Objective To evaluate the curative value of the tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) and Danning table (DN) in the prevention of bile duct stones recurrence after ERCP. Methods 210 patients with Choledocholithiasisby ERCP were randomly divided into 3 groups. The patients in the control group were not given any medicine. The patients in the TUDCA group took TUDCA every night. The patients in the DN group took Danning tablets of three times a day. The course of medication and followed up for the patients was 24 months after the operation. All the patients would be examined regularly by Biliary color doppler ultrasound and MRCP. The recurrence rates of Choledocholithiasis, cholesterol saturation index and serum lipid were recorded and compared statistically between the three groups. Results In total, 190 patients completed the treatment and follow-up according to the experimental design. The recurrence rates of the control, TUDCA and DN group were 17.46%(11/63), 6.34% (4/63) and 10.94% (7/64). The recurrence rates in the TUDCA and DN group were significantly lower than those the control group (P < 0.05).The recurrence rate in the TUDCA group was significantly lower than that in the DN group; On the tenth days after the operation, the CSI in the TUDCA were significantly lower than those the control group and the DN group (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the DN group and the control group (P > 0.05); To the patients without recurrence, the level of TC, LDL in the TUDCA group were significantly lower than those the control group and and the DN group (P < 0.05). The level of HDL in the TUDCA group were significantly higher than those the control group and and the DN group (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference on the level of HDL between the DN groupand the control group (P > 0.05). Conclusion The application of TUDCA and DN for patients with Choledocholithiasis after ERCP can effectively reduce the recurrence rates, the curative effect of TUDCA more than DN.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the status of male reproductive health among middle-aged and older men in the urban area of Nanjing.

METHODSWe collected the laboratory results of 884 middle-aged and older men aged 55 - 89 years from the Xuanwu District of Nanjing present for routine physical examinations, including those of blood routine tests, liver and kidney function, blood glucose, blood lipid, and total prostate specific antigen (TPSA), as well as such reproductive hormone indexes as total serum testosterone (TT), free serum testosterone (fT), and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). We also obtained the above reproductive hormone indexes from 119 young and middle-aged men aged 20 - 39 years as controls.

RESULTSAging-related changes were found in the 50 percentiles of all the reproductive hormones and relevant parameters but those of TT and E2, with gradual increases in LH, FSH and SHBG and decreases in fT, TSI and fTI. Comparison of reproductive hormones and relevant parameters by Mann-Whitney U test did not show any statistically significant differences in the TT level between any two of the five age groups (20 - 39, 55 - 59, 60 - 69, 70 - 79, and > or = 80 yr) (P > 0.05) except between the control and > or = 80 yr groups and the 60 - 69 and > or = 80 yr groups (P < 0.05), nor in the E2 level between any two groups, nor in the levels of LH and FSH except between the 55 - 59 and 60 - 69 yr groups and the 70 - 79 and > or = 80 yr groups, and nor in the levels of fT and TSI except between the 55 - 59 and 60 - 69 yr groups. However, there were significant differences in the levels of SHBG and fTI between any two age groups. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that fT, TSI, and fTI were correlated negatively with aging and LH (P < 0.05, I r I > 0.5) but weakly positively with cholesterol, blood glucose and hemoglobin (P < 0.05, /r/ < 0.5), SHBG and LH positively with aging, SHBG weakly negatively with blood glucose and hemoglobin, LH weakly negatively with hemoglobin, and TT weakly negatively with aging but positively with hemoglobin.

CONCLUSIONThe levels of serum testosterone, particularly that of fT, declined with aging in middle-aged and older men in the urban area of Nanjing, which may contribute to abnormal lipid metabolism, low hemoglobin and high blood glucose.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aging ; blood ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin ; analysis ; Statistics, Nonparametric ; Testosterone ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of liver X receptor agonist T0901317 on transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in normal human lung fibroblasts.

METHODSPrimary normal human lung fibroblast isolated from the lung specimens of lung cancer patients by explant culture technique were identified with immunostaining for vimentin and keratin. The cells in passages 4 to 10 were treated with T0901317 and/or TGF-β1, and RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay were used to detect α-SMA expression in the fibroblasts.

RESULTSLung fibroblast expressed vimentin but not keratin. The results of RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay all showed that normal human lung fibroblasts constitutively expressed α-SMA under baseline condition, and TGF-β1 at 5 ng/ml induced a significant upregulation of α-SMA both at the mRNA and protein levels. Liver X receptor agonist T0901317 (5 µg/ml) significantly inhibited TGF-β1-induced upregulation of α-SMA expression.

CONCLUSIONLiver X receptor agonist T0901317 can inhibit the upregulation of α-SMA in normal human lung fibroblasts induced by TGF-β1, suggesting the potential value of liver X receptor agonist in the treatment of lung fibrosis.

Actins ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated ; pharmacology ; Liver X Receptors ; Lung ; cytology ; Middle Aged ; Orphan Nuclear Receptors ; agonists ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Sulfonamides ; pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; pharmacology

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Diarrhea ; epidemiology ; virology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Rotavirus ; genetics ; Rotavirus Infections ; epidemiology ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo analyze a Duchenne muscular dystrophy(DMD) patient's muscular regeneration, dystrophin expression and locomotive variation before and after he underwent umbilical cord blood stem cell transplantation in order to assess the therapeutic effect.

METHODSA 12-year-old DMD boy who could not walk for 3 years was confirmed by gene analysis and dystrophin protein immune test on his muscle. He had no other chronic disease. By HLA matching, a piece of umbilical cord blood stem cell with 6 HLA sites matching to the boy was found in Guangdong Umbilical Cord Blood Bank. The number of the nucleated cells of the umbilical cord blood stem cell was 24.08x 10(8). After pretreatment for the DMD boy with busulfan, cyclophosphamide and rabbit anti-human thymocyte globulin, the allergenic cord blood stem cells were transplanted into him by intravenous injection. Cyclosporin A, methylprednisolone, MMF, prostaglandin E1 and ganciclovir were given after the transplantation. At the same time, Gran, the granulocytic cell stimulating factor, and gamma globulin were administered. The biochemistry profile including serum creatine kinase (CK), the reconstruction of blood making, the deletion exon of DMD gene, the regenerating muscles, the dystrophin protein expression, and the locomotive function of the DMD boy were tested regularly.

RESULTS(1) The white blood cells (WBC) of peripheral blood decreased gradually to zero after pretreatment. In a period of 15 days after transplantation, the neutrophil increased to 0.5x 10(9)/L; at 25 days, WBC increased to normal level. Blood platelet was more than 20x 10(9)/L at 22 days. The hemoglobin rose to 85-100 g/L. At 140 days, sternal puncture revealed the rapid growth of neutrophil, blood platelet and hemoglobin. (2)At 140 days, the blood type of the DMD boy transformed from type O to type AB (the donor's blood type being AB). There was no grafe versus host reaction. (3) At 18, 30, 43, 55, 74 and 233 days after transplantation, the PCR-short tandem repeat test of the boy's peripheral blood DNA showed that his genotype was completely the same as the donor's. The results of PCR-short tandem repeat tests of the bone marrow cells DNA by sternal puncture at 140, 183 and 235 days were the same as those of the blood DNA. (4) At 60 days, DMD gene analysis by PCR showed that the defected DMD gene (exon 19 deletion) had been corrected by the umbilical cord stem cells transplantation. (5) At 75 days, the biopsy of calf muscle showed there were myoblast cells and muscular tubes growing. The dystrophin expressions were weak, but a few of them were strong. DNA analysis showed that the donor's gene DNA accounted for 1%-13%. At 126 days, obviously increased dystrophin positive muscular fibers of the boy were found. The donor's fibers rose to 2.5%-25%. (6) The serum CK of the boy declined from 5735 U/L to 274 U/L. (7) At 100 days, physical examination revealed improvement in his arms and legs.

CONCLUSIONThe therapy of Duchenne muscular dystrophy with allogeneic umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may reset up the blood-making function, decrease the serum CK level, restore the dystrophin in muscles, and improve the locomotive function of the DMD boy. These data suggest that the allogeneic umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may benefit the DMD boys.

Alprostadil ; therapeutic use ; Busulfan ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Cyclosporine ; therapeutic use ; Dystrophin ; genetics ; Ganciclovir ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Methylprednisolone ; therapeutic use ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne ; genetics ; therapy ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Treatment Outcome

Background:From April to July in 2009 and 2010,unexplained severe hemorrhagic fever-like illnesses occurred in farmers from the Huaiyangshan mountains range.Methods:Clinical specimens (blood,urine,feces,and throat swabs) from suspected patients were obtained and stored.Mosquitoes and ticks in affected regions were collected.Virus was isolated from 2 patients and characterized by whole genome sequencing.Virus detection in additional patients and arthropods was done by virus-specific reverse transcription (RT) PCR.Clinical and epidemiological data of RT-PCR confirmed patients were analyzed.Results:An unknown virus was isolated from blood of two patients and from Haemaphysalis ticks collected from dogs.Whole genome sequence analysis identified the virus as a novel member of the family Bunyaviridae,most closely related to the viruses of the genus Phlebovirus within which it forms a separate lineage.Subsequently,infection was confirmed by RT-PCR in 33 of 58 suspected patients.The illness in these patients was characterized by fever,severe malaise,nausea,vomiting,and diarrhea.Prominent laboratory findings included low white cell- and platelet counts,coagulation disturbances,and elevation of liver enzymes.Hemorrhagic complications were observed in 3 cases,5 (15%) patients died.Conclusions:A novel tick-borne Bunyavirus causing life-threatening hemorrhagic fever in humans has emerged in the Huaiyangshan mountain areas of China.Further studies are needed to determine the epidemiology,geographic distribution and vertebrate animal ecology of this virus.

OBJECTIVES: Glioma is the most common primary intracranial tumor and there is still no ideal treatment at present. Gene therapy, as one of the new methods for treating glioma, has attracted attention in recent years. But its application in treating glioma is very limited due to lack of effective delivery vectors. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of biomimetic nanomaterials made from glioma cells-derived extracellular vesicles (EV) for targeted delivery of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3)-small interfering RNA (siRNA) in treating glioma. METHODS: First, U251 glioma cells-derived extracellular vessel (EVU251) was extracted by ultra-centrifugal method. Nanoparticle tracking analysis was used to characterize the particle size distribution, the transmission electron microscope was used to analyze the morphology, and Western blotting was used to verify the expression of srface characteristic protein. The homing ability was verified by cell uptake assay after labeling EVU251 with membrane dye kit PKH67; the EVU251 contents were removed by a low permeability method and then EVMU251 was prepared through a microporous membrane. Finally, the biomimetic nanomaterials EVMU251@STAT3-siRNA were prepared by loading STAT3-SiRNA with electro-dyeing method. The real-time quantitative PCR was used to quantify the successful encapsulation of siRNA, and the encapsulation and drug loading rate was calculated; then Cy5-labeled siRNA was used to evaluate the ability of biomimetic nanomaterials (EVMU251@CY5-siRNA) to target U251 cells. Lysosomal escape ability of the biomimetic nanomaterial was evaluated by lysosomal dye lyso-tracker green. At last, the ability of EVMU251@STAT3-siRNA to knock down STAT3 gene and selective killing of U251 cells was detected by cell experiments in vitro. RESULTS: The size of EVU251 ranged from 50 nm to 200 nm with a natural disc shape. The expression of extracellular vesicle marker proteins could be detected on the membrane of EVU251. The cell uptake assay demonstrated that it had homing ability to target U251 cells. After EVU251 was prepared as EVMU251@STAT3-siRNA, the particle size was (177.9±5.0) nm, the siRNA loading rate was (33.5±2.2)% and the drug loading rate was (3.24±0.21)%. The biomimetic nanomaterial EVMU251@STAT3-siRNA still had the ability to target U251 cells and successfully deliver siRNA to the cytoplasm without lysosomal degradation. The EVMU251@STAT3-siRNA can effectively knock down the expression of STAT3 gene and produce selective killing ability in U251 cells. CONCLUSIONS The biomimetic nanomaterials EVMU251@STAT3-siRNA made from glioma U251 cells-derived extracellular vesicles can knock down STAT3 gene of U251 cells and produce selective killing effect, which can provide a new idea for the treatment of glioma.
Humans ; RNA, Small Interfering/genetics* ; Biomimetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Glioma/therapy* ; Nanostructures ; Cell Proliferation ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism*

Objective:To evaluate the effects of aquatic exercise on lower-limb motor function and activities of daily living for patients with stroke. Methods:The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about effects of aquatic therapeutic exercise on stroke patients were recalled from the databases of Cochrane Library, PEDro, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Knowledge, Web of Science, OVID, EBSCO, CMCI, CNKI, Wanfang and VIP. The methodological quality of the included RCTs was evaluated. The data were extracted, and analysed with RevMan 5.3. Results:A total of 23 RCTs that represented 861 participants were evaluated. Compared with the control group, aquatic exercise significantly improved the performance of Berg Balance Scale (WMD = 2.69, 95%CI 1.21 to 4.16,P < 0.001), Timed Up and Go Test (WMD = -1.56, 95%CI -3.07 to -0.05,P < 0.05), Functional Reach Test (WMD = 2.69, 95%CI 1.21 to 4.16,P < 0.001), sway velocity of center of pressure (SVCOP) (left/right) (WMD = -1.38, 95%CI -2.72 to -0.05,P < 0.05), SVCOP (anteroposterior) (WMD = -1.64, 95%CI -3.10 to 　-0.18,P < 0.05), walking speed (SMD = 0.33, 95%CI 0.07 to 0.58,P < 0.05), Two Minute Walk Test (WMD = 12.75, 95%CI 4.17 to 21.34,P < 0.01), Functional Ambulation Category (WMD = 0.94, 95%CI 0.67 to 1.20,P < 0.001), muscle strength of knee extensor (WMD = 4.30, 95%CI 1.53 to 7.07,P < 0.01), muscle strength of knee flexor (WMD = 4.80, 95%CI 0.29 to 9.32,P < 0.05), and Functional Independence Measurement (WMD = 6.12, 95%CI 3.98 to 8.27,P < 0.001), but not significantly in the score of modified Barthel Index (WMD = 2.92, 95%CI -6.74 to 12.58,P = 0.55). Conclusion:Aquatic exercise can improve balance, walking and muscle strength of lower extremities of stroke patients, but do not for activities of daily living.

This study was designed to investigate the effect of Huangqin Tang (HQT) on TLR4/Myd88 pathway and the downstream cytokines in rats with ulcerative colitis (UC) to explore its underlying mechanisms of action. The model of UC rats with cell immunoreactivity was made using a compound method (trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid plus ethanol). Rats were randomly divided into the control group, the model group, the salazosulfapyridine (SASP) group, high, medium and low dose (20, 10, 5 g·kg^-1) of HQT groups. After a three-day treatment, production of NO in serum was detected by Griess assay, the levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, IL-17 and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) in serum were detected by ELISA. After a five-day treatment, the positive protein expressions of COX-2 and iNOS in the colon tissue were determined by ICH method, the protein expressions of TLR4 and MyD88 in colon tissue were determined by Western blot. Compared with the control group, the levels of NO, IL-17, PGE₂, the protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88 and the protein positive expressions of COX-2, iNOS were apparently higher in the model group. Compared with model group, the above indexes were significantly improved in the SASP and high-dose HQT groups (P<0.05). These results show that HQT has a definite effect on UC in rats. Its mechanisms of action may be achieved by inhibiting the activity of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signal pathway and down-regulation of NO, IL-17 and PGE 2 production.

The study is aimed to test the effect of Huangqin Tang (HQT) on serum metabolic profile in rats with ulcerative colitis, and explore its possible action mechanism for ulcerative colitis (UC) rats. The model of UC rats with cell immunoreactivity was made using a compound method (trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid plus ethanol). Rats were randomly divided into the control group, the model group, and HQT group. Ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS), principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were employed to analyze the metabolic profile among normal group, the model group, HQT group. Potential biomarkers were screened in the serum based on the variable importance projection (VIP) value > 1, P< 0.05. As compared with the normal group, 16 potential biomarkers such as valine, tryptophan, lactic acid and urea were found and identified in the serum of model group rats. As compared with the model group, a part of the biomarkers were restored nearly to a normal state after HQT administration for 10 days. Metabolomic analysis revealed that the HQT has a certain therapeutic effect in UC rats, and the mechanism may be related to regulation of lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism and energy metabolism.