Objective To investigate the effects of dexamethasone(DEX)on the secretion of interleukin (IL)-17 and interferon(IFN)-γ and the proportion of Th17,Tc17,Th1 ,Tc1 cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE). Methods Thirty hospitalized SLE patients were recruited and twenty-two healthy volunteers were recruited as healthy controls. PBMCs were separated from SLE patients and healthy controls and then was cultured in vitro by medium or PMA/Ionomycin or PMA/Ionomycin +dexamethasone for six hours. Four- color immunofluorescent staining and flow cytometric assay were used to analyze the percentage of Th17,Tc17,Th1,Tc1 cells in PBMCs. Concentrations of IL-17 and IFN-γ in plasma and the supernatants of PBMCs which were cultured for 24 hours were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results The plasma concentrations of IL-17 and IFN-γwere elevated in SLE patients as compared to the controls(P ＜ 0.05). No significant differences were observed between patients and controls for the spontaneous production of IL-17 and IFN-γ or percentage of T subsets expressed by PBMCs. After the stimulation of PMA,compared with the controls,the level of IL-17 was significantly elevated in the supematants of PBMCs and the percentages of Th17 and Tc1 in SLE patients increased significantly(P ＜ 0. 05). However,there showed no significant differences between SLE patients and the controls for the percentages of Th1 and Tc17 cells. DEX could significantly decrease the production of IL-17(P ＜ 0. 01)and the percentages of Th17,Tc1 cells by the active PBMCs(P ＜ 0. 05). Conclusions There is abnormal expression of T subset cells and their cytokines in vivo of SLE patients. DEX can interfere with immunological pathological process in the cytokine network imbalance of SLE patients and shows powerful inhibition of IL - 17. Our results may provide some laboratory evidence for the clinical application of corticosteroids.

Antipsychotic Agents ; poisoning ; Clozapine ; poisoning ; Drug Industry ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; statistics & numerical data

Objective To explore the higher dangerous factors,the early clinical performances and its contents of neonatal pulmonary hemorrhage(NPH).Methods The clinical performances,chest radiograms and autoptical pathological materials of 66 cases of newborns who died of NPH at our neonatal department during 1993 to 2003 were reviewed and analyzed.Results The higher dangerous factors of NPH were premature delivery/low birth weight,serious diseases lead to hypoxia and severe infections.The early clinical performances of NPH were the suddenly aggravation of dyspnea and the increasing of moist sounds.The early X-ray performances were lower penetrance of lung fields extensively and well-distributly with path clouds,the intercostals space usually increased.According to the autoptical(patho)-logy,this X-ray perfomance indicated the edema of the pulmonary with small amount of hemorrhage.Conclusion The patients with the higher dangerous factors and the early clinical performances of NPH,must be diagnosed and interfered it as early as possible to reduce the mortality of NPH.

Objective To study the relationship between renal morphology and renal function,and to assess the value of CT as a criterion to grade renal function.Methods Enhancement CT were performed in 89 patients with no local renal disease whose split renal glomerular filtration rates(GFR)were measured by renal dynamic imaging with ~(99)Tc~m-DTPA.The 178 kidneys were divided into normal renal function,mild and severe renal impairment groups according to renal function.Differences between three groups respect to the mean thickness of renal cortex and parenchyma were assessed by ANOVA.Using Pearson's correlation test,the correlation between the renal cortex,parenchyma thicknesses and renal GFR were examined.The value of CT in predicting renal function was assessed by using ROC analysis.Results The renal cortex thicknesses of normal renal function,mild and severe renal impairment groups were(5.9?1.1),(4.6? 1.1),and(3.3?1.0)mm respectively,and the renal parenchyma thicknesses were(26.3?4.2), (21.3?4.6),(16.2?4.6)mm.There were significant differences of renal cortex,parenchyma thicknesses between 3 groups(cortex F=54.78,P

Transcranial Doppler can be used for diagnosing,monitoring,identifying the site of arterial occlusion,selecting appropriate cases for thrombolysis,and monitoring arterial recanalization during intravenous thrombolysis,and intra-arterial and intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator,The continuous monitoring of low frequency transcranial ultrasound has the effect of assisted thrombolysis;however,there are still controversies on the frequencies used in clinical practice.Transcranial Doppler assisted with microbubble contrast agent may further enhance the effect of thrombolysis.

OBJECTIVETo observe the impacts on the muscle strength in the patients of stroke-induced acroparalysis treated with Xunjingcuiqi needling technique.

METHODSOne hundred patients were randomized into a Xunjingcuiqi group and a routine acupuncture group, 50 cases in each group. In the routine acupuncture group, the routine acupuncture technique was adopted at the main acupoints, such as Shangxing (GV 23), Baihui (GV 20), Dicang (ST 4), Quchi (LI 11), Huantiao (GB 30) and Zusanli (ST 36), etc. In Xunjingcuiqi group, on the basis of the routine acupuncture technique, Xunjingcuiqi needling technique (pricking technique was quickly applied with the filiform needle along the running course of meridian to promote the conduction of meridian qi) was added. For the patients being hard to feel the needling sensation and with the muscle strength of 0 to 1 degree, Dongzhencuiqi technique was supplemented at shu-stream points of yang meridians (after qi arrival, the needling manipulation with limb movement was given to promote the conduction of meridian qi). The treatment was given once every day in the two groups. Ten treatments made one session. Three sessions of treatment were required. At the end of each session treatment, the muscle strength and clinical efficacy were assessed.

RESULTSIn the 1st, 2nd and 3rd sessions of treatment, 20, 24 and 36 cases achieved the 3 to 5 degrees muscle strength in Xunjingcuiqi group, respectively; and 6, 10 and 15 cases achieved the 3 to 5 degrees muscle strength in the routine acupuncture group. The differences were significant statistically in comparison of the two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The markably effective rates were 60.0% (30/50), 64.0% (32/50) and 70.0% (35/50) after the 1st, 2nd and 3rd sessions of treatment in Xunjingcuiqi group, respectively; and those were 38.0% (19/50), 44.0% (22/50) and 46.0% (23/50) in the routine acupuncture group, respectively. The differences were significant in the 1st and 3rd sessions of treatment between the two groups (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONXunjingcuiqi needling technique combined with routine acupuncture achieves the apparent superior efficacy on acroparalysis induced by ischemic stroke as compared with the simple routine acupuncture. Xunjingcuiqi needling technique obviously improves muscle strength and shortens the duration of sickness.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paralysis ; etiology ; therapy ; Qi ; Stroke ; complications ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of substrate stiffness on proliferation, migration of fibroblast and integrin β(1) expression in fibroblast.

METHODSFibroblasts were inoculated on silicon substrate with stiffness of (16.2 ± 0.5), (19.8 ± 1.1), and (200.1 ± 2.6) kPa. After being cultured for 5 days or 6 days, cells were counted and cell proliferative activities (recorded as absorbance value) were assessed with methyl thiazolyl blue (MTT). After being cultured for 3 days, cell cycle was detected and proliferation index (PI) was calculated. The cell scratch test was used for determination of cell migration rate on post scratch day (PSD) 0 (the day of scratch), 1, 2, and 3. After being cultured for 2 days, the expression of integrin β(1) was determined by flow cytometry with fluorescence. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance.

RESULTS(1) The proliferative speed and proliferative activity of fibroblasts were all increased along with the increase in substrate stiffness. PI of fibroblasts inoculated on silicon substrate with stiffness of (16.2 ± 0.5), (19.8 ± 1.1), and (200.1 ± 2.6) kPa was respectively 24.8%, 27.4%, 32.4%. On PSD 2, migration rate of fibroblasts inoculated on silicon substrate with stiffness of (19.8 ± 1.1) and (200.1 ± 2.6) kPa was respectively (91.4 ± 5.1)%, (100.0 ± 1.3)%, which were higher than that of fibroblasts inoculated on silicon substrate with stiffness of (16.2 ± 0.5) kPa [(55.8 ± 6.8)%, with F value respectively 3.5, 4.0, P values all below 0.01]. (3) The expression rate of integrin β(1) in fibroblasts inoculated on silicon substrate with stiffness of (16.2 ± 0.5) kPa was the lowest (43.22%), and that in fibroblast inoculated on silicon substrate with stiffness of (200.1 ± 2.6) kPa was the highest (81.26%).

CONCLUSIONSSubstrate stiffness may have a great effect on proliferation and migration of fibroblast during the process of wound healing and scar formation, which can be related to regulation of integrin β(1) expression.

Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Integrin beta1 ; metabolism ; Mechanical Phenomena ; Silicon

Objective To compare adductor canal block(ACB)with topical anesthesia for postoperative analgesia in the patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.Methods Sixty patients of both sexes,aged 18-64 yr,with body mass index of 18-30 kg/m2,of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status ⅠorⅡ,scheduled for elective arthroscopic meniscectomy,were divided into 2 groups (n=30 each) using a random number table:ACB group and topical anesthesia group(TA group).In group ACB,0.2% ropivacaine 20 ml was injected into the adductor canal under the guidance of ultrasound at 30 min before operation to perform ACB.In group TA,0.25% ropivacaine 20 ml was injected into the articular cavity at 5 min before the end of operation.The development of effective analgesia (VAS scores ≤4)and weakened quadriceps femoris muscle strength(muscle strength 0-2 grade,post-operative muscle strength was assessed by using manual muscle testing),related complications(local anesthetic intoxication,bleeding at the puncture site and hematoma) and occurrence of postoperative nausea,vomiting and delayed emergence were recorded.Results Compared with group TA,the rate of effective analgesia within 12 h after surgery was significantly increased (P<0.01),and no significant change was found in the incidence of weakened quadriceps femoris muscle strength,nausea and vomiting in group ACB(P>0.05).Local anesthetic intoxication,bleeding at the puncture site,hematoma or delayed emergence was not observed in the two groups.Conclusion ACB produces better efficacy for postoperative analgesia than topical anesthesia in the patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.

Objective To observe the expression of Na+/I- symporter(NIS) in cultured lactating mammary cells with different levels of iodine and the effect of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). Methods Original generation of mouse lactating mammary cells cultured in vitro were divided into low iodine group Ⅰ (LI-Ⅰ), low iodine group Ⅱ (LI-Ⅱ), adequate iodine group(AI), high iodine group Ⅰ(HI-Ⅰ), and high iodine group Ⅱ(HI-Ⅱ). Cells were cultured in DEME/F12 culture medium for 24 h with different concentrations of iodine (0,5,50,3000 and 10 000 μg/L, respectively), and TNF-α( 10-2 mg/L) was added to some of cultured cells for 24 h. The expression of NIS mRNA of lactating mammary cells was determined by real-time quantitative PCR and the expression of NIS protein was detected by In-Cell Western. Results In iodine alone group, the expression of NIS mRNA in LI-Ⅰ group [ (64.66 ± 14.99) x 10-4] was higher than that of AI group[ (22.76 ± 7.36) × 10-4, P ＜ 0.01 ]; HI-I group[ (10.18 ±3.53) × 10-4] and HI-Ⅱ group[ (8.59 ± 2.89) × 10-4] were lower than that of AI group(all P ＜ .0.05); With increased iodine concentration, the expression of NIS mRNA decreased. The expression of NIS mRNA in LI-Ⅰ group [(2.72 ± 0.45) × 10-4], LI-Ⅱ group[ (2.69 ± 0.68) × 10-4] and AI group[(1.80 ± 0.67) × 10-4] with iodine plus TNF-o were all lower than that of LI-Ⅰ group, LI-Ⅱ group[ (29.82 ± 4.47 ) × 10-4], and AI group without TNF-α (all P ＜ 0.01). In iodine plus TNF-α, the expression of NIS mRNA in HI-Ⅰ group[(6.58 ± 2.87) × 10-4] and HI-Ⅱ[(7.04 ± 1.36) × 10-4] group were all higher than that of AI group(all P ＜ 0.05); With increased iodine deficiency or iodine excess, the expression of NIS mRNA increased. With increased iodine concentration, the expression of NIS protein decreased in iodine alone group. The expression of NIS protein in iodine plus TNF-α was all lower than that in iodine alone group. In iodine plus TNF-α, the expression of NIS protein increased in both iodine deficiency and iodine excess conditions. Conclusions Iodine may decrease the expression of NIS mRNA and protein of lactating mammary cells. The expression of NIS mRNA and protein of lactating mammary cells was inhibited by TNF-α under different levels of iodine.

ObjectiveTo study the morphological and functional changes of thyroid in lactating rats and their offspring in iodine deficiency and iodine excess animal models.MethodsOne hundred and twenty Wistar rats(30 males and 90 females) were selected.Based on their body weight,the 90 females were stratified and randomly divided into five groups( 18 in each group):low iodine group 1 and group 2(fed with low iodine feed and deionized water containing iodine of 0,5 μg/L) ; high iodine group 1,group 2 and control group(feed with normal diet and deionized water containing iodine of 3000,10 000,50 μg/L).After fed for 3 month,all female rats were mated with males in a ratio of 3 ∶ 1.After birth for 10 days,8 female rats and their offspring in each group were sacrificed.Changes of thyroid were observed by naked eyes.The thyroid weight was measured and pathological changes of thyroids were observed under light microscope.Results①Absolute and relative weight of lactating rats thyroid in low iodine group 1 and group 2 [ (92.02 ± 24.40 ),(77.11 ± 23.32 )mg,(0.509 ± 0.072),(0.384 ± 0.089) mg/kg] were much higher than that of control group[ (17.41 ± 9.25)mg,(0.102 ± 0.016)mg/kg,all P＜ 0.05].Absolute and relative weight of lactating rats thyroid in high iodine group 1 and group 2[(8.22 ± 0.41 ),(9.42 ±0.43)mg,(0.047 ± 0.006),(0.035 ± 0.005)mg/kg] were lower than that of control group(all P ＜ 0.05).Absolute and relative weight of lactating rats and their offspring thyroid was decreased with increase of iodide intake in the diet.②Thyroid enlargement of lactating rats in low iodine group 1 and group 2 was evident,but that of high iodine group 1 and group 2 was not.③Epithelial cell hyperplasia and smaller follicular cavity were observed in low iodine group 1 and group 2 under light microscope.Epithelial cell deformation and mostly flat were observed in high iodine group 1 and group 2.ConclusionsThyroid morphology is changed with iodide intake in the lactating rats and their offspring,and the changes are consistent between female rats and their newborns.