When the central nervous system is stimulated, the opioid neuropeptide?-endorphine (?-EP) is liberated into the blood stream. The result of this work showedthat the antigen-presenting capability (APCP) of normal human monocytes (Mon) wasmarkedly enhanced (P0. 05), sug-gesting that the effect of ?-EP was mediated through the opioid receptors on the Mon.

Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Humans ; Immunity ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; physiology

OBJECTIVE　To develop an assay for the determination of berberine hydrochloride in berberine hydrochloride tablets,and to compare the results measured by colormetric method with the assay described in Chinese Pharmacopoeia 1995 for assessing the correlation of the two methods.METHODS　Potassium dichromate colormetric method was selected to determine the content, and the 0.2 mg*mL-1Potassium dichromate was used as the reference solution. The absorbency was measured at 421 nm.RESULTS　The calibration curve for berberine hydrochloride was linear within the concentration range of 4.0～28.0 μg*mL-1(r=0.9999).The average recovery was 100.05%(n=5),and the RSD was 0.43%.The analytical results for berberine hydrochloride between the two methods was found to be correlated.CONCLUSION　The method was proved to be simple, precise and reproduciable. It can be used for the quantitative determination of berberine hydrochloride. It is especially practicable for rapid analysis in production.

BACKGROUND:For the elderly osteoporotic thoracolumbar burst fractures without nerve root symptoms,it is difficult to choose between traditional surgical and conservative treatment,because they have their advantages and disadvantages.How to select their advantages and to discard their disadvantages? Concept of minimal invasion builds a new platform and provides a new way of thinking and therapeutic tool.OBJECTIVE:To design and develop a new thoracolumbar distraction reduction devicein vitro in the repair of elderly osteoporotic burst fractures.METHODS:We designed and developed a new type of thoracic and lumbar spinein vitrodistraction reduction device,including bracket,guide pin and two holow screws.Its characteristic is that it also contained distractor,pressurizer and wrench.In accordance with the theory of muscles as important as bones and actual anatomical condition,bone fragment in the spine canal was restored using percutaneous ligament reconstructive technique.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:This thoracic and lumbar spinein vitro distraction reduction device combined with ligament reconstructive technique can be used in elderly osteoporotic burst fractures and elderly osteoporotic compression fractures.It is percutaneous minimaly invasive operation,can restore the height of anterior and central cylinders and correct Cobb's angle through multi angle distraction.Simultaneously,percutaneousvertebroplasty can be utilized.Bone cement was infused in the injured vertebra.According to patients' economic situation,percutaneous baloon kyphoplasty can be employed.These can provide an inexpensive,less-pain,less-invasive way to repair.

Objective To investigate the effects of Pollen Typhae total flavone ( PTF) , an extract from Pollen Typhae which has the actions of activating blood and removing stasis, on inflammatory factors and insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic rats. Methods SD rats were used as the experimental animal. Type 2 diabetic rats induced by high fat diet plus low dose of streptozotocin were randomly divided into model group, PTF group (in the dosage of 200 mg·kg-1·d-1) , and rosiglitazone group (in the dosage of 4 mg·kg-1·d-1) . Additionally, normal control group was set up. After treatment for 4 weeks, plasma interleukin 6 ( IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha ( TNF-α) levels were detected, the insulin tolerance test ( ITT) was performed, and the protein expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 ( SOCS-3) in skeletal muscle was determined. Results After treatment for 4 weeks, the plasma levels of IL-6 and TNF-α, the homeostasis model of insulin resistance ( HOMA-IR) , and expression level of SOCS-3 in skeletal muscle in the model groups were significantly increased ( P﹤0.05) as compared with those in the normal control group, and insulin tolerance was also impaired in the model group ( P﹤0.05) . Compared with the model group, IL-6 level and HOMA-IR were markedly decreased in the PTF group ( P﹤0.05) , and the impaired insulin tolerance was obviously improved (P﹤0.05) . The level of SOCS-3 in the skeletal muscle of PTF group was also much lower than that of the model group and rosiglitazone group (P﹤0.05) . Conclusion PTF has effects on decreasing the levels of plasma IL-6 and SOCS-3 in the skeletal muscle and on improving insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic rats.

Objective To study expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1? (HIF 1?) in the lungs of hypoxic rats and to explore the role of HIF 1? in the pathogenesis of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension Methods Twenty Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group and hypoxia group The models of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension were established by exposure to hypoxia for 4 weeks according to our laboratory protocol Digoxin labelled cRNA probe for HIF 1? was prepared by in vitro transcription Northern blot was performed by using the HIF 1? cRNA probe and In situ hybridization was also conducted with rat lung tissue sections Results Northern blot hybridization showed minimally positive in the lung tissue of control group ,but strongly positive in hypoxia group In situ hybridization analysis with hypoxic rat lung tissue revealed that HIF 1? mRNA was expressed in bronchial epithelial cells (strongly positive reaction) and peribronchial proliferative lymphomatic tissue (weakly positive reaction),casually in alveolar wall cells (weakly positive reaction),but not in pulmonary arterial endothelium and smooth muscle cells Conclusions Our data suggested that chronic hypoxia could induce pulmonary hypertension characterized by pulmonary vascular remodeling HIF 1? mRNA expression was elevated in the lungs of rat under hypoxic condition HIF 1 may be involved in the pathophysiological changes in response to hypoxia and play an important role in the development of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension

Objective To investigate the value of FDG PET-CT in the outcome assessment and prognostic evaluation for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (rNPC).Methods From January 2008 to December 2013,92 rNPC patients were treated in our center,who were histologically or radiologically diagnosed and re-staged according to the 2008 clinical staging system for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in China.The numbers of patients in stage Ⅰ,stage Ⅱ,stage Ⅲ,and stage Ⅳ were 8,11,39,and 34,respectively.According to the recurrent T stage (rT),the numbers of patients in rT1,rT2,rT3,and rT4 were 10,11,38,and 33,respectively.Twenty-eight patients had recurrence in the neck lymph nodes.All patients underwent pretreatment FDG PET-CT for the whole body or head/neck,and treated by radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy.The relationship of maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) and clinical factors with clinical outcomes was analyzed.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate overall survival (OS),disease-free survival (DFS),local recurrence-free survival (LRFS),regional recurrence-free survival (RRFS),and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS).The log-rank test was used for survival difference analysis and univariate prognostic analysis.The Cox model was used for multivariate prognostic analysis.Results The 3-year OS,DFS,LRFS,RRFS,and DMFS were 33.6％,32.1％,32.8％,31.8％,and 33.7％,respectively.The median SUVmax was 8.35 (2.7-21.5).The SUVmax of 7.0 was taken as the optimal cut-off value for all patients.Patients with SUVmax ≤7.0 had a significantly higher 3-year OS rate than those with SUVm ax ＞7.0 (42.0％ vs.28.3％,P=0.019).The univariate analysis revealed that patient age,SUV and rN were significantly associated with OS (P=0.023,0.019,and 0.002).The multivariate analysis showed that SUVmax and rN were significant influencing factors for OS,DFS,and DMFS (HR=1.68,P=0.045 and HR=2.23,P=0.003;HR=1.67,P=0.042 and HR=2.39,P=0.001;HR=1.77,P=0.025 and HR=2.40,P=0.001).Conclusions SUVmax may be one of the useful prognostic factors for OS,DFS,and DMFS in rNPC patients.

18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18F-FDG PET-CT) is the integration of functional imaging and anatomic information,which is found to be particularly valuable in TNM staging,tumor volume delineating,post-treatment assessment,identification of recurrent and residual nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).The combination of 18F-FDG PET-CT with other image technologies,different tracer agents,and specific molecular biomarkers can improve the application value of 18F-FDG PET-CT in NPC.

Aged ; Diastole ; Female ; Humans ; Tachycardia, Ectopic Atrial ; physiopathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the anti-immune inflammation efficacy and toxicity of Tripterygium wilfordii decoction, in order to provide experimental basis for studies on its "efficacy-toxicity" correlation.

METHODThe delayed hypersensitivity model was established by dinitrofluorobenzene in mice. Different doses of T. wilfordii decoction was administered for 5 consecutive days. The ear swelling inhibition ratio and the toxic action were observed. After the final administration, the biochemical indexes of PGE2, TNF-α, IL-2, ALT, AST, PA, TBA, TBIL in serum were detected, and the visceral indexes of heart, liver, spleen and kidney were measured.

RESULTThe DNFB-induced ear swelling could be notably inhibited by multiple oral administration of T. wilfordii decoction, with the ED50 and its 95% confidence limit of 0.34 (0.21-0.42) g x kg(-1). The contents of PGE2, TNF-α, IL-2 in serum decreased in a dose-dependent manner. The activities of serum AST, ALT, TBA, TBIL and the PA content reduced.

CONCLUSIONT. wilfordii decoction shows a significant anti-immune inflammation efficacy within the dosage range between 0.59 and 2.34 g x kg(-1) in a dose-dependent manner. With a certain hepatotoxicity, high dose (2.34-4.68 g x kg(-1)) of T. wilfordii decoction can cause substantial liver injury, with a dose dependence in liver function index. Therefore, the efficacy and toxicity of T. wilfordii is dose dependent, which provides reference for preventing adverse drug reactions in clinic and developing early-warning schemes and ensure the clinical medication safety of T. wilfordii.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Drug Dosage Calculations ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Edema ; drug therapy ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 ; genetics ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Tripterygium ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; immunology