To study the preventive effect of sophocarpine (Soc) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice, in order to analyze the influence of Soc on toll like receptor 4 (TLR4)/mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and janus tyrosine kinase 2 signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) signal pathways in mice intestinal tissues. The mice was given 2.5% DSS for 6 days to induce the acute colitis model. The Soc-treated group was intraperitoneally injected with sophocarpine 30 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1) since the day before the experiment to the end. The disease activity index (DAI) was assessed everyday, and the colonic morphology and histological damage were observed with HE staining. The mRNA expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected by real-time RT-PCR. The changes in key protein kinase p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK), c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinase1/2 (JNK1/2), extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2), JAK2, STAT3 in TLR4/MAPKs and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways were detected by western blot. The result showed that the model group showed statistical significance in body weight, DAI, colon length and histopathological changes compared with the normal group (P <0.05); however, the Soc-treated group showed significant improvements in the above indexes compared with the model group (P <0.05). TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the model group was significantly higher than that in the normal group (P <0.05), but lowered in the Soc-treated group to varying degrees (P <0.05). In the normal group, the expressions of TLR4 and the phosphorylation of P38, JNK1/2, JAK2, STAT3 were at low levels; in the model group, the phosphorylation of P38, JNK1/2, JAK2, STAT3 increased; the Soc-treated group showed a decrease in TLR4 expression compared with the model group, with notable declines in the phosphorylation of TLR4, P38, JNK1/2, JAK2, STAT3. These findings indicate that Soc can inhibit TLR4/MAPKs, K2/STAT3 signaling pathway activation, reduce the expression of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 and relieve inflammatory reactions, so as to effectively prevent experimental colitis.
Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Colitis ; drug therapy ; immunology ; pathology ; Cytokines ; genetics ; Janus Kinase 2 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Phosphorylation ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Female ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; virology ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of occupational exposure to traffic exhaust and smoking on DNA damage in traffic policemen.

METHODS812 traffic policemen (741 men and 71 women, 130 of office-work and 682 of outside work) from 8 districts in Guangzhou were investigated. Blood samples were taken by venipuncture and lymphocytes were collected by using lymphocyte separation medium and centrifugation. The comet assay was used to measure DNA damage.

RESULTSThe office-work policemen [(37.7 +/- 9.5) years] were older than the outside-work ones [(32.3 +/- 8.1) years, P < 0.001]. No significant difference was observed in sex (P = 0.08) and age (P = 0.45). Comet assay showed that occupational exposure to traffic exhaust significantly increased tail length [4.20 micro m, 95% CI: (3.98 - 4.42) micro m vs 3.23 micro m, 95% CI: (2.82 - 3.7) micro m, P < 0.001]. Smokers had longer tail length [4.66 micro m, 95% CI: (4.37 - 4.97) micro m] than ex-smokers [3.28 micro m, 95% CI: (2.57 - 4.17) micro m] and nonsmokers [3.47 micro m, 95% CI: (3.21 - 3.75) micro m, P < 0.001]. In nonsmokers, significant increase in tail length was observed by passive smoking at home (P = 0.004) but not at work (P = 0.22). When out-door nonsmokers were excluded, passive smoking at work also significantly increased tail length (P = 0.007). Analysis of covariance showed that occupational exposure to traffic exhaust, tobacco smoking, and female had independent effect on lymphocyte DNA damage (P < 0.001) after these factors were adjusted. Passive smoking and age had no effect on lymphocyte DNA damage.

CONCLUSIONSOccupational exposure to traffic exhaust and tobacco smoking respectively increase lymphocyte DNA damage. Female traffic policemen may have more severe DNA damage than male.

Adult ; DNA Damage ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Police ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Vehicle Emissions ; adverse effects

Objective To understand the effect of hyaluronic acid (HA) on the proliferation and apoptosis of chondrocytes cultured in vitro with Kashin-Beck disease(KBD) to provide the experimental evidences for treating KBD diseases with HA. Methods The articular cartilage samples collected from KBD patients were selected according to Diagnosis for Kaschin-Beck Disease(GB 16003-1995). And the normal cartilage samples were collected from victims of incidence (control). Chandrocytes were separated and cultured in vitro. Then varying dosages of HA were administered to chondrocytes and individed into 0,100,500 mg/L group, according to HA doages. The effect of HA on the proliferation and apoptosis of chondrocytes cultured/n vitro both KBD and the controls were investigated by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT), Annexin V/PI staining on 2~(nd), 4~(th), 6~(th) day. Results In the control group, 500 mg/L group(0.140 ± 0.049) promoted chondrocyte proliferation significantly than 0 mg/L group (0.116 ± 0.021 ) at the 4~(th) day(P < 0.05), similar phenomenon was observed in KBD group in the 6~(th) day between 500 and 0 mg/L group(0.179 ± 0.081,0.128 ± 0.017, P< 0.05). In the KBD group, compared with 0 mg/L (12.860 ± 2.159), both 100 and 500 mg/L( 10.458 ± 1.143,7.877 ± 1.346) inhibited chondrocyte apoptosis rate (P < 0.05). In control, apoptosis rate of 500 mg/L group(4.045 ± 1.204) descreased compared with 0 mg/L group (7.128 ± 1.244, P < 0.05). Conclusion HA can promote the proliferation and inhibit the apoptosis of KBD chondrocytes cultured in vitro, and 500 mg/L HA play more effective role than that of 100 mg/L in promoting proliferation and inhibiting poptosis.

OBJECTIVEThe congenital muscular dystrophies (CMD) are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of neuromuscular disorders with progressive muscle wasting and weakness that begin during neonatal or early infantile period. To study the clinical diagnosis, immunohistochemical feature and follow-up information of CMD, data of 8 cases with CMD were analyzed.

METHODSImmunohistochemical features of biopsied muscle specimens were summarized and analyzed by using anti-laminin alpha2 (merosin), anti alpha-dystroglycan (alpha-DG) and anti beta-dystroglycan (beta-DG) antibodies.

RESULTSThese patients mostly presented at birth or during the first six months of life with muscle weakness, hypotonia, contractures, and feeding difficulty or respiratory dysfunction. Hematoxylin-eosin staining of skeletal muscle specimens from these patients showed typical characteristics of CMD. Differences in fiber size, with predominantly small and round fibers, and dense connective tissue infiltration were seen. Four of the 8 patients were merosin-stain negative, which might be due to primary merosin deficiency. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the brain shows abnormalities of the white matter. Four cases were merosin-stain positive, and two of them also had hypoglycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan. Two patients had mental retardation. One of them had optic nerve atrophy and abnormal brain structure.

CONCLUSIONSTwo types of CMD were present in our group. Merosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy (congenital muscular dystrophy 1A, MDC1A) was more common, accompanied by abnormalities of the white matter. "Alpha-dystroglycanopathy" could be seen in merosin-positive cases.

Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Laminin ; deficiency ; Male ; Muscular Dystrophies ; congenital ; diagnosis ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the distribution features of Chinese medical constitutions in hypertension complicated diabetes patients.

METHODSRecruited were 251 primary hypertension inpatients at the Department of Neurology and the Department of Cardiology, Mindong Hospital of Ningde City from October 2010 to March 2011. They were assigned to two groups according to whether they were complicated with diabetes, i.e., the primary hypertension complicated diabetes (as the case group, 78 cases) and the primary hypertension without complicated diabetes (as the control group, 173 cases). The constitution types were investigated by questionnaire. The constitution type distribution was compared between the two groups. The data including gender, age, and the distribution of the constitution type were compared between the two groups. The levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, Hb, FPG, and ALB were detected on the 2nd day after admission. The levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, Hb, and ALB were compared be- tween the two groups in patients of yin deficiency constitution, phlegm dampness constitution, and qi deficiency constitution.

RESULTSThere was no statistical difference in the hypertension grading, the disease course, and chronic disease complications between the two groups (P > 0.05). The main constitution types were yin deficiency (accounting for 26.0%), phlegm dampness (accounting for 19.1%), and qi deficiency (accounting for 19.1%) in the control group. The main constitution types were yin deficiency (accounting for 32.1%), phlegm dampness (accounting for 30.8%), and qi deficiency (accounting for 17.9%) in the case group. The ratio of phlegm dampness type in the case group was higher than that in the control group with statistical difference (P = 0.041). There was no statistical difference in the constitution distribution in the same gender between the two groups (P > 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the constitution distribution in those younger than 80 years between the two groups (P > 0.05). Compared with those older than 80 years in the control group, the ratio of phlegm dampness was higher, and the ratios of yang deficiency, yin deficiency, qi deficiency, and dampness heat were lower in the case group with statistical difference (P = 0.020). There was no statistical difference in the constitution distribution among different age stages in the case group (P > 0. 05). But there was statistical difference in the constitution distribution among different age stages in the control group (P < 0.05). The yin deficiency and qi deficiency constitutions were dominated in thinner patients of the control group, while yin deficiency constitution was dominated in thinner patients of the case group, showing no statistical difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the distribution of constitution type in overweight patients between the two groups (P = 0.458). Compared with those of gentle type constitution in the same group, the levels of TC and LDL-C increased in those of phlegm dampness constitution in the two groups (P < 0.05). The level of TC increased in those of qi deficiency constitution in the case group. The level of Hb decreased in those of qi deficiency constitution in the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with those of qi deficiency constitution in the same group, the levels of TC and Hb obviously increased in those of phlegm dampness constitution in the control group (P < 0.05). The level of ALB increased in those of yin deficiency constitution in the case group (P < 0. 05). Compared with the control group, the level of FPG of those of each constitution increased in the case group (P < 0.05) ,.and the level of TC increased in those of qi deficiency constitution (P = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONSThe main constitution types of hypertension complicated diabetes patients were yin deficiency, phlegm dampness, and qi deficiency. The ratio of phlegm dampness was higher in hypertension complicated diabetes patients than hypertension without complicated diabetes patients. The levels of TC and LDL-C were higher in those of phlegm dampness constitution type. The level of TC was higher in hypertension complicated diabetes patients of qi deficiency constitution.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Diabetes Complications ; diagnosis ; Diabetes Mellitus ; diagnosis ; Essential Hypertension ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; diagnosis ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical features and ABCG5/ABCG8 gene mutations of three pedigrees of phytosterolemia presented with macrothrombocytopenia and hemolysis.

METHODSErythrocyte and platelet morphology were examined under light microscope. Plasma sterol levels were measured by high pressure/performance liquid chromatography method. All of ABCG5 and ABCG8 exons and intron-exon boundaries were directly sequenced to identify mutations, the corresponding gene mutation sites of three families members and healthy individuals were detected.

RESULTSAll the patients presented macrothrombocytopenia, hemolysis, splenomegaly and xanthomas. The blood smears showed large platelets, some as large as erythrocytes, and abnormal erythrocyte shapes, such as stomatocytes. Plasma concentrations of phytosterols, especially sitosterol were markedly elevated (30 fold) in the affected patients. Four mutations were identified in these three pedigrees, ABCG5 C20896T (R446X) and A20883G, ABCG8 del43683-43724 and del1938C-1939G/ins1938T. The latter three were novel mutations reported for the first time.

CONCLUSIONSPhytosterolemia associated with macrothrombocytopenia and hemolysis is a new subtype of this disease. Plasma phytosterols and related gene analysis should be performed when ever an unexplained macrothrombocytopenia, especially combined with haemolysis or/and stomatocytosis.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family G, Member 5 ; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family G, Member 8 ; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters ; genetics ; Adult ; Blood Platelets ; cytology ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Erythrocytes, Abnormal ; Female ; Hemolysis ; genetics ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia ; genetics ; pathology ; Intestinal Diseases ; genetics ; pathology ; Lipid Metabolism, Inborn Errors ; genetics ; pathology ; Lipoproteins ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Phytosterols ; adverse effects ; blood ; genetics ; Platelet Count ; Thrombocytopenia ; genetics ; pathology

This study was aimed to investigate the pro coagulation effects of hemocoagulase atrix and its effective components (batroxobin and factor X activator) on plasma of normal subjects and patients with bleeding disorders and their mechanisms. Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT) were measured. The factor (F)X activation and thrombin generation were analyzed by using chromogenic substrate method. The results showed that the plasma APTT of normal subjects was shortened by hemocoagulase atrix, batroxobin and FX activator, and the effect of FX activator was found to be concentration-dependent (r = 0.889, P < 0.05). The prolonged APTT of plasma from patients with bleeding disorders could be corrected by hemocoagulase atrix, batroxobin and FX activator, but PT showed no great changes resulted from the treatments. FX activator could promote FX activation and thrombin generation, while neither hemocoagulase atrix nor batroxobin showed such abilities. It is concluded that hemocoagulase atrix promotes coagulation process, and corrects coagulation abnormalities in patients with bleeding disorders, its main component batroxobin directly acts on fibrinogen, and FX activator promotes thrombin generation through activating FX.
Adult ; Batroxobin ; pharmacology ; Blood Coagulation ; drug effects ; Blood Coagulation Disorders ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Cysteine Endopeptidases ; pharmacology ; Factor X ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; pharmacology ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Thrombin ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEto study the clinicopathological features, imaging characteristics, immunophenotypes and differential diagnosis of giant cell angioblastoma (GCAB).

METHODSa case of GCAB in the left middle-upper tibia and fibula was studied by light microscopy, X-ray and CT imaging, immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSX-ray and CT imaging showed a clearer lesion in the left middle-upper tibia than in the ipsilateral fibula with enlarged ostealleosis and increased inhomogeneously medullary cavity density, irregular thickening of cortical bone, local cortical default at the inner edge, soft tissue swelling around the abnormal bone. Histologically, tumor tissue was located between the bone trabeculae by nodular, linear and plexiform aggregates of oval-to-spindle cells, large mononucleate cells and multinucleate giant cells with prominent nucleoli and abundant granular eosinophilic cytoplasm. Some aggregates had uncentain amount of discernible lumens, either empty or containing few erythrocytes. A concentric arrangement of oval-to-spindle Cells around small-caliber vascular structures together with collagen fiber contributed to a so-called 'onion-skin' arrangement. The background showed a loose mesenchymal stroma formed of some inconspicuous spindle-fibroblast-like cells, stellate-shape mesenchymal cells, a moderate mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltrate and scattered mast cells. Immunophenotype showed the tumor cells and giant cells strongly positive for vimentin. A good many oval-to-spindle cells stained markedly for CD31 and CD34, but weakly for FVIII, while the giant cells are highlighted instead by CD68, occasionally, very few giant cells showed positive focally for FVIII, a-SMA decorated notedly the cells surrounding the endothelium-like cells but weakly positive in some other tumor cells.

CONCLUSIONGCAB is a rare, locally infiltrative but slow growing neoplastic angiogenesis with unique morphological characteristics during infancy, which may occur not only in the skin, mucosa, subcutis and deep soft tissue but also in the bone.

Actins ; metabolism ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; metabolism ; Bone Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Dermatofibrosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fibula ; Giant Cell Tumor of Bone ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Hemangioblastoma ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Hemangioendothelioma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Hemangioendothelioma, Epithelioid ; metabolism ; pathology ; Hemangioma, Cavernous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Infant ; Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome ; Male ; Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Sarcoma, Kaposi ; metabolism ; pathology ; Skin Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Thrombocytopenia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tibia ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vascular Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vimentin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical, neurophysiologic characteristics and therapeutic considerations of epileptic negative myoclonus (ENM) in atypical benign partial epilepsy of childhood (ABPE).

METHODSVideo-EEG monitoring with outstretched arm tests were carried out in 17 patients, and 9 of them were examined with simultaneous electromyography (EMG). The ENM manifestations, electrophysiologic features and responses to antiepileptic drugs (AED) were analyzed.

RESULTSSeventeen patients were diagnosed as having benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECT) during the early course of the disease and were treated with AED. During the course of the disease, hand trembling, objects dropping, head nodding and instability during standing might be clues for ENM occurrence. ENM had been confirmed in our patients by outstretched arm tests during video-EEG recording. The ictal EEG showed that high-amplitude spikes followed by a slow wave over the contralateral motor areas. This was further confirmed by time-locked silent EMG in 9 patients. During ENM occurrence or recurrence, the habitual seizures and interictal discharges were exaggerated. Atypical absence seizures also occurred in 6 patients. The alteration of therapeutic options of AED relating to ENM appearance in some patients included the add-on therapy with carbamazepine (CBZ), oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, or withdrawal of valproate (VPA). ENM was controlled in most cases by using VPA, clonazepam (CZP) and corticosteroid with different combination.

CONCLUSIONENM could occur during the course of ABPE. Outstretching arm tests during video-EEG monitoring in combination with EMG was essential to confirm ENM. The ENM occurrence was always associated with the frequency increasing of habitual seizures and the aggravation of interictal discharges. Some AED such as CBZ might induce ENM. VPA, benzodiazepines and corticosteroid with different combination were relatively effective in treatment of ENM.

Anticonvulsants ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Electroencephalography ; Electromyography ; Epilepsies, Myoclonic ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Epilepsies, Partial ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male