Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of Zhi Shen Tiao Sui (regulating the mind and marrow) needling in treating depression after ischemic stroke. Methods: A total of 145 patients with depression after ischemic stroke were recruited between January 2016 and January 2018 and divided into two groups using random number table method, with 72 cases in the control group and 73 cases in the observation group. The control group received conventional treatment for ischemic stroke and medication, while the observation group was given additional Zhi Shen Tiao Sui acupuncture. The two groups were treated for 4 successive weeks. Clinical efficacy was analyzed after treatment. The neurological function pertinent scores [Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), clinical neurological deficit score (CNDS), activities of daily living (ADL), Fugl-Meyer assessment scale (FMA) and Barthel index (BI) scores], as well as the levels of cortisol (CORT) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were recorded in the two groups. Adverse reactions that occurred during treatment were also observed. Results: The clinical total effective rate was 82.2％ in the observation group, significantly higher than 66.7％ in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the HAMD and CNDS scores were markedly reduced in both groups (all P<0.05), and the ADL, FMA and BI scores were markedly increased (all P<0.05). The HAMD and CNDS scores were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group after treatment (both P<0.05), and the ADL, FMA and BI scores were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group (all P<0.05). The levels of CORT and ACTH declined significantly after treatment in the two groups (all P<0.05), and were markedly lower in the observation group than in the control group (both P<0.05). The adverse reaction rate was 2.7％ in the observation group, versus 4.2％ in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically insignificant (P>0.05). Conclusion: Compared with sole use of Western medication, medication combined with Zhi Shen Tiao Sui acupuncture can promote the recovery of neurological function, down-regulate the levels of CORT and ACTH and enhance the clinical efficacy in treating patients with depression after ischemic stroke, with a relatively high safety rating.

AIMTo study the effects of FAK-ERK1/2 signaling pathway and FAK antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) on vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration and adhesion stimulated by fibronectin (FN).

METHODSMigration and adhesion of cultured SMCs were stimulated by different concentrations of FN, FAK, ERK1/2. And their phosphorylation were detected by immunoprecipitation and Western blot. FAK antisense ODNs were transfected into SMCs by cationic lipid to investigate its modulatory effects on tyrosine phosphorylation, SMCs migration and adhesion were also measured by modifing Boyden Chamber and morphological enumeration, respectively.

RESULTSFAK were expressed when SMCs adhesion and migration were successfully simulated by FN (5, 10, 20, 40, 60 micrograms.mL-1), high contents of FAK and ERK1/2 phosphorylation were detected by 20 micrograms.mL-1 FN or more. FAK antisense ODNs were transfected efficiently by cationic lipid. FAK and ERK1/2 phosphorylation were inhibited magnificently after FAK antisense ODNs transfection. Cell migration stimulated by FN 10, 20, 40 and 60 micrograms.mL-1 were reduced by 23.26%, 21.63%, 19.31% and 17.88% respectively (P < 0.05). SMCs adhesive spreading in 5-60 micrograms.mL-1 FN groups were reduced by 17.89%-27.67% (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONFAK-ERK1/2 mediated signal transduction play important roles in SMCs migration and adhesion stimulated by extracellular matrix. The process can be inhibited by FAK antisense ODNs effectively.

Animals ; Aorta ; cytology ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibronectins ; pharmacology ; Focal Adhesion Kinase 1 ; Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 ; biosynthesis ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; biosynthesis ; metabolism ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; drug effects ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; Transfection

Abstract:By using PVX derived vector pGR107, the effect of BYDV-MP nuclear localization signal on the movement of PVX was studied. BYDV-MP was cloned into pGR107 using GFP as an indicator. BYDV-MP was then shown to induce the systemic infection and exacerbate the symptom of PVX through infecting Nicotiana benthamiana. When the PVX gene encoding 25kD protein, which functioned as a systematic movemnet protein,was deleted and the above experiment was repeated, the result showed that BYDV-MP could compensate the systemic movement of PVX. A serial mutants with substitutions on the fifth, sixth and seventh amino acids of BYDV-MP nuclear localization signal was further constructed. It was found that the mutants at the fifth, sixth amino acids in BYDV-MP nuclear localization signal could only delay or weaken systemic movement of PVX whereas the mutant at seventh amino acid could entirely inhibit systemic movement of PVX.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; Luteovirus ; physiology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Nuclear Localization Signals ; chemistry ; physiology ; Plant Viral Movement Proteins ; physiology ; Potexvirus ; genetics ; physiology

The objectives of this study were to prepare polysaccharide modified compound liposomes loaded with paclitaxel (PTX) and doxorubicin (DOX) and characterize their phyisicochemical properties,stability and in vitro release profiles.Both PTX-DOX-Lipo and N-lauryl-O-glycol chitosan (LGC) modified liposomes (PTX-DOX-Lipo-LGC) were successfully prepared,and the morphology of the liposomes was observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM),and particle size and zeta potential were analyzed by dynamic light scattering (DLS).pH and osmotic pressure were also determined.The drug loading and encapsulation efficiency,stability and in vitro release were assayed using high-performance liquid phase.Both PTX-DOX-Lipo and PTX-DOX-Lipo-LGC exhibited spherical shape with smooth surface.The average diameter was about 150 nm.pH value and osmotic pressure were in the range of 5.3-6.1 and 820-870 mOsm/kg,respectively.Both PTX and DOX could be encapsulated in liposomes with high encapsulation efficiency (greater than 90％).Compared with PTX-DOX-Lipo,PTX-DOX-Lipo-LGC exhibited lower leakage,higher stability in serum and more sustained release profiles.Moreover,a quicker release rate was observed in pH 5.8 PBS compared with pH 7.4 PBS.PTX-DOX-Lipo-LGC with high drug loading,good stability and sustained drug release profiles has a wide prospect in future clinical application.

Objective To explore the relationship between immune and pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the investigation of neurofilaments phosphorylation and ultrastructure features in spinal cord ventral horn motor neuron injury mediated by immune.Methods Using transmission electron microscope,we studied the uhrastructure features of abnormal accumulations of neurofilaments (NF) in motoneuron of the spinal cord ventral horn,and immunohistochemically investigated neurofilaments phosphorylation.Results Electron microscope found that there was abnormal accumulation of interwoven NFs in motor neuronal perikarya and proximal axons.Immunohistochemical study revealed that the SMI-32 immunoreactive positive neurons (12.00?1.05),compared with control (18.00?1.83),were reduced (P

AIM:To elucidate the association between chronic kidney injury and interleukin-33 (IL-33;an alarmin)/suppression of tumorigencity 2 (ST2) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).METHODS:Serum levels of IL-33 and soluble ST2 (sST2) were assessed by ELISA in 50 SLE patients and 30 healthy controls (HC).RESULTS:The levels of IL-33 and sST2,and IL-33/sST2 ratio were significantly higher in SLE patients than those in the HC.The IL-33 and sST2 levels were positively associated with SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI),erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),proteinuria and triglyceride,but negatively associated with complement C3.IL-33/sST2 ratio was positively associated with SLEDAI and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).Independent explanatory variables associated with high IL-33/sST2 included chronic kidney disease (CKD) staging and albumin (R2 =0.442),especially CKD staging.CONCLUSION:Elevated serum sST2 and IL-33 levels in SLE patients are correlated with disease activity and risk factors of kidney injury.IL-33/sST2 ratio may serve as a potential biomarker for chronic kidney injury in SLE patients.

Castleman's disease is a slowly progressive and rare lymphoproliferative disorder. Here, we report a 55-year-old woman with superior mediastinal Castleman's disease being misdiagnosed for a long term. We found a 4.3 cm mass localized in the superior mediastinum accompanied with severe clinical symptoms. The patient underwent an exploratory laparotomy, but the mass failed to be totally excised. Pathologic examination revealed a mediastinal mass of Castleman's disease. After radiotherapy of 30 Gy by 15 fractions, the patient no longer presented previous symptoms. At 3 months after radiotherapy of 60 Gy by 30 fractions, Computed tomography of the chest showed significantly smaller mass, indicating partial remission. Upon a 10-month follow-up, the patient was alive and free of symptoms.
Antigens, CD20 ; metabolism ; Castleman Disease ; diagnosis ; immunology ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mediastinal Diseases ; diagnosis ; immunology ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Mediastinum ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Multimodal Imaging ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

This study was aimed to investigate the activation of P38MAPK/STAT3 and expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase during sodium nitroprusside (SNP) inducing apoptosis of human leukemia cell line K562 and to explore the molecular mechanisms of SNP-inducing apoptosis in K562 cells. The K562 cell were treated with different concentrations of SNP and were cultured for different time. Cell apoptosis was analysed by cell morphology, DNA agarose gel electrophoresis, DNA content, and Annexin-V/PI labeling method. The TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was used to quantitate the in situ cell apoptosis. The expressions of phosphorylated p38MAPK or STAT3 were analysed by flow cytometry, while the expression of hTERT mRNA in transcriptional level was measured by fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR. The results showed that SNP inhibited K562 cell growth. The K562 cell apoptosis was confirmed by typical cell morphology and DNA fragment, peak of sub-G1 phase, TUNEL and Annexin-V/PI labeling. A majority of K562 cells were arrested in G0/G1 phase. After treatment with SNP at 0.5-3.0 mmol/L, the expression of phosphorylated-P38MAPK and phosphorylated-STAT3 increased first and decreased afterwards. Incubation of K562 cell with SNP (2 mmol/L) could increase the expression of phosphorylated-P38MAPK and phosphorylated-STAT3 at 12 hours and 24 hours respectively, and down-regulated at 72 hours and 48 hours. SNP could decrease the expression of hTERT-mRNA in time-and dose-dependent manner. It is concluded that SNP can significantly induce K562 cells apoptosis, its mechanism may be related to the activation of P38MAPK and suppression of phosphorylated-STAT3 and hTRET-mRNA.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Nitroprusside ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Telomerase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the -308G/A, -857C/T and -1031T/C of tumor necrosis factor alpha gene (TNF- alpha), -174G/C and -572C/G of interleukin-6 gene (IL-6) polymorphisms and schizophrenia.

METHODSGenomic DNA was isolated from the venous blood leukocytes of 346 unrelated patients with schizophrenia and 323 healthy unrelated individuals (control group). All of the polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP). Genotype and allele frequencies were analyzed by SPSS13.0 software.

RESULTSThere were significant differences in both allele and genotype frequencies of -857C/T of TNF-alpha gene between the schizophrenia and control groups (P< 0.05). The allele T of -857C/T in schizophrenia group was significantly higher than that in control group (chi-square was 9.414, P=0.002, OR=1.511, 95%CI:1.160-1.969). In addition, there were significant differences in the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) total score and negative symptoms between the patients with different -857C/T genotypes, and the negative symptom score of TT genotype was significantly higher than that of CC genotype (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere is an association between -857C/T of TNF-alpha gene and schizophrenia, individuals with T allele of -857C/T are susceptible to schizophrenia, and there is an association between -857C/T and negative symptom score.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; Male ; Phenotype ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Schizophrenia ; genetics ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of reconstruction of lower eyelid ectropion with expanded flap.

METHODSFourty patients with lower eyelid ectropion were reconstructed using tissue expander. The volume of the smallest expander was 30 ml, and that of the biggest one was 150 ml. The expand time was from 2-months to 3-months, then advancement or transposition flaps were created and employed in the defected lesion where the scar was removed just in one operation.

RESULTSAll patients have been followed up for 2-year with satisfactory results and no recurrences was appearance.

CONCLUSIONSApplication of expander reasonable may get satisfactory result in reconstruction of lower eyelid ectropion. The incision in donor site is hidden and the symptom seldom recurs.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Blepharoplasty ; methods ; Child ; Ectropion ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Surgical Flaps ; Tissue Expansion Devices ; Young Adult