OBJECTIVETo explore the analgesic effect of Zhixin Formula (ZF) and its effects on spinal glial fibrillary acidic protein (glial fibillary acidic protein, GFAP, a marker of astrocyte) , CD11b (a maker of microglia), Toll like receptors (TLR2 and TLR4) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in bone cancer pain model rats.

METHODSTotally 20 male SD rats were randomly divided into the blank control group and the bone cancer pain group, 10 in each group. The bone cancer pain model was induced by injecting ascites tumor fluid containing 3 x 10(3) Walker256 cell line from the left tibia. Ethological tests, X-ray test, and HE staining were performed to confirm a successful modeling. After model was successfully established, 70 male SD rats were randomly divided into seven groups, 10 in each group: the blank control group, the bone cancer pain group (as the model group), the Western medicine (WM) group (Tramadol Hydrochloride), the high dose ZF group, the middle dose ZF group, the low dose ZF group, and the Chinese medicine (CM) group (Wulin Zhitong Capsule). Fourteen days after modeling, rats in the high, middle, and low dose ZF groups were administrated by gastrogavage with 9, 4.5, and 2.25 g/kg ZF water condensed preparation respectively, once a day for seven consecutive days. On day 21 MS typical protein expressions including GFAP, CD11b, TLR (2,4) and NF-κB from cornu dorsal medullae spindis L4-L5 were detected by immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot.

RESULTSCompare with the blank control group, increased weight in the model group was slow and showed a decreasing trend (P < 0.01), spontaneous ambulatory pain score (SAPS) obviously increased (P < 0.01), paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) obviously decreased in the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Results of lateral tibial X-ray and HE staining showed obvious changes and damage occurred in bone structures of rats in the model group. Immunohistochemistry showed that GFAP expression significantly increased in the model group (P < 0.05). Protein levels of NF-κB also significantly increased in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, CD11b expressions obviously decreased in the middle and high dose ZF groups (P < 0.01). Meanwhile, protein expressions of TLR2 and TLR4, as well as NF-κB also obviously decreased (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONZF had analgesic effect, which might be probably related to inhibiting proliferation and activation of gliocytes, as well as activation of TLRs and NF-κB.

Animals ; Astrocytes ; Bone Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; Male ; Microglia ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Osteosarcoma ; Pain ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To investigate the relationship of the serum level of IL-23 and MMP-9 with the clinicopathologic features in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods 48 pathologically confirmed ESCC patients and 30 Endoscopic biopsy of benign were included in this study. The serum levels of IL-23 and MMP-9 were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Serum IL-23 level in patients with ESCC was significantly higher than that in controls (t = 26.66, 16.89, P<0.05). Furthermore, Pearson′s correlation analysis revealed that serum IL-23 was positively correlated with the serum MMP-9 level in ESCC patients (r = 0.790, P < 0.05). Statistical analysis showed that enhanced serum IL-23 significantly correlated with the degree of differentiation and lymph node metastasis. Conclusion Overexpression of IL-23 may involve in the occurrence and development of ESCC. IL-23 may contribute to tumorinvasion and metastasis by stimulating the expression of MMP-9.

Currently,three predominant subtypes of influenza virus are prevalent in pig populations worldwide:H1N1,H3N2,and H1N2.European avian-like H1N1 viruses,which were initially detected in European pig populations in 1979,have been circulating in pigs in eastern China since 2007.In this study,six influenza A viruses were isolated from 60 swine lung samples collected from January to April 2011 in eastern China.Based on whole genome sequencing,molecular characteristics of two isolates were determined.Phylogenetic analysis showed the eight genes of the two isolates were closely related to those of the avian-like H1N1 viruses circulating in pig populations,especially similar to those found in China.Four potential glycosylation sites were observed at positions 13,26,198,277 in the HA1 proteins of the two isolates.Due to the presence of a stop codon at codon 12,the isolates contained truncated PB1-F2 proteins.In this study,the isolates contained 591Q,627E and 701N in the polymerase subunit PB2,which had been shown to be determinants of virulence and host adaptation.The isolates also had a D rather than E at position 92 of the NS1,a marker of mammalian adaptation.Both isolates contained the GPKV motif at the PDZ ligand domain of the 3' end of the NS1,a characteristic marker of the European avian-like swine viruses since about 1999,which is distinct from those of avian,human and classical swine viruses.The M2 proteins of the isolates have the mutation (S31N),a characteristic marker of the European avian-like swine viruses since about 1987,which may confer resistance to amantadine and rimantadine antivirals.Our findings further emphasize the importance of surveillance on the genetic diversity of influenza A viruses in pigs,and raise more concerns about the occurrence of cross-species transmission events.

Objective To assess the value of MRI,US and CT in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant biliary obstruction.Methods The diagnostic efficiency of MRI and US in 86 cases (including 34 cases with CT) of benign and malignant biliary obstruction were compared using ROC curves . Results The differential diagnostic efficiency with MRI were significantly better than those with US and CT ( P

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play a crucial role in T cell dysfunction, which is related to poor outcome in patients with severe trauma. Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) contributes to immune disorder in trauma and infection via production of prostaglandin E2. However, the role of Cox-2 in the accumulation and function of MDSCs after traumatic stress has not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we treated murine trauma model with NS398, a selective Cox-2 inhibitor. Then the percentages of CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells, proliferation and apoptosis of CD4+ T cells were determined. Arginase activity and arginase-1 (Arg-1) protein expression of splenic CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells, and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response were analyzed. The results showed that Cox-2 blockade significantly decreased the percentages of CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells in the spleen and bone marrow 48 and 72 h after traumatic stress. NS398 inhibited arginase activity and down-regulated the Arg-1 expression of splenic CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells. Moreover, NS398 could promote proliferation and inhibit apoptosis of CD4+ T cells. It also restored DTH response of traumatic mice. Taken together, our data revealed that Cox-2 might play a pivotal role in the accumulation and function of MDSC after traumatic stress.

Objective:To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine on stress response and cellular immune function in patients undergoing radical resection of colon cancer during perioperative period.Methods: 96 cases of colon cancer undergoing radical resection were randomly divided into dexmedetomidine group(group D)and control group(group C).The group D was intubated with in-travenous infusion of dexmedetomidine 0.6 μg/kg,followed by intravenous infusion of 0.3 μg/(kg·h) at the end of the surgery,and the group C was given 0.9% saline at equal volume and rate.The venous blood of patients was collected before anesthesia induction,10 min(T0),immediate postoperative(T1),postoperative 24 h(T2)and postoperative 72 h(T3).Flow cytometry were used to detect T lym-phocyte subsets(CD3+,CD4+,CD8+,CD4+/CD8+)and the percentage of NK cells,and determination of norepinephrine(NE), epinephrine(E),cortisol(Cor),IL-6,IL-10 and TNF-α levels.Records of patients with T0,immediate intubation(Ta),T1,immediate extubation(Tb)of SBP,DBP,MAP,and postoperative adverse reactions were recorded.Results:The SBP,DBP and MAP of group C at Ta,T1,Tbwere significantly higher than that of T0and group D(P<0.05).Compared to those at T0,the levels of CD3+,CD4+,CD8+and CD4+/CD8 at T1and T2were significantly lower in both groups(P<0.05),and the levels of group C at T1,T2,T3were significantly lower than those in group D(P<0.05).The NK cells of group C at T1,T2were significantly lower than that of T0and group D(P<0.05).Compared to those at T0,the levels of IL-6,IL-10 and TNF-α at T1and T2were significantly higher in both groups(P<0.05), and the levels in group C were significantly higher than those in group D(P<0.05).The IL-6 and IL-10 of group C at T3were significantly higher than that of T0and group D(P<0.05).Compared to those at T0,the levels of NE,E and Cor at T1and T2were sig-nificantly higher in both groups(P<0.05),and the levels in group C were significantly higher than those in group D(P<0.05).The NE,E and Cor of group C at T3were significantly higher than that of T0and group D(P<0.05).The proportion of adverse reactions in group D was significantly lower than that in group C(χ2= 4.800,P= 0.028).Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine can inhibit the perioperative stress response and reduce the impact on immune function in patients undergoing radical resection of colon cancer.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Papillomavirus Infections ; epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDCathepsin S and its endogenous inhibitor cystatin C are implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, especially in the plaque destabilization and rupture leading to acute coronary syndrome. However, whether circulating cathepsin S and cystatin C also change in association with coronary plaque morphology is unknown yet.

METHODSWe recruited 98 patients with unstable angina (UA, n = 6) or stable angina (SA, n = 2) who had a segmental stenosis resulting in > 20% and < 70% diameter reduction in one major coronary artery on coronary angiography. Thirty-one healthy subjects served as controls. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) was used to evaluate plaque morphology. Plasma cathepsin S and cystatin C were measured as well.

RESULTSAt the culprit lesion site, plaque area ((7.85 +/- 2.83) mm(2) vs (6.53 +/- 2.92) mm(2), P = 0.027), plaque burden ((60.92 +/- 11.04)% vs (53.87 +/- 17.52)%, P = 0.025), remodeling index (0.93 +/- 0.16 vs 0.86 +/- 0.10, P = 0.004) and eccentricity index (0.74 +/- 0.17 vs 0.66 +/- 0.21, P = 0.038) were bigger in UA group than in SA group. Plasma cathepsin S and cystatin C were significantly higher in patients than in controls (P < 0.01). Plasma cathepsin S was higher in UA group ((0.411 +/- 0.121) nmol/L) than in SA group ((0.355 +/- 0.099) nmol/L, P = 0.007), so did the plasma cystatin C ((0.95 +/- 0.23) mg/L in UA group, (0.84 +/- 0.22) mg/L in SA group; P = 0.009). Plasma cathepsin S positively correlated with remodeling index (r = 0.402, P = 0.002) and eccentricity index (r = 0.441, P = 0.001), and plasma cystatin C positively correlated with plaque area (r = 0.467, P < 0.001) and plaque burden (r = 0.395, P = 0.003) in UA group but not in SA group.

CONCLUSIONSPlasma cathepsin S and cystatin C increased significantly in UA patients. In angina patients, higher plasma cathepsin S may suggest the presence of vulnerable plaque, and higher plasma cystatin C may be a clue for larger atherosclerotic coronary plaque.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cathepsins ; blood ; Coronary Artery Disease ; blood ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Cystatin C ; blood ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography, Interventional ; methods

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Dimethyl Sulfoxide ; administration & dosage ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; therapy ; Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyvinyls ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo optimize the formulation of an emollient for treatment of atopic dermatitis prepared using ceramide, sodium hyaluronate, paeonol, and camellia-seed oil.

METHODSThe emollients with different ratios of the 4 components were designed according to the L9(34)orthogonal table with 4 factors and 3 levels. The efficacy of the prepared emollients was tested in 4-6 week-old BALB/c mouse models of atopic dermatitis to determine the optimal formulation of the emollient by evaluating skin water content, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), pharmacodynamics and skin irritation.

RESULTSRange analysis of the orthogonal table and analysis of variance showed that ceramide and camellia seed oil contents had the greatest impact on the skin water content and TEWL, respectively, and the optimal composition of the emollient contained the 4 components at the ratios of D1E1F1G1. Pharmacodynamic experiments showed that at high, medium and low doses, the emollient with the optimal formulation significantly improved the skin water content, pH and TEWL in the mice (P<0.05) with similar effects in the positive control group (P>0.05) and a skin irritation test score of 0.

CONCLUSIONThe emollient we prepared can significantly improve skin water content, pH and TEWL in the mouse model of atopic dermatitis without skin irritations.