Objective To better understand the clinical features and the diagnosis of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods A case of MGUS with SLE were described including clinical manifestations and pathologic data.Literatures were also reviewed.Results The patient was admitted because of proteinuria.Laboratory findings showed monoclonal gammopathy.However,both bone marrow exam and iconography showed no signs of multiple myeloma.Lupus nephritis Ⅳ + Ⅴ was proved by kidney biopsy.Prednisone and tacrolimus were used with significant clinical improvement.Conclusion MGUS associated with SLE is not rare.MGUS criteria based on 2003 international MM working group should be used to differentiate MGUS from MM.Monoclonal protein level,plasma cell in bone marrow and free light chain are risk factors for MM progression.Treatment is based on lupus disease activity and organ damage severity.

This paper presents and discusses the liquid density sensing potential of a delay line Lamb-wave sensor configuration, where Lamb wave is excited only by interdigital transducer (IDT), without membrane when fabricated. An optimized cut orientation and the normalized thickness of substrate by using genetic algorithm is presented to improve the sensitivity of the sensor and to get low noise. Experimental measurements performed on Lamb-wave device fabricated from Y-Z LiNbO3 in a delay line configuration are found to be in agreement with theoretical calculations.
Algorithms ; Biosensing Techniques ; instrumentation ; methods ; Equipment Design ; Models, Theoretical ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Transducers ; Ultrasonics ; Water ; analysis ; chemistry

Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Polyps ; pathology ; surgery ; Teratoma ; pathology

Objective:To investigate the clinical manifestations and distribution characteristics of dry eye patients with ocular discomfort symptoms in Jilin Province, and to analyze the relationship between the risk factors associated with dry eye and its severity. Methods:The secondary or tertiary hospitals in Jilin Province were randomly selected and used as screening bases from July 2014 to August 2015.1 173 people initiative to the hospital for eye examinations after publicity were selected.Questionnaire was used to collect the subjective symptoms of dry eye.The breakup time(BUT) of tear film, corneal fluorescein staining, meibomian gland and tear secretion were examined and the detection rate and risk factors of dry eye of the dry eye patients with different clinical characteristics were analyzed.Results: A total of 1 122 people was actually surveyed, 896 individuals were diagnosed as dry eye, and the prevalence rate was 79.8%. The prevalence rate of the females was higher than of the males(χ2 =4.070,P<0.05).The prevalence of dry eye between different ages was statistically significant(χ2 =61.547,P<0.05).The multivariate Logistic regression analysis results showed that the age ≥40 years (40-49 years,OR =6.313,95% CI: 3.498-11.393;50-59 years,OR =6.919,95% CI: 3.876-12.351;60-69 years,OR =5.175,95% CI: 2.650-10.104;over 70 years,OR =9.508,95% CI: 3.608-25.061), moderate grade of meibomian gland dysfunction(MGD) (OR =2.123,95% CI: 1.186-3.803), and the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (OR =2.186,95% CI: 1.098-4.353) and eye surgery (OR =3.692,95% CI: 1.204-11.323) were the risk factors for dry eye. While the occupation of farmer was a protective factor for dry eye (OR =0.351, 95% CI: 0.135-0.917).Conclusion:Age, occupation, MGD grade, rheumatoid arthritis and eye surgery history affect the occurrence of dry eye to a certain extent. So enough attention and appropriate health guidance should be given to reduce the incidence of dry eye.

Objective To explore the effects of volatile oil and 2-undecanone from Houttuynia Cordata Thunb. (H. cordata) on LPS-TLR4 / MD-2-TNF-α signaling pathway. Methods TLR4 / MD-2 blocking agent was used to mask the TLR4 /MD-2 site,then protein expression levels of TLR4 in cells treated with volatile oil and 2-undecanone were analyzed by western blot. ELISA was used to detect the secretion of the inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-10. Comparison analysis was then performed from the results of cell experiments in vitro and anti-inflammatory effects through xylene-induced ear edema test in vivo. Results In concentrations between 1 to 10 μg · mL-1 ,Houttuynia volatile oil showed better effect than 2-undecanone on inhibition of TLR4 protein in LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells, and had some differences in the effects on inflammatory factors. Compared with the LPS+TLR4 / MD-2 group,the LPS+TLR4 / MD-2 + volatile oil group had no significant difference in the expression of TLR4 protein (P>0. 05),but the LPS+TLR4 / MD-2 +2-undecanone group reduced the expression of TLR4 protein obviously. It appeared that volatile oil exerts its anti-inflammatory effect through LPS-TLR4 / MD-2-TNF-αpathway,but 2-undecanone may exert its anti-inflammatory effect by other means. Houttuynia volatile oil showed better anti-inflammatory activity than 2-undecanone in vivo at the same dose. Conclusion There are some differences in anti-inflammatory effects and related mechanisms between volatile oil and 2-undecanone, probably owing to the synergistic effects of multi-ingredients in the volatile oil.

Aim To investigate the vasodilatory effect of Ferulic acid on in vitro rat coronary artery and its possible mechanism. Methods By using the mi-crovessel tension recorder system, the vasodilatory effect of FA on resting and contractin-vitro rat coronary artery was determined;the influence of endothelial in-tegrity to FA-induced vasorelaxation was observed; the relationship of FA on [ Ca2+] ex-influx-induced and [ Ca2+] in-efflux-induced contractions was discussed;the mechanism of vasodilatory effect of FA was ex-plored by applying the inhibitors of KCa(TEA),KATP channel ( Gli ) , KIR channel ( BaCl2 ) , KV ( 4-AP ) , NOS( L-NAME) and COX( Indo) . Results FA had no effect on the resting tension of in vitro rat coronary artery. FA dilated the in-vitro rat coronary artery pre-treated with KCl ( 60 mmol · L-1 ) , U46619 ( 1 μmol · L-1 ) and PE ( 10μmol · L-1 ) in a concentration-dependent fashion ( P < 0. 05 ) . FA inhibited the [ Ca2+] ex-influx-induced and [ Ca2+] in-efflux-in-duced contractions significantly ( P <0. 05 ) . 4-AP ( 1 mmol· L-1 ) restrained the diastolic function of FA, while TEA, Gli, BaCl2、L-NAME, Indo had no obvious effect ( P >0. 05 ) . Conclusion The diastolic func-tion could be related to the activation of KV channel on vascular smooth muscle cells, the free Ca2+ from Sar-coplasmic reticulum cells and blockade extracellular Calcium channel do not depend on KCa, KATP, KIR channel, nor the endothelial function.

Objective To evaluate the immune effects of virus-like particles ( VLPs) of VP1 pro-teins derived from norovirus GⅠ. 1 and GⅡ. 4 genotypes expressed in Hansenula polymorpha expression sys-tem. Methods SDS-PAGE and Western blot assay were performed to detect the purity of GⅠ. 1 and GⅡ. 4 VP1 proteins after purification. Morphologies of the recombinant VLPs were observed under transmission electron microscopy ( TEM) . Sizes and distributions of the VLPs were analyzed by dynamic light scattering analyzer. BT50(50% of blocking titer) was detected by HBGA (histo-blood group antigen) blocking assay in BALB/c mice immunized with different regimens. Results SDS-PAGE analysis of the purified recombinant GⅠ. 1 and GⅡ. 4 VP1 proteins showed that their purity were greater than 90%. Western blot assay con-firmed the specific bands of VLPs. TEM images showed that the sizes of purified GⅠ. 1 and GⅡ. 4 VP1 VLPs were at a mean diameter of 30-50 nm with clear border and high homogeneity, which was similar to that of wild virus. BT50 significantly increased in the groups, in which Al( OH) 3 was used as adjuvant. Con-clusion Animal studies have shown that administration of GⅠ. 1 and GⅡ. 4 VP1 VLPs in the presence of Al( OH) 3 induces detectable HBGA-blocking antibody, indicating that GⅠ. 1 and GⅡ. 4 VP1 VLPs are promising candidates for norovirus vaccine.

Cytotoxic test in vitro combined with cytochemical stain, fluorescent stain, transmission electronmicrograph was used to study the vacuolated effect by helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) (Toxin＋) and its pathological mechanism. 78.26 % patients with peptic ulcer associated with H.pylori was infected with H.pylori (Toxin＋), while 42.86 % patients with gastritis was infected with H.pylori (Toxin＋). It was positive in vacuole with acridine orange and acid phosphatase stain. Transmission electronmicrograph of vacuole revealed the presence of abounding membrane. There was a closed relationship between infection with H.pylori (Toxin＋) and peptic ulcer disease. The vacuole induced by H.pylori (Toxin＋) was autophagosome, which was pathological phenomenon induced by toxin.

Cytotoxic test in vitro combined with cytochemical stain, fluorescent stain, transmission electronmicrograph was used to study the vacuolated effect by helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) (Toxin＋) and its pathological mechanism. 78.26 % patients with peptic ulcer associated with H.pylori was infected with H.pylori (Toxin＋), while 42.86 % patients with gastritis was infected with H.pylori (Toxin＋). It was positive in vacuole with acridine orange and acid phosphatase stain. Transmission electronmicrograph of vacuole revealed the presence of abounding membrane. There was a closed relationship between infection with H.pylori (Toxin＋) and peptic ulcer disease. The vacuole induced by H.pylori (Toxin＋) was autophagosome, which was pathological phenomenon induced by toxin.

OBJECTIVETo discuss whether asiaticosides could effectively reduce the endothelial cell damage as a biochemical modulator, so as to further inhibit the post-stenting intima-media membrane hyperplasia.

METHODHuman aortic smooth muscle cells and aortic fibroblasts were selected and divided into the blank group, the rapamycin group and the asiaticoside group and the rapamycin and asiaticoside group. The expressions of muscle cells and fibroblasts TGF-beta1, Smad7 and I-collagen gene were determined by RT-PCR. The expression quantity of I-collagen protein was assayed by ELISA. The coefficient of drug interaction (CDI) between rapamycin and asiaticoside was calculated. Additionally, 16 Chinese mini-swines were randomly divided into group A and group B. One sirolimus drug-eluting stent of the same type was implanted after the high-pressure pre-expansion of anterior descending artery balloon. After the operation, the group A was intravenously injected with normal saline 30 mL x d(-1). Whereas the group B was intravenously injected with asiaticoside 30 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)(diluted to 30 mL). The expressions of plasma vWF of the two groups were measured at the 7th and 14th days after the operation. At the 28th day after the operation, tissues of the stented vessel segments were sliced and stained to calculate the vessel area, inner stent area, lumen area and neointima area

RESULTCompared with the control group, the combination group showed significant up-regulation in smooth muscle cells and fibroblast Smad7 gene, down-regulation in TGF-beta, and obvious inhibition of I-collagen gene expression (P < 0.01). As for smooth muscle cells, there was no difference in the expression of I-collagen between the combination group and the rapamycin group, with CDI at 0. 83. As for fibroblasts, there was a significant difference in the expression of I-collagen between the combination group and the rapamycin group (P < 0.05), with CDI at 0.77. Plasma vWF of the group B was significantly lower than that of the group A (P < 0.05) at the 7th and 14th days after the operation. At the 28th day after the operation, no difference was observed in vessel area and stent area between the two groups. However, the lumen area in the group B was significantly larger than that of the group A(P < 0.05), and the neointima area of the group B was significantly smaller than that of the group A (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAs an effective biochemical modulator for rapamycin, asiaticosides could inhibit TGF-beta expression, significantly decrease the synthesis and secretion of extracellular matrix, further inhibit the post-stenting intima-media membrane hyperplasia and reduce the endothelial cell damage by effectively up-regulate the expression of Smad7 protein.

Animals ; Collagen ; genetics ; metabolism ; Coronary Restenosis ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; surgery ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Smad7 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Stents ; adverse effects ; Swine ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Triterpenes ; administration & dosage