Objective To investigate the effect of α-crystallin on the proliferation of rat retinal microglia after optic nerve injury. Methods The effect of α-crystallin on number and proliferation of microglia were analyzed by MTT assay.After the rat model with optic nerve injury was established,α-crystallin was iniected into vitreous cavity and the microglia cell number were counted and compared by retinal fiat counting and immunofluorescence labeling in different groups. Results The proliferation and activation of microglia cells could be stimulated by LPS at 10-6g/L to 10-2g/L.α-crystallin at 10-4g/L and 10-6g/L could inhibit proliferation and activation of microglia cells.Compared to BSA iniection group,α-crystallin could inhibit more significantly the number of microglia cells 1-3 weeks after injury (P＜0.05). Conclusions α-crystallin can inhibit proliferation and activation of retinal microglia and alleviate overphagocytosis and secondary damage of retinal microglia to retinal ganglion cells(RGCs),which may be another mechanism that α-crystallin contributes to indirect protection of RGCs.

Nanocarriers generally made of natural or artificial polymers ranging in size from about 10-1 000 nm, possess versatile properties suitable for drug delivery, including good biocompatibility and biodegradability, potential capability of targeted delivery and controlled release of incorporated drugs, and have been extensively used in the development of new drug delivery systems (DDS). These types of nano-DDS have considerable potential to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and recently have attracted increasing efforts on the TCM research and development. In this review, the recently published literature worldwide is covered to describe the latest advances in the applications as TCM delivery carriers, and to highlight the characteristics and preparation methods of some selected examples of promising nanocarriers such as nanoparticles, lipid nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, nanomicelles and nanoliposomes.
Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Nanostructures ; chemistry ; Nanotechnology ; methods

Objective To analyze the risk factors and correlation between clinical indicators and the four main pathological lesions of IgA ne?phropathy in the Oxford classification:mesangial hypercellularity(M0/1),endocapillary proliferation(E0/1),segmental sclerosis or adhesion(S0/1), and tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis(T0/1/2). Methods Clinical and pathological data were collected from 514 patients with biopsy?proven IgA nephropathy admitted in our hospital from February 17,2006 to October 11,2011. These patients were all above 18 years old. Cases with sec?ondary causes of mesangial IgA deposition were excluded,such as Henoch?chonlein purpura,ankylosing spondylitis and psoriasis et al. The inde?pendent risk factors affecting the pathological classification were analyzed by Spearman rank correlation analysis and two?category and multi?classi?fication logistic regression using SPSS 17.0 statistical software. Results In 514 IgAN patients,the ratio of males to females was 1.06:1. The aver?age age was 35.70±11.99 years,and the average disease duration was 18.31±30.42 months. M0E0S0T0 was the major pathologic classification of isolated hematuria. Chronic kidney disease(CKD)stage,24 hours proteinuria,albuminuria,urine transferrin and IgG levels were positively corre? lated with M lesion;serum albumin,C3 and PLT showed a negative correlation with M lesion. Twenty four hours proteinuria and blood platelet count were the independent risk factors for M lesion. As shown by stratified analysis ,the proportion of M1 in cases with 24 hours proteinuria≥3.5 g/d is much higher than that in cases with non?nephrotic range proteinuria. Age,systolic blood pressure,uRBC,24 hours proteinuria,albuminuria urine transferrin and IgG levels were positively correlated with E lesion,Duration,serum albumin showed a negative correlation with E lesion. Age and duration of nephritis were independent risk factors for E lesion. 73.3%of patients that above 60 years old showed endothelial proliferation. CKD stage,24 hours proteinuria were positively correlated with S lesion. Age,CKD stage,systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,C4,TC, LDL?C,CRP,Fib,UA,Cys?C and 24 hours proteinuria,urineβ2?microglobulin,albumin,transferrin and IgG levels were positively associated with T lesion;hemoglobin,serum albumin,serum IgG showed a negative correlation with T lesion. Infection history,high CRP levels,DBP more than 90 mmHg,hypoalbuminemia,high low density lipoproteinemia,and anemia were independent risk factors for T lesion. Conclusion Twenty four hours proteinuria,blood platelet count,age,duration of nephritis,hypoalbuminemia,anemia,hyperlipidemia,DBP≥90 mmHg and high CRP lev?els were risk factors for the Oxford classification of IgA nephropathy. Renal biopsy should be carried out in time to make clear the pathological clas?sification and individual treatment,so as to improve the prognosis.

Increasing evidence has revealed that maternal cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection may be associated with neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring.Potential relevance between the placental inflammation and CMV-related autism has been reported by clinical observation.Meanwhile,abnormal expression of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 in placenta of patients with chorioamnionitis was observed in multiple studies.IL-6 and IL-10 are two important maternal inflammatory mediators involved in neurodevelopmental disorders.To investigate whether murine CMV (MCMV) infection causes alterations in placental IL-6/10 and TLR2/4 levels,we analyzed the dynamic changes in gene expression of TLR2/4 and IL-6/10 in placentas following acute MCMV infection.Mouse model of acute MCMV infection during pregnancy was created,and pre-pregnant MCMV infected,lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated and uninfected mice were used as controls.At E13.5,E14.5 and E18.5,placentas and fetal brains were harvested and mRNA expression levels of placental TLR2/4 and IL-6/10 were analyzed.The results showed that after acute MCMV infection,the expression levels of placental TLR2/4 and IL-6 were elevated at E13.5,accompanied by obvious placental inflammation and reduction of placenta and fetal brain weights.However,LPS 50 μg/kg could decrease the IL-6 expression at E13.5 and E14.5.This suggests that acute MCMV infection during pregnancy could up-regulate the gene expression of TLR2/4 in placental trophoblasts and activate them to produce more proinflammatory cytokine IL-6.High dose of LPS stimulation (50 tg/kg) during pregnancy can lead to down-regulation of IL-6 levels in the late stage.Imbalance ofIL-6 expression in placenta might be associated with the neurodevelopmental disorders in progeny.

OBJECTIVETo delineate the characteristics of the clinical manifestation, pathology of skeletal muscle and gene mutations of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episode (MELAS) in children.

METHODThe clinical manifestation, laboratorial data, brain images, muscle pathology and mitochondrial gene mutations were analyzed in 24 patients with MELAS who were diagnosed in Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital. Their prognosis was evaluated by following up.

RESULTSymptoms of central nervous system such as stroke-like episodes, vomiting, convulsion and headache were present in all the 24 cases. Nine cases had the symptoms of myopathy. Twenty cases had developmental delay. Short stature, being thin and hairy was very common in these cases. Serum lactate level increased in all the cases, pyruvate increased in 17 cases. Elevated CSF lactate was found in 2 cases. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on 24 cases, out of them 23 were abnormal. The lesions mainly involved cerebral lobes. Occipital lobe was the most common site of lesions. Computed tomography (CT) was performed on 13 cases, low density lesions were present in 10 cases, basal ganglia calcifications in 5 cases. Muscle biopsy was performed on 8 cases, ragged-red fibers (RRF) were found in 4/8 cases, and abnormal accumulation of mitochondria were found in 3/8 cases. The mtDNA gene mutational analysis showed A3243G mutation in these patients. The mutation rates varied from 11.6% to 75.0%. The same mutation were found in 4/5 mothers who had the genetic tests, and the mutation rates of the mothers varied from 15.0% to 23.6%. The clinical information of 11 cases was available through recent following up. Three cases died, the others had some degrees of mental retardation.

CONCLUSIONChildren with MELAS had various clinical manifestations. Central nervous system and skeletal muscle were usually involved. Short stature and hypertrichosis were common signs. The prognosis of this disease was disappointing. mtDNA A3243G was the most common mutation in MELAS. Fully understanding the characteristics of its clinical manifestation, laboratory tests, brain image, muscle pathology and molecular features can be helpful to the early diagnosis and treatment.

Acidosis, Lactic ; blood ; Adolescent ; Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Electroencephalography ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; MELAS Syndrome ; diagnosis ; genetics ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Point Mutation ; Pyruvic Acid ; blood ; Stroke ; diagnostic imaging ; genetics ; pathology ; Syndrome ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; statistics & numerical data ; Male

Objective To analyze the cause, prevention and treatment of complications related to endovascular embolotherapy for ruptured intracranial aneurysms. Methods Sixty-eight patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms received early endovascular embolization. Intraoperatively, artery spasm was relieved by papaverine infusion through microcatheter or balloon dilatation; parent artery occlusion by coils was treated by anticoagulation or antiplatelet treatment; ruptured aneurysms were embolized using mixed heparin; arterial thrombosis after embolization was ameliorated by the micro-catheter infusion of r-tPA thrombolytic. Results In the 68 cases, 8 cases suffered from complications, accounting for 11.77%. Among them, 1 case of extensive spasm of middle cerebral artery developed cerebral infarction and mild hemiplegia; 2 cases of localized spasm were improved well without sequelae; 1 case in which partial coils entered middle cerebral artery achieved a satisfied therapeutic outcome without infarction; 1 case with cerebral infarction due to coil dropping and 1 case with aneurysm rupture during operation received secondary embolotherapy without adverse consequences; one week after operation, 1 case died from aneurysm re-rupture; 1 case had hemiplegia owing to massive cerebral infarction. Conclusions It will do much benefit to secure the success of the operation by displaying the location, shape and size of the aneurysms as well as the relationship with the parent artery. Moreover, the proper choice of coils and well mastering of operative skills can decrease the incidence of complications, and adequate and prompt treatment of intraoperative complications can improve the prognosis of the patients obviously.

This study was purposed to evaluate a method to discriminate the action loci of anticancer agents in G(2) and M phases of cell cycle. The meta-amsacrine (m-AMSA) and vinblastine (VBL), already known as G(2) and M phase arrest agent respectively, were used to induce the arrest of MOLT-4 cells at G(2) and M phases, the change of DNA content was detected by flow cytometry, the morphology of arrested cells was observed by confocal microscopy so as to find the arrest efficacy difference of 2 anticancer agents. As a result, the flow cytometric detection showed that the arrested MOLT-4 cells displayed the raise of peaks in G(2) and M phases, but flow cytometric detection alone can not discriminate the difference between them. The observation with confocal microscopy showed that the MOLT-4 cells arrested by m-AMSA displayed the morphologic features in G(2) phase, while the MOLT-4 cells arrested by VBL displayed the morphologic features in M phase. This observation with confocal microscopy is helpful to discriminate the difference between them. In conclusion, the combination of flow cytometry with confocal microscopy is one of the effective methods to discriminate the kind of G(2) or M phase arresting agent of anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Flow Cytometry ; G2 Phase ; drug effects ; Humans ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the breast (PNHLB).

METHODSThe characteristics, treatment methods and outcomes of 45 patients with PNHLB were retrospectively analyzed. Chemotherapy including CHOP and CHOP-like regimens was administered in 43 patients, and monoclonal antibody therapy in 6 patients. Furthermore, 19 patients underwent radiotherapy after chemotherapy.

RESULTSOf these 45 patients, 37 patients had diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), patients with T cell or mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma were 4, respectively. Overall response rate of first-line chemotherapy was 90.7%. Median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of all patients was 6.82 and 4.25 years, respectively. The results of Cox regression model analysis showed that international prognostic index score (IPI) (RR = 5.682, P = 0.002) and Ann Arbor stage (RR = 1.836, P = 0.040) were negative independent prognostic factors for OS. Central nervous system involvement (RR = 1.107, P = 0.005) was a negative independent prognostic factor for PFS.

CONCLUSIONThe patients with PNHLB have early occurrence in lifespan. Most pathologic type was DLBCL. IPI and Ann Arbor stage are two independent prognostic factors for survival.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Breast Neoplasms, Male ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Cyclophosphamide ; therapeutic use ; Disease-Free Survival ; Doxorubicin ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Remission Induction ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Vincristine ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult