The cytokines have close relationship with the rejection and infection in organ transplantation.The cytokine gene polymorphism influences the secretion of cytokines.The relationship between the rejection and infection in organ transplantation and some cytokines gene polymorphism is reviewed in this article.

A new vest pocket medical instrument is here presented. It can automatically detect and identify the signals of the onset of epileptic seizures, and then as necessasy, will automatically generate an acoustic stimulation that may weaken and shorten the epileptic activity at the initial stage.
Electroencephalography ; instrumentation ; Epilepsy ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Equipment Design ; Humans ; Microcomputers ; Monitoring, Ambulatory ; instrumentation ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted

Objective: To study the relationship between dilated cardiomyopathy and nuclear lamina protein (LMNA) gene mutation in Kazak ethnics at Xinjiang area.
Methods: A Kazak familial dilated cardiomyopathy (FDCM) with 31 members was studied. In addition, 160 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM) with 160 healthy controls were enrolled in our study, and they were divided into 4 groups: IDCM-Kazak, IDCM-Han and Control-Kazak, Control-Han.n=80 in each group. Peripheral blood DNA were extracted, 12 exons with nearby introns of LMNA gene were detected by PCR and the ampliifed products were sequenced and compared with the standard template of CHROMAS and BLAST software to identify mutation sites. LMNA mutation in both Kazak and Han IDCM patients were investigated.
Results: A novel LMNA mutation (insC, CGG→CCG) at exon 7 was identiifed in a FDCM proband, it caused an amino acid substitution as Arg to Pro, and a known LMNA polymorphism loci rs4641 (c.1362C>T His454His) was fund at exon 10. In addition, LMNA polymorphism loci rs4641 genotype distribution (χ2=5.16,P=0.036) and allele frequency (χ2=4.50,P=0.034) were statistically different between IDCM-Kazak group and Control-Kazak group; while such differences were no statistic meaning between IDCM-Han group and Control-Han group. Logistic regression analysis indicated that LMNA polymorphism loci rs4641 was related to IDCM occurrence in Kazak ethnics (P=0.025, OR=0.412, 95% CI 0.189-0.896).
Conclusion: LMNA polymorphism loci rs4641 was related to IDCM in Kazak ethnics at Xinjiang area, which might be susceptible loci for IDCM occurrence.

Objective To investigate the possible mechanism of aggregation and activation of neu-trophils(polymorphonuclear neutrophils,PMN)in mice with chlamydial pneumonitis. Methods C57BL/ 6 mice were inoculated intranasally with 3×103 inclusion-forming units(IFU)of Chlamydia muridarum(Cm) to induce the murine model of chlamydial pneumonitis. Samples of lung tissues collected at different time points after infection were stained by hematoxylin and eosin for histopathological assessment of inflammation. The levels of myelo-peroxidase(MPO)were detected for the evaluation of PMN aggregation. The mononu-clear cells were isolated from lung tissues. The inflammatory cells were counted with Giemsaˊs staining. CD11b+Gr1+ cell population and CD11b expression in lung mononuclear cells were analyzed by flow cytome-try. The expression of chemokines(MIP-2,LIX,KC and MCP-1)in lung tissues at mRNA level was meas-ured by RT-PCR. Results Chlamydial pneumonitis was induced in mice by intranasal inoculation of 3×103 IFU of Cm. Compared with the mice from control group,large amounts of inflammatory cells including PMN, monocytes and lymphocytes were induced in lung tissues of mice with Cm infection. PMN responded earlier than monocytes to the infection. The levels of MPO were significantly increased in mice with Cm infection and reached the highest level on the 7th day after infection. A decline in MPO levels was observed on the 14th day but the levels were still higher than those on day 0. The percentages and total numbers of CD11b+Gr1+ cells were significantly increased after Cm infection. Moreover,an increased expression of PMN CD11b was also detected by flow cytometry. The expression of chemokines(MIP-2,LIX,KC and MCP-1)was in-creased in lung tissues of mice after Cm infection. The results of the study indicated that Cm infection in-duced the expression of PMN chemoattractants,resulting in the recruitment of PMN. Conclusion The infil-tration and activation of PMN in lung tissues of mice were induced by Cm infection through increasing the ex-pression of chemokines. PMN played an important role in immune responses against Cm infection.

Objective To investigate the regulation of IFN-γ to Th17 response in Chlamydia muridarum (Cm) lung infection in mice. Methods A murine model of pneumonia induced by intranasal inoculation of Cm was used for this study. Anti-mouse IFN-γ McAbs were used to neutralize endogenous IFN-γfollowing Cm lung infection. Control group received the same dose of isotype antibody (IgG2a). Mice were sacrificed at day 7 postinfection. Chlamydial growth in the lung was assessed by immunoenzyme technique.IL-17 and IL-23 mRNA expression in the lung was assayed by RT-PCR and the proliferation of IL-17 + CD4 +T cells in the spleen was assayed by intracellular cytokine staining. Results IFN-γ-neutralized mice exhibited serious disease course, include greater body weight loss, higher organism growth and much more severe pathological changes in the lung compared with control mice. The mRNA expression of IL-17 and IL-23 in the lung and the proliferation of IL-17 + CD4 + T cells in the spleen significantly decreased in the IL-17- neutralized mice. Conclusion IFN-γ was protective in Cm lung infection through up-regulating the antigen specific Th17 responses.

In the present study, a risperidone loaded microsphere/sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB) in situ forming complex depot was designed to reduce the burst release of SAIB in situ forming depot and to continuously release risperidone for a long-term period without lagime. The model drug risperidone (Ris) was first encapsulated into microspheres and then the Ris-microspheres were embedded into SAIB depot to reduce the amount of dissolved drug in the depot. The effects of different types of microsphere matrix, including chitosan and poly(lactide-coglycolide) (PLGA), matrix/Ris ratios in microspheres and morphology of microspheres on the drug release behavior of complex depot were investigated. In comparison with the Ris-loaded SAIB depot (Ris-SAIB), the complex depot containing chitosan microspheres (in which chitosan/Ris = 1 : 1, w/w) (Ris-Cm-SAIB) decreased the burst release from 12.16% to 5.80%. However, increased drug release rate after 4 days was observed in Ris-Cm-SAIB, which was caused by the high penetration of the medium to Ris-Cm-SAIB due to the hydrophilie of chitosan. By encapsulation of risperidone in PLGA microspheres, most drugs can be prevented from dissolving in the depot and meanwhile the hydrophobic PLGA can reduce the media penetration effect on the depot. The complex depot containing PLGA microspheres (in which PLGA/ drug=4 : 2, w/w) (Ris-Pm-SAIB) showed a significant effectiveness on reducing the burst release both in vitro and in vivo whereby only 0.64% drug was released on the first day in vitro and a low AUC0-4d value [(105.2± 24.4) ng.mL-1.d] was detected over the first 4 days in vivo. In addition, drug release from Ris-Pm-SAIB can be modified by varying the morphology of microspheres. The porous PLGA microspheres could be prepared by adding medium chain triglyceride (MCT) in the organic phase which served as pore agents during the preparation of PLGA microspheres. The complex depot containing porous PLGA microspheres (which were prepared by co-encapsulation of 20% MCT) (Ris-PPm-SAIB) exhibited a slightly increased AUC0-4d of (194.6±15.8) ng.mL-1d and high plasma concentration levels from 4 to 78 days [Cs(4-78d)=(7.8±1.2) ng.mL-1]. The plasma concentration on 78 day C78d was (9.0 2.5) ng.mL-1 which was higher than that of Ris-Pm-SAIB [C78d= (1.6 ± 0.6) ng.mL-1]. In comparison with Ris-Pm-SAIB, the AUC4-78d of Ris-PPm-SAIB increased from (379.0±114.3) ng.mL-1.d to (465.0 ±149.2) ng.mL-1.d, indicating sufficient drug release from the Ris-PPm-SAIB. These results demonstrate that the risperidone loaded porous PLGA microsphere/SAIB in situ forming complex depot could not only efficiently reduce the burst release of SAIB depot both in vitro and in vivo, but also release the drug sufficiently in vivo, and be capable to continuously release the drug for 78 days.
Chitosan ; Drug Carriers ; Lactic Acid ; Microspheres ; Polyglycolic Acid ; Risperidone ; chemistry ; Sucrose ; analogs & derivatives ; Technology, Pharmaceutical

OBJECTIVETo observe clinical therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture combined with medicine on acute gouty arthritis and effect on blood uric acid content.

METHODSOne hundred cases of acute gouty arthritis were randomly divided into 3 groups, an electroacupuncture group treated by acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40) and Ashi points, a Western medicine group by oral administration of indometacin and benzbromarone, and a combined electroacupuncture and medicine group by electroacupuncture combined with the Western medicine. The changes of their blood uric acid levels before and after treatment were detected and their therapeutic effects were compared.

RESULTSThere was a significant difference among the three groups in clinical therapeutic effect (P < 0.05), and the effective rate was respectively 97.5%, 90.0% and 86.7% in the combined electroacupuncture and medicine group, the electroacupuncture group and the Western medicine group, the combined electroacupuncture and medicine group being significantly higher than the electroacupuncture group and the Western medicine group; after treatment, the blood uric acid level in all the 3 groups had significant change (P < 0.05), the blood uric acid in the combined electroacupuncture and medicine group had more obvious decrease as compared with those in the electroacupuncture group or the Western medicine group.

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture combined with the Western medicine has a definite therapeutic effect on acute gouty arthritis.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Administration, Oral ; Arthritis, Gouty ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans

BACKGROUNDTenidap is a liposoluble non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is easily distributed in the central nervous system and also inhibits the production and activity of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and cytokines in vitro. This study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of tenidap in a pilocarpine rat model of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).

METHODSTenidap was administered daily at 10 mg/kg for 10 days following pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) in male Wistar rats after which prolonged generalized seizures resulted in TLE. After tenidap treatment, spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRSs) were recorded by video monitoring (for 7 hours per day for 14 days). The frequency and severity of the SRSs were observed. Histological and immunocytochemical analyses were used to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of tenidap and detect COX-2 expression, which may be associated with neuronal death.

RESULTSThere were 46.88 ± 10.70 survival neurons in tenidap-SE group, while there were 27.60 ± 5.18 survival neurons in saline-SE group at -2.4 mm field in the CA3 area. There were 37.75 ± 8.78 survival neurons in tenidap-SE group, while there were 33.40 ± 8.14 survival neurons in saline-SE group at -2.4 mm field in the CA1 area. Tenidap treatment significantly reduced neuronal damage in the CA3 area (P < 0.05) and slightly reduced damage in the CA1 area. Tenidap markedly inhibited COX-2 expression in the hippocampus, especially in the CA3 area.

CONCLUSIONTenidap conferred neuroprotection to the CA3 area in a pilocarpine-induced rat model of TLE by inhibiting COX-2 expression.

Animals ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Indoles ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Neuroprotective Agents ; therapeutic use ; Pilocarpine ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the features and causes of complications of unilateral pedicle screw fixation combined with contralateral percutaneous translaminar facet screw fixation and lumbar interbody fusion in treating lower lumbar diseases.

METHODSThe clinical data of 166 patients with lower lumbar diseases who underwent unilateral pedicle screw fixation combined with contralateral percutaneous translaminar facet screw fixation and lumbar interbody fusion with intervertebral cages from January 2008 to December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 64 males and 102 females, aged from 24 to 74 years with a mean of 51.9 years old, suffered from lower lumbar lesions for 47.5 months on average (ranged, 8 months to 30 years). Among these patients, lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration was found in 49 patients, recurred lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion in 17 patients, massive lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion in 23 patients, lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion accompany with spinal canal stenosis in 27 patients, lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis with degree I (Meyerding grade) in 21 patients, far lateral lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion in 5 patients. Single segmental diseases occurred in 124 patients and two segmental diseases in 42 patients. The diseases occurred at L(3,4) segment in 6 patients, at L(4,5) segment in 97 patients, at L5S1 segment in 21 patients, at L(2,3), and L(3,4) segments in 1 patient, at L(3,4) and L4,5) segments in 26 patients, and at L(4,5), and L5S1 segments in 15 patients.

RESULTSThere was no abnormal bleeding in the patients and no patient received blood transfusion. During the surgery, spinal dura mater injury with cerebrospinal fluid leakage complicated in 1 patient, a fracture of vertebral pedicle in 4 patients, and end plate injury in 2 patients. No postoperative cerebrospinal fluid, incision infection and skin necrosis were found after operation. Nerve root injury was found in 1 patient. According to the position of pedicles crew, 371 screws of 163 patients were in degree I and 3 screws of 3 patients were in degree II; position of translaminar facet screw, 199 screws of 157 patients were type I, 8 screws of 8 patients were type II, 1 screw of 1 patient was III. Translaminar facet screw was slightly short in 2 patients. Five patients were lost to follow-up, two patients were died. The remaining patients were followed up for 35.4 months on average (ranged, 12 to 60 months). During the follow-up period , end plate was cut off and intervertebral cages were embedded in 14 segments of 14 patients. Abnormal pain of both lower extremities was found in 1 patient. With the exception of 11 unidentified segments in 11 patients, 189 segments of 148 patients obtained intervertebral fusion. No loosening, displacement, breakage of pedicle screw or translaminar facet screw, displacement of intervertebral cages or obvious degeneration of adjacent segments were found. The coronal and sagittal planes balance of lumbar vertebra were obviously improved. Postoperative JOA score was significantly increased than that of preoperative.

CONCLUSIONUnilateral pedicle screw fixation combined with contralateral percutaneous translaminar facet screw fixation and lumbar interbody fusion with intervertebral cages is a good choice for the treatment of lower lumbar diseases, but it has a risk of complications. Abundant surgeon's surgical experience, careful operation, and rational use of imaging technique can effectively reduce the incidence of complications.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; surgery ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedicle Screws ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; Spondylolisthesis ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo create an integrated digital maxillodental model and to apply it in computer aided design (CAD) of individualized lingual brackets in order to align both crowns and roots without fenestration and dehiscence.

METHODSCone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT)-based maxillodental model and laser-scanned dental model were integrated by auto registration in 10 patients with malocclusions. The registration error was calculated automatically. Three observers tested the method independently. The inter-observer difference was investigated. An integrated model was selected randomly and the setup was created with roots and jaws in good relationship without fenestration and dehiscence. The individualized lingual brackets were designed by CAD on the setup.

RESULTSNo significant difference was found in inter observers (P > 0.05). The registration errors of maxilla and mandible were (0.144 ± 0.020) mm and (0.141 ± 0.022) mm, respectively. The digital individualized lingual brackets based on the virtual treatment in integrated digital maxillodental model were produced.

CONCLUSIONSAn integrated digital maxillodental model was created in good accuracy. By applying the integrated model, individualized lingual brackets were designed.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Computer-Aided Design ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Dental Models ; Dentition ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Malocclusion ; therapy ; Mandible ; diagnostic imaging ; Maxilla ; diagnostic imaging ; Orthodontic Brackets ; Young Adult