Objective To observe the changes in OLETF kideys at different stage and the beneficial influences by modulating serum lipids. Methods OLETF rats aged 8 wks were randomly divided into treated group and untreated group,and LETO rats served as normal control.Fenofibrate 20 mg/kg was given daily to the treated group.OGTT was performed at the age of 8,16 and 24 wks.Blood glucose,serum lipids and 24 h urine albumin excretion(UA) were investigated.The rats were killed at 16 and 24 wks of age,and the kidney sections were stained with PAS.Transforming growth factor-?_1(TGF?_1),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and fibronectin(FN) were investigated by immunohistochemistry assay.The electron microscope(EM) sections were made to measure GBM width and to observe the mesangial matrix.Results(1) Blood glucose had no significant difference between untreated and treated groups at 16 and 24 wks of age;(2) Fenofibrate decreased serum TG, increased HDL-C markedly but had no influence on LDL-C;(3) As aging,24hrs UA increased in untreated group,and reduced significantly in fenofibrate group at 24 wks of age;(4) TGF-?_1,VEGF and FN expressions were all higher in untreated group than in treated group at 24 wks of age.(5) EM revealed GBM obviously thickened and mesangial matrix widened in untreated group.Fenofibrate attenuated the kidney lesion greatly in EM picture.Conclusions (1) Dyslipidemia occurs prior to glucose metabolism abnormity in OLETF rats;(2) As aging,dyslipidemia progresses accompanying markedly the increased UA,enlarged glomeruli,thickened GBM and widened masangial matrix;(3) Modulating lipids early couldn′t improve glucose metabolism,but corrects dyslipidemia and reveals beneficial influence on kidneys;(4) The possible mechanism is that modulating lipids decreases TGF-?_1 and VEGF expressions.

Objective To evaluate the effects of dexmedetomidine on the permeability of blood-brain barrier in rats subjected to global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R).Methods Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 250-300 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =12 each):sham operation group (group S),global cerebral I/R group (group I/R) and dexmedetomidine group (group D).Global cerebral I/R was induced by occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries combined with hypotension (MAP was maintained at 35-45 mm Hg) in anesthetized rats.In group D,dexmedetomidine was infused at a rate of 3μg· kg-1 · h-1 until 2 h of reperfusion after a loading dose of dexmedetomidine 3 μg/kg was injected intravenously immediately after onset of I/R.The rats were sacrificed at 24 h of reperfusion and their brains were immediately removed for microscopic examination of hippocampal CA1 region and for determination of the cell apoptosis,brain water content,Evans blue content and aquaporin 4 (AQP4) expression.Results The number of apoptotic cells was significantly larger,and brain water content,Evans blue content and AQP4 expression were higher in groups I/R and D than in group S (P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01).The number of apoptotic cells was significantly smaller,and brain water content,and Evans blue content and AQP4 expression were lower in group D than in group I/R (P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01).Global cerebral I/R-induced pathological changes were significantly attenuated in group D.Conclusion Dexmedetomidine can decrease the permeability of blood-brain barrier and attenuate global cerebral I/R injury in rats,and down-regulation of AQP4 expression may be involved in the mechanism.

Objective To observe the suppressing effect of topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids on ultraviolet ray (UV)-induced erythema.Methods A solar simulator and an UV phototherapy device were used as light sources,respectively.Erythema reaction was induced on the back skin of 30 healthy volunteers by 1,2 and 3 minimal erythema doses (MED) of irradiation.Five preparations including butyl flufenamate 2.5％ ointment,butyl flufenamate 5％ ointment,the base of butyl flufenamate ointment,halometasone ointment,and diclofenac 1％ ointment,were applied to the irradiation sites respectively half an hour before or immediately after the irradiation.One irradiation site remained untreated and served as the control.The degree of erythema was evaluated by a chromameter at 4,24,and 48 hours after the irradiation.Intragroup and intergroup comparisons were done by t test and analysis of variance,respectively.Results When applied half an hour before solar-simulated irradiation,both 2.5％ and 5％ butyl flufenamate ointment totally suppressed the erythema reaction induced by 1-3 MED of UV irradiation,with no significant increase in erythema index at all the three time points after irradiation (all P ＞ 0.05); diclofenac 1％ only inhibited the erythema induced by 1 MED of UV irradiation at 4 and 48 hours,with no difference observed in erythema index between the baseline and these time points after irradiation; however,halometasone significantly aggravated the erythema reaction (P ＜ 0.05).Neither NSAIDs nor corticosteroids applied immediately after solar-simulated irradiation showed statistical effect on the degree of UV-induced erythema.When applied immediately after irradiation using the phototherapy device,butyl flufenamate 2.5％ ointment,butyl flufenamate 5％ ointment and halometasone ointment all induced a significant reduction in erythema reaction at 4 hours after 1 MED of irradiation (all P ＜ 0.05),and diclofenac caused a statistical decrease in erythema reaction at all the time points after 1-3 MED of irradiation (all P ＜0.05).Conclusions Topical use of butyl flufenamate before UV irradiation can effectively inhibit erythema reaction induced by 1-3 MED of irradiation.When applied immediately after irradiation,diclofenac shows the strongest erythema-suppressive effect,followed sequentially by butyl flufenamate and halometasone.

Objective To investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine on global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats.Methods Fifty-four adult male SD rats weighing 200-250 g were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =18 each): shame operation group (group S),global cerebral I/R group (group I/R) and dexmedetomidine group (group D).Global cerebral I/R was produced by occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries combined with hypotension (MAP maintained at 35-45 mm Hg).In group D dexmedetomidine 3 μg/kg was injected iv immediately after I/R,followed by infusion of dexmedetomidine at a rate of 3 μg· kg- 1 · h- 1 until 2 h of reperfusion.The neurological deficit score (NDS) was assessed (0 =normal,100 =brain death) at 6 h (T1),24 h (T2)and 72 h (T3) of reperfusion.Then six rats were sacrificed in each group and brain tissues were removed for microscopic examination of hippocampus CA1 region and determination of activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO),contents of TNF-α and IL-1β and expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein ( GFAP).Results Compared with group S,NDS,MPO activity and the contents of TNF-α and IL-1β at T1-3 were significantly increased,the expression of GFAP was up-regulated at T2,3 in groups I/R and D ( P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01).Compared with group I/R,NDS,MPO activity and TNF-α concent were significantly decreased at T1-3,IL-1β concent was decreased at T1,2,the expression of GFAP was down-regulated at T2,3 in group D (P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01 ).The pathologic changes were significantly attenuated in group D as compared with group I/R.Conclusion Dexmedetomidine can attenuate global cerebral I/R injury in rats,and the inhibition of inflammatory response may be involved in the mechanism.

Objective To investigate the safety of different intensity anticoagulation therapy of warfarin in preventing thromboembolism in octogenarian patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Methods The 130 patients with persistent or permanent NVAF were randomly divided into three groups: low-intensity warfarin group (35 cases, international normalized ratio, INR (1.5-2.0), moderate-intensity warfarin group (32 cases, INR 2.1-2.5) and aspirin control group (63 cases). The rate of hemorrhagic events and the effect on renal function were observed. Results The incidence of hemorrhage was the lowest in low-intensity warfarin group compared to the other groups with slight bleeding in one case. life-threatening bleeding in one case, severe bleeding in one case and slight bleeding in four cases occurred in moderate-intensity warfarin group. Life-threatening bleeding in three cases, severe bleeding in two cases and slight bleeding in six cases occurred in aspirin control group. There were significant differences in bleeding incidence among the three groups (χ2=5.13,P＜0.05). The low-intensity warfarin group and moderate-intensity warfarin group were superior to the aspirin control group in the effect on renal function (P＜0.05). Conclusions It is safe that the dose of warfarin is maintained at low anticoagulation intensity between INR 1.5 and 2.0 in octogenarians with NVAF.

Pregnant women with subacute thyroiditis (SAT) are rare.One case was reported and the clinical features and management principles of SAT during pregnancy were reviewed.In pregnant women with SAT,the illness is usually not serious.If subclinical or clinical hypothyroidism develops,L-T4 must be given and thyroid function be monitored routinely,and the medication be adjusted carefully to ensure the maternal-fetal safety.

Objective To investigate the effect of fusidic acid cream on inflammatory reaction caused by skin barrier damage.Methods Eight male SKH-1 hairless mice were included in this study.The back of each of these mice were equally divided into six regions measuring 1 cm × 2 cm in size,which were then assigned into six groups:blank control group remaining untreated,barrier-impaired group,barrier-impaired and fusidic acid-treated group,barrier-impaired and vehicle-treated group,barrier-unimpaired and fusidic acid-treated group,barrierunimpaired and vehicle-treated group.Stratum corneum was removed by adhesive tape stripping to establish an animal model of acute skin barrier damage in the corresponding skin regions of these mice,and fusidic acid cream or vehicle was topically applied to the corresponding regions once.Twelve hours later,skin surface swab samples were collected from the back of these mice followed by bacterial culture and colony counting.Mice were then sacrificed,and skin tissue specimens were resected from these mice,and subjected to real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR for the measurement of the mRNA expressions of myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88),interleukin-1α (IL-1α),IL-6,epidermal antibacterial peptides S100a8 and S100a9.Statistical analysis was carried out by repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and least significant difference (LSD) test.Results The mRNA expressions of MyD88,IL-1α,IL-6,S100a8 and S100a9 were all significantly higher in the barrier-impaired group than in the blank control group (all P ＜ 0.05).Specifically,the mRNA expression level of MyD88 in the barrier-impaired group was 8 times that in the blank control group (8.3 ± 3.0 vs.0.8 ± 0.4).Compared with the barrier-impaired group,the barrier-impaired and fusidic acid-treated group showed a significant decrease in the mRNA expressions of IL-1α (2.8 ± 0.3 vs.20.1 ± 10.0,F =47.11,P ＜ 0.01),IL-6 (1.6 ± 2.3 vs.9.4 ± 4.0,F =16.18,P＜ 0.01),S100a8 (1.5 ± 1.4 vs.5.0 ± 1.6,F=59.71,P＜ 0.05) and S100a9 (1.2 ± 0.7 vs.3.4 ± 1.6,F=21.94,P ＜ 0.05).Conlusions Fusidic acid cream could attenuate the inflammatory reaction caused by acute skin barrier damage,which might partly explain its action mechanism in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases.

Objective To evaluate the inhibitory effect of butyl flufenamate (BT) on ultraviolet (UV)-induced acute skin phototoxic reaction,and to investigate its possible mechanisms.Methods Eight SKH-1 hairless mice were included in this study.The back of each SKH-1 hairless mouse was divided into six regions,which were then randomly classified into six groups:blank group receiving no treatment,UV group receiving UV radiation only,BT + UV group and vehicle + UV group topically treated with BT ointment and vehicle respectively followed by UV radiation,UV + BT group and UV + vehicle group topically treated with BT ointment and vehicle respectively after UV radiation.Skin samples were obtained from these mice at 24 hours after treatment.Subsequently,hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed,real-time PCR was carried out to detect mRNA expressions of caspase-3,p53,COX-2,PGER1,interleukin (IL)-1β,IL-6,and an immunofluorescence assay was conducted to observe the expression of caspase-3.Statistical analysis was carried out by repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).Results Compared with the UV group,both BT + UV group and UV + BT group showed a decrease in the degree of skin edema and number of apoptotic cells at 24 hours after UV radiation.Real-time PCR showed that the mRNA expressions of caspase-3,p53,COX-2,PGER1,IL-l β and IL-6 were significantly higher in the UV group than in the blank group (all P ＜ 0.05),but significantly lower in the BT + UV group than in the UV group (all P ＜ 0.05),and only the expressions of caspase-3 and p53 mRNAs were significantly decreased in the UV + BT group compared with the UV group (both P ＜ 0.05).The immunofluorescence assay revealed that the expression of caspase-3 increased in the UV group compared with the blank group,but decreased in both BT + UV group and UV + BT group compared with the UV group.Conclusion BT could partially inhibit UV-induced acute skin phototoxicity in SKH-1 hairless mice.

Objective To observe the curative effect of cervicogenic headache(CEH)treatment through the combination of pulse radio frequency(PRF)on the C2 dorsal rootganglion and continuous epidural space block.Methods Sixty patients with CEH in our hospital were randomly divided into groups A and B,30 cases in each group.The group A was treated with combination of PRF on cervical dorsal root ganglion and continuous epidural space block.The group B was treated with PRF on cervical dorsal root ganglion method.The pain VAS scores before treatment and at 1 week,3,6 months after treatment were compared between the two groups.Results Compared with pretreatment,the VSA scores at 1 week,3,6 wonths after treatment in the two groups had statistical difference(P＜0.05),moreover,the VAS score decrease in the group A was better than the group B.All the patients had no nerve and artery injury or infection complications.Conclusion It is safe and effective to treat cervical CEH through the combination of ganglion PRF on the cervical 2 dorsal root and continuous epidural space block.

Objective To explore the role of Th17 cells in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)with cardiovascular disease (CVD).Methods 61 patients of SLE were collected from September 2011 to March 2013 in the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University by revised SLE classification standards of ACR in 1997.These patients were divided two groups:22patients of SLE with CVD and 39 patients of SLE without CVD;the control group include 20 healthy.Th17 cells were measured by flow cytometry,IL-1 7 was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The correlation among them and the disease active index were analyzed.Results ①The percent of Th1 7 cells in the group of SLE with CVD,that in the group of SLE without CVD and that in control group were (2.09±0.98)%,(1.75±0.75)% and (0.89±0.44)%,respec-tively.The percent of Th1 7 cells in healthy group were lower than that in SLE with CVD and SLE without CVD group (t=4.717~5.030,P<0.001).The level of IL-17 in the group of SLE with CVD,that in the group of SLE without CVD and that in control group were 85.64±20.76 pg/ml,75.25±28.14 pg/ml and 35.06±6.58 pg/ml respectively,and the serum of IL-17 in healthy group were lower than in SLE with CVD and SLE without CVD group (t=6.275~9.954,P<0.001). There were no significant difference of Th1 7 cells and IL-1 7 between SLE with CVD and SLE without CVD groups (t=1.520,P>0.05;t=1.513,P>0.05).②The level of IL-17 were correlated positively with SLEDAI and the anti-double strand DNA (r=0.393,P=0.008;r=0.558,P<0.001),were correlated negatively with complement C3 (r=-0.423,P=0.005).The percent of Th17 cells in CD4+T cells were correlated positively with SLEDAIand the anti-double strand DNA (r=0.681,P<0.001;r=0.492,P=0.015)were correlated negatively with complement C3 (r=-0.534,P=0.027).Con-clusion The level of Th1 7 cells and IL-1 7 were high in SLE,and they were related with the disease activity.The cardiovas-cular factor had not affect the expression of Th1 7 cells and IL-1 7 in SLE.