8%,and 75.8%,and its specificity was 92.5%,84.3%,and 74.5%,respectively.Both of these two screening tools had high specificity and performed well in ruling out non-OSA females.For patients with their AHI≥5 events/h,the results of NoSAS score and OSAHS screening model were in moderate to high consistency with those diagnosed by PSG,with a Kappa value of 0.401 and 0.541,respectively.The area under curve of these two tools was 0.792(95% =0.750-0.829)and 0.866(95% =0.830-0.897),respectively,showing moderate screening value.The area under curve of the OSAHS screening model of female snorers was significantly larger than that of NoSAS score( =0.002, =0.003, =0.019). Both the NoSAS score and the OSAHS screening model for female snorers have a moderate performance in diagnosing OSA in females,although the OSAHS screening model for female snorers has better performance.However,the sensitivity of the OSAHS screening model needs to be further improved.

Ginsenoside-Ro enhances cell proliferation and modulates Th1/Th2 cytokines production in murine splenocytes / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To study the effects of ginsenoside-Ro on cell proliferation and cytokine production in murine splenocytes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The effect of ginsenoside-Ro on murine splenocytes proliferation was studied using [3H] thymidine incorporation assay. Effects of ginsenoside-Ro on the production of cytokines interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) from murine splenocytes were detected by ELISA method. Effects of ginsenoside-Ro on mRNA level of Th1 cytokine IFN-gamma and Th2 cytokine IL-4 were evaluated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Ginsenoside-Ro showed no mitogenic effect on unstimulated murine splenocytes. It enhanced the proliferation of Con A-induced murine splenocytes and the production of IL-2 at concentrations of 1-10 micromol x L(-1). Moreover, ginsenoside-Ro increased the production and expression of Th2 cytokine IL-4 and decreased the production and expression of Th1 cytokine IFN-gamma in Con A-induced murine splenocytes at concentrations of 2-10 micromol x L(-1).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ginsenoside-Ro showed immunomodulatory effects by regulating the production and expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines in murine splenocytes.</p>