Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of Yingqiling for Graves disease(GD)and to explore its therapeutic mechanism.Methods Eighty GD patients were equally randomized into two groups.The treatment group received oral use of Yingqiling Tablets(mainly composed of Radix Pseudostellafiae,Radix Astragali,Radix Ophiopogonis,Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis,Spica Prunellae,Semen Ziziphi Spinosae,Concha Ostreae, Bulbus Fritillariae Thunbergii,Radix Ranunculi Ternati,Radix Scrophulariae,Radix Paeoniae Rubra and Thiamazole 1 mg),and the control group received Thiamazole Tablets.After treatment for 2 months,the therapeutic effect was evaluated and the changes of serum levels of thyroglobulin antibodies(TGAb),thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPO-Ab),and the apoptosis-associated factors of soluble Fas(sFas)and bcl-2 were observed before and after treatment.Results Twenty-one patients were clinically effective,13 markedly effective,6 effective,0 ineffective,and the total effective rate was 100% in the treatment group;14 patients were clinically effective,13 markedly effective,7 effective,6 ineffective,and the total effective rate was 85.0% in the control group.The effect in the treatment group was superior to the control group(P

Objective To assess which of topical tacrolimus and topical highly potent steroids,is more effective and safer in the treatment of pediatric vitiligo.Methods The PubMed,Cochrane library,Scopus and CINAHL plus databases were retrieved.The search was confined to English language articles.The randomized controlled trial(RCT) articles were included in our study.The quality of the identified articles was examined by using the CASP Randomised Controlled Trials Checklist.Results As a result,there were only a few studies related to the comparison.However,there were only two RCTs regarding a comparison of topical tacrolimus 0.1％ and clobetasol propionate 0.05 ％ in childhood vitiligo.Conclusion When the body surface area (BSA) involved in the child is ＜20 ％,and the disease is not rapidly spreading,topical therapy is the first choice.Topical tacrolimus may be considered as an alternative therapy for childhood vitiligo,especially for acrofacial and segmental types,before considering other modalities,but still need to observe long-term side effects.

The antibody against AT1-EC2 plays a role in some kinds of inflammatory vascular diseases including malignant hypertension, preeclampsia, and renal-allograft rejection, but the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. In order to investigate the changes of NADPH oxidase and reactive oxygen species in the aorta in a mouse model which can produce AT1-EC2 antibody by active immunization with AT1-EC2 peptide, 15 mice were divided into three groups: control group, AT1-EC2-immunized group, and AT1-EC2-immunized and valsartan-treated group. In AT1-EC2-immunized group and AT1-EC2-immunized and valsartan-treated group, the mice were immunized by 50 μg peptide subcutaneously at multiple points for 4 times: 0, 5, 10, and 15 days after the experiment. In AT1-EC2-immunized and valsartan-treated group, valsartan was given at a dose of 100 mg/kg every day for 20 days. After the experiment, the mice were sacrificed under anesthesia and the aortas were obtained and frozen in liquid nitrogen for the preparation of frozen section slides and other experiments. The titer of AT1-EC2 was assayed by using ELISA. The level of NOX1 mRNA in the aorta was determined by using RT-PCR. The expression of NOX1 was detected by using Western blotting. Confocal scanning microscopy was used to assay the α-actin and NOX1 expression in the aortic tissue. The O(2)∸ production was detected in situ after DHE staining. The mice produced high level antibody against AT1-EC2 in AT1-EC2-immunized group and AT1-EC2-immunized and valsartan-treated group, and the level of NOX1 mRNA in the aortic tissues was 1.6±0.4 times higher and the NOX1 protein expression was higher in AT1-EC2-immunized group than in control group. There were no significant differences in the level of NOX1 mRNA and protein expression between control group and AT1-EC2-immunized and valsartan-treated group. The expression and co-localization of α-actin and NOX1 in AT1-EC2-immunized group increased significantly as compared with those in control group, and the O(2)∸ production increased about 2.7 times as compared with control group. There were no significant differences between control group and AT1-EC2-immunized and valsartan-treated group. It is concluded that active immunization with AT1-EC2 can activate NOX1-ROS, and increase vascular inflammation, which can be inhibited by AT1 receptor blocker valsartan. This may partially explain the mechanism of the pathogenesis of inflammatory vascular diseases related to antibody against AT1-EC2.

Objective To explore the feasibility of electromagnetic navigation for hepatic ducts exploration by choledochoscope based on a three-dimensional (3D) printing model.Methods The retrospective descriptive study was conducted.The clinical data of 1 patient with obstructive jaundice combined with secondary biliary tract dilation who was admitted to the Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital in April 2016 were collected.Digital imaging and standardized format data of enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan were collected,3D reconstruction of liver and bile duct were done under a 3D printing model,and then a hollow model of bile duct was achieved.Choledochoscope with internal electromagnetic probe was inserted into the printed hepatic ducts.Four points of anatomical markers in left and right hepatic ducts and common hepatic duct were chosen as fiducial markers for calibration and registration.Results After registration,the scope can be tracked in main hepatic segmental bile ducts.The locations of choledochoscope matched precisely the navigation results.Conclusion Electromagnetic navigation may bring accurate tracking effectiveness for choledochoscopic examination.

Objective To isolate and culture the rat limbal stem cells ( LSCs) in vitro,and investigate briefly their capacity for transdif-ferentiation into neural stem cells ( NSCs) with cytokine EGF,bFGF and RA.Methods LSCs derived from rats were cultured and identified by immunohistochemistry in vitro.LSCs were induced to differentiate into NSCs in the presence of EGF (20 ng/mL) ,bFGF (10 ng/mL) and with or without of RA(group 1 or group 2)(25 ng/mL) for seven days.Cultures without factors were used as control group.Then the neural marker Nestin of the coultured cells were measured by immunohistology staining.Furthermore,the positive cell rate was counted under micro-scope between the 2 groups and analyzed by statistical software.Results It showed that P63 was positive in LSCs.Nestin in both of the dif-ferentiation groups was positive at the rate of (77.01 ±6.32)%and (84.01 ±5.43)%respectively,of which the second group was higher than the first one (P<0.05).However,it was negative in the control group.A band of Nestin protein from cells was detected by western blot assay.Conclusion LSCs are successfully isolated and cultured in vitro.LSCs could be induced to differentiate into NSCs in the presence of EGF and bFGF.Moreover,the differentiation capability is enhanced in the condition of RA.

In order to observe the growth, expansion and differentiation of the cultured bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC), we isolated the BMSC from adult SD rats and cultivated them with LIF and bFGF. Then, we cultured and induced the stem cells by using retinoic acid and the culture medium confected in our lab by ourselves. We found that the BMSC could expand and generate clones when they were cultured in vitro. These cells subcultured grew rapidly and differentiated into neuron-like cells and astrocyte-like cells. The results showed that BMSC have the abilities to self renew and differentiate, thus demonstrating the culture method we used is suitable for the culture of BMSC in vitro. The bone marrow stromal cell is not difficult to obtain; it is capable of expanding and differentiating in culture. If the culture condition is appropriate, it can differentiate into neuron and astrocyte. So, it is a kind of perfect seed cells.
Actihaemyl ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; pharmacology ; Neurons ; cytology ; Pilot Projects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology

Objective To analyze the gait kinematics parameters of patients with unilateral leg amputation after wearing prosthesis using the computer assisted rehabilitation environment (CAREN) gait assessment system,and the reasons for the differences.Methods Nine patients with unilateral mid-leg amputation were selected as the prosthesis group,and 11 healthy subjects were selected as the standard group.The gait kinematics parameters of the two groups were collected,processed and analyzed by using the CAREN gait evaluation system.Results The gait phase index of the prosthetic limb group was (0.88±0.04).Significant differences were observed between the prosthetic and healthy limbs in terms of step length,stance phase percentage,maximum hip extension angle and maximum knee flexion angle,maximum dorsiflexion and plantar flexion angle of the ankle joint during the stance phase,as well as the dorsiflexion angle of ankle joint during heel strike to the ground (P＜0.05).Moreover,there were significant differences between the affected limbs of the prosthetic limb group and limbs of the standard group in terms of the walking speed,gait cycle,stride length,percentage of stance phase,hip flexion angle,knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion during heel strike,maximum hip extension and flexion angle,maximum dorsi-and plantar-flexion of ankle joint during stance phase (P＜0.05).Conclusion The relative symmetry of the gait of the unilateral leg amputee is (0.88±0.04),with their kinematics parameters of the prosthetic limb significantly weaker than those of the contralateral side and the healthy controls.

The antibody against AT1-EC2 plays a role in some kinds of inflammatory vascular diseases including malignant hypertension, preeclampsia, and renal-allograft rejection, but the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. In order to investigate the changes of NADPH oxidase and reactive oxygen species in the aorta in a mouse model which can produce AT1-EC2 antibody by active immunization with AT1-EC2 peptide, 15 mice were divided into three groups: control group, AT1-EC2-immunized group, and AT1-EC2-immunized and valsartan-treated group. In AT1-EC2-immunized group and AT1-EC2-immunized and valsartan-treated group, the mice were immunized by 50 μg peptide subcutaneously at multiple points for 4 times: 0, 5, 10, and 15 days after the experiment. In AT1-EC2-immunized and valsartan-treated group, valsartan was given at a dose of 100 mg/kg every day for 20 days. After the experiment, the mice were sacrificed under anesthesia and the aortas were obtained and frozen in liquid nitrogen for the preparation of frozen section slides and other experiments. The titer of AT1-EC2 was assayed by using ELISA. The level of NOX1 mRNA in the aorta was determined by using RT-PCR. The expression of NOX1 was detected by using Western blotting. Confocal scanning microscopy was used to assay the α-actin and NOX1 expression in the aortic tissue. The O(2)∸ production was detected in situ after DHE staining. The mice produced high level antibody against AT1-EC2 in AT1-EC2-immunized group and AT1-EC2-immunized and valsartan-treated group, and the level of NOX1 mRNA in the aortic tissues was 1.6±0.4 times higher and the NOX1 protein expression was higher in AT1-EC2-immunized group than in control group. There were no significant differences in the level of NOX1 mRNA and protein expression between control group and AT1-EC2-immunized and valsartan-treated group. The expression and co-localization of α-actin and NOX1 in AT1-EC2-immunized group increased significantly as compared with those in control group, and the O(2)∸ production increased about 2.7 times as compared with control group. There were no significant differences between control group and AT1-EC2-immunized and valsartan-treated group. It is concluded that active immunization with AT1-EC2 can activate NOX1-ROS, and increase vascular inflammation, which can be inhibited by AT1 receptor blocker valsartan. This may partially explain the mechanism of the pathogenesis of inflammatory vascular diseases related to antibody against AT1-EC2.
Animals ; Aorta ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; NADPH Oxidases ; genetics ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Vaccination ; methods

Objective To evaluate the effects of intraperitoneal injection of sodium iodate on the physiological indexes and retinal histopathological characteristics of SD rats comprehensively. Methods A total of 64 rats were randomly divided into negative control group and model group, half male and half female. The model group was intraperitoneally injected with 6 mg/mL sodium iodate once at the dose of 10 mL/kg and the negative control group was injected with 10 mL/kg 0.9% NaCl once. The body weight of all surviving rats was detected on the day of injection (0 day) and the 2nd, 6th, 9th, 13th, 16th, 20th, 23rd, 27th, 29th, 36th, 43rd, 50th and 57th days after injection. On the 3rd, 7th, 21st, 28th, 41st and 62nd days after injection, the rats were randomly selected (12 rats in each group on the 28th day, and 4 rats in each group at other time points, those in each group were half male and half female) for serum biochemical indexes detection. The organs were dissected and weighed, and then the main organs and tissues were stained with HE, and the eyes were stained with HE and TUNEL. Blood routine indexes were detected on the 28th and 62nd day after injection. Results After injection of sodium iodate, 88% of the rats in the model group had transient loose stools. During the observation period, the body weight of the rats increased slightly and was more obvious in male rats. On the 28th day after injection, compared with the negative control group, the red blood cell volume (RDW) of female rats and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), reticulocyte count (Retic#) and reticulocyte percentage (Retic%) of male rats in the model group increased significantly (all P＜0.05). The white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB) and hematocrit (HCT) of male and female rats showed decreasing trends, but there were no significant differences between the two groups (all P >0.05). The thymus weight and coefficient of male rats in the model group were smaller than those in the negative control group except for the 7th day after injection, but there were no significant differences between the two groups (all P ＞0.05). Histopathological examination showed that the retina of the model group gradually developed from wavy changes to abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG)-like changes, with disordered arrangement of each layer, focal thinning of the outer nuclear layer, and apoptosis of the outer nuclear layer of the retina. The incidence of lesions, lesion score and the number of apoptotic cells in the model group were significantly higher than or more than those in the negative control group at the same time, and the difference between the groups on the 28th day was statistically significant (all P＜0.01). Conclusion In addition to retinal degeneration in rats, intraperitoneal injection of sodium iodate also had a certain degree of influence on serum biochemical and blood routine indexes, and also showed a slight slow growth of body weight and transient changes in fecal traits. Therefore, when using this model to evaluate drug safety, the effects of modeling reagents on animals should be paid to attention.