Microcirculation includes arteriole, capillary and venule, which occupies more than 90% of whole vessels. It provides molecular exchange between inside and outside of the vessels. In the microcirculatory disturbance, there are change of vascular diameter, decrease in blood flow, oxidative stress, increase in vascular permeability, degranulation of mast cells, and so on. Microcirculatory disturbance is related with not only cardiovascular and cerebral vascular diseases, but also vascular diseases in diabetes mellitus, and liver and renal dysfunction. Traditional Chinese medicine has treated the microcirculatory disturbance by herbal medicines and acupuncture. However, little is known about mechanisms of effects of herbal medicines and acupuncture on the microcirculatory disturbance. The technique of intravital microscopy allows for quantitative investigation of vascular permeability, oxidative stress, and adhesive interaction between different circulation cells and the blood vessel walls.
In Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University, we have investigated the effects of herbal medicines and acupuncture on microcirculatory disturbance through observation of changes in vascular permeability using FITC-labeled albumin, and oxidative stress using DHR fluorescence. In this literature, I show our data and explain the mechanisms of protective effects of herbal medicines and acupuncture on microcirculatory disturbance.

Objective To investigate the effects of hydroxyethyl starch(HES 130/0.4)on leukocyte activation,mast cell degranulation and vascular permeability in rat mesentery during the early phase of endotoxemia.Methods Thirty-six male Wistar rats weishing 200-250 g were randomly divided into 3 groups(n=12 each):Ⅰ normal control group received only normal saline(NS);Ⅱ LPS group and Ⅲ HES group received LPS 2 mg/kg iv followed by iv HES infusion at 16 ml·kg-1·h-1 for 60 min(HES group)or equal volume of NS(LPS group).The animals were anesthetized with intramuscular 20% urethane 1 ml/100 g.The abdomen was opened and the mesentery of small intestine was pulled out and placed on transparent observation plate at constant temperature and moisture and examined under microscope for microcirculatory changes.Leukocytes rolling along,adhering to and emigrating from mesenteric venules,mast cell degranulation and FTTC-albumin effux from venules were examined before(baseline)and during the 90 min after LPS administration.The expression of CD11b and CD18 on the leukocytes was determined using flow cylometry.Results The number of leukocytes rolling along,adhering to and emigrating from venules and degranulated mast cells were signitlcanfly increased in LPS group as compared with control group.These LPS-induced changes were significantly inhibited in HES group.The albumin effiux Was enhanced and CD11b/CD18 expression upregulated in both LPS and HES groups.Conclusion Hydroxyethyl starch(130/0.4)can ameliorate the increased vascular permeability and microcirculatory disturbance in rat mesentery during the early phase of endotoxemia.

Objective To study the protective effects of tBHQ on type 2 diabetic rats retina and its related mechanism.Methods Sixty SD rats were divided into normal control group (NC group),model group (diabetes mellitus,DM group) and tBHQ group.After feeding with high fat and high sugar diets for 4 weeks,the rats in model group were induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ for the model of type 2 diabetes mellitus.1％ tBHQ were added into the high fat and high sugar feed 1 week later after successfully modeled in the tBHQ group.Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and fasting serum insulin (FINs) were detected at 4 and 12 weeks after modeled.Immunohistochemical method and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) were respectively used to detect the distributions and relative expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2),heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1),B-cell lymPhoma 2 (Bcl-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in retinas of the rats.Results FPG levels totally comparative differences were statistically significant between each group (F =78.531,P =0.000).The level of FPG in DM and tBHQ group were obviously higher than that in NC group,the 12 weeks was higher than 4 weeks in DM group,and the 12 weeks was lower than 4 weeks in tBHQ group (all P ＜ 0.05).Totally comparative differences in the level of FINs were statistically significant (F=22.480,P =0.000),NC group was lower than DM and tBHQ group,12 weeks was higher than 4 weeks (all P ＜ 0.05).Immunohistochemical detection showed that each factor in each group were expressed in the retina of rat,and the relative expressions of Nrf2,HO-1,Bcl-2 and VEGF protein in retina have totally statistically differences in different time points after modeled (all P ＜0.05).The expressions of each factor in DM group were more than those in the NC group.The Nrf2,HO-1 and Bcl-2 in tBHQ group were more than those in the DM group,but the VEGF was lower.At 12 weeks,the expressions of VEGF and Nrf2 in DM group were more than those at 4 weeks,but the HO-1 was lower;the Nrf2,HO-1 and Bcl-2 in tBHQ group were more than those at 4 weeks (all P ＜ 0.05).PCR tests revealed that the relative expressions of Nrf2,HO-1,Bcl-2 and VEGF mRNA in retina have totally statistically differences in different time points after modeled(all P ＜ 0.05).The expressions of each factor in DM group were more than those in the NC group.The Nrf2,HO-1 and Bcl-2 mRNA in tBHQ group were more than those in the DM group,but the VEGF mRNA was lower.At 12 weeks,VEGF mRNA in DM group and Nrf2,HO-1,Bcl-2 in tBHQ group were more than those at 4 weeks (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion tBHQ maybe have protection for islet function on diabetic rat,and can induce the expressions of Nrf2,HO-1,Bcl-2 in retina of diabetic rats and reduce the expression of VEGF,inhibit the oxidative stress of retinal tissue damage,reduce cell apoptosis and inhibit the proliferation of retinal blood vessels.tBHQ may protect the retina of diabetic rats through the Nrf2/HO-1/VEGF and Nrf2/Bcl-2 way.

Objective To explore the advantages and characteristics of pathology experimental teaching based on WeChat public platform. Method Through the establishment ofhomogeneous pathol-ogy experiment platform—WeChat public platform, the students of clinical medicine major of Class 1 and 2 of Grade 2014 who participated in the pathological experiment course were divided into two groups. The experimental group (65 people) used the auxiliary teaching based on the WeChat public platform, and the control group (65 people) used the traditional teaching method. The students in the experimental group used the WeChat public platform in combination with pathology experimental teaching, pushing the experimental teaching by WeChat public platform, including the change of specimen and eye diseases under the micro-scope of typical pictures and videos, and at the same time pushing the typical disease image and the related text introduction, and auxiliary pathology experimental teaching. The effect of teaching was evaluated by student experimental examination and electronic questionnaire. The data were collated after the entry of SPSS 19.0, and the data comparison was performed by t test. Result The average score of the experimental group (14.80±0.24) was significantly higher than that of the traditional teaching group (13.79±0.33), and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.031). The experimental group students' evaluation on the learning of WeChat based public platform was higher than the control group's evaluation on traditional teaching in the aspects of learning interest, reducing learning pressure and feedback. Conclusion The application of WeChat public platform for the teaching of pathological experiments is feasible compared with the traditional teaching model and can improve the teaching effect effectively, and solve the problems of the pathology experiment teaching sample being insufficient or the teaching sample being not typical, which creates conditions for students to study independently and use specimens and pictures.

Background Apoptosis is a primary clinical pathological mechanism of diabetic retinopathy (DR).Oxidative stress and high glucose can activate cell apoptosis pathway and thus leads to cellular damage.It is confirmed that tert-butyl hydroquinone (tBHQ) plays an antioxidation effect,however,whether it has a protective role on retinal cells in DR is still unelucidated.Objective This study was to investigate the effect of tBHQ on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and bcl-2 expressions in retina of type 2 diabetic rats and its possible mechanism via nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/antioxidant response element (Nrf2/ARE) signal pathway.Methods Fifty clean healthy male SD rats were included in this experimental study.Ten rats were fed with normal diet as the normal control group,and other rats were fed with high fatty and high sugar food for 4 weeks.After 12 hours of fasting,streptozotoin (STZ) (30 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected to induce the type 2 diabetic models.The model rats were randomly divided into the diabetic control group and tBHQ group and 1％ tBHQ was added into the high fatty and sugar food 1 week after modeling in the tBHQ group.Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level,blood total cholesterol (TC) level,blood triglyceride (TG) level,high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C),low density lipoproteincholesterol (LDL-C) and fasting serum insulin (FINs) were detected 4 and 12 weeks after modeling,respectively,and radio immunoassay was used to detect the FIN levels of the rats.The relative expression of VEGF and bcl-2 in retinas of the rats were assayed by immunohistochemistry and fluorescence real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR).The use of the animals complied with the Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals by State and Technology Commission.Results Type 2 diabetic models were successfully established in 35 rats with successful rate 92.1％.The FIN levels were significantly different among different groups and time points (Fgroup =22.480,P =0.000;Ftime =7.636,P =0.008).The FPG,TC,TG and LDL-C levels were significantly different among the groups (FPG:Fgroup =78.531,P =0.000;TC:Fgroup =28.049,P =0.000;TG:Fgroup =13.108,P =0.000;LDL-C:Fgroup =6.804,P＜0.05).Immunohistochemistry showed that VEGF and bcl-2 were mainly expressed in retinal ganglion cell layer,inner plexiform layer and outer plexiform layer.The expressions of VEGF and bcl-2 proteins were significantly different among different groups (VEGF:Fgroup =11.805,P =0.000;bcl-2:Fgroup =22.943,P =0.000);the expression level of bcl-2 protein was higher in 12 weeks after modeling than that in 4 weeks after modeling in the tBHQ group (P＜0.05).The expressions of VEGF and Bcl-2 mRNA in rat retinas were significantly different among different groups and time points (VEGF:Fgroup =79.220,P =0.000;Ftimo =6.090,P＜0.05;Bcl-2:Fgroup =105.000,P=0.000;Ftime =13.170,P=0.001).Four and eight weeks after modeling,the expressions of VEGF and Bcl-2 mRNA in the diabetic control group and tBHQ group were significantly higher than that in the normal control group,and the expressions of Bcl-2 mRNA in the tBHQ group were significantly higher than that in the model control group (all at P＜0.05);the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA was higher at 12 weeks after modeling than that at 4 weeks in the tBHQ group (P＜0.05).Conclusions tBHQ produces anti-oxidative-damage and anti-apoptosis effects on retinal cells by up-regulating VEGF expression and down-regulating bcl-2 expression in DR rats.In addition,tBHQ may have effects on lowering high blood sugar,regulating insulin and blood lipid levels.

Objective To investigate the expression of microRNA-106b(miR-106b)in the placentas of patients with pre-eclampsia and its relationship with matrix metallopeptidase(MMP)-2,and its effect on the invasion and proliferation of trophoblasts. Methods (1) Placental tissues were collected from patients with mild pre-eclampsia (mPE, n=30) , severe pre-eclampsia (sPE, n=30) and normal pregnant women (n=40). Human choriocarcinoma cell lines JAR and JEG3 were assigned to the miR-106b mimics group, the mimics negative control group, the miR-106b inhibitor group and the inhibitor negative control group, respectively. (2) The target gene of miR-106b(such as MMP-2) was predicted by bioinformatics. Dual-luciferase reporting system was used to verify the regulation of miR-106b on the expression of MMP-2. (3) The expressions of miR-106b and MMP-2 were measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot. (4) Cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay. (5) Invasive activities in each group were assessed by cell transwell invasion assays. Results (1) Predicting result of bioinformatics indicated that MMP-2 was one of the target genes of miR-106b. Dual-luciferase activity assay demonstrated that MMP-2 was the direct target of miR-106b(P＜0.01).(2) The results of qRT-PCR.①The expression of miR-106b in the placentas of mPE, sPE, normal pregnant women were 2.89±0.04, 1.96±0.03, 1.01±0.03, respectively (P＜0.05). And the expression of MMP-2 mRNA in the placentas of mPE, sPE, normal pregnant women were 1.87±0.05, 0.69±0.03, 2.78±0.03, respectively (P＜0.05).②The expression of miR-106b in the JAR cell line in the miR-106b mimics group, the mimics negative control group, the miR-106b inhibitor group and the inhibitor negative control group were 2.39 ± 0.03, 1.03 ± 0.04, 0.73 ± 0.03, 1.11 ± 0.04, respectively (P＜0.05). And its expression in the JEG3 cell line were 2.17±0.04, 1.18±0.04, 0.61±0.03 and 1.22±0.03, respectively (P＜0.05). ③The expression of MMP-2 mRNA in the JAR cell line in the miR-106b mimics group, the mimics negative control group, the miR-106b inhibitor group and the inhibitor negative control group were 0.45±0.15, 1.02±0.03, 2.28±0.03, 1.11±0.03, respectively (P＜0.05). And its expression in the JEG3 cell line were 0.58±0.03, 1.25±0.15, 2.25±0.03, 1.21±0.03, respectively (P＜0.05). (3) The results of western blot.①The expression of MMP-2 protein in the placentas of mPE, sPE, normal pregnant women were 1.63 ± 0.04, 0.55±0.03, 2.82±0.03, respectively (P＜0.05).②The expression of MMP-2 protein in the JAR cell line in the miR-106b mimics group, the mimics negative control group, the miR-106b inhibitor group and the inhibitor negative control group were 0.41 ± 0.03, 0.97 ± 0.03, 2.25 ± 0.03, 1.01 ± 0.03, respectively (P＜0.05). And its expression in the JEG3 cell line were 0.53±0.03, 1.20±0.03, 2.31±0.04, 1.19±0.03, respectively (P＜0.05). (4) miR-106b could inhibit the proliferation of JAR and JEG3 cells, cell proliferation rates in the miR-106b mimics group were lower than that in the mimics negative control group (P＜0.05). And cell proliferation rate in the miR-106b inhibitor group was higher than the inhibitor negative control group (P＜0.05) . (5) The numbers of JAR cell that passed the membrane in the miR-106b mimics group, the mimics negative control group. The miR-106b inhibitor group and the inhibitor negative control group were 61±15, 79±13, 134±13, 80±12, respectively( P＜0.05). And the numbers of JEG3 cell that passed were 57±12, 71±15, 128±15, 70± 14, respectively (P＜0.05). Conclusion The miR-106b could inhibit the invasion and proliferation of JAR and JEG3 cells through targeting MMP-2, and have a relationship with the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of stratified treatment of pediatric non-distant metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). Methods: A retrospective review was conducted in 129 pediatric patients with non-distant metastatic RMS between January 2005 and December 2016 at Shanghai Children′s Medical Center Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine.According to their pathological types, TNM stages and postoperative pathologic staging, the 129 patients were grouped a low-risk group, an intermediate-risk group and a high-risk group.Multimodality therapies were applied to all patients including chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy.The overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) rates were analyzed by using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Of 129 patients, 119 cases were included in this study.In 119 patients, the age of onset for the RMS ranged from 7 to 191 months, with the median onset age of 48 months.The median follow-up time was 40 months for event-free patients with RMS, and 36 months for all the 119 patients.The 5-year OS and EFS for all patients were (92.1±2.9)% and (76.5±4.4)%, respectively.While the 5-year EFS for patients in the low-risk group, intermediate-risk group and high-risk group were all above 70%, and the difference among the three groups was not statistically significant (χ²=2.679, P=0.262). A subsequent univariate analysis revealed that the onset age for RMS (≤1 year old or≥10 years old), TNM stage and postoperative pathologic stage were important predictors of EFS with statistical significance (all P<0.05), while gender, pathological type and primary site of RMS did not exhibit any significant impact on 5-EFS (all P>0.05). The 5-year EFS of RMS patients with Forkhead Box Protein O1(FOXO1)-positive was significantly lower than that of FOXO1-negative patients [(56.3%±14.8)% vs.(83.3±15.2)%], and the difference was statistically significant (χ²=4.588, P=0.028). Conclusions It is important that the stratification treatment should be strictly implemented on RMS patients.First, further improvement is necessary for the treatment of patients in the low-risk group due to their poorer prognosis compared to that of their intermediate-risk counterparts, for whom one feasible option is to reduce the dose of chemotherapy drug.Furthermore, FOXO1 can be used as an indicator for poor prognosis, where stratified treatment is necessary for pediatric patients with RMS.

Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effect of AKR1B10 inhibitor combined with sorafenib on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) xenograft growth. Methods: HepG2 xenograft model was established in nude mice. The mice were then randomly divided into four groups: control group, epalrestat monotherapy group, sorafenib monotherapy group and combination treatment group. Tumor volume, tumor weight, T/C ratio and the change in body weight of nude mice in each group were compared to evaluate the curative effect. Immunohistochemistry staining was used to detect the expression of Ki-67 in tumor tissues to evaluate the proliferation status of tumor cells. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the differences between the groups. Student’s t-test was used to test means of two groups and chi-square test was used for multiple samples. Results: The differences of the grafted tumor volume before and after treatment between the control group, epalrestat group, sorafenib group and combined therapy group was 238.940 ± 39.813, 124.991 ± 84.670, -26.111 ± 11.518, and -54.072 ± 17.673(mm³), respectively, (F = 37.048, P < 0.001). The tumor mass were 0.273 ± 0.140, 0.158 ± 0.078, 0.079 ± 0.054, 0.045 ± 0.024 (g), (F = 16.594, P < 0.001); T/C ratio were 100%, 57.9%, 28.9%, 16.5%, and Ki-67 positive rate were 23.295 ± 6.218, 13.503 ± 3.392, 7.325 ± 2.257, 4.664 ± 1.189 (%), (χ² = 822.203, P < 0.001) . The tumor volume (t = -3.579, P = 0.002) and Ki-67 positive rate (t = -10.003, P < 0.001) in epalrestat monotherapy group were significantly lower than control group. The tumor volume (t = 2.056, P = 0.025), tumor mass (t = 2.101, P = 0.043), and Ki-67 positive rate (t = -2.850, P = 0.005) in combination treatment group were significantly lower than sorafenib monotherapy group. Compared with the control group, the body weight of nude mice in the treatment group decreased to a certain extent, but there was no statistically significant difference between epalrestat monotherapy group and control group (t = -1.599, P = 0.262), and combined therapy and sorafenib monotherapy group (t = -0.051, P = 0.96). Conclusion AKR1B10 inhibitor enhanced the inhibitory effect of sorafenib on hepatocellular carcinoma xenograft.

Objective:To investigate the safety of Rituximab combined with intensive chemotherapy in the treatment of aggressive mature B-cell lymphoma/leukemia in children.Methods:The clinical data of 77 patients with primary pediatric aggressive mature B-cell lymphoma/leukemia who were treated according to the Chinese Children Cancer Group(CCCG)-mature B-cell lymphoma(BNHL)-2015 protocol at Shanghai Children′s Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School from November 1, 2014 to July 31, 2018 were collected.A comparison was drawn on the adverse reactions and recovery of immune function indexes between patients in the Rituximab combined with intensive chemotherapy group (R4 group) and the chemotherapy alone group (R3 group).Results:Rituximab combined with AA was associated with a significantly lower platelet count [79.5%(35/44 cases) vs.54.5%(24/44 cases), χ2=6.223, P=0.011] and a higher incidence of infection [70.5%(31/44 cases) vs.36.4%(16/44 cases), χ2=10.275, P=0.001] compared with AA alone; Rituximab combined BB was associated with a higher incidence of mucositis and infection compared with BB alone [40.8%(20/49 cases) vs.29.3%(22/75 cases) and 85.7%(42/49 cases) vs. 72.0%(54/75 cases), respectively], but the differences were not statistically significant.A greater proportion of patients in the R4 group had a decrease in peripheral blood CD 19 positive cells (no statistically significant difference, P>0.05) and a greater proportion had a decrease in serum IgG ( P<0.05) compared to the R3 group, but there was no significant difference in treatment-related mortality between both groups.For patients in the R4 group, the average recovery time of IgG and IgM level was 13.1 months, and the longest recovery time was 31 months after the end of treatment. Conclusions:Rituximab combined with intensive chemotherapy is generally safe in the treatment of aggressive mature B-cell lymphoma/leukemia in children.However, it is often accompanied with prolonged immunoglo-bulin deficiency and the potential risk of secondary infection.Therefore, the strict control over the indications for its application is required, and the gamma globulin replacement therapy deserves to be investigated in the future.