The efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is the summary for the effects of traditional Chinese medicine.The effect of traditional Chinese medical pharmacology is studying the interaction mechanism between TCM and body,using the modern technical methods and guiding by TCM theories.Most efficacies of TCM are identical with pharmacological effects.The clinical use of TCM pharmacy will give a full play of treatment only by guided with the theory of the concept of the whole and treatment based on syndrome differentiation and integrated with the efficacy of TCM and the principal compatibility of medicine.

Background Our previous study demonstrated that microglial activation is closely associated with photoreceptor apoptosis in rd mice.Recent studies on central nervous system (CNS) showed that activation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase plays a key role in the microglia activation and neural cell death.However,the mechanism of NADPH oxidase during the retinal degeneration and the effect of NADPH oxidase inhibitor on photoreceptor apoptosis are concerned.Objective The aim of this study was to further explore the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by NADPH oxidase in the retinal degenerative process of rd mice and protection of NADPH oxidase inhibitor on photoreceptors.Methods Sixty rd mice at postnatal day 9 (P9) were randomized into the experimental group and the control group by throwing coins method.Apocynin,a NADPH oxidase inhibitor,was intraperitoneally injected in the dose of 10 mg/kg (0.01 ml/kg) once daily for 5 days (P13) in the experimental group,and the equal amount of PBS was used in the same way in the control group,and 10 C57BL/6N mice without injection of any drugs served as the wild type mice group.All the mice were sacrificed in P14 for the preparation of retinal sections.The expression of ROS in the retina was detected by dihydroethidium (DHE) fluorescence staining.Expression level of rhodopsin mRNA in the photoreceptor of the mice was determined by real-time PCR,and the thickness of retinal outer nuclear layer (ONL) in the mice of the experimental group and the control group was measured using hematoxylin & eosin staining.The use and care of the animals complied with the Statement of Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.Results DHE staining showed that the ROS presented with the red fluorescence in the mouse retinas.In the rd mice of the experimental group,the ROS fluorescence intensity was dramatically enhanced in comparison with C57BL/6N mice,but weakened in comparison with the rd mice of the control group.Real-time PCR revealed that the relative expressing level of rhodopsin mRNA in the photoreceptor was (4.21±0.33) in the experimental group and (0.93±0.24) in the control group,showing a significant difference between them (t =2.360,P =0.000).The thickness value of retinal ONL was (35.95±1.63)μm in the mice of the experimental group,which was significantly higher than that in the mice of the control group ([23.17±1.38] μm) (t=3.850,P=0.016).Conclusions In the retinal degeneration of rd mice,activation of NADPH oxidase increases the ROS production.Apocynin can slow the apoptosis procedure of photoreceptor cells of rd mice.

Objective To determine the prevalence of VTE in wegener's granulomatosis(WG)and its relation with disease activity as well as the risk factors.Methods Patients diagnosed with WG between 2000 and 2008 were included.Retrospective,systematic analysis and comparison were made between the characteristics of patients in the venous thromboembolism(VTE)group and non-VTE group.Results Seyenty-onepatients with WG were included.Seven VTEs(2 pulmonary emboli.5 deep venous thromboses)occurred in association with WG,all occurred during active phase of the disease.The prevalence of VTE was 9.8%.According to univariate analysis,male sex,nephritic range proteinuria(24 h)≥3.0 g and elevated serum creatinine were significantly associated with VTE.There were no significant differences in classic risk factors between patients with and without WG-associated VTE.Conclusion Patients with WG have an increased risk of developing VTEs.especially when WG is active.Male sex,nephritic range proteinuria(24 h)≥3.0 g and elevated sernm creatinine are risk factors.Clinicians taking care of patients with WG should be highly aware of the risks for VTE and maintain a low threshold for evaluating patients for possible deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.

Objective To investigate the clinical features of 100 cases with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). Methods One hundred patients with WG admitted to our center in recent 11 years were retrospectively analyzed. Results The ratio of male to female was 1.04:1. The average age was (39±17) years (ranging from 4 to 72 years). The upper respiratory tract (86%), lung (82%), kidney (70%) and ocular (53%) were the major affected organs, followed by neurological system ( 12% ) and cardiovascular system ( 11% ). cANCA was positive in 77% of patients, while ANCA was negative in 8%. Images mostly showed multiple nodules/mass with/without cavity in lung (59%) and sinusitis (57%). The pathologic features were necrotic granulomatosis and/or microvasculitis,which was 78% in nasal mucosa/mass biopsy and 75% in lung.Focal segmental necrotic glomerulonephritis ( 59% ) was an important feature for confirming the diagnosis. Of the WG groups, 49% of patients were in generalized subgroup followed by localized (22%), early systemic ( 15% ), severe renal (9%) and refractory group (5%). The patients were treated with corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide. The remission rate in the induction phase was 78%, while the mortality rate was 4%. The follow-up duration ranged from 1 to 145 months. Complications included infection (22%), chronic renal failure( 12% ), deep venous thrombosis( 11% ). Five patients died(8% ), in which 2 patients died of infection.Conclusion The clinical manifestations of Wegener's granulomatosis are complicate. ANCA testing, images of sinus and lung and histological biopsy have played important roles in early diagnosis, which is significant to initiate appropriate and prompt treatment in order to reduce complications and improve prognosis.

Background Studies showed that activation of microglia-derived nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase plays a key role in the neurodegenerative diseases and neural cell death in central nervous system.The effect of NADPH on cone degeneration have been determined in rd rats,its role in rod degeneration is relatively less studied.Objective This study was to study the expression of NADPH oxidase in the retinal degenerative process in rd mice and further explore its role in the photoreceptor degeneration.Methods rd Mice at postnatal day 8 (P8),P10,P12,P14,P16 and P18 were collected.The mice were sacrificed,and retinal sections,RNAs and proteins were prepared in above-mentioned time points.The expressions of the gp91 phox,a major subunit of NADPH oxidase,in transcript level and protein level in the retinas were semi-quantitatively detected by real-time PCR and Western blot respectively.Expression of gp91phox was localized in the rd retinas as ageing by immunohistochemstry,and the co-expression of gp91phox with CD11b,a specific marker of microglial cells,was assayed by immunofluorescent double labeling.The C57BL/6N mice were served as controls.The use and care of the animals complied with the Guideline of ARVO.Results Real-time PCR showed that gp91phox mRNA was not expressed in the retinas of C57BL/6N mice.Gp91phox mRNA was found to have less expressed in retinas of P8 rd mice.With aging,the expression level of gp91phox mRNA (gp91phox mRNA/β-actin) in rd mouse retinas was gradually increased with the highest level in P14 mice(1.136±0.370).A significant difference was seen in the gp91 phox mRNA expression among various groups of mice (F=17.81,P =0.00),and gp91phox mRNA expression was significantly elevated in P10,P12,P14,P16 and P18 rd mice compared with P8 rd mice(all at P＜0.05).The expression level of gp91phox protein (A value) in the retinas presented with a similar trend in the rd mice,with a significant difference among the various ages of rd mice and C57BL/6N mice (F =354.00,P＜0.01).The expression level of gp91 phox protein was increased in the rd mice in comparison with the C57BL/6N mice (all at P＜0.05).Immunochemistry revealed that the positive response cells for gp91phox increased in the inner layers of retinas in P10 rd mice and peaked in P14 mice.Immunofluorescent double labeling exhibited that gp91phox were seen to present a co-expression with CD11b,showing an orange fluorescence.Conclusions Expression of NADPH oxidase in the rctinas in the rd mice up-regulates and is parallels to the microglial activation and photoreceptor degeneration,suggesting that NADPH oxidase plays a role in the retinal dystrophy associated with microglial activation.

Objective To study the clinical, laboratory, radiological and pathological findings of patients with hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis (HCP) in Wegner's granulomatosis (WG) to improve the recognition of the disease, even when it occurs in limited form. Methods Three patients were described and English literatures of biopsy-proven pachymeningitis in WG were reviewed. Results The features of WG-associated pachymeningitis included: ① Frequently occurred early in the course of active limited WG; ② Commonly presented with sever headache and cranial neuropathies in the absence of other meningeal irritative signs; ③ Variable cerebrospinal fluid findings with mild predominantly lymphocytic pleocytosis and elevated protein concentration were major laboratorg findings; ④Elevated ESR and positive serum anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) could be found in most patients; ⑤ Gadolinium-enhanced brain MRI is very senitive in the detection of pachymeningitis; ⑥A dural biopsy showed granulomatous necrotizing inflammation, giant cell, and evidence of vasculitis;⑦ A favorable response to standard treatment with corticosteroid, cyclophosphamide or other cytotoxic drugs could be observed. Conclusion HCP may be the initial or cardinal manifestation of the limited form of WG. Early diagnosis by ANCA, MRI and dural biopsy may facilitate diagnosis Corticosteroid and immunosupressant are the choices of treatment.

Objective To detect the expression of HERG (human ether-à-go-go-related gene ) potassium channel in human osteosarcoma,and explore the effects of silencing HERG by small interfering RNA (siRNA)on the proliferation and apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells and the mechanisms responsible for HERG regulation.Methods The expressions of HERG in osteosarcoma MG-63 cells and tissues were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR),Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.Next, osteosarcoma cells were divided into three groups:HERG-siRNA group,control-siRNA group and blank group. CCK-8,colony formation,flow cytometry and Tunel assay were used to measure the proliferation and apoptosis of the osteosarcoma cells.Finally,Western blotting analysis was performed to detect the expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)pathway in osteosarcoma cells treated with HERG siRNA.Results Osteosarcoma cells and tissues were found to highly express HERG.Inhibition of HERG in the osteosarcoma cells significantly inhibited the cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis.Compared to control-siRNA group or blank group,HERG-siRNA could inhibit the proliferation of MG-63 cells significantly [HERG-siRNA group:(75.34 ± 4.45)%;compared to control-siRNA group:(100.60 ±5.31)%;t =3.64,P =0.007;compared to blank group:(100.00 ±5.66)%;t =3.43,P =0.009].The similar results were obtained from colony formation assay (HERG-siRNA group:134.30 ±11.82;compared to control-siRNA group:225.30 ±11.56;t =5.51, P =0.002;compared to blank group:232.80 ±12.21;t =5.80,P =0.001).HERG-siRNA transfected MG-63 cells demonstrated a significant increase of apoptotic rate compared to control-siRNA transfected cells or untreated cells [HERG-siRNA group:(28.10 ±2.21 )%;compared to control-siRNA group:(9.36 ± 2.42)%;t =5.72,P =0.005;compared to blank group:(10.92 ±2.51)%;t =5.14,P =0.007].This resultwas further confirmed by Tunel assay.The cells transfected with HERG-siRNA (31.57 ±2.08)% dem-onstrated extensive apoptosis,compared with the control-siRNA group [(10.35 ±1.82)%;t =7.69,P =0.002)]or blank group [(7.96 ±0.88)%;t =10.48,P =0.001].Silencing HERG gene down-regulated the cIAP-1,XIAP,Bcl-2,Survivin,P-IκBαand NF-κB p65 expression,compared to the control groups. Conclusion HERG is highly expressed in osteosarcoma.HERG silencing can suppress osteosarcoma progres-sion through NF-κB pathway and suggest that HERG may be a novel molecular target for osteosarcoma therapy and diagnosis.

A 17-year-old young man with a history of swollen leg and intermittent jaundice was presented to Peking Union Medical College Hospital with acute fever and mental disturbance.He developed deep venous thrombosis,acute myocardial infarction and plantar skin necrosis during the past four years,and was presented with an acute episode of fever,thrombocytopenia,acute kidney injury,acute myocardial infarction,mental disturbance,and obstructive jaundice.Laboratory tests showed schistocytes on peripheral blood smear.High titer of antiphospholipid antibodies was detected.Strikingly,the activity of a disintegrin and metalloprotease with a thrombospondin type 1 motif,member 13 (ADAMTS13)was significantly decreased without the production of inhibitors.Images indicated stenosis of the common bile duct,common hepatic duct,and cystic duct,which caused dilation of bile ducts and the gall bladder.Corticosteroids and anticoagulation therapy were effective at first,but the disease relapsedonce the corticosteroids tapered down.Plasma exchange was administrated for 17 times,which was effective temporarily during this episode.Methylprednisolone pulse therapy,intravenous immunoglobulin,rituximab,anticoagulation therapy,and bile drainage,were all tried but still could not control the disease.The patient's family agreed to withdraw treatment after he developed septic shock.

Objective To detect the changes of CD4 + CD25 + CD127low/-regulatory T (Treg) cells in peripheral blood in patients with portal hypertension and hepatitis B virus infection before and after splenectomy,and to study the effects of splenectomy on the immune function of patients with portal hypertension.Methods The clinical data of 20 patients with portal hypertension,hepatitis B virus infection and hypersplenism who were admitted to the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from May 2012 to May 2013 were retrospectively analyzed.The dynamic levels of CD4 + CD25 + CD127low/ Treg cells in the peripheral blood of the 20 patients (portal hypertension group) at 1 day before splenectomy and at postoperative week 1,month 1 and month 3 were detected by flow cytometry,and the dynamic levels of CD4 + CD25 + CD127low/ Treg cells in the peripheral blood of 10healthy individuals (control group) from the same hospital were also detected by flow cytometry.The effects of changes of Treg cells on the immune function were analyzed.All data were analyzed using the t test or repeated measures analysis of variance.Results The proportions of CD4 + CD25 + CD127low/-Treg cells before operation were 5.1％ ± 3.5％ in the portal hypertension group and 1.4％ ± 0.2％ in the control group,with significant difference between the 2 groups (t =2.573,P ＜ 0.05).The proportions of CD4 + CD25 + CD127low/ Treg cells in the portal hypertension group at postoperative week 1,month 1 and month 3 were 9.2％ ±2.7％,5.6％ ± 1.7％and 2.5％± 2.1％,respectively.There was significant difference in the proportion of CD4+ CD25 + CD127low/-Treg cells between postoperative week 1 and that before operation (F =9.814,P ＜ 0.05),while there was no significant difference in the proportion of CD4 + CD25 + CD127low/-Treg cells between postoperative month 3 and that before operation (F =2.364,P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The proportion of Treg cells increases in a short period after splenectomy,and then it decreases as time passed by,which indicates that splenectomy has slight influence on the immune system from the perspective of Treg cells.

Objective Objective To explore the reasons of lung hypervolemia after liver transplantation and the corresponding treatment strategies.Method 291 patients received liver transplantation,in which 35 cases underwent pulmonary edema at early stage (pulmonary hypervolemia group),and the rest without pulmonary hypervolemia served as control group.Average central venous pressure (CVP) was recorded pre-,intra-and post-operatively.Total intake,total discharge and fluid balance were also recorded intraoperatively and 3 days post-operatively.Result In pulmonary hypervolemia group,CVP was (12.33 ± 5.08),(14.33 ± 3.03) and (16.50 ± 4.57) mmHg pre-,intra-and post-operatively,significantly higher than that in control group (P＜0.05 for all).Total intake,total discharge and fluid balance in pulmonary hypervolemia group were significantly higher than those in control group intraoperatively and 3 days post-operatively (P＜0.05 for all).After diuretic therapy and hemodialysis,30 cases in pulmonary hypervolemia group recurred,and 5 cases died of infection.Conclusion Pulmonary hypervolemia at early stage after liver transplantation is related to fluid balance.The reasonable control of total intake,total discharge and fluid balance is necessary.