The acute and chronic respiratory tract inflammation models were made to investigate the effect and mechanism of sterol extracts from Begonia Sinensis Rhizome (BSR). The first model of acute lung injury was made with Kunming mice by inhaling cigarette smoke, then the mice were treated with different concentrations of BSR sterol extracts. Lung tissue morphology was detected by HE staining, TNF-alpha/MPO were detected by Elisa, and cPLA2 protein were, detected by Western blotting respectively. Results showed that in model group, lung sheet became real, alveolar space shrank or disappeared, alveolar septum was thickened, plenty of inflammatory cells were infiltrated, capillary blood vessels were congestive and the expression of TNF-α, MPO, cPLA2 increased; after administration, a small amount of inflammatory cells were infiltrated, alveolar septum became obvious, capillary congestion status was significantly relieved and the expression of TNF-α, MPO, cPLA2 decreased (P < 0.05). The second model of chronic respiratory tract inflammation in BALB/c mice with bronchial asthma was induced by OVA, then the mice were treated with different concentrations of BSR sterol extracts. Lung tissue morphology was detected by HE staining, indexes such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 were detected by Elisa, and the cPLA2 protein expression was detected by Western blotting respectively. Results showed that in model group, a lot of inflammatory cells around lung vessels and bronchi exuded, bronchial goblet cells proliferated and the expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, cPLA2 increased; after administration, inflammatory and goblet cell hyperplasia reduced, the expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, cPLA2 also decreased (P < 0.05). The above results showed BSR sterol extracts could resist against respiratory inflammation by inhibiting cPLA2 in a dose-dependent manner.
Animals ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; genetics ; immunology ; Begoniaceae ; chemistry ; Cytokines ; genetics ; immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-13 ; genetics ; immunology ; Interleukin-4 ; genetics ; immunology ; Interleukin-5 ; genetics ; immunology ; Lung ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Sterols ; administration & dosage

Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Estrogens ; Humans ; Stem Cells ; cytology

Objective To investigate the action mechanism of blood-stage treatment that affects psoriasis vulgaris using observation of the Th17/Treg expression.Methods A total of 32 patients ( blood heat group,n =17 ; blood stasis group,n =15) and 15 healthy people ( control group,n =15 ) were observed.The frequencies of Th17 and Treg in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometric analysis in patients before and after treated by heat-clearing and blood-cooling decoction,qi-enriching and blood-activating decoction.Results The ratio of Th17/Treg in peripheral blood [ blood heat group (4.21 ± 0.52 )％ ;blood stasis group( 3.32 ± 0.43 )％ ] was significantly increased in patients compared with controls [ ( 1.79 ±0.18)％ ] ( P ＜0.01 ).After herbal treatment,the ratio of Th17/Treg expression in the blood heat group [ ( 2.41 ± 0.22 ) ％ ] and in blood stasis group [ ( 2.02 ± 0.12 ) ％ ] was significantly decreased ( P ＜ 0.05 ),respectively.Conclusions Blood-stage treatment works well on Th17/Treg expression in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

Objective To evaluate the ability of multi-slice spiral CT angiography(MSCTA)in showing the celiac trunk and its degree branches,and the value of MSCTA in preoperative evaluation of laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy for advanced gastric carcinoma.Methods A total of 25 consecutive patients scheduled for laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection were evaluated by MSCT,CT angiography(CTA)were reconstructed separately using a volume rendering algorithm(VR).The space anatomy characteristics of celiac artery and its degree branches were evaluated according to the CTA results,and with anatomy information,laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection was processed with references to anatomy.Results In all the 25 cases,the left gastric artery and gastroduodenal artery were accurately identified on MSCTA.In 12 of them,the right gastric artery was accurately identified.The origin of the spleen artery is relatively constant.Laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection was successfully completed without conversion to open surgery in all the cases.The reconstructed celiac trunk and branches are identical with anatomy.Conclusions Three-dimensional CTA using MSCT clearly reveals the anatomy of celiac artery and their space structure.It plays an important role in guiding lymph node dissection during laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy for advanced gastric carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, it is reported that vessel structural abnormity is the main morphological basis of vertigo due to vertebrobasilar arterial insufficiency abroad, but the report of vascular structural abnormality in vertebrobasilar arterial insufficiency is rare at home.OBJECTIVE: To observe the manifestation and clinical significance of vessel structural abnormity tested by digital substraction angiography (DSA)in patients with vertigo induced by vertebrobasilar arterial insufficiency.DESIGN: Case analysis.SETTING: Department of Neurology, Wuxi Second Hospital (Wuxi Municipal Second People's Hospital) Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University and Department of Neurology, Huaihua Hospital Affiliated to Nanhua University.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 57 patients, who were diagnosed as having episodic vertigo with or without nausea or vomiting, and hospitalized in the Department of Neurology, Huaihua Hospital Affiliated to Nanhua University from August 2003 to May 2004 and Wuxi Second Hospital (Wuxi Municipal Second People's Hospital) Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University between October 2004 and May 2005, were enrolled.METHODS: Fifty-seven patients with vertigo induced by vertebrobasilar arterial insufficiency hospitalized in the recent two years were treated with digital subtraction radiography in aortic arch and aortocranial angiography:Applying retrograde angiography of femoral artery puncture, Optiray nonionic contrast agent with syringe pattern to perform aortic arch angiography. Digital subtraction machine displayed bilateral carotid artery, vertebral artery, ranged from carotid artery to siphon of carotid artery from multiple angles. Measurement and evaluation were conducted by 2 doctors from department of neurology.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Type, distribution and proportion of vesselstructural abnormity of aortic arch, carotid artery and vertebrobasilar system.RESULTS: Of the 57 patients, 1 patient was dropped out, because the left vertebral artery (LVA) could not be entered. A large area cerebral infarction was occurred in another patients during aortic arch angiography was performed, and the operation was stopped. Totally 55 patients were involved in the result analysis. It was found that 71%(39/55) of patients had vessel structural abnormity in cervical part and intracalvarium, 11%(6/55)of patients with simple anterior circulation lesion, 60% (33/55) of patients with posterior circulation lesion, of which 9 cases (16%) with compound lesion of anterior circulation abnormity. Two or above vessels in 24 cases (24/55,44%) were involved. Vertebral artery complicated with other angiostegnosis was the most common, and there was no vessel structural abnormity in other 16 cases (16/55,29%).CONCLUSION: Various types of vessel structural abnormity are the main etiological factors of vertigo induced by vertebrobasilar arterial insufficiency. Gold standard of diagnosing vertigo due to vertebrobasilar arterial insufficiency is DSA.

Abstract?AIM: To determine the relation between each of the optical coherence tomography ( OCT) patterns, etiologies and visual acuity in patients with cystoid macular edema ( CME) .?METHODS:Fifty-seven eyes with CME from 52 patients were included in our study. The data of this cross sectional study was collected rfom p atient s wtih CME assessed by OCT, who also underwent fun dus photography and visual acuity test the same day. The best corrected visual acuity ( BCVA ) was assessed by using E chart a nd converted in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution( logMAR ) . Thevisual acuity varied from 2.3 logMAR to 0 logMAR w ith a mean of 1.11±0.57. The etiology was determined from medical history and the fundus ph otograph of the patient. Four O CT grades established according to ratio between the vertical size of largest cyst and the maximum macular thickness (<30 %,≥30% <60%,≥60% <90%and≥90%) were considered. The correlation was established by calculating the Pearson's correlatio n coefficient “r” and the statistical significance was considered when P value was inferior to 0.05.?RESULTS: OCT grade I V was the most associated with very severe visual loss with the greatest mean VA of 1.96± 0.23 logMAR and the correlation between OCT grades and visual acuity was strongly statistically significant ( r =0.729, P <0.001 ). The central retinal vein occlusion ( CRVO) was the most underlying disease associated with worsev ision, with the gre atest mean VA of 2 logMAR and the correlation was statistically significant ( r=0.375, P=0.004).Another associated OCT pattern, the disruption of bot h inner segment/outer segment ( IS/OS) and external limiting membrane ( ELM) , was inversely associated with severe visual loss ( high mean VA=1.11 ±0.57 logMAR, with statistically significant correlation, r=-0.346, P=0.008 ) . The presence of both vitreoretinal traction components and outer retinal layers disruption were significantly associated with OCT grade IV ( r=0.390, P=0.003) and CRVO (r=0.362, P=0.006).?CONCLUSION:In this study, the OCT fourth grade and CRVO seem to be more significantly associated with the worse vision in patients with CME.

Objective:To investigate the protective effect of schisandrin B (SchB)on the cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury of the rats and the influence in HSPA12B/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,and to explore the mechanisms.Methods:130 SD rats were divided into sham group,cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury model group (model group),low dose of SchB group (SchB 3 mg· kg-1 ,SchB1 group),middle dose of SchB group (SchB 10 mg·kg-1 ,SchB2 group)and high dose of SchB group (SchB 30 mg·kg-1 ,SchB3 group)(n=26).The rats in sham group didn’t plug lines;the rats in model were used to establish ischemia reperfusion models;the rats in SchB1 ,SchB2 and SchB3 groups were firstly pretreated with different doses of SchB for 7 d,and then they were used to build cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury models.The nerve dysfunction of rats was evaluated by neurologic deficit score.The cerebral edema was detected by measuring the content of water in brain tissue.The morphological changes of brain tissue were observed by toluidine blue staining.The levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-1 (IL-1)and interleukin-6 (IL-6)in the brain tissue were detected by ELISA.Western blotting method was used to detect the protein expression levels of heat shock protein A12B (HSPA12B ), serine-threonine kinase (Akt ) and phosphorylation serine-threonine kinase (p-AKT ). Results:Compared with sham group,the neurologic deficit score of rats in model group was significantly increased (P <0.01),and the content of water in brain tissue was increased (P < 0.01 );the brain tissue structure was loosened,and the mesenchyme appeared edema;the NF-κB,TNF-α,IL-1,and IL-6 levels were increased (P <0.01),and the expression levels of HSPA12B and p-Akt proteins were decreased (P <0.01).Compared with model group,the neurologic deficit scores of the rats in SchB1 ,SchB2 ,and SchB3 groups were decreased (P <0.01),and the contents of water in brain tissue of the rats in SchB2 and SchB3 groups were decreased (P <0.05);the edema of nerve cells was alleviated,and the cavities were reduced;the NF-κB,TNF-α,IL-1,and IL-6 levels were decreased (P <0.05 or P <0.01),the expression levels of the HSPA12B protein in SchB2 ,and SchB3 groups were increased (P <0.05),and the p-Akt protein expression levels of the rats in SchB1 ,SchB2 ,and SchB3 groups were increased (P <0.01).Conclusion:SchB could protect the cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury of rats,its mechanism may be related to regulating the HSPA12B/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and inhibiting the inflammatory reaction damage to the nerve cells of reperfusion.

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy differences between fire needling therapy and oxycycline tablets for the treatment of moderate to severe acne vulgaris.

METHODSSixty cases of moderate to severe acne vulgaris were randomly divided into a fire needling group and a medication group, 30 cases in each one. The pricking method of fire needling at Ashi points around damaged skin was applied in the fire needling group, once every five days for totally 4 times. The oral administration of oxycycline tablets, 100 mg, was applied in the medication group, twice daily for 20 days, also external application of adapalene gel before sleep was adopted. The fading time of skin damage, including papule, pustule, nodule and cyst in the two groups was recorded and clinical efficacy was compared. After the treatment, two-month follow-up was performed to observe the recurrence rate in the two groups.

RESULTSThe curative rate was 69.0% (20/29) in the fire needling group, which was statistically different from 40.0% (12/30) in the medication group (P < 0.05). The fading time of each type of skin damage in the fire needling group was shorter than that in the medication group [papule: (2.67 +/- 0.66) d vs (4.36 +/- 0.61) d; pustule: (2.47 +/- 0.57) d vs (4.27 +/- 0.55) d; nodule: (7.76 +/- 1.06) d vs (9.88-1.30) d; cyst: (11.81 +/- 1.54) d vs (14.79 +/- 0.89) d, all P < 0.05]. The recurrence rate was 46.4% (13/28) in the fire needling group, which was not significantly different from 44.0% (11/24) in the medication group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe acne vulgaris could be fast and effectively treated by fire needling therapy, which has shorter fading time than oxycycline tablets. However, the preventive effect is not different between the two theraies.

Acne Vulgaris ; therapy ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To study the expression of microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2) in the CA3 region of the hippocampus and any effect of acupuncture combined with exercise training on the recovery of learning and memory after experimental cerebral infarction.Methods Eighty Wistar rats were randomly divided into a sham-operation group (n = 8 ) and an operation group (n = 72 ) subdivided randomly and equally into a model group, an exercisetraining group and an acupuncture plus exercise training group, with 24 rats in each group. After right middle cerebral artery occlusion or a mock operation, the expression of MAP-2 in the CA3 region of the hippocampus was detected with immunohistochemistry 1, 3 and 5 weeks after the operation. Learning and memory function was assessed at the 5th week post operation.Results MAP-2- positive fibers were arranged in an orderly way and distributed densely in the shamoperation group. After cerebral infarction, number of MAP-2 positive neurons and dendrite fibers decreased in the CA3 region of the affected side. A week after the operation, MAP-2 positive fibers had increased significantly in the acupuncture plus exercise group compared with the model group and the exercise group. At the 3rd and 5th week post operation, expression of MAP-2 and optical density had increased significantly compared with the model group and the exercise training group. At the 5th week post operation, Y maze discrimination and learning tests showed that learning and memory had improved significantly more in the acupuncture plus exercise training group compared with the model group and the exercise training group.Conclusions Exercise training combined with acupuncture can promote changes in dendritic plasticity and increase MAP-2 expression in the CA3 region after cerebral infarction. This may be correlated positively with the recovery of learning and memory after cerebral infarction, at least in rats.

Objective To screen a new schistosome vaccine candidate. \ Methods\ Schistosoma japonicum adult cDNA library was screened using sera from immune rabbits vaccinated with irradiated cercariae and monoclonal antibodies against membrane antigen of S.japonicum schistosomula. Three different fragments of S.japonicum cDNA genes were cloned into pGEM-T vector. The sequences of the inserts were determined using an automatic DNA sequencer and were analysed using Blast program. One of the unknown genes (B8) was selected and its ORF sequence (291 bp) was subcloned into eukaryotic expression vector. The recombinant plasmids were identified by restrictive enzymes and PCR amplification. The positive recombinant plasmids (pBK/SjB8) were transformed into host bacteria XL1-blue, and were then induced by IPTG for expression. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting analysis of total cellular protein from the bacteria were performed to detect the gene products. Results The results demonstrated that ORF of SjB8 gene was subcloned into the plasmid pBK-CMV and could express as fusion protein in XL1-blue. The results of SDS-PAGE and Western-blot also showed that the molecular weight of the fusion protein with 3 kDa ?-galactosidase was approximately 13\^6 kDa and the actual molecular weights of the SjB8 was 10\^6 kDa. The expressed fusion product of pBK/Sj-B8 could be recognized by immune serum and McAb. Conclusion A new gene of S.japonicum vaccine candidate (SjB8) was cloned into eukaryotic expression vector pBK-CMV and could express 10\^6 kDa schistosome protein. The results provide foundation for further study of the protein for its posibility as candidate vaccine.