Aim To study the effect of the total flavonoids of turpinia arguta seen (TFS) on immune function of rats with adjuvant arthritis. Methods Adjuvant arthritis (AA) was induced on d0 by intradermal injection of Complete Freund′s Adjuvant (FCA), containing 10 mg heat-inactive BCG in 1ml paraffin oil. On d 28 after immunization, AA rats were killed by cervical decollation. Immune cells (splenocytes and peritoneal macrophages) were obtained, then cultured in vitro with TFS. Some immune indexes were detected respectively such as the splenocytes proliferation and the productions of IL-1 and IL-2 were measured by the method of cell proliferation, the production of prostaglandin E2 was determined by radioimmunoassay. Results Compared with normal groups, the response of splenocytes to ConA and LPS was lowered, IL-2 syn-thesis was decreased, and IL-1 and PGE_2 released from PM? were elevated. TFS (10~ -8 ~10~ -4 mg?L~ -1 ) not only increased splenocytes proliferation, which induced by ConA and LPS, and IL-2 production of splenocytes, but also reduced the elevated productions of IL-1 and PGE_2 released from peritoned macrophate in AA rats in vitro. Conculsion TFS could adjust abnormal immune function in AA rats.

The leading cause of drug withdrawal from market and clinical trials failure is drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Varying clinical, histological and laboratory features of DILI, as well as undefined underlying mechanisms, hinder patients to be diagnosed in the early-stage of the disease and receive effective treatments. Conventional indicators, like serum transaminases and bilirubin, have inevitable limitations referring to sensitive prediction and specific detection of DILI. In order to reduce the occurrence of DILI, researchers have attempted to discover potential biomarkers with higher specificity and sensitivity from blood and urine in recent years. This article aims to review recent advances in biomarkers of DILI.
Biomarkers ; blood ; urine ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Sensitivity and Specificity

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical value of ATP bioluminescence tumor chemosensitivity assay (ATP-TCA) for recurrent and refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) specimens in vitro.Methods Thirty-four freshlytaken recurrent andrefractoryNHL specimens weretestedin vitro for cancer chemosensitivity by ATP-TCA.ResultsDrug sensitivity of NHL specimens had heterogeneity.Different drugs had different tumor growth inhibition ratio in vitro.Response rate (RR) of the patients receiving chemotherapy according to in vitro assay was 82.4 ％ (28/34),complete response rate (CR) was 52.9 ％ (18/34).In DICE group RR was 60.0 ％ (18/30),CR rate was 33.3 ％ (10/30).In GDP group RR was 62.3 ％ (33/53),CR rate was 26.4 ％ (14/53).In ATP-TCA group RR was significantly higher than those in DICE and GDP groups (x2 =3.93,P =0.047; x2 =3.98,P =0.046).ConclusionThe results of ATP-TCA assay are correlated well with clinical treatment responses.The assay may be an important and useful method for individual-based chemotherapy of cancers.

Objective To investigate whether pro-inflammatory cytokines ( PICs) in the paraventricular nucleus ( PVN) regulate the enhanced sympathetic activities in spontaneously hypertensive rats ( SHR) , and whether N-methyl-Daspartate receptor ( NMDAR ) in PVN mediate the effects of PICs on sympathetic activities. Methods SHR and normotensive wistar-Kyoto( WKY) rats were used in this experiment. TNF receptor and IL-1β receptor ( IL-1RI) protein levels were measured by Western blot. PICs, including TNF-α and IL-1β levels were measured by ELISA. Rats were placed in a stereotaxic instrument to complete the microinjection of drugs. The coordinates for the PVN were determined according to the Paxinos and Watson rat atlas. The raw RSNA and integrated RSNA were simultaneously recorded on a PowerLab data acquisition system. The right carotid artery was cannulated for recording of mean arterial pressure ( MAP) . Results TNF-α receptor p55TNFR, p75TNFR and IL-1βreceptor IL-1RI protein expression and TNF-αand IL-1βlevels in PVN were all increased in SHR compared with WKY rats (P< 0. 05). Bilateral microinjection of etanercept or IL-1ra into PVN to block the effects of TNF-αor IL-1βdecreased the sympathetic activities in SHR rats significantly (P< 0. 05). Bilateral microinjection of NMDAR blockers, both DL-2amino-5-phosphonovaleri acid ( APV) and MK-801 ( Dizocilpine) into PVN decreased the RSNA and MAP in both SHR and WKY rats. APV or MK 801 caused greater decreases in RSNA and MAP in SHR than WKY rats. In addition, pretreatment with APV or MK 801 attenuated the increased RSNA and MAP caused by microinjection of TNF-αor IL-1βinto PVN to a lower level in SHR than in WKY rats (P< 0. 05). Conclusions TNF and IL-1βreceptor protein as well as TNF-αand IL-1βcytokines levels in PVN are all increased in SHR rats. NMDAR in PVN mediates enhanced sympathetic activities and elevated blood pressure caused by TNF-αand IL-1βin SHR.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate clinical efficacy of suture anchors in treating acute injuries of medial collateral ligament (MCL) of knee at degree III.

METHODSTwenty-seven patients with degree III acute MCL injuries of knee were treated with suture anchors from January 2007 to June 2011. There were 15 males and 12 females, aged from 19 to 56 (averaged 32.6) years old. The time from injury to operation was 3 to 10 days, averaged 6 days. Symptoms and physical signs before and after treatment were observed, Lysholm scoring were used to evluated clinical efficacy.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 16 to 30 months with an average of 21.6 months. The stability of knee joints was good in all patients. Abduction stress test was negative when the knee joint was straightened at 0 degrees and flexed at 30 degrees. The average degree of flexed knee (67.00 +/- 5.80) degrees preoperatively was lower than that of postoperatively (136.50 +/- 6.30) degrees at 1 year. According to Lysholm scoring, preoperative scores ranged from 30 to 43 points, averaged 36.46 +/- 1.48; 1 year after operation ranged from 87 to 100 with an average of 91.50 +/- 3.80 and higher than postoperative. Twenty patients got an excellent results, 5 good and 2 fair.

CONCLUSIONSuture anchors in treating acute injuries of medial collateral ligament of knee at degree III has following advantages: small range of tissue dissection, easy to operate, reliable fixation and less complications.

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Collateral Ligaments ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Suture Anchors

OBJECTIVETo study the genotoxicity of components of diesel engine exhausts with ethanol-diesel blending fuel. To provide scientific arguments to find more economical and less polluted fuels.

METHODSAmes test, comet assay and GC-MS technique were used to test the genotoxicity and 16 kinds of PAHs on diesel engine exhausts with different proportions of ethanol (E0, E5, E10, E20).

RESULTSBoth Ames test and comet assay were positive. It shows that diesel engine exhausts can lead to mutation and DNA damage, especially in pure diesel oil. But the content of 16 kinds of PAHs and DNA damage level decreased in exhausts of E5. With the increase of ethanol proportion in diesel oil, the content of 16 kinds of PAHs and DNA damage level increased.

CONCLUSIONCompared with pure diesel oil and high proportion of ethanol fuel, E5 can reduce the genotoxicity and the brake specific exhausts of PAHs.

Air Pollutants ; toxicity ; Air Pollution ; Carbon Monoxide ; Comet Assay ; DNA Damage ; Ethanol ; toxicity ; Gasoline ; toxicity ; Mutagenicity Tests ; Particulate Matter ; Vehicle Emissions ; toxicity

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Shibao Powder on the expression of b-FGF and TGF-beta 1 in granulation tissues of rabbit models with soft tissue injuries, so as to explore mechanism of external Chinese drugs for repairing of soft tissues in molecular levels.

METHODSThe rabbit models were established by classical method of full-thickness skin wounds. After 8% sodium sulfide was used and routine disinfection completed, intra-peritoneal anaesthesia was adopted. The skin was cut to expose gastrocnemius muscle, and imcomplete sharp dissection was made near the tendon insertion. The length of the incision was 0.8 cm and the width was 0.4 cm. The rabbits in the experimental group were treated with spread of Shibao Powder at the wound; the rabbits in clean group were treated with routine dressing changes and disinfection; and the rabbits in the control group were treated with dressing changes only. The granulation tissues in different stages were collected and observed with high power microscope. The expression of Transforming Growth Factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) protein and b-FGF protein in wound tissues were detected using StreptA-ridin-Biotin-Complex (SABC) method.

RESULTSThe results showed that the expression of b-FGF protein had significant differences among 3 groups at the 6th day after trauma (P<0.05). The TGF-beta 1 protein expression also had significant differences among 3 groups at the 10th and 14th days after trauma (P<0.05). At the same time, the growth states of granulation tissues had difference among 3 groups at the same trauma stage, and within the same group among different trauma stages.

CONCLUSIONThis experimental study shows that Shibao Powder is effective to promote the repair of soft tissues after trauma by stimulating production of endogenous growth factor from cells in wound.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Granulation Tissue ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Powders ; Rabbits ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Wound Healing ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo compare clinical outcomes between two suturing methods using non absorbable materials through drilling the bone and suturing anchors for the treatment of complete rupture of the deltoid ligament.

METHODSFrom January 2009 to January 2013, 58 hospitalized patients with ankle fracture combined with complete rupture of the deltoid ligament were treated with suturing using non absorbable materials through drilling the bone or suturing anchors. There were 29 patients who received suturing treatments using non absorbable materials through drilling the bone (Group A), including 18 males and 11 females, with an average age of (39.76 +/- 11.81) years old. According to the Lauge-Hansen classification, 12 patients had supination external rotation (SER) injuries with IV degree, 5 patients had pronation external rotation (PER) injuries with III degree, 10 patients had PER injuries with IV degrss, and 2 patients had pronation abduction injuries with III degree. There were 29 patients who received treatments with suturing using anchors (Group B), including 14 males and 15 females, with an average age of (41.79 +/- 13.28) years old. According to the Lauge-Hansen classification,9 patients had SER injuries with IV degree, 6 patients had PER injuries with III degree,13 patients had PER injuries with IV degree, and 1 patient had pronation abduction injuries with III degree. All the patients were treated with open reduction and internal fixation, as well as reconstruction of deltoid ligaments to restore the stability of the medial ankle structures. The clinical examination, imaging evaluation, American society for ankle surgery (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to evaluate the clinical results after operation, and the results of the two groups were compared and analyzed statistically.

RESULTSThe follow-up duration of the 58 patients ranged from 23 to 40 months,with an average of 27.3 months. All the patients had fracture union, and the mean healing time was 12.3 weeks (ranged, 10 to 17 weeks). There were no incision complications and ankle instability. There were no significant differences between two groups in AOFAS (P=0.666) and the VAS (P=0.905).

CONCLUSIONTreatments of complete rupture of the deltiod ligaments with the two suturing methods get similar good clinical effects, but the suturing using non absorbable materials through drilling the bone has several advantages such as reducing the financial burden of patients, saving social medical resources and avoiding the shortcoming in difficult removal of anchor suture.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Ankle Fractures ; surgery ; Ankle Injuries ; surgery ; Ankle Joint ; surgery ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Lateral Ligament, Ankle ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of chondrogenesis in vitro with bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) induced by the co-cultured chondrocytes.

METHODSThe BMSCs and chondrocytes were separated from pig and cultured. The supernatant of chondrocytes was used as the inducing solution for BMSCs from the 2nd generation. 7 days later, samples were taken and underwent immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR for detection of the expression of specific type II cartilage collagen, type II collagen and aggrecan mRNA. The cultured BMSCs and chondrocytes were mixed at a ratio of 8:2 (BMSC: cartilage cell) and were inoculated into a polyglycolic acid/polylactic acid (PGA/PLA) scaffold at the final concentration of 5.0 x 10(7)/ml. The cartilage cells and BMSCs were also inoculated separately at the same concentration as the positive and negative control. Pure cartilage cells at 20% of the above mentioned concentration (1.0 x 10(7)/ml) were used as the low concentration cartilage cell control group. Samples were collected 8 weeks later. General observations, wet weight, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) determination and histological and immunohistochemistry examinations were performed.

RESULTSThe expression of type II collagen, type II collagen and aggrecan mRNA were positive in induced BMSCs. In the co-cultured group and the positive control group, pure mature cartilage was formed after 8 weeks of culture in vitro, and the size and shape of the scaffold were maintained. The newly formed cartilage in the two groups were almost the same in appearance and histological properties. The immunohistochemistry results indicated that the cartilage cells of the two groups all expressed ample cartilage-specific type II collagen. The average wet weight and GAG content in the co-cultured group reached more than 70% of those in positive control group. Only an extremely small amount of immature cartilage tissues was formed in local regions in pure BMSC group, and the scaffold was obviously shrunk and deformed. Although the wet weight of newly generated cartilage tissue in the low concentration cartilage cell group reached 30% of that in positive control group, the scaffold was obviously shrunken and deformed. Only regional and discontinuous cartilage tissues were formed, and the amount of newly formed cartilage was obviously less than that in the co-culture group and the positive control group.

CONCLUSIONSChondrocytes can provide a micro-environment for the formation of cartilage, and also effectively induce BMSC to differentiate into chondrocytes and form tissue-engineered cartilage in vitro.

Aggrecans ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes ; cytology ; Coculture Techniques ; Collagen Type II ; metabolism ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Swine ; Tissue Scaffolds