Objective To investigate the relationship between interleukin (IL)-34 and bone erosions in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients.Methods Forty PsA patients,20 psoriasis (Ps) patients and 20 healthy volunteers were recruited into this study.The levels of IL-34 and osteoclast related cytokines [including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α,receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL),osteoclast precursors (OPG)] were detected in the serum samples of all subjects.The correlations among IL-34,the number of osteoclast precursors (OCP),disease activity and imaging scores were analyzed.All data were analyzed by graphpad prism 6.Differences between groups was analyzed with One-way analysis of variance,q tests,and Spearman's correlation was used to explore the relation between disease activity/radiographic scores and laboratory results and followed by linear regressions.Results The serum level of IL-34 in patients with PsA [(328±476) pg/ml] was higher than that in Ps [(33±52) pg/ml,q =3.92,P＜0.01] and healthy controls [(32±32) pg/ml,q =3.93,P＜0.01],the erosive PsA group were higher than the non-erosive PsA group [(449±527) pg/ml and (47±24) pg/ml,q=4.04,P＜0.01].The levels of TNF-α,RANKL and OCP in patients with PsA [(125±79) pg/ml,(488± 475) pg/ml and (17.7±4.8) 5 sigh views] were higher than those in PS [(40±22) pg/ml,(26±3) pg/ml and (5.2± 0.8),q=7.32,6.14 and 2.94,P＜0.01] and healthy controls [(41±19) pg/ml,(65±8) pg/ml and (6.2±1.8),q=6.67,5.62 and 2.71,P＜0.01],whereas the OPG/RANKL ratio in PsA patients (0.5±0.4) was significantly lower than Ps patients (4.3±2.7,q=-3.30,P＜0.01) and healthy controls (1.8±0.6,q=-1.72,P＜0.01).IL-34,TNF-α and RANKL levels were all positively correlated with OCP (r=0.10,P＜0.05;r=0.12,P＜0.05;r=0.13,P＜0.(5,respectively).Conclusion The level of IL-34 is not only high in patients with PsA but also positively correlates with the number of OCP.In PsA,IL-34 is probably related to the OCP and osteoclast differentiation,and further participates in the process of bone destruction.Therefore,IL-34 is promising to become a new target or alternative choice for the treatment of PsA.

Objective To refine the technique and improve the efficacy of seminal vesiculoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of seminal vesicle disease.Methods The refined techniques of seminal vesculoscopy,using a patent catheter into the slit-like ejaculatory duct orifice through the verumontanum and another patent catheter introduced into seminal vesicle lumen,were performed in 58 cases,including intractable hematospermia in 42 cases and azoospermia in 16 cases.Results Seminal vesiculoscopy was successfully entered into the seminal vesicular lumen in 46 patients (79％) within 2-3 min.There was no obvious ejaculatory duct orifice in 12 of 16 azoopermia cases,and transurethral resection of verumontanum was performed,then seminal vesiculoscope was directly entered into seminal vesicle lumen.Symptoms of hematospermia were disappeared in 25 cases (60％),improved in 11 cases (26％),and azoospermia were cured in 6 cases (37％),improved in 5 (31％),unchanged in 5 (31％) during the follow-up period of 6-36 months (average 18 months).There were no major or minor complications in this series,and no urine reflux into ejaculatory duct in 19 cases demonstrated by contrast medium.Conclusion Refined seminal vesiculoscopy was technically safe,efficient,simple,and potentially widely used in the cases of hematospermia and ejaculatory duct obstructions.

Aim To investigate the antinociception, tolerance and withdrawal abstinence of δ/μ/κ opioid receptor triple agonist KUST201 ( DPI-125 ) in rats. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used to de-termine the time course of analgesic effects and ED50 effects of co-administration of naltrindole were assessed as well. In withdrawal experiments, KUST201 was ad-ministrated twice daily for 3 d with increasing doses each day. On the 4th day, the rats were given a single dose, challenged with naloxone 3 h later, and signs of abstinence were monitored. Results The ED50 values of KUST201 were 0. 34 mg·kg-1 in tail-pinch test and 0. 68 mg · kg-1 in hot-plate test. The antinociception actions of KUST201 started to decrease 1 h after ad-ministration, and disappeared after 2 h. In chronic tol-erance experiments, the antinociception actions started to decrease on d 3 , and completely disappeared on d 7 . Naltrindole could reduce the antinociceptive action of KUST201. In withdrawal experiments, abstinence scores increased significantly in the dose range between 2~8 times of tail-pinch ED50 . Conclusion Compared with previously reported δ/μ/κ triple agonist DPI-3290 , KUST201 exhibits similar antinociceptive effects in rats. The chronic tolerance to KUST201 actions de-velops less quickly, but the abstinence scores of KUST201 are slightly higher. The activation of δ-opi-oid receptor can synergistically enhance the antinoci-ception mediated by μ-receptor.

Objective To explore the effects of sodium arsenie on Metallothionein(MT) isoforms genes expression,and to study the relevance between the MT expression and cell survival percentage. Methods Healthy persons blood was extracted aseptically and the lymphocytes were separated. The lymphocytes were treated by 0 (control) ,2,5,10,15,30,60 μmol/L sodium arsenites, respectively. The cell survival percentage was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) reduction assay at 24,48,72 h intervals, while the expression of MT-1 and MT-2 were examined by RT-PCR in 72 h. Results The cell survival percentage in 2,5μmoL/L groups were (115.50± 11.80)% and (130.49±8.28)%,which were all higher than those in the control group [(100.00±0.00)%,all P < 0.05]at any intervals. In 10,15,30,60 μmol/L groups,the cell survival percentage[(78.12±9.33)%,(71.62± 10.82)%,(52.06±3.05)%,(40.98±5.41)%]increased along with the decrease of concentration,which showed a significant difference between these groups and the control group and 2,5μmol/L groups(all P < 0.05). There was no significant difference on MT-1 expression after exposed to different concentration sodium arsenites (0,2,5,10,15,30,60 μmol/L) for72 h(0.925±0.123,1.082±0.504,1.103±0.170,0.927±0.056,0.730±0.307,0.604± 0.173,0.540±0.075,all P > 0.05). The expression of MT-2 in 2,5μmol/L groups(1.503±0.212,1.557±0.377) was up regulated compared with that in control group(0.702±0.112) and MT-2 also expressed more than that in other groups(all P < 0.05). However,the expression of MT-2 declined when the concentraion was 10,15,30,60 μmol/L(0.814±0.139,0.679±0.201,0.607±0.229,0.533±0.102). There was no significant difference among the groups (all P > 0.05). The expression level oE MT-1,MT-2 was positively correlated with the cell survival pereentage(r = 0.955,0.909,all P < 0.05). Conclusions The sodium arsenite at concentration of 10 μmoL/L might inhibit the expression of MT of lymphocytes and low concentration sodium arsenite (2,5 μmol/L) might stimulate the lymphocytes to regulate the expression of MT-2 to higher levels,which can increase the cell survival percentage and exert the function of protecting cells.

OBJECTIVETo determine whether the ingestion of a herbal supplement called Rhodiola-Gingko Capsule (RGC) would enhance the endurance performance of healthy volunteers and change relevant hormones in a favorable manner.

METHODSSeventy healthy male volunteers (age ranges from 18 to 22 years old) were randomly assigned to RGC group (35 cases, each capsule containing 270 mg herbal extracts, 4 capsules per day) or placebo group (35 cases, equivalent placebo preparation) for 7 weeks using computer produced digital random method. The endurance performance, serum testosterone and cortisol levels were measured at the baseline and the endpoint.

RESULTSSixty-seven subjects (34 in the RGC group and 33 in the placebo group) completed a 7-week treatment. The RGC group displayed a significantly greater baseline-to endpoint increase in maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2max)) than placebo group in both absolute (P=0.020) and relative values (P=0.023). At the endpoint, the serum cortisol level was unchanged in the RGC group compared with the baseline, but it was significantly elevated in the placebo group (P<0.05). The endpoint ratio of testosterone to cortisol, a surrogate for overtraining and fatigue in endurance exercises, was also indifferent compared with the baseline in the RGC group, but significantly decreased in the placebo group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe combined herbal supplement of Rhodiola and Gingko could improve the endurance performance by increasing oxygen consumption and protecting against fatigue.

Adolescent ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Fatigue ; drug therapy ; Ginkgo biloba ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; blood ; Integrative Medicine ; Male ; Oxygen Consumption ; drug effects ; Physical Endurance ; drug effects ; Placebos ; Rhodiola ; Testosterone ; blood ; Young Adult

AIMTo investigate the transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) expressions in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and the effect of beta-radiation.

METHODSTGF-beta1 and bFGF expression was studied by means of an immunohistochemical method in nine normal prostatic (NP) tissues, 15 hyperplastic prostatic tissues and 35 hyperplastic prostatic tissues treated with 90Sr/90Y.

RESULTSThe TGF-beta1 expression in the epithelium and stroma of normal prostatic tissues was 68.2 % +/- 10.5 % and 29.7 % +/- 4.6 %, respectively, while it was 64.8 % +/- 9.3 % and 28.6 % +/- 4.1 %, respectively, in hyperplastic prostatic tissues. Compared with the controls, TGF-beta1 expression in the epithelia and stroma of BPH treated with 90Sr/90Y increased significantly (P <0.01). The bFGF expression in epithelia and stroma of normal prostatic tissues was 17.4 % +/- 3.7 % and 42.5 % +/- 6.8 %, respectively, and was 46.3 % +/- 8.2 % and 73.2 % +/- 12.1 %, respectively, in hyperplastic prostatic tissues. Compared with the controls, expressions of bFGF in the epithelia and stroma of BPH treated with a 90Sr/90Y prostatic hyperplasia applicator decreased significantly (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONExposure of beta-rays had noticeable effects on BPH tissues, enhancing TGF-beta1 expression and inhibiting bFGF expression.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Beta Particles ; Case-Control Studies ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostate ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; metabolism ; radiotherapy ; Strontium Radioisotopes ; therapeutic use ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; Yttrium Radioisotopes ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical therapeutic effect of combination of Source Point and Back-Shu Point on perimenopausal syndrome, and provide a new thought of therapy for perimenopausal syndrome.

METHODSEighty cases of perimenopausal syndrome were randomly divided into a combination of Source Point and Back-Shu Point group and a routine acupuncture group, 40 cases in each group. The combination of Source Point and Back-Shu Point group was treated with acupuncture at Taixi (KI 3), Taichong (LR 3), Taibai (SP 3), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Shenshu (BL 23), Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL 20), Guanyuan (CV 4); and the routine acupuncture group was treated with acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Guanyuan (CV 4), Shenshu (BL 23), Taixi (KI 3), San-yinjiao (SP 6). The Kupperman score and the changes of serum estradiol (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were observed before and after treatment in the two groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate of 92.5% in the combination of Source Point and Back-Shu Point group was superior to 80.0% in the routine acupuncture group, with a significant difference (P < 0. 05); the Kupperman score of 24. 85 +/- 8.35 in the combination of Source Point and Back-Shu Point group was significantly decreased as compared with 35.38 +/- 9.83 in the routine acupuncture group (P < 0.05) after treatment; the contents of E2, FSH and LH in the combination of Source Point and Back-Shu Point group were significantly improved after treatment, and with a significant difference compared to the routine acupuncture group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCombination of Source Point and Back-Shu Point has a benign regulation function for E2, FSH and LH, and can significantly improve the Kupperman score, is superior to routine acupuncture for perimenopausal syndrome.

Acupuncture ; methods ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Perimenopause ; blood ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDPrevention is presently the only available method to limit radiation-induced lung morbidity. A good predictor is the key point of prevention. This study aimed to investigate if [(18)F]2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) uptake changes in the lung after radiotherapy could be used as a new predictor for acute radiation pneumonitis (RP).

METHODSForty-one patients with lung cancer underwent FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) imaging before and after radiotherapy. The mean standardized uptake value (SUV) was measured for the isodose regions of 0 - 9 Gy, 10 - 19 Gy, 20 - 29 Gy, 30 - 39 Gy, 40 - 49 Gy. The mean SUV of these regions after radiotherapy was compared with baseline. The mean SUV in patients who developed RP was also compared with that in those who did not. The statistical difference was determined by matched pair t test. The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) criteria were used for diagnosis and grading of RP.

RESULTSWith a median follow-up of 12 months, 11 (26.8%) of the 41 patients developed grade 2 and above acute RP. The mean SUV of regions (10 - 19 Gy, 20 - 29 Gy, 30 - 39 Gy, 40 - 49 Gy) increased after radiation therapy in all 41 patients. The mean SUVs after radiation therapy were 0.54, 0.68, 1.31, 1.74 and 2.27 for 0 - 9 Gy, 10 - 19 Gy, 20 - 29 Gy, 30 - 39 Gy and 40 - 49 Gy, respectively. Before the radiation therapy, the mean SUV in each region was 0.53, 0.52, 0.52, 0.53 and 0.54, respectively. These patients had significantly higher FDG activities in regions receiving 10 Gy or more (P < 0.001). Compared with their counterparts, the elevation of SUV was significantly greater in those patients who developed acute RP subsequently.

CONCLUSIONThe mean SUV of the lung tissue may be a useful predictor for the acute RP. FDG-PET/CT may play a new role in the study of the radiation damage of the lung.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; methods ; Radiation Pneumonitis ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo observe therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with rehabilitation therapy on poststroke shoulder-hand syndrome.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty cases of poststroke shoulder-hand syndrome were randomly divided into an acupuncture-rehabilitation group, an acupuncture group and a rehabilitation group, 40 cases in each group. The acupuncture-rehabilitation group were treated with acupuncture at Jianyu (LI 15), Jianqian, Jianliao (TE 14), etc. in combination with motor therapy (rehabilitation training), the acupuncture group with simple acupuncture therapy, and the rehabilitation group with simple motor therapy. Upper extremity motor function, pain, joint activity were used for assessment of therapeutic effects.

RESULTSThe total effective rate of 87.5% in the acupuncture-rehabilitation group was significantly better than 67.5% in the acupuncture group and 65.0% in the rehabilitation group (P<0.01); acupuncture combined with rehabilitation therapy could significantly improve upper limb motor function, pain and joint activity with very significant differences as compared with the acupuncture group and the rehabilitation group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture combined with rehabilitation therapy has a high cured rate and an obvious therapeutic effect on poststroke shoulder-hand syndrome.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy ; therapy ; Stroke Rehabilitation

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) supplemented with arginine on cellular immune function of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after radical tumor resection.

METHODSFifty-six HCC patients undergoing radical surgery received fat-free TPN support, routine TPN or TPN with arginine supplementation, and their clinical data were analyzed prospectively. The percentages of T lymphocyte subpopulation and national killer (NK) cells in peripheral blood are determined, and the levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were measured.

RESULTSNo marked changes were noted in peripheral blood CD4+, CD8+ T cells and NK cells, or in IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-gamma levels after fat-free TPN and routine TPN support. TPN supplemented with arginine resulted in significant increase in CD4+ T cells, NK cells and CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio in the peripheral blood, as well as in IL-2 and IFN-gamma levels. Peripheral blood IL-4 level was decreased significantly.

CONCLUSIONTPN with arginine supplementation can augment the percentages of CD4+ T lymphocytes and NK cells, and increase IL-2 and IFN-gamma levels, suggesting that arginine can enhance cell-mediated immunity in postoperative patients with HCC.

Adult ; Aged ; Arginine ; pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; immunology ; metabolism ; surgery ; therapy ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Dietary Supplements ; Female ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; drug effects ; Liver Neoplasms ; immunology ; metabolism ; surgery ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parenteral Nutrition ; methods ; Postoperative Period ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; drug effects ; immunology