Objective To study the clinical value of orbital magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) in diagnosis and making a judgment about the curative effect of glucocorticoid in patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO).Methods A total of 106 patients with GO were divided into active GO group or inactive GO group according to whether clinical activity score(CAS) ≥3 or not,respectively.T2 relaxation times(T2RTs) (ms) and areas(mm2) of four extra-ocular muscles (EOMs) (superior,inferior,medial,and lateral rectus) were directly measured by MRI T2-Mapping.Correlation analysis of T2 RTs and areas with eyeball motility,diplopia,exophthalmus,visual acuity and intraocular pressure (IOP) were also performed.The T2RTs and areas of EOMs before and after intravenous methylprednisolone(iv MP) pulse therapy were recorded,respectively.Results The mean T2RTs (88.9 ± 13.8)and mean areas(58.1 ± 23.8) of EOMs in active GO were significantly greater than those in inactive GO (80.6 ± 10.0and 46.2 ± 18.6,respectively),bing both significantly greater than those in volunteers with normal eyes(76.2 ±4.7and 30.3 ± 6.1,respectively) (P＜0.01).Maximal T2RTs and maximal areas of EOMs showed significant positive correlation(P＜0.01),and both were positively correlated weakly with CAS,reduced movement of eyeball,diplopia,exophthalmus and loss of visual acuity (P＜0.01).On the contrary,maximal T2RTs and maximal areas of EOMs showed negative correlation or no correlation with spontaneous retrobulbar pain,painful eye movement,redness of eyelids and abnormal IOP.Even if 1 ≤ CAS＜3,ophthalmic symptoms and signs also showed a positive responses to iv MP in patients with moderate to severe GO as long as prolonged T2RTs occurred at least in one of EOMs.The maximal T2RTs,maximal areas,mean T2RTs and mean areas of EOMs were significantly decreased at the end of iv MP treatment,meanwhile ophthalmic symptoms and signs were obviously improved.Conclusions Prolonged T2RTs,especially accompanied by enlarged area on the identical EOMs is an remarkable symbols of acute inflamed muscles.The findings suggested that the use of prolonged T2RTs can improve diagnostic sensitivity and predict the curative effect of iv MP in patients with moderate to severe GO and CAS ≥ 1.

Objective To observe the effects of hedysari polysaccharide (HPS) on myocardial fibrosis and the expression of MMP-2/TIMP-2 in model mice of diabetic cardiomyopathy; To discuss the mechanism of action of prevention and treatment of myocardial fibrosis in diabetes.Methods Sixty mice were randomly divided into model group, rosiglitazone group and HPS high-, mediume- and low-dose groups. The normal group was 12 non-transgenic male BKS.Cg-Dock7m+/+Leprdb/JNjumice with the same age. Each group was given relevant medicine for gavage, for 8 weeks. Blood glucose of mice before and after medication 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks was detected. The levels of MMP-2, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in myocardium were measured by Masson staining. The protein expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 in myocardium were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the model group, the blood glucose of HPS (high- and medium dose) groups and rosiglitazone group decreased significantly. Masson staining showed that the green fibers in the model group significantly increased and rosiglitazone group and HPS high-dose group decreased compared with the model group. Western blot showed that the expressions of MMP-2 in model group and MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio were declined significantly, while the expression of MMP-2 was increased and TIMP-2 was decreased significantly, and the ratio of MMP-2/TIMP-2 increased in rosiglitazone group and HPS high- and medium-dose group.Conclusion HPS may reduce the degree of myocardial fibrosis in model mice with diabetic cardiomyopathy. The therapeutic effect of HPS may be to relieve myocardial fibrosis in model mice by increasing the ratio of MMP-2/TIMP-2.

Objective To study the relationship of proliferation and activation of T lymphocyte subsets and disease progression in antiretroviral-naive human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-1-infected individuals.Methods Forty-nine antiretroviral-naive,chronically HIV-1 infected patients and 16 healthy,HIV-1 negative controls were enrolled in this study.The patients were divided into 3 groups according to their CD4+T cell counts:<200×106/L,(200-350)×106/L and>350×106/L.Peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC)were isolated.T cell proliferation index was measured by Ki-67 staining.T cell activation was detected by CD38 staining.The samples were analyzed by flow cytometry.The data were compared by one-way ANOVA.Results The percentage of Ki-67+cells in CIM+T ceils was 7.92%±4.37%in CD4+T cell<200×106/L group,which was significantly higher than those 0.39%d:0.24%in control group,2.61%±2.12%in(200-350)×106/k group and 2.65%±2.13%in>350 X106/L group(F=21.961,P<0.01).The percentage of Ki-67+cells in CD8+T ceils in CD4+T cells<200×106/L group was 2.87%±1.13%,which was also much higher than those in other 3 groups(0.15%±0.90%,1.40%±1.17%,1.22%±0.80%,respectively F=19.203,P<0.01).The Ki-67'CD4'T cells and Ki-67+CD8+T cells were inversely correlated with CD4+T cell counts(r=-0.654,r=-0.539,respectively;P350×106/L group(F=14.333,F=15.412,respectively;P<0.01).The expressions of Ki-67+ on CD4+ and CD8+T cells were positively correlated with CD38 expression(r=0.527,r=0.391,respectively;P=0.002).Conclusions The proliferation and activation of T lymphoeytes are enhanced during HIV/AIDS disease progression.And T eell activation may be the result of persistent immune activation.

Animals ; Biofilms ; Caenorhabditis elegans ; metabolism ; Genes, Bacterial ; Yersinia pestis ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the mechanism of SHU-Dihuang on the function of learning and memory.

METHODOn the dementia model mouse caused by AlCl3 and the rats model damaged thalamic arcuate nucleus with MSG, we observed the function of learning and memory by step down task and Morris water maze task, mensurated the content of glutamic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid by TLC, and observed the expression of NMDAR1 and GABAR in hippocampi by immunohistochemical means.

RESULTShu Di Huang could decrease the times of mistakes and prolong the incubation period in step down task, and shorten the incubation period of seeking the platform in Morris water maze task. Shu Di Huang could adjust the content of Glu and GABA in brain, and increase the expression of hippocampal NMDAR1 and GABAR as well.

CONCLUSIONShu Di Huang can improve the function of learning and memory of dementia animal model, and its mechanism may be related to the adjustment of the content of Glu and GABA in brain, and increase of the expression of hippocampal NMDAR1 and GABAR.

Animals ; Arcuate Nucleus of Hypothalamus ; drug effects ; Dementia ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Male ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory ; drug effects ; Mice ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, GABA ; metabolism ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; metabolism ; Rehmannia ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression and significance of Cyclin D1 in oral squamous cell ma (OSCC).

METHODSA immunohistochemistry method, Envosion, was employed to test the manifesting Cyclin D1 in pathological slices of 50 OSCC cases and 10 normal cases, and the results was treated with statistical lysis.

RESULTSIn 50 OSCC cases, Cyclin D1 mainly manifested in karyon, and a little in cytoplasm. manifesting rates of Cyclin D1 in the samples was 80.0%, which was significantly higher than the manifesting of 20.0% in normal oral mucous membrane (P < 0.01). The manifestation of Cyclin D1 was correlated with rent pathological grades, clinical phases and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe abnormal tation of Cyclin D1 is closely related with the occurrence and development of OSCC. Therefore, it can subsidiary index for OSCC treatment and prognosis.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cyclin D1 ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Mouth Mucosa ; Mouth Neoplasms ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the safety and efficiency of the disposable circumcision suture device (DCSD) in the surgical treatment of phimosis and redundant prepuce.

METHODSWe randomly assigned 249 outpatients with phimosis or redundant prepuce to be treated with DCSD (n = 129) and by conventional circumcision (CC, n = 120), respectively. Then we compared the safety and efficiency of the two strategies.

RESULTSComparisons between DCSD and CC showed that the operation time was (4.02 +/- 0.69) vs (30.8 +/- 4.05) min, blood loss was (1.07 +/- 1.29) vs (8.72 +/- 2.15) ml, intraoperative pain score was 0.81 +/- 0.81 vs 2.42 +/- 1.15, 24-hour postoperative pain score was 1.84 +/- 1.02 vs 4.99 +/- 1.36, postoperative complication rate was 13. 95% (18/129) vs 9.17% (11/120), wound healing time was (13.99 +/- 9.06) vs (17.48 +/- 3.49) d, satisfaction with the penile appearance was 98.4% (127/129) vs 95% (109/120), and treatment cost was (2215.62 +/- 17.67) vs (576.47 + 15.58) Y RMB. DCSD exhibited obvious superiority over CC for shorter operation time, less blood loss, milder intraoperative pain, sooner wound healing, and better penile appearance, but it also had a higher rate of postoperative complications (P > 0.05) and involved more treatment cost than the latter (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe disposable circumcision suture device affords ideal clinical effects and therefore deserves clinical popularization.

Circumcision, Male ; instrumentation ; Disposable Equipment ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Phimosis ; surgery ; Surgical Staplers ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) in the course of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced apoptosis of rat retinal photoreceptor cells and investigate the mechanism of MNU-induced retinal damage.

METHODSA single intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg MNU was given to 50-day-old female rats, which were sacrificed at different intervals after MNU treatment. The retinal damage was examined with optical microscopy and photoreceptor cell apoptosis detected by TUNEL assay. Western blotting was performed to analyze the changes in NF-kappaB.

RESULTSPyknosis of the photoreceptor cell nuclei and disorientation of the outer segment of the photoreceptor layer was observed 24 h after MNU treatment, and the outer nuclear layer and photoreceptor layer were almost completely lost on day 7. Photoreceptor cell apoptosis peaked at 24 h, and in the apoptotic cascade, NF-kappaB p65 protein was only detected 12 and 24 h after MNU treatment, whereas the amount of I kappa B alpha, in contrast, markedly increased in the cytoplasm as well as in the nuclei.

CONCLUSIONMNU-induced retinal damage might be mediated through the signaling pathway of NF-kappaB/I kappa B alpha.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Blotting, Western ; Female ; I-kappa B Proteins ; metabolism ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Methylnitrosourea ; toxicity ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Retinal Diseases ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology

To effectively guarantee quality of randomized controlld trial (RCT) of acupuncture and develop reasonable content and checklist of on-site quality control, influencing factors on quality of acupuncture RCT are analyzed and scientificity of quality control content and feasibility of on-site manipulation are put into overall consideration. Based on content and checklist of on-site quality control in National 11th Five-Year Plan Project Optimization of Comprehensive Treatment Plan for TCM in Prevention and Treatment of Serious Disease and Clinical Assessment on Generic Technology and Quality Control Research, it is proposed that on-site quality control of acupuncture RCT should be conducted with PICOST (patient, intervention, comparison, out come, site and time) as core, especially on quality control of interveners' skills and outcome assessment of blinding, and checklist of on-site quality control is developed to provide references for undertaking groups of the project.
Acupuncture Therapy ; standards ; China ; Humans ; Quality Control ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; standards ; Research Design ; standards

BACKGROUND: Alloying can improve the corrosion resistance and slow the degradation of pure magnesium. In addition, increasing studies have shown that zinc has good antitumor effect. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of zinc-containing magnesium alloy on the proliferation and apoptosis of human osteosarcoma U2OS cells in vitro.METHODS: The corrosion resistance of pure magnesium and different zinc-containing (2%, 4%, 6%) magnesium alloys were observed and compared by the hydrogen release assay in the Hank's solution. MTT assay was used to examine the effects of different zinc-containing magnesium alloy extractions on the proliferation of U2OS cells (or MC3T3-E1 cells) after co-culture of 1, 3, 5 days. After 24-hour co-culture with pure magnesium, different zinc-containing magnesium alloys and titanium alloy extractions, the apoptotic rates of U2OS cells were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins were detected by western blot assay.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The corrosion resistance of pure magnesium was improved after addition of Zn within the initial 100 hours, and the magnesium alloy containing 4% zinc exhibited the optimal corrosion resistance. Different zinc-containing magnesium alloy extractions obviously inhibited the U2OS proliferation in a zinc level-depended manner, and the cytotoxicity of different zinc-containing magnesium alloy extractions to MC3T3-E1 was graded 0-1. Different zinc-containing magnesium alloy extractions could also induce obvious apoptosis in U2OS cells in a zinc level-depended manner. Different zinc-containing magnesium alloy extractions, especially the magnesium alloy containing 4% zinc, up-regulated the expression of p53 and Bax proteins and down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 protein in U2OS cells, leading to the disorder of Bcl-2/Bax. These findings suggest that different zinc-containing magnesium alloy extractions can inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of U2OS cells in vitro.