Cutaneous Fistula ; Digestive System Abnormalities ; therapy ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Treatment Outcome

Background: We found microRNA (miR)-1246 to be significantly differentially expressed between severe active alopecia areata (AA) patients and healthy individuals. Objective: To explore the role and mechanism of miR-1246 in severe AA. Methods: Expression of miR-1246, dual-specific tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A), and nuclear factor of activated T cells 1c (NFATc1) in peripheral CD4+ T cells and in scalp tissues of patients were detected using RT-qPCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry assays. Peripheral CD4+ T cells from the AA patients were transfected with lentiviral vectors overexpressing miR-1246. RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis were used to measure mRNA or protein expression of retinoic-acid-receptor-related orphan nuclear receptor gamma (ROR-γt), interleukin (IL)-17, DYRK1A, NFATc1, and phosphorylated NFATc1. Flow cytometry was used to assay the CD4+ IL-17+ cells proportion. ELISA was used to measure cytokine levels. Results: miR-1246 levels decreased and DYRK1A and NFATc1 mRNA levels significantly increased in the peripheral CD4+ T cells and scalp tissues of severe active AA samples.NFATc1 protein expression was also significantly increased in the peripheral CD4+ T cells but not in the scalp tissues. NFATc1 positive cells were mainly distributed among infiltrating inflammatory cells around hair follicles. In peripheral CD4+ T cells of severe active AA, overexpression of miR-1246 resulted in significant downregulation of DYRK1A, NFATc1, ROR-γt, and IL-17 mRNA and phosphorylated NFATc1 protein, as well as a decrease in the CD4+ IL-17+ cells proportion and the IL-17F level. Conclusion miR-1246 can inhibit NFAT signaling and Th17 cell activation, which may be beneficial in the severe AA treatment.

To study the effect of the combined administration of different doses of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma on the proliferation of DFMO-treated intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6) and p53, p21 mRNA and protein expressions, in order to define the molecular basis for the effect of the combined administration of different doses of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma on the cell proliferation. The effect of the drugs on the cell division rate and cell cycle of IEC-6 cells was detected by FCM. Quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to analyze the effect of the drugs on mRNA of p2l and p53 related to IEC-6 proliferation. Western blot was used to analyze the effect of the drugs on p2l and p53 protein expressions of IEC-6 cells. Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma could increase p53, p21 mRNA and proteins expression in DFMO-treated IEC-6 cells. The combined administration of different ratios of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma could significantly down-regulate Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma's effect on p53, p21 mRNA and proteins expression in DFMO-treated IEC-6 cells and promote the proliferation of IEC-6 cells. The combined administration of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma could down-regulate Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma's effect on DFMO-treated intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6).
Animals ; Atractylodes ; chemistry ; Cell Line ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Intestines ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Huatuo Zaizao extractum (HTZZ) on focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) neurogenesis in rats induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and its mechanism.

METHODTotally 55 healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the sham operation group, the MCAO model group and HTZZ high, middle and low dose groups (5, 2.5, 1.25 g x kg(-1)), with 11 rats in each group, and orally administered with drugs. The focal cerebral ischemia model was established by performing a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO, 90 min) followed by a seven-day reperfusion (once a day). The neurogenesis and expressions of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) were detected by the immunofluorescent staining. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to determine the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

RESULTMCAO (90 min) followed by a seven-day reperfusion resulted in the significant increase in the number of penumbra cortex newborn neurons (BrdU(+) -NeuN(+)), which was accompanied by the growth of ERK and CREB phosphorylation and VEGF and BDNF levels. HTZZ could promote the generation of newborn neurons (BrdU(+)-NeuN(+)) and the ERK and CREB phosphorylation and increase VEGF and BDNF levels at the ischemic side.

CONCLUSIONHTZZ could promote the neurogenesis, which may be the interventional targets of effective traditional Chinese medicine Huatuo Zaizao extractum in promoting the self-repair function of the cerebral ischemic areas.

Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Male ; Neurogenesis ; drug effects ; Neurons ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the aberrant promoter methylation of hMLH1 gene promoter and its clinical significance in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).

METHODSmethylation of hMLH1 gene promoter in the cancer tissue and matched tumor-adjacent normal tissue of 152 PTC patients were detected by real-time methylation specific PCR (qMSP). The relationship between the methylation of hMLH1 gene promoter and clinicopathological features was analyzed.

RESULTSThe methylation rate of hMLH1 gene promoter in cancer tissues was 37.5% (57/152), of which 33 cases were totally methylated and 24 cases were partially methylated. The methylation rate of adjacent normal tissues was 5.3% (8/152)(all were partially methylated). The methylation rate of PTC tissues was significantly higher than that in the tumor-adjacent normal tissue (P < 0.01). The promoter methylation of hMLH1 gene in PTC was significantly correlated with age, size and number of the primary lesion, local invasion, T stage and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05) , but not correlated with gender and clinical stage (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPromoter methylation of hMLH1 gene is a common molecular event in PTC tissue, and it is significantly correlated with the progression of PTC.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; genetics ; metabolism ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Carcinoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; DNA Methylation ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; MutL Protein Homolog 1 ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tumor Burden ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the long-term effect, safety and tolerability of benazepril in general hypertensive patients.

METHODSWe conducted a three-year community-based postmarketing surveillance on benazepril among 1831 essential hypertensive patients (age range from 35 to 88 years) in Shanghai.

RESULTS74.3% of patients persisted in medication taking and were with optimal compliance in a 3-year-follow-up program. Among those taking medication as prescribed after 3 years, 75.7% of them attained systolic blood pressure (SBP) target level of 140 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa), 87.4% attained diastolic blood pressure (DBP) target level of 90 mm Hg, and 71.5% attained total target level of 140/90 mm Hg. The reductions were approaching 15 mm Hg for SBP, 10 mm Hg for DBP, and 5 mm Hg for pulse pressure (PP) during the 3 year period. No serious adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were detected during the 3 years follow-up. Cough was the most common ADR. The cumulative incidence of benazepril related cough was 23.6% in women, significant higher than in men (18.8%).

CONCLUSIONBenazepril was safe and tolerable when applied in hypertensive patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antihypertensive Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Benzazepines ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; China ; epidemiology ; Cough ; chemically induced ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Product Surveillance, Postmarketing

Objective To compare three different types of donor livers (C-Ⅰ,C-Ⅱ,C-Ⅲ) in clinical efficacy,complications and survival rate of liver transplantation.Methods Using the retrospective descriptive study method,the clinical data of 422 patients undergoing liver transplantation,including 124 cases of C-Ⅰ,81 cases of C-Ⅱ and 81 cases of C-Ⅲ in recent 6 years (from June 2010 to June 2016) were analyzed.The same surgical method was performed with piggyback liver transplantation.Observation indicators contained (1) recipient postoperative liver function;(2) the postoperative complications;(3) the recipient survival rate.SPSS 19.0 statistical software was used for analysis.Results (1) The curative effect was evaluated by the changes of ALT and TBIL among three groups of recipients postoperatively.As compared with C-Ⅰ transplantation group and CⅢ transplantation group,the level of ALT in C-Ⅱ transplantation group was significantly increased (P ＜0.05),the clinical efficacy was poorer.(2) The incidence of PNF was 3.23％ in C-Ⅰ group,9.88％ in C-Ⅱ group and 9.88％ in C-Ⅲ group (P＜0.05).The incidence of acute rejection was respectively 9.68％ in C-Ⅰ group,38.27％ in C-Ⅱ group and 38.27％ in C-Ⅲ group (P＜0.001).The incidence of SIRS was respectively 5.65％ in C-Ⅰ group,39.50％ in C-Ⅱ group and 39.50％ in C-Ⅲ group (P＜ 0.001).There were significant differences in the incidence of other complications among the three groups.(3) There were 14 deaths within 3 months,accounting for 17.28％,and the survival rate was 82.72％ in C-Ⅱ group,the 1-,3-,and 5-year survival rate was 76.55％,74.18％ and 76.55％ respectively in C-Ⅰ group,and that was 88.02％,85.72％ and 81.11％ respectively in C-Ⅲ group.Conclusion Since June 2015,C-Ⅰ donors grow up more quickly on year-on-year basis than C-Ⅱ.Simultaneously,the sort-term and long-term clinical efficacy is better in C-Ⅰ transplantation group than in C-Ⅱ transplantation group.How to repair the three types of Chinese standard donor organs and optimize the quality is still a hot point to ensure the healthy development of organ transplantation in China,which needs further investigation.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic effect of central wedge resection and asymmetric Z-plasty for minor labia reduction.

METHODSBased on the Giraldo procedure, the incision was designed and the redudent tissue was resected quantitatively. The Z-plasty was modified to rectangle flap with deviated incision. The incisions at the two surface of minor labia were designed in an opposited direction. The two rectangle flaps were inserted to form the free edge of minor labia.

RESULTS11 cases of minor labia hypertrophy were treated with good results.

CONCLUSIONSThe modified procedure is easily performed with precise design. It is suitable for all kinds of minor labia hypertrophy.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgery, Plastic ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Vulva ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of dexamethasone on intracellular expression of Th17 cytokine interleukin 17 and the mechanisms in asthmatic mice.

METHODSExperimental asthma was induced by ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization in 20 in female Balb/c mice with (dexamethasone group, n=10) or without dexamethasone treatment (model group, n=10), with another 10 serving as the control group. The levels of IL-17 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum of the mice were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the airway inflammation was evaluated by HE staining. The expressions of IL-17 and RORgammat mRNA were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the expression of RORgammat protein was measured by immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTSThe levels of RORgammat and IL-17 mRNA and protein in the asthmatic model group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.01), and the increased expressions of RORgammat and IL-17 mRNA and protein in the asthmatic mice were significantly reduced by dexamethasone treatment (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONDexamethasone can inhibit the release of IL-17 probably by inhibiting RORgammat expression and blocking Th17 differentiation in asthmatic mice.

Animals ; Asthma ; chemically induced ; immunology ; metabolism ; Dexamethasone ; pharmacology ; Female ; Interleukin-17 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3 ; metabolism ; Ovalbumin ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer ; immunology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between CD8+ T-cell CD28 molecular expression in peripheral blood and TCM type in patients with chronic aplastic anemia (CAA).

METHODSUsing flow cytometry to detect the CD28 expression in 45 in-patients or out-patients and 24 healthy subjects for control. And the relation with TCM type was analyzed from the immunological aspect.

RESULTS(1) The levels of CD8, CD28, CD8+ CD28+ expression and CD8+ CD28+/CD8+ CD28- were all higher in the CAA patients than those in the healthy subjects (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). (2) The levels of CD28, CD8+ CD28+ expression and CD8+ CD28+/CD8+ CD28- were all higher in the CAA patients of Shen-Yin deficiency type than those in the CAA patients of Shen-Yang deficiency type (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION(1) The abnormal high expression of peripheral blood co-stimulatory molecules CD28 suggested CD28 disorder may play an important role in immuno-pathogenesis of CAA. (2) The levels of peripheral CD28, CD8+ CD28+ expression and CD8+ CD28+/CD8+ CD28- can be taken as an objective indexes for TCM typing of CAA, which was disordered more severe in patients of Shen-Yin deficiency type than in those of Shen-Yang deficiency type.

Adult ; Anemia, Aplastic ; classification ; diagnosis ; immunology ; CD28 Antigens ; biosynthesis ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Chronic Disease ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases ; immunology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Yang Deficiency ; immunology ; Yin Deficiency ; immunology