Background The pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR) involves a variety of biological pathways.Recently,inflammation factor has been thought to paly an important role in the pathogenesis of DR.Studies show that the concent of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is increased in high-glucose environment,which leads to the abnormality of tight junction protein and follows by blood-retinal barrier (BRB) damage.Polysaccharides of dendrobium candidum (PDC) can inhibit the overexpression of TNF-α,but its effect on TNF-α in early DR procedure has been unelucidated.Objective This study was to investigate the effects of PDC on permeability of BRB and its mechanism in daibetic rats.Methods Fifty clear adult SD rats were divided into normal control group,diabetic model group and low-(100 mg/[kg · d]),moderate-(200 mg/[kg · d]) and high-dose (300 mg/[kg · d]) PDC groups,10 rats for each group.Streptozotocin was intraperitoneally injected to establish diabetic model in 40 rats,expect for normal control group.PDC at the concentrations of 100,200 and 300 mg/(kg · d) was intragastrically administered in the low-,moderate-and high-dose groups respectively at 6 weeks after modeling,and normal saline solution was used at the same way in the normal control group and diabetic model group.Evans blue was perfused via cardic chamber and eyes were obtained.Evants blue leakage was measured to evaluate the BRB permeability.The relative expressions of TNF-α,zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1),occludin and claudin-5 proteins were detected by Western blot;TNF-α contents in the retina and serum of the rats were detected by ELISA.Results The leakage concents of Evans blue in the retinas were (12.68±1.30),(30.45±2.60),(22.12±1.15),(17.99±1.00) and (21.49±1.00) in the normal control group,diabetic model goup and low-,moderate-and high-dose PDC groups,respectively,and the retinal leakage concents in the diabetic model group were significantly higher than those in the normal control group,and the retinal leakage contents in the low-,moderate-and high-dose PDC groups were lower than those in the diabetic model group (all at P ＜ 0.01).Western blot showed that the relative expression level of retinal TNF-α was significantly higher in the diabetic model group compared with the normal control group(1.12±0.10 vs.0.27±0.03),and that in the diabetic model group was significantly higher than that in the normal control group;while the relative expression levels of retinal TNF-α in different doses PDC groups were significantly lower,and the relative expression levels of retinal ZO-1,occludin and claudin-5 were significantly higher than those in the diabetic model group (all at P＜0.05).ELISA showed that the concentrations of retinal and serum TNF-α were higher in the diabetic model group compared with the normal control group,and those in the different doses of PDC groups were lower than those in the diabetic model group (all at P＜0.05).No significant differences were found among various doses of PDC groups (all at P＞0.05).Conclusions PDC can improve the permeability of BRB by down-regulating the expression of TNF-α and up-regulating the expressions of tight junction proteins in the retina of diabetic rats,which is probably related to suppressing the development of early DR.

Objective To optimize the extraction of polysaccharides from Ophiopogon japonicus by the use of response surface methodology.Method According to the design principle of Box-Behnken, effects of extraction temperature, extraction time , extraction times and solid-liquid ratio on the extraction yield of Ophiopogon japonicus polysaccharides were studied by response surface methodology,meanwhile regression analysis of these experimental data was used by Design-Expert 8.05b software.Results The optimum extraction conditions from Ophiopogon japonicus were concluded as follows: the extraction temperature was 93℃, extraction time was 2 h, extraction times was 3 times, and solid-liquid ratio was 1:15 g/ml.Conclusion Under these conditions, the extraction yield of Ophiopogon japonicus polysaccharides is up to 5.440%, and the relative error is 7.328%.

Objective To discuss the function and advantages of ultrasound technology in various factors in the diagnosis of vertebral artery stenosis lesions.Methods The objective data of ultrasonography were selected in 60 patients (120 vertebral arteries) with paroxysmal,reversible vertigo and headache as the chief complaint,the internal relations were summarized and analyzed.Results In the subjects of study,the vertebral artery stenosis for 38.2％,vertebral artery course tortuosity changer accounted for 33.3％,congenital abnormal development accounted for 9.8％,mixed cause 18.6％,dominant etiology was vertebral artery sclerosis and vertebral artery tortuosity change.Conclusion Ultrasound technology has important value of clinical application in the reasons diagnosis of vertebral artery stenosis disease,it can help extend clinical diagnosis.

Aim To research the protective effects of specnuezhenide, an active compound of traditional Chinese medicine, against CCl4-induced hepatic dam-age in mice. Methods The model of acute hepatic damage caused by CCl4 intraperitoneal injection on mice was obtained. The levels of ALT, AST, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in serum, the activities of MDA, SOD, and GSH-Px in liver homogenates, and the his-topathological organization of liver sections were also examined to observe the protective effects of specnu-ezhenide. Results Specnuezhenide markedly de-creased the CCl4-induced elevation of serum ALT and AST activities, and improved hepatic histopathology changes. Specnuezhenide also significantly decreased the content of MDA in liver tissues, meanwhile in-creased the activities of antioxidant enzymes SOD and GSH-Px. In addition, specnuezhenide reduced the lev-els of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 . Conclusions Specnu-ezhenide has significant protective effects against CCl4-induced hepatic damage in mice, and the possible un-derlying mechanisms of the activity could be due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) and angiogenesis play important roles in generation and development of malignant tumours. The number of researches concerned both of them is increasing rapidly and many impressive conclusions have been achieved based on recent studies. It is indicated that the CSCs have complicated interaction with the adjacent vascular microenvironment and they act on the disease progression together. CSCs may enhance angiogenesis while the vascular microenvironment has effects on maintenance and even induction of stemness, and new illustrations of mechanisms are constantly obtained. In this review, we summarize the current research status of mutual actions between CSCs and the vascular microenvironment, and also overview the latest progresses about relevant targeted therapies, to provide advisable information for future preclinical and clinical explorations.
Humans ; Neoplasms ; blood supply ; pathology ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; pathology ; physiology ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Tumor Microenvironment

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of rituximab in the treatment of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis.Methods Three patients with anti-NMDAR antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid and serum hospitalized from May 2012 to July 2014 were retrospectively reviewed.The clinical syndrome,investigations,and therapeutic interventions by rituximab when first line immunotherapy failed were evaluated.Results All 3 patients were females with median age of 17 years (12,17,and 22 years).One patient had ovarian teratoma.All 3 patients presented with psychiatric symptoms and movement disorders,2 of which developed into a state of unresponsiveness.Brain magnetic resonance imaging of 2 patients was unremarkable,and 1 showed T2 and FLAIR hyperintensity among the areas of medulla,pons,caudex cerebri and callosum.Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-PET showed variable multifocal cortical and subcortical abnormalities that changed during the course of the disease.Electroencephalograms were abnormal in all patients,showing non-specific,slow,and disorganised activity,1 showing extreme delta brush.The cerebrospinal fluid showed lymphocytic pleocytosis.All patients showed no response to treatment with first line immunotherapy (corticosteroids,intravenous immunoglobulin (400 mg · kg-1 · d-1 × 5 d,2-3 courses of treatment)).After the administration of rituximab,1 patient responded slower,whereas the other 2 patients who recovered dramatically (375 mg/m2 every week for 3-4 weeks) continued immunosuppression with mycophenolatemofetil for 1 year.Relapse occurred in 1 patient when the immunotherapies discontinued 6 months later.During the treatment of rituximab,2 patients had grade 3 infectious adverse events (hospitalization and intravenous administration of antibiotics).Conclusions Rituximab is effective for the patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis who fail to respond to the first line immunotherapy.However the utility of rituximab is still a challenge due to the risk of infectious complications and off-label use.

Objective:To establish the test method for histamine-like substances in pirarubicin. Methods:According to the meth-od described in the appendix of Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 edition), the test for histamine-like substances was carried out. Re-sults:The test for histamine-like substances had no interference under the condition with pirarubicin concentration of 0. 01mg·ml-1 . The established test method for histamine-like substances in pirarubicin was applied in 10 samples, and the results were accordant with those of the test method for depressor substances. Conclusion:The test method for histamine-like substances in pirarubicin is feasible with the limit of 1 μg·mg-1 .

Objective To evaluate the effects of assisted reproduction technology ( ART) on gestational weight gain ( GWG) and glucose metabolism .Methods The study was performed in ART women with single-ton and full-term delivery .Age-and pre-pregnancy body mass index matched healthy women with spontaneous pregnancy, singleton, and full-term delivery were recruited as controls .Maternal characteristics (height, age, education level , pre-pregnancy body mass , pre-delivery body mass , medical history , history of abortion , fasting plasma glucose , triglyceride , total cholesterol , and glucose tolerance ) and fetal data ( delivery mode , gender , birth body mass , birth body length ) were collected by a trained nutritionist .Results A total of 200 women were recruited into this study (53 ART women and 147 controls).There was no significant difference in number of previous abortion ( the ratio between the women who had ≥3 abortions to those who had <3 abortions was 6∶47 in the ART group , and 10∶137 in the control group , χ2 =1.080 , P=0.299 ) .Compared with the control group, the ART group had higher education level (33 in the ART and 85 in the control group with un-dergraduate or higher education , 20 in the ART group and 62 in the control group with a college degree or lower education ,χ2 =6.303 , P=0.012 ) .There were no statistically significantly differences between the ART and the control groups in pre-pregnancy body mass index [ (22.00 ±3.05 ) kg/m2 vs.(21.81 ±2.62 ) kg/m2 , P=0.661] and average GWG [ (13.89 ±5.33) kg vs.(14.78 ±4.60) kg, P=0.247].GWG was appro-priate in 22 ART women, excess in 18, and inadequate in 13;in the control group, GWG was appropriate in 66 women, excess in 54, and inadequate in 27.The distribution of GWG showed no significant difference be-tween the two groups (χ2 =1.162 , P=0.247 ) .Oral glucose tolerance test in 24-28 gestational weeks showed no significant difference in fasting blood glucose between the ART and the control groups [ (4.66 ±0.39) mmol/L vs.(4.66 ±0.52) mmol/L, P=0.996], but 1-hour and 2-hour blood glucose levels were significantly in-creased in the ART women [ ( 7.87 ±1.83 ) mmol/L vs.( 7.31 ±1.51 ) mmol/L, P=0.034; ( 7.49 ± 1.29) mmol/L vs.(6.69 ±1.30) mmol/L, P=0.029].The overall prevalence of gestational diabetes melli-tus was 13.5%(27/200), with no significant difference between the ART and the control groups (18.9%vs. 11.6%, P=0.182 ) .Conclusion ART may not affect GWG , but it may cause changes of glucose metabo-lism during pregnancy .

Skin sensitization (allergic contact dermatitis, ACD), is a serious condition caused by small reactive molecules and is characterized by a delayed-type hypersensitivity .Animal tests were usually used in the evaluation of sensitizing potential of chemical substances in the past .However , there is an increasing interest from the public for reducing and ultimately replacing animal tests .The European Union (EU) has posed a ban on animal testing of cosmetic ingredients that includes skin sensitization since 2013.Therefore, alternative in vitro tests are the main tendency in chemical substances and cosmetic sensitizing potential research in the future .In this study, different kinds of in vitro test methods that were adopted by OECD or on research (LLNA, DPRA, KeratinoSens TM, h-CLAT) were reviewed through recent years literature , comprehensive introduction and evaluation were made to obtain reliable hazard and potency information on potential skin sensitizers .

Erzhiwan includes two components of Chinese herbal medicines - Ligustri Lucidi Fructus and Herba Eclip-tae .Ligustri Lucidi Fructus ,Herba Ecliptae and their formulation have various hepatoprotective effects .There are many ac-tive ingredients in the formulation ,such as triterpenes ,iridoids ,phenethyl alcohol-glucosides ,coumarin ethers ,etc .They can resist various chemistry-induced hepatic injury ,ischemia reperfusion induced hepatic injury ,and hepatic fibrosis .The mecha-nisms of hepatoprotective effect include anti-oxidative stress ,anti-inflammatory ,inhibition of hyperplasia and activation of liver stellate cell ,motivating the apoptosis of liver stellate cell ,influencing the metabolic processes of liver cell ,ect .We reviewed and summarized the hepatoprotective effects of Erzhiwan and its components Ligustri Lucidi Fructus and Herba Ecliptae and explore the mechanisms of hepatoprotective effect in order to provide information for further research of pharmacodynamic ma-terial base .