OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the efficacy of methotrexate(MTX) vs.gold salt in treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA).METHODS:7 studies on the efficacy of methotrexate(MTX) vs.gold salt in treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA) were subjected to a meta-analysis using homogeneity test and combined effect test.RESULTS:Homogeneity test showed that the cited studies were homogeneous with ?2=25.14,df=6 and P=0.0003;and by combined test,the combined OR was 2.37(95% confidence interval=1.18～4.78,Z=2.41,P=0.02).CONCLUSION:Methotrexate demonstrated better toleration than gold salt for rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective To investigate the enhancing effect of microbubble contrast agent SonoVue of different dosage on high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation in goat livers in vivo. Methods Twenty goats were divided into 4 groups randomly. Animals in group 1,2 and 3 were bolus-injected of 0.01 ml/kg,0. 03 ml/kg and 0.05 ml/kg of SonoVue intravenously before HIFU exposure, respectively,and those in group 4 were not given injections as control. After injection 20s, the livers were ablated using HIFU performed in the manner of a single dot set by a computer system using a clinical device. The frequency of HIFU was 0.8 MHz,the intensity of HIFU was 19 100 W/cm2 ,the distance from skin to the target liver tissue was 30 mm,the exposure time was set at 15 s for all animals in the four groups. All animals were euthanized 7 days after HIFU, volumes of coagulated necrosis were measured. Pathological examinations were performed to analysis the exposure regions. Results Under the same parameters of exposure, coagulated volumes in group 1,2 and 3 were larger than those in group 4, the difference was significant (P < 0.05),and the coagulated volumes increased gradually with the dosage of SonoVue increasing from group 1 to group 3, the difference was significant (P<0.05). Pathological examinations confirmed that there were no residual unaffected tissues within the exposed volume. Two remarkable changes were observed in one goat in group 37 days after HIFU:the surrounding adjacent tissue outside the reactive zone necrotized and the skin were destroyed. Conclusions The enhancing effects of microbubble contrast agent in HIFU ablation is related with the dosage of the microbubble contrast agent SonoVue. The higher the SonoVue dosage,the larger the volume destroy in the target tissue.

Objective To investigate the effect of folic acid on the DNA methylation of tumorrelated genes promoters in healthy human peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC). Methods Ten healthy volunteers were divided into two groups, and were randomized to receive either 5 mg folic acid (n=5)or placebo(n = 5) , one time per day for 3 months. The serum folic acid concentration was detected with chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay kit before and after the intervention. The methylation statuses of five tumor-related genes promoter, including oncogenes c-myc, c-Ha-ras,tumor suppressor genes p16INK4A, E-cadherin and mismatch repair gene hMLH1 in PBMC were detected by bisufite sequencing. Results After folic acid intervention, the level of serum folic acid increased significantly in intervention group (t= -4. 739,P<0. 05) , however no significant difference in control group. After three-month folic acid intervention, the level of methylation of oncogene c-myc promoter increased from 4%, 3. 3%, 4. 1% before intervention, one week after intervention, one month after intervention respectively to 8%(t= -4. 079,P<0. 05), while no significant change in placebo taken group. Before and after the folic acid intervention, there was no significant difference of DNA methylation of other tumor-related genes promoter, including c-Ha-ras、E-cadherin、p16INK4Aand hMLH1. Conclusion Folic acid intervention can up-regulate DNA methylation of oncogene c-myc promoter, but can not affect the promoter methylation status of tumor suppressor genes E-cadherin,p16INK4Aand hMLH1.

Objective To explore the diagnosis and treatment of isolated dissection of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA).Methods From Feb 2006 to July 2010,15 patients with isolated SMA dissection were treated in our center,there were 13 males,2 females,the mean age was(53 ± 8) years (range 43 -63).Among them,1 was caused by trauma,14 had unknown etiology,and 9 cases had a history of hypertension.Diagnosis was made by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) in all cases.Management strategies inlcuded placement of self-expanding bare stent,medical treatment,and transperitoneal SMA fenestration.Results Endovascular stenting was attempted in 14 cases,with a success in 5 and a failure in 9 cases who were then given medical treatment with antiplatelet agents.One case with critical intestinal ischemia underwent open exploration and SMA fenestration.Blood vessel patency resumed.Follow-up with duplex and CT was accomplished in 13 cases,time ranging from 12 to 60 months (mean 28 ± 14mos).There was no recurrent abdominal pain or chronic intestinal ischemia developed during the follow-up.In medically treated patients,there was no aneurismal enlargement of SMA,while in the endovasculartreatmentgroup,allstentsremainedpatentthroughoutthefollow-up.Conclusions Endovascular treatment of isolated dissection of SMA appears to be feasible and effective,despite its relatively low technical success rate.For asymptomatic patients,medical treatment is the treatment of choice.In case of critical intestinal ischemia and with a suspected intestinal gangrene,emergency surgical exploration and fenestration should be performed.

BACKGROUND: Transplantation of microencapsulated rabbit Schwann cells in the rat spinal cord can relieve inflammatory reaction, promote spinal cord regeneration, but the precise mechanisms remain unclear. OBJECTIVE:To observe basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)expression and movements recovery following transplantation of microencapsulated rabbit Schwann cells in rat spinal cord. METHODS: The sciatic nerves taken out from rabbits wore digested with mixed enzyme and were made into Schwann cells suspension. Then we used air-jet method to make Schwann cells microcapsule. Using the same method, empty microcapsule was made. Sprague Dawiey rats were randomly divided into cell group, empty microcapsule group and microcapsule group. Conducted by hemisection injury of spinal cord,the rats in cell group,empty microcapsule group and microcapsule group were implanted with gelatin sponge with 10μL Schwann cells suspension, gelatin sponge with 10 μL empty microcapsule and 10 μL microencapsulated Schwann cells. Normal group was left intact. After operation, we observed hindlimb movements recovery in rats with the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scale. Meanwhile,a set of sections were stained immunohistochemically for bFGF expression, another set of sections wore stained for hematoxylin-eosin and Nissal. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After spinal cord injury, rat right hindlimb affected paralysis immediately. At 7, 14 and 28 daysfollowing transplantation,motor function in rat hindlimb was significantly recovered, and the BBB scores were significantly higher in microencapsulated schwenn cells than in cell and empty microcapsule group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). bFGF positive products were mainly distributed in cytoplasm of the spinal neuron and nucleus of neuroglical cell. The numbers of bFGF positive glial cells mainly appeared surrounding the spinal cord injured site on days 1, 3, 7 and rose to its peak on day 3 and began to appear in neuronal calls on day 14. The number of bFGF positiv cells in microcapsule group was significantly superior to that in cell group and empty microcapsule group. From then on, the bFGF expreSsion was significantly decreased in each group. These indicated that transplantation of microencapsulated Schwann cells can inhibit the immunological rejection after xenotransplantation, suppress inflammatory reaction, improve the expression of bFGF, increase hindlimb movements recovery and spinal cord regeneration after spinal cord injury.

Objectives To investigate the clinical significance of CYP2C19 genotype detection for antiplatelet therapy of elder cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases(CCVD).Methods We enrolled all elderly patients with either cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disorders who received clopidogrel as mono drug or in combination with another antiplatelet drug aspirin as secondary prevention for more than 12 months in our hospital from January to August 2015.Somatotypes of CYP2C19 genotypes of all participants were assessed to analyze the relapse of cardiac-cerebral vascular diseases in these patients.Results A total of 250 patients were enrolled,including 179 male and 71 female,with average age of (85.2 ± 7.9) years.Among these patients,there were 97 (38.8％) cases with EM CYP2C19 genotypes,110 cases(44.0 ％) with IM CYP2C19 genotypes,43 cases(17.2 ％) with PM CYP2C19 genotypes.When treated with clopidogrel for antiplatelet in secondary prevention process,the rate of the relapse in cardiovascular event was 34.9％ and higher in PM CYP2C19 genotype than in EM and IM CYP2C19 genotype (19.6 ％ and 15.5 ％,respectively) (x2 =7.251,P =0.027).This phenomenon was similar to patients who received stent implantation(x2=6.393,P =0.041).However,no statistically significant difference was observed in the recurrence rate of cerebral vascular disease between three different genotypes(EM 29.9 ％,IM 20.0 ％,PM 27.9％,x2 =2.880,P =0.237).Conclusions Our results highlight that CYP2C19 genotype might be a potential guidance for secondary prevention of cardiovascular and cercbrovascular disorders among elderly patients.Clopidogrel may be less effective in patients with SM CYP2C19 genotype than those with EM or PM CYP2C19 genotype for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Objective To develop a BP26 recombinant BCG (rBCG-BP26) vaccine,and to observe the effects of rBCG-BP26 on CD4+,CD8+ T cells in immunized mice.Methods The recombinant shuttle vector pMV261-Ag85B-BP26 was constructed by using traditional molecular biological technology.The recombinant strains were obtained by kanamycin resistance screening and PCR identification after electroporation.Western blotting was used to detect the expression of recombinant BP26 vaccine in immunized mice.Safety experiment was carried out in three different groups:the target experiment(rBCG-BP26) group,the positive control(BCG) group and the negative control(PBS) group,15 BALB/c mice in each group.Intradermal inoculations of 100 μl rBCG-BP26 [containing 106 colony forming units(CFU)],BCG,and PBS were carried out,respectively.Signs of mice in each group were observed.After immunization for 10,20,30,and 40 days,body weight was weighed,and tail blood was collected to observe the change of peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cells by flow cytometry.Results The rBCG-BP26 was successfully constructed.The expression of BP26 protein was detected in the liquid medium and the bacteria cells.The results of safety test analysis showed that there were no significant differences in signs and body weights(F=2.468,0.331,1.520,0.739,all P＞ 0.05),between PBS group[ (19.24 ± 0.54),(21.37 ± 0.66),(22.83 ± 0.62),(25.06 ± 0.37)g],BCG group[ (19.90 ± 0.02),(21.53 ± 1.57),(21.95 ± 0.55),(24.70 ± 0.39)g]and rBCG-BP26 group[ (19.16 ± 0.55 ),(20.89 ± 0.20),(22.15 ± 0.76),(24.60 ± 0.64)g].The results of flow cytometry showed that the percentages of CD4+ T cell level were lower in BCG group(26.70％,33.07％) and rBCG-BP26 group( 13.40％,26.70％) than that of the PBS group(33.85％,29.33％) and the values of CD4+/CD8+ T cells increased in rBCG-BP26 group (0.69％,1.27％,1.57％,1.70％ ) 10,20 and 30 days after immunization.Conclusions Recombinant BCG-BP26 vaccine strain can express brucella BP26 protein efficiently.Furthermore,its virulence is mild,and it can activate CD4+,CD8+ T cells in the body.It can be used as one of candidate vaccine strain against brucellosis.

Current Hui prescriptions are mostly recorded in the Arabic language. Their fussy and inconsistent names (Arabic names) result in the restriction in the clinical application of Hui prescriptions. Having collected and screened out 101 Hui prescriptions for stroke, the author further studied some of their names in literatures, in order to facilitate clinical application of these prescriptions (i. e. unification of their Arabic and Chinese names, and textual research of identical drugs with different Arabic names). This lays a foundation for the clinical application of Hui prescriptions and the analysis on compatibility regulatory, and provides scientific basis for studies on new Hui medicines.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Medicine, Arabic ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Plant Extracts ; therapeutic use ; Stroke ; drug therapy

Objective To investigate the value of endovascular surgery for the treatment of thromboangitis obliterans (TAO). Methods Sixteen patients (18 limbs) with thromboangitis obliterans were treated by percutaneous transluminal plasty (PTA). Results Angiographic success on the limb basis was achieved in 15 of 18 treated limbs and the initial technical success rate was 83.34%. Doppler anklebrachial index (ABI) increased from 0.33±0.16 to 0.79±0.23 one week after PTA. The follow-up time was 2～24 months, the average time was 10.84 months. The 3-month, 12-month accumulated primary patency rate were 81.33% and 60. 23% respectively. Conclusion PTA is effective primary invasive treatment for thromboangitis obliterans yielding acceptable primary clinical success with a low complication rate and resulting in moderate long-term clinical patency and a high limb salvage rate.

Objective To establish a mouse model of prostate cancer expressing human PSCA for the development of new anti-tumor drugs or vaccines. Methods The total RNA of DU145 cells,a human prostate cancer cell line,was isolated by using TRIzol reagent according to the (RT-PCR),the first-strand cDNA was synthesized using the SuperScript First-Strand synthesis system. The human PSCA gene was amplified with the primers and cloned into the plasmid pcDNA3.1 to generate pcDNA-PSCA. DNA sequencing was used to confirm the constructs. The mouse prostate tumor cell line RM-1 cells,syngeneic to C57BL/6,were transfected with pcDNA-PSCA plasmids followed by selection using G418. RT-PCR analysis was performed to examine the validity of the constructs. Expression of PSCA on the cell surface was determined by staining with anti-PSCA antibody,and the anti-PSCA antibody was detected using an FITC-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG antibody,and analyzed by flow cytometry. 4-6-week-old male C57BL/6 mice purchased from the Laboratory Animals Center were inoculated with different amounts of RM-PSCA cells to search for suitable cell population which can form tumor in mouse,and the mice were monitored twice a week. The growth and the survival time of mice were measured,respectively. The tumor volume was measured by vernier caliper according to the formula:V=0.5a×b~2,where a and b are the long and short diameters of the tumor,respectively. Results The plasmid pcDNA-PSCA was successfully constructed and the PSCA was successfully expressed in RM-PSCA 7~# and RM-PSCA 28~# cells by RT-PCR and confirmed by flow cytometry. 1×10~5 RM-PSCA cells were sufficient to get tumor growth in 100% of inoculated mice. The tumor grew quickly and the volume of the tumor reached 12000 mm~3 within 34 days. All the mice died within 40 days and their mean survival time was 37 days. Conclusion A PSCA-expressing tumor model in mice has been successfully established. It can be used to evaluate the activities of drugs or vaccines.