Arthritis, Gouty ; therapy ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Glomerular Basement Membrane ; pathology ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases ; pathology ; Male ; Nephritis, Hereditary ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to evaluate a new palatoplasty with persistent elastic distraction osteogenesis.

METHODSTwenty mongrel dog aged in 6 month were divided into two groups: the control (n = 10) and the experimental group (n = 10). The cleft palate model was made surgically in experimental dogs. The hard palate clefts were repaired with persistent elastic distraction osteogenesis. Then the animals were observed for an additional 12 weeks before sacrifice. Direct measurements was taken on dry skulls of the dogs and the data were analyzed statistically.

RESULTSFor all experimental dogs, the clefts were closed after gradual distraction. No relapse and airway blocking occurred in observational period. There were no significant differences in the variables of facial length, height and width between the two groups (P > 0.05). The length of horizontal portion of hard palate in experimental group was significantly longer than that in the control (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThere was no complication and disturbance on maxillofacial structure in repairing cleft palate with persistent elastic distraction osteogenesis. It is an effective and safe technique for repairing cleft palate in animal model.

Animals ; Cleft Palate ; surgery ; Dogs ; Face ; anatomy & histology ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; methods ; Palate ; surgery

As a part of the project for the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2015 edition), the quality standard of Sophora flavescens root extract was investigated and established. According to the methods described in the Appendix of Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 edition), the water and ash inspections were carried out. The marker components trifolirhizin, sophoraflavanone G, oxymatrine and oxysophocarpine in the samples were identified by qualitative TLC. The determination of oxymatrine, matrine, oxysophocarpine and sophocarpine was conducted by HPLC and the total flavonoids were measured by ultraviolet spectrophotometry, using sophoraflavanone G as reference substance. The results indicated the spots on the plate were clear with good resolution and the contents of oxymatrine, matrine, oxysophocarpine and sophocarpine in the 13 batches of the samples were 3.87% - 11.1%, 0.970% - 4.33%, 1.30% - 2.59% and 0.260% - 1.14%, respectively. The total flavoids in the 13 batches of the samples were 3.88% - 7.93%. In the study, the validated methods were reproducible and the established quality standard was feasible, which could be used for the quality control of S. flavescens root extract and related preparations.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Sophora ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo explore a new technique for repair of alveolar cleft by sutural distraction osteogenesis.

METHODSNine 8-weeks mongrel dogs were used in this study, three being in the control group, six in the experimental group. Alveolar cleft model was created surgically in all animals. Two weeks later, a U-shaped distractor made of Ni-Ti memory alloy wire was insterted into the premaxilla to distract the mid-premaxillary suture. When the premaxilla of the cleft side approached the ipsilateral maxilla, periosteoplasty of the alveolar cleft was performed. The distractor was removed at two weeks after periosteoplasty. The results were evaluated clinically, radiographically, morphologically and histologically.

RESULTSThe cleft model in dogs was stable and similar to the human alveolar cleft. In experimental dogs, the premaxilla was moved gradually toward the maxilla so that the cleft was closed. The distracted mid-premaxillary suture showed a gradually widened traingle, with its tip being posterior. The density of the distracted traingle suture was increased gradually. Bony repair was achieved completely at the cleft three months post-periosteoplasy. The morphology of the mid-premaxillary suture was restored.

CONCLUSIONThe alveolar cleft could be repaired by the technique of mid-premaxilla suture distraction.

Alveoloplasty ; methods ; Animals ; Dogs ; Maxilla ; surgery ; Models, Animal ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; methods

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Fracture Healing ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Tibial Fractures ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Huayu Tongbi Recipe (HTR) combined methotrexate (MTX) in treating refractory rheumatoid arthritis (RRA).

METHODSTotally 167 RRA patients were assigned to the treatment group (73 cases) and the control group (94 cases) according to different therapeutic methods. Patients in the treatment group were treated with HTR combined MTX, while those in the control group were treated with leflunomide (LEF) combined MTX. Clinical signs and symptoms, RF, CRP, ESR, disease activity score 28 (DAS28), and safety indicators were compared between the two groups before treatment, at week 12 and 24 after treatment. The efficacy and safety indices were also evaluated.

RESULTSAt week 12 after treatment the total effective rate was 82.2% (60/73 cases) in the treatment group and 79.8% (75/94 cases) in the control group, showing no statistical difference between the two groups (chi2 = 0.15, P > 0.05). At week 24 after treatment the total effective rate was 78.1% (57/73 cases) in the treatment group and 755% (71/94 cases) in the control group, showing no statistical difference between the two groups (chi2 = 0.15, P > 0.05). There was statistical difference in the total effective rate between week 24 and week 12 in the control group (chi2 = 0.49, P < 0.05). Clinical signs and symptoms, RF, CRP, ESR, and DAS28 were significantly improved in the two groups after 12- and 24-week treatment (P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in the improvement at week 12 after treatment between the two groups (P > 0.05). There was statistical difference in time of morning stiffness, tender joint numbers, swollen joint numbers, patient global assessment, RF, CRP, and DAS28 at week 24 after treatment between the two groups (P < 0.05). Besides, adverse reactions occurred less in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe efficacy of HTR combined MTX was equivalent to that of LEF (10 mg per day) combined MTX, but with more stable therapeutic effects and less adverse reactions.

Antirheumatic Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Arthralgia ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; drug therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Isoxazoles ; Methotrexate ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To clone and express specific genes (YP01089,psi.ymt) from Yersinia pestis in Escherichia Coli(E.coli)and to analyze the antigenicity of these recombinant proteins.Methods The target genes were amplified by polymerose chmn reaction(PCR).The amplified products were ligated with pET-30a(+) vector after purification and cut by two different restriction enzymes,then these recombinant plasmids were transfefred into the host cells of E.coli BL21(DE3) strain.The target genes were successfully expressed following induction with Isopropyithio-β-D-galactoside(IPTG),and the target proteins were purified by the method of affinity chromatography.Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyaerylamide gel eleetrophoresis(SDS-PAGE)and Westem blot were used to detect the expressed recombinant protein.Results Three recombinant plasmids were finally constructed. rYP01089,rPst and rYmt were expressed stably and effectively in E.coli thmngh optimizing the induction condition. The Western blot analysis indicated that rPst was capable of binding with positive sernm of phgue.The purity of rest was up to 95%in this stuay.Conclusions This work indicates that the genes of Yersinia pestis are able to be efficiently expressed in the prokaryotie protein expression system.The immune characteristic of rPst is sensitive and specific,80 this study has settled a foundation for developing a new type diagnostic reagent of plague.

OBJECTIVESMetabolic syndrome (MS) in adolescents was reported to be closely associated with cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. However, no unified treatment measure for MS in adolescents is currently available. The aim of this study was to measure the changes of serum adiponectin levels, insulin sensitivity and other biochemical markers after metformin therapy in adolescents with MS, which might provide some information for set up a unified therapeutic measure for MS in adolescents.

METHODSIn this study, 348 moderately or severely obese adolescents and 24 non-obese healthy adolescents matched in age and sex were enrolled. The obese group included 208 males and 140 females aged from 7 to 16 years (11.5 +/- 2.1 years). Oral glucose tolerance test and biochemical markers measurement were done to all these subjects. Whole body insulin sensitivity index (WBISI), homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and fasting serum adiponectin were compared among 36 adolescents with MS (who had two or three abnormalities of hyperglycosemia, hypertension or dyslipidemia), 61 simple obese subjects without abnormality of biochemical markers and 24 healthy controls. Moreover, the changes of WBISI, HOMA-IR and adiponectin levels in 20 cases with MS after metformin therapy for 3 months were measured.

RESULTS(1) HOMA-IR in control group (1.3), simple obese group (2.3) and MS group (4.9) increased by turns (F = 54.08, P < 0.001). WBISI and serum adiponectin in control group, simple obese group and MS group decreased by turns with significant difference [89.6, 22.8 and 10.7, F = 30.06; (7.1 +/- 2.6), (5.9 +/- 1.9), (2.8 +/- 0.9) mg/L, F = 64.93; P < 0.01 for all]. (2) HOMA-IR after metformin therapy decreased [5.7 (1.9-12.4) vs. 2.9 (0.9-7.4), t = 5.05, P < 0.01]; while the serum adiponectin levels increased with significant differences [(3.0 +/- 0.9) mg/L vs. (6.1 +/- 1.9) mg/L, t = 6.19, P < 0.01]. Systolic blood pressure [(132.4 +/- 7.5) mm Hg vs. (116.6 +/- 9.1) mm Hg, t = 8.36, P < 0.01], 2-hour glucose [(8.2 +/- 2.9) mmol/L vs. (5.3 +/- 1.0) mmol/L, t = 3.96, P < 0.01], triglyceride [(2.8 +/- 1.2) mmol/L vs. (1.3 +/- 0.9) mmol/L, t = 4.22, P < 0.01], total cholesterol [(4.9 +/- 0.6) mmol/L vs. (4.0 +/- 0.6) mmol/L, t = 4.72, P < 0.01], alanine aminotransferase [80.5 (29.0-286.0) U/L vs. 56.0 (23.0-163.0) U/L, t = 3.80, P < 0.01].

CONCLUSIONInsulin sensitivity in adolescents with MS was lower than that of simple obese group. Metformin can improve or ameliorate adiponectin levels, insulin sensitivity and some clinical markers.

Adiponectin ; blood ; secretion ; Adolescent ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Blood Glucose ; drug effects ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Fasting ; blood ; Female ; Homeostasis ; drug effects ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Insulin ; blood ; secretion ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Metformin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Obesity ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Triglycerides ; blood

OBJECTIVETo explore the factor of age related to protraction response.

METHODSFour 12-week mongrel dogs in the same nest were randomly assigned into two groups: the control (n = 1) and the experimental groups (n = 3). Four pairs of titanium bone markers were fixed on either side of the bone sutures of all animals. Distraction device was fitted in the experimental group, A forward elastic force was exerted through the device for 1 month. Midface skeleton protraction was applied to experimental group at different age. Dog 2 was started at 12 weeks of age. Dog 3 was started at 16 weeks of age. Dog 4 was started at 20 weeks of age. The protraction force was 600g. All the animals were sacrificed at their age of 9 months. The results were evaluated clinically, radiographically, and cephalometrically.

RESULTSAll the animals in the experimental group showed progressively forward movement of the maxilla at the end of the experiment. In the same condition, the younger age appeared to have more effective in treatment than the older age. After 3 approximately 4 weeks stagnation, the maxilla gradually recovered normal growth.

CONCLUSIONThe younger age lead more effective protraction than the older age. Persistent elastic distraction at the medium position of midface brought stable effects and no influence on facial growth.

Age Factors ; Animals ; Dogs ; Dysostoses ; surgery ; Maxilla ; growth & development ; Orthodontic Extrusion ; methods ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; methods ; Time