OBJECTIVETo ensure and enhance the quality of multi-central large sample clinical trials of acupunc ture and moxibustion.

METHODSTake the multi-central clinical trials supported by National Key Technology R &- D Program of "the 11th Five-year Plan" as an example to introduce the duty of monitors and simply describe the formulation of the monitoring plan, the monitoring procedure and contents of the monitoring plan and treatment of the commonly-seen problems.

CONCLUSIONQuality monitoring work in multi-central large sample clinical trials of acupuncture and moxibustion is equally serious and scientific with clinical medical trials and it is an important way to guarantee the credible results.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Clinical Trials Data Monitoring Committees ; Clinical Trials as Topic ; Humans ; Quality Assurance, Health Care

Objective To evaluate the association of islet autoantibodies [ glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody(GADA),protein tyrosine phosphatase antibody(IA-2A)and insulin autoantibodies(IAA)1 with HLA- DQ genotypes in the first-degree relatives of autoimmune type 1 diabetes mellitus.Methods This was a cross- sectional and case-control study.Three hundred and fifty-one first-degree relatives with normal glucose tolerance of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and 376 healthy controls were recruited and measured for GADA,IA-2A and IAA by radioligand assay,and 156 first-degree relatives of patients with autoimmune type 1 diabetes mellitus and 278 controls were typed for genetic polymorphisms of HLA-DQ with PCR sequencing-based typing method.Results (1)DQA1*03,DQBI*0303,*0401 alleles and DQA1 * 03-DQBI * 0303,DQA1 * 05-DQBI * 0201,DQA1 * 03-DQBI * 0401 haplotypes were significantly increased in the first-degree relatives of autoimmune type 1 diabetes mellitus(P

Objective To investigate the possibility of inducing mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)from human umbilical cord Wharton's Jelly to differentiate into spermatogonia.Methods To isolate,culture and purify MSCs with adherent method,the growth and proliferation of human umbilical cord-derived MSCs were observed,and their immunophenotypes were determined by flow cytometry;MSCs of the third generation were divided into 2 groups to be induced and cultured,MSCs of the control group were cultured in basal medium,while those of the experimental group with conditional medium.The morphologic and ultrastructure changes of control group and experimental group cells were compared with phase contrast microscopy,electron microscopy(EM)and transmission electron microscope(TEM)respectively ;the spermatogonial cells differentiated were then evaluated by immunohistochemistry stained for CD117and CD49f ;the method of Western-blot was used to test if the cells induced could express CD49f.Results A population of MSCs were isolated from human umbilical Wharton's Jelly;they were processed to obtain a fibroblast-like population of cells and could be maintained in vitro for extended periods with stable population doubling;After induction,the shape of MSCs changed greatly from the fibroblast to the round,even familiar to the tadpole;expressed the known molecular markers of spermatogonial cells,such as CD49f,CD117.Conclusion The induced MSCs not only undergo spfermatogonial-cell like morphologic changes,ultramicrostructure mature with increasing cell organs,but also express the spermatogonial cell markers,which show that human umbilical cord derived MSCs are capable of differentiating into spermatogonial cell.

Objective To observe clone ability of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into infertile mouse seminife-rous tubules and the effects of MSCs on reproductive function.Methods Busulfan was used to destroy endogenous spermatogenesis of the recipient mice.To isolate,culture and purify MSCs with adherent method before marked with Brdu and Hoechst 33258 respectively,and then transplanted into the seminiferous tubules by microinjection.The survival of MSCs in recipient testes were evaluated by immunohistochemistry stained for Brdu and Fluorescent microscopy for Hoechst 33258 observation at different times.The diameter of seminiferous tubules was detected with HMIAS-2000 high-definition colored analyzing system for medical pictures.SPSS 13.0 software was used to analyze the data.Results The dosage of Busulfan resulted in 15% death in the mice,the testis of survived mice showed only basilar membrane in seminiferous tubules after 4 weeks.A lot of purified MSCs were obtained at the third generation and transplantation them into mouse seminiferous tubules survive for at least 4 months and appear to migration.The average diameter in experimental groups were higher than those in controls not only on 26 days but also on 120 days(P

The Tripterygium preparation, a Chinese herbal medicine, has been widely used to treat various autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Its significant clinical effects have received a great praise and attention by the public health in China, but its toxicity also definitely exists, with the therapeutic dosage approaching the minimal toxic dosage. In order to provide reference for the safe use of Tripterygium preparation in clinical practice, the pathological changes of 4 autopsy cases by Tripterygium poisoning were reported in this paper. In them, 2 cases died of acute cardiogenic shock caused by myocardial damage, showing hydropic degeneration of the myocardial cells, even with obvious contraction band necrosis in the papillary muscles; the other 2 died of severe acute renal failure due to severe acute toxic nephrosis; cerebral edema and gastrointestinal inflammatory changes were found in all cases. The authors suggested that careful dosage control is the key step to prevent Tripterygium intoxication during the medical treatments; directly using the crude Tripterygium in clinics should be prohibited; and the Tripterygium preparation used should be produced by the pharmaceutical companies regulated by the government.
Adult ; Autopsy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; poisoning ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Tripterygium ; poisoning ; Young Adult

Animals ; Carnosine ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Liver ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Shock, Hemorrhagic ; complications ; pathology

Microglia are the resident macrophages of the central nervous system(CNS). Microglia constantly monitor the pathological changes of the surrounding microenvironment. Activated microglia play key roles in tissue protection and injury under the stimulation of various injury factors. Abnormal activation of microglia mediates retinal inflammation and aggravates the original ophthalmic diseases. Our growing understanding of the mechanisms of the interaction between microglia and retinal cells is identifying potential cellular and molecular targets for therapeutic interventions that may be apply to optic nerve injury, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and other diseases in the future. In this review, potential links between ophthalmic diseases and microglial activity will be explored.

Objective To study the chest image appearances of penicilliosis marneffei(PSM)in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome(AIDS).Methods Chest imaging features of PSM in 36 patients with AIDS were retrospectively analyzed.Results Radiographic features of infiltrative lesions and focal lung consolidation were found in 14 cases(38.89%),in which 2 cases were with single lung disease(5.56%)and 12 cases with bilateral lung involvement(33.33%).Eight cases had diffuse lesions (22.22%),10 cases had reticular image patterns(27.78%),9 cases had nodular patterns(25.00%), 7 cases had ground-glass shadows(19.44%),6 cases had diffuse miliary lesions(16.67%),4 cases had enlarged bilar and enlarged mediastinum lymph nodes(11.11%).Cystic lesions was found in 5 cases (13.89%).Four cases had pleural effusion(11.11%),and 2 cases had nodular bump(5.56%). Pericardial effusion and pneumothorax each appeared in 1 case(2.78%).By HRCT,infiltrative lesion and focal lung consolidation were found in 32 patients(88.89%),in which 4 cases were with single lung lesions (11.11%)and 28 cases were with bilateral lung lesions(77.78%).Thirteen cases had diffuse lesions (36.11%),10 cases had pulmonary interstitial hyperplasia(27.78%),9 cases had nodular patterns (25.00%),8 cases had ground-glass shadows(22.22%),9 cases had diffuse miliary lesions(25.00%), 21 cases had enlarged lymph nodes in the mediastinum(58.33%).Cystic lesions were found in 8 cases (22.22%).Thirteen cases had pleural effusion(36.11%),and 2 cases had nodular bump(5.56%). Pericardial effusion and pneumothorax each appeared in 1 case(2.78%).Conclusion The image appearances of PSM in patients with AIDS include infiltrative lesions or focal lung consolidation,ground- glass shadow,enlarged hilar and mediastinum lymph nodes,pleural effusion,interstitial involvement or reticular image pattern(pulmonary interstitial hyperplasia),diffuse miliary lesion,and cystic lesion.

OBJECTIVETo assess the response in THP-1 treated with Rv3671c protein in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tuberculosis).

METHODSThe gene encoding Rv3671c protein of M.tuberculosis was cloned into pET-28a vector and then expressed in Escherichia coli. The Rv3671c was purified with Ni-NTA affinity and ion exchange chromatography. The detection of protein concentration was by Lowry method.THP-1 cell was stimulated with Rv3671c protein and cells were analyzed by Hochest staining under fluorescence microscopy to assay cell death (apoptosis and necrosis). TNF-α and IL-1β were detected by ELISA at each stimulating time.

RESULTSThe Rv3671c protein of M.tuberculosis was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli. The purity of recombinant Rv3671c protein was 95%, and the protein concentration was up to 0.4 mg/ml. The nucleus of THP-1 was isolated and necrosis-like under fluorescence when cells were stimulated by Rv3671c protein. The levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in supernatant were 19 000 and 16 500 pg/ml respectively, and were significantly higher than control cells with the levels of 2100 and 3800 pg/ml separately.

CONCLUSIONThe necrosis of THP-1 cells could be stimulated by Rv3671c protein of M.tuberculosis and it was probably associated with high cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β levels.

Bacterial Proteins ; pharmacology ; Cell Death ; Cell Line ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Macrophages ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; genetics ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

To explore methods of maintaining the self-renewal capacity of hematopoietic stem cells, inhibiting their overdue differentiation and expanding hematopoietic cells massively, the murine bone marrow stromal cells were coated on microcarriers, then co-cultured with hematopoietic cells from murine bone marrow as group 2 (G2). The G2 contents were wrapped by sodium alginate, then cultivated as group 1 (G1). The only microcarriers coated with stromal cells as group 3 (G3) and the only bone marrow cells as group 4 (G4) were cultivated as control groups. Contrasting observation and microphotograph were performed; the number of total marrow cells, the colony efficiency of CFU-GM and the percentages of CD34(+) cells were determined. Three repeated experiments indicated that the colony efficiency of CFU-GM before culture (G0) were 118.8 +/- 38.1/10(5) marrow cells, and the total outputs of CFU-GM (G0) were 9 501.3 +/- 3 049.0. After culture for two weeks, hematopoietic cells were adhered to or embedded in stromal cells coating the microcarriers, and had formed hematopoietic focus. The colony efficiency of CFU-GM per 10(5) mononuclear cells in group G1, G2, G3 and G4 averaged 30.9 +/- 13.7, 147.3 +/- 66.0, 23.4 +/- 23.1 and 15.9 +/- 8.1, respectively; the total outputs of CFU-GM in group G1, G2, G3 and G4 averaged 273.8 +/- 75.3, 9 424.8 +/- 7 933.7, 419.1 +/- 305.6 and 140.7 +/- 20.7, respectively; the measured CFU-GM output in group G2 was significantly higher than that in group G4, and still significantly higher than the sum of groups G3 and G4 (t = 6.553, t = 5.494; P < 0.05). The percentage of CD34 cells before culture was 10.0 +/- 1.0; after cultuer for two weeks, the percentages of CD34(+) cells in G1, G2, G3 and G4 averaged 4.0 +/- 1.0, 11.0 +/- 1.0, 3.3 +/- 1.5 and 2.2 +/- 0.8, respectively. The percentage of CD34 positive control (3T3 cells) was 17.0 +/- 1.0. This result was consistent with the result of CFU-GM outputs measured. These data suggest that microcarriers coated with stromal cells can perfectly support the ex vivo hematopoiesis at least to four weeks, while hematopoietic cells fixed by alginate are not significantly different from control groups. The hematopoiesis-simulating model of microcarriers is successful, whereas the hematopoiesis-simulating model of alginate macrocarriers can not support the ex vivo hematopoiesis.