ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effects and side-effect of mesenchymal stem cell(MSCs) transplantation on spinal cord injury(SCI),traumatic brain injury(TBI),multiple sclerosis(MS) or Parkinson's disease(PD).MethodsThe bone marrow(222～350 ml) of 11 patients with SCI(n=6),TBI(n=3),MS(n=1) or PD(n=1) were harvested from the patients' ilia and then MNCs were isolated.The MNCs were injected intravenously or into subarachnoid space by lumbar puncture.The neural function and side-effect were observed before and after MSCs transplantation and the patients were followed up.ResultsThe data demonstrated the improvement of sense and motor function in 5 patients with SCI,one had no improvement by 2 months following-up.These patients' sense and motor levels improved obviously.Their muscle strength of lower extremity increased,the muscular tone decreased and urinary bladder function improved.Changes in neurological deficits and improvements in function may appear within 2 days after transplantation,most of them within 2 weeks.There were significantly amelioration in 3 patients with TBI treated with MSCs transplantation,one of them could walk with cane independently after 3 months.One's PVS score elevated from 5 to 8 scales after transplantation.The tremor was alleviated after 1 week,and the muscular tone decreased,which lead to reduce the dose of Madopar after 3 months,in patient with PD.The patient with MS showed no improvement in short time.The side-effect included fever(7/11),headache(2/11) and abdominal dissension(1/11).1 patient feel numb in his legs while injection into subarachnoid,and appeared meningeal stimulation after injection.ConclusionThere were significantly clinical effects in treatment of SCI,TBI,MS,and PD with MSCs transplantation in short time,and with few side-effect. The long-term clinical effects need more observation with larger samples.

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effects of scraping therapy on perimenopausal syndrome.

METHODSTwenty women with perimenopausal syndrome were treated with scraping therapy and the dorsal course of the Governor Vessell and the Urinary Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang were scraped, especially on the Back-shu points and Ashi points. The clinical symptoms were observed and compared with a modified Kupperman score before and after treatment.

RESULTSIn all the 20 patients, 3 cases were cured, 6 cases were markedly effective, 9 cases were effective, 2 cases were ineffective, and the total effective rate was 90.0%. The Kupperman total score after treatment of (10.4 +/- 7.5) was significantly lower than the score before treatment of (25.0 +/- 5.3) (P < 0.001), in which, hot flushes and sweating, insomnia, fatigue, paresthesia, anxiety/irritability, hypaphrodisia, urinary system infection, tinnitus, dizziness, memory deterioration and headache were eased significantly (P < 0.001, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe scraping therapy has a good clinical effect on perimenopausal syndrome and can significantly improve the clinical symptoms.

Acupuncture Points ; Dizziness ; therapy ; Female ; Hot Flashes ; therapy ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Meridians ; Middle Aged ; Perimenopause ; physiology ; Sweating ; Treatment Outcome

Nine compounds were isolated from an ethanol extract of the roots of K. roxburghii by using a combination of various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over silica gel, MCI gel, Sephadex LH-20, and reversed-phase HPLC. On the basis of physical-chemical properties and spectroscopic data analysis, their structures were identified as munjistin (1), 1-methoxy-3,6-dihydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-9,10-anthraquinone (2), 1,2,3-trihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (3), arjunolic acid (4), hyptatic acid-A (5), hyptatic acid-B (6), 2α,3β,24-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (7), 2α,3β,23-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (8), and daucosterol (9). Compounds 1-9 were obtained from this genus for the first time.
Anthraquinones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Rubiaceae ; chemistry ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of mTOR siRNA on mTOR-p70S6K signaling pathway in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells in vitro,and growth and apoptosis in transplanted tumor in nude mice.

METHODSmTOR siRNA was transfected into ESCC cell line EC9706 cells. The expressions of factors of the mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. DNA contents and cell apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry, and cell proliferation was measured by CCK-8 assay. The effects of mTOR siRNA on the transplanted tumor growth were assessed in nude mice.

RESULTSThe levels of mTOR and p-p70S6K were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) while the level of p70S6K was increased (P < 0.05) in the cells transfected with mTOR siRNA, compared with that in untransfected cells and cells transfected with control siRNA. After being interfered by mTOR siRNA, the number of apoptotic cells was increased, cell proliferation became slower and cell cycle was arrested in G(1) phase compared with that in control cells. Also, mTOR siRNA inhibited the growth of transplanted tumor in vivo.

CONCLUSIONSmTOR siRNA can effectively interfere in mTOR-p70S6K signaling pathway, induce cell apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation and tumor growth, suggesting that mTOR-p70S6K signaling pathway plays an important role in the carcinogenesis and development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; enzymology ; pathology ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 70-kDa ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Tumor Burden

OBJECTIVE Diabetic nephropathy (DN) has been one of the most common complications of diabetes and the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Glomerular hyperfiltrationis central in earlystage of DN and leads to the progression of renal architectonic and functional abnormalities. Salvi?anolic acid A (SalA) has been proved to protect diabetic complications such as hepatic fibrosis and neuropathy. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of SalAon glomerular endothelial dysfunctionand diabetic nephropathy. METHODS Primary glomerular endothelial cells were subjected to assess permeability under injury of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). AGEs-induced changes of RhoA/ROCK pathway and cytoskeleton rearrangement were assessed bywestern blotandimmunoflu?orescence. The beneficial effects of SalA on diabetic nephropathy were investigated in a rat model induced by high-fat and high-glucose diet combined with low dose of streptozocin (35 mg·kg- 1, ip). Renal function and architectonic changes were evaluated by biochemical assay and PAS staining. RESULTS SalA 3μMameliorated AGEs- induced glomerular endothelial permeability (P<0.05) and suppressed rearrangement of cytoskeleton through inhibiting AGE-RAGE-RhoA/ROCK pathway. SalA 1 mg · kg- 1 markedly reduced endothelium loss (P<0.01) and glomerular hyperfiltration (P<0.05) in diabetic kidney. Subsequently,SalA 1 mg·kg-1 suppressed glomerular hypertrophy and mesangial matrix expansion, eventually reduced 24 h-urinary albumin and ameliorated renal function by decreasing blood urine nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr) and serum n-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (NAG). AGEs-RAGE-Nox4-induced oxidative stress was suppressed by the treatment of SalA 1 mg·kg-1. CONCLUSION SalA ameliorated AGEs-induced glomerular endothelial hyperpermeability, and effec?tively protected against early-stage diabetic nephropathy by reducing hyperfiltration and alleviating renal structural deterioration through inhibiting AGEs and its downstream pathway. Thus, SalA might be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

To detect the characteristics of "pre-ALIP" and to investigate their relevance with the development of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by computer image procession technology, bone marrow (BM) was collected by aspiration/trephine biopsy from AML patients during the complete remission (CR). BM sections were stained by HGF (haematoxylin-Giemsa-acid fuchsin) and photographed by optical microscope imaging system. 4 kinds of computer image segmentation technologies were compared to select the best one for detecting the localization and quantitation of the precursor cells. Planimetry was combined with morphology to segment bone trabeculae. The number of single and double-cluster precursor cells and their distance from bone trabeculae was detected with Euclidean distance change method in BM images of AML patients, and compared with the normal controls. Moreover, the morphological characteristics of "pre-ALIP" were investigated, and the correlation with the development of AML was analyzed. The results showed that the computer image segmentation method based on morphology could identify the precursor cells and bone trabeculae more exactly in BM image, as compared with the methods of 8-Sobel operater. Canny operator and watershed algorithm. Bone trabeculae could be segmented with combinative methods of morphology and planimetry. The number of single precursor cells (19.27 ± 11.60)/mm(2) and double-cluster precursor cells (1.77 ± 1.76)/mm(2) in CR group were higher than that in normal controls (p < 0.05). The distance of single precursor cells from bone trabeculae in CR group were closer to bone trabeculae than that in controls [(230.12 ± 97.68) µm vs (260.92 ± 99.88 µm)] (p < 0.05), but the distance of double-cluster precursor cells from bone trabeculae in AML patients was (274.56 ± 139.48) µm, which showed no statistically significant different from controls (p > 0.05), while the double-cluster precursor cells showed the tendency of migrating to the intermediate zone of bone trabeculae compared with the single precursor cells in CR group (p < 0.05). It is concluded that the structure of "pre-ALIP" in BM tissue exists before the occurrence of ALIP. The characteristics of "pre-ALIP" are single and double-cluster precursor cells with abnormal localization or quantitation, which showed correlation with the development of AML.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the cognitive, intelligent and cranial MRI status of 4 patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). Methods A pedigree of 4 patients,admitted to our hospital from September 2011 to December 2011 and diagnosed as having DM1, were chosen in our study; Chinese edition tests of Wechsler adult intelligence scale and Wechsler memory scale were used to test the intelligence of these patients; Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) and Neurobehavioral cognitive status examination (NCSE) were applied to evaluate the patients' cognitive function.All of the 4 patients received a cranial MRI scan. Results Except for 1 patient,the other 3 patients had low intelligent quotient (IQ) and memory quotient (MQ),and their verbal IQs were all lower than performance IQs.Three patients showed impaired visual space/executive skills,calculation,memory,and conceptual thinking abilities; 1 patient showed impaired sentence repetition and verbal fluency on MoCA,though his final scores were within normal range. Three patients had brain atrophy to some extent on MRI scan,prominently in the frontal lobe and temporal lobe; white matter lesions and thickened skull were founded in all 4 patients. Conclusion Multiple cognition disorders and brain involvements can be found in DM1 patients and deserve further investigation.

AIMTo isolate triterpene saponins of polygalacic acid type from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC and to identify their structures.

METHODSThe compounds were separated by means of extraction, chromatography on silica gel, MPLC and HPLC, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analyses (FAB-MS, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR etc.).

RESULTSThree triterpene saponins were isolated from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum. They were identified as 3-O-beta-D-laminaribiosyl polygalacic acid (I), 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl polygalacic acid (II), polygalacin D (III), separately.

CONCLUSIONCompound I is a new compound, compounds II, III are known triterpene saponins. The compound I and II were isolated from the plant for the first time, which is also the monodesmoside from the plant for the first time.

Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Platycodon ; chemistry ; Saponins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of perioperative HLA antibody changes on acute allograft rejection in cadaveric liver transplantation.

METHODSTotally 134 patients received modified piggyback liver transplantation and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed for HLA antibody detection before and the 1, 7, 14 and 30 days after operation. B ultrasound-guided liver biopsy was employed for diagnosis of acute allograft rejection, and the perioperative changes of HLA antibodies were evaluated for their effect on allograft acute rejection.

RESULTSOf the 44 recipients with preoperative positivity for HLA antibodies, acute rejection occurred in 56.8% of the patients, as compared with 25.9% in those negative for HLA antibody (P=0.001). The patients who became positive for HLA antibody postoperatively had a rate of acute rejection of 60%, which was significantly higher than that in those persistently negative for HLA antibody (18.6%, P=0.003).

CONCLUSIONHLA antibody positivity before transplantation may contribute to acute rejection episode in liver transplantation, and persistent posttransplant HLA antibody positivity is closely associated with the occurrence of acute rejection.

Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies ; blood ; Female ; Graft Rejection ; immunology ; HLA Antigens ; immunology ; Humans ; Isoantibodies ; blood ; Liver Cirrhosis ; surgery ; Liver Neoplasms ; surgery ; Liver Transplantation ; immunology ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effectiveness of a topical application of Xiaozheng Zhitong: Paste (, XZP) in alleviating the cancerous pain of patients with middle/late stage cancer

METHODSBy: adopting a random number table, 124 patients enrolled were randomized into the treatment group (64 patients) and the control group (60 patients). In addition to the basic therapy [including the three-ladder (3L) analgesia] used in both groups, topical application of XZP was given to patients in the treatment group for pain alleviation. The analgesic efficacy was recorded in terms of pain intensity, analgesia initiating time and sustaining time, and the optimal analgesic effect revealing time. Meanwhile, the quality of life (QOL) and adverse reactions that occurred in patients were recorded as well.

RESULTSThe total effective rate in the treatment group was: 84.38% (54/64), and in the control group it was 88.33% (53/60), showing no significant difference between them (P>0.05), but the analgesia initiating time and the optimal analgesia effect revealing time in the treatment group were significantly shorter (both P<0.01). Moreover, XZP was better in improving patients' QOL, showing more significant improvements in the treatment group than those in the control group in aspects of mental condition, walking capacity, working capacity, social acceptability, sleep and joy of living (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Lower incidence of adverse reactions, such as nausea, vomiting, mouth dryness, dizziness, etc., especially constipation, was noted in the treatment group (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONApplying an external compress: of XZP showed a synergistic action with 3L analgesia for shortening the initiating time and the optimal effect revealing time, and could evidently enhance patients' QOL with fewer adverse reactions.

Aged ; Analgesics ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Emollients ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms ; complications ; drug therapy ; Pain ; complications ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Quality of Life ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome