Objective To explore the role of IL-18 in the pathogenesis of chronic eczema. Methods Twenty-seven patients with chronic eczema were enrolled into this study along with 12 normal human controls. The severity of eczema was evaluated by eczema area and severity index (EASI) in patients. Skin specimens and vein blood samples were obtained from all the subjects. Reverse-transcription PCR was performed to detect the mRNA expression of IL-18 and IFN-γ in the skin tissue, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure the protein expression of IL-18 and IFN-γ in the sera of these subjects. Results The mRNA expression level in patients and controls was 1.04±0.29 pg/mL and 0.52±0.15 pg/mL for IL-18, respectively, 0.96±0.34 pg/mL and 0.47±0.12 pg/mL for IFN-γ, respectively; a significant increase was observed in the mRNA expression level of both IFN-γ and IL-18 in the patients than in the controls (both P<0.01). Moreover, the mRNA expression level of both IFN-γ and IL-18 positively correlated with the severity of eczema in patients (r=0.737, 0.883, both P<0.01). The protein expression level of IL-18 and IFN-γ was 475.8±59.4 pg/mL and 10.1±7.0 pg/mL, respectively, in the patients, 123.6 ±29.5 pg/mL and 11.1±3.4 pg/mL, respectively, in the controls; a statistical difference was observed in the protein expression level of IL-18 (P<0.01), but not in that of IFN-γ(P>0.01), between the patients and controls. No significant correlation was observed betweenthe serum level of IL-18 or IFN-γ and sererity of eczema in the patients (both P>0.01). Conclusions IL-18 may be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic eczema. Also, in local lesions, IL-18 seems to correlate with the induction of production of Th1 type cytokines, such as IFN-γ which could subsequently mediate hypersensitivity response.

Objective To investigate the expression and secretion of mice DNaseI gene plasmid transfected into bone marrow (BM-MSCs) mesenchymal stem cells. Methods The plasmids of mouse DNaseI gene had been transfected into the BM-MSCs of mice by liposomes. The expression of DNaseI gene in the BM-MSCs was detected by western blotting and the DNaseI activity was measured by DNA-methyl green substrate colorimetry. Results About 30% BM -MSCs were transfected with mice plasmid DNaseI gene, DNaseI was expressed in the transfected BM-MSCs and active DNaseI could be detected in the supernatant of cell culture. Conclusion The mice DNaseI gene plasmid can be transfected into mice BM -MSCs by liposomes and DNaseI gene can be expressed by the transfected BM-MSCs and active DNaseI can be secreted. This may provide potential target for the treatment of SLE.

Objective To investigate the clinical results of minimally invasive fixation of the sacroiliac triangle for vertically unstable pelvic posterior ring injury. Methods A retrospective study was conducted of 20 patients who had been treated for vertically unstable pelvic posterior ring from January 2014 to August 2016. They were 12 males and 8 females, aged from 20 to 58 years ( average, 35 years ) . According to Tile classification for pelvic fractures, there were 4 cases of type C1. 1, 6 cases of type C1. 2, 7 cases of type C1. 3 and 3 cases of type C2. Their posterior rings were treated by fixation through posterior paraspinal approach with S1-iliac pedicle screws plus percutaneous sacroiliac screws, and their anterior rings by closed reduction and internal fixation with cannulated screws, Infix or plate following open reduction. The incision length, operation time and intraoperative blood loss were recorded. Postoperative reduction quality was assessed by Matta radio-logical criteria and pelvic function by Majeed criteria at the final follow-ups. Results Altogether 20 fixation systems of S1-iliac pedicle screws and 37 sacroiliac joint screws were inserted in this series. The length of incision ranged from 5. 5 to 7. 6 cm ( average, 6. 2 cm ) , the operation time from 89 to 130 minutes ( average, 98 minutes) and the intraoperative blood loss from 110 to 320 mL (average, 195 mL). According to Matta ra-diological criteria, reduction was excellent in 13, good in 5 and fair in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 90％. The follow-up time for the 20 patients ranged from 6 to 15 months ( average, 9 months ) . The healing time ranged from 10 to 14 weeks ( average, 12. 5 weeks ) . At the final follow-ups, X-ray and CT three-dimensional reconstruction showed fine fracture union. By the Majeed criteria, the pelvic function was excellent in 11 cases, good in 5, fair in 3, and poor in one, with an excellent and good rate of 80％. No loosening, breakage or pull-out of pedicle screws or sacroiliac screws happened. Conclusion Minimally invasive fixation of the sacroiliac triangle for vertically unstable pelvic posterior ring injury can lead to precise placement, quick recovery, small incision and good functional outcome.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous induced thrombosis closure on small patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) solely under echocardiography guidance.Methods From June 2013 to September 2016,276 PDA patients were treated by femoral artery retrograde approach under echocardiography guidance.Twenty-five patients (14 boys,11 girls) among them with small PDA received percutaneous induced thrombosis closure because the delivery sheath could not pass PDA,with mean age (3.7 ± 1.6) years,mean body weight (16.6 ±5.4) kg and the mean diameter of the most narrow PDA was (1.3 ± 0.4) mm.All patients were assessed by transthoracic echocardiography,chest radiography and electrocardiography preoperatively.The intraoperative and postoperative effects were evaluated by echocardiography.Outpatient assessment was performed at 1,3,6 and 12 months after operation with electrocardiography and echocardiography,and yearly thereafter.Results Twenty-five patients were successfully treated with percutaneous induced thrombosis closure solely under echocardiography guidance.The mean operation time was (35.2 ± 6.1) minutes.The immediate residual shunt rates and 24 hours after operation were 28.0％ (7/25 cases) and 16.0％ (4/25 cases),respectively.All patients recovered and were discharged from hospital.The average hospitalization stay was (3.0 ± 0.6) days.The mean follow-up was (16.8 ± 12.3) months,residual shunt was observed in 2 patients (8.0％),and it decreased from 1.5 mm and 2.0 mm preoperatively to 0.8 mm and 1.0 mm postoperatively,respectively.All patients survived without peripheral vascular injury,cardiac perforation,PDA rupture or thrombembolia.Conclusions Percutaneous induced thrombosis closure of small PDA solely under echocardiography guidance is safe and effective.It can avoid occluder implantation and radiation injury.However,the residual shunt after operation needs following up closely.

Objective:To observe the expression level of β-arrestin 1/2 in mice with Parkinson's disease(PD)and its relationship with pathogenesis of PD.Methods:PD model was prepared by using 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine hydrochloride(MPTP). The mice were killed at 3 days after the last administration and the brain tissue was taken for observing brain histopathological changes.The colocalization of β-arrestin1/2 with microglia was detected by using immunofluorescence double-labeling of β-arrestin1/2 and microglia.Tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)and Iba-1 were used to label cells, and then the loss of dopaminergic neurons and the activation of microglia were observed by immunohistochemistry.Results:As compared with the blank control group, the relative expression level of β-arrestin1 protein in brain tissue of PD mice was increased significantly, while the relative expression level of β-arrestin2 protein was decreased significantly( t=11.535, 9.948, both P=0.000), and β-arrestin1/2 shared cell localization with microglia.After MPTP induced PD, the number of Th + neurons in SNc area of midbrain was decreased significantly in β-arrestin1 + /+ group and β-arrestin1 -/- group( t=4.098, 3.571, P=0.000, 0.001), while the number of Iba-1 + cells in SNc area of midbrain was increased significantly( t=10.097、6.448, both P=0.000). After MPTP induced PD, the number of Th + neurons in SNc area of midbrain was decreased significantly in β-arrestin2 + /+ group and β-arrestin2 -/- group( t=3.512, 5.237, P=0.001, 0.000), while the number of Iba-1 + cells in SNc area of midbrain was increased significantly( t=5.816、8.402, P=0.000). Compared with β-arrestin1 + /+ group, the expressions of TRAF6, NF-κB and COX-2 in mouse microglia were significantly increased in β-arrestin1 -/- group( t=5.324, 5.837, 9.350, all P=0.0000). Compared with β-arrestin2 + /+ group, the expressions of TRAF6, NF-κB and COX-2 in mouse microglia were significantly down-regulated in β-arrestin2 -/- group( t=5.094, 6.318, 9.466, all P=0.000). Conclusions:The expression of β-arrestin1 is up-regulated and β-arrestin2 is down-regulated in brain tissue of PD mice.β-arrestin1/2 may affect the proliferation and activation of microglia and the loss of dopaminergic neurons through TRAF6/NF-κB/COX-2 pathway, and participate in the pathological process of PD.

Objective:To investigate the effects and significance of α-synuclein(α-syn)on the expression level of β-arrestin 2 in Parkinson's disease(PD)in a mouse model.Methods:Twenty-eight C57BL/6J mice with similar motor skills were randomly divided into a model group and a control group, with 14 mice in each group.A PD model was established by injecting preformed fibrils of α-syn into the striatum of the brain, and behavioral changes were monitored after 4 weeks.The expression levels of α-syn, the dopamine receptor(DR), tyrosine hydroxylase(TH), inflammatory factors, β-arrestin 2 and the nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway-related proteins were determined by Western blotting.The interaction between α-syn and β-arrestin 2 was detected by fluorescence resonance energy transfer(FRET), and the regulation of α-syn on β-arrestin 2 transcriptional activation was detected by the dual luciferase report assay.Results:After 4 weeks of modeling, compared with the control group, the average movement speed of mice in the model group was significantly reduced( t=9.415, P<0.001), the movement track was sparse and concentrated around the open field, and the time needed to climb the pole was significantly prolonged( t=16.412, P<0.001). Compared with the control group, the relative expression of α-synin in astrocytes in the model group increased significantly, the relative expressions of D1DR and TH decreased significantly[(1.14±0.18) vs.(0.53±0.16), (0.67±0.13) vs.(1.15±0.11), (0.46±0.05) vs.(0.81±0.06)]( t=9.810, 10.917 and 17.356, all P<0.001), the relative expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins increased significantly( t=3.583, 4.284, 5.396, 11.747, 16.375 and 18.294, all P<0.001), and the relative expression of β-arrestin 2 protein[(0.42±0.11) vs.(1.33±0.14)]in astrocytes decreased significantly( t=19.795, P<0.001). The FRET results suggested a possible direct interaction between α-syn and β-arrestin 2.The results of the dual luciferase report assay showed that the transcription activity of β-arrestin 2 was significantly increased after α-syn gene knockout. Conclusions:The α-syn may induce inflammation in astrocytes by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway and participate in the pathogenesis of PD by reducing dopamine biosynthesis and inhibiting its physiological function through negative regulation of β-arrestin 2.

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of transthoracic minimally invasive patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occlusion in infants and young children.
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 105 infants and young children who received the transthoracic minimally invasive PDA occlusion in our hospital from 2012-10 to 2014-10. According to PDA diameter, patients were divided into 2 groups:Group A, the patients with PDA diameter ≥ 4 mm,n=64 and group B, the patients with 2 mm ≤ PDA diameter < 4 mm,n=41. All patients received the left third parasternal intercostal incision under suprasternal echocardiography guidance. The operative effect was evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography, and the follow-up study was performed at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months period and then annually after the operation by echocardiography.
Results: All 105 patients had successfully implanted PDA occluders. The patients’ gender, age, body weight, tracheal intubation time and the in-hospital time were similar between 2 groups,P>0.05. Compared with Group B, Group A had the larger diameters of PDA (5.7 ± 1.4) mm vs (2.7 ± 0.6) mm, P<0.001, PDA occluders (10.6 ± 1.8) mm vs (7.2 ± 1.3) mm, P<0.001, and the higher rates of moderate and severe post-operative thrombocytopenia 10.9% (7/64) vs 0% (0/41),P=0.028, immediate post-operative residual shunt as 15.6% (10/64) vs 2.4% (1/41),P=0.031. There was 1 patient in Group A suffered from pericardial tamponade due to hemorrhage at 2 days after operation and he was cured by emergent pericardial drainage. The patients were followed-up for (11.6 ± 7.8) months. The 1 month post-operative residual shunt was similar between 2 groups as 1.6% (1/64 ) vs 0% (0/41),P=0.421, and there was no residual shunt at 3 months after the operation. There were no complications of occluder detachment, hemolysis, pericardial effusion, left pulmonary artery or descending aortic stenosis occurred during the follow-up period.
Conclusion: Transthoracic minimally invasive PDA occlusion is a safe and effective method to treat the relevant infants and young children, while the post-operative residual shunt and thrombocytopenia should be closely observed in patients with large PDA.

Background: Currently available guidelines contain conflicting recommendations on the management of blood pressure (BP) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Therefore, it is necessary to appraise the guidelines and summarize the agreements and differences among recommendations. Methods: Four databases and the websites of guideline organizations were searched for guidelines regarding BP targets and thresholds for pharmacologic therapy in DM patients, and the included guidelines were appraised with the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II instrument. Results: In 6,498 records identified, 20 guidelines met our inclusion criteria with 64.0% AGREE II scores (interquartile range, 48.5% to 72.0%). The scores of the European and American guidelines were superior to those of the Asian guidelines (both adjusted P<0.001). Most of the guidelines advocated systolic BP targets <130 mm Hg (12 guidelines, 60%) and diastolic BP targets <80 mm Hg (14 guidelines, 70%) in DM patients. Approximately half of the guidelines supported systolic BP thresholds >140 mm Hg (10 guidelines, 50%) and diastolic BP thresholds >90 mm Hg (nine guidelines, 45%). The tiny minority of the guidelines provided the relevant recommendations regarding the lower limit of official BP targets and the ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM)/home BP monitoring (HBPM) targets and thresholds in DM patients. Conclusion The lower official BP targets (<130/80 mm Hg) in patients with DM are advocated by most of the guidelines, but they contain conflicting recommendations on the official BP thresholds. Moreover, the gaps regarding the lower limit of official BP targets and the ABPM/HBPM targets and thresholds need to be considered by future study.

Background: Currently available guidelines contain conflicting recommendations on the management of blood pressure (BP) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Therefore, it is necessary to appraise the guidelines and summarize the agreements and differences among recommendations. Methods: Four databases and the websites of guideline organizations were searched for guidelines regarding BP targets and thresholds for pharmacologic therapy in DM patients, and the included guidelines were appraised with the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II instrument. Results: In 6,498 records identified, 20 guidelines met our inclusion criteria with 64.0% AGREE II scores (interquartile range, 48.5% to 72.0%). The scores of the European and American guidelines were superior to those of the Asian guidelines (both adjusted P<0.001). Most of the guidelines advocated systolic BP targets <130 mm Hg (12 guidelines, 60%) and diastolic BP targets <80 mm Hg (14 guidelines, 70%) in DM patients. Approximately half of the guidelines supported systolic BP thresholds >140 mm Hg (10 guidelines, 50%) and diastolic BP thresholds >90 mm Hg (nine guidelines, 45%). The tiny minority of the guidelines provided the relevant recommendations regarding the lower limit of official BP targets and the ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM)/home BP monitoring (HBPM) targets and thresholds in DM patients. Conclusion The lower official BP targets (<130/80 mm Hg) in patients with DM are advocated by most of the guidelines, but they contain conflicting recommendations on the official BP thresholds. Moreover, the gaps regarding the lower limit of official BP targets and the ABPM/HBPM targets and thresholds need to be considered by future study.

Objective To investigate the value of pelvic CT sagittal reconstruction for percutaneous insertion of iliosacral screws.Methods Data of 32 patients who had been treated for pelvic posterior ring injury from June 2015 to March 2017 were retrospectively analyzed.There were 21 males and 7 females,aged from 21 to 75 years (average,43.2 years).According to Tile classification for pelvic fractures,there were 23 cases of type B (type BI in 4,type B2 in 13 and type B3 in 6),and 9 cases type C (type C1 in 6,type C2 in 2 and type C3 in 1).The pelvic CT three-dimensional reconstruction was performed before operation,and the reconstructed layer of CT sagittal position was overlapped,and preset S1,S2 sacroiliac joint hollow.Insert the screws according to the preset needle point and passage under the perspective of C-arm X-ray machine during the operation.In 32 cases of patients,3 cases of type C1,1 case of type C2 and 1 case of type C3 fractures in sacroiliac joint hollow combined with S1-ilium pedicle screw internal fixation,and the rest of 27 patients were treated by iliosacral screws.The time for each screw placement and the times of X-ray projection were recorded.The position of cannulated screw was observed by CT scan and compared with the preset channel after the operation.Postoperative reduction quality was assessed using Matta radiological criteria and Majeed criteria was used at the final follow-ups to evaluate the pelvic function.Results The operations time was ranged from 40 to 240 min (average,130 min);and the blood loss was ranged from 20 to 150 ml (average,80 ml).Altogether 58 iliosacral screws were inserted in 32 patients.The time for each screw placement was ranged from 5 to 15 min (average,9.5 min);and the number for each screw X-ray projection was ranged from 7 to 15 times (average,10.2 times).Postoperative CT scan and vascular ultrasound showed that all the iliosacral screws did not penetrate the cortical bone or damaged the vascular nerves,and the error of the preset channel was from 0 to 5 mm (average,2.2 mm).All fractures healed successfully,and the healing time was 12 to 18 weeks (average,14.2 weeks).According to Matta radiological criteria,reduction was excellent in 26,good in 3 and fair in 3,with an excellent to good rate of 90.6％ (29/32).The follow-up time for the 32 patients was ranged from 6 to 15 months (average,11.3 months).At the latest follow-ups,Xray and CT examination showed fine fracture union and no loosening or breakage of screws in all.By the Majeed criteria,the pelvic function was excellent in 21 cases,good in 8 cases,fair in 3 cases,with a good to excellent rate of 90.6％ (29/32).Conclusion Preoperative pelvic CT sagittal reconstruction for preset of iliosacral screw insertion point,angle and length can achieve more accurate placement,shorter operative time and less time of X-ray projections.