Background Reasearches showed that α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) inhibits inflammation and ameliorates the ocular surface abnormalities in a scopolamine-induced dry eye rat model,and the managing effect of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) on dry eyes also has been determined.However,whether α-MSH can enhance the therapeutic effects of CMC remains to be investigated.Objective This study was to investigate the protective effects of α-MSH combined with CMC on ocular surface in a scopolamine-induced dry eye rat model.Methods Sixty clean female Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group,model control group,NaCl group,CMC group,α-MSH group and α-MSH+CMC group,and 10 rats for each group.The dry eye models were established by subcutaneous injection of scopolamine hydrobromide at 9:00,12:00,15:00 and 18:00 per day for 28 days.0.9％ NaCl solution,1×10 3 mg/ml α-MSH solution,0.5％ CMC eye drop,and 1 ×10-3 mg/ml α-MSH+0.5％ CMC solution were topically administered twice a day (8:00,17:00) since the initial day of modeling according to grouping.Shirmer Ⅰ test (S Ⅰ t),breakup time of tear film (BUT) and corneal fluorescence staining were performed before and 7,14,21,28 days after the application of drugs.At 28 days following the administration of drugs,the eyeballs of the rats were collected.Hemotoxylin and eosin staining was employed to examine the morphology of corneas,and periodic acid schiff (PAS) staining was used to count the conjunctival goblet cells.This study protocol was approved by Experimental Animal Ethic Committee of Tianjin Medical University (SYXK 2009-0001),and the use and care of the rats complied with ARVO Statement.Results The S Ⅰ t and BUT values were significantly reduced,and the corneal fluorescence staining scores were significantly increased over time following modeling in the model control group (all at P＜0.01).No significant differences were found in the S Ⅰ t,BUT and corneal fluorescence staining scores between model control group and NaCl group at various time points (all at P＞0.05).At 7,14 and 21 days after intervention,the S Ⅰ t values were (4.800±0.789),(4.100±0.516) and (4.300±0.856) mm in the α-MSH+CMC group,which were considerably higher than (2.875 ±0.719),(2.375 ±0.619) and (2.532±0.957)mm in the NaCl group (all at P＜0.01).At 7 days after intervention,the BUT values were (4.938± 1.843) seconds and (5.000±1.491) seconds in the α-MSH group and α-MSH+CMC group,which were significantly higher than (3.250±1.000) seconds in the NaCl group (both at P＜0.01).The corneal fluorescence staining scores in the CMC group,α-MSH group and α-MSH+CMC group were significantly lower than that in the NaCl group,with the lowest score in the α-MSH +CMC group (all at P＜0.05).The thickening of corneal epithelial layer,corneal edema and arrangement disorder of corneal stroma were found in the model control group and NaCl group;while slight corneal edema and epithelial cell proliferation were exhibited in the α-MSH+CMC group by hemotoxylin and eosin staining.PAS staining showed that the number of goblet cells was much more in the CMC group,α-MSH group and α-MSH+ CMC group than that in the model control group and NaCl group (all at P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions The sole application of α-MSH or CMC alleviates ocular surface damage and morphological abnormality to certain extent,and the combination of α-MSH and CMC generates more effective protection in comparison with sole administration of α-MSH or CMC.The early application of the drugs plays an improvement role in tear secretion and tear film stability in dry eyes.

BackgroundDiabetic retinopathy (DR) is the result of the cytokine network disorders,the imbalance of angiogenic factor and vascular inhibitory factor is the start factor.ObjectiveTo analyze the levels of CXC chemotatic factors of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients,evaluate the clinical application value of them in different clinical types of DR using receiver operating characteristic (ROC)analysis and to approach the new way of individualized treatment.Methods This was a prospective research.The gold standard was ophthalmolscope and fundus fluorescein angiography.The levels of CXC chemotatic factors and multiplicaiton factors were measured in 96 cases with type 2 diabetes mellitus (66 cases with retinopathy and 30 cases without retinopathy as control).The assessment tasks were performed for these index and courses of DR with ROC curve.Results The expression of age,course of disease has significant difference in different courses of DR ( F =8.507,P =0.001 ; F =28.143,P =0.000).Compared with the control group,the expression of growth-related oncogene-α ( GROα ) ( t =- 2.172,P =0.035,AUC =0.625 ),whole blood viscosity 200 ( t =- 3.724,P =0.001,AUC =0.904 ) and neutrophilic leukocyte (t=-2.562,P =0.013,AUC =0.577 ) has significant difference in the group of mild NPDR.Compared with the control group,the expression of interferon-γ-inducible protein 10 ( IP-10 ) ( t =-3.591,P =0.001,AUC =0.592 ),platelet derivation growth factor-BB ( PDGF-BB ) ( t =- 3.233,P =0.003,AUC =0.735 ),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) ( t =- 3.617,P =0.001,AUC =0.776 ),C peptide ( t =- 3.366,P =0.002,AUC =0.962 ),leukocyte ( t=-3.201,P =0.003,AUC =0.852) and neutrophilic leukocyte(t =-4.201,P=0.000,AUC =0.852) has significant difference in the group of moderate and severe NPDR.ConclusionsCXC chemotatic factors may act as reactivator in the pathogenesis of DR,GROα and IP-10 may be useful for clinical monitoring of the severity of DR,and evaluating the imbalance state of chemotatic factors maybe a new approach to clinical monitoring and prognosis of DR.

Shikonin, the main active ingredient of Lithospermum, and its derivatives have been proved to have antitumor effects, and the anti-tumor mechanisms involve multiple targets. Based on recent literatures, this review focuses on the antitumor effects and its mechanisms. More emphases are given on the aspects of induction of apoptosis, induction of necrosis, acting on matrix metalloproteinase, acting on the protein tyrosine kinase and antiangiogenesis. The current status and problems of shikonin derivatives in antitumor effects are simply summarized and lookout for the development of antitumor drugs with shikonin as leading compounds.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Lithospermum ; chemistry ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Naphthoquinones ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Necrosis ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; prevention & control ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; metabolism ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo establish the patent ductus arteriosus model in preterm rats using the improved natural development method.

METHODSIn the light of the flaws of the natural development method in establishing the patent ductus arteriosus model, the experimental technology was modified to avoid the influence of fixation, dehydration, and section method on blood vessel diameter. Cesarean section was performed for a Wistar rat pregnant for 19 days, and 8 neonatal rats were obtained. After they were sacrificed by dislocation, they were embedded as a whole to avoid dehydration, and the microsection and horizontal section were made. After hematoxylin and eosin staining, a microscope was used to measure the inner diameters of the ductus arteriosus, the main pulmonary artery, and the descending aorta.

RESULTSAfter the cesarean section for the rat pregnant for 19 days, patent ductus arteriosus occurred in all the 8 neonatal rats. The measurements of the inner diameters of blood vessels were as follows: the long diameter and short diameter of the descending aorta were 354±106 and 182±140 μm, respectively; the short diameter of the ductus arteriosus was 155±122 μm, and its area was 36,847±42,582 μm(2); the long axis and short axis of the main pulmonary artery were 589±150 and 174±170 μm, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe improved natural development method can help to successfully establish the patent ductus arteriosus model in preterm rats.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Disease Models, Animal ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; etiology ; Female ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety and the clinical value of external use of jiuyi Powder (JP) in treating plasma cell mastitis using partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLSDA).

METHODSTotally 50 patients with plasma cell mastitis treated by external use of JP were observed and biochemical examinations of blood and urine detected before application, at day 4 after application, at day 1 and 14 after discontinuation. Blood mercury and urinary mercury were detected before application, at day 1, 4, and 7 after application, at day 1 and 14 after discontinuation. Urinary mercury was also detected at 28 after discontinuation and 3 months after discontinuation. The information of wound, days of external application and the total dosage of external application were recorded before application, at day 1, 4, and 7 after application, as well as at day 1 after discontinuation. Then a discriminant model covering potential safety factors was set up by PLSDA after screening safety indices with important effects. The applicability of the model was assessed using area under ROC curve. Potential safety factors were assessed using variable importance in the projection (VIP).

RESULTSUrinary β2-microglobulin (β2-MG), urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), 24 h urinary protein, and urinary α1-microglobulin (α1-MG) were greatly affected by external use of JP in treating plasma cell mastitis. The accuracy rate of PLSDA discriminate model was 74. 00%. The sensitivity, specificity, and the area under ROC curve was 0. 7826, 0. 7037, and 0. 8084, respectively. Three factors with greater effect on the potential safety were screened as follows: pre-application volume of the sore cavity, days of external application, and the total dosage of external application.

CONCLUSIONSPLSDA method could be used in analyzing bioinformation of clinical Chinese medicine. Urinary β2-MG and urinary NAG were two main safety monitoring indices. Days of external application and the total dosage of external application were main factors influencing blood mercury and urine mercury. A safety classification simulation model of treating plasma cell mastitis by external therapy of JP was established by the two factors, which could be used to assess the safety of external application of JP to some extent.

Acetylglucosaminidase ; Alpha-Globulins ; Discriminant Analysis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Mastitis ; drug therapy ; Plasma Cells ; ROC Curve ; Safety

OBJECTIVETo evaluate causes and clinical management of postoperative pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

METHODSFrom January 2004 to June 2009, 41 patients (44 knees) with knee pain post TKA were treated. There were 9 male and 32 female patients aging from 51 to 84 years with a mean of 63.5 years. The diagnosis followed to Brown diagnostic system. One case of extraarticular pain was complex regional pain syndrome type 1 (CRPS-1) and underwent conservative treatment, the remaining 5 cases were treated by surgery. Three cases of joint instability, 1 case of patellar baja, 2 cases of soft tissue impingement caused by overhang of the prosthesis, 1 case of popliteal tendon impact underwent conservative treatment, the other 27 cases underwent surgical intervention. The patients were followed up and the Knee Society Score (KSS) knee score, pain visual analog scale (VAS) score were recorded.

RESULTSForty-one cases were followed up for 1 to 6 years. At the last time of follow-up, the 5 cases received surgical treatment to extra-articular pain showed VAS score as 2.5 ± 0.2, KSS clinical and functional score as 92.8 ± 2.6 and 89.0 ± 3.4. There was significantly difference compared with preoperative (P < 0.05). One case of CRPS-1 performed conservative treatment, the therapy was effective. In the infected 12 cases of intra-articular pain, 1 case received amputation, 3 cases received antibiotic bone cement insert, 8 cases received two stage revision. All infections were cured, and VAS score was 3.8 ± 0.2, KSS clinical score was 88.3 ± 4.6, function score was 85.0 ± 4.6 postoperatively, with significantly difference compared with preoperative (P < 0.05). In the 8 cases received conservative treatment in non-infected group, at the last time of follow-up, VAS score was 4.5 ± 0.4, KSS clinical and functional score was 85.4 ± 4.2 and 84.2 ± 2.3, with significantly difference compared with preoperative (P < 0.05). Fifteen cases underwent surgical treatment, at the last time of follow-up, VAS score was 3.4 ± 0.1, KSS clinical and functional score was 86.6 ± 5.4 and 87.1 ± 2.4, with significantly difference compared with preoperative (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPatients with knee pain post TKA need systematic assessment to identify the causes. Appropriate treatment due to the positive diagnosis generally lead to satisfactory results, surgical intervention with indefinite causes is strictly prohibited.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; adverse effects ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain, Postoperative ; etiology ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies

Tn order to set up a mouse model of myelofibrosis (MF) induced with high dose recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO). 60 mice were collected and divided into EPO and control groups, the former was injected with rhEPO and the latter with normal saline intraperitoneally. 5 mice from each group were executed on day 6, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 respectively. Their WBC count, Hb level, MCV, RDW and platelet amount were measured by automatic blood cell analyzer; CD34(+) cell ratio in bone marrow were analyzed by flow cytometry; liver and spleen coefficients were measured; pathological changes of liver, spleen, femur were observed by HE staining and reticular fibers staining; cortex thickness, femoral canal diameter and lumbar spine density were determined by computerized tomography (CT). The results indicated that as compared with normal control group in EPO induced group, WBC count was increased slightly in whole period, but without statistic significance (p > 0.05), Hb level and RDW increased at day 6 and 30 significantly (p < 0.05), MCV increased at day 6 significantly (p < 0.05), but platelet amount decreased significantly at all time points (p < 0.05). Most mice in EPO-induced group had hepatomegalia and their liver and spleen coefficient increased significantly at day 60 (p < 0.05), while most mice had splenomegaly and its coefficient was increased significantly at all time-points (p < 0.05). CD43(+) cell ratio of EPO group increased significantly in whole period (p < 0.05). CT scanning displayed femoral cortical thickening, medulla canal narrowing and lumbar spine density increasing at day 150, meanwhile, HE staining and reticular fiber staining showed the fatty degeneration or vacuolization in liver, splenomegaly with megakaryocytic proliferation, femur bone marrow fibrosis and osteosclerosis. It is concluded that the mouse induced by high dose of rhEPO displays the myelofibrosis associated with splenic extramedullary hemopoiesis, and this study is useful to establish a practical MF model, and to explore its pathological mechanism.
Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Erythropoietin ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Primary Myelofibrosis ; chemically induced ; Recombinant Proteins ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effects of estrogen on the mitochondria in human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs).

METHODSHUVECs were exposed to H2O2 at 250 micromol/L for 4 h with or without pretreatment with 17-estradiol (E2) and ICI182780. Complex IV activity of the cells was measured with chromometry, and 2, 7-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) was used to determine intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level was quantified with a luciferin- and luciferase-based assay.

RESULTSCompared to the blank control group, H2O2 caused a decrease in complex IV activity, intracellular ATP level, and the cell viability, but elevated intracellular ROS. E2 pretreatment of cells significantly attenuated these effects of H2O2 exposure. ICI182780 administered prior to E2 pretreatment antagonized the protective effects of E2 against H2O2 exposure.

CONCLUSIONE2 offers mitochondrial protective effects on HUVECs, which is mediated by the estrogen receptors.

Cells, Cultured ; Cytoprotection ; drug effects ; Electron Transport Complex IV ; metabolism ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Estrogens ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; pharmacology ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Pregnancy ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Jinleng undershorts on the elevated scrotal temperature induced by varicocele as well as on other clinical symptoms of the disease.

METHODSFifty-one varicocele patients received the treatment of wearing Jinleng undershorts for 30 min twice a day for a course of 90 days. Comparisons were made between the scrotal temperatures and other clinical symptoms of varicocele before and after the treatment.

RESULTSAfter 90 days of treatment with Jinleng undershorts, the left scrotal temperature of the varicocele patients was significantly reduced from (32.16 +/- 0.79) degrees C to (31.53 +/- 0.77) degrees C (P < 0.01), and the right scrotal temperature decreased from (31.91 +/- 0.73) degrees C to (31.81 +/- 0.63) degrees C (P > 0.05). Compared with pretreatment, significant improvement was found in such symptoms as wetness, fever and swelling of the scrotum, backache, headache, dizziness, fatigue and anxiety (P < 0.05), as well as in testicular pain (P < 0.01) and IIEF-5 score, which was increased from 15.89 +/- 6.13 to 20.04 +/- 3.87 (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONJinleng undershorts can be used for the treatment of mild and moderate varicocele.

Body Temperature ; Clothing ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Scrotum ; Varicocele ; therapy

Objective To analyse the cases of sudden death due to hyperthyroid heart disease,and explore the general information of deaths and the forensic pathological characteristics to provide reference evidence for forensic identification of such cases.Methods Six cases of sudden death due to hyperthyroid heart disease between 2001 and 2016 were selected from School of Forensic Medicine,China Medical University.The general information (gender and age),clinical manifestations,medical history,anatomical and histopathological findings,biochemical parameters and cause of death were analysed retrospectively.Results Most of the 6 patients had definite history of hyperthyroidism,and they all showed certain degrees of symptoms of cardiovascular disease;had obvious incentive factors of death;histopathological examination of thyroid conformed to the performances of diffuse toxic goiter;with increase of cardiac weight,dilatation of cardiac chambers,myocardial hypertrophy and focal necrosis;postmortem biochemical analyses of pericardial fluid could be used as an additional method for diagnostic of sudden death due to hyperthyroid heart disease.Conclusion The identification of death due to hyperthyroid heart disease should be based on the clinical history and the results of autopsy,histopathological examination,postmortem toxicology tests.The postmortem biochemical detection of thyroid and cardiac function should be performed if necessary.