Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Coke ; Fatty Liver ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Risk Factors

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a newly recognized fibro-inflammatory condition of autoimmune etiology in recent twenty years, mainly manifesting as mass-forming lesions in single or multiple organs. In the past, it was often missed or misdiagnosed as inflammation or tumor. Patients may die from multiple organ failure due to end-stage fibrosis if they are not treated promptly. However, the number of clinically confirmed cases has gradually increased with the improvement of diagnostic level in recent years, and these patients have benefited greatly after receiving early treatment. Although patients generally respond well to traditional immunosuppressors including glucocorticoids and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, refractory and recurrent cases, even patients with glucocorticoid contraindication are common. Important mechanistic insights have been derived from studies of B-cell depletion therapy, but greater awareness of the pathophysiology of IgG4-RD is still badly needed to identify novel therapeutic targets. In this article, we reviewed the pathogenesis progress and promising therapy of IgG4-RD to seek better clinical management of IgG4-RD.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Bushen Zhuyun Decoction (BZD) on the reproductive capacity of mice.

METHODSTotally 60 female Kunming mice were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group. BZD was perfused by gastric tube to mice in the experimental group, twice daily. Meanwhile, mice in the control group were administered with normal saline by gastrogavage. Mice were sacrificed on the 10th day and the 20th day of medication respectively, 15 mice each time in each group. The serum levels of estradiol and progesterone were detected by radioimmunoassay. The morphological changes of uterus and ovary were observed using HE staining. The expressions of leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and calcitionin (CT) were determined using immunohistochemical assay.

RESULTSCompared with the control group at the same time point, the weights of uterus and ovary increased, the serum levels of estradiol and progestogen increased, the expressions of LIF, CT, and EGF increased in the experimental group on the 10th day and the 20th day of medication (P <0.05, P <0.01). Better results were shown on the 20th day of medication (P <0.05). Histological results showed increased ovarian follicle numbers, increased endometrial gland numbers, endometrial hyperplasia (stratiform arranged), and increased stromal cells in the experimental group, especially on the 20th day of medication.

CONCLUSIONBZD could improve the reproductive capacity by advancing the development of generative organs, promoting the secretion of estradiol and progestogen and the follicular growth, and increasing the receptivity of endometrium.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Endometrium ; metabolism ; Estradiol ; metabolism ; Female ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Organ Size ; Ovary ; drug effects ; Progesterone ; metabolism ; Uterus ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo evaluate in vivo the remineralization containing trace elements.

METHODSThe volunteers were selected by pre-designed criteria of adopting and eliminating. Caries-like lesions were prepared in the enamel of extracted human premolars with the use of demineralizing solution. Sections of the normal and lesion enamel (approximately 2 mm x 2 mm) were prepared, with the cut surfaces protected by nail varnish. 2 enamel specimens were mounted in a removable appliance. By measuring lesion parameters (area, total and average dye fluorescence) on a tooth with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), the effect of remineralization was assessed. Specimens were cut and stained with a fluorescent dye (0.1 mmol/L rhodamine B) for 1 h and analyzed using CLSM.

RESULTSCLSM detected significantly greater remineralization (P < 0.05) in the specimens treated with the trace elements fluoride-containing solution and only containing fluoride (P < 0.05), especially more obvious difference was shown upon remineralized solution with trace elements, which means it produced a greater remineralization. CLSM data of remineralized solution with trace elements were showed: delta Z vs. Area = -50.4 +/- 8.1; delta Z vs. TF = -27.8 +/- 3.8; delta Z vs. AF = -91.5 +/- 8.9.

CONCLUSIONSThe ability of remineralization of the new solution is better than that only containing fluoride in in vivo study. It can potentially prevent initiation of caries. This study provides not only the theoretical foundation for clinical application, but also shows a new kind of experimental method in the study of demineralization and remineralization.

Dental Caries ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Dental Enamel ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Fluorides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Tooth Remineralization ; methods ; Trace Elements ; pharmacology

BACKGROUND: Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent stem cells that can differentiate into all cell types and propagate themselves indefinitely in vitro, which have been used widely in biological research. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the culture methods of embryonic stem cells in vitro, as well as the significance, methods, clinical applications of embryonic stem cells as genetic disease models. METHODS: Relevant articles were searched in PubMed using the key words of "embryonic stem cell, genetic diseases" which appeared in the titles and abstracts. The latest articles were preferred. Totally 43 eligible articles were obtained for result analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In the genetics study, embryonic stem cells have been widely used to construct monogenic and chromosome disease models, which can make up the limitations of animal and cell models. Models constructed by embryonic stem cells are conducive to the investigations on pathological processes and molecular mechanisms of genetic diseases. But there are also some ethic disputes on the use of embryonic stem cells, which need further studies.

Retrospective review.

To determine the accuracy of thoracolumbar pedicle screw insertion with the routine use of three-dimensional (3D) intraoperative imaging and navigation over a large series of screws in an Asian population.

The use of 3D intraoperative imaging and navigation in spinal surgery is aimed at improving the accuracy of pedicle screw insertion. This study analyzed 2,240 pedicle screws inserted with the routine use of intraoperative navigation. It is one of very few studies done on an Asian population with a large series of screws.

Patients who had undergone thoracolumbar pedicle screws insertion using intraoperative imaging and navigation between 2009 and 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Computed tomography (CT) images acquired after the insertion of pedicle screws were analyzed for breach of the pedicle wall. The pedicle screw breaches were graded according to the Gertzbein classification. The breach rate and revision rate were subsequently calculated.

A total of 2,240 thoracolumbar pedicle screws inserted under the guidance of intraoperative navigation were analyzed, and the accuracy of the insertion was 97.41%. The overall breach rate was 2.59%, the major breach rate was 0.94%, and the intraoperative screw revision rate was 0.7%. There was no incidence of return to the operating theater for revision of screws.

The routine use of 3D navigation and intraoperative CT imaging resulted in consistently accurate pedicle screw placement. This improved the safety of spinal instrumentation and helped in avoiding revision surgery for malpositioned screws.

Retrospective review.

To determine the accuracy of thoracolumbar pedicle screw insertion with the routine use of three-dimensional (3D) intraoperative imaging and navigation over a large series of screws in an Asian population.

The use of 3D intraoperative imaging and navigation in spinal surgery is aimed at improving the accuracy of pedicle screw insertion. This study analyzed 2,240 pedicle screws inserted with the routine use of intraoperative navigation. It is one of very few studies done on an Asian population with a large series of screws.

Patients who had undergone thoracolumbar pedicle screws insertion using intraoperative imaging and navigation between 2009 and 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Computed tomography (CT) images acquired after the insertion of pedicle screws were analyzed for breach of the pedicle wall. The pedicle screw breaches were graded according to the Gertzbein classification. The breach rate and revision rate were subsequently calculated.

A total of 2,240 thoracolumbar pedicle screws inserted under the guidance of intraoperative navigation were analyzed, and the accuracy of the insertion was 97.41%. The overall breach rate was 2.59%, the major breach rate was 0.94%, and the intraoperative screw revision rate was 0.7%. There was no incidence of return to the operating theater for revision of screws.

The routine use of 3D navigation and intraoperative CT imaging resulted in consistently accurate pedicle screw placement. This improved the safety of spinal instrumentation and helped in avoiding revision surgery for malpositioned screws.

OBJECTIVETo compare the serological characters of an outbreak of hepatitis E and evaluate sensitivity and specificity of anti-HEV E2-IgM.

METHODSThe sera collected from the employees of an outbreak unit were detected for anti-HEV E2-IgM and IgG, and the serum samples from a neighboring department were used as control. The results detected with anti-HEV E2-IgM, IgG and Genelab anti-HEV IgM, IgG in some samples were compared.

RESULTSThe positive rate of anti-HEV E2-IgM in the control group was 0.11%. The results between the positive and the negative samples can be distinguished easily. The specificity of anti-HEV E2-IgM is about 99.89%. The positive rate of anti-HEV E2-IgM in outbreak stricken population was 8.66%, significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.001). The results from HEV patients' serial samples in the outbreak unit showed that the anti-HEV E2-IgM titer was high 30-60 days after the infected and then declined clearly. The positivity seemed unrelated to neither sex nor age. Among the 115 positive to anti-HEV E2-IgM, 27 were negative to Genelab anti-HEV IgG, the fact indicated a rather high risk of misdiagnosis of about 23.48%. In the 179 randomized samples of the control group, the positive rate of Genelabs anti-HEV IgG was about 11.17%. In 110 samples for the positive anti-HEV E2-IgM, the positive ratio of Genelabs anti-HEV IgG was about 76.36%, and that of Genelabs anti-HEV IgM only 69.09%. There were 16 samples negative for both Genelabs anti-HEV IgG and IgM. The ratio of the difference between the Genelabs anti-HEV IgG and IgM was about 25.45%.

CONCLUSIONThe specificity of anti-HEV E2-IgM was about 99%, and false positive rate was low. The sensitivity of anti-HEV E2-IgM in acute hepatitis E infection was 25%-30% higher than that of Genelabs anti-HEV IgM,IgG. The infected persons in the outbreak unit can be preferably distinguished from the non-infected persons by anti-HEV E2-IgM. Anti-HEV E2-IgM can image the characters of the outbreak of HEV and played a great role in the control of outbreak and in the early diagnosis for hepatitis E.

Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; China ; epidemiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Hepatitis E ; blood ; epidemiology ; virology ; Hepatitis E virus ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood

OBJECTIVEHereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is one of the most common hereditary colon cancer syndromes accounting for 1%-5% of all colorectal cancer cases. Germline mutations in at least five genes coding for DNA mismatch repair (MMR) proteins are associated with the clinical phenotype of HNPCC. More than 400 MMR mutations have been identified in HNPCC patients, and about 40% of mutations affect MSH2 gene including nucleotide substitutions, deletions, and insertions. Only a few mutations have been reported in Chinese families.

METHODSA Chinese family with HNPCC was collected and peripheral blood of individuals from the family was obtained. Mutation analysis was performed on genomic DNA.

RESULTSThe family fulfilled Amsterdam criteria I, and 17 people out of 31 were diagnosed as malignant tumor for 21 times. Twelve people (70.6%) had rectal cancer, and the onset age was young with an average of 42.9 years old. Right side colon cancer was common in the family. A novel duplication mutation of four nucleotides in exon 7 MSH2 (MSH2: c.1215_1218dupCCGA) was found, which result in a premature stop 10 codons downstream in MSH2 (p.L407fsX417) in the family. Site-specific PCR was applied to the pre-symptomatic diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONThis novel genomic mutation MSH2 was confirmed to be pathogenic, and polymerase chain reaction with modified primer was successfully applied to the pre-symptomatic diagnosis. These data expand the spectrum MSH2 mutations causing HNPCC.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; China ; Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis ; ethnology ; genetics ; DNA Mismatch Repair ; genetics ; Family Health ; Female ; Germ-Line Mutation ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; MutS Homolog 2 Protein ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

Silibinin, a natural flavonoid antioxidant isolated from extracts of the milk thistle herb, has recently been identified as having anti-hepatotoxic and anticancer properties. In this paper, we investigated the effects of silibinin on behavior and neuroplasticity in mice subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). After 5 consecutive weeks of CUMS, the mice were treated with silibinin (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg by oral gavage) for 3 consecutive weeks. The results showed that silibinin administration significantly alleviated the CUMS-induced depressive-like behavior, including the total number of squares crossed and the frequency of rearing in the open field test, the immobility time in the tail suspension test and the forced swimming test. Furthermore, silibinin treatment increased the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Our study provides new insight into the protective effects of silibinin on the depressive status of CUMS mice, specifically by improving neuroplasticity and neurotransmission.
Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Depression ; Hindlimb Suspension ; Hippocampus ; Mice* ; Milk Thistle ; Neuronal Plasticity ; Norepinephrine ; Physical Exertion ; Prefrontal Cortex ; Serotonin ; Synaptic Transmission