BackgroundDiabetic retinopathy (DR) is a progressive vision-threatening complication of diabetes mellitus,but its pathogenic mechanism is still unclear. Recent studies showed that it may be associated with the inflammation response of retinal capillary. Cytokines can cause induction of proinflammatory and adhesion molecules and thereby increase monocyte endothelial cell adhesion, which is now accepted as the early key event in the development of DR. ObjectiveThe present study was to determine the relationship between the stages of DR and the levels of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) , interleukin-2 ( IL-2 ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in diabetic patients. Methods This was a pilot case-controlled study. Ninety patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were included in this clinical trial and 30 healthy individuals were enrolled as controls. The patients were grouped into the non-diabetic retinopathy(NDR) group,background DR group and proliferative DR(PDR) group according to the results from ophthalmoscopic examination and fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA) ,with 30 patients for each group. The levels of serum VEGF,IL-2,TNF-α were assayed by ELISA and compared among the 4 groups.Written informed consent was obtained from each subject before received any related medical examination to this study. ResultsThe mean serum VEGF levels were(217.35±27. 87)ng/L,(298.31±49.26)ng/L,and(341.23±40. 18)ng/L, respectively, and mean serum IL-2 levels were( 12. 12± 1. 57 )ng/L, (16.43 ±2. 26 )ng/L, and (21.36±0. 86) ng/L,respectively and mean serum TNF-α levels were( 11.63±0. 94) ng/L, ( 17. 52±0. 65) ng/L,and(22. 01±0. 87 ) ng/L respectively in the patients with NDR ,background DR and PDR, showing significant differences from healthy controls with( 193.46±37. 39 ) ng/L for serum VEGF, ( 8. 99 ±0. 57 ) ng/L for serum IL-2 and ( 7.31 ±0. 52 ) ng/L for serum TNF-α ( F =126. 38, P＜0. 0 1 ;F =120. 37, P＜0. 01 ;F =99. 84, P＜0. 01 ). The levels of serum VEGF, IL-2, and TNF-α in the patients with the NDR,background DR and PDR were increased significantly. The level of serum VEGF showed the positively significant correlation with serum IL-2 level and TNF-α level ( r =0. 749, P ＜ 0.01 ; r =0. 631,P＜0. 01 ). The serum levels of VEGF, IL-2 and TNF-α showed a significantly positive correlation with the prolongation and severity of DR(r=0. 791 ,P＜0. 01 ;r=0. 665 ,P＜0. 01 ;r=0. 632,P＜0. 01 ). ConclusionsVEGF, IL-2 and TNF-α play active roles in the generation and development of diabetic retinopathy, and the level of serum VEGF is closely associated with the levels of serum IL-2 and TNF-α. during the development of DR.

Objective To investigate the different killing effect to human pulmonary adenocarcinoma cell line cells GLC-82 with coexpressed double suicide genes compared with single gene. Methods Recombinant expression vectors containing CD (cytosine deaminase) and/or TK(thymidine kinase) gene under CMV promoter were constructed successfully. The vectors were transfected to GLC-82 tumor cell lines by use of lipofectamine. The clones were picked out after G418 selection. Extraneous gene integration and expression were confirmed by PCR and semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The cytotoxicity to these transgenic cells under treatment with 5-Fc and GCV were measured by MT1 assays. Results Double and single suicide gene transfer were both stably expressed in GLC-82 cells . The cytotoxic effects of co-expressed TK-CD genes were superior than that of the single gene. Conclusion The CD + TK/5-Fc + GCV coexpression system is more effective for killing effect of tumor cells than CD/5-Fc or TK/GCV system alone.

In the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN), reactive oxygen specie (ROS) over much in vivo leads to oxidative stress(OS)-related renal injuries, which are characterized by the structural and functional changes in glomerular and renal tubular cells in morphology. The regulative approaches of OS involve the several signaling pathways, in which, both p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway play the important roles as the target of anti-oxidants. The interventional actions of Chinese herbal compound prescriptions and the extracts of single Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) on OS in the kidney in DN include regulating the balance between ROS and antioxidants, reducing the production of AGEs, inhibiting the expression of growth factors and intervening the activity of signaling pathways.
Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility and reliability on the quantitative evaluation of Colles' fracture by multislice CT (MSCT) multiplanner reconstruction (MPR).

METHODSA total of 36 patients with Colles' fracture from July 2011 to July 2014 were investigated in this study. There were 11 males and 25 females with a mean age of (42.5 ± 5.4) years old (ranged 35 to 72 years). All the patients underwent anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films and MSCT scans on wrist joints within 2 days after trauma. Images were sent to the workstation through picture archiving and conserving system (PACS). One associate chief physician independently and respectively measured the dorsal intercalation depth of distal fracture block, palmar angle and dislocation degree of wrist articular surface collapse on anteroposterior and lateral X-ray film and MSCT-MPR. The time interval between the two measurements was 2 weeks. All the data between the first and second measurement on X-ray and MPR and the mean value between the X-ray and MPR was examined with paired t-test. The pearson analyzed their correlation.

RESULTSAmong the 35 cases, 35 cases of palmar angle, 21 cases of intercalation depth and 16 cases of dislocation of wrist articular surface collapse could be measured on both X-ray and MPR. For the above parameters, the first measurement results were (12.5 ± 3.6)°, (4.5 ± 2.1) mm, (3.7 ± 1.6) mm and the second measurement results were (4.8 ± 2.2)°, (6.4 ± 3.6) mm, (2.5 ± 1.2) mm on X-ray films respectively. The first measurement results on MPR were (14.5 ± 5.3)°, (4.2 ± 1.2) mm, (5.7 ± 2.3) mm, and the results were (13.2 ± 2.6)°, (4.7 ± 2.2) mm, (4.6 ± 2.1) mm for the second measurement respectively. The three parameters between the first and second measurement on plain film had statistical difference and low correlation (r = 0.681, 0.640, 0.345, P < 0.05). The data between the first and second measurement on MPR showed that the dislocation degree of wrist articular surface collapse had statistical difference (P < 0.05) and no statistical significance was found for the other two parameters (P > 0.05), with the moderate correlation (r = 0.954, 0.854, 0.642). The three parameters had low or moderate correlation with each other on X-ray (r = 0.454, 0.532, 0.378, P < 0.05), compared with the mean value on MPR.

CONCLUSIONUsing MSCT MPR images may carry on the multiple parameter measurement of Colles fracture, to make quantitative evaluation, and repeated measurement is better reliability.

Adult ; Aged ; Colles' Fracture ; diagnostic imaging ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multidetector Computed Tomography ; methods

BACKGROUND/AIMS: High-fat diets contribute to pancreatic fibrogenesis, but the pathogenesis remains unclear. This study investigated the role of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) in high-fat diet-induced pancreatic fibrosis in rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were fed a high-fat diet or standard normal chow for 20 weeks. Pancreatic fibrosis was determined by Sirius red staining. Immunohistochemical staining, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to identify NF-kappaB-associated genes or protein expressions. RESULTS: Inflammation, fat deposition, pancreatic stellate cell activation and fibrosis were observed in the pancreases of the high-fat diet group. NF-kappaB subunit p65 (NF-kappaB/p65) expression was localized to the nucleus, and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) was over-expressed. Pancreatic gene expression levels of NF-kappaB/p65, ICAM-1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha were all elevated significantly in rats fed a high-fat diet compared with control rats. Western blotting also revealed significantly increased levels of ICAM-1 and nuclear NF-kappaB/p65 in rats fed high-fat diets comparison with control rats. CONCLUSIONS: NF-kappaB is involved in high-fat diet-related pancreatic fibrosis.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Diet, High-Fat ; Fibrosis ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; Male ; NF-kappa B ; Pancreas ; Pancreatic Stellate Cells ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

OBJECTIVETo explore whether there exists coincidence of the most appearing time of clinical features of liver cancer at different longitude and latitude, according to the law of field equation and the theory of warpage of space time by Einstein.

METHODSThree regions with different longitude and latitude were selected randomly and sampled. There were 36 items altogether, including 12 clinical items, which were used to imitate the yearly cycle cosine curve. The acorphases and the ratioes of amplitudes and means were compared to justifying whether they were in the same range.

RESULTSAll the acorphases of 36 items appeared between -90.1degrees to -207.5 degrees (from april to july), existing in one third of the same range, in which 13 items occurred rhythmly (P<0.05). The image acorphases of liver cancer at the early and middle stage and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase acorphase appeared between -98.5 degrees to -148.2 degrees (from april to may), in which 5 items occurred rhythmly (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONIt is the same mode of the yearly biologcal cycle for liver cancer malignant growth within the most appearing time (from april to july). It will increase the detecting rate of liver cancer at the early and middle stage during this time (especially from april to may).

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Cell Cycle ; physiology ; Chronobiology Phenomena ; Hepatocytes ; physiology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Mathematical Computing ; Periodicity

Objective To investigate the frequencies and distribution of CD4+ T ceils and CD8+ T cells as well as the changes of immune activation in gastric mucesa of HIV-infected individuals. Methods 42 HIV-infected individuals were recruited into this investigation, and 36 patients had definite diagnosis of clinical stage.Biopsy of gastric mucosal tissues was performed by fiberoptic gastrescope including 10 normal people as a control group. Then, immunohistochemistry was used to detect expression of CD4, CD8 and CD38 in gastric mucosa, and the distinctions among three groups were analyzed with LEICA Qwin image analysis system. Results (1) Compared with asymptomatic HIV carriers and control group, CD4+ T cells remarkably decreased in the gastric mucosa of AIDS patients (P < 0.01). In gastric mucosa of asymptomatic HIV carriers, there were still some CD4+ T cells in lymphoid follicles and stroma where CD4+ T cells were unevenly distributed, the frequency of CD4+ T cells was not significandy different between asymptomatic HIV carriers and control group (P > 0.05) ; (2) Phenomenon of CD8+ T cells infiltrating mucosal epithelium and gland was general in HIV-infected individuals. CD8+ T cells took on local excessive hyperplasia in gastric mucosa of some individuals. As compared with control group, CD8+ T cells markedly increased in gastric mucosa of infected individuals (P < 0.01), but the distinction of asymptomatic HIV carriers and AIDS patients was not significant (P > 0.05); (3) CD38-expressing cells mainly distributed over gastric mucosai surface to superficial layer(1/3-2/3 layer) of HIV-infected individuals, and was more intensive than control group (P≤ 0.01), but there was not noticeable difference between asymptomatic HIV carriers and AIDS patients (P > 0.05). Conclusion The frequencies and distribution of gastric mucosal CD4+ T cells of HIV-infected individuals were closely correlated with progression of disease. Disfunction of mucosal immune system which was resulted from HIV infection and injury of CD4+ T cells could be an important cause of CD8+ T cells increasing and CD38-expressing enhancement.

Objective: To study Chinese herbal prescription for treatment of eczema on the basis of the suppressive effect of Chinese herbal medicine with type Ⅳ allergic reaction. Methods: Various formulae composed of Chinese herbal medicines possessing suppressive effect on murine allergic contact dermatitis were formed following the therapeutic principles of traditional Chinese medicine in treating eczema, and their effect on ear swelling, ear flake weight, dermal inflammatory infiltration cell count and plasma level of calcitonin gene related peptide ( CGRP) were examined in mice with dinitrofluorobenzene induced dermatitis. The prescription, Composite Poria Decoction was formulated and made into granule form, which was used to treat 63 cases of eczema (atopic dermatitis was excluded), and compared with 59 cases treated with antihistaminic that was aimed at the type I allergic reaction. Results: Experimental study showed that all the 4 Chinese prescriptions had the effect of anti-type Ⅳ allergic reaction, among them, the formula for cooling blood and removing Heat, Wind and Dampness evil possessed the most potent effect in suppressing murine dermatitis, and it was also able to up-regulate the plasma CGRP concentration. The clinical cure rate of Composite Poria Granule treatment was 47.6%, and that of the control was 22.0%. The difference was significant between the two groups (u=2.9555, P<0.01). Conclusions: Chinese herbal medicine has the effect of anti-type Ⅳ allergic reaction. Composite Poria Granule has good effect in treating eczema.

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on takayasu arteritis of brachiocephalic artery type and the mechanism.

METHODSThirty-one cases were treated by acupuncture and moxibustion at main acupoint Renying (ST 9) and adjuvant acupoints selected according to the symptoms. The therapeutic effect and changes of color Doppler's ultrasonic flow image (CDFI) of relevant arteries in patients before and after treatment were investigated.

RESULTSThe clinical total effective rate was 90.3%. Of the 31 cases, 5 cases were clinically cured, 16 cases were markedly effective, 7 cases improved and 3 cases were ineffective; and it was showed that acupuncture and moxibustion could enlarge the inner diameter of the injured blood vessel, increase the volume of blood flow and the elastic index of the injured blood vessel, and improve the abnormal velocity and the abnormal crest form of blood flow.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture and moxibustion has a good therapeutic effect on takayasu arteritis of brachiocephalic artery type; acupuncture and moxibustion can improve the stenotic degree of the injured blood vessel and abnormal hemodynamics of blood flow in the limb and brain.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Blood Vessels ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Takayasu Arteritis ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDVascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation following arterial injury plays a critical role in a variety of vascular proliferative disorders, such as atherosclerosis and restenosis after balloon angioplasty. Herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase (HSV-TK)/ganciclovir (GCV) and E. coli cytosine deaminase (CD)/5-fluorocytosine (5-Fc) suicide gene systems have been successfully employed in cardiovascular gene therapy, respectively. We reasoned that coexpression of both HSV-TK with CD suicide genes would lead to increased cell killing. To test this imagine, the adenoviral vectors expressing TK and/or CD genes were developed and tested on vascular smooth muscle cells.

METHODSAdenoviral vectors, including Ad-EF1alpha-CD-cytomegalovirus (CMV)-TK coexpressing both CD and TK double suicide genes, Ad-EF1alpha-CD and Ad-CMV-TK expressing CD and TK respectively, and control vector Ad-CMV-LacZ, were constructed and prepared with homologous recombination in RecA + E. coli cells. Integration and expression of CD and/or TK gene were identified by PCR and Western blot. Primary cultured VSMCs were infected at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 20 with exposure to their matching prodrugs 5-Fc and GCV. Cell mortality was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assays. Flow cytometry analysis was used to detect cell death. Apoptotic cells were analyzed using Hoechst 33342 fluorescence dye as a DNA probe. Genomic DNA cleavage of apoptotic VSMCs was tested by agarose gel electrophoresis.

RESULTSRecombinant adenovirus expressing CD and/or TK suicide genes were successfully constructed. Both single and double suicide genes could be integrated into adenoviral genome and expressed. Cytotoxic effects of Ad-EF1alpha-CD-CMV-TK double suicide genes combined with 5-Fc and GCV were higher than those of Ad-CMV-TK and Ad-EF1alpha-CD single gene groups. The rate of cell survival was only (9 +/- 3)% in the Ad-EF1alpha-CD-CMV-TK group, but (37 +/- 3)% in the Ad-CMV-TK and (46 +/- 4)% in the Ad-EF1alpha-CD groups (P < 0.05). Flow cytometry analysis indicated that the killing mechanisms of the groups were different. Necrosis and apoptosis were involved in the mechanism of the double gene group. Based on the DNA stainability with Hoechst 33342, the apoptotic rates of VSMCs in the Ad-EF1alpha-CD-CMV-TK [(11.0 +/- 2.1)%] and Ad-CMV-TK [(12.0 +/- 2.2)%] groups were higher than those in Ad-CMV-LacZ [(1.2 +/- 0.11)%] and Ad-EF1alpha-CD [(5.0 +/- 1.8)%] groups (P < 0.05, respectively). DNA smear could be observed in both Ad-CMV-TK and Ad-EF1alpha-CD-CMV-TK groups after administration of prodrugs.

CONCLUSIONSThe killing effect on rat VSMCs mediated by adenoviral CD/TK double suicide genes is superior to that of single suicide gene. The killing mechanism of recombinant adenovirus coexpressing CD/TK double suicide genes is mainly through cytotoxic effect and apoptosis.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytosine Deaminase ; genetics ; Flow Cytometry ; Genetic Therapy ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Thymidine Kinase ; genetics