Objective To study the pathological characteristics of skeletal muscle in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica(PMR).Methods Thirteen patients were diagnosed PMR according to the diagnostic criteria described by Bird in 1979.The onset of disease was between 49-78 years of age (median 60.3 years).All of them showed continuous symmetric myalgia with markedly elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR).Five patients had mild fever and 8 patients had elevated C-reactive protein(CRP).Electromyogram(EMG)showed myogenic pattern in 2 patients.Only 1 patient showed anemia and 2 patients had mild elevated creatinine phosphokinase.None of them showed evidence of temporal arteritis.Biceps brachii muscle biopsies were performed in all patients before corticosteroid therapy.Results The typeⅡmuscle fiber atrophy was observed in all patients.Moth-eaten changes appeared in 8 cases,increased intramuscular lipid drops in 8 cases and ragged red fibers(RRF)in 3 cases of them.After steroid therapy,all patients showed improvement of myalgia and normal ESR as well as CRP.Conclusions The main symptoms of the patients are myalgia and abnormal ESR.Some patients have high level of CRP and abnormal EMG.Anemia and temporal arteritis are less frequent.The main myopathological changes were typeⅡmuscle fiber atrophy.Some patients have moth-eaten changes.More lipid drops and RRF indicate abnormal metabolism of skeletal muscle.

Objective To investigate the development,prevention and treatment of primary or secondary acute adrenal hypofunction with hyponatremia. Methods Forty-eight cases of acute adrenal hypofunction with hyponatremia from 1970 to 2006 were collected and divided into groups of hydrocephalus(n=23) and non-hydrocephalus(n=25).The causes,inducing factors,clinical manifestations,laboratory indexes,treatment and outcomes of the two groups were retrospectively analysed.In addition,another 48 patients with chronic adrenal hypofunction and 48 normal controls were included in the study. Results Infection constituted the most common inducing factor for the 48 cases of acute adrenal hypofunction with hyponatremia.Both natremia and urine cortisone were significantly lower in hydrocephalus and non-hydrocephalus patients than those in chronic adrenal hypofunction and controls(P

OBJECTIVETo study therapeutic effects of patella and femur fixation combined with percutaneous suture in the treatment of patellar fractures.

METHODSIn the study,23 patients with patellar fractures were treated with percutaneous Kirschner-pin transfixation and percutaneous suture after Kirschner pins transfixation of superior pole of patellar and condyle of femur. Among the patients, 17 patients were male and 6 patients were female, ranging in age from 18 to 73 years (mean 32.4 years). The therapeutic effects were evaluated according to Bistman criterion for patellar fracture.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up and ranged from 6 to 38 months (mean 11 months). All the fractures were anatomically reduction or near-anatomical reduction. According to Böstman criterion for patellar fracture, 20 were excellent and 3 good.

CONCLUSIONThe method of patella and femur fixation combined with suture for patellar fractures has such advantages as smaller invasion, less complication or sequel, fine reduction of fracture, good restoration of joint function and none operative cicatrix.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Patella ; injuries ; surgery ; Suture Techniques ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To explore the biological exposure limit of liver dysfunction induced by arsenic-coal burning, and screen sensitive biornarkers for its' liver dysfunction monitoring. Methods One hundred and eighteen subjects from the exposed area and 50 control from non-pollution area were studied. Their urinary and hair contents of arsenic were tested as exposure biomarkers by Ag-DDC assay. Total bile acid(TBA, detected by enzymatic cycling method), glutathione S-transferase (GSTs, detected by chemical colorimetry) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT, detected by colorimetry of diazotization reagent) were used as biomarkers indicating liver cell damage. were used as liver fibrosis biomarkers. The benchmark dose (BMD) and the lower confidence limit of benchmark dose(BMDL) of urinary and hair arsenic were calculated. Sensitivity of each biomarker was estimated according to the BMD and BMDL value. Results The geometric mean of urinary and hair arsenic(98.50 mg/kg Cr, 7.42 mg/kg) μg/L) in the exposed group were significantly higher than urinary and hair arsenic (22.98 mg/kg Cr, 1.28 mg/kg) and each biomarker in the control group(4.63 μmol/L, 13.76 U/L,36.45 U/L,54.62 μg/L,74.45 μg/L,54.81 μg/L, P<0.01). Significant dose-effect relationship existed between urinary and hair arsenic contents and each biomarker. BMD and BMDL value of urinary arsenic was 49.53-101.96 mg/kg Cr and 39.02-70.15 mg/kg Cr, respectively. Those of hair arsenic were 3.04-5.02 mg/kg and 2.36-3.25 mg/kg, respectively. According to BMD and BMDL value of urinary and hair arsenic, the sensitivity of biomarkers decreased in the order of GSTs, TBA and Conclusions According to the lowest BMD and BMDL of urinary and hair arsenic, averaged reference value of urinary and hair arsenic in the local normal population, we suggest urinary 35.0 mg/kg Cr and hair 2.5 mg/kg as their biological exposure limits for those with liver dysfunction induced by arsenic-coal burning. GSTs, TBA, γ-GT and HA, Ⅳ. C, PC-Ⅲ can respectively reflect liver cell damage and liver fibrosis caused by arsenic-coal burning in different degrees, among which, GSTs and HA are the most sensitive biomarkers respectively for liver cell damage and liver fibrosis.

Adult ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; etiology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; complications ; Ligation ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged

We reported an unusual case of disseminated cryptococcal lymphadenitis in an immunocompetent host who presented with fever and lymphadenopathy, which were the only two symptoms and signs. Latex agglutination test of serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were negative, while lymph node biopsy showed Cryptococcus neoformans. A diagnosis of disseminated cryptococcal lymphadenitis was made. Then the patient was treated with amphotericin B for 15 days as initial therapy and itraconazole for 6 months as maintenance therapy respectively. The patient received re-examination per 6 months and was followed up for 2 years. Swollen lymph nodes diminished gradually, and no fever or other symptoms were found. Latex agglutination test of serum and CSF were negative throughout the follow-up period, and anti-HIV, syphilis and tuberculosis antibody were all negative.
Adolescent ; Cryptococcus neoformans ; immunology ; pathogenicity ; Humans ; Latex Fixation Tests ; Lymphadenitis ; diagnosis ; immunology ; microbiology ; Male

OBJECTIVETo investigate the alkaloids from the stem of Artabotrys hainanensis.

METHODCompounds in plant extracts were separated by silica gel and sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Chemical structures were elucidated by chemical and spectral analyses including UV, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, ESIMS and ESI-MS-MS.

RESULTEight alkaloids were isolated and identified as spinosine (1), 3-hydroxynornuciferine (2), juzirine (3), artabotrine (4), liridine (5), assimilobine (6), isococlaurine (7), N-demethylarmepavine (8).

CONCLUSIONAll alkaloids were isolated from this plant for the first time and compounds 1, 3, 7 and 8 were isolated from genus Artabotrys for the first time.

Alkaloids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Annonaceae ; chemistry ; Berberine Alkaloids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Isoquinolines ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo explore the regulatory mechanism of Xiaoyin Recipe () on the T helper 1/T helper 2 (Th1/Th2) immune balance.

METHODSThirty-six experimental animals were divided into three groups, 12 rats in each group: blank control group (B group), negative control group (N group), and Xiaoyin Recipe treatment group (T group). The latter two groups received immunization of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT), and T group were treated with Xiaoyin Recipe for a month. Then, the expression of Th1-Th2-related genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were screened with Oligo GEArray Rat Th1-Th2-Th3 Microarray. The expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), T-box expressed in T-cells (T-bet), and GATA-binding protein-3 (GATA-3) were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSGene array screening showed that compared to N group, in T group after Xiaoyin Recipe treatment, 3 genes were upregulated in EAT rats, including interleukin-27 receptor alpha (IL-27rα), glomulin (Glmn), and GATA-3, while 38 genes were downregulated, such as CD28, IL-18, signal transducer, and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), T-bet, TNF receptor superfamily member 4 (TNFRSF4), TNF ligand superfamily member 5 (TNFSF5), and TNF receptor superfamily member 5 (TNFRSF5). While RT-PCR showed that there was an increased level of TNF-α mRNA (P<0.01), an elevated ratio of T-bet/GATA-3, and a decreased level of IL-10 mRNA in PBMC of N and T group compared to B group (P <0.01); and after treatment with Xiaoyin Recipe, IL-10 mRNA level increased (P <0.01), while TNF-α mRNA level and T-bet/GATA-3 ratio decreased in T group compared to N group (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONXiaoyin Recipe for psoriasis could induce a Th1/Th2 balance drift toward Th2 in PBMC of EAT rats and thus improve the conditions.

Animals ; Autoantibodies ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; GATA3 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Interleukin-10 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Psoriasis ; blood ; drug therapy ; immunology ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; T-Box Domain Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Th1-Th2 Balance ; drug effects ; Th2 Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; Thyroiditis, Autoimmune ; blood ; drug therapy ; immunology ; pathology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the effect of ZnO nanoparticles on the expressions of plasma membrane calcium ATPasel (PMCA1) of human lens epithelial cell B-3 (HLEB-3) at both mRNA and protein levels in the presence and absence of ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation.Methods HLEB-3 was cultured in RPMI 1640 medium,and the cytotoxic effect of different concentrations of ZnO (0 μg · mL-1,2.5 μg · mL-1,5.0μg · mL-1,10.0 μg · mL-1) on HLEB-3 was investigated in the presence and absence of UVB irradiation.DAPI staining was used to monitor the effect of ZnO on HLECB-3 nuclei,and cell apoptosis was evaluated using annexin V-FITC/PI staining in the presence and absence of UVB irradiation.In addition,the intracellular calcium ion (Ca2 +)levels were assayed using Fluo-3/AM staining,and the expression levels of both PMCA1 mRNA and protein within HLEB-3 were detected by real-time PCR and Western blot,respectively.Results DAPI staining showed that the ZnO-treated HLEB-3 displayed a concentration-dependent apoptosis,and UVB irradiation could further aggravate the cytotoxic effect of ZnO on HLEB-3.In addition,in the presence of UVB irradiation,concentration gradient of ZnO (2.5 μg · mL-1,5.0 μg · mL-1,10.0 μg · mL-1) increased the intracellular calcium ion levels [from (156.34 ±4.59) nmol · L-1 to (173.88 ±7.17)umol · L-1,(289.02 ± 9.09) nmol · L-1,(488.36 ± 48.16) nmol · L 1,respectively] and upregulated HLEB-3 apoptosis,with statistical difference (all P ＜ 0.05).Moreover,the expression level of PMCA1 in the 2.5 μg · mL-1,5.0 μg · mL-1,10.0 μg · mL-1 ZnO-treated epithelial cells was accordingly 0.75,0.57 and 0.41 as much as that in the 0μg · mL-1 ZnO-treated cells in the absence of UVB irradiation (all P ＜ 0.05),and was accordingly 0.64,0.24 and 0.09 in the present of UVB irradiation,with significant difference (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Both ZnO nanoparticle and UVB irradiation can exert cosuppression effect on HLEB-3 via calcium-mediated signaling pathway,indicating it has great potential for the treatment of posterior capsular opacification with UVB irradiation.

Objective To explore the correlation of liver depression grading with estrogen receptor alpha and beta(ERα,ERβ)and G protein-couple receptor 30(GPR30)of the perimenopausal women suffering from non-organic insomnia. Methods A total of 127 perimenopausal women suffering from non-organic insomnia were enrolled into the study. The data collected by four diagnostic methods and the scores of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)were used for the scoring and grading of liver depression according to Syndrome Element Differentiation. The mRNA and protein expression levels of ERα,ERβand GPR30 in the mononuclear cells of peripheral blood from the patients were detected with real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot (WB)method respectively. Results (1)The differences of mRNA levels of ERα,ERβ and GPR30 were insignificant among the patients with different degrees of liver depression (P > 0.05). ERα mRNA/ERβ mRNA ratio was decreased with the increase of liver depression grading,the differences being significant (F = 6.710, P < 0.001). (2) The differences of protein levels of ERα, ERβ and GPR30 were insignificant among the patients with different degrees of liver depression (P > 0.05);ERα/ERβ protein gray value ratio was decreased with the increase of liver depression grading, and the differences were significant (P < 0.05) . Conclusion The decline of ERα/ERβ is probably contributed to the pathological basis of liver depression in perimenopausal non-organic insomnia women.