Objective To compare the effects of fluvastatin and valsartan on the inflammatory cytokines in the early stage of type 2 diabetic nephropathy and their protective effects on to diabetic nephropathy. Methods Ninety patients with early stage of type 2 diabetic nephropathy were divided into three groups, 30 patients receiving routine hypoglycemic agents (DN1) as control,30 patients receiving routine hypoglycemic agents plus valsartan (DN2) and the other 30 receiving routine hypoglycemic agents plus fluvastatin (DN3). Blood glucose, blood lipid,serum creatinine and C reactive protein(CRP),24-hour urine protein,urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) and several inflammatory cytokine were measured before and after treatment. Results ( 1 ) No significant difference of the levels of serum CRP,TGF-β1,IL-6,TNF-α, IL-18 at the baseline were observedamong these three groups.In the DN2 group,after treatment,IL.6 was([15.99±2.87]ng/L and[17.64±2. 131 ,P <0. 05) ,TGF-β1 was ( [33.54 ±10. 69] μg/L and [40. 11 ± 12. 08] μg/L,t = -2. 921 ,P <0. 01 ),IL-18 was ( [139.65±66. 37] ng/L and [158.74±74. 20]ng/L,t = -2.053,P <0. 05),CRP was ( [5. 12±3. 54] mg/L and [6. 08 ±3. 39] mg/L, t = - 2. 072, P < 0. 05 ) after and before treatment, respectively. All abovemented indices significantly decreased after treatment. In the DN3 group, IL-6 was ( [15. 39 ±2. 77] ng/L ng/L,t = -3. 651 ,P <0. 01 ) ,TGF-β1 was ( [31.19 ±10. 48] μg/L and [37. 11± 11.76] μg/L,t = -2. 963,P<0.01),IL-18 was ([141.54 ±66.65] ng/L and [158.01±73.23] ng/L,t = -2. 182,P <0.05),CRP respectively. All abovemented indices significantly decreased after treatment No significant difference was observed on inflamaory factors after treatment between the DN2 and DN3 group ( P > 0. 05). (2) In the subgroup that there was no difference in blood pressure between before and after treatment in both the DN2 and DN3 group,in the DN3 group,UAER was ([63. 1 ±31.7] μg/min and[82.9±40.0] μg/min,t = -2. 145,P <0. 05) ,24 h total urokinase protein was ( [0. 14 ±0. 11] g/24 h and [0. 18±O. 15] g/24 h, t = - 2. 438, P <0. 05 ), microalbuminuria/urine creatinine was ( [ALb/Cr] [114. 7±68. 1] mg/g and [162.0±83.8] mg/g,t = - 2. 399, P < 0. 05 ) after and before treatment. All abovemention indices significantly decreased after treatment. In the DN3 group, UAER was ( [65.5 ±32. 6]μg/min and [83.5 ±42. 1]μg/min,t = - 2. 131, P <0. 05 ),24 h total urine protein was ( [0. 14 ±0. 11] g/24 h and [0. 18±0. 15] g/24 h, t = - 2. 438, P < 0. 05 ),0. 05 ) after and before treatment. All abovemention indices significantly decreased after treatment. No significant difference was observed after treatment between the DN2 and ON3 group ( P > 0. 05 ). Conclusion Both valsartan and fluvastatin are able to protect the renal function of patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy by decreasing the levels of urine proteins and correlated serum inflammatory cytokines.

Objective To investigate the effect of chronic infection of Toxoplasma gondii on the spatial learning and memory capability in mice.Methods Toxoplasma tachyzoites(RH strain)were reanimated at 37 ℃ after 15 days' storage at-20 ℃,and injected intraperitoneally to mice of the experimental group each with 7.7?105.Normal saline was given to the control group,0.5 ml per mouse.Two months later,all mice were tested in the Morris Water Maze.Smears of the mice brain homogenate and pathological sections were examined.Results ① The density of cysts in the brain homogenate was 15/HP,and there was no evident pathological change in the hippocampus and adjacent areas of mice in the brain in the experimental mice.② Latency to platform,cumulative distance to the platform,total distance traveled in both experimental and control groups decreased significantly with the increase of training days(P

Objective To explore application of the bolus-triggered technique and optimal match between collimation and pitch of MSCTA in intracranial and cervical arteries.Methods(1)The small-dose tests were performed in 19 healthy volunteers and the theoretical threshold was obtained by the time-density curve.(2)forty healthy volunteers were divided randomly into two groups and the scanning parameters were as follows.Group A:collimation 1.0 mm,pitch 1.750. Group B:collimation 2.5 mm,pitch 0.625. Statistical significance was determined with the X~2 test and t test(?=0.05).Results(1)In 19 volunteers,CT value 4 seconds before the peak was 75 HU,the CT value at the beginning segment of the carotid artery and the C_1 segment of internal carotid artery was in accordance with the standard.(2)Image quality ofⅠ,Ⅱgrades artery structures of group B was superior to that of group A.Image quality ofⅢ,Ⅴ grades artery structures of group A was superior to that of group B.Conclusions(1)MSCTA in intracranial and cervical arteries can display systematically the cerebral and carotid arteries.(2)The bolus-triggered technique can improve the image quality of the target vessels.The image quality of the MSCTA of intracranial and cervical arteries is better with the threshold of 75 HU on the basis of 3.5 ml/s injection rate.(3)On the basis of the same other parameters,the optimal scanning parameters are a collimation of 1.0 mm with a pitch of 1.750.

ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between the negative co-inhibitor programmed death-1 ( PD-1 ) and the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis ( MG), by detecting the expression of PD-1 and programmed death ligand-1 ( PD-L1 ) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and soluble PD-1 (sPD-1) in plasma from myasthenia gravis patients. MethodsPeripheral blood samples were collected from 45 MG patients and 33 healthy persons without prednisone or other immunodepressant treatment during the half year ahead of withdrawal.The expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 on PBMCs were detected using immuno-fluorescence labeling and flow cytometry, and the concentrations of sPD-1 in plasma were measured using an ELISA kit. Results(1) The proportion of CD4+ PD-1 + T cells, as well as CD14+ PD-L1 +monocytes of the MG group was higher than that of the control group. There were no significant differences in the proportion of CD4+ PD-1 + T cells or CD14+ PD-L1 + monocytes in the MG sub-groups between different genders or MG types. While the proportion of CD4+ PD-1 + T cells of the late-onset MG (age ≥40) group was higher than that of the early-onset MG group (age ＜40). And it was higher in the MG patients with thymoma or thymus hyperplasia than that from the MG patients with normal thymus. The proportion of CD14+ PD-L1 +monocytes from the MG patients with thymoma or thymus hyperplasia group decreased obviously compared with that of the patients with normal thymus group; but no difference could be found between the late-onset group and early-onset group. (2)The concentration of sPD-1 in the plasma from the group of MG patients was(6. 92 ±0. 72) ng/ml,which was higher than that of the healthy control group ( (3.28 ±0. 42) ng/ml),even more, it was significantly higher in the early-onset MG group than that of the late-onset MG group,there was a negative correlation( r =-0. 526, P =0. 000) between the age of onset and the concentration of sPD-1. ConclusionsThe increased expressions of PD-1 on CD4+ T cells and PD-L1 on CD14+ monocytes in MG patients suggested the involvement of the couple of molecules in the pathogenesis of MG.Higher concentration of soluble PD-1 in the plasma of patients with MG suggested that it might disturb the ligation of PD-1 and PD-L1 on T cells and antigen presenting cells, which might result in the abnormal transportation of the negative modulating signal, and accelerate the pathological progress of MG.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of the level of lipid peroxidation and biomechanical properties after chronic treating with tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) in thoracic aorta of hyperlipemia (HL) rats.

METHODSHL rats were given BH4 chronically. The opening angle in the zero-stress state and the relationship between pressure and diameter (P-D) of mesenteric artery were measured by computer image 8, 16, and 24 week-old respectively.

RESULTSTreating with BH4 chronically from 8 week-old in HL rats, there was a significant increase in the zero-stress state of opening angle of thoracic aorta. The P-D curve of mesenteric artery moved upward.

CONCLUSIONTreating with BH4 prevented the structure and function of artery from abnormal changing, and attenuated lipid peroxidation in HL rats.

Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; drug effects ; Biopterin ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Hyperlipidemias ; drug therapy ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To investigate the efficacy of heparin gelatin sponge stickers in the treatment of traumatic perforation of tympanic membrane. Methods Total of 79 cases (83 ears ) of traumatic perforation of tympanic membrane were randomly divided into two groups:the test group had 54 patients ( 58ears),and the control group had 25 cases (25 ears ).The test group received the treatment of heparin gelatin sponge stickers,and the control group received conservative traditional drying method. All the subjects were followed up for 4 weeks,observed and recorded the rate and healing period of traumatic tympanic membrane.Results In 4-week's follow-up,56 ears were cured in the test group,with a rate of 96.55％.Fourteen ears were cured in the control group with a rate of 56.00％.The healing rate of test group was significantly higher than that of the control group( x2 =18.79,P ＜0.01 ).The average of healing period was 17.6 days in the test group,and 32.0 days in the control group. There were significant differences in healing period between two groups( t =6.37,P ＜0.01 ).All the cured tympanic membrane in the test group was morphologically complete.In all followed up patients,there were no allergies and signs of infection,as well as other adverse reaction in the process of healing.Conclusion The heparin gelatin sponge can effectively enhance closure of the traumatic perforation of tympanic membrane and can shorten the healing period of traumatic perforation of tympanic membrane,and the smaller of the perforation,the shorter of healing period.

Objective To summarize the experiences of diagnosis and treatment for blunt tracheobronchial injuries ( BTI) . Methods From January 1993 to December 2013, 15 patients were diagnosed with BTI and underwent surgical treatment at our hospital.Mean age of the 15 patients (11 men and 4 women) was 26.4 ±4.5 years.All the patients had a history of trauma, which included crushing injury in 8 cases, deceleration injury in 4, fall injury in 2, and traction-type injury in 1.BTI loca-tion: right main bronchus in eight cases, left main bronchus in four cases, upper trachea in one case, lower trachea with the right main bronchus in one case, and cervico-thoracic trachea with left main bronchus in one case .Thoracic computerized tomo-graphy was performed in 15 patients, which showed pneumothorax, subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum or falling lung sign of Kumpe.Preoperative fiberoptic bronchoscopy examination was performed in 15 cases, which included bronchial atresia in 9 cases, bronchial transection in 3 cases, laceration of trachea in 2 cases, and tracheal transection in 1 case.An e-lective surgical procedure after BTI was performed in 10 cases, and emergency surgery was performed in 5 cases.Tracheo-bron-chial laceration repair were performed in 2 cases, tracheal end-to-end reanastomosis in 1 case, and bronchial end-to-end re-anastomosis in 12 cases.Results There was no operative death, and one case was complicated with anastomotic stenosis.The average operation time was 205.7 ±41.3 minutes, and the average blood loss was 268.4 ±109 ml.The postoperative hospi-tal stay was 11.6 ±3.7 days on average.Follow-up was completed in 15 patients (mean, 29.3 months), and 15 patients were all symptomatic improvement .Conclusion The most common site of BTI was the right main bronchus near Carina parts .Al-though the diagnosis and treatment are often delayed , our findings indicate that chest CT and endoscopic findings could be used for the diagnosis of BTI.Surgical resection and reconstruction are effective methods to repair BTI successfully even many months after they occur.Often they do not require the resection of pulmonary parenchyma .

AIMThe anti-gastric ulcer constituents from the roots of Crepis napifera (Franch) Babc (Compositae) were studied.

METHODSSolvent partition, Si gel and Rp-18 column chromatography, crystallization and spectral methods were used to extract, isolate and identify two compounds. The activity of compound 1 was tested on the rat stomach by determining the effect on aspirin-induced gastric lesions and on histamine-stimulated gastric acid secretion.

RESULTSTwo sesquiterpene lactone glycosides, taraxinic acid-1'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1) and 11,13-dihydro-taraxinic acid-1'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2) were obtained. Compound 1 at the dose of 80 mg.kg-1 p.o. inhibited significantly the development of aspirin-induced gastric lesions in the rat and at an i.v. dose of 70 mg.kg-1 did not affect histamine-stimulated gastric acid secretion in the lumen-perfused rat stomach.

CONCLUSIONCompound 1 is the active component of the plant which protects gastric mucosa and exhibits anti-gastric ulcer action.

Animals ; Anti-Ulcer Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Aspirin ; Crepis ; chemistry ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Gastric Acid ; secretion ; Gastric Mucosa ; secretion ; Male ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats, Wistar ; Sesquiterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Stomach Ulcer ; chemically induced ; drug therapy

Objective To study the amino acid mutations in neutralizing antibody 2F5 and 4E10 conserved epitopes ELDKWA and NWFDIT of HIV-1 membrane proximal external region(MPER)in 92 HIV-infected individuals and AIDS patients in China,and to provide a basis for the neutralizing antobodies immunotherapy and a design of vaccines. Methods Nest-PCR methods were used to amplity genes of the HIV-1 env gp41 region.The amplified fragments were sequenced by double-deoxygen terminal method and translated into amino acids for analysis.The mutations of 2F5 and 4E10 neutralizing epitopes were identified by comparison with the epitopes reference data in HIV-1 Sequence Database.Results There were mutations on both 2F5 and 4E10 neutralizing epitopes.2F5 conserved neutralizing epitopes major mutations tocused on E662A(14.1%),K665S(17.4%),A667K(16.3%),and 4E10 conserved neutralizing epltopes major mutations included N671S(13.0%),D674S(3.3%),T676S(16.3%).The mutation rates of 2F5 and 4E10 epitopes were significanfly different between CRF_B'C-clade and B'-clade(P<0.05).The mutata rates of CRF_B'C-clade were higher than that of CRFOI_AE-clade in 2F5 epitopes(P<0.05).The mutation rates of B'-clade in 4E10 eiptopes showed significant difference in slow progressors,HIV-infected individuals and AIDS patients,respectively(P<0.05).Conclusion The HIV-1 patients in China are demonstrated diversified mutations in 2F5 and 4E10 neutralizing epitopes.The mutation degrees of amlno acids in conserved neutralizing epitopes are different in different subtypes.There may be a correlation between neutralizing epitopes mutations of 4E10 with disease progression.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of magnetic resonance dynamic contrast-enhanced (MR-DCE) and magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging (MR-DWI) in the differentiation of benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumors.

METHODSSixty-three patients with pathologically confirmed musculoskeletal tumors were examined with MR-DCE and MR-DWI. Using single shot spin echo planar imaging sequence and different b values of 400, 600, 800 and 1000 s/mm(2), we obtained the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the lesions. ADC values were measured before and after MR-DCE, with a b value of 600 s/mm(2). The 3D fast acquired multiple phase enhanced fast spoiled gradient recalled echo sequence was obtained for multi-slice of the entire lesion. The time-signal intensity curve (TIC), dynamic contrast-enhanced parameters, maximum slope of increase (MSI), positive enhancement integral, signal enhancement ratio, and time to peak (T(peak)) were also recorded.

RESULTSADC showed no significant difference between benign and malignant tumors when the b value was 400, 600, 800, or 1000 s/mm(2), and it was not significantly different between benign and malignant tumors in both pre-MR-DCE and post-MR-DCE with b value of 600 s/mm(2). TIC were classified into four types type1 showed rapid progression and gradual drainage; type2 showed rapid progression but had no or slight progression; type 3 showed gradual progression; and type 4 had no or slight progression. Most lesions of type1 or type2 were malignant, whereas most lesions of type 3 or type 4 were benign. When using type1 and type 2 as the standards of malignancy, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity was 87.23% and 50.00%, respectively. The types of TIC showed significant difference between benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumors(χ(2)=17.009,P=0.001). When using MSI 366.62 ± 174.84 as the standard of malignancy, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity was 86.78% and 78.67%, respectively. When using T(peak)≤70s as the standard of malignancy, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity was 82.89%and 85.78%, respectively. Positive enhancement integral and signal enhancement ratio showed no significant difference between benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumors.

CONCLUSIONSTIC, MSI and T(peak) of MR-DCE are valuable in differentiating benign from malignant musculoskeletal tumors. T(peak) has the highest diagnostic specificity, and TIC has the highest diagnostic sensitivity. The mean ADC value are no significant difference between benign and malignant tumors.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Young Adult