Animals ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Endoglin ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; metabolism ; Thy-1 Antigens ; metabolism ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), one of the most common chronic complications of diabetes, is characterized by allodynia, hyperalgesia and spontaneous pain. Chinese epidemiological studies have shown that at least 25% diabetic patients suffered from painful DPN, which compromises patients' daily functioning and becomes a major health care problem. Although the pathogenesis of painful DPN is not fully understood and current treatment options are very limited, research in the field has advanced our understanding on the mechanism of painful DPN in the past Decade of Pain Research and Control. This review will mainly focus on evaluation of current diabetic animal models, possible molecular pathways and available therapies, with an emphasis on roles of purinergic receptor and its signaling transduction pathways. Common therapies address one or two DPN symptoms, while others offer wider symptom control, presumably by targeting pathophysiological mechanisms of DPN. Purinergic receptor signaling transduction pathways might become potential targets for treatment for painful DPN.
Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus ; physiopathology ; Diabetic Neuropathies ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Hyperalgesia ; physiopathology ; Pain ; physiopathology ; Receptors, Purinergic P2X ; physiology

Thirty healthy women and 101 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were recruited. According to serum testosterone (T) level and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) ,the correlation of T and body mass index (BMI) with insulin resistance was analyzed. The results showed that there were 39. 8％ normal,24. 5％ overweight,and 35.7％ obese among 101 PCOS patients. However,there were no significantly differences in BMI, fasting plasma glucose ( FPG ), triglyceride ( TG ), total cholesterol ( TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ( LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ( HDL-C ), and HOMA-IR levels between PCOS patients with hyperandrogenemia ( T ≥ 0. 51 μg/L) and normal androgenemia ( T ＜ 0. 51 μg/L). BMI, FPG, TG, TC, and LDL-C levels were higher and HDL-C level was lower in patients with insulin resistance( HOMA-IR ≥ 2. 29 ) than in patients without insulin resistance ( HOMA-IR ＜ 2. 29, P＜0. 05 or P＜ 0. 01 ). Serum T levels were not significantly different between two groups. HOMA-IR was significantly correlated with BMI(P＜0. 01 ), not with serum T, suggesting that the gain of body weight is correlated with insulin resistance independent of serum T level.

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics in a patient with 17β-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) 3 deficiency, regarding its pathophysiology and pathogenesis. Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were analyzed in a pedigree of 17β-HSD3 deficiency. Blood samples from the patient and his parents were collected. HSD17B3 gene was screened for mutations by PCR and subclone sequencing. Results The patient presented with pubertal virilization and gynecomastia. The physical examination showed female external genitalia and testes in inguinal canals. The chromosome karyotype was 46, XY. Serum FSH, LH, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione and 17-OH-progesterone levels were raised, whereas plasma testosterone was lowered. Sequencing analysis revealed 4 nucleotide deletion (172-175del) of HSD17B3 gene. Conclusion Virilization and gynecomastia in puberty suggest the probability of 17β-HSD deficiency. It may be verified clinically by hCG-stimulating test and confirmed by gene diagnosis.

Objective To explore the difference of four calculating methods used to determine the obesity. Methods Two thousand four hundred and forty six (2446) men and three hundred and seventy nine (379) women were measured height and body mass, Standard body mass, BMI, body fat ratio and obesity index(OI) were calculated with formula. According to the BMI≥ 25 kg/m2 , BMI ≥ 27 kg/m2 and BMI≥28 kg/m2, the obese adults were 1419,680 and 435 respectively;there were 649 adults that their body mass was over 20％standard body mass; there were 639 adults that their body fat ratio was over 25％(male)and 33％(female). Results For obesity determination, the adults who were 20％overweight and over standard body fat ratio were significantly different from those whose BMI were over 25 kg/m2 ( P＜0. 05 ) ;Those who were 20％overweight and over standard body fat ratio were not significantly different from those whose BMI were over 27 kg/m2 ( P＞0.05 ) ; Those who were 20％overweight and over standard body fat ratio were significantly different from those whose BMI were over 28 kg/m2 ( P＜0. 05 ). Conclusion Determining obesity with BMI≥27 kg/m2 is feasible and rational.

Objective To explore the potential mechanism of adrenal androgen excess in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), ACTH stimulation test was conducted and the polymorphisms in the promoter region of CYP21 A2 gene were screened to verify the variations related to the responsiveness to ACTH stimulation. Methods 30 healthy women and 101 PCOS patients, matched for age, were recruited from Ruijin hospital. Blood biochemical examinations were taken and sex hormone profiles obtained at baseline. 17 hydroxyprogesterone( 17OHP)was measured at 0 and 60 min in an ACTH stimulation test. The -710 bp -1 bp of the promoter region of CYP21A2 was sequenced in 87 PCOS patients and 30 control subjects. Results According to the post-stimulation 17 OHP levels obtained from 30 healthy women,PCOS patients were allocated into one group with high responsiveness to ACTH ( HR-PCOS, n = 21) and the other with normal responsiveness to ACTH ( NR-PCOS, n = 80). Compared with NR-PCOS subjects, HR-PCOS patients had higher testosterone( P<0.05), basal and post-stimulation 17OHP (both P<0.01)and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels (P<0.05 or P<0.01) .whereas serum cortisol and androstenedione levels were not significantly different before and after ACTH stimulation test. The genotypes of locus -535 were well correlated with post-stimulation 17OHP levels (r = 0. 20,P = 0. 03) in PCOS patients and the control subjects. The genotype T/T or allele T was significantly more frequent in subjects with a higher fertile of post-stimulation 17OHP (P<0.05 or P<0. 01). The odds ratio(OR)for higher responsiveness to ACTH in women with allele T at -535 was 3. 69 (95% CI 1. 69-8. 06,P = 0. 000 7). Conclusions The PCOS patients with higher responsiveness to ACTH are characterized by severe hyperandrogenemia and adrenal androgenexcess,suggesting that adrenal androgen excess in some PCOS patients may be due to higher responsiveness to ACTH. The polymorphism of -535C>T in the promoter region of CYP21 A2 may play a role in regulating 21 hydroxylase gene expression and further influencing 17OHP responsiveness to ACTH.

OBJECTIVETo systematically review the clinical efficacy of acupuncture on the patients with low back pain (LBP).

METHODSRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) about pure acupuncture therapy versus other treatments in treating LBP were electronically searched in PubMed, CBM, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang Data from January 2004 to May 2014. The observed index on the results were the changed scores of VAS, ODI, JOA and RMDQ. Two reviewers independently screened the literatures according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, as well as the extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality. The results of Meta-analysis was conducted by RevMan 5.2 software.

RESULTSTen RCTs involved 751 patients were finally included. The results of Meta-analysis indicated that the role of pure acupuncture group in improving the VAS score was better than that of the control group, and the combined effect size was RR = -.32, 95% CI (-1.41, -1.22); Z=27.28, P<0.00001; the role of pure acupuncture group in improving the ODI score was better than that of the control group, and the combined effect size was RR = -5.07, 95% CI (-7.50, -2.65); Z=4.10, P<0.0001; the role of pure acupuncture group on improved JOA score was better than that of the control group and the combined effect size was RR=2.83, 95% CI (2.02, 3.63), Z=6.90, P<0.00001. The role of pure acupuncture group in improving the RMDQ score was better than that of the control group, and the combined effect size was RR = -2.80, 95% CI (-3.49, -2.11), Z=7.95, P<0.00001.

CONCLUSIONThe result of meta-analysis demonstrates that pure acupuncture may have a favorable effect on self-reported pain and functional limitations in LBP patients.

Objective To establish a method for isolation and cultivation of human invasive pituitary adenoma-derived fibroblast in vitro and explore their biological properties in order to investigate the role of the fibroblasts in the invasive growth of the pituitary adenoma.Methods The fibroblasts were isolated from hu- man invasive pituitary adenoma tissue by different rate of adhesion.Primary culture and passage culture were carried out,and growth characteristics of fibroblasts were observed under phase-contrast microscope in primary and passage culture.Immunohistochemical technique was used to identify the fibroblasts.The cell growth curve was measured by MTT method.The ultrastructure was observed under electronmicroscope.Results The cultured invasive pituitary adenoma-derived fibroblasts showed active proliferative ability.The cell bodies was bigger than other tissue fibroblasts,and the cell shape was irregular.The rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex and ribosome were profuse in the cytoplasm.The positive expression rate of collagen[and vi- mentin of the fibroblasts were above 95%.Conclusion The method of different rate of adhesion is success- fully utilized to culture human invasive pituitary adenoma-derived fibroblasts.These cells showed active prolif- erative ability,and maybe have an importent function in the invasive growth of the pituitary adenoma.

ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy and side effects of ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve blockades and rectal paracetamol after pediatric inguinal hernia repair.MethodsNinety children undergoing half inguinal hernia repair were randomly divided into 3 groups:nerve block group(n=30),paracetamol group(n=30) and control group(n=30).After basal anesthesia,ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve blockades was administed in nerve block group,paracetamol group received rectal paracetamol,control group had not any medication.Every child was oberserved 1,3,6,8 h postoperatively for pain score,overall satisfaction were evaluated by parents,furthermore,evaluation of distress for children such as nausea,vomiting and delayed femoral nerve palsy was made.ResultsPain scores were significantly lower in nerve block group and paracetamol group during the postoperative follow-up 1,3 and 6 h.Overall satisfaction in nerve block group and paracetamol group were significantly higher than control group.The incidence of delayed femoral nerve palsy in nerve block group was higher than paracetamol group(F=4.22P

Objective To investigate the clinical features,treatment response and prognosis in children with Takayasu′s arteritis(TA) in order to improve the understanding of TA.Methods A retrospective study of 10 children with TA was performed.All of them were admitted and diagnosed in Peking University First Hospital from Jan.1998 to Oct.2008.The clinical features,laboratory tests,imaging modalities,treatment response and prognosis were all collected and evaluated.Results There were 3 boys and 7 girls in the 10 patients with TA,and the ratio of male to female was 12.3.The onset was from 4 months to 9 years old,with average age at 5.5 years old.The average duration of diagnosis was 7.6 months.The incidences of hypertension,vascular bruits,albuminuria,convulsion were present in 100%,100%,70% and 40%,respectively.The clinical types included typeⅡ(60%),type Ⅲ(10%) and type Ⅳ(30%).The acute phase inflammatory indices of activity such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),C-reactive protein(CRP) and white blood cell(WBC) were not evidently increased.Tuberculosis infection was found in 6 out of 10 patients and anti-tuberculosis treatment was performed.Six patients were treated with steroids and 3 cases of them were also given immunosuppressives cyclophosphamide or methotrexate.Three of the 10 patients received anti-hypertensive and vasodilator.Two patients received percutaneous translurminal angioplasty and 1 patient received nephrectomy.One patient died of renal failure,heart failure and shock.Conclusions The patients with TA had high prevalence of tuberculosis infection,diagnosis as often late because of lack of specific clinical features at the acute inflammatory period.When organic ischaemia occurred,treatment response was usually unsatisfactory.Patients with multi-systemic and multi-viscera lesions should have comprehensive examination,especially for those with hypertension,pulseless and vascular bruits,in order to rule out TA.Early ultrasonography,computed tomography and magnetic resonnance image methods are valued in eariler diagnosis and they are the key factors to improve prognosis.