Objective To investigate the preventive and therapeutic effectiveness of Yisheng herbal injection against chronic allograft nephropathy in rats.Methods Renal transplantation was performed from SD to Wistar closed colony strain rats. Before the transplantation, the kidney was preserved in 0- 40 ℃ heparin sodium chloride solution for one h. The rats were divided into 4 groups: Group A only received CsA 10 mg/kg every day; Groups B, C and D received low dose of Yisheng+CsA, high dose of Yisheng+CsA and CsA+MMF, respectively. Blood creatinine, pathological changes of the renal grafts and the expression of transforming growth factor ?1 in transplanted renal tissues were observed 4, 8 and 12 weeks after operation.Results After the transplantation, the serum creatinine level in group A was significantly higher than in groups B, C and D ( P

Objective To investigate the effect of different immunosuppresants on CAN by affecting TGF-?_ 1 and Smads signal pathway. Methods The SD→Wistar rat accelerated kidney sclerosis model was made following the procedure of Kamada with our modification. The rats were divided into 6 groups (each group n=8): Group A, psudo-OP group; Group B, control group; Group C, CsA 6 mg?kg~ -1?d~ -1; Group D, FK506 0.15 mg?kg~ -1?d~ -1; Group E, MMF 20 mg?kg~ -1?d~ -1; Group F, RPM 0.8 mg?kg~ -1?d~ -1. After 4, 8, 12 weeks, the animals were killed. The immunohistochemistry and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR were used to detect localization and expression of TGF-?_ 1, Smad2 and smad7 in transplant kidney. Results CsA and FK506 simultaneously stimulated the gene expression and protein production of TGF-?_ 1 and Smad2 and inhibited the expression of Smad7 in transplant kidney, whereas MMF and RPM could down-regulate the gene expression and protein production of TGF-?_ 1 and smad2 and up-regulate the expression of smad7. There was no significant difference between CsA group and FK506 group, as well as MMF group and RPM group.Conclusion Different immunosuppresants can affect TGF-?_ 1 and Smads signal pathway in kidney graft. CsA and FK506 can cause CAN, owning to up-regulate the expression of Smad2, and down-regulate the Smad7 expression. MMF and RPM can prevent the progression of CAN because of down-regulating the expression of Smad2 and increasing Smad7 production.

Objective To investigate the effects of warming-needle acupuncture on the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the articular cartilage in knee osteoarthritis induced by immobilization in rabbits.MethodsA total of 30 adult male Japanese white rabbits were randomly assigned into three groups by random number table method: a normal group, a model group and a treatment group, with 10 rabbits in each group. Knee osteoarthritis was induced by 6 weeks of immobilization. The rabbits in the treatment group received warming-needle acupuncture after modeling at points of “Neixiyan” (EX-LE4), “Dubi” (ST35), “Zusanli” (ST36) and “Yanglingquan” (GB34) for 4 weeks. The level of MMP-1 and IL-1β in the articular cartilage of the knee were determined with radioimmunological assay.ResultsThere were significant difference in the levels of MMP-1(0.16 ± 0.02 ng/mg, 0.37 ± 0.02 ng/mg, and 0.28 ± 0.03 ng/mg;F=258.251) and IL-1β (0.21 ± 0.01 pg/mg, 0.34 ± 0.02pg/mg, and 0.31 ± 0.04 pg/mg;F=127.112) among the normal group, model group and treatment group. The levels of MMP-1 and IL-1β both in the model group and treatment group were significant higher than those in the normal group (allP<0.01), while the levels of MMP-1 and IL-1β in the treatment group were significant lower than those in the model group (allP<0.01).ConclusionWarming-needle acupuncture can effectively reduced the levels of MMP-1 and IL-1β in the articular cartilage in knee osteoarthritis induced by immobilization in rabbits.

Aim To evaluate the effects of aspirin on the expression of inflammatory proteins induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein(ox-LDL) in human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods HUVECs were stimulated with different concentrations of ox-LDL. The expression of inflammatory proteins was detected by Western blot.Intracellular ROS generation was measured by flow cytometry using perexide-sensitive flurscent probe 2′, 7′-dichrofluorescein diacetate(DCFH-DA).Results ① Aspirin inhibited COX-2 expression induced by ox-LDL. Cells were preincubated with 2.5 mmol?L-1, 5 mmol?L-1 of aspirin or without any treatment for 30 min and then stimulated by 0.3 g?L-1 ox-LDL for 16 h, COX-2 expression was reduced by treating of aspirin.COX-2 expression was enhanced after the stimulation with ox-LDL, and aspirin inhibited the increasing.② Aspirin suppressed ICAM-1 expression induced by ox-LDL in HUVECs. ICAM-1 expression was increased by ox-LDL stimulation for 16 h, and aspirin significantly down-regulated the expression. Similar results were obtained by immunofluorescence.③ Aspirin partially reduced ROS production induced by ox-LDL in HUVECs. After stimulation with 0.3 g?L-1 ox-LDL for 16 h, the intracellular level of ROS was increased, however, aspirin failed to fully inhibit the phenomenon.Conclusion Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) aspirin significantly down-regulated the expression of COX-2 and ICAM-1 induced by ox-LDL.The results suggested that aspirin could reduce the inflammation responses mediated by ox-LDL on HUVECs in atherosclerosis.

Background Macular hole in high myopia has been paid tremendous attention in clinical research due to its high recurrence rate and unpredictable prognosis.Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) is considered to be of a good evaluating value for macular hole,yet its application is compromised in patient with high myopia.High myopia might lead to retinal detachment which consequently prevents an accurate OCT.Therefore,it is important to assess the effectiveness of OCT on prognosis in these patients after surgical restoration of the detached retina.Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of reopening of a macular hole in highly myopic patient after removing silicone oil by SD-OCT.Methods A case-observational study was designed.Twenty-five highly myopic patients with monocular macular holes who underwent vitrectomy combined with internal limiting membrane peeling and silicone oil tamponade were included in this study.Four patients were male and 21 patients were female,with the average age (61.4±9.0) years old and diopter (-14.14 ±6.86)D.Regular ocular examination,axial length measurement,fundus photography and OCT were performed at the day before removing silicone oil and every month till the 6 months after operation.Retinal thickness,macular height index (MHI) and choroidal thickness were measured by OCT.Written informed consent was obtained from each patient.Results All 25 patients finished the follow-up of 6 months.Macular holes remained closure 6 months after operation in 19 patients (76％) and reopened in 6 patients macular holes were in 1-5 months (24％),with a mean time at (3.3± 1.4) months.The average foveal retinal thickness,MHI and the choroidal thickness at the middle of the macular hole were (216.5±95.6) μm,0.30 ± 0.09 and (122.9 ± 20.5) μm in the closed group,respectively,and those in the unclosed group were (113.5±28.7) μm,0.58±0.27 and (96.8±22.9) μm,with significant differences between the two groups (t=2.577,-4.143,2.669,P ＜ 0.05).The percentage of macular hole closure was 85.7％ in the MHI＜0.5 group and 25.0％ in the MHI ≥ 0.5 group,showing a significant difference (P =0.031).The base diameter in the unclosed hole group was significantly larger than that in the closed hole group (1070.2±393.6 μm versus 533.3±277.7 μm) (t =-3.700,P =0.001).Conclusions The measurements of the retinal thickness,MHI and the choroidal thickness at the central area of the macular hole are helpful for the evaluation of reopening risk of macular hole after removing silicone oil.

Incision of the spinal cord (myelotomy) after spinal cord injury (SCI) is a surgical treatment which is mainly performed within 24 hours after SCI. However, many patients are fi rst seen outside the established time window of 24 hours. Furthermore, little attention has been given to its effi cacy and mechanism after 24 hours. In this study, dorsal longitudinal incision of spinal cord on SCI rats was performed at 72 hours after SCI to remove the liquefi ed necrotic gray matter. The results indicated that after myelotomy, locomotor function of hindlimbs signifi cantly improved from 21st day after SCI. There was also increased residual white matter area at the rostral and caudal segments to the injury center when examined at day 42 after the injury. These results suggested that myelotomy at 72 hours after injury has protective effect on the spinal cord.

Objective To study the correlation between human papillomavirus(HPV) infection and cervical immune function.Methods A total of 209 women with HPV positive results in HPV-infected group,40 women with HPV negative results in control group,cervical samples were detected and genotyped with HPV GenoArray Diagnostic Kit.Concentrations of cytokines including interleukin(IL)-2,IL-4,interferon(IFN)-γ,and transforming growth factor(TGF)-β in cervical specimens were measured by ELISA.Results IL-2,IL-4 and IFN-γ levels in the HPV-infected group were different with those of the control group(P=0.000 1,0.001 0,0.000 1),TGF-β in HPV-infected group and control group showed no significant difference(P=0.680 0).IFN-γ in high-risk HPV group was significant lower than that in the low-risk HPV group(P=0.007 0).Conclusion HPV infection might be one of the main reasons of cervical local immune dysfunction.

Objective To investigate the roles of dCK Ser-74 in radiation-induced cell death in breast cancer cells.Methods Different phenotypes of dCK plasmids were transfected into MCF-7 cells by liposome transfection,including dCK-Vector,dCK-WT (wild type),dCK-S74A (non-phosphorylation) and dCK-S74E (hyper-phosphorylation).All these cells were irradiated by 0,2,4,6,8 Gy X-rays,respectively.The transcriptional and translational level of dCK were detected with real time-PCR and Western blot,respectively.Radiosensitivity was analyzed using cell counting kit (CCK-8) and colony formation assays.Monodansylcadaverine staining (MDC) and flow cytometry were used to detect autophagy and apoptosis,respectively.Results Four phenotypes of dCK cell models were established successfully.After irradiation,the cell viabilities of MCF-7 and dCK-Vector decreased significantly as compared with mock group (t =14.469 and 9.357,P ＜ 0.05),the cell viabilities of dCK-WT,dCK-S74A and dCK-S74E showed no changes (P ＞ 0.05).The total mortalities of dCK-WT and dCK-S74E decreased significantly as compared with dCK-Vector (x2 =3.857-3.971,P ＜ 0.05),but no changes in dCK-S74A cells (P ＞0.05).The apoptosis rates in dCK-S74A,dCK-Vector and control group were up-regulated after irradiation (t =-4.531,-3.688 and-7.076,P ＜ 0.05),and the irradiation-induced apoptosis was reversed in dCK-WT and dCK-S74E (66％ and 68％ of the increase level in dCK-Vector group).The autophagy in dCK-WT and dCK-S74E increased by 22％ and 26％ (t =-9.051 and-8.411,P ＜0.01),but no changes were observed in dCK-S74A,dCK-Vector and control groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The dCK-WT and dCK-S74E could reverse the irradiation-induced apoptosis,increase the autophagy occurence,and decrease the total mortality,indicating that the phosphorylation of dCK at Ser-74 sites is related to the radiosensitivity of MCF-7 cells.

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Xinluotong Tablet (XLTT, with actions of benefiting qi, activating blood, and supplementing Shen) in treatment of stable coronary heart disease angina patients of qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome.

METHODS240 stable coronary heart disease angina patients of qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome were randomly assigned to the trial group and the control group, 120 in each group. The trial group was treated with XLTT, four tablets each time, three times a day, while the control group was treated with Yangxinshi Tablet (YXST), three tablets each time, three times a day. The double blinded treatment lasted for four weeks. The therapeutic effects on angina, electrocardiogram (ECG), the exercise test, the improvement of Chinese medicine syndromes, and the safety index were observed.

RESULTSThe trial group was superior to the control group after treatment in aspects of the therapeutic effects on angina (91.45% vs 84.87%) and the ECG (65.81% vs 55.46%), but with no statistical difference (P>0.05). There was no statistical difference in the the exercise test or the improvement of Chinese medicine syndromes (P>0.05). No adverse reaction occurred during the therapeutic course.

CONCLUSIONXLTT was safe and effective in treatment of stable coronary heart disease angina patients of qi deficiency blood stasis syndrome.

Aged ; Angina Pectoris ; drug therapy ; Angina, Stable ; drug therapy ; Coronary Disease ; drug therapy ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Tablets

Objective To investigate the spatial distribution and clustering areas of Budd-Chiari syndrome in Heze City,Shandong Province,and to provide epidemiological information for further exploring the etiology and related risk factors of the disease.Methods Detailed residential addresses of 342 cases of patients (residents of Heze City) with diaphragm type Budd-Chiari syndrome diagnosed between 1995 and 2004 in Heze Municipal Hospital,Heze Shan County Central Hospital,Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College,Shandong Provincial Hospital and Beijing Xuanwu Hospital were collected.Geographic information system (GIS) was used as a platform for data management and display.The nearest neighbor index,Ripley's K(d) function,Ripley's L(d) function and the nearest neighbor clustering method were applied to detect the spatial characters of Budd-Chiari syndrome in Heze City,Shandong Province.Crimestat 3.0 was used for spatial analysis.Results The nearest neighbor distance analysis showed that the nearest neighbor index was 0.6767 (Z =-11.4387,P ＜ 0.01).That was an aggregation at the first-order spatial scale.Within the study area,the first clustering radius of Budd-Chiari syndrome was 6.66 km,and the first clustering strength was 5.40; the average radius of the strongest clustering area was 126.61 km,and the clustering strength was 12.52,while the biggest clustering radius was larger than 222 km.After corrected by population,the gathering strength was slightly higher than that before the correction.Ten first-order hot spots were formed,and 95％ confidence interval aggregation number was 7,which meant the results were statistically significant(P ＜ 0.05),main clustering areas are in Mudan District,Shan County and Juancheng.One secondorder hot spot was gathered based on the first-order hot spot.Conclusions Spatial distribution of Budd-Chiari syndrome in Heze City,Shandong Province has showed spatial aggregation and heterogeneity.This study has a great epidemiological significance for further exploring the cause of Budd-Chiari syndrome.