ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of Chinese medicine acupoint application (CMAA) combined with Western medicine for perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) in children. METHODS: In this prospective, parallel, randomized, placebo-controlled and single-blind trial from August to September, 2017, 180 children with PAR were randomly assigned to an integrative group (CMAA and Montelukast), CMAA group (CMAA and placebo tablet), or Montelukast group (placebo CMAA and Montelukast). Participants were applied with CMAA for 6 sessions over 2 weeks, and/or Montelukast Chewable Tablet orally once daily for 12 weeks. The changes in severity of symptoms were measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and rhinitis control assessment test (RCAT) at 0, 2, 4 and 12 weeks of treatment. Blood samples were collected for serum interleukin-4, interferon gamma γ and T helper type 1 (Th1)/Th2 flow cytometric analysis at the time points of 0, 4 and 12 weeks. RESULTS: Eight cases dropped out from the trial, 3 in the integrative group, 2 in the CMAA group and 3 in the Montelukast group. The VAS scores decreased significantly while the RCAT scores increased significantly in all three groups at 4 and 12 weeks compared with baseline (P<0.01 or P<0.05). The VAS scores were significantly lower while the RCAT scores were significantly higher in the integrative and CMAA groups than the Montelukast group at 2 and 4 weeks (P<0.01 or P<0.05). At 2, 4 and 12 weeks, the scores of nasal congestion, sneezing, sleep problem, and rhinitis symptom control in the integrative and CMAA groups increased significantly compared with baseline (P<0.01 or P<0.05). The least percentages of Th2 and the most alleviated Th2 shift (highest Th1/Th2) were observed in the integrative group at 12 weeks compared with the other two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The combination of CMAA with Montelukast might be more effective and appropriate than either option alone for children with PAR. (Registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Register, registration No. ChiCTR-IOR-17012434).
Subject(s)
Acetates/therapeutic use , Acupuncture Points , Cyclopropanes/therapeutic use , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use , Quinolines/therapeutic use , Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/drug therapy , Sulfides/therapeutic use , Administration, Topical , Child , Child, Preschool , Drug Therapy, Combination , Female , Humans , Male , Prospective Studies , Single-Blind MethodABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Polyethylene glycol/bone morphogenetic protein-2 (PEG/BMP-2) nanoparticles were transfected into Rabbit bone mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) and the expression of BMP-2 was detected. METHODS: Dissociated rBMSCs were primarily cultured in vitro and BMP-2 gene was transfected into rBMSCs by PEG/BMP-2 nanoparticals and lipofectamine, respectively. The efficiency of transfection was detected by flow cytometry and the expression of BMP-2 was detected by Western Blot and real time RT-PCR. RESULTS: PEG/BMP-2 nanoparticals were successfully synthesized and transfected into rBMSCs. Compared with the lipofectamine transfection group, PEG/BMP-2 transfection group had higher efficiency and higher BMP-2 expression. CONCLUSION: PEG/BMP-2 nanoparticals transfected rBMSCs highly expressed BMP-2,which provided novel strategies for the treatment of bone defect.
Subject(s)
Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2/chemistry , Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2/genetics , Bone and Bones/cytology , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism , Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry , Transfection/methods , Animals , Bone Diseases/genetics , Bone Diseases/therapy , Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation , Humans , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology , Nanoparticles/chemistry , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , RabbitsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical and laboratory examination features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with decreased platelet count. METHODS: Thirty-four SLE patients with decreased platelet count were analyzed for their initial symptoms, clinical manifestations, involvement of the organs and laboratory findings in comparison with 40 randomly selected SLE patients with normal platelet count. RESULTS: The SLE patients with decreased platelet count were more likely to develop kidney involvement than those with normal platelet, but the incidence of butterfly erythema was significantly lower in the former patients (PP<0.05). Some indices of laboratory examinations, such as CH(50), white blood cell reduction, rate of urine protein, thrombocytocrit and platelet distribution width were significantly higher in SLE patients with decreased platelet count than those with normal platelet count. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical manifestations and laboratory findings in SLE patients with decreased platelet count may differ from those of SLE patients with normal platelet.
