ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between the expression of smooth muscle 22 alpha ( SM22α),α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and the development of varicose veins of the lower extremities. MethodsWe collected tissues of varicose saphenous vein in the experimental group,and what left over of normal saphenous vein tissues harvested for a coronary bypass operation ( control group).RT-PCR were applied to investigate the expression level of SM22αmRNA and immunohistochemical techniques were applied to investigate the expression level of SM22α and α-SMA protein in normal and varicose veins.ResultsThe expression level of SM22α mRNA in normal and abnormal veins was 0.2614 ±0.1168 and 0.5114 ± 0.1554 respectively ( t =5.020,P ＜ 0.01 ).The immunohistochemical staining showed that signals of SM22α and α-SMA protein existed in the cytoplasm of smooth muscle cells.The integrate optical density (IOD) of SM22α in normal and abnormal veins was 10 055 ± 3584 and 16 226 ± 3378 respectively ( t =4.991,P ＜ 0.01 ).The IOD of α-SMA in normal and abnormal veins was 9746 ± 3903 and 15 371 ± 4318 respectively (t =3.861,P ＜ 0.05 ). ConclusionsSM22α and α-SMA was down-regulated in varicose veins,indicating that the VSMC had transformed the typical contractile phenotype into the typical synthetic phenotype.Phenotype changes of VSMC further promote venous wall remodeling leading to the occurrence of varicose veins.

Objective To assess the efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) combined with prednisone in the treatment of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) patients with positive serum phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antibody.Methods An open prospective study was performed on twenty-four biopsy-proven IMN patients with positive serum PLA2R antibody in Guangzhou First People''s Hospital from June 2012 to June 2016.The 24 patients were divided into two groups: MMF group in which MMF combined with prednisone was given for 12 months and CTX group in which intravenous cyclophosphamide (CTX) was monthly given combined with oral prednisone.Results After 6 months of immunosuppressive therapy,complete remission and partial remission rates were 25.0% vs.16.7% and 25.0% vs.25.0% in the MMF group and CTX group,respectively (P>0.05).In the MMF group and CTX group,serum PLA2R antibody in the same amount (8/12,66.7%) of patients turned negative.At the end of twelve-month treatment,all patients with negative PLA2R antibodies achieved complete or partial remission.Clinical remission (including complete and partial remission) rates in the MMF group and CTX group were both 66.7%.After immunosuppressive therapy,the levels of proteinuria and serum albumin in the two groups were significantly improved,but no significant difference were found between the two groups (proteinuria:F within-grouP=98.688,P<0.01;F between-grouP=0.133,P=0.719;F cross-grouP=1.223,P=0.304;serum albumin:F within-grouP=30.629,P<0.01;F between-grouP=0.137,P=0.715;F cros-grouP=0.455,P=0.565).At the end of six and twelve months of treatment,the proteinuria (after six months,MMF group: (2 893±2 515) mg/g vs.(6 236±2 117) mg/g,t=-3.522,P=0.002;CTX group: (2 690±2 254) mg/g vs.(5 386±2 447) mg/g,t=-2.808,P=0.010;after twelve months,MMF group:1 025(99-4 635) mg/g vs.(6 236±2 117) mg/g,Z=-3.291,P<0.0005;CTX group: (775(41-3 517) mg/g vs.(5 386±2 447) mg/g,Z=-3.118,P=0.001) and serum albumin levels (after six months,MMF group: (28.5±9.7) g/L vs.(19.8±4.4) g/L,t=2.841,P=0.012;CTX group: (29.0±7.6) g/L vs.(22.3±4.1) g/L,t=2.690,P=0.016;at the end of twelve months of treatment,,MMF group: (32.4±8.5) g/L vs.(19.8±4.4) g/L,t=4.570,P<0.0005;TX group: (32.2±7.9) g/L vs.(22.3±4.1) g/L,t=3.862,P=0.001) of the two groups were better than those prior to treatment.Conclusion For the IMN patients with positive serum PLA2R antibody,MMF combined with prednisone was as effective as conventional CTX combined with prednisone in the negative conversion of PLA2R antibody and the remission.The negative conversion of PLA2R antibody after 6 months of immunosuppressive treatment was an important indicator of predicting the remission.

Objective To explore the mechanism of gene Nelin on the differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMC).Methods Human VSMCs were stably infected with over-express lentiviral vector [Nelin-VSMC] and interference lentiviral vector [LV-Nelin-SiRNA-VSMC] by Western blotting and RT-PCR.The effect of Nelin expression on phenotypic transition of VSMCs was observed and the mechanism involved was explored.Results The Nelin-VSMC cells take on the contractile phenotype of long slender cells possessing hill-valley characteristics.Overexpression of Nelin can enhance SMoα-actin expression with the increase of total RhoA and nuclear serum response factor(SRF) expression.Treated with a selective Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632,the expression of SMα-actin and nuclear SRF protein induced by Nelin was effectively reduced.Meanwhile,the opposite results were observed in the Nelin-depression VSMC.Conclusions Nelin can enhance the expression of SMα-actin and carry a pivotal role in the process of VSMCs differentiation and phenotype modulation by activating Rho and SRF.

Objective To investigate the influences of Angiotensin II inhibitor on renal expression of HIF-1α mRNA and protein in the chronic renal failure (CRF) rats (induced by 5/6th kidney ablation/infarction \[5/6A/I\]) and the related mechanism. Methods SD rats were made into CRF model by means of 5/6th kidney ablation/infarction. The study was divided into sham operation group (Group A), model group (Group B) and Angiotensin II inhibitor(Cozaar-with-Monopril) group (Group C), each group containing 15 rats. The biochemical parameters of the rats were examined 60 days later in the 3 groups. The expression of HIF-1α mRNA and protein in the remnant renal cortex and medulla were assessed by Real-time PCR and Western blotting analysis. Results Compared with group A, group B had significantly increased SCr and BUN levels and significantly decreased CCr level(P<0.01). Compared with group B, group C had significantly decreased SCr and BUN levels and significantly increased CCr level(P<0.05). The expression of HIF-1α mRNA and protein in the renal cortex and medulla in group B was significantly higher than that in group A(P<0.05), and that in group C was significantly lower than that in group B (P<0.05). Conclusion Angiotensin II inhibitor can improve the renal function in CRF rats induced by 5/6(A/I), which might be associated with HIF-1α signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of early intervention on intellectual development in children with brain injury syndrome. Methods107 children with brain injury syndrome were divided into intervention group （n=73） and observation group （n=34）. The intervention group accepted early interventions for mental retardation introduced in child early education manual. Observation group accepted family training. They were followed up once per 1 or 2 months, and assessed with Gesell Developmental Schedules 6 months later. ResultsThere were more children whose adaptability DQ within the normal range (maintained or restored) in the intervention group than in the observation group. ConclusionEarly intervention may decrease the intellectual retardation for children with brain injury syndrome.

Anxiety disorder is one of the most common mental disorders and seriously impairs the physical and mental health of patients. Due to the efficacy of acupuncture for tranquilization, acupuncture displays its unique advantage on the treatment of anxiety disorder, but the relevant biological mechanism has not been elaborated. The modern medicine study has proved that the heart and brain have their own independent natriuretic peptide (NP) system. The dysfunction of ANP and its receptor are closely related to the occurrence of anxiety disorder. The ANP acts on anti-anxiety. Hence, focusing on the three aspects, named the anti-anxiety effect of acupuncture based on its tranquilizing effect, the anti-anxiety effect of ANP and the positive regulation of acupuncture on NP, the mechanism on ANP and its receptor was explored in anti-anxiety with acupuncture based on tranquilizing effect, and the idea was put forward on that the anti-anxiety effect of acupuncture was possibly based on its action of tranquilization through regulating the ANP and its receptor. As a result, it is expected to provide the theoretic support for the mechanism study on anti-anxiety with acupuncture based on its tranquilizing effect.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Anti-Anxiety Agents ; metabolism ; Anxiety ; metabolism ; therapy ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; metabolism ; Humans ; Receptors, Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo further demonstrate the cognition upon the prominent effect of Yiguanjian and Xiayuxue Decoction on the CCI4 induced rat model of chronic liver fibrosis which have been verified in the previous studies. From the viewpoint of detecting TCM syndrome by recipe used, through this cognition the pathological features of the liver injury model manifesting a syndrome of "Gan-yin deficiency with blood stasis obstructing collaterals" were further explored.

METHODSWistar rats were randomly divided into the normal group, the model group, and the three medicated groups. All rats, except those in the normal group, were made into chronic liver injury model by subcutaneously injecting CCI4 for 12 weeks. Medication for the three medicated groups began from the 9th week after modeling, with oral administering of Yiguanjian (YGJ, a recipe has been verified to be effective for liver injury and fibrosis), Liuwei Dihuang Decoction (LWDH, a recipe with effects similar to YGJ) and Yinchenhao Decoction (YCHD, a recipe functioned differently) respectively for four weeks. Rats were sacrificed at the end of the experiment, changes of hepatic function, liver pathology and hydroxyproline (Hyp) content in the liver tissue were detected, and contents of Afamin and mRNA expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) in the liver tissue were assayed as well with Real-time PCR.

RESULTSAs compared with the normal group, the pathological figures of the chronic liver injury and fibrosis and hepatic function deterioration obviously appeared in the model rats, with the liver content of Hyp and alpha-SMA mRNA expression increased, and Afamin mRNA expression decreased significantly. In the YGJ treated group, the hepatic collagen hyperplasia and deteriorated hepatic function alleviated significantly after treatment, with content of Hyp significantly lowered, and mRNA expressions of alpha-SMA and Afamin restored to some extent (P < 0.05); the same effects on mRNA expressions of alpha-SMA and Afamin were shown in the LWDH treated group, also a decreasing trend of Hyp content (0.05 < P < 0.1), and a significant decreasing of alanine transaminase (ALT) activity was found; while in the YCHD treated group these pharmacological effects mentioned above were not observed at all.

CONCLUSIONThe pharmacological effects of LWDH and YGJ were similar to some degree, which gives support to the cognition that the feature of chronic liver injury model rat induced by CCI4 is attributable to yin-deficiency sydrome.

Animals ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Phytotherapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Yin Deficiency ; diagnosis ; drug therapy

Objective To investigate the relationship between the 6-Keto-PGF1α,TXB2 and the endotheliosis and thrombosis of the new endomembrance on the prostheses seeded by CD34 stem cells.Method Twelve dogs were evenly divided into two groups; ePTFE prostheses and weaved Dacron prostheses implanted into the abdominal aorta(AA) and inferior vena cava (IVC).in each group, 4 dogs were implanted by prostheses seeded by CD34+ stem cells, 2 dogs were implanted prostheses treated by autogenous blood only as control.The peripheral blood was collected in preoperative and 3 ,7,14,30,60 days postoperation.light and electron microscopy were applied to observe the endotheliosis and thrombosis of the new endomembrance when harvesting all the prostheses in the 60 days.Result The platelet, 6-Keto-PG F1α,TXB2 and P/T in experimental group was significantly different compared with control group.The new endomembrane in control group was significantly thickener than the experimental group.Conclusions CD34+ stem cell inhibits PGF1α and P/T ratio decrease, restrains TXB2 and platelet excessively rise, prevents intimal hyperplasia and thrombosis in a CD34+ stem cells seeded blood vessel prostheses.

Objective To observe the differences of cerebral activation pattern with resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) between patients with spasmodic torticollis (ST) and healthy controls,thus to investigate the pathogenesis of ST.Methods Nineteen ST patients and 21 age,sex and education-matched healthy controls,recruited from the Department of Neurology,First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University between November 2012 and January 2016,were included in this study.rs-fMRI and factional amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (fALFF) were used to obtain differences between patients with ST and healthy controls,and correlative analysis was made on fALFF values of abnormal brain regions and ST patients' symptom severity (Tsui scores).Results Compared with healthy controls,patients with ST had significantly increased fALFF in the left cerebellum and significantly decreased fALFF in the left posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus,right posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus,left middle temporal gyrus,right angular gyrus,left post-central gyrus,right supplementary motor area (t =-5.714-5.920,P ＜0.01),and abnormal brain regions' fALFF values had no correlation with patients' age of onset,disease course,symptom severity (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Abnormal sensorimotor area,default mode network and cerebellum dysfunction may play a role in the pathophysiology of ST.

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of B lymphocyte stimulator (Blys) and its receptor BAFF (BAFF-R) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods The expression of Blys and BAFF-R was measured by flow cytometry in 90 pa-tients with SLE,which was compared with that of 45 healthy controls. The relationships between the expression of Blys, BAFF-R and other laboratory parameters as well as disease activity were analyzed. Results The expression of Blys and BAFF-R in PBMCs from patients with SLE was significantly elevated compared to healthy controls (P <0.001), so did the active group (P < 0.001) and inactive group (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01). The expression of Blys in PBMCs from active SLE patients was higher than that of inactive patients (P <0.05). However,there was no statisti-cal difference of BAFF-R between the two groups. The expression of Blys in PBMCs was positively related to SLEDAI (r =0.728,P <0.001) ,IgG and IgM(r=0.691,P<0.001 and r =0.453,P<0.01) ,but negatively related to C3 and CA (r = -0.510, P < 0.001 and r = -0.312, P < 0.05). The expression of Blys in dsDNA positive group was higher than those of dsDNA negative group (P < 0.01). The expression of Blys and BAFF-R in Cl qAb positive group was higher than those of ClqAb negative group as well (P <0.01). Conclusion The expression of Blys and its receptor BAFF-R in PBMCs from SLE is elevated ,which may reflect the disease activity and is related to the pro-duction of autoantibody. They might be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE.