Objective:To investigate the association of thyrotropin receptor antibodies(TRAb) with the sensitivity to glucocorticoid therapy in Graves′s ophthalmopathy(GO) patients.Methods:Total 37 subjects with active GO were treated with prednisone. According to the relieve degree and clinical activity of their eye symptoms post-steroid treatment, patients were grouped into sensitive group(S) and non-sensitive group(NS). TRAb positive rate and antibody titer of the two groups were compared.Results:In S group( n=28 ), the positive rate and titre of TRAb were 76.53% and (12.54?5.62) U/L, respectively; The positive rate and titre of TRAb post-treatment were 22.18% and (7.82?4.91) U/L, respectively, were significant lower than data prior treatment. In NS group( n=9 ), the positive rate and titre of TRAb prior treatment were 67.24% and (11.07?4.63) U/L, respectively; The positive rate and titre of TRAb post-treatment were 59.74% and (10.81?5.96) U/L, there was no significant difference with data prior treatment. Prior treatment, there was no significant difference of TRAb titres between the two groups. Post-treatment, TRAb titres in NS group were significant higher than in S group.Conclusion:The variations of TRAb level were closely correlated with the sensitivity to glucocorticoid therapy in GO patients. Serum TRAb level can be used as a major index to evaluate therapeutic sensitivity to glucocorticoid therapy in GO.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Tongbi Mixture 2, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA), on immunoregulation of T lymphocytes in rats with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). METHODS: Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group, untreated group, Tongbi Mixture 2-treated group, methotrexate (MTX)-treated group and Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside (TWP)-treated group. Except for the rats of the normal control group (injection with normal saline), rats of the other four groups were subcutaneouly multipoint-injected with collagen protein II to induce CIA. The rats were treated with normal saline, Tongbi Mixture 2, MTX tablets and TWP tablets respectively for 36 days. The expressions of CD28 and CD152 were detected by flow cytometry, while the content of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The expression of CD28 among the three drug treated groups had no statistical difference (P>0.05), while significantly higher than that of the normal control group (P<0.01) and lower than that of the untreated group (P<0.01). The expression of CD152 in the Tongbi Mixture 2 treated-group was lower than those of the MTX- and TWP-treated groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), but had no statistical difference as compared with the normal control group (P>0.05). There were no statistical differences in content of TNF-alpha between the drug treated groups and the normal control group (P>0.05), but the content of TNF-alpha of the drug treated groups was lower than that of the untreated group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Tongbi Mixture 2 can inhibit T lymphocytes through down-regulating the expressions of CD28 and CD152 and the content of TNF-alpha, which may be the major mechanisms in treating RA.

BACKGROUND: Animal experimental studies have confirmed that cell transplantation, neurotrophic factor infusion or transplantation as well as other methods can alter the local environment of injured spinal cord and promote its partial function recovery.OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the clinical efficacy of olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation for the treatment of the sequel of myelitis, and to explore whether it would promote the recovery of the spinal cord function.DESIGN: A non-randomized self-control study.SETTING: Ward of Second Department of Surgery of Taian Disabled Soldiers Hospital of Shandong Province.PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-two patients with obsolete myelitis, who come from all over China and suffered from disease for 0.5 to 7 years, admitted to our hospital between June 2004 and July 2007 were recruited in this study. The involved patients, including 21 males and 11 females, were aged 5-48 years. Their neurological functions were not obviously improved after various conventional treatments and limb function exercise. Meanwhile, various sensorimotors and autonomic nerve functional impairments were left. Among the patients, 18 suffered from acute viral myelitis, 8 from acute purulent myelitis and 6 from tuberculous myelitis. After onset, they were all given large doses of radiosonde,dexamethasone, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory drugs and various neurotrophic drugs. Twenty-six patients presented complete injury and six patients incomplete injury. Informed consent of treatment was obtained from each patient. The therapeutic protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the hospital. Embryonic olfactory bulbs were harvested from aborted embryo, which was donated voluntarily by the patients or their relatives.METHODS: Cells were isolated from embryonic olfactory bulbs, cultured and purified for 7 to 14 days, and finally they were digested into single-cell suspension. Under the surgical miscroscope, the cells were transplanted onto the regions which were above or below the spinal cord injury site. Two weeks to 2 months postoperatively, neurological function of spinal cord was assessed by using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Scoring Standard formulated in 2000, and was compared to pre-operation function.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①Sensory function change. ②Motor function change.RESULTS: Half a year to 2 years after olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation, the sensory and motor functions of 32 patients were all obviously improved (motor function: 55.72±10.50 vs. 51.53±13.41; light touch:69.53±11.68 vs.63.06±15.98; pain sense: 69.50±12.20 vs. 64.03±15.0, all P ＜ 0.01 ).CONCLUSION: Olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation can help to promote the neurological function recovery of patients with the sequel of myelitis. However, its long-term curative effect needs to be further investigated.

BACKGROUND: Many factors affect the outcome of olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation for obsolete spinal cord injury, such as the time of injury, segment and sex. The best time to do olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation is unknown up to now. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of time windows of olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation on the recovery of motion and sensation function in spinal cord injury patients. DESIGN: Self-control observation. SETTING: Department of Neurosurgery, Taian Disabled Soldier's Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: 135 patients with spinal cord injury were enrolled at the Department of Spinal Cord Surgery, Taian Disabled Soldier's Hospital of Shandong Province from June 2004 to June 2007, including 121 males and 14 females, aged 7-59 years, averagely 36 years. Duration of spinal cord injury included 0-6 months in 21 cases, 7 months-2 years in 71 cases and over 2 years in 43 cases. These patients or their guardians signed an informed consent of the cell transplantation. The experimental procedures were accorded with the rules of Ministry of Health of China (No. 91-006) and approved by the Taian Disabled Soldier's Hospital of Shandong Province. METHODS: ①Olfactory bulbs of aborted fetus were digested into single olfactory ensheathing cells, and then cultured for 7-15 days. Parturients signed the informed consent. This study was approved by the Hospital Ethical Committee. ②After general anesthesia, olfactory ensheathing cell suspension was implanted into the corresponding region by the multi-targeted injection with a microscope. According to the injury condition, targets generally located in upper or lower injured region and left or right normal spinal cord. The amount of targets depends on the size of the injured region. About 1 000 000 units of cells were injected into each target, about 50 μL of suspension, at 2×1010 L-1, 2-5 targets. ③American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale was used to assess the motion and sensation function in spinal cord injury patients before transplantation and 2-8 weeks after transplantation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Scores on American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale. RESULTS: 135 spinal cord injury patients were involved in the result analysis. Motion and sensation function was improved in spinal cord injury patients at different time windows compared with that before transplantation (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in scores on motion and sensation function and the increased degree of the score at different time windows after transplantation (P > 0.05).CONCLUSION: Olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation can promote the recovery of nerve function in spinal cord injury patients, without the difference in time windows.

Objective To investigate methods and results of endovascular treatment in TASC (Ⅱ) D-type femoral artery occlusion. Methods From January 2012 to May 2013, 26 cases (26 branches) of superficial femoral artery occlusion with endovascular treatment of TASC (Ⅱ) D-type superficial femoral artery occlusion were retrospectively reviewed. The effi-cacy was evaluated through ABI, CTA, DSA and symptoms improved. Results 26 branches were treated with endovascular methods. Technical success rate was 80.7%(21/26), including 13 branche with stent implantation, 6 branches with Silver-hawk atherectomy and 2 branches with Viabahn stent implantation. All patients were followed up for a mean period of (10.3 ± 1.2)months, primary patency rates at 6 months were 69.2%in stent group, 66.7%in Silverhawk atherectomy group and 100%in Viabahn stent group. Conclusion Endovascular treatment of TASC (Ⅱ) D-type femoral artery occlusion can lead to satisfactory short term patency rates, and Viabahn stent is the latest treatment.

Objective: To observe the characteristics of serum homocysteine (Hcy) distribution and the epidemiological characteristics of high serum level of Hcy (HHcy) in Kazakh population.
Methods: The stratiifed cluster random sampling method was used to investigate 1003 kazakh individuals in Xinyuan county of Xinjiang including 433 male and 570 female, and they were individuals into 5 age groups:①(25-34) years, n=333,②(35-44) years, n=306, ③(45-54) years, n=230, ④(55-65) years, n=90, ⑤>65 years, n=44. The questionnaire survey, physical check-up and blood biochemical examination were performed and compared among different groups.
Results: ① The geometrical mean of Hcy was 13.3μmol/L, and the male was higher than female as 16.0μmol/L vs 11.6μmol/L. ②By age stratiifcation, the serum levels of Hcy elevated with the increased age accordingly. Except for those with the age>65 years, the serum levels of Hcy were all higher in male than female in other 4 age groups. ③The average rate of HHcy prevalence was 31.5%, and the male was higher than female as 49.9%vs 17.5%.④The average rate of H type hypertension prevalence was 35.1%, and the male was higher than female as 44.3%vs 28.1%. There were 87.6%of H type hypertensive patients with H type hypertension, and the male was higher than female as 95.0%vs 80.0%, all P<0.001.
Conclusion: The serum levels of Hcy were different from gender and age; the prevalences of HHcy and H type hypertension were higher in Kazakh population at Xinyuan county of Xinjiang. Community intervention should be conducted to improve the public health condition in Kazakh population.

BACKGROUND: A series of basic researches have confirmed that,the olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation can promote spinal cord regeneration and recover some neurological functions of spinal cord in animal models of spinal cord injury.Some clinical trials also prove that transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells can indeed improve neurological function in patients with spinal cord injury,and then improve their quality of life.OBJECTIVE: To verify the effectiveness and safety of olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation in repair of neurological function of spinal cord injury patients.METHODS: The aborted embryonic olfactory bulb was collected and digested into single olfactory ensheathing cells.After they were cultured and purified 2 weeks,olfactory ensheathing cell suspension was prepared.A total of 213 cases of spinal cord injury were selected.Under general anesthesia,the prepared olfactory ensheathing cell suspension was injected through several target sites surrounding the injured spinal cord.ASIA scale was used to assay the patients before transplantation,3 weeks to 2 months after transplantation,so as to evaluate spinal cord recovery.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The spinal cord nerve function in all patients altered to different degrees at 3 weeks postoperation.Spinal cord function score,the sensory and motor functions were significantly increased compared with preoperation(P < 0.001),and showed a trend of continuous improvement with time; the patients were visited as follow-up for no more than 5 years,and no impairment of the restored nervous function or transplant adverse reactions were observed.It is confirmed that olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation can promote the recovery of nerve function in patients with spinal cord injury,it can restore and improve some spinal cord functions,and the treatment is safe.

To prepare the polyclonal antibody against the 3D polymerase of foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV), the 3D polymerase gene of this virus was amplified by PCR and doubly digested with BamH I and Nde I. Then, it were cloned into expression vector pET-30a(+) to obtain the recombinant plasmid pET-3D and this plasmid was transformed to E.coli BL21(DE3) with induction by IPTG.The target protein was identified and purified with SDS+PAGE, and the inclusion bodies were extracted. The purified target protein was used as antigen to immunize New Zealand rabbits to prepare the polyclonal antibody against 3D polymerase of FMDV, which was then characterized by indirect ELISA and Western blotting. As demonstrated by SDS-PAGE, the target protein with a molecular weight at 46 ku was expressed. The polyclonal antibody showed high affinity and obvious specificity and its titer was above 1:8 000. This polyclonal antibody may lay a foundation for the further studies on the biological functions and epitopes of the 3D polymerase of FMDV.

Objective:To investigate the correlation of fluid-attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR) vascular hyperintensity (FVH) and clinical outcome in patients with middle cerebral artery M1 occlusive stroke.Methods:Patients with acute middle cerebral artery M1 occlusive stroke admitted to the Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from June 2018 to September 2019 were enrolled retrospectively. The demographic and clinical data were collected. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)-Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) and FVH score were performed with MRI images. The modified Rankin Scale (MRS) was used to evaluate the clinical outcome at 90 d after onset. 0-2 was defined as good outcome, and >2 was defined as poor outcome. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent correlation between FVH and the outcome. Results:A total of 65 patients with acute middle cerebral artery M1 occlusive stroke were enrolled, including 37 males (56.9%). Their age was 64.35±12.13 years. Twenty-nine patients (44.6%) had a good outcome, and 36 (55.4%) had a poor outcome. There were significant differences in triglyceride ( P=0.037), antihypertensive drug treatment ( P=0.037), baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ( P<0.001), DWI-ASPECTS ( P=0.017) and FVH score ( P<0.001) between the poor outcome group and the good outcome group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that FVH score (odds ratio 6.477, 95% confidence interval 1.570-26.716; P=0.010) and NIHSS score (odds ratio 1.869, 95% confidence interval 1.326-2.635; P<0.001) were significantly independently correlated with the poor outcome. However, there was no significant independent correlation between DWI-ASPECTS and the outcome (odds ratio 0.451, 95% confidence interval 0.068-2.988; P=0.410). Conclusions:FVH score is an independent risk factor for poor outcome in patients with acute middle cerebral artery M1 occlusive stroke.