Objective To analyze the safety of methimazole in the treat-ment of hyperthyroidism before menopause and its effect on regulatory T cells( Treg) , cytokines of CD4 +CD25 +.Methods A total of 164 pa-tients with hyperthyroidism were randomly divided into treatment group and control group , 82 cases in each group.Patients in treatment group were orally given methimazole 10 mg, tid, after 30 d reduced to bid, 10 mg each time, after another 15 d, reduced to qd, 15 mg each time.Pa-tients in control group were orally given propylthiouracil 100 mg, tid, af-ter 30 d reduced to bid, 100 mg each time, after another 15 d, reduced to tid, 50 mg each time.All patients were treated for 3 months.The thy-roid serological index , CD4 +CD25 + regulation T cells and cytokines levels between the two groups before and after treatment were compared.The incidences of adverse drug reactions in two groups were also observed.Results The thyroid stimulating hormone ( TSH ) , thyrotrophin receptor antibody ( TRAb ) significantly increased in two group ( P <0.05 ).The free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxin(FT4) and thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPOAb) in two groups were significantly decreased.The TSH, FT3 ,and FT4 were improved more significantly in treatment group ( P<0.05 ).There was no significant change in the number of CD4 +T cells in the two groups before and after treatment (P>0.05).The number of CD4 +CD25 +Tregs cells, IL-6 and IL-10 levels significantly decreased , and treatment group were significantly lower than control group ( P<0.05 ).The incidence of adverse reactions was 2.4% in treatment group , 6.1% in control group ( P>0.05 ).The total effective rate of treatment group was 97.6%, significantly higher than 81.7% in control group ( P<0.05 ).Conclusion Compared with propylthiouracil , methimazole had better effect on thyroid hormone level and immune function in premenopausal hyperthyroidism patients.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Jinwu Jiangu Recipe (JJR) on the expression of synovial cells' nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and serum interleukin 17 (IL-17) in collagen induced arthritis (CIA) rats.

METHODSTotally 60 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, i.e., the blank control group, the model group, high, middle, and low dose JJR treatment groups, and the tripterygium control group, 10 in each group. Except rats in the blank control group, CIA model was established in rats of the rest 5 groups. Then they were treated from the 7th day of modeling. After 4 weeks of medication they were sacrificed, serum collected, and synovium of joints were isolated. The expression of serum IL-17 was detected in synovium of joints by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). And the expression of NF-kappaB/P65, Ikappabetaalpha and NF-KappaB/P50 were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group, the serum IL-17 level increased in the model group (P <0. 01). Compared with the model group, the serum IL-17 level obviously decreased in high and middle dose JJR groups and the tripterygium control group (P < 0.01). Results of Western blot showed, when compared with the blank control group, protein activities of NF-kappaB/P65 and NF-kappaB/P50 were significantly enhanced in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, protein activities of NF-kappaB/P65 and NF-kappaB/P50 significantly decreased in high and middle dose JJR groups and the tripterygium control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). All indices mentioned above were higher in the low dose JJR group than in the tripterygium control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONJJR could lower the expression of serum IL-17 in CIA model rats, and inhibit protein activities of NF-kappaB/P65 and NF-kappaB/P50.

Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Interleukin-17 ; blood ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Synovial Membrane ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Tripterygium ; chemistry

This paper gives a comprehensive illustration on the key technologies involved in HIFU treatment machine development and thus it can be used for reference and be of benefit to the further development.
Breast Neoplasms ; therapy ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; instrumentation ; methods ; Liver Neoplasms ; therapy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neoplasms ; therapy ; Transducers ; Ultrasonic Therapy ; instrumentation ; Ultrasonics

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) pretreatment could protect multiple cell types from apoptosis induced by various damages including oxidative stress. The present study was designed to investigate the protective effect of HGF on rat cortical neurons against apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in culture, and then to explore whether HGF could influence the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. Primary rat cortical neurons were isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats and cultured in serum free medium containing 2% B27 and Neurobasal-A. To mimic the oxidative stress damage, cortical neurons were exposed to 100 mumol/L H2O2 for 4 h. To explore the effects of HGF on the neurons subjected to H2O2 injury, cells were pretreated with HGF 15, 30, 60 ng/mL for 24 h, respectively, and then exposed to 100 mumol/L H2O2 for 4 h. The cell viability was measured by MTT colorimetric assay and cell injury was evaluated by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage rate. Apoptotic cells were detected by Hoechst 33258 staining and Annexin V-FITC/PI double labeled flow cytometry. The caspase-3 activity was assessed by colorimetry. The alteration of transmembrane potential of mitochondria was determined by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The expression of cytochrome C protein was measured by Western blot analysis. The results showed that H2O2 treatment significantly decreased the cell viability, increased LDH leakage rate and the percentage of apoptotic cells. Pretreatment of HGF at different concentrations (15-60 ng/mL) could remarkably increase the cell viability of neurons. Compared with that of H2O2 group (53.4%+/-7.4%), the cell viabilities of neurons treated with 15, 30, and 60 ng/mL HGF significantly increased to (69.3+/-6.4)%, (77.5+/-6.1)% and (82.9+/-9.3)% (P<0.05), respectively. HGF preincubation also evidently decreased the LDH leakage rate in cortical neurons damaged by H2O2. The results of Hoechst staining revealed that HGF pretreatment could significantly reduce the apoptotic rate of neurons. The apoptotic rate of H2O2 group was (62.8+/-7.1)%, while that of HGF groups decreased significantly to (34.8+/-8.4)%, (23.5+/-3.2)% and (18.6+/-4.5)% (P<0.05), respectively. The data from caspase-3 activity assay indicated that HGF preconditioning could also remarkably decrease the caspase-3 activity of neurons. In addition, in the presence of various concentrations of HGF, the decrease of transmembrane potential of mitochondria in neurons caused by H2O2 injury could be reversed. Moreover, as detected by Western blot analysis, HGF downregulated the expression of cytochrome C protein in neurons. These results suggest that HGF has a protective effect on rat cortical neurons against apoptosis induced by H2O2, which might be related to the inhibition of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and the suppression of the caspase-3 activity.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Brain ; cytology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Survival ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytochromes c ; metabolism ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; pharmacology ; Mitochondria ; physiology ; Neurons ; cytology ; drug effects ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Adult ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Cholecystitis ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Lactation ; physiology

Objective To investigate the correlation between ischemic stroke and both the risk factors and the degree of intracranial arterial stenosis, and provide evidence of preventing ischemic stroke. Methods Ninety patients with ischemic stroke were assessed by digital substraction angiography (DSA) and, accordingly, divided into group A (stenosis<30%) and group B (stenosis ≥30% or occlusion). The data about such risk factors as age, gender and family history, the levels of T-cholesterol (CHO), triacylglycerol (TG), high/low density lipoprotein cholesterin (H/LDL-C), apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and lipoprotein A (Lpa) were recorded and analyzed; such diseases as hypertension, hyperlipemia, diabetes mellitus and coronary disease were taken into consideration. Results The incidence rate of intracranial arterial stenosis in these patients with ischemic stroke was 67.78%. Stenosis occurred most frequently in the middle cerebral arteries, less frequently in the intracranial segments of the internal carotid artery and the vertebral-basilar artery with the lowest occurrence in the posterior cerebral artery. Patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease accompanied by high blood pressure, diabetes were more likely subjected to intracranial arterial stenosis; the regression coefficient, OR values, P values in patients with hypertension and diabetes were (1.659, 5.256 and 0.002) and (1.657, 5.241, and 0.046), respectively. The level of HDL-C (mmol/L) in the group B (0.99±0.30) was significantly lower than that in the group B (1.30±0.50, t=-3.603, P=0.001). Age, gender, smoking, stroke history, family history of cerebrovascular disease, the level of TC, TG, LDL-C, ApoA, ApoB, serum Lpa between the 2 groups showed no significant differences (P>0.05). Conclusion The major risk factors of intracranial arterial stenosis include hypertension, diabetes mellitus with HDL-C as its protective factors.

BACKGROUNDAbdominal pain is a common symptom among patients with acute appendicitis, yet these patients have long been denied relief from suffering because of widespread misconceptions associated with the use of opioids. We determined whether morphine hydrochloride masked the physical signs in adults with acute appendicitis and assessed the efficacy of morphine in relieving abdominal pain.

METHODSA prospective, double-blind, placebo controlled, clinical trial was conducted with 106 adult patients between 16 and 70 years old with acute appendicitis. Patients were randomly divided into a morphine group (n=54) or a normal saline group (n=52). All patients presented with acute abdominal pain with onset within 3 days. The morphine group received hypodermic injection of morphine (0.15 mg/kg; maximum 20 mg) and the control group members were given an equivalent volume of normal saline solution. The clinical symptoms, physical signs, and patients' cooperation during physical examination were assessed before and after 30 minutes of morphine or normal saline administration.

RESULTSAbdominal pain was significantly relieved and the patients' cooperation was improved in the morphine group after 30 minutes treatment compared with the control group and before morphine administration (P<0.05). The physical signs were unaffected by either treatment (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMorphine relieved abdominal pain and improved the patients' cooperation for treatment and care. Furthermore, the morphine did not mask the physical signs of acute appendicitis.

Abdominal Pain ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Analgesics, Opioid ; therapeutic use ; Appendicitis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Morphine ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical value of glycosylated G-CSF combined with middle-high dose cyclophosphamide (Cy) or conventional chemotherapy with increased dose of Cy for mobilizing peripheral blood progenitor cells in patients with tumor.

METHODSThirty patients from four hospitals in Beijing region were enrolled in this clinical study. Diagnoses of the patients were non-Hodgkin' lymphoma (n = 21), Hodgkin disease (n = 1), breast cancer (n = 7) and ovary cancer (n = 1). Autologous peripheral blood progenitor cells (APBPC) were mobilized by middle-high dose Cy or conventional chemotherapy with increased dose of Cy combined with G-CSF. G-CSF was given subcutaneously from the nadir of the white blood cell (WBC) count to the end of PBPC collection. The dosage of G-CSF was 250 microg/d in 29 patients and 500 microg/d in 1 patient. When WBC count was > 5 x 10(9)/L, APBPC were harvested with CS 3000 plus/COBE Spectra.

RESULTSThe average dosage of Cy was 3.95 g (2.3 g/m(2)). The doses of G-CSF were 3.1 approximately 6.4 microg x kg(-1) x d(-1). Thirteen patients (43%) were collected twice, 14 patients (47%) three times and 3 patients (10%) four times. All of the patients could tolerate the treatment regimens. Seven patients had bone pain after G-CSF injection and one was severe, one patient had headache and one had nausea and vomiting.

CONCLUSION250 microg glycosylated G-CSF combined with middle-high Cy or conventional chemotherapy with increased dose of Cy combined G-CSF is an optimal method for APBPC mobilization in tumor patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antigens, CD34 ; analysis ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Colony-Forming Units Assay ; Cyclophosphamide ; administration & dosage ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; administration & dosage ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Platelet Count ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of acupuncture combined physical training and relearning on stroke patients.

METHODSA multi-center, randomized controlled trial design was adopted. A total of 364 stroke patients were recruited and randomly assigned to the experimental group (184 cases) and the control group (180 cases). Patients in the experimental group received acupuncture combined with physical training and relearning, while those in the control group only received physical training and relearning. All received four weeks of treatment. Effects on Fugl-Meyer motor function, neurological impairment, activities of daily living difference were compared before treatment, after treatment, 2 and 5 months after follow-ups between the two groups.

RESULTSTotally 353 patients completed this trial, 179 in the experimental group and 174 in the control group. (1) compared with before treatment, brief Fugl-Meyer motor functions scores and FIM scored obviously increased, and scores for neurological impairment obviously decreased in the two group. Besides, the increment of brief Fugl-Meyer motor functions scores and FIM scores was obviously higher in the experimental group than in the control group at month 2 and 5 of follow-ups; scores for neurological impairment was obviously lower in the experimental group than in the control group. The increment of FIM scores was obviously higher in the experimental group than in the control group at month 5 of follow-ups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (2) There was statistical difference in inter-group comparison of total Fugl-Meyer motor functions scores and FIM scores, or scores for neurological impairment (P < 0.01). The improvement of Fugl-Meyer motor functions grading and neurological impairment grading was obviously superior in the experimental group at month 2 and 5 of follow-ups. The distribution of FIM grading was also better in the experimental group at month 5 of follow-ups (P < 0.05, P < 0. 01).

CONCLUSIONSBoth acupuncture combined exercise training and relearning and physical training and relearning could effectively promote the rehabilitation of stroke patients, reduce their neurological impairment degrees, improve motor functions and independent capacities. Better long-term efficacy could be obtained by acupuncture combined exercise training and relearning.

Activities of Daily Living ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Biomedical Research ; Exercise Therapy ; Humans ; Research Design ; Stroke Rehabilitation ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE To observe the clinical efficacy difference of the thunder-fire moxibustion combined with celecoxib for knee osteoarthritis(KOA)before and after the treatment.METHODS Forty five patients with KOA were randomly divid-ed into the celecoxib-intervened first group and the thunder-fire moxibustion-intervened first group.The celecoxib-intervened first group was treated by celecoxib for two weeks,then treated by thunder-fire moxibustion for another two weeks after one week of elusion,and the thunder-fire moxibustion-intervened first group was treated conversely.Four weeks'follow-up was performed for both groups after the treatment.The degree of tenderness,swelling,activity and WOMAC function score of knee joints were observed before and after the treatment.RESULTS After two weeks of treatment,the degree of tenderness, swelling and activity of knee joint in two groups improved significantly(P<0.05),and WOMAC function total score also de-creased(P<0.05).The degree of tenderness and swelling,activity improvement of the knee joints in the thunder-fire moxi-bustion-intervened first group were better than those of the celecoxib-intervened first group(P<0.05),and WOMAC total score decreased more significantly than that of the celecoxib-intervened first group(P<0.05).After one week of elution, there was no significant improvements of the four aspects in the celecoxib-intervened first group,while the improvements of the above four aspects in the thunder-fire moxibustion-intervened first group were significantly different compared with pre-treat-ment(P<0.05).During the follow-up period of the end of the treatment the degree of tenderness,swelling and activity of knee joints in both groups were significantly improved than those of the pre-treatment(P<0.05),and WOMAC total score decreased significantly than that of the pre-treatment(P<0.05).But there was no significant difference between two groups.CONCLUSION Thunder-fire moxibustion and celecoxib can improve the joint tenderness,swelling,activity and dysfunction of KOA patients,but the thunder-fire moxibustion shows more advantages in improving KOA patients'joint tenderness,swell-ing,activity and other functions.The combination of thunder-fire moxibustion and celecoxib shows similar effects no matter which one is used first.