Objective To study the effect of escin on proteinuria and renal function of BXSB mice. Methods BXSB mice were divided randomly into group A (control group), B (steroid treatment group), C(steroid combined with high-dose esein treatment group) and D (streroid combined with low-doze escin group). The proteinufia and renal function were detected by albustix and automatic biochemistry analyzer after a month's treatment. Results Group C reduced the level of proteinuria and parameters of renal function (BUN and Cr) significantly when compared with other three groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Escin can reduce the level of proteinuria and protect renal function of BXSB mice.

Objective To observe the clinical effect on hip involvement on patients with ankylosing spondylitis by hip joint fluid relax operation.Methods 112 patients with ankylosing spondylitis and hip involvement were selected from the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology,Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology from 2003 to 2004.The patients were randomly assigned into curative group of 60 patients and control group of 52 patients.The patients in both groups took medication,and those in the curative group were treated with hip joint 'fluid relax operation besides the drug treatment.Compare the change of the following index(the hip joint function,CT staging of hip joint involvement,VAS point,erythrocyte sedimentation and plasma reactive protein)assessment between the two groups before treatment and after treatment of one year and two years.Results Score of hip joint function and VAS point were obviously higher before treatment than after treatment of one year and two years in both groups(P

It has been shown, however, that in terms of immune function, a transitional stage of dendritic cell maturation exists between immature myeloid dendritic cells (imDCs) and mature dendritic cells (DCs), which were named semimature dendritic cells (smDCs). Therefore, the theory that DCs can be classified as imDCs and mDCs has been challenged because of finding smDCs. SmDCs and imDCs are regarded as tolerogenic dendritc cells while what concrete mechanism taken by smDCs and imDCs in transplantation immunity has yet to know. The authors analyzed the important roles and the advanced molecular mechanism of smDCs and imDCs in transplantation immunity in order to update and widen understand underlying tolerogenic dendritic cells.

BACKGROUND: During the embryonic stage, E-cadherin expression plays a critical role in the formation of hepatic tissue.OBJECTIVE: E-cadherin gene was transfected into mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) to observe its effects on adhesive capacity of differentiated cells.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A cytological in vitro observation was performed at the Laboratory of Surgery, First Hospital Affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University between December 2007 and December 2008.MATERIALS: BALB/c mice at gestational 13 days, of clean grade, were provided by Laboratory Animal Center, Sun Yat-sen University. BALB/c mouse ESCs were preserved by professor Huang Bing from the Department of Ophthalmology, Sun Yat-sen University. CMV promoter-containing eukaryotic expression plasmid pEGFP-N1 was gifted by doctor Lu Zhi-yue from Medical College, Sun Yat-sen University.METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from BALB/c mouse fresh hepatic tissue and synthesized into cDNA by reverse transcription (RT). The synthesized cDNA was used as a template to perform a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that amplifies a targeted fragment. Following double enzyme digestion, pEGFP-E-cadherin plasmids were reconstructed and transfected into mouse ESCs. In vitro differentiation of transfected mouse ESCs was performed.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Detection of E-cadherin expression in the differentiation system using RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry and observation of adhesive capacity of differentiated cells.RESULTS: E-cadherin gene-transfected ESCs could stably express E-cadherin during differentiational 1-17 days, while non-transfected ESCs expressed a decreasing amount of E-cadherin. The adhesive capacity of differentiated cells that stably expressed E-cadherin was markedly enhanced. Compact cell connection and multi-layer growth state remained at 19 days. While non-transfected ESCs gradually changed from embryoid bodies into noncohesive cell populations.CONCLUSION: Differentiating E-cadherin ESCs exhibit markedly enhanced adhesive capacity and maintain multi-layer growth state.

BACKGROUND:E-cadhedn plays an important role in development of liver tissue in the embryonic stage.Therefore,it is importance for investigating the feasibility of dynamic expression of E-cadherin in embryonic stern cell differentiation to in vitro development of liver tissue.OBJECTIVE:To observe the dynamic expression of E-cadherin in embryonic stem cell differentiation and the effect on cell adhesion.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:An in vitro cytological observation was performed at Surgical Laboratory of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from December 2007 to December 2008.MATERIALS:Embryonic stem cells of BALB/c mice were obtained from Professor Huang (Department of Ophthalmology,Sun Yat-sen University).Twenty 13-day-old pregnant BALB/c mice of clean grade were provided by the Experimental Animal Centar of Sun Yat-sen University.METHODS:Following trypsinization,embryonic stem cells were suspend-incubated in DMEM culture medium containing fetal bovine serum,2-mercaptoethanol,HEPES,penicillin,and streptomycin.Embryoid body was formed 5 days after normal development and incubated in the culture plate at day 6.Liver tissue which was obtained from 13-day-old pregnant BALB/c mice was prepared for fetal liver cells which were frozen-sectioned as the controls.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:E-cadherin expression was detected using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry st varying time points of 1,5,9,13,and 17 days in stages of initial differentiation of embryonic stem cells,formation of embryoid body,and formation of differentiated clusters.Additionally,the effect of E-cadherin expression on cell adhesion was also detected.RESULTS:RT-PCR showed that E-cadherin mRNA expression was not observed at day 1 but peaked at day 5;gradually,the expression was decreased until the expression was stopped at day 17.E-cadherin mRNA expression was strong in fetal liver cells in the control group.Immunocytochemistry showed a similar outcome.Morphologically,embryonic stem cells developed from unicells into compact three-embryonic layer embryoid body and into incompact cell population.CONCLUSION:E-cadherin expression correlates with differentiated cell adhesion;additionally,the lost expression in an in vitro environment may be an important cause for unable regularization of differentiated cells.

Objective To investigate the clinical and imaging features of hypertrophic olivary degeneration (HOD) secondary to brainstem hemorrhage. Methods The clinical data of one patient with HOD secondary to brainstem hemorrhage was retrospectively analyzed. Results The patient was hospitalized with paroxysmal and body involuntary jitter and other extrapyramidal symptoms. After admission, MRI scan showed bilateral inferior olive nucleus of medulla oblongata were localized hypertrophy. Conclusion The main clinical manifestation of HOD secondary to brainstem hemorrhage is extrapyramidal symptom. The imaging features are abnormal signals and localized hypertrophy at inferior olive nucleus.

Objective To observe the effect of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor receptor Fc fusion Protein (rhTNFR:Fc) treatment on IgM-RF,IgG-RF,IgA-RF of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Methods A randomized,active-comparator controlled,parallel group study were conducted.110 patients were enrolled and were randomly divided to the treatment group,in which patients were treated with twice weekly subcutaneous injection of rhTNFR:Fc (25 mg) (rhTNFR:Fc treatment group,n=55),and the MTX froup,in which MTX (the mean dosage was 15 mg/week) (MTX group,n=55) for 24 weeks.Blood routine,IgM-RF,IgG-RF,IgA-RF,and disease activity score 28 (DAS28) were monitored.Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis.Results The level of IgM-RF decreased significantly in the rhTNFR:Fc treatment group 24 week(29±16) U/ml later.However,the level of IgG-RF(145±20) U/ml,IgA-RF(153±34) U/ml increased significantly in the rhTNFR:Fc group,and the level of IgG-RF (62±14) U/ml,IgA-RF (66-±19) U/ml decreased significantly in the MTX group.Conclusion Although rhTNFR:Fc,is effective in treating the clinical symptoms of RA,it seems to affect RF producing-B cells either directly or indirectly.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multiple organ autoimmune disorder, including the liver, but the possible reason in impairment in the liver is still unclear. Our present study assessed alterations of transcription factor Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) and several other immune molecules [programmed cell death 1 and its ligand (PD1 and PD-L1), and interleukin 10 (IL-10) and transform growth factor β (TGF-β)] in the liver and other major organs of lupus-prone BXSB mice by flow cytometry, real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results showed that both frequency and number of Foxp3(+) Tregs were dramatically reduced in the thymus, spleen and kidney of the BXSB mice (P<0.05), but those in the liver were kept in nearly normal range, when compared to negative control C57BL/6 mice. In comparison to control mice, the mRNA levels of Foxp3, PD1 and PD-L1 were significantly decreased in the kidneys of BXSB mice (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the livers of the BXSB mice (P>0.05). Protein levels of IL-10 and TGF-β in serum showed no significant difference between BXSB and C57BL/6 mice, but were significantly increased in the kidneys and livers of BXSB mice as compared with those in C57BL/6 mice (P<0.05). These results suggest that reduced Foxp3(+) Tregs are involved in the pathogenesis of SLE in BXSB mice, and relatively higher number of these cells in the livers than in the other target organs could constitute a protective mechanism against hepatic lesions in lupus-prone mice, which may provide insights into development of new therapeutic approaches in SLE patients.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of sirolimus in treating calcineurin inhibitor-related renal insufficiency after liver transplantation. Methods Eleven patients with calci-neurin inhibitor-related renal insufficiency after liver transplantation received sirolimus conversion.Simultaneously, the dose of tacrolimus was decreased or tacrolimus was withdrawn. Blood creatinine,sirolimus level, tacrolimus level, liver function, rejection episodes and drug side-effect were moni-tored. Results All the 11 patients survived today with 6 to 20 months of follow-up. All patients showed improvement of renal function after conversion to sirolimus. Blood creatinine level was reduced from (163.8±47.9)μmol/L to(108.1±26.6)μmol/l. (P<0.05). One patient's liver function had an acute rejection episode that was successfully treated with increase of dose of tacrolimus. The side-effects of sirolimus included hyperlipidemia (4 patients), anaemia (1) and mouth ulcers (2).Conclusion Siolimus can be effectively and safely used in liver transplant recipients suffering from ta-crolimus-related renal insufficiency.

To explore the effect of technetium-99 conjugated with methylene diphosphonate (99 TcMDP) on IgM-RF, IgG-RF and IgA-RF (RFs), 47 cases were selected for study, including 33 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 15 patients with joint pain/arthritis. After 99Tc-MDP for drips model being given to the patients by intravenous drip 0.2 g daily for 5 days, the injection A and B models of 99Tc-MDP were used to the patients by intravenous injection one set daily for 10 days, that was one course of treatment. The next course started after 10 days. Each case used it from 2 to 4 courses of treatment. The RFs in serum were determined by the method of enzyme-linked immunoabsorption assay (ELISA) before and after 2 and 4 courses of treatment. In the patients with RA, the concentrations of IgM-RF were 296.2 +/- 108.4 IU/ml, 189.5 +/- 92.3 IU/ml and 107.8 +/- 72.5 IU/ml; the concentrations of IgG-RF were 325.6 +/- 126.2 IU/ml, 209.7 +/- 98.2 IU/ml and 160.2 +/- 80.8 IU/ml; the concentrations of IgA-RF were 330.4 +/- 136.3 IU/ml, 210.7 +/- 89.2 IU/ml and 148.8 +/- 72.2 IU/ml before and after 2 and 4 courses of treatment, respectively. The concentrations of the above RFs were significantly lower after 2 and 4 courses than those before treatment (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in RFs concentrations in the patients with joint pain/arthritis before and after use of 99Tc-MDP. In the patients with positive RFs before treatment, the RFs concentrations were decreased significantly after 2 and 4 courses of treatment (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). There was no obvious change of RFs concentrations in the patients with negative RFs after treatment of 99Tc-MDP. It was concluded that 99 Tc-MDP could obviously reduce the abnormally high concentrations of RFs, but not influence the normal RFs, which indicated that 99Tc-MDP has an important effect on controlling the activities of RA.
Adult ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; immunology ; therapy ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; blood ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Immunoglobulins ; blood ; Male ; Rheumatoid Factor ; blood ; Technetium Tc 99m Medronate ; therapeutic use