Objective: To investigate the effects of ginsenoside Rb1 on activation and proliferation of murine T lymphocytes in vitro and to elucidate the mechanism of the immunosuppressive effect of ginsenoside Rb1. Methods: Cell suspensions were prepared from murine lymph nodes. T lymphocytes were treated with different concentrations of ginsenoside Rb1 and stimulated with polyclonal activator concanavalin (ConA). Fluorescence conjugated monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry were used to detect the expression of CD3/CD69 and CD4/CD25. After the staining with CFDA-SE, T lymphocytes were stimulated with polyclonal activator ConA. The proliferation of T lymphocytes, after stimulated by ConA, was detected using the method of MTT. The distribution of the cell apoptosis was analyzed by staining both DIOC and PI. Results: In a dose-dependent manner, ginsenoside Rb1 (5, 10, and 20 μmol/L) could significantly inhibit T lymphocytes activation index (P<0.01) stimulated by ConA and proliferation index (P<0.05) stimulated by ConA. Ginsenoside Rb1 could also reduce the apoptosis of T lymphocytes stimulated by H2O2. Conclusion: Ginsenoside Rb1 can effectively inhibit the activation and proliferation of murine T lymphocytes, and ginsenoside Rb1 is a potential effective immunoinhibitory agent.

PURPOSE: The degradation of the extracellular matrix has been shown to play an important role in the treatment of hepatic cirrhosis. In this study, the effect of thalidomide on the degradation of extracellular matrix was evaluated in a rat model of hepatic cirrhosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cirrhosis was induced in Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) three times weekly for 8 weeks. Then CCl4 was discontinued and thalidomide (100 mg/kg) or its vehicle was administered daily by gavage for 6 weeks. Serum hyaluronic acid, laminin, procollagen type III, and collagen type IV were examined by using a radioimmunoassay. Matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) protein in the liver, transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) protein in cytoplasm by using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis, and MMP-13, TIMP-1, and TGF-beta1 mRNA levels in the liver were studied using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Liver histopathology was significantly better in rats given thalidomide than in the untreated model group. The levels of TIMP-1 and TGF-beta1 mRNA and protein expressions were decreased significantly and MMP-13 mRNA and protein in the liver were significantly elevated in the thalidomide-treated group. CONCLUSION: Thalidomide may exert its effects on the regulation of MMP-13 and TIMP-1 via inhibition of the TGF-beta1 signaling pathway, which enhances the degradation of extracellular matrix and accelerates the regression of hepatic cirrhosis in rats.
Actins ; Animals ; Carbon Tetrachloride/toxicity ; Collagen Type III/metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; Extracellular Matrix/metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Immunosuppressive Agents/*pharmacology ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/chemically induced/*metabolism/pathology/*prevention & control ; Male ; RNA, Messenger/analysis/metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Thalidomide/*pharmacology ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1/biosynthesis/*drug effects ; Transcription Factor RelA/biosynthesis/drug effects ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/biosynthesis/*drug effects ; Transforming Growth Factors/metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of CD4⁺ CD25⁺ Foxp3⁺ Treg/CD4⁺ IL-17A(+)Th17 cells and the related cytokines in Graves' ophthalmopathy.

METHODSBased on clinical activity scores (CAS), we divided patients with untreated Graves' ophthal- mopathy into active group (AGO group with CAS ≥ 3 (15 cases) and non-active group (NGO group) with CAS<3 (15 cases), with another 15 patients with untreated Graves' disease free of eye symptoms (GD group) and 15 normal subjects as controls. Peripheral venous blood Treg/Th17 cell ratio was determined using flow cytometry. RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of Treg-specific transcription factor Foxp3 and Th17-specific transcription factor RORγt. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the serum levels of Th17 cell-related cytokines (IL-17A, IL-23, and IL-6) and Treg-related cytokines (TGF-β, IL-10, and IL-35).

RESULTSCompared with the normal subjects, the patients in GD, NGO, AGO groups all showed significantly increased Th17 cell count (P<0.05), which was the highest in AGO group. RT-PCR results revealed significantly increased RORγt in GD, NGO, and AGO groups, also the highest in AGO group. Serum IL-17A, IL-23, and IL-6 levels all showed significant increments in GD, NGO, and AGO groups (P<0.05), especially in AGO group. Among the Treg-related cytokines, TGF-β and IL-35 levels decreased (P<0.05) but IL-10 increased significantly (P<0.05) in GD, NGO, AGO groups.

CONCLUSIONDecreased immunosuppressive capacity of Treg cells can be an important factor in the pathogenesis of Graves' ophthalmopathy. Th17 cells may also participate in the occurrence and progression of Graves' ophthalmopathy and can serve along with related cytokines as novel indicators of the disease activity. Impaired Treg/Th17 balance may importantly contribute to the occurrence of Graves' ophthalmopathy.

Cytokines ; immunology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Flow Cytometry ; Graves Ophthalmopathy ; immunology ; Humans ; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3 ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology ; Th17 Cells ; immunology

Objective　To evaluate the technique and clinical outcomes of modified transperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.　Methods　A total of 285 patients received the operation with mean age of 67 years (50-76 years) from January 2008 to April 2012.Mean level of PSA was 15.7 μg/L (1.8 -50.0 μg/L),and mean prostatic volume was 44 ml (26 -74 ml). No lymph node or seminal vesicle involvement was found by CT or MR and radionuclide bone scan revealed no metastasis.271 cases were confirmed diagnosis by prostatic biopsy and 14 were detected through pathological studies of TURP specimens.Gleason score ranged from 6 to 8.14 cases were in clinical stage T1b,29 cases in T1c,214 cases in T2 and 28 cases in T3a.Transperitoneal approach and modified technique involving bladder neck dissection,nervesparing technique and vesicoureteral anastomosis were applied on patients.　Results　Mean operative time was 105 min (55 -150 min).Mean intraoperative estimated blood loss was 240 ml (50-800 ml).Rectal injures occurred in 2 cases and were repaired under laparoscopy.Drainage tube and urinary catheter were removed 48 -72 h and 5 -8 d postoperatively.Postoperative hospital stay was 7 d (5 - 11 d).Positive surgical margin was present in 58 patients.Mean follow-up time was 29 months (3 -50 months).Complete continence were found in 208 patients immediately after catheter removal.68 patient recovered continence within 3 months and 9 patients remained incontinence 3 months after surgery. Normal erection presented in 42 of the 57 cases with nerve-sparing.　Conclusions　Transperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is safe and efficient.Higher efficiency and lower complication rate have been achieved through modified laparoscopic technique involving bladder neck dissection,nerve-sparing technique and vesicoureteral anastomosis.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for many diseases. However, the miRNAs that control the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and act as potential therapeutic targets for the disease are rarely studied. In the present study, we analyzed the function and regulatory mechanism of microRNA-708-3p (miR-708-3p) and evaluated this marker’s potential as a therapeutic target in IPF. The clinical and biological relevance of fibrogenesis for miR-708-3p was assessed in vivo and in vitro, specifically in matching plasma and tissue samples from 78 patients with IPF. The data showed that the miR-708-3p levels decreased during fibrosis and inversely correlated with IPF. The experiments showed that the decreased miR-708 promoter activity and primer-miR-708(pri-miR-708) expression were the potential causes. By computational analysis, a dual luciferase reporter system, rescue experiments and a Cignal Finder 45-Pathway system with siADAM17 and a miR-708-3p mimic, we identified that miR-708-3p directly regulates its target gene, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17), through a binding site in the 3′ untranslated region, which depends on the GATA/STAT3 signaling pathway. Finally, an miR-708-3p agomir was designed and used to test the therapeutic effects of the miR-708-3p in an animal model. Small-animal imaging technology and other experiments showed that the dynamic image distribution of the miR-708-3p agomir was mainly concentrated in the lungs and could block fibrogenesis. In conclusion, the miR-708-3p–ADAM17 axis aggravates IPF, and miR-708-3p can serve as a potential therapeutic target for IPF.

Objective　To investigate the relationship between the overall burden of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) and cognitive impairment in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) associated stroke.Methods　Patients with acute cerebral infarction related to the cause of atrial fibrillation who were hospitalized in the Department of Neurology,Qingdao University Affiliated Hospital were collected from September 2018 to May 2020.According to the imaging findings of magnetic resonance imaging,the patients were divided into four groups:0,1,2,3~4.Seven days after the onset of stroke,the patients were assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA).The patients were divided into cognitive impairment group and non-cognitive impairment group.A total of 168 patients completed the assessment.Results　Age,hypertension,smoking history,MOCA score,CHA2DS2-VASC score are related to total CSVD score.Cognitive impairment after atrial fibrillation-related stroke is related to total CSVD score,age,smoking history,drinking history,CHA2DS2-VASc score,frontal lobe and thalamic infarction.Cognitive domain impairment is mainly visual space,executive ability,linguistic ability and delayed recall ability.Conclusion　The severity of the overall burden of CSVD is related to cognitive impairment in patients with atrial fibrillation-related stroke.

OBJECTIVETo study the potential risk factors of human infecting with Streptococcus suis.

METHODS1: M matched case-control study was conducted. 29 human cases of Streptococcus suis infection in the early phase were included in the case group, Patients' family members, neighbors and peoples who had worked together with patients to handle deceased or sick pigs in the last week were recruited as matched controls. There were 147 controls in total. Both cases and controls received questionnaire investigation including the ways to contact sick/dead pigs. Conditional logistic regression was employed to analyze matching data.

RESULTSAccording to the results of multivariate analysis, slaughtering (OR = 11.978, 95% CI: 3.355-42.756), carcasses cutting and processing (OR = 3.008, 95% CI: 1.022-8.849) sick/dead pigs were associated with cases related to human Streptococcus suis infection. The attributable risk proportion were 91.65% and 66.76% respectively. The other types of exposures to sick/ dead pigs, including feeding, selling, burying and eating, were not associated with the human Streptococcus suis infection in our study population.

CONCLUSIONSlaughtering, carcasses cutting and processing sick/dead pigs were important risky behavior for humans to be infected by Streptococcus suis.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; statistics & numerical data ; Risk Factors ; Streptococcal Infections ; epidemiology ; etiology ; microbiology ; Streptococcus suis ; physiology

A 56-year-old female patient was admitted to a hospital because of repeated fatigue, anorexia, fever for more than one year, recurrence for 2 months and sudden left limb twitch for 10 days. In 2017, patient was diagnosed with infective endocarditis, then underwent aortic valve replacement, valve biopsy showed Candida parapsilosis, she took medicine regularly after operation and withdrew medicine after three consecutive negative blood culture. Fever and multiple organ infarction occurred again in 2018, Candida parapsilosis was isolated again from blood culture, it is suggested that fungal endocarditis may be latent and recurrence in human body for a long time, exfoliation of vegetation may embolize various organs and lead to corresponding clinical manifestations, surgery combined with drug therapy and subsequent maintenance of antifungal therapy are extremely important to improve the prognosis of patients.

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)for small focal liver lesions (FLLs). Methods The clinical data,CEUS findings,and pathology of 69 patients with small FLLs were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were grouped according to size of FLLs and the performance of CEUS was compared. Results The accuracy,sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,and negative predictive value of CEUS for the 69 FLLs were 94.2%,95.2%,93.8%,87.0%,and 97.8%,respectively. Rate of fast wash-out in portal vein phase was lower in group of diameters ≤2 cm than that in group of diameters>2 cm (P<0.05). Conclusions CEUS has a high diagnostic value for small FLLs.However,the CEUS findings of malignant lesions smaller than 2 cm are not typical in the portal phase and therefore the diagnosis should also be based on clinical features.
Contrast Media ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; Portal Vein ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography

The supply deficiency of crude medicinal plant of Paris polyphylla var. chinensis has become a bottleneck for related medicinal industry. An important approach to increase herbal production is to breed high-yield cultivated variety, which characterized ideal plant morphology. In the present study, we collected 99 wild germplasm resources of P. polyphylla and then measured their 12 main agronomic traits and contents of polyphyllin Ⅶ,Ⅵ,Ⅱ,Ⅰ. Followed analyses were used to characterize those traits and explore the potential connection with herbal yield or quality. The results showed that: ①There was ample morphological diversity in wild P. polyphylla, whose variation of agronomic traits reduced according to followed order: content of polyphyllin, weight of dry rhizome, petiole length, stem length, petal length, pedicel length, sepal length, leaf width, leaf length, sepal width, leaf number, stamen number, petal number. ② Most of those traits were significantly correlated to each other and generally represented the characterization of photosynthetic organs or reproductive organ. ③The total content of polyphyllin Ⅶ,Ⅵ,Ⅱ,Ⅰvaried between 0.02% and 0.87% and averagedat 0.13%, which showed no significant correlation with any agronomic trait. ④Plant breeders should play more attention on those germplasm resources with large leaves, large sepals and high stem.