Adolescent ; Child ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Extracellular Matrix ; metabolism ; Female ; Fibrillin-1 ; Fibrillins ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Microfilament Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the regulatory effect of procyanidins (PC) on the expressions of Th1 type cytokines (IFN-gamma and IL-12) and the transcription factor T-bet mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) in patients with alopecia areata (AA).

METHODSAbove-mentioned expressions were detected using RT-PCR technique in 20 AA patients (8 of mild and 12 of severe degree) and 10 healthy subjects after phytoaemagglutinin (PHA) or PHA + PC stimulation.

RESULTSAfter being stimulated by PHA and PHA + PC, in patients with severe AA, the expression of T-bet mRNA was 0.581 +/- 0.148 and 0.419 +/- 0.113 respectively; that of IFN-gamma mRNA, 0.689 +/- 0.219 and 0.430 +/- 0.162; and that of IL-12 mRNA, 0.198 +/- 0.056 and 0.136 +/- 0.035, respectively. As compared with those before stimulation, the respective difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPC can inhibit the expressions of Th1 type cytokines and transcription factor T-bet in PBMC of severe AA patients, and reverse the Th1 responses. The authors offered that it maybe part of the acting mechanism of pine needle for treatment of AA.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Alopecia Areata ; drug therapy ; genetics ; immunology ; Case-Control Studies ; Cells, Cultured ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; genetics ; immunology ; Interleukin-12 ; genetics ; immunology ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; drug effects ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Proanthocyanidins ; administration & dosage ; T-Box Domain Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Young Adult

Astrocytoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Brain Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Frizzled Receptors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Glioblastoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Glioma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Paraffin Embedding ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Wnt2 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; beta Catenin ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To detect the expression of matrix metallproteinases(MMPs) in aortic valve of children who suffered from rheumatic heart disease(RHD) and to explore the pathological role of MMPs in children′s rheumatic aortic valve disease.Methods RHD group composed of 18 aortic valves from children suffered from RHD.Controls were 8 children who were died accidentally without cardiovascular system diseases.Hematoxylin and eosin stain observing the histological characteristic of the 2 groups.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect expression of MMP2 and MMP9 on aortic valves in 2 groups.Results Hematoxylin and eosin stain showed:in RHD the valves′ structure were destroyed along with fibrous tissue proliferation,mucinous degeneration,collagen and fiber hyalinization,blood vessel and blood capillary proliferation,lymphocyte,plasmocyte,monocyte infiltration.Immunohistochemistry showed that MMP2 and MMP9 expression were significantly higher than those in the aortic of RHD(68.85?13.08,64.35?9.59) compared with control group(107.31?23.39,116.28?6.99)(t=3.92,10.18 all P

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy difference between thumb-tack acupuncture with surrounding needling method plus medication and medication alone for herpes zoster (HZ) of stagnated heat in liver meridian type. METHODS: According to random number table method, 60 patients with HZ of stagnated heat in liver meridian type were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. All the patients were treated with oral valaciclovir hydrochloride dispersible tablets (0.3 g per time, twice per day), mecobalamin tablets (0.5 mg per time, three times a day) and vitamin B (10 mg per time, three times a day) for 15 days. In addition, the patients in the observation group were treated with thumb-tack acupuncture at area 1 cm outside the herpes, with an interval of 3 cm between thumb-tack needles. The thumb-tack acupuncture was given once every 3 days, retained for 48 h, with an interval of 1 day between treatments, and totally 5 treatments were given. The index of herpetic evaluation (stopping time of herpes, scarring time, decrustation time), visual analogue scale (VAS), serum immune-related factors (IgG, IgM, IgA) and serum inflammatory factors (IL-4, IL-17, TNF-α, TGF-β1) were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the stopping time of herpes, scarring time, decrustation time in the observation group were shorter than those in the control group (all <0.05). Compared before treatment, the VAS score in the two groups were reduced after treatment (both <0.05), and no significant difference was observed between the two groups (>0.05), but the difference before and after treatment in the observation group was superior to that in the control group (<0.05). Compared before treatment, the levels of serum immune-related factors IgG, IgM, IgA were increased in the two groups after treatment (all <0.05), and the levels in the observation group after treatment were higher than those in the control group (all <0.05). Compared before treatment, the levels of serum inflammatory factors IL-4, IL-17, TNF-α, TGF-β1 were reduced in the two groups after treatment (all <0.05), and the levels in the observation group after treatment were lower than those in the control group (all <0.05). CONCLUSION The thumb-tack acupuncture with surrounding needling method plus medication have the advantages of rapid onset and analgesic effect for HZ of stagnated heat in liver meridian type, which could also improve serum immune-related factors and reduce inflammatory reaction.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Herpes Zoster ; therapy ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Liver ; Meridians ; Thumb ; Treatment Outcome

The purpose of this study was to summary the clinical and laboratorial features in 15 adult cases of mixed phenotypic acute leukemia with Ph chromosome and/or BCR-ABL fusion gene positive (Ph(+)MPAL), 15 adult patients with Ph(+)MPAL were defined by WHO-2008 classification. The clinical characteristics, results of morphology, immunology, cytogenetics and molecular genetic detections and results of follow-up in 15 adult patients with Ph(+)MPAL were analyzed retrospectively. The results showed that 15 patients among 87 cases of MPAL demonstrated Ph(+)MPAL (17.2%; 15/87) (7 males and 8 females), their median age was 51 (range 16-81) year old and median WBC count at diagnosis was 69 (12.7-921)×10(9)/L. Based on FAB criteria, these patients showed different morphologic types, including AML (13.3%; 2/15), ALL (40.0%; 6/15), HAL (46.7%; 7/15). Immunologic analysis indicated that 15 cases of Ph(-)MPAL were all classified as B-lymphoid +myeloid mixed immunophenotype. Except one patient, all expressed CD34 antigen on the surface of leukemia cells with 64.3% strong positive, only Ph (53.3%; 8/15), Ph with additional chromosomal abnormalities (33.3%; 5/15) and normal karyotype (13.3%; 2/15) were cytogenetically identified. BCR-ABL fusion gene transcript positive were detected by multiplex reverse transcription PCR in all cases, with e1a2 subtype (p190) (40.0%; 6/15) and b2a2 or b3a2 (p210) subtype (60.0%; 9/15). Four out of 7 (57.1%) patients were found to have IKZF1 gene deletion, without other common gene mutations. Seven out of 10 cases (70.0%) achieved complete remission (CR) after one cycle of induction chemotherapy. In the induction stage, CR rate seemed higher when tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) were added to chemotherapy (83.3%:50.0%; P = 0.206). Overall survival (OS) in 4 patients received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) was longer than that in 4 patients received chemotherapy alone (P = 0.004). It is concluded that Ph(+)MPAL mainly is expressed as B+My phenotype. The majority of patients is older and has CD34 overexpression. In the aspect of molecular genetics, the Ph(+)MPAL is similar to other acute leukemia with Ph chromosome. Ph(+)MPAL is a subtype of acute leukemia with poor prognosis. WBC count at diagnosis is an independent prognostic factor. The combination of TKI and allo-HSCT can improve their long-term survival, which needs to be confirmed through carrying out a prospective and multicenter clinical trial for newly diagnosed Ph(+)MPAL.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Female ; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phenotype ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; diagnosis ; genetics ; therapy ; Prognosis ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

Hypertension is the most important risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases， affecting the structures and functions of important organs of the body， such as the heart， brain， and kidney. At present， the prevalence of hypertension in China remains high. How to effectively curb the incidence of hypertension and reduce target organ damage in patients with hypertension is an urgent challenge that needs to be addressed. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， by virtue of its unique efficacies and advantages， is increasingly applied around the world. In TCM， "wind" is considered as a major constant factor in the development of hypertension. Some scholars believe that hypertension is located in collaterals， and the lesions of collaterals are also important reasons for the occurrence and development of hypertension. Collateral diseases and pathogenic wind are closely related to the development of hypertension as well as target organ damage in the heart， brain， and kidney. From the six-meridian syndrome differentiation for febrile diseases， "collateral" and "wind" are closely related to the Jueyin， with collateral diseases classified into Jueyin diseases and pathogenic wind beginning in the Jueyin. The occurrence， development， and persistence of hypertension are closely related to Jueyin diseases. The present study analyzed the pathogenesis and treatment of hypertension from "collateral" and "wind" of the Jueyin， and specifically discussed the relationship between hypertension and "collateral" and "wind" of the Jueyin. It is believed that the internal depression of wind and fire in the Jueyin results in the upward impulse of liver fire， and the deficiency of Jueyin can trigger the internal movement of liver wind and stirring wind due to collateral deficiency. External contraction in the Jueyin due to the induction of external wind is the important pathogenesis of the development of hypertension and the damage to target organs such as the heart， brain， and kidney. The therapeutic methods for both "collateral" and "wind" were also discussed based on the primary prescription for Jueyin， Wumei Pills. Six-meridian syndrome differentiation can guide the therapeutic principles for all diseases and inspire posterity. Exploring the pathogenesis and treatment of hypertension from “collateral" and "wind" of the Jueyin is of great significance in guiding the prevention and treatment of hypertension， reducing target organ damage in patients with hypertension， and improving the prognosis of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

Objective:Define traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapeutic principles and methods and common prescriptions of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) based on clinical experience of famous doctors. Method:China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biology Medicine disc, China Science and Technology Journal Database, Wanfang database were systematically retrieved for literatures of famous doctors in diagnosis and treatment of BPH from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 2018.A literature analysis database was established for integration and analysis of relevant content of TCM therapeutic principles and methods and prescriptions. SPSS 20.0 software was used for statistics to obtain TCM therapeutic principles and methods, common prescriptions and drug distribution regularity of BPH. Result:A total of 109 qualified literatures were included in this study, involving 66 famous doctors and experts, and 9 kinds of BPH therapeutic principles were obtained, including "treatment of both symptoms and root cause of disease", "tonification and purgation in combination", "coordination of Yin and Yang". There are 55 kinds of therapies, including "promoting blood circulation for removing blood stasis", "clearing heat and promoting dampness", "warming and recuperating kidney Yang", "softening and resolving hard mass" and " invigorating kidney Qi". And BPH was mostly diagnosed and treated based on kidney, spleen and lung. Through collection and summarization, totally 38 formulas commonly used in treating BPH obtained. The most commonly used ones were "Guizhi Fuling Wan", "Zishen Tongguan Wan", "Buzhong Yiqi Tang", " Bazheng Tang" and "Jisheng Shenqi Wan". There were 217 commonly used herbs, mainly including " Astragali Radix", "Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata", "Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma", "Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma", "Angelicae Sinensis Radix", "Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae", "Peach Kernel", "Pangolin Scales", "Vaccariae Semen", "Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma", "Poria", "Rhizoma Alismatis" and "Plantain Seed". Conclusion:The treatment of BPH is based on the principles of "treatment of both symptoms and root cause of disease, and tonification and purgation in combination". The commonly used therapies include prescription for "promoting blood circulation for removing blood stasis", "clearing heat and promoting dampness" and "warming and recuperating kidney Yang". The corresponding prescriptions shall be based on symptoms.

Melasma， as a kind of melanosis， often occurs over the face of young and middle-aged women， which seriously affects the physical and mental health of patients. At present， it is believed that the occurrence of melasma is related to various factors such as ultraviolet radiation and changes in sex hormone levels in the body. However， the exact pathogenesis of melasma is still unclear and its clinical efficacy is not ideal. Therefore， it is of great clinical significance and social value to carry out basic researches on melasma diseases. Among them， the animal model of melasma acts as an important tool for studying melasma， and it is particularly important to clarify the pathophysiological mechanism of the occurrence and development of melasma. The common modeling methods include ultraviolet modeling， progesterone modeling and ultraviolet combined with progesterone modeling. However， there are still some problems in the practical application of animal models of melasma due to many influencing factors in the preparation of such animal models， and there is still a lack of a more complete and recognized model preparation scheme to this day， which reduces the success rate of model preparation and limits its application and popularization to some extent. In view of the key problems in the establishment and application of animal models of melasma， we comprehensively summarized the research status of the models from such aspects as experimental animals， modeling methods and model evaluation， and discussed the effects of different modeling methods and animal species， animal age and other factors on animal model of melasma by referring to and sorting out the recent literatures at home and abroad in recent years. This is to provide references for the preparation of more scientific， reasonable， economic and convenient animal models of melasma， lay a foundation for in-depth researches on the pathogenesis， prevention and treatment of melasma， and also provide reference for other animal model research.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is reported associated with the alteration of gut microbial composition termed as dysbiosis. However, the pathogenic mechanism of IBS remains unclear, while the studies of Chinese individuals are scarce. This study aimed to understand the concept of dysbiosis among patients with Chinese diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D), as a degree of variance between the gut microbiomes of IBS-D population and that of a healthy population. METHODS: The patients with IBS-D were recruited (assessed according to the Rome III criteria, by IBS symptom severity score) from the Outpatient Department of Gastroenterology of Peking University Third Hospital, and volunteers as healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled, during 2013. The 16S rRNA sequences were extracted from fecal samples. Ribosomal database project resources, basic local alignment search tool, and SparCC software were used to obtain the phylotype composition of samples and the internal interactions of the microbial community. Herein, the non-parametric test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test was carried out to find the statistical significance between HC and IBS-D groups. All the P values were adjusted to q values to decrease the error rate. RESULTS: The study characterized the gut microbiomes of Chinese patients with IBS-D, and demonstrated that the dysbiosis could be characterized as directed alteration of the microbiome composition leading to greater disparity between relative abundance of two phyla, Bacteroidetes (Z = 4.77, q = 1.59 × 10) and Firmicutes (Z = -3.87, q = 5.83 × 10). Moreover, it indicated that the IBS symptom features were associated with the dysbiosis of whole gut microbiome, instead of one or several certain genera even they were dominating. Two genera, Bacteroides and Lachnospiracea incertae sedis, were identified as the core genera, meanwhile, the non-core genera contribute to a larger pan-microbiome of the gut microbiome. Furthermore, the dysbiosis in patients with IBS-D was associated with a reduction of network complexity of the interacted microbial community (HC vs. IBS-D: 639 vs. 154). The disordered metabolic functions of patients with IBS-D were identified as the potential influence of gut microbiome on the host (significant difference with q < 0.01 between HC and IBS-D). CONCLUSIONS This study supported the view of the potential influence of gut microbiome on the symptom of Chinese patients with IBS-D, and further characterized dysbiosis in Chinese patients with IBS-D, thus provided more pathological evidences for IBS-D with the further understanding of dysbiosis.
Diarrhea ; microbiology ; Dysbiosis ; microbiology ; Feces ; microbiology ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; genetics ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; microbiology ; Models, Theoretical ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; genetics