Objective To assess the relationships among the autologous serum-induced skin wheal-andflare reaction,ex vivo serum-induced basophil histamine release, and serum levels of IgG anti-FcεRI autoantibodies in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU).Methods Sixty patients with CIU collected from the Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University were recruited for this study.Sera were obtained from the subjects,and ASST was performed in all of the subjects.The results of ASST were determined according to a recommended criterion described by Sabroe et al,and the positive results were further subclassified into wheal plus flare (W+F) pattern and wheal-only (W) pattern,negative results into flare-only (F) pattern and no response pattern.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantify the content of histamine released by autologous serum-induced basophils and serum levels of IgG anti-FcεRI autoantibodies.Results Of the 60 patients,19 (31.7％)were positive for ASST,including 16 (84.2％) presenting W+F pattern and 3 presenting W pattern; 41 were negative for ASST,including 3 (7.3％) giving F pattern and 38 giving no response pattern.The histamine release rate was significantly higher in ASST-positive patients than in ASST-negative patients (33.38％ ± 9.83％ vs.4.06％ ±1.44％,t =5.13,P＜ 0.01),and was nearly twice as high as that in basophils induced by 10 μmol/L formylmethionyleucylphenylalanine (Fmlp).The serum levels of IgG anti-FcεRI autoantibodies were high in only patients giving (W+F) pattern (757.64 ± 168.99 ng/L),but low in the normal human controls (43.25 ± 16.63 ng/L).Conclusions The positive ASST result of wheal plus flare pattern is associated with high serum levels of IgG anti-FcεRI autoantibodies,and is suggestive of a clinical diagnosis of autoimmune chronic urticaria (ACU).

Objective To perform a spatial analysis of myocardium uhrastructure and the activity of mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase in sub-acute Keshan disease. Methods Myocardium samples were collected from the cases with sub-acute Keshan disease and non-myocarditis(control), and their ultrastructure was observed under electron microscope. The density of mitochondrion volume and cristal membrane and its volume were measured by a point-counting method, while mitochondrion volume was estimated by water displacement method, succinate dehydrogenase activity of mitochondrion by iron-copper method in sub-acute Keshan disease and non-myocarditis cases. Results The volume ratio of mitochondrion to the cell on myoeardium [(47.79±6.20)%], the area ratio of mitochondrion to sarcoplasm [(55.06±6.50) %], mitochondrion to myofibrils [(1.43±0,41)%], mitochondrion section area[(0.78±0.15)μm2], and ratio of the lesion of cristal membrane area to the matrix area and mitochondrion volume[(67.14±13.96)%, (44.62±13.44)%]in sub-acute Keshan disease group were obviously higher than those in control [(33.20±7.62)%, (38.07±9.43)%, (0.71±0.33)%, (0.44±0.07)μm2, (14.11± 12.51)%, (9.34±11.28)%; t = 3.75,7.93,6.61,36.40,52.65,37.51, all P < 0.05]. The volume ratio of myofibrils to cell[(34.52±5.12)%]and the area ratio of cristae mitochondria to matrix[(32.43±14.42)%]in sub-acute Keshan disease group was obviously less than those in control [(48.51±4.30)%, (86.04±12.37)%; t = 9.85, 53.46, both P < 0.05)]. Succinate dehydrogenase activity was negative in sub-acute Keshan disease group. Conclusions Myocardium ultrastructure changes in sub-acute Keshan disease including the increase of volume and areas of mitochondria and the damage of the cristal membrane in mitochondria. Succinate dehydrogenase activity is decreased or even disappeared.

BACKGROUND:Microporous vacuum polysaccharide hemostatic microspheres are derived from degenerated potato plant starch and prepared through special processing. It is an ideal absorbable polymer styptic material with independent intelectual property rights. OBJECTIVE: To observe the degradation of microporous vacuum polysaccharide hemostatic microspheres and detect the safety indicators of body fluids by implanting microporous vacuum polysaccharide hemostatic microspheres in rats. METHODS:0.1-0.2 g microporous vacuum polysaccharide hemostatic microspheres were implanted subcutaneously on the left side of the spine in 12 rats. At the 1st, 3rd, 7th and 14th days after implantation,the degradation of microporous vacuum polysaccharide hemostatic microspheres in the tissue was observed. Another 15 rats were selected, of which 5 rats were taken as the control group and fed normally, and 10 rats were subjected to anesthesia. Two incisions were made on both sides of the spine, about 5 cm, deep into the muscular layer of 0.3 cm. The right amount of hemostatic microspheres were sprayed on the incisions and covered the entire wound, then the incisions were sutured. The 10 rats were raised normally for 14 days. The various indicators of body fluids such as appearance features, activities, excretion, feeding were detected. Finally, the rats were dissected, and the gross morphology and color changes of main organs were observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The microporous vacuum polysaccharide hemostatic microspheres buried in rats were completely degraded and absorbed within 7 days. After spraying the right amount of microporous vacuum polysaccharide hemostatic microspheres on the incision, the vital signs and biochemical indicators, such as blood and urine tests were all normal. The gross morphology and color of main organs such as liver, spleen, brain and kidney were not found significant anomalies. These results demonstrate that microporous vacuum polysaccharide hemostatic microspheres can be degraded into monosaccharide by amylase and can be completely degraded and absorbed within 7 days, without any side effects to tissues and organs.

Objective To investigate the status and influencing factors of fear of falling (FOF) in patients with first ever cerebral infarction. Methods A sample of 105 inpatients with cerebral infarction were recruited from two tertiary hospitals in Tianjin (Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of TCM) to complete this research. They were investigated with the simplified Chinese version of Falls Efficacy Scale International-short (FES-Is), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Barthel Index Rating Scale (BI) and Functional Ambulation Category Scale (FAC). Results The total score of FES-Is was 15.38±7.45. Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that age, marital status, fall history, walking ability and anxiety were important factors of FOF. Conclusions Clinical staff should guide the patients with first cerebral infarction especially who had a history of falling to take active and effective measures to deal with their FOF, and pay more attention on patients who was elderly, without a spouse, assisted walking and anxiety, to release their FOF, prevent the falling and promote the functional recovery of patients.

Objective To observe the effects of microRNA-21 (miR-21) inhibitor on apoptosis of type Ⅱalveolar epithelial cells (AEC Ⅱ) in rats with hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury (HALI).Methods Eighty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into air-control group,hyperoxia injury group,empty-virus control group (200 μL solution with lentivirus was dropped into the nasal) and miR-21 inhibitor pretreatment group (200 μL solution with lentivirus contained miR-21 inhibitor was dropped through the nasal) by random number table.After treatment,the rats in all groups were fed in the hyperoxia incubator with oxygen concentration exceeding 90％ for production of HALI model,and the rats in air-control group were fed normally without any treatment.Ten rats were selected at 0,24,48 and 72 hours after exposure in hyperoxia environment respectively,and the general changes of lung tissues were observed in light microscope.The right lung tissues were harvested to observe the pathological changes under light microscopy.The left lung tissues of other 10 rats in each group were harvested at 48 hours after execution,the miR-21 expression was determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR),the protein expression of cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3 (caspase-3) was determined by Western Bolt,and apoptosis of AEC Ⅱ was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL).Results ① No abnormal appearance in lung tissues was observed at all time points in the air-control group.In hyperoxia injury group,the lung injury would be more severe if the exposure time was longer,and lung tissues turned dark red after exposure for 72 hours,with patchy hemorrhage in several places;the structure of lung tissues was disordered,the alveolar wall was broken,the alveolar septum was significantly edematous and broadened,and there was plenty of inflammatory cell infiltration and edema fluid appeared inside the alveolar space.In miR-21 inhibitor pretreatment group,the degree of lung tissue injury was more severe than that of the hyperoxia injury group,and there was no significant change in empty-virus control group.(②) Compared with air-control group,miR-21 expression of the hyperoxia injury group was significantly decreased (2-△△Ct:0.021 ± 0.005 vs.0.037 ± 0.006),and the protein expression of caspase-3 was significantly increased (A value:0.423±0.081 vs.0.123±0.023,both P ＜ 0.05).After pretreatment with miR-21 inhibitor,the expression of miR-21 was further decreased (2-△△Ct:0.014±0.003 vs.0.021 ±0.005),while the protein expression of caspase-3was further increased (A value:0.691 ±0.085 vs.0.423 ±0.081,both P ＜ 0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in the expression of miR-21 (2-△ △ct:0.025 ± 0.007 vs.0.021 ± 0.005) and caspase-3 (A value:0.475 ± 0.062vs.0.423 ±0.081) between empty-virus control group and hyperoxia injury group (both P ＞ 0.05).(③) Compared with air-control group,the apoptosis cells in hyperoxia injury group were increased,which was further increased after pretreatment of miR-21 inhibitor,but no changes were found in empty-virus control group.Conclusion Inhibition of miR-21 expression in vivo could aggravate the injury of lung tissue in HALI rats,and increase the apoptosis of AEC Ⅱ.

Objective:To explore whether microRNA-21-5p (miR-21-5p) has the effect of anti-apoptosis of human alveolar typeⅡ epithelial cells (ATⅡ).Methods:ATⅡ cells derived from the human were cultured in vitro and used for experiments when the cells were grown until the presence of lamellar bodies and microvilli were observed by light microscope. The cells were divided into blank control group (direct culture), hydrogen peroxide (H 2O 2) injury group (cultured with 0.5 mmol/L H 2O 2), and miR-21-5p overexpression group (using miR-21-5p with a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 100 lentiviral overexpression vector with 0.5 mmol/L H 2O 2) and miR-21-5p empty virus control group (miR-21-5p lentiviral blank vector was co-cultured with 0.5 mmol/L H 2O 2). In each group, cell proliferation was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) at 0, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours of cell culture; cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry at 24 hours of culture. Results:① Cell proliferation activity test results: with the extension of cell culture time, the cell proliferation activity of the blank control group gradually increased, while the cell proliferation activity gradually decreased after the addition of 0.5 mmol/L H 2O 2. However, the cells proliferation activity in the miR-21-5p overexpression group decreased more slowly than that in the H 2O 2 injury group and the miR-21-5p empty virus control group, and the cell proliferation activity at 48 hours was significantly higher than the H 2O 2 injury group and the miR-21-5pempty virus control group ( A value: 0.295±0.005 vs. 0.184±0.005, 0.169±0.002, both P < 0.05). It showed that both H 2O 2 and lentivirus accelerated cell damage, while miR-21-5p could reduce cell apoptosis. ② Apoptosis rate test results: compared with the blank control group, the apoptosis rate increased significantly after adding 0.5 mmol/L H 2O 2; while the apoptosis rate of the miR-21-5p overexpression group was lower than that of the H 2O 2 injury group and miR-21-5p empty virus control group [early apoptosis rate: (14.31±0.12)% vs. (24.50±0.12)%, (23.41±0.13)%; late apoptosis rate: (8.12±0.13)% vs. (9.71±0.11)%, (10.41±0.15)%; overall apoptosis rate: (22.33±0.12)% vs. (34.21±0.10)%, (33.82±0.14)%; all P < 0.05], which further proved that miR-21-5p had anti-apoptotic effects. Conclusion:miR-21-5p has an anti-apoptotic effect on human ATⅡ.

Adenocarcinoma ; genetics ; pathology ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biopsy ; methods ; Bronchoscopy ; Carcinoma, Large Cell ; genetics ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; genetics ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Gene Amplification ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyploidy ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of four traditional Chinese medicines distributed along lung meridian, namely Ephedrae Hebra, Zingiberis Rhizoma, Scutellariae Radix and Mori Cortex, on TLR2 and NF-κB expressions in mice with lung heat syndrome, in order to study the intervention effect of the four traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) on the lung heat syndrome.

METHODOne hundred KM mice were randomly divided into the normal control group, the model group, the Ephedrae Hebra group, the Zingiberis Rhizoma group, the Scutellariae Radix group and the Mori Cortex group (20, 10 g x kg(-1)), nasally dripped with streptococcus pneumoniae to establish the mouse lung heat syndrome model, and then administered with different TCMs. The expressions of TLR2, NF-κB p65 proteins in lung tissues were analyzed by the immunohistochemical method. The expressions of TLR2, NF-κB p65 mRNA were measured by real time PCR.

RESULTCompared with the normal control group, the expressions of TLR2 and NF-κB p65 proteins in lung tissues in the model group were higher (P < 0.01), and the expressions of TLR2 and NF-κB p65 mRNA in lung tissues were up-regulated (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, Ephedrae Hebra high and low dose groups, the Zingiberis Rhizoma low dose group and the Scutellariae Radix high dose group showed decreased expression of TLR2 protein (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01); Ephedrae Hebra high and low dose groups, the Zingiberis Rhizoma low dose group, Scutellariae Radix high and low dose groups and Mori Cortex high and low dose groups showed reduced expression of NF-κB p65 protein (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Ephedrae Hebra high and low dose groups, Zingiberis Rhizoma high and low dose groups, Scutellariae Radix high dose group and Mori Cortex high dose group showed down-regulated expression of TLR2 mRNA (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEphedrae Hebra, Zingiberis Rhizoma, Scutellariae Radix and Mori Cortex can induce the TLR2/NF-κB inflammatory signal pathways by down-regulating the expressions of TLR2 and NF-κB p65 in protein and mRNA, so as to alleviate the lung tissue injury in mice with lung heat syndrome.

Animals ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; classification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Meridians ; Mice ; Phytotherapy ; methods ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; classification ; Pneumonia, Pneumococcal ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Scutellaria baicalensis ; chemistry ; Species Specificity ; Syndrome ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transcription Factor RelA ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To explore the clinical value and safety of early enteral nutrition support in patients after liver transplantation.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 86 cases who used early enteral nutrition support therapy after liver transplantation between January 2008and October 2011.All of patients were uproot the gastric tube at the first day after the operation,and gradual to the normal diet.The patients who used parenteral nutrition support therapy were as the control group(n＝112).Then we compared the data of patients in the two groups.Results The early enteral nutrition is more useful to the patients after liver transplantation than intravenous nutrition [In the seventh day after the operation,the control group's ALT was (45.2 ± 12.9) U/L,AST was (40.2±9.4) U/L,ALBwas (35.6±2.5) g/L,P＜0.05].The early enteral nutrition also can decrease hospital stay and hospital costs [(14.2±3.4) d,P＜0.05].Conclusion The early enteral nutrition is useful and safe to the patients after liver transplantation.

Medical educational internationalization has already made teaching medical courses in English more and more important.Nephrology department in Tongji hospital affiliated to Tongji medical college,Huazhong university of science and technology has assumed the responsibility of teaching in English for medical students of five-year program,six-year program,seven-year program,eight-year program,and abroad student for several years.They practiced teaching in English in theory teaching,PBL teaching and clinical teaching according to the characteristics and requisitions of students in different educational systems.They accumulated some experiences,which was conducive to improving the quality of teaching in English.