Cohort study of 684 pairs of mother-and-child allergic diseases / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To understand allergic diseases related factors in Changzheng Town, Putuo District infants and young children.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Pregnant women registered in Putuo District, Changzheng Town Community Health Service Center Child Health Clinic within the period from January to December, 2008 were enrolled into this survey, a questionnaire survey. The infants were followed up from birth to 2 years of age. The mother and child survey was conducted for 746 pairs, and 684 pairs had complete data. SAS V9.1 statistical software was used for data processing and statistical analysis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The survey showed that prevalence of eczema, allergic rash, and wheezing was 27.9%, 18.9%, and 3.9%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that allergy in either parent and addition of foods other than milk in infants before 4 months of age were risk factors for eczema; allergy in either parent was also risk factors for allergic rash. Exclusive breastfeeding from birth to 6 months of age was a protective factor for wheezing in infants. Other factors such as parental history of asthma, vitamin supplements to the mothers during pregnancy, mothers' special diet habits, calcium level of infants, etc. had no significant correlation with allergic disorders in infants.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The risk factors for allergic disorders in infants included allergy in either parent and dietary factors of the infants themselves (prematurely adding other foods). Breastfeeding (for 0 - 6 months of age) was a protective factor for infants' wheezing.</p>

Effects of qingre xiaoji recipe on the migration, chemotaxis, and tube formation capability of human lung adenocarcinoma cell induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of Qingre Xiaoji Recipe (QXR) on the migration, chemotaxis, and tube formation capability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by human lung adenocarcinoma cells (SPC-A-1).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The QXR groups at different final concentrations (2.5, 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 mg/mL) and a control group were set up. Then the chemotaxis and tube formation capabilities were observed using Erasion trace test, Transwell chamber assay, and Matrigel matrix tube formation assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>QXR at three concentrations (2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg/mL) had inhibition on the migration of HUVECs cultured by SPC-A-1 cell supernatant (P<0.05). Besides, the migration rate decreased along with increased concentrations. The number of chemotactic HUVECs was significantly less than that of the positive control group (P <0.01), and the inhibition rate of chemokine increased along with increased concentrations. Furthermore, the number of chemotactic HUVECs was negatively correlated to the drug concentration (r = -0.830, P <0.01). The area of HUVEC cell tubule formation was significantly lower than that of the positive control group (P <0.01). The inhibition rate of HUVEC cell tubule formation increased along with increased drug concentration. Besides, the area of HUVEC cell tubular formation was negatively correlated with the drug concentration (r = -0.937, P <0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The mechanism of QXR for fighting against tumor angiogenesis might be correlated with its inhibition on the migration, chemotaxis, and tube formation of tumor vascular endothelial cells.</p>

Impact of serum epidermal growth factor on progressive psoriasis vulgaris and regulation of Chinese herbal medicine for cleaving heat, cooling blood, and detoxicating on it / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the impact of serum epidermal growth factor (EGF) on progressive psoriasis vulgaris and the regulatory effect of Chinese herbal medicine on it.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Serum level of EGF was measured in 31 patients with progressive psoriasis vulgaris (the tested group) and 17 healthy subjects (the control group) by ELISA. The changes in EGF level and condition of illness were observed before and after patients orally administered Chinese composite recipe for clearing heat, cooling blood and removing toxic substances for 10 weeks, and the severity of illness was assessed by psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) as well.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Serum level of EGF in patients was 175.35 +/- 179.86 ng/L before treatment, markedly higher than that in healthy subjects (72.05 +/- 63.01 ng/L), showing significant difference between them (t = - 2.888, P = 0.006); it reduced to 121.67 +/- 94.74 ng/L after treatment, significantly different to that before treatment (t = 2.155, P = 0.04), but still higher than that in the control (t = - 2.146, P = 0.037). Average PASI was 9.65 +/- 5.82 before treatment and 5.74 +/- 4.69 after treatment, displaying a significant reduction (t = 7.740, P < 0.01). Linear regression analysis showed no apparent correlation between serum EGF level and PASI (r = 0.030, P = 0.872; r = 0.050, P = 0.793).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Serum level of EGF might be an important factor related to the progress of psoriasis. Chinese herbal medicine for clearing heat, cooling blood and removing toxic substances can lessen the severity of psoriasis, its action in reducing serum EGF is possibly one of the mechanisms for these kinds of herbs in treating psoriasis.</p>