Neuropathological, clinical epidemiology and animal models studies provide clear evidence for the activation of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease (AD), and long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is linked with reduced risk to develop the disease. But the clinical trials got a negative outcome with traditional NSAIDs treating AD. The therapeutic effects of NSAIDs on Alzheimer's disease are still not clear based on the present research. Profound study for anti-inflammatory mechanisms and standardized clinical trials are needed. As cause and effect relationships between neuroinflammation and AD are being worked out, the challenge is how to realize the effect of traditional NSAIDs on treating AD.
Alzheimer Disease ; drug therapy ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Inflammation ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVE: The etiology and pathogenesis of moyamoya disease remain unclear. Furthermore, the definitive diagnostic protein-biomarkers for moyamoya disease are still unknown. The present study analyzed serum proteomes from normal controls and moyamoya patients to identify novel serological biomarkers for diagnosing moyamoya disease. METHODS: We compared the two-dimensional electrophoresis patterns of sera from moyamoya disease patients and normal controls and identified the differentially-expressed spots by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of flight mass spectrometry and electrospray ionization quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry. RESULTS: We found and analyzed 22 differently-expressed proteomes. Two proteins were up-regulated. Twenty proteins were down-regulated. Complement C1 inhibitor protein and apolipoprotein C-III showed predominantly changed expressions (complement C1 inhibitor protein averaged a 7.23-fold expression in moyamoya patients as compared to controls, while apolipoprotein C-III averaged a 0.066-fold expression). CONCLUSION: Although our study had a small sample size, our proteomic data provide serologic clue proteins for understanding moyamoya disease.
Apolipoprotein C-III ; Biomarkers ; Complement C1 Inhibitor Protein ; Electrophoresis ; Humans ; Mass Spectrometry ; Moyamoya Disease ; Proteins ; Proteome ; Sample Size

Hypertension is a common complication after renal transplantation. Among post-transplantation patients died of cardiovascular diseases, about 41% have hypertension. Hypertension is an independent risk factor for kidney transplant failure. Post-transplantation hypertension can be caused by many factors, including the use of immunosuppressants. When the blood pressure exceeds 130/90 mmHg in a kidney transplant recipient, it is reasonable to provide active medical intervention. In summary, prevention and treatment of hypertension is important to prolong the survival of kidney transplant recipients.
Humans ; Hypertension ; diagnosis ; etiology ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Kidney Transplantation ; Postoperative Complications ; diagnosis ; etiology ; prevention & control ; therapy

Kidney transplantation has become an important method in treating advanced renal failure. Immunosuppressants play a key tool in this progress. It is important to understand the goal, mechanism, and adverse effects of immunosuppressive therapy, so as to appropriately use these drugs in post-transplantation patients on a customized basis.
Aftercare ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Kidney Transplantation ; Long-Term Care

OBJECTIVETo investigate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis incidence rates as well as the retention rate in a cohort with 6-month follow-up study among female sex workers (FSWs).

METHODSFrom December, 2004, to January, 2005, a community-based baseline survey was conducted to recruit 343 FSWs for a prospective cohort study in Xichang county of Sichuan province, China. Follow-up visits were conducted at 6 months to analyze risk factors associated with cohort retention for subjects' baseline sociodemographic and sexual behavioral characteristics. Blood specimens were also collected to test antibodies against HIV and syphilis.

RESULTSDuring the 6-month follow-up period, HIV and syphilis incidence appeared to be 1.00 per 100 person-years and 6.23 per 100 person-years, respectively. The rate of retention in the cohort was 53.6% (184/343). Results from multivariate logistic regression model showed that factors were significantly associated with cohort retention including people with minority ethnic background (OR = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.18-0.74), people having participated in AIDS prevention program (OR = 1.83; 95% CI: 1.17-2.86) or being clients in the last 6 months > or = 50 (OR = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.11-2.77) and having changed living/working place (OR = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.33-0.94).

CONCLUSIONThe results of this study showed that the syphilis incidence and unprotected sex behavior were high among local FSWs. People belonged to Han nationality, having participated in AIDS prevention program and having a steady living/working place were associated with cohort retention at 6-month follow-up study among FSWs, respectively.

China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Risk Factors ; Sex Work ; Sexual Behavior ; Substance-Related Disorders ; Syphilis ; epidemiology

BACKGROUNDRenal transplants can improve the quality of life for recipients, but the quality of their sexual life might not be improved. This study was conducted to research the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) and the influential factors in male renal transplant recipients (RTRs).

METHODSA cross-sectional survey was conducted in three renal transplantation centers. Structured questionnaires were administrated by trained interviewers to 824 male renal transplant patients, who had active sexual lives in the last 6 months.

RESULTSComplaints of ED were reported by 75.5% of the 809 RTRs (age range 19 - 75 years, mean age (45 +/- 10) years), whose questionnaires were completed. Mild, moderate and severe ED were reported at 53.6%, 8.3% and 13.6%, respectively. The mean age and the graft duration were significantly higher in male RTRs with ED compared to potent graft recipients (P = 0.00 and 0.04, respectively). The prevalence of ED increased with the increase in age. It was 60.7%, 65.8%, 75.2%, 87.5% and 92.2% in patients with age below 30 years, 31 - 40 years, 41 - 50 years, 51 - 60 years and over 60 years, respectively (P = 0.000). Moreover, the severity of ED increased with aging. The percentage of moderate and severe cases of ED increased from 6.7% in patients below 40 years to 28.9% in those over 40 years (P = 0.000). The prevalence of ED in the RTR who had no occupation was higher than in those who were holding a position (P = 0.001). The prevalence of ED decreased with the increase in the education level. The prevalence of ED was 94.3%, 86.4%, 74.0% and 67.8% in men with elementary school or lower, middle school, high school, and college or higher degrees, respectively (P = 0.000). Patients, whose distal end of arteria iliaca interna was interrupted and underwent iterative transplantation, worried transplanted kidney function was impacted by sexual life, and received cyclosporine (CsA)-based immunosuppressive regimens, were more likely to have ED (P = 0.000, 0.001, 0.000, 0.000, respectively). After Logistic regression analysis, only five factors, age, education level, interruption of arteria iliaca interna distal end, worrying transplanted kidney function impacted by sexual life and CsA-based immunosuppressive regimens sustained their significance.

CONCLUSIONSRenal transplant has varying effects on erectile function. ED is highly prevalent among RTRs and its influential factors are multiple. Age, education level, interruption of arteria iliaca interna distal end, worrying transplanted kidney function impacted by sexual life, CsA-based immunosuppressive regimens are the main influential factors of ED in male RTRs.

Adult ; Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Cyclosporine ; therapeutic use ; Erectile Dysfunction ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence

Purpose: We sought to investigate the effectiveness and safety of dabrafenib in children with BRAFV600E-mutated Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 20 children with BRAFV600E-mutated LCH who were treated with dabrafenib. Results: The median age at which the patients started taking dabrafenib was 2.3 years old (range, 0.6 to 6.5 years). The ratio of boys to girls was 2.3:1. The median follow-up time was 30.8 months (range, 18.9 to 43.6 months). There were 14 patients (70%) in the risk organ (RO)+ group and six patients (30%) in the RO– group. All patients were initially treated with traditional chemotherapy and then shifted to targeted therapy due to poor control of LCH or intolerance to chemotherapy. The overall objective response rate and the overall disease control rate were 65% and 75%, respectively. During treatment, circulating levels of cell-free BRAFV600E (cfBRAFV600E) became negative in 60% of the patients within a median period of 3.0 months (range, 1.0 to 9.0 months). Grade 2 or 3 adverse effects occurred in five patients. Conclusion Some children with BRAFV600E-mutated LCH may benefit from monotherapy with dabrafenib, especially high-risk patients with concomitant hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and intolerance to chemotherapy. The safety of dabrafenib is notable. A prospective study with a larger sample size is required to determine the optimal dosage and treatment duration.

Objective To investigate the effect of the endoscopic surveillance system in irrigating fluid absorption and bleeding during transurethral resection of the prostate.Methods In vitro trials,we simulated the fluid absorption and bleeding in the operation by using self-developed endoscopic surveillance system from January 2013 to June 2013.Continuous irrigation of 5 ％ mannitol solution,we extracted 5 times irrigating fluid (each time 100 ml and a total of 500 ml) in the process of irrigation and recorded absorption measurements of every time extraction rinses.At the same time,we dripped human whole blood 5 times(each time 5 ml and a total of 25 ml) in the process of irrigation and recorded the bleeding measurements.The above process was repeated three times to detect the accuracy and consistency of the endoscopic surveillance system.In clinical trials,50 cases of BPH were monitored in surgery and the biochemical index,hemodynamics,irrigating fluid absorption and bleeding were compared from October 2016 to April 2017.The included criteria contained as follow:the age of patients should be more than 50 years.The transabdominal ultrasound showed that the volume of prostate should be more than 60 ml.The maximal uroflowmetry should be less than 15ml/s.The IPSS scores should be more than 8.Based on the operative time,two groups (＜60 min and ≥ 60 min) were classified.Results We developed the endoscopic surveillance system which is original in the world.In vitro trials,the average irrigating fluid were (100.60 ± 2.07) ml,(201.00±3.39) ml,(302.00±4.67) ml,(403.60±4.39) ml and (502.40 ±7.57) ml;and the average bleeding were (5.06 ± 0.11) ml,(10.10 ± 0.16) ml,(15.04 ± 0.15) ml,(20.06 ± 0.11) ml and (25.10 ± 0.16) ml.No significant difference was observed in all groups (P ＞ 0.05).In clinical trials,we compared some preoperative and postoperative indexes.The average blood oxygen saturation were (94.46 ± 2.49) ％ and (92.39 ± 2.77) ％ (P ＜ 0.01),the average Serum sodium ion concentration were (141.05 ± 2.52) mmol/L and (138.06 ± 4.27) mmol/L(P ＜ 0.01),the average HGB were (143.50 ± 13.43) g/L and (137.04 ± 14.25) g/L(P ＜ 0.01).The average HCT were (42.05 ± 4.09) ％ and (137.04 ± 14.25) ％ (P ＜ 0.01).The average HR were (77.9 ± 7.6) beats per minute and (77.93 ± 6.93) beats per minute (P＞0.05).The MAP were (90.32 ± 9.75) mmHg and (91.07±8.96)mmHg(P＞0.05).The average serum potassium ion concentration were (4.13 ± 0.53) mmol/L and (4.09 ± 0.37) mmol/L (P ＞ 0.05).The average irrigating fluid absorption of the group less than 60 minutes and the group equal or more than 60 minutes were (401.83 ± 279.23) ml and (885.25 ± 367.68) ml (P ＜ 0.01).The average blood loss were (64.10 ±47.47) ml and (158.40 ± 65.22) ml(P ＜0.01).The preoperative and postoperative hemodynamic,blood biochemical and hematology showed difference in our trials.Irrigating fluid absorption and blood loss were positively associated with operation time.Conclusions The endoscopic surveillance system was safety and accuracy.It can offer real-time monitoring data and alarm mechanism for the surgeons that possibly improve operation safety.

Objective: To explore the anti-lung cancer mechanism of Maimendong Tang and Qianjin Weijingtang (Jin Fang) by detecting the expression profiles of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and mRNA in mice tumor tissues of orthotopic Lewis lung cancer model. Method: C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group and Jin Fang group (20 g·kg^-1·d^-1). After successful establishment of Lewis lung cancer model in situ in mice, Jin Fang was given orally the next day after treatment. Using gene chip technology, differential lncRNA and mRNA closely related with Jin Fang' s anti-lung cancer effect were detected, and cluster analysis was performed. The key lncRNA and mRNA were screened out by t-test and fold change of differential expression. Bioinformatic methods were used to predict target genes regulated by differential lncRNA, and functional and pathway analysis was performed. The histopathological technique was used to detect the differences in the tumor tissue of each group under light microscope. Result: lncRNA and mRNA chip hybridization results showed that Jin Fang regulated differential expressions of 887 lncRNA, in which 442 were up-regulated and 445 were down-regulated (P<0.05). There were 610 differential mRNA expressions, in which 376 were up-regulated and 234 were down-regulated(P<0.05). GO analysis showed that down-regulated or up-regulated target genes were mainly involved in biological processes (BP), such as cell metabolism regulation and signal pathway regulation. Molecular function (MF) analysis showed such functions DNA binding, protein binding, receptor binding and transcription factor activity in down-regulated or up-regulated target genes. Target genes were involved in multiple biological processes, cellular components and molecular functions. Signal pathway predictions indicated that Jin Fang can regulate the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of tran-ions(JAK/STAT) and other signaling pathways closely related to the development of lung cancer. The results of histopathological examination confirmed that Jin Fang could significantly improve the pathological changes of lung tissues in the mice compared with the model group. Conclusion: Jin Fang may exert its anti-lung cancer effect by regulating the expressions of multiple lncRNAs and mRNAs, and down-regulating related signaling pathways.

The current study was designed to explore the brain protection mechanism of Xinglou Chengqi Decoction (XCD) based on gut microbiota analysis and network pharmacology. A transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of mice was established, followed by behavioral evaluation, TTC and TUNEL staining. Additionally, to investigate the effects of gut microbiota on neurological function after stroke, C57BL/6 mice were treated with anti-biotic cocktails 14 days prior to ischemic stroke (IS) to deplete the gut microbiota. High-throughput 16S rDNA gene sequencing, metabonomics technique, and flow multifactor technology were used to analyze bacterial communities, SCFAs and inflammatory cytokines respectively. Finally, as a supplement, network pharmacology and molecular docking were applied to fully explore the multicomponent-multitarget-multichannel mechanism of XCD in treating IS, implicated in ADME screening, target identification, network analysis, functional annotation, and pathway enrichment analysis. We found that XCD effectively improved neurological function, relieved cerebral infarction and decreased the neuronal apoptosis. Moreover, XCD promoted the release of anti-inflammatory factor like IL-10, while down-regulating pro-inflammatory factors such as TNF-α, IL-17A, and IL-22. Furthermore, XCD significantly increased the levels of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), especially butyric acid. The mechanism might be related to the regulation of SCFAs-producing bacteria like Verrucomicrobia and Akkermansia, and bacteria that regulate inflammation like Paraprevotella, Roseburia, Streptophyta and Enterococcu. Finally, in the network pharmacological analysis, 51 active compounds in XCD and 44 intersection targets of IS and XCD were selected. As a validation, components in XCD docked well with key targets. It was obviously that biological processes were mainly involved in the regulation of apoptotic process, inflammatory response, response to fatty acid, and regulation of establishment of endothelial barrier in GO enrichment. XCD can improve neurological function in experimental stroke mice, partly due to the regulation of gut microbiota. Besises, XCD has the characteristic of "multi-component, multi-target and multi-channel" in the treatment of IS revealed by network pharmacology and molecular docking.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Network Pharmacology ; Stroke/drug therapy*