BACKGROUND: Clinical observation has been proved that acupuncture has effect on antiinflammation and immunoloregulation, which is the basis for preventing and curing immune disturbance and active chronic inflammation. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electropumcture on antiinflammation, analgesia and subgroup of T cells of adjuvant-arthrosis rats at Jiaji acupoint.DESIGN: Completely randomized grouping and controlled study.SETTING: Basic Laboratory of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. MATERIALS: A total of 30 Wistar rats were selected in this study. Five days after feeding, all rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal control group, model group and electropumcture group with 10 in each group. METHODS: ① The experiment was completed at Basic Laboratory of Acupuncture and Moxibustion of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January to May 2005. Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) was used to establish adjuvant-arthrosis models in model group and electropumcture group. On the modeling day, the 3rd and the 5th Jiaji acupoints of bilateral lumbar vertebrae of rats in electropumcture group were acupunctured with 28-sized stainless-steel milli-needle of 0.5 inch.The needle was stimulated 0.3 cm from the 3rd and the 5th spinous process of lumbar vertebra which was counected to G6805-2A multiple functional electropumcture meter for sparse-tight waves (frequency of sparse wave: 4 Hz, frequency of tight wave: 60 Hz, intensity: t mA) 30 minutes each time,once a day for 7 days. Rats in normal group and model group were fixed with the same way for 7 days. (Rats were fixed with cloth-rope at fixing apparatus.) ② Pain threshold was measured before modelling, 1 and 7 days after modelling. Foot pad was exposured with strong light by hot-pain stimulation meter, and paw withdrawal latency was regarded as pain threshold. ③ Right hindfoot bulk of rats was assayed with foot bulk determinator (bulk draining method) before modelling, 1 and 7 days after modelling to calculate swelling rate (％) [(foot bulk after modelling-foot bulk before modelling)/ foot bulk before modelling × 100％ ]. ④ Expressional rates of serum CD4+ and CD8+ were assayed with FACSCalibur flow cytometer and the ratio between CD4+ and CD8+ was calculated 8 days after modelling. ⑤ Average value of multiple samples were compared with single-factor analysis of variance and t test.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Effect of electropumcture at Jiaji acupoint on pain threshold, swelling rate and subgroup of serum T cells of adjuvant-arthrosis rats.RESULTS: A total of 30 rats were involved in the final analysis. ① One day after modeling, bulk of right hindfoot in model group and electropumcture group was bigger than that in normal control group and that before modeling (P ＜ 0.01), and swelling rate was higher than that in normal control group (P ＜ 0.01); 7 days after modeling, bulk and swelling of right hindfoot in model group were higher than those in normal control group (P ＜ 0.01), and bulk was bigger than that before modeling (P ＜ 0.01);bulk and swelling of right hindfoot in electropumcture group were lower than those in model group (P ＜ 0.05). ② Pain threshold of both rear feet of normal rats were not changed after modelling. One day after modelling,pain threshold at inflammatory side was decreased in model group and electropumcture group (P ＜ 0.01) and it was lower than that in normal control group (P ＜ 0.01); 7 days after modeling, pain threshold at inflammatory side was still lower than that before inflammation (P ＜ 0.05),and it in electropumcture group was higher than that in model group (P＜ 0.05). ③ Percentages of CD4+ T lymphocyte and CD8+ T lymphocyte in model group were lower than those in normal control group (P ＜ 0.01), and ratio of CD4+/CD8+ was also higher than that in normal control group (P＜ 0.05). Percentage of CD4+ in electropumcture group was higher than that in model group, but there was no significant difference. Percentage of CD8+ in electropumcture group was higher than that in model group (P ＜ 0.01),but ratio of CD4+/CD8+ was lower than that in model group (P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION: Electropumcture at Jiaji acupoint has obvious effect on anti-inflammation and analgesia, and can also regulate cellular immunity of adjuvant-arthrosis rats.

Objective To observe the efficacy of inhaled tiotropium bromide combined with budesonide/formoterol on reducing the frequency of acute episodes of symptom exacerbation and improving lung function,health status in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods Eighty-six patients with COPD were divided into 3 groups, combination group[29 cases, inhaled budesonide/formoterol (160 μg/4.5 μg, twice one day ) and tiotropium bromide ( 18 μg, once one day)], budesonide/formoterol group( 29 cases, 160 μg/4.5 μg, twice one day) and tiotropium bromide group(28 cases, 18 μg, once one day). The treatment continued for 3 months. Results Lung function, symptoms and health status improved obviously in three groups. The forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) of combination group after treatment was (1.24±0.18) L , which was improved by 11.7% compared with before treatment. It was significantly higher than that in budesenide/formoterol group and fiotropium bromide group (P < 0.01 ). The rescue medication consumptions and the times of acute episode of combination group were significantly decreased compared with those in the other groups,and there was significant difference (P <0.01). The SGRQ score of combination group was (35.6±13.9) points which was significantly lower than that of budesonide/formoterol group and tiotropium bromide group,and there was significant difference (P < 0.01 ).There was no statistical difference in the adverse events occurred in three groups (P > 0.05 ). Conclusions Combination treatment produces better control of symptoms and lung function and has no greater risk of sideeffects, compared with the treatment of budesonide/formoterol alone and tiotropium bromide alone. The combination treatment should be considered for patients with COPD.

Objective To study the role of calcium homeostatic and kinetics in the epileptogenesis activity. Methods Hippocampal neurons were acutely isolated from controls and status epilepticus (SE) models induced by lithium-pilocarpine at different time point. The [Ca2+]i levels were detected by laser scanning confocal microscope. And the ability to restore resting [Ca2+]i levels after a brief exposure to 5 μmol/L glutamate in control and epileptic neurons were evaluated. Results The [Ca2+]i level of acute separated hippocampal neurons in the control rats was (95.4±22. 1) nmol/L After injection of lithium pilocarpine, the [Ca2+]i level in hippecampal neurons increased dramatically to (867.6±35.2) nmol/L, and decreased to (292.8 ± 18.3) nmol/L on the 7th day, lasting for about 30 days ((220. 8± 17.6) nmol/L), it is higher than that in the control group (t = 12. 55, P < 0.01). The distribution of neuronal [Ca22+]i showed that 92% of control neurons were in the normal range of [Ca2+]i level (25-150 nmol/L) ; After 6 hours, however [Ca2+]i levels of all SE neurons increased, and 85% of which were higher than 500 nmol/L; After 7, 14 and 30 days, there were 75%, 60% and 52% of SE neurons still manifested an elevated [Ca22+]i level, but less than 500 nmol/L. After the exposure to 5 μmol/L glutamate treatment for 2 minutes, [Ca2+]i of the control neurons restored to baseline values in (9. 5±3.4) minutes, whereas the SE rats of acute, latent and chronic phases did not (t = 5.08, 4. 56, 4. 21, all P < 0. 01). Conclusion Lithium-pilocarpine induced epilepsy causes a long-term alteration of calcium homeostatic mechanisms of hippocampus neurons, which may play an important role in the development and maintenance of spontaneous recurrent seizures.

ObjectiveTo study the risk factors of mediastinal lymph node metastasis in patients with ≤3 cm peripheral non-small cell lung cancer.MethodsFrom January 2000 to December 2010,a total of 281 patients with NSCLC[152 men and 129 women,aged ( 60.31±12.13) years;≤ 3 cm in diameter]underwent lobectomy or partial resection with systematic mediastinal lymphadenectomy in hospital .Clinical data included age,gender,symptoms,history and quantity of smoking history,history of tumor,family history of tumor,site,diameter,calcification,speculation,border,lobulation,traction of pleural,vascular convergence sign,cavity were collected compaired and analyzed.Single and multi-variate analysis was performed to determine the independent risk of occult N2 nodal involvement.ResultsLogistic regression analysis show seven clinical characteristics (fleshless( OR:22.262),history of tumor(OR:5.485),diameter( 0R:3.788),density( OR;5.850),traction of pleural (OR:1.371),border ( OR:8.259) and cavity (OR:7.124) were risk factors.ConclusionFleshless,history of tumor,diameter,density,traction of pleural and the border and cavity were independent predictors of malignancy in patients with ≤3 cm peripheral non-small cell lung cancer.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the mierosatellite polymorphism of heme oxygenase-1(HOX-1)gene promoter and susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)in Han nationality of Southwest China and CT imaging.Method The alleles frequencies with varying number of(GT)n repeatings in the Hox-1 gene in 180 smokers with COPD and in 150 healthy smokers were analyzed.Results Polymorphisms of the(GT)n repeats were grouped into three classes:S(≤25 repeats),M(26-31 repeats),L(≥32repeats).The proportion of genotypic frequencies in the group with class L alleles(L/S,L/M,I/L)was significantly higher in the smokers with COPD than in healthy smokers(29.4%vs18.7%,P=0.023,OR=1.8,95%CI 1.1-3.1).However,there was no relationship between the polymorphism of HOX-1 gene and subtypes of COPD by CT imaging in COPD patients(P＞0.05).Conclusion Genetic polymorphism in Hox-1 is associated with development of COPD in Han nationality of Southwest China.But the polymorphism of HOX-1 gene is not associated with subtypes of COPD by CT imaging.

Objective To compare and analyze MRI characteristics of medical patellofemoral ligament(MPFL) injury patterns in adolescents and adults after acute lateral patellar dislocation.Methods MR images of 42 adolescents and 45 adults after acute lateral patellar dislocation were retrospectively reviewed.Routine MR scanning was performed in axial,sagittal and coronal planes,including T1 WI,T2 WI and fat saturation sequence.The x2-tests were performed to analyze the MPFL injury patterns between adolescent group and adult group.Results The prevalence rate of MPFL injury was 97.6％ (41/42) in adolescent group after acute lateral patellar dislocation,including 57.1％ (24/42) of complete tear and 40.5％ (17/42) of partial tear.The prevalence rate of MPFL injury was 100.0％ (45/45) in adult group,including 64.4％ (29/45) of complete tear and 35.6％ (16/45) of partial tear.There were no statistical difference between adolescents and adults in prevalence rate of MPFL injury,complete MPFL tear,partial MPFL tear (x2 =1.084,0.486,0.223 ; P ＞ 0.05).The prevalence rate of MPFL injury at femoral attachment,patellar attachment and midsubstance were 31.0％ (13/42),78.6％ (33/42) and 26.2％ (11/42) respectively in adolescent group,whereas they were 64.4％ (29/45),40.0％ (18/45) and 15.6％ (7/45) respectively in adult group.It occurred at multiple sites in 33.3％ (14/42) of adolescents,and in 15.6％ (7/45) of adults.There were significant differences between adolescents and adults in the prevalence rate of MPFL tear at femoral attachments and patellar attachments (x2 =9.759,13.324 ; P ＜ 0.05),but there was no statistical difference at its midsubstance (x2 =1.497,P ＞ 0.05).Although not statistically significant (x2 =3.749,P ＞ 0.05),MPFL tear at multiple locations were seen more in adolescents than in adults (33.3％ vs.15.6％).Conclusion The injury degree and distribution of MPFL are similar in adolescents and adults after acute lateral patellar dislocation,but there is significant difference in the site of MPFL injury distribution between adolescents and adults.MPFL is most easily injured at femoral attachment,secondly at patellar attachment in adults,while MPFL is most easily injured at patellar attachment,secondly at femoral attachment in adolescents.Adolescents are more likely to have multiple-site MPFL injury than adults.

Objective: To investigate the trends in incidence of viral hepatitis in Yuxi City, Yunnan Province from 2004 to 2022, so as to provide insights into the management of viral hepatitis. Methods: Data of viral hepatitis cases in Yuxi City from 2004 to 2022 were retrieved from the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The temporal, human and spatial distribution of viral hepatitis cases were analyzed using a descriptive epidemiological method, and the trends in incidence of viral hepatitis were evaluated in Yuxi City from 2004 to 2022 using annual percent change (APC) and average APC (AAPC). Results: A total of 37 430 viral hepatitis cases were reported in Yuxi City from 2004 to 2022, with an average annual incidence rate of 91.27/105, and the incidence showed a tendency towards a rise (AAPC=12.686, P<0.05). There were 29 229 cases with hepatitis B, 5 796 cases with hepatitis C, 1 451 cases with hepatitis A, 520 cases with hepatitis E and 434 cases with unclassified hepatitis reported in Yuxi City, with average annual incidence rates of 71.27/105, 14.13/105, 3.54/105, 1.27/105 and 1.06/105, respectively. The average annual incidence rates of viral hepatitis were 98.24/105 and 78.94/105 among men and women, which both appeared a tendency towards a rise (AAPC=12.415% and 12.581%, both P<0.05). The highest average annual incidence of viral hepatitis was seen among residents at age of 25 to 29 years (139.89/105), with the lowest seen among residents at ages of 0 to 4 years (11.38/105), and the average annual incidence of viral hepatitis appeared a tendency towards a rise with age (P<0.05). The highest average annual incidence of viral hepatitis was seen in Huaning County (234.24/105), with the lowest seen in Chengjiang City (26.11/105), and the average annual incidence appeared a tendency towards a rise in Xinping County from 2004 to 2022 (AAPC=21.451%, P<0.05). Conclusions The reported incidence of viral hepatitis appeared a tendency towards a rise in Yuxi City from 2004 to 2022, with hepatitis B as the main type. High incidence was seen among men and adolescents. The viral hepatitis control strategy requires to be adjusted with adaptations to high-incidence hepatitis subgroups, residents and regions.

Several studies have evaluated the association between vitamin D receptor, matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3) polymorphisms and the risk of intervertebral disc degeneration susceptibility. The findings were inconsistent. This meta-analysis aimed to systematically assess the association between vitamin D receptor, MMP-3 polymorphisms and the risk of intervertebral disc degeneration susceptibility. A search of various databases was done covering all papers published until December 31th, 2014. Eight, 4, 3 studies were finally included that addressed the risk of intervertebral disc degeneration susceptibility and vitamin D receptor FokI (rs2228570), ApaI (rs7975232), and MMP-3 (rs731236) polymorphisms, respectively. FokI (f vs. F: summary odds ratio [OR], 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76–1.69; ff vs. FF: OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.59–1.77; ff vs. Ff/FF: OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.70–1.58), ApaI (a vs. A: OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.45–1.19; aa vs. AA: OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.22–1.25 p=0.14; aa vs. AA/Aa: OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.53–0.89) in the vitamin D receptor gene and MMP3 polymorphisms (5A vs. 6A: OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 0.77–4.80; 5A5A vs. 6A6A: OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 0.75–6.24; 5A5A vs. 5A6A/6A6A: OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 0.72–3.44) were not obviously associated with risk of intervertebral disc degeneration susceptibility. FokI, ApaI polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor gene and MMP-3 polymorphism are not obvious risk factors for intervertebral disc degeneration susceptibility.
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration* ; Intervertebral Disc* ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 3* ; Odds Ratio ; Receptors, Calcitriol* ; Risk Factors ; Vitamin D* ; Vitamins*

Objective To explore the role of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) in HMGBl-mediated CD4+ T cells differentiation to Th1/Th2.Methods CD4+ T lymphocytes isolated from the spleens of male BALB/C mice by magnetic beads were suspended in RPMI-1640 with 10％ FCS in 2× 106cell/well on 96-well cell culture plates in vitro.The cells were randomly divided 4 groups according to concentration of HMGB1 treatment:control group,10 ng/mL group,100 ng/mL group,1 000 ng/mL group after stimulation with ConA in 3 μg/mL for 12 hours.IL-4 and IFN-γ levels in culture supernatants were quantitated by ELISA kits after HMGB1 stimulation for 12,24,and 48 h.According to the results,cultured cells were exposed to HMGB1 in 100 ng/mL for 24 h in the following experiments.The cells were randomly divided into 4 groups:control group,A group,B group,C group,and each group were cultured with ConA in 3 μg/mL for 24 h.The cells of control group and other three groups were stimulated with PBS or 100 μg/L HMGB1 for 24 h.The cells of B,C groups were incubated with 1/200 diluted 5 μg/L anti-RAGE Abs (anti-bodies) or PBS for 2 h before HMGB1 stimulation.The cell suspension was obtained to detect the levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ by EILSA and the protein levels and mRNA expressions of RAGE,CATA-3 were detected by western-blot and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR,respectively.ResuRs Compared with control group,CD4+ T cells incubated with increasing concentrations of HMGB1 (100,1 000 ng/mL) for 24 h resulted in a decrease in IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio (P＜0.05).When CD4+ T cells were exposed to 100 ng/mL HMGB1 for 12 h,IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio was markedly increased.However,CD4+ T cells treated with 100 ng/mL HMGB1 for 24,48 h,IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio was markedly inhibited (P＜0.05).Compared with control group,protein levels and mRNA expressions of RAGE and GATA3 of cells in A group were significantly increased (P＜0.05),and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio of cell suspension in A group and B group was significantly down-regulated (P＜0.05).Compared with A group,IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio of cell suspension in C group was increased (P＜0.05),and expression of GATA3 mRNA was down-regulated (P＜0.05).Compared with A group,protein level of RAGE of cells in C group was significantly down-regulated (P＜0.05),but protein level of RAGE of cells in C group was still increased compared with control group (P＜0.05).Conclusion Th1/Th2 differentiation induced by HMGB1 on CD4+ T lymphocytes in vitro was at least partly mediated by over-activating RAGE/GATA3 pathway.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) mostly exhibit M2-like (alternatively activated) properties and play positive roles in angiogenesis and tumorigenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key angiogenic factor. During tumor development, TAMs secrete VEGF and other factors to promote angiogenesis; thus, anti-treatment against TAMs and VEGF can repress cancer development, which has been demonstrated in clinical trials and on an experimental level. In the present work, we show that miR-150 is an oncomir because of its promotional effect on VEGF. MiR-150 targets TAMs to up-regulate their secretion of VEGF in vitro. With the utilization of cell-derived vesicles, named microvesicles (MVs), we transferred antisense RNA targeted to miR-150 into mice and found that the neutralization of miR-150 down-regulates miR-150 and VEGF levels in vivo and attenuates angiogenesis. Therefore, we proposed the therapeutic potential of neutralizing miR-150 to treat cancer and demonstrated a novel, natural, microvesicle-based method for the transfer of nucleic acids.
Animals ; Carcinogenesis ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Exosomes ; HEK293 Cells ; Heterografts ; Humans ; Macrophages ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; RNA, Antisense ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; Up-Regulation ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism