Objective To investigate the serum creatinine (SCr) level in patients with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS) and to explore the relationship between the SCr level and the clinical characteristics.Methods A total of 80 patients with sALS,80 patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA) and 80 patients with tension-type headache (TTH) were enrolled in the study.The SCr levels were compared among the three groups.The association between the SCr level and the revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R),the forced vital capacity (FVC) percentage of predicted (FVC％ pred),the site of symptom onset,the duration of disease and the rate of disease progression was evaluated in the sALS group.Results The SCr level was significantly decreased in the sALS group than the other two groups [(60.86 ± 16.80) μmol/L vs (70.05 ± 12.79) μmol/L and (66.97-± 14.14) μmol/L,P ＜ 0.01].In the sALS group,the SCr level was positively correlated with the ALSFRS-R (r =0.315,P =0.005),while no correlation was found between the SCr level and the FVC％ pred,the site of symptom onset,the duration of disease and the rate of disease progression (all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The SCr level is an important biochemical index in the patients with sALS and might play an important role in monitoring the disease progression.

ObjectiveToinvestigatetheeffectandmechanismofaChinesetraditionalprescription,YuebiBanxia decoction, on allergic asthma in mice by observing the changes of serum immunoglobulin E ( IgE ) and lung tissue superoxide dismutase ( SOD) activity in the mouse model of allergic asthma .Methods Forty healthy Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal control group , asthma model group , dexamethasone intervention group and Chinese medicine preparation group .The mouse model of asthma was generated by peritoneal injection of ovalbumin ( OVA) and suspension of aluminium hydroxide .The mice of traditional Chinese medicine group received Yuebi Banxia decoction in a dose of 1 mL/100 g, daily for 30 days.The mice of dexamethasone group were given intraperitoneal injection of dexamethasone 1 mg/kg.The normal control group and asthma model group were given gastric gavage of physiological saline.After 30 days administration, the serum levels of IgE and SOD activity of lung tissue were determined , and the pathological changes of lung tissue were observed using HE staining .Results The mice of traditional Chinese medicine preparation group showed significantly decreased serum IgE level , and significantly increased SOD activity than those of the asthma model group mice (P<0.05 for both).Conclusions Reduced serum IgE and increased SOD activity in the lung tissue of mice with allergic asthma , improving the antioxidant ability of lung tissue , may be involved in the anti-allergic asthma mechanism of the Chinese traditional prescription Yuebi Banxia decoction .

Objective To evaluate the dosimetric characteristics of base dose plan compensation (BDPC) optimization method applied on the intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for upper esophageal carcinoma,based on the Eclipse treatment planning system.Methods Nineteen patients were included.For each case initial IMRT plan was generated and further optimized respectively by the two following methods:the BDPC method and hot and cold spot control (HCSC) method.Then the BDPC and HCSC plans were compared concerning planning-target-volume (PTV) coverage,conformity index (CI),and homogeneity index (HI),as well as organ-at-risk (OAR) sparing,planning time,monitor unit (MU) and delivery time.Results Compared with the HCSC plans,the BDPC plans provided superior CI and HI (Z =-3.662,-3.745,P ＜ 0.05),as well as lower D2％ (near-maximum dose) (Z =-3.823,P ＜ 0.05) and comparable D98％ (near-minimum dose) (P ＞ 0.05) for PTV64 (high-risk PTV),and provided superiorCI (Z=-3.340,P＜0.05),lower D95％ and D98％ (Z=-3.582,-2.616,P＜0.05) for PTV54 (low-risk PTV).The BDPC plans also provided slightly lower doses to the spinal cord and lung compared with the HCSC plans (Z =-3.625--3.369,P ＜ 0.05).Moreover,the planning time [(26.05 ±0.88) min] for BDPC plans was less than that of the HCSC plans [(33.73 ± 3.24) min] (Z =-3.823,P ＜0.05).The MU of the BDPC plans (1 019 ± 167) was higher than that of the HCSC plans (1 003 ±159) (Z=-2.616,P＜0.05),while the delivery time [(3.52 ±0.29) min] was more than that of the HCSC plans [(3.50±0.28) min] (Z=-2.548,P＜0.05).Conclusions The BDPC optimization method can significantly improve target dose homogeneity and conformity with effective reduction of the dose to OARs for upper esophageal carcinoma.Moreover,it is simple and can improve the treatment planning efficiency.

The inundation of Cordyceps sinensis counterfeits in the market makes it difficult to identify. In this study, 21 batches of wild C. sinensis from 3 different regions, 30 batches of naturally cultured C. sinensis and 4 kinds of counterfeits extracted by methanol and water were analyzed using NMR technology. 9 characteristic peaks were defined as quantitative criterion after comparison, and NMR fingerprints of C. sinensis were established. According to the result it is highly similar between naturally cultured C. sinensis and wild ones by comparing their NMR fingerprints. However, NMR spectra of four kinds of adulterants showed differences with C. sinensis. The result also showed that NMR fingerprint of C. sinensis are highly characteristic and specific. The NMR characteristic fingerprint of wild C. sinensis was consistent with the naturally cultured C. sinensis, and it indicated that the chemical constituents of wild C. sinensis and naturally cultured C. sinensis are nearly the same.

Objective To study the efficacy of medication management, symptom management and community reentry skills-training modules to prevent rural patients with schizophrenia from relapse and increase their social function.Methods 89 subjects were randomly assigned to the skills training group (45 cases) and the control group (44 cases). Both groups received the same treatments, but the skills training courses were given to the skills training group for twelve weeks when the subjects were addmitted into the trial and at their one-year follow-up timepoint respectively. And a two-year follow-up was carried out. All subjects were evaluated with PANSS, SDSS, relapse and employeement.Results 89 subjects had completed the study. The skills training group demonstrated clinical Results significantly superior to those of the control group on overall improvement according to PANSS and SDSS. Substantially, statistically significant advantages of the skills training group were related to 1) the rate of relapse (11.1% vs 31.8%), 2) the rate of employment (37.8% vs 15.9%).Conclusion Medication management, symptom management and community-re-entry skills-training modules are effective in reducing patients' psychiatric symptoms, preventing them from relapse and increasing their social function.

Objective To investigate the expression of aquaporin (AQP) 1, AQP4, inward rectifying potassium channel 4.1 (Kir4.1) and cytoskeleton features of rat spinal cord astrocytes after cytochalasin D (CytD) intervention. Methods Spinal cord astrocytes isolated from 2~3-day-old rats were cultured till confluency. MTT was used to assess survival rate of astrocytes 2 h, 12 h and 24 h after co-cultured with 0.05 μg/ml, 0.10 μg/ml, 0.20 μg/ml, 0.40 μg/ml, 0.80 μg/ml and 1.00 μg/ml of CytD, respectively. Confocal microscopy was used to observe cytoskeleton features of astrocytes 2 h after co-cultured with 0.05 μg/ml, 0.10 μg/ml, 0.20 μg/ml, 0.40 μg/ml of CytD. The expression of AQP1, AQP4, Kir4.1 mRNA were determined with real-time PCR 2 h after co-cultured with 0.05 μg/ml, 0.10 μg/ml, 0.20 μg/ml, 0.40 μg/ml, 0.80 μg/ml and 1.00 μg/ml of CytD. Results The survival rate of rat spinal cord astrocytes reduced with the time of co-culture and concentration of CytD (P<0.05). The cytoskeleton of astrocytes was reconstructed. The expression of AQP1, AQP4 and Kir4.1 mRNA increased after co- cultured with 0.05~0.40 μg/ml of CytD. Conclusion The appropriate dosage of CytD may remodel the cytoskeleton and increase the mRNA expression of AQP1, AQP4 and Kir4.1 in spinal cord astrocytes of rats.

BACKGROUND: Exosomes are nano-scale vesicles that can be secreted by almost all types of cells in the body, which can participate in multiple cell signaling pathways by transporting signal molecules, such as proteins, lipids and miRNAs to perform intercellular communication, immune responses, and antigen presentation. Therefore, exosomes have a great value in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Of the cell types known to produce exosomes, mesenchymal stem cells are currently the most prolific producer closely related to the occurrence and development of neurodegenerative diseases. OBJECTIVE: To review the origin and biological characteristics of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes, the isolation and identification methods of exosomes, and the progress of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. METHODS: The literature search was performed in PubMed and CNKI databases, and the keywords were "mesenchymal stem cells; exosomes; MSC-exosomes; neurodegenerative diseases" in Chinese and English, respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A total of 61 eligible literatures were enrolled. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes have low immunogenicity and long-circulating half-life and can carry small molecular substances across the blood-brain barrier, which can promote nerve cell growth and neuronal differentiation. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes help damaged nervous system function and enhance vascular neurogenesis, which is becoming an emerging treatment for neurodegenerative diseases.

Objective To summarize and analyze the shielding,retention and reentry works of blood donors,and to investigate the feasibility of retention and reentry strategy.Methods The samples of ELISA single reagent reactive/NAT non-reactive and ELISA non-reactive/ NAT reactive were negative by confirmatory tests.Then the blood was weeded out and the donation qualification was reserved.The donors of shielding more than 6 months could propose the reentry application at any blood station in the province,and were allowed to return to the ranks after qualified by routine detection and re-detection by Jiangsu Provincial Blood Center.The unqualified rates were compared between the donors of again blood donation after retention and reentry with the common donors by χ2 test.Results From October 2014 to June 2016,1 615 cases were ELISA single reagent reactive/NAT non-reactive,among which 67 cases were confirmed as positive,42 cases were undetermined and 1 506 cases were negative;831 cases were ELISA non-reactive/ NAT reactive,in which 809 cases were positive by confirmation and 22 cases were negative.A total of 1 528 donors were confirmed as negative and their donation qualifications were reserved,89 donors conducted blood donation again and 79 were qualified in blood detection.The unqualified rate was 11.24%,compared with that of common donors,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.001).Meanwhile,596 donors applied for reentry,among them 218 persons were weeded out by the reentry blood station.In remaining 378 samples sent to Jiangsu Provincial Blood Center,359 samples were qualified and confirmed to the reentry condition.Among them,332 donors conducted blood donation and all were qualified by blood detection.Conclusion The reentry strategy in Jiangsu Province is reasonable and feasible,but the donors retention strategy needs to be further optimized and perfected.

Objective:To explore the mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion for ulcerative colitis(UC)from the perspective of the P2X7 receptor(P2X7R)-nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain(NOD)-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)inflammasome pathway. Methods:Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to a normal(N)group,a model(M)group,a herb-partitioned moxibustion(HM)group,and an electroacupuncture(EA)group.For modeling,the rats drank 4%dextran sulfate sodium for 7 d.Rats in the HM group and EA group received 7 consecutive days of HM or EA at bilateral Tianshu(ST25),respectively.The histopathological change in colon tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining;immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the protein expression of related molecules in the colon tissue,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the concentrations or contents of related molecules in the serum and colon tissue.Wild-type(WT)and P2X7R gene knockout(KO)mice were used to construct UC models,histopathological changes in the colon tissue were observed by HE staining,and the NLRP3 protein expression in the colon tissue was observed by immunohistochemistry. Results:Compared with the N group,the colon histopathological score in the M group was significantly increased,and the protein expression of P2X7R,NLRP3,apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD(ASC),Caspase-1,interleukin-1β(IL-1β),and interleukin-18(IL-18)in the colon tissue and the protein levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the serum were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the M group,the histopathological scores of the colon in the HM group and the EA group were significantly decreased,and the protein expression levels of P2X7R,NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,IL-1β,and IL-18 in the colon tissue and the protein level of IL-18 in the serum were significantly decreased(P<0.05).After UC modeling,the colonic mucosal epithelial damage and inflammatory cell infiltration in P2X7R KO mice were less than those in WT mice,and the NLRP3 protein expression in the colon was also decreased compared with that in WT mice(P<0.05). Conclusion:HM and EA at Tianshu(ST25)may inhibit the protein activities of P2X7R,NLRP3,ASC,and Caspase-1 in the colon tissue of rats with UC,thereby reducing the downstream molecules IL-1β and IL-18 in the P2X7R-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway to relieve UC inflammation.

This study was aimed to prepare the spraying agent of prescriptions of Miao nationality herb and investigate the effect of Miao nationality herbs spray for serum SOD, MDA, and expression of Fas and Caspase-3 mRNA in lung tissues of silica-treated rats. The healthy SD rats were divided into 5 groups. Silica dust suspension was used in the model establishment of 4 groups. After the model was successfully established, 3 groups were randomly selected and given glucocorticoids atomization inhalation, Miao nationality herbs spray, Miao nationality herbs spray combined with intragastric administration of herbal medicine, respectively. After 40-day treatment, water-solubletetrazolium salt (WST-1) was used in the detection of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD). Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) was used in the detection of malondialdehyde (MDA). The mRNA expression variance of the Fas and Caspase-3 were detected by RT-PCR. The results showed that compared with the silica dust suspension group, the SOD activity of serum in the Miao nationality herbs spray group was significantly increased (P< 0.05). MDA content and the mRNA of Fas and Caspase-3 were significantly lower in the Miao nationality herbs spray group (P< 0.05). It was concluded that Miao nationality herbs spray group was able to increase the SOD activity of serum, decrease MDA content, and obviously decrease the expression of Fas and Caspase-3 of lung tissues among silica dust suspension rats.