Objective To compare the proportion of CD3~+T cell and CD4~+CD25~(high) regulatory T cell (Treg cell) and the production of inferon γ ( IFN-γ) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) between patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and healthy people, and to analyze the changes of CD3~+T cell, CD4~+CD25~(high)Treg cell, IFN-γ and IL-12 of NSCLC patients before and after chemotherapy, so as to determine immune function changes of NSCLC patients caused by chemotherapy. Methods Twenty NSCLC patients and 20 healthy volunteers according to the including criteria were selected. Three mL of blood was drawn from NSCLC patients before chemotherapy (0 d), on the 3~(rd) day (3 d) and 7~(th) day (7 d) after chemotherapy. PBMC cells were separated from the blood samples. The proportions of CD4~+CD25~(high)Treg cell and CD3~+T cell (%) in PBMC were tested by FACS, and the IFN-γ and IL-12 (pg/mL) in the supernatants were also detected. Results The proportions of CD3~+T cell in NSCLC patients on 0, 3 and 7 d were (55.15±20.11)%,(57.73±14.08)% and (62.79±7.80)%,respectively, and there was no statistical difference between any two of these results. The proportion of CD4~+CD25~(high)Treg cell in healthy volunteers was (2.14±0.85)%, while that of NSCLC patients was (2.76±0.53)% on 0 d with statistical difference compared to the healthy volunteers (P<0.05). The CD4~+CD25~(high)Treg cell proportion (%) of NSCLC patients on 3 d and 7 d were (2.54±0.57)% and (2.72±0.29)%, respectively, which were both significantly lower than that of 0 d. On 3 d it was even much lower than that on 7 d (P<0.05). IFN-γ and IL-12 of NSCLC patients on 0 d were (34.36±4.38) pg/mL and (33.24±4.36) pg/mL, and no statistical difference was observed when compared with (34.36±4.38) pg/mL and (33.24±4.36) pg/mL in the healthy volunteers. On 3 d and 7 d, IFN-γ of NSCLC patients were (40.42±5.66) pg/mL and (39.27±6.07) pg/mL, respectively, and both were higher than that on 0 d (P<0.05); IL-12 of NSCLC patients were (35.51±5.03) pg/mL and (38.62±6.44) pg/mL, also both were higher than that on 0 d (P<0.05). Conclusions This study suggests that chemotherapy can improve immune functions of NSCLC patients, and may reinforce the anti-tumor immune response.

Objective:To develop the intelligent management system for diabetes medication knowledge base with the help of community hospital information platform.Methods:Based on the China Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Guide (2013 edition),National Essential Drugs (2012 edition) and the relevant package inserts,the knowledge base of diabetes medication was established.Results:The information platform could make interception beforehand,warning in the process of medication and provide attentions for physicians after treatment to determine rational medication.Conclusion:The intelligent management system for diabetes medication knowledge base can promote physicians to firmly grasp the principles of drug treatment,simplify treatment regimen,select effective drugs with reasonable prices and provide individualized treatment.

Objective To explore the feasibility of using digital imaging processing (DIP)to extract EUS image parameters for the differential diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP)and chronic pancreati-tis (CP).Methods A total of 81 patients with AIP and 100 patients with CP diagnosed from May 2005 to January 2013 were recruited to this study.A total of 105 parameters of 9 categories were extracted from the region of interest by using computer-based techniques.Then the distance between class algorithm and se-quential forward selection (SFS)algorithm were used for a better combination of features.A support vector machine (SVM)predictive model was built,trained,and validated.Results Overall,25 parameters of 5 categories were selected as a better combination of features when the incidence of accurate category was max (90.08%).A total of 181 sample sets were randomly divided into a training set and a testing set by using two different algorithms and 200 random tests were performed.The average accuracy,sensitivity,specificity, the positive and negative predictive values of AIP based on the half-and-half method were (86.04 ± 3.15)%,(83.66 ±6.57)%,(88.54 ±4.37)%,(85.96 ±4.44)% and (87.12 ±4.39)%,respective-ly.Conclusion Computer-aided diagnosis of EUS images is objective and non-invasive,which can improve the accuracy in differentiating AIP from CP.This technology provides a new valuable diagnostic tool for the clinical determination of AIP.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the reason and strategy for failure of posterior pedicle screw short-segment internal fixation on thoracolumbar fractures.

METHODSFrom March 2008 to December 2010,the clinical data of 18 patients with thoracolumbar fracture failed in posterior pedicle screw short-segment internal fixation were retrospectively analyzed. There were 11 males and 7 females with an average age of 37.2 years (ranged, 19 to 63). The time from the first operation to complication occurrence was from 6 to 44 months with an average of 14.3 months. Of them,fusion failure was in 7 cases (combined with screw breakage in 4 cases), the progressive neuro-dysfunction was in 5 cases,the progressive lumbodorsal pain was in 6 cases. All 18 patients with kyphosis were treated with anterior internal fixation remaining posterior fixation (9 cases) and anterior internal fixation after posterior fixation removal (9 cases).

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up from 18 to 50 months with an average of 30.5 months. No intetnal fixation loosening and breakage were found, moreover, X-ray and lamellar CT showed bone healing well. Preoperative, postoperative at 3 months and at final follow-up, ODI score was respectively 31.6+/-5.1, 8.6+/-5.7, 8.3+/-3.2; VAS score was respectively 7.2+/-2.3, 2.3+/-0.7, 2.1+/-1.1; kyphosis angle was respectively (-21.2/-+7.8 degreeso, (-5.3+/-6.8 degrees ), (-5.8+/-7.8 )degrees. Compared with preoperative data ,above-listed items had obviously ameliorated(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONTreatment of thoracolumbar fracture with posterior pedicle screw short-segment internal fixation may result in the complications such as bone nonunion ,internal fixation breakage and progressive kyphosis. Anterior reconstruction may be a good strategy for the failure of posterior operation.

Adult ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; adverse effects ; methods ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery

Ligustrazine, one of the major effective components of the Chinese traditional medicinal herb Ligusticum Chuanxiong Hort, has been reported plenty of biological activities, such as protect cardiovascular and cerebrovascular, neuroprotection and anti-tumor, et al. Because of its remarkable effects, studies on structural modification of ligustrazine have attracted much attention. Ligustrazine synthetic derivatives reported in recent decades are mainly derived from four primary intermediates (TMP-COOH, TMP-OH, TMP-NH2, HO-TMP-OH). To explore the neuroprotection activitiy of ligustrazine intermediates, six ligustrazine intermediates (2, 5, 8, 11, 12, 13) were synthesized and their protective effects against CoCl2-induced neurotoxicity in differentiated PC12 cells were studied. The target compounds were prepared via different chemical methods, including oxidation, substitution, esterification and amidation without changing the structure nucleus of ligustrazine. Compared with TMP (EC50 = 56.03 micromol x L(-1)), four compounds (2, 5, 12 and 13) exhibited higher activity (EC50 < 50 micromol x L(-1)) respectively, of which, compound 2 displayed the highest protective effect against the damaged PC12 cells (EC50 = 32.86 micromol x L(-1)), but target compounds 8 and 11 appeared lower activity (EC50 > 70 micromol x L(-1)). By structure-activity relationships analysis, the introduction of carboxyl, amino to the side chain of ligustrazine and appropriately increase the proportion of ligustrazine may contribute to enhance its neuroprotective activity, which provides a reference for the design, synthesis and activity screening of relevant series of ligustrazine derivatives in the future.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic ; Cobalt ; toxicity ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Neuroprotective Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Neurotoxins ; toxicity ; PC12 Cells ; Pyrazines ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression characteristics of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and its correlation with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and clinical pathological features.

METHODSThirty liver specimens from HCC patients were collected by self-control method. The localization and expression of NF-kappaB in HCC and their surrounding tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. And the levels of TNF alpha in these tissues were analyzed by ELISA.

RESULTSThe expressed NF-kappaB was localized in nucleus and cytoplasm in HCC, whereas only in cytoplasm in the surrounding tissues. The expression level and density of NF-kappaB in HCC tissues were obviously higher than those in the surrounding tissues (P < 0.01), which was positively correlated with increased TNF alpha in HCC tissues (r = 0.964, P < 0.01). No positive correlation was found between NF-kappaB expression and histological differentiation grade, number of tumor, size of tumor, and HBsAg positive (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expression and localization of NF-kappaB in HCC tissues are obviously different from those in the surrounding normal liver tissues, and the level of nucleoprotein NF-kappaB in HCC tissues is correlated with expressed TNF alpha, suggesting that TNF alpha can activate NF-kB, the activated NF-kB then translocates to the nucleus and plays important role in the carcinogenesis of HCC.

Adult ; Aged ; Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Nucleus ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of chronic epilepsy on spatial memory retrieval in rats, and to evaluate the effects of TAK-147, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, and histidine, the precursor of histamine, on the amnesia induced by epilepsy.

METHODSAfter successfully trained in the 8-arm (4-arm baited) radial maze, the rats were ip injected with a subconvulsive dose of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) every 48 h until fully kindled. Memory retrieval was tested at the same maze.

RESULTImpairment of memory retrieval was in a steady state 1 to 18 days after fully kindled, the ability of memory retrieval returned to the control level 31 days after fully kindled. TAK-147 showed an ameliorating effect on memory impairment induced by epilepsy, including reference and working memory in a dose-dependent manner. Histidine only ameliorated reference but not working memory.

CONCLUSIONPTZ-kindled seizure impair spatial memory retrieval, which it might be due to a decrease of brain acetylcholine and histamine induced by epilepsy.

Animals ; Benzazepines ; therapeutic use ; Chronic Disease ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Epilepsy ; psychology ; Male ; Maze Learning ; Memory Disorders ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Pentylenetetrazole ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the potential transmissibility of porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) from a newly-developed porcine hepatocyte bioartificial liver (BAL) system prior to human clinical trial by using a live canine model.

METHODSFive normal beagles were treated with the new BAL support system for six hours. Samples of plasma from the BAL system and whole blood from the beagles were collected at regular intervals over the six month study period. DNA and RNA were isolated from both the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma for evaluation by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse transcription (RT)-PCR, respectively, to detect PERV and the Sus scrofa cytochrome B normalization standard. In addition, RT activity and the in vitro infectivity of the plasma were detected in HEK293 cells.

RESULTSAll five beagles remained in stable physical health throughout the treatment and survived until the end of the study. PERV RNA-positivity and RT activity were only detected in the plasma samples from the 3rd BAL treatment cycle. All other samples, including PBMCs and plasma, were negative for PERV RNA, PERV DNA, and RT activity. In addition, none of the sera samples showed in vitro infectivity.

CONCLUSIONApplication of our BAL system does not lead to PERV transmission.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Dogs ; Endogenous Retroviruses ; HEK293 Cells ; Hepatocytes ; virology ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; virology ; Liver, Artificial ; adverse effects ; Models, Animal ; Swine

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of newly developed multi-layer flat-plate bioartificial liver in treatment of canines with acute liver failure.

METHODSPorcine hepatocytes and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were cocultured in newly developed multi-layer flat-plate bioreactor. Acute liver failure in canine models was induced by D-galactosamine administration.Sixteen canine models were divided into two groups: treatment group (n = 8) and control group (n = 8). Biochemical parameters were determined for 7 days after treatment and liver specimens were collected for histological analysis.

RESULTSHepatic encephalopathy and general conditions were significantly improved in the treatment group, but no changes in the control group. Alanine aminotransferase was significantly decreased from (1512 ± 183) U/L to (86 ± 25) U/L in the treatment group, aspartate aminotransferase was significantly decreased from (1472 ± 365) U/L to (46 ± 11) U/L, lactate dehydrogenase was significantly decreased from (463 ± 76) U/L to (312 ± 84) U/L, total bilirubin was significantly decreased from (28.8 ± 6.2) µmol/L to (12.5 ± 3.6) µmol/L, ammonia was significantly decreased from (56 ± 15) µmol/L to (34 ± 10) µmol/L, and prothrombin time were significantly decreased in the treatment group but increased in the control group, albumin was improved in the treatment group but decreased in the control group. There were 5 canines survived in the treatment group but only 3 in the control group. But there was no difference on survival rates between the two group (P = 0.294).

CONCLUSIONThe application of newly developed multi-layer flat-plate bioartificial liver system was effective in the treatment of canines with acute liver failure.

Animals ; Bioreactors ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Coculture Techniques ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dogs ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; Liver Failure, Acute ; therapy ; Liver, Artificial

Objective: To compare the therapeutic efficacy between warm needling moxibustion and electroacupuncture (EA) in the treatment of simple obesity due to yang deficiency of the spleen and kidney. Methods: Seventy patients with simple obesity due to yang deficiency of the spleen and kidney were randomly divided into a warm needling moxibustion group and an EA group, with 35 subjects in each group. Same major acupoints were selected for the two groups, including Shuifen (CV 9), Guanyuan (CV 4), Daheng (SP 15), Shuidao (ST 28), Shousanli (LI 10), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taixi (KI 3). The warm needling moxibustion group received warm needling moxibustion, while the EA group received EA treatment. The interventions were performed once every other day, with 15 treatments as one course. The therapeutic efficacy, body weight and body mass index (BMI) were then observed and compared. Results: The total effective rate in the warm needling moxibustion group was 85.7％ versus 77.1％ in the EA group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The warm needling moxibustion was remarkably superior to the EA in weight loss and lowering BMI, both with statistical significance (P<0.05, P<0.01). At the three-month follow-up, the body weight and BMI further decreased in the warm needling moxibustion group (both P<0.05), and the levels were lower than those in the EA group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion: Warm needling moxibustion can produce reliable and consistent efficacy in the treatment of simple obesity due to yang deficiency of the spleen and kidney. Compared with EA, warm needling moxibustion shows advantage in both short-term and long-term efficacies, and thus is worth promotion in clinical practice.