OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Tetramethyl pyrazine (TMP) on the cytokines and inflammatory mediators in the serum and the synovial fluid of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA)rats, and further to investigate its possible mechanisms for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODSType II CIA rat model was established. Rats in the TMP group were administered with TMP at 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, once daily. Dexamethasone at 2.0 mg/kg was intramuscularly injected to those in the Dexamethasone treated group, once daily. Normal saline at 2 mL/kg was given to those in the normal control group and the model group, once daily. All medication was started from the 7th day, lasting to the 35th day. CIA rats' foot swelling degree was observed. Contents of serum IL-1, IL-6, IL-2, NO and PGE2in the synovial fluid were detected by radioimmunoassay and nitrate reduction method.

RESULTSCompared with the normal group, the foot swelling obviously increased, contents of NO and PGE2 in the synovial fluid were obviously elevated in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the foot swelling could be obviously inhibited by 100 mg/kg TMP and Dexamethasone; serum levels of IL-1 and IL-6 obviously decreased, serum IL-2 level obviously increased, contents of NO and PGE, decreased (P < 0.01). TMP 50 mg/kg could obviously inhibit the foot swelling of CIA rats (P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in other indices (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTMP at 100 mg/kg showed obvious inhibition on CIA rats. Its inhibitory effect might be correlated to inhibiting activities of endogenous cytokines and the generation of inflammatory mediators in inflammation local regions, improving contents of anti-inflammation cytokines, and inducing the balance of the inflammatory cytokine network.

Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; blood ; metabolism ; Dinoprostone ; metabolism ; Female ; Interleukin-1beta ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Synovial Fluid ; metabolism

Objective To systemically evaluate the accuracy of CT and MR estimating whole liver volume with evidence based medicine methods.Method Published papers about whole liver volume estimation with CT or MR modality were searched in Cochrane library,MEDLINE,EMBASE,CMBdisc(China biology medicine disc) for English and Chinese abstracts.Inclusion criteria were formulated according to validity criteria for diagnostic research published by the Cochrane collaboration.Heterogeneity test of extracted data of Eligible papers was performed first to determine the appropriate statistical model used to pool the result.Finally,sensitivity and publish bias analysis was performed.Result Seventeen articles with 37 studies including 351 patients met the inclusion criteria.There was no heterogeneity between included studies (I2 =0％,Q =5.85,P =1).Fixed effect model was selected for the meta analysis and there was no statistically significant difference between true and radiological estimated whole liver volume (WMD =21.61 mL,95％ confidence interval:-6.33-49.57 mL,z =1.51,P =0.13).Sensitivity analysis revealed the result was robust which was not affected by excluding any of the included studies.Funnel plot and publish bias analysis showed no publish bias (t =-1.55,P=0.13).Conclusion CT and MR volume estimation is accurate for liver volume measurement,which provides important information for preoperative evaluation,postoperative monitoring and follow-up studies of other hepatic pathologies.aximum benefit to patients.

Objective To study the therapeutic effects of Xileisan Pessary on rats with cervicitis based on the idea of treating different diseases with the same therapy. Methods Vagina perfusion of hydroxybenzene mucilage was used to establish rat cervicitis models. Rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, positive medicine group, low-, medium-, and high-dose Xileisan Pessary groups. Rats with cervicitis were treated with Xileisan Pessary from the next day after modeling for 10 days. The amount of neutrophilic granulocytes and leukocytes were detected by blood routine analysis meter; cervial histopathologic examination was conducted by HE staining. Results Compared with normal group, the numbers of granulocyte and leucocyte increased significantly in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the numbers of granulocyte and leucocyte in the low-dose Xileisan Pessary group showed a decreasing trend (P<0.05, P<0.01); cervical inflammation mucosal epithelium and tissue necrosis were signally alleviated; granulocyte in the medium-dose Xileisan Pessary group showed a decreasing trend (P>0.05);the content of leucocyte hardly changed;granulocyte in the high-dose Xileisan Pessary group increased observably (P<0.01); the number of leucocyte showed an increasing trend (P>0.05), and the numbers of granulocyte and leucocyte in positive medicine group decreased observably (P<0.01), and cervical inflammation mucosal epithelium and tissue necrosis were also signally alleviated. Conclusion Xileisan Perssary can relieve the inflammation of cervix and repair injured mucosa. It has the function of treating different diseases with the same therapy.

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy and safety of Danlong Oral Liquid (DOL) combined Western medicine (WM) in treating mild-to-moderate bronchial asthma patients (heat wheezing syndrome) at acute onset.

METHODSTotally 480 mild-to-moderate bronchial asthma patients (heat wheezing syndrome) at acute onset were randomly assigned to two groups in the ratio 3:1, the treatment group (360 cases) and the control group (120 cases). All patients received basic WM treatment. Patients in the treatment group took DOL, 10 mL each time, 3 times per day for 7 days in total, while those in the control group took Kechuanning Oral Liquid (KOL) , 10 mL each time, 3 times per day for 7 days in total. Efficacy for asthma symptoms, lung functions and scores of TCM syndrome and/or main symptoms were evaluated.

RESULTSThe percentage of clinical control and significant effectiveness of asthma symptoms in the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group (77.36% vs 56.07%, P < 0.01). The percentage of clinical control and significant effectiveness of lung functions in the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group (74.28% vs 50.00%, P < 0.01). The anterior-posterior difference in scores of TCM syndrome was significantly superior in the treatment group than in the control group (-11.26 ± 4.70 vs -9.21 ± 5.09, P < 0.01). The anterior-posterior difference in scores of main symptoms was significantly better in the treatment group than in the control group (-6.58 ± 3.08 vs -5.16 ± 3.45, P < 0.01). The incidence of adverse reactions was significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group [1.73% (6/346 cases) vs 10.17% (12/118 cases) , P < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONDOL combined WM was superior to KOL in treating mild-to-moderate bronchial asthma patients (heat wheezing syndrome) at acute onset.

Anti-Asthmatic Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; Biomedical Research ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Lung ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phytotherapy ; Respiratory Sounds ; Syndrome

Objective To investigate the effect of 8 Hz infrasound on the expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)in the rat hippocampus.Methods Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into groups to be exposed to 90,100 and 130 dB infrasound,and a control group(n=12).All the animals in the infrasound exposure groups were exposed to 8 Hz infrasound at the planned intensity for 2 hours daily for 4 weeks.The rats of the control group were treated identically except that the infrasound amplitude was 0 dB.The animals were sacrificed and their brains were examined at the end of the 4-week infrasound exposure.Western blotting was used to detect the expression of BDNF protein,and in situ hybridization(ISH)was used to observe the distribution of BDNF mBNA in the hippocampus.Results Eight Hz infrasound induced down-regulation of BDNF protein in the hippocampus,with volume-dependent characteristics.ISH showed that BDNF mRNA was distributed widely in the hippocampus.After exposed to infrasound,BDNF mRNA in the hippocampus decreased,especially in the dental gyrus.Conclusion Eight Hz infrasound can down-regulate the expression of BDNF in the hippocampus,especially in the dental gyrus.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the regulation of{O2 (2,4-dinitrophenyl)1-[(4-ethoxycarbonyl) piperazin-1-yl] diazen-1-ium-1, 2-diolate} (JS-K), a nitric oxide donor, on tumor energy metabolism in H22 tumor-bearing mice. METHODS The hepatoma animal model in BALB/c mice was established with H22 cell line. The inoculated mice were randomly divided into four groups. The JS-K group and model group received JS-K (0.75 and 1.50 mg?kg-1) and saline via tail the vein intravenously once every 3 d for 14 d, and 5 injections, respectively. The fluorouracil (5-FU) group received 5-FU 20 mg·kg-1 by intra-peritoneal injection once a day for 14 d. On the 15th day after the first administration, mice were sacri-ficed and the tumor, thymus and spleen were isolated and weighed immediately. The tumor growth inhibitory rate and organ index were calculated. The activities of hexokinase (HK), phosphofructokinase (PFK), pyruvate kinase (PK), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase), and the levels of lactic acid (LD) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in tumor tissues were determined by colorimetric method. The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) and hexokinaseⅡ(HKⅡ) in the tumor tissue was analyzed by Western blotting. RESULTS Compared with model group, the tumor mass of JS-K 0.75 and 1.50 mg · kg-1 groups was significantly reduced (P<0.01), and the tumor growth inhibitory rate was 23.9%and 50.3%, respectively. There was no diffrence in thymic and splenic indexes between JS-K group and model group. The activity of HK, PFK, SDH, PK and ATPase of tumor tissue in model group was 22.6±3.7, 14.4±2.6, (10.5±2.6) U·g-1protein, (12.9±3.2) kU·g-1 protein and (0.70 ± 0.10) mmolPi · g-1protein · h-1, respectively, which dropped by 42.0%, 26.6%, 22.7%, 23.3%and 21.7%respectively (P<0.01, P<0.05) in JS-K 1.50 mg?kg-1 group. Compared with the model group, the level of ATP of tumor tissue in JS-K 1.50 mg?kg-1 groups dropped by 16.6%(P<0.01) and the level of LD in JS-K 0.75 and 1.50 mg?kg-1 groups dropped by 38.7%and 59.4%(P<0.01), respectively. In addi-tion, the expression of HIF-1αof tumor tissue in JS-K 1.50 mg?kg-1 group was decreased (P<0.01), and the expression of HKⅡ of tumor tissue in JS-K 0.75 and 1.50 mg?kg-1 groups was decreased signifi-cantly (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION JS-K can inhibit the growth of tumor in H22 tumor-bearing mice and its mechanism may be related to regulating the tumor energy metabolism by inhibiting glycolysis and aerobic oxidation.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of potassium and calcium supplementation in table salt on reduction of arterial blood pressure and sodium metabolism in adolescents with higher blood pressure.

METHODSA single blind placebo-controlled trial was carried out for two years in 220 adolescents with higher blood pressure, aged 18 - 22 years, who were randomly divided into supplementary group (n = 110) and control group (n = 110). Each of the subjects in the supplementary group and their family members was given 10 mmol of potassium and 10 mmol of calcium mixed in their table salt daily for 24 months.

RESULTSNight urinary sodium and potassium excretion increased (urinary Na(+), P < 0.05; urinary K(+), P < 0.01) and blood pressure lowered by 5.3 mm Hg/1.8 mm Hg in average from the baseline in the supplementary group two years after potassium and calcium supplementation, as compared with that in the control group increased by (1.3/1.7) mm Hg.

CONCLUSIONSAdequate supplement of potassium and calcium in daily table salt intake was an effective way to prevent form hypertension and could promote their urinary sodium excretion and reduction of arterial blood pressure in adolescents with higher blood pressure.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Pressure Monitors ; Calcium, Dietary ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; diet therapy ; prevention & control ; Male ; Natriuresis ; Potassium, Dietary ; administration & dosage ; Single-Blind Method ; Sodium ; metabolism ; Sodium, Dietary ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo evaluate breast reconstruction with a combined skin flap of the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) and the transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM).

METHODSThe DIEP and TRAM united flap was elevated with the vessel pedicle of the deep inferior epigastric perforator on the affected side and the rectus abdominis muscle pedicle on the intact side. The reconstructive breast was shaped after the deep inferior epigastric vessels were anastomosed to the internal mammary vessels or the thoracodorsal vessels ipsilaterally.

RESULTSWe have used the DIEP and TRAM united flaps for breast reconstruction in 17 cases. All of the flaps survived, and the reconstructed breasts were well-shaped with the follow-up of 6-18 months.

CONCLUSIONSThe DIEP and TRAM united flap possesses of advantages such as rich blood supply, abundant tissue volume and easy shaping. It is especially applicable to the cases who have large chest defect and need large volume tissue.

Adult ; Epigastric Arteries ; transplantation ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Rectus Abdominis ; transplantation ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply

OBJECTIVETo investigate the technique of repeated operation for removement of polyacrylamide hydrogel from breast.

METHODS17 cases after uncomplete removement of PHG were reoperated through inferior periareolar incision. The PHG and affected denatured muscle and gland tissue were removed.

RESULTSPreoperative MRI or CT showed PHG distributed diffusely in muscle and gland. There was only minimal residual PHG after operation. Histological examination showed PHG distributed in the denatured and proliferative fibrous tissue, including giant cells, many neutrophilic cells infiltration, and foreign body granuloma. The symptoms, such as intramammary pump or nodule, chest and back pain, infection, were relieved after operation.

CONCLUSIONSBlinded suction technique can not remove PHG completely and can also result in malposition of PHG and make the tissue denaturation worse. We suggest open approach to remove the PHG and denatured tissue completely through periareolar incision.

Acrylic Resins ; Adult ; Breast Implants ; Device Removal ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; instrumentation ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate miR- 125b regulation mechanism by identifying miR-125b target genes and its function in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

METHODSThe bioinformatics software and database were applied to predict and analyze target genes of miR-125b. The vector contained the target gene 3'-UTR portion cloned into a luciferase reporter construct. A luciferase reporter assay was performed following co-transfection of small molecular miR-125b mimics and target gene wild-type or mutant plasmid into HEK-293T cells. Further in leukemia cell lines NB4 and HL-60, the protein level of target gene was measured by Western blot after overexpression miR-125b. Finally, the viabilities of NB4 and HL-60 cells were measured by CCK-8 assay at 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 96 h after electroporation.

RESULTSBcl-2-antagonist/killer 1 (Bak1), a pro-apoptotic gene, was a target gene of miR-125b by software predicts. Reporter vector containing the 3'-UTR Bak1 wild and mutation sites were co-transfected with small molecule analogues of miR-125b in HEK-293T cells. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay system showed that miR-125b significantly suppresses the reporter gene activity containing Bak1 3'-UTR by about 53.8% (P<0.05), but it didn't suppresses the reporter gene activity containing 3'-UTR Bak1 mutation. Western blot showed that miR-125b mimics significantly down-regulated the expression of Bak1 in human leukemia cell lines NB4 and HL-60. Meanwhile, the growth rate of cells treated with miR-125b obviously increased compared with that in control by CCK-8 test (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONOur findings strongly indicated that BAK1 was a downstream target gene of miR-125b, and miR-125b promoted proliferation in human AML cells at least partially by targeting Bak1, so we speculated that miR-125b as an oncogene could be a potential therapeutic target for treating AML.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Genetic Vectors ; HEK293 Cells ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Transfection ; bcl-2 Homologous Antagonist-Killer Protein ; genetics ; metabolism