Objective To investigate the relationship between the expressions of VEGF,ENS, MVD and arteriosclerosis (AS) plaque in atherosclerosis obliterans (ASO) patients. Methods Immunohistochemical staining was used to determine the expression of VEGF, ENS and MVD value in the atherosclerosis plaque of ASO patients hospitalized from October 2007 to August 2010 in our hospital (n =30),and the femoral arterials of control were collected from 22 amputation after traumatic injury. Results The expressions of VEGF (2. 24 ±0.31 vs. 1.87 ±0.27,t =3.58),ENS (1.84 ±0.41 vs. 1. 56 ±0. 38, t =2.09) and MVD value (8.79 ±2.46 slip/HP vs. 6. 05 ±1.68 slip/HP, t =3.64) were significantly higher in the AS plaque of ASO patient than control (P <0.01 or P < 0. 05). We found positive correlations between the expression of VEGF, VEGF/ENS with MVD (r = 0. 391, P < 0. 01; r =0. 583, P < 0. 05) , while negative correlation between the expression of ENS with MVD (r=-0. 328,P <0. 05). Conclusion VEGF promotes the angiogenesis in atherosclerosis plaque,while ENS shows opposite effect The comprehensive performance of them is promoting angiogenesis.

Objective:To investigate the value of serum IL-23 in predicting the progression of prostate cancer at different stages of treatment.Methods:A total of 124 patients with metastatic prostate cancer diagnosed in Beijing Hospital from June 2018 to March 2019 were collected.Patients were TNM-staged according to the Prostate Cancer Guidelines of the European Association of Urology.Serum IL-23 levels were measured in patients with metastatic castration resistance prostate cancer(mCRPC), metastatic castration sensitive prostate cancer(mCSPC)and benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH), respectively.Patients with mCRPC were subgrouped based on disease stability, and serum IL-23 levels were compared between the subgroups.Serum IL-23 levels in the groups were analyzed and compared with the Gleason score and the prostate-specific antigen(PSA)level.Results:The median value of serum IL-23 in the mCRPC group was 79.73(45.61, 95.63)μg/L, which was higher than that in the BPH group[30.88(15.01, 44.94)μg/L, Z=22.66, P=0.000]and the mCSPC group[46.10(35.27, 80.92)μg/L, Z=11.46, P=0.001]. Serum IL-23 levels were higher in the mCSPC group than in the BPH group( Z=7.17, P=0.007). Analysis for the subgroups showed that the median value of serum IL-23 was 110.25(88.47, 159.09)μg/L in mCRPC patients with unstable disease, which was higher than that in mCRPC patients with stable disease[46.52(44.97, 80.33)μg/L, Z=33.99, P=0.000]. There was no significant difference in serum IL-23 levels between mCRPC patients with stable disease and mCSPC patients[46.10(35.27, 80.92)μg/L]( Z=0.35, P=0.554). Conclusions:Serum IL-23 can be used as a potential biological indicator to predict the therapeutic effect of mCSPC and to predict tumor metastasis.

This study investigates the protective role of IMM-H004, a novel coumarin derivative, on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) in mice. All animal experiments in this paper have been approved by the Ethics Committee of Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The experimental animals were divided into three groups, including sham group, model group, and IMM-H004 treatment group. Serum biochemical indicators were detected and H&E staining was used to assess liver damage. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) was performed to analysis the mRNA content of inflammatory factors. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to observe neutrophil infiltration. Western blot was used to examine the protein levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 (caspase-1), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). The results showed that IMM-H004 could significantly reduce the serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). H&E results showed IMM-H004 could alleviate liver damage caused by HIRI. The mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-1β, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were decreased by IMM-H004 administration. Meanwhile, IMM-H004 could markedly inhibit neutrophil infiltration. Furthermore, IMM-H004 could significantly down-regulate the protein expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and IL-1β, inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. Our results confirmed that IMM-H004 could protect mice from HIRI and provide a theoretical foundation for IMM-H004 application for treating HIRI.

As the number of patients with compromised immune function increases and fungal resistance develops, so does the risk of contracting deadly fungi in humans. Both fungi and humans are eukaryotes, so identifying unique targets for antifungal drug development is difficult. In addition, the existing antifungal drugs are limited by toxicity, drug interaction and drug resistance in practical application, which leads to the increasing incidence and fatal rate of fungal infections. Therefore, it is urgent to develop new antifungal drugs. The semi-synthetic technology using microbial fermentation products from natural sources as lead compounds has become the most used method in structural modification of antifungal drugs due to its advantages of few reaction steps and easy operation. This paper will introduce the current status of natural antifungal drugs in clinical use, as well as the latest progress in the research and development of new semi-synthetic antifungal drugs, and summarize their mechanism of action, structural modifications, advantages and disadvantages, so as to provide reference for the subsequent development of new antifungal drugs.

As the lymphocytes of immuno-mediated aplastic anemia (IMAA) are in active state, and the hematopoietic stem cells are in silence, this study was aimed to design a new strategy to treat IMAA. To utilize the difference of radiosensitivity between active lymphocytes and silent hematopoietic stem cells, the animals suffered from IMAA were treated with a single low dose of irradiation, killing the active lymphocytes to release its suppression to hematopoietic stem cells without injuring the hematopoietic stem cells. Therefore, the hematopoiesis can be restored. Experiments were completed in IMAA mouse model. At day 4 after making IMAA, the model mice were giren total body irradiation of 150 cGy, the non-treated model mice and normal mice irradiated with 150 cGy were used as control. The survive time and survive rate of mice, blood picture, the account of nucleated cell of bone marrow, and pathological changes of bone marrow and lymphoid tissues of each group mice were observed. The results were as follows: (1) Survive rate of IMAA mice in non-treated group was 12.5%, the average survive time was 27.4 +/- 13.4 days. 100% of IMAA mice in irradiation-treated group survived over 60 days. The mice of irradiation control group all survived. (2) The account of WBC of IMAA mice in non-treated group dramatically decreased until to die, and in the irradiation-treated group it was gradually increased since the 10th day after treatment and close to normal level at the 28th day. (3) The RBC hematocrit of IMAA mice in non-treated group progressively decreased at day 14, and IMAA mice of irradiation-treated group gradually recovered closely to normal level after slightly fall at day 14, similar to the mice of irradiation control group. (4) The account of nucleated cells of bone marrow in non-treated IMAA mice dramatically decreased, and in the IMAA mice of the irradiation-treated group it was rapidly increased following transient fall, and restored to normal. (5) Pathological observations showed that the bone marrow and spleen of non-treated IMAA mice demonstrated typical aplastic anemia pattern, including bone marrow failure, marked splenatrophy, but the bone marrow and lymphoid tissues in the IMAA mice of irradiation-treated group were recovered to normal at day 28 after treatment. It is concluded that the low dose of irradiation displayed a significant therapeutic effect to IMAA mice, their hematopoisis could be completely restored to normal. The mechanism of therapeutic effect may contribute to low dose of irradiation killing the immunocompetent lymphocytes, therefore, suppressing hematopoiesis. The experiment results not only set up a new strategy for IMAA treatment, but also provided a clue to study the mechanism of IMAA.
Anemia, Aplastic ; etiology ; immunology ; radiotherapy ; Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred DBA

Objective:To observe the effect of warm joint needling plus rehabilitation techniques on the balance function and quality of life (QOL) of patients with spastic hemiplegia after ischemic cerebral stroke.Methods:Ninety patients with spastic hemiplegia after ischemic cerebral stroke were randomized into a rehabilitation group,a warm joint needling group and an observation group,with 30 cases in each group.The rehabilitation group was intervened by Bobath therapy,the warm joint needling group was treated with joint needling on the affected side plus warm needling,and the observation group was given the same rehabilitation treatment as the rehabilitation group together with the same warm joint needling as the warm joint needling group.The three groups were treated once another day,1 month as a treatment course for 6 months.Before the treatment,and respectively after 2-week,1-month,3-month,and 6-month treatment,the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) was used to measure the anti-spasm ability of the lower limb,the Berg balance scale (BBS) was adopted to evaluate the balance function,and the stroke-specific quality of life scale (SS-QOL)was employed to estimate the QOL.Results:After 3-month and 6-month treatment,the lower-limb MAS scores in the observation group were significantly better than those in the rehabilitation group and the warm joint needling group (all P＜0.05).After 1-month,3-month and 6-month treatment,the BBS scores in the observation group were significantly better than those in the rehabilitation group and the warm joint needling group (all P＜0.05).After 2-week,1-month,3-month and 6-month treatment,the SS-QOL scores in the observation group were markedly better than those in the rehabilitation group and the warm joint needling group (all P＜0.05).Conclusion:Warm joint needling plus rehabilitation can effectively improve the lower-limb spasticity state,balance function and QOL in patients with spastic hemiplegia after ischemic cerebral stroke.

Animals ; Dietary Fats ; Fatty Liver ; diet therapy ; etiology ; pathology ; Female ; Male ; Mollusca ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVETo establish and assess the Caco-2 cell in vitro absorption model.

METHODSCaco-2 cells were cultured on the millipore filters fixed in Snapwell transport chamber. The cell morphology, transepithelial electrical resistance, mannitol efflux rate and alkaline phosphatase activities were monitored during culture.

RESULTSAfter 21 days of in vitro culture, formation of tight junction was observed between the cells. The transepithelial electrical resistance reach a relatively stable value of 620-/+47 Omega.cm(2), the mannitol efflux rate was lower than 0.3%.h(-1).cm(-2), and the alkaline phosphatase activity in the apical side was significantly higher than that in the basolateral side.

CONCLUSIONThe established Caco-2 cell model shows similar morphology to intestinal epithelial cells with formation of polarity, and can be used as an in vitro model for absorption studies.

Caco-2 Cells ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Intestinal Absorption ; Intestines ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of exogenous nucleic acid on physical functions, morphology of hepatic cells and brain neurons in aged rats.

METHODSThirty two aged Wistar rats (20 month-old) were divided randomly into four groups (one aged control group and three aged experimental groups) and eight young rats (3 month-old) was set as young control group. Control groups were fed on standard chow and experimental groups were fed on standard chow supplemented with 93.75 mg/kg (high-dosage group), 46.88 mg/kg (middle-dosage group) and 9.38 mg/kg (low-dosage group) of yeast RNA respectively. SOD, MDA, HDL, sex hormone and growth hormone were determined at the end of a 4-week observation. The microcosmic images of the hepatic cells and brain neurons using the image-pro plus (V.4.0) were also observed.

RESULTSSOD, serum HDL and growth hormone levels in the high dosage group were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that in the aged control group, and the levels were not different from that in the young control group. MDA level of all yeast RNA supplemented groups was significantly lower than that of aged control group (P < 0.05) and that was not different from the young control group. Serum testosterone of the high and middle dosage groups reached the level of young control group, and that was much higher than the aged control and low dosage group (P < 0.05). Estradiol levels among the aged rats were not different, and those were much lower than the young control group (P < 0.05). Much more number of brain neurons were observed in the high-dose group than other aged rats (P < 0.05). Brain neurons, hepatic cells and karyons in the high-dose group were bigger than that in other aged rats (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONExogenous yeast RNA might play an important role in physical functions, the morphology of brain neurons and hepatic cells in natural aged rats. There might have a dose-effect relationship in the process.

Aging ; Animals ; Brain ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Hepatocytes ; ultrastructure ; Liver ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Neurons ; ultrastructure ; RNA, Fungal ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Yeasts ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo clone the gene human thioredoxin 1 (hTrx-1) expressing its protein in the E.coli expression system and to obtain its polyclonal antibody, and to study the protective effects of hTrx-1 on neonatal rats with endotoxemia.

METHODSDNA encoding hTrx-1 from fetal liver cells was isolated by RT-PCR. The hTrx-1 was cloned to the prokaryotic expression plasmid PET-28a to induce its protein expression in the E.coli expression system. The purified hTrx-1 was injected into rats to prepare polyclonal antibody. Newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups: control, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and hTrx-1 (n=12 each). The control and the LPS groups were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline and LPS (5 mg/kg), respectively. The hTrx-1 group received an intraperitoneal injection of hTrx-1 (10 mg/kg) 30 minutes before LPS injection. The mortality rate 24 hrs after injection was compared between the three groups.

RESULTSThe prokaryotic expression plasmid PET-28a-hTrx-1 was constructed. The hTrx-1 protein was expressed and purified. The polyclonal antibody of hTrx-1 with the titer of 1∶51200 was prepared. The mortality rate of the control, LPS and hTrx-1 groups was 0, 67% and 17%, respectively (χ2=14.400, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe polyclonal antibody of hTrx-1 is prepared successfully. The hTrx-1 protein has protective effects on neonatal rats with endotoxiamia.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Antibodies ; analysis ; Blotting, Western ; Endotoxemia ; prevention & control ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Recombinant Proteins ; immunology ; Thioredoxins ; genetics ; immunology ; therapeutic use