Objective To study the tolerance to 188Re-1-hydroxy-1 ,1-ethylidene disodium phosphonate(HEDP) in patients with bone pain caused by osseous metastases. Methods Thirty-one patients(10with prostate cancer, 9 with breast cancer, 3 with lung cancer, 5 with liver cancer, 2 with rectal cancer, 1with esophageal cancer and 1 with renal cancer) received a single injection dose of 188Re-HEDP. The patients were divided into four groups according to the injection dose: 20 MBq/kg (6 patients), 30 MBq/kg(6 patients), 40 MBq/kg (9 patients), and 50 MBq/kg (10 patients). Haematological toxicity (WHO grading) of grade Ⅲ- Ⅳ was considered unacceptable. Vital signs and adverse effects after injection were recorded for 8 weeks. Blood counts were measured weekly during a period of 8 weeks. Biochemical parameters and electrocardiogram were assayed at week 4 and 8. Statistical analysis was performed for per-protocol (pp) population (t-test). Results Twenty-seven patients belonged to PP population with 5 in the group of 20 MBq/kg, 5 in the group of 30 MBq/kg, 8 in the group of 40 MBq/kg and 9 in the group of 50 MBq/kg.No obvious adverse effects and no significant change of vital signs, electrocardiogram, liver and renal function were found after injection. Alkaline phosphatase was slightly higher than baseline at week 4 and 8 after therapy, but the difference was not statistically significant. In the 20 MBq/kg group, reversible grade Ⅰ leucopenia was noted in 1 patient. In the 30 MBq/kg group, 2 patients showed reversible grade Ⅰ leucopenia including 1 alone with reversible grade Ⅲ thrombopenia. In the 40 MBq/kg group, reversible grade Ⅰ leucopenia and thrombopenia was observed in 1 patient and reversible grade Ⅱ leucopenia and thrombopenia in another patient. In the .50 MBq/kg group, 3 patients showed reversible grade Ⅱ leucopenia. The lowest level of thrombopenia was at week 4(143.5 × 109/L), leucopenia at week 6 (5.4 × 109/L) and anaemia at week 8(t = 3.1325, 3.3156, 3.4917, all P ＜ 0. 05 compared with baseline). At week 8, the mean level of platelet and leucocyte recovered to baseline. "Bounce pain" was found in 2 of 27 patients (7.41%).Conclusions The dose of 20 MBq/kg, 30 MBq/kg, 40 MBq/kg or 50 MBq/kg of 188Re-HEDP do not cause significant side effects on cancer patients with bone metastases, though there is a tendency that the haematological toxicity may increase as the dose of 188Re-HEDP increases.

Objective To develop a new method for the rapid determination of lomefloxacin,gatifloxacin,ciprofloxacin and oflox-acin in plasm and urine by solid phase extraction(SPE)and capillary electrophoresis.Methods The capillary was fused silica capil-lary with id/od of 75/365 μm and effective/total length of 40/47 cm.The running buffer was 40 mmol/L borate buffer at pH 9.0. Separation voltage was 13 kV.Temperature was 20 ℃.Detection wave-length was set at 280 nm.The sample was analyzed after the pretreatment of SPE.Results The analysis of lomefloxacin,gatifloxacin,ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin was completed in 6 minutes with satisfied accuracy and precision.Good linearity was found within the range of 1-40 μg/mL,and the r was 0.998 7,0.997 6, 0.998 3 and 0.994 2 respectively.The recoveries of four quinolones in plasm and urine ranged from 80.1% to 107.6%,and the rel-ative standard deviations(RSD)ranged from 2.1% to 6.2%.Conclusion This method is fast,simple,precise and it might be feasi-ble for the determination of lomefloxacin,gatifloxacin,ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin in plasm and urine samples.

Objective:To investigate the effect and mechanism of exosomes derived from human-induced pluripotent mesenchymal stem cells (iMSC-Exos) on alveolar macrophages (AM) pyroptosis.Methods:The exosomes in the culture supernatant of human-induced pluripotent mesenchymal stem cells (iMSC) were extracted by rotating ultrafiltration, and the extracted exosomes were identified by transmission electron microscopy, Western blotting and high-resolution adjustable resistance pulse. The rat alveolar macrophage cells (NR8383 cells) were cultured in vitro and the logarithmic growth phase cells were divided into three groups: the control group was added with an equal volume of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) in the AM supernatant; in LPS/ATP group AM cells were stimulated with 500 μg/L LPS for 23 hours and then 5 mmol/L ATP was added for 1 hour to induce pyrolysis; iMSC-Exos group was incubated with AM and 100 mg/L iMSC-Exos for 3 hours before giving LPS and ATP. The cytotoxic activity was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) analysis, the apoptosis and the expression of caspase-1 were observed by immunofluorescence, the levels of inflammatory factors interleukins (IL-1β and IL-18) released by AM were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome pathway and the expression level of pyroptosis related protein gasdermin D (GSDMD) were detected by Western blotting. Results:The extracted exosomes were observed by transmission electron microscopy as round vesicles, expressing exosomal markers CD63 and CD9 showed by Western blotting, high-resolution adjustable resistance pulse showed the average diameter of the particles was 130 nm, and could be uptaken by AM. Compared with the control group, the cell activity decreased [(0.56±0.05)% vs. (1.06±0.07)%, P < 0.01], the release of necrotic substance LDH increased (U/L: 1 218.86±22.73 vs. 188.30±1.61, P < 0.01), the expression levels of inflammatory factors increased [IL-1β (ng/L): 958.91±32.78 vs. 194.63±5.14, IL-18 (ng/L): 870.89±21.86 vs. 288.85±24.48, both P < 0.01], and the apoptosis rate [(55.35±6.19)% vs. (12.01±1.32)%, P < 0.01] and caspase-1 expression (fluorescence intensity: 41.06±3.65 vs. 2.80±0.54, P < 0.01) elevated in the AM after LPS/ATP stimulation, suggesting that LPS combined with ATP successfully induced alveolar pyroptosis. Compared with the LPS/ATP group, AM pretreated with iMSC-Exos showed increased cell viability [(0.81±0.05)% vs. (0.56±0.05)%, P < 0.01], decreased LDH secretion (U/L: 535.05±42.55 vs. 1 218.86±22.73, P < 0.01), decreased expression of inflammatory factors [IL-1β (ng/L): 381.82±19.50 vs. 958.91±32.78, IL-18 (ng/L): 533.77±31.54 vs. 870.89±21.86, both P < 0.01], and decreased apoptosis rate [(19.74±2.96)% vs. (55.35±6.19)%, P < 0.01] and caspase-1 expression (fluorescence intensity: 12.16±1.31 vs. 41.06±3.65, P < 0.01). At the same time, the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome pathway [NLRP3 protein (NLRP3/β-actin): 0.62±0.06 vs. 1.89±0.11; cleaved caspase-1 protein (cleaved caspase-1/β-actin): 0.42±0.07 vs. 1.22±0.17, both P < 0.01] and pyrolysis-related protein was significantly inhibited [GSDMD protein (GSDMD/β-actin): 0.57±0.05 vs. 1.22±0.05, P < 0.01]. Conclusion:iMSC-Exos successfully reversed the AM pyroptosis and inflammatory factor expression induced by LPS/ATP, which may be due to the targeted inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, suggesting that iMSC-Exos can exert anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the pyrolysis of AM.

Objective To analyze the relationship between the catheter to vein ratio and the formation of peripheral insertion of central venous catheter (PICC) related upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (PICC-UEDVT) in cases having undergone PICC in patients at intensive care unit (ICU) and further identify the best optimal ratio cut-off point to reduce the incidence of PICC-UEDVT.Methods A retrospective study was conducted, including 69 patients having undergone PICC with complete clinical data admitted to the Department of Critical Care Medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from August 2013 to December 2016; their ages were > 18 years old and catheter indwelling times were > 1 week; the patients' basic information, disease related laboratory parameters and catheter insertion situation were collected. According to the occurrence of PICC-UEDVT, they were divided into PICC-UEDVT group and non PICC-UEDVT group; the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the catheter to vein ratio versus the incidence ofPICC-UEDVT was plotted to assess the optimal ratio to reduce the incidence of PICC-UEDVT.Results In the 69 patients, there were 7 patients in the PICC-UEDVT group and 62 patients in the non PICC-UEDVT group, the incidence of PICC-UEDVT being 10.14%. Four, 5 and 6 French (Fr) catheters were indwelled in 43, 23 and 3 cases respectively, and the range of catheter to vein ratio was 20% - 67%. The comparisons between PICC-UEDVT group and non PICC-UEDVT group in various aspects were as follows: the incidence of DVT in the PICC-UEDVT group was significantly higher than that in non PICC-UEDVT group [42.9% (3/7) vs. 6.5% (4/62)], the rate of using vasopressor drugs [57.14% (4/7) vs. 17.74% (11/62)], D-dimer level [mg/L: 9.0 (3.0, 12.3) vs. 1.8 (1.0, 3.6)], patients of indwelling 5Fr catheter [71.4% (5/7) vs. 29.0% (18/62)] and the percentage of patientsapplying catheter to vein ratio 45%-67% [57.14% (4/7) vs. 17.74% (11/62)] in PICC-UEDVT group were all higher than those in the non PICC-UEDVT group, the differences being statistically significant (allP < 0.05). ROC analysis showed that the catheter to vein ratio 44% was the optimal cut off or critical point, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) at that point was 0.755, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.554-0.955, sensitivity = 71.4% and specificity = 79.0%; compared with the patients using 45%-67% catheter to vein ratio, the incidence of PICC-UEDVT was 6.182 times higher than those using the ratio 20%-44% [odds ratio (OR) = 6.182, 95%CI = 1.208-31.634,P = 0.036]; however, there was no significant difference in incidence of PICC-UEDVT between 20%-32% and 33%-44% (P = 1.000).Conclusion It is found that the 44% catheter to vein ratio was the optimal critical point to reduce the incidence of PICC-UEDVT, possessing relatively high sensitivity and specificity; applying <44% catheter to vein ratio can decrease the risk of PICC-UEDVT occurrence in patients at ICU.

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical significance of nitric oxide (NO) and 8-isoprostane (8-isoPG) changes in exhaled breath condensate ( EBC) of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients after treated by Qingfei Decoction (QD).

METHODSTotally 48 ARDS patients receiving mechanical ventilation were equally assigned to the QD treatment group and the control group by random digit table. EBC specimens were collected by modified Ecoscreen breath condensate collector (German JAEGER Company) on the first day and the fifth day after confirmed diagnosis of ARDS. Concentrations of NO and 8-isoPG in EBC were measured by ELISA. The oxygenation index and APACHE II scores were recorded at the same time.

RESULTS(1) The fatality rate in the QD treatment group was lower than that in the control group (8.3% vs 37.5%, P < 0.05). (2) After treatment NO and 8-isoPG concentrations in EBC were lower in the QD treatment group (34.49 ± 5.67 µmol/L, 30.09 ± 7.89 ng/L) than in the control group (39.78 ± 9.27 µmol/L, 35.65 ± 8.90 ng/L; P < 0.05). (3) After treatment improved oxygenation index value was higher in the QD treatment group than in the control group (120.88 ± 35.16 vs 101.50 ± 37.70, P < 0.05). After treatment APACHEII scores was lower in the QD treatment group than in the control group (6.21 ± 3.51 vs 10. 26 ± 4.33, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTreatment of ARDS patients by QD was favorable in controlling inflammation, alleviating lung injury, and improving clinical efficacy.

Breath Tests ; Dinoprost ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Nitric Oxide ; analysis ; Respiration, Artificial ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; drug therapy

The present study was undertaken to observe the effect of exogenously administered melatonin on the intensity of β-endorphin (β-Ep) immunoreactivity of the neuron in the arcuate nucleus of rat hypothalamus with an aim to explore the possible mechanisms of the analgesic effect of melatonin. The experimental rats were divided into two groups, one injected intraperitoneally with melatonin (110 mg/kg) and the other with only a vehicle. One hour after injection, the brain was processed for coronal sections, which were stained with immunohistochemical ABC technique. The integral optical density (IOD) and mean optical density (OD) of the stained sections were measured with a computer-assisted image-processing and analytical system. β-Ep immunoreactivity was much decreased in the sections treated with melatonin and the IOD and OD were also decreased significantly (P<0.01; P<0.05). The above results suggest that melatonin may result in a decrease of β-Ep content in the arcuate nucleus, as a result of increased β-Ep release induced by administration of melatonin. It is likely that the analgesic effect of melatonin may be in part mediated by the release of β-endorphin from the arcuate nucleus.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Atherosclerosis ; prevention & control ; Ceramides ; analysis ; Dietary Fats ; administration & dosage ; Emodin ; pharmacology ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Rabbits ; Signal Transduction ; Sphingomyelin Phosphodiesterase ; metabolism ; Sphingomyelins ; metabolism

This study was undertaken to establish a murine model for unrelated allogeneic umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT). The characteristics and percentage of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells between near-term fetal and neonatal murine peripheral blood (FNPB) and bone marrow (BM) were evaluated by flow cytometry and semisolid methylcellulose culture. BABL/c (H-2(d)) recipient mice conditioned with high dose CTX were transplanted with FNPB form C57BL/6 (H-2(b)) mice and the survival rate, hematopoietic and immunological reconstruction, graft versus host disease (GVHD) and engraftment level were observed. The results showed that the numbers of day 14 CFU-GM and CFU-GEMM in FNPB (176.40 +/- 78.39)% and (141.40 +/- 56.57)%, respectively were much higher than those in BM (75.20 +/- 26.41)% and (68.80 +/- 23.95)%, respectively. Moreover the percentage of Sca-1(+) CD34(+) cell subsets in FNPB (3.63 +/- 1.13)% was also higher than that in BM (1.41 +/- 0.8 7)%. FNPB transplantation improved survival rate and reconstituted hematopoietic and immune function in recipients. There was no evidence of GVHD. Chimeric analysis showed that the proportion of donor cells in BM of recipients was 27.94% at 21 days after transplantation. It was concluded that FNPB contains more hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells with high expansion ability and weak allogeneic immunity, which was similar to human UCB. The murine model for allogeneic UCBT (C57BL/6-->BALB/c) was established successfully.
Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Flow Cytometry ; Graft vs Host Disease ; etiology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Immunity ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Models, Animal ; Transplantation, Homologous

OBJECTIVETo compare the time-effect rule of pain-relieving in moderate dysmenorrhea in the treatment between acupuncture on single-point and acupuncture on multi-point so as to determine the best time of needle retaining on single-point and multi-point as well as provide the reference evidences of acupuncture frequency in the treatment.

METHODSSixty-three cases of moderate dysmenorrhea were randomized into a single-point group (31 cases) and a multi-point group (32 cases). During the attack of dysmenorrhea, in single-point group, Shiqizhui (EX-B 8) was punctured; in multi-point group, Shiqizhui (EX-B 8), Diji (SP 8), Ciliao (BL 32) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were punctured and the needles were retained for 30 min. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) values were recorded in the immediate time before acupuncture, in 5 min, 10 min, 20 min and 30 min after needle insertion, as well as in 30 min, 60 min and 120 min after needle withdrawal separately.

RESULTSAfter needling, analgesia was generated rapidly in either group. During 30 min of needle retaining, analgesia was enhanced persistently till needle withdrawal in either group. In 10 min after needle insertion, the immediate analgesia in multi-point group was superior obviously to single-point group (P < 0.05) and this effect was maintained in 2 h after needle withdrawal. In 30 min after needle withdrawal, acupuncture analgesia was declined to the maximum.

CONCLUSIONEither single-point acupuncture at Shiqizhui (EX-B 8) or multi-point acupuncture at Shiqizhui (EX-B 8) and other acupoints has apparent immediate analgesia on primary dysmenorrhea of moderate degree, but the effect of multi-point acupuncture is better than that of acupuncture at Shiqizhui (EX-B 8). No matter with acupuncture at Shiqizhui (EX-B 8) or at multi-point, the time of needle retaining should not be shorten than 30 min. It is suitable to give acupuncture, twice per day for the patients with moderate and persistent pain.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; Acupuncture Points ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Dysmenorrhea ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Pain Management ; Young Adult

Resistin, a newly discovered peptide hormone mainly secreted by adipose tissues, is present at high levels in serum of obese mice and may be a potential link between obesity and insulin resistance in rodents. However, some studies of rat and mouse models have associated insulin resistance and obesity with decreased resistin expression. In humans, no relationship between resistin level and insulin resistance or adiposity was observed. This suggests that additional studies are necessary to determine the specific role of resistin in the regulation of energy metabolism and adipogenesis. In the present study, we investigated the effect of resistin in vivo on glucose and lipid metabolism by over-expressing resistin in mice by intramuscular injection of a recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1-Retn encoding porcine resistin gene. After injection, serum resistin and serum glucose (GLU) levels were significantly increased in the pcDNA3.1-Retn-treated mice; there was an obvious difference in total cholesterol (TC) level between the experiment and the control groups on Day 30. In pcDNA3.1-Retn-treated mice, both free fatty acid (FFA) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were markedly lower than those of control, whereas HDL cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) levels did not differ between the two groups. Furthermore, lipase activity was expressly lower on Day 20. Our data suggest that resistin over-expressed in mice might be responsible for insulin resistance and parameters related to glucose and lipid metabolism were changed accordingly.
Animals ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified ; blood ; Glucose ; metabolism ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Lipid Metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Resistin ; blood ; physiology ; Triglycerides ; blood