To investigate the therapeutic effect of artesunate on mouse cytomegalovirus pneumonia, the BALB/c-nu mice were infected with murine cytomegalovirus-green fluorescent protein (MCMV-GFP) by nose dropping method. The experimental protocol was approved by the Medical Laboratory Animal Ethics Committee of Guangzhou Medical University. The BALB/c-nu mice were randomly divided into five groups: control group, MCMV pneumonia group, and artesunate (60, 120, and 240 mg·kg^-1) groups. The survival rate, weights, and virus loads in lungs among the groups were observed. The degree of histopathologic changes in lungs was assessed directly by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) assay. MCMV-GFP expression was assessed by immunofluorescence. In addition, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis was performed to investigate the content of major immediate early 1 (Mie1) mRNA, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the changes of inflammatory factors, interleukin 10 (IL-10), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of the changes of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways in total proteins. Compared with MCMV group, artesunate (120 mg·kg^-1) significantly increased body weights of MCMV-infected nude mice over 30 days, and decreased the viral titer in lung homogenate, lung inflammation, and histological severity. Moreover, the administration of artesunate (120 mg·kg^-1) could downregulate the expression of phospho-NF-κB (p-NF-κB) p65 in the lungs of mice. The present study suggested that artesunate can protect the immunocompromised mice from MCMV-induced interstitial pneumonia via downregulating NF-κB signaling pathway, thus attenuating inflammation in the lungs.

AIM: To observe application of underwater bubble method capsulorhexis overmature period to improve the small incision cataract surgery, so as to explore the clinical value of the surgical method.
● METHODS: From Jul. 2012 to Mar. 2016 at the grassroots of blindness 58 people fail in the 66 eyes overmature period of cataract were randomly divided into underwent capsulorhexis by underwater bubble method to improve the small incision cataract surgery group ( 36 eyes of 30 cases ) and conventional viscoelastic agent underwent capsulorhexis small incision cataract surgery group (30 eyes of 28 cases).
● RESULTS: A total of 66 eyes in success rate of continuous circular capsulorhexis: 92% ( 33/36 eyes ) of underwater bubble method, method of viscoelastic agent only 40% ( 12/30 eyes ) . Two groups of cases of postoperative corneal endothelial cell density are compared with preoperative significantly reduced, no significant statistical difference between the two groups(P>0. 05).
● CONCLUSION: Underwater bubble method capsulorhexis difficult to overmature period of cataract surgery capsulorhexis solution is a better way.

OBJECTIVETo test the infeciton efficiency of recombinant adenoviral vector carrying HBsAg-HSP70 chimeric gene and to abserve its biological characteristics.

METHODSPeripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were separated from healthy blood donor and they were infected by Ad-HSP70-HBsAg on the first day of isolation. DCs were induced in medium with cytokines IL-4, GM-CSF and TNF-alpha in vitro. The biological characteristics of DC induced were analyzed by inverted fluorecent microscope, RT-PCR, flow cytometer (FACS), and mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR).

RESULTSThe traced gene-GFP were abserved in DCs by inverted fluorecent microscope and HSP70-HBsAg gene mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR after the Ad-HSP70-HBsAg infection. FACS analysis shown that the expression of CD1a, CD80, CD86 and HLA-DR on surfece of two groups of DCs were similar. MLR showed that there are not a statitic difference of stimulated index (SI) between two groups.

CONCLUSIONResults indicated that Ad-HSP70-HBsAg can effectively infected DCs without affecting its biological characteristics.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytokines ; genetics ; immunology ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; virology ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; immunology

OBJECTIVEParkinson's disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disorder, has been reported to be associated with brain neuroinflammation in its pathogenesis. Herein, changes in peripheral immune system were determined to better understand PD pathogenesis and provide possible target for treatment of PD through improvement of immune disorder.

METHODS1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) was intraperitoneally injected into mice to prepare PD model. Expression levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and transcription factors of CD4+ T lymphocyte subsets in spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes and concentrations of the cytokines in serum were examined on day 7 after MPTP injection. Percentages of CD4+ T lymphocyte subsets were measured by flow cytometry.

RESULTSMPTP induced PD-like changes such as motor and behavioral deficits and nigrostriatal impairment. Expression levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines including interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-17 and IL-22, in spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes were upregulated and their concentrations in serum were elevated in PD progression. But, the concentrations of the anti-inflammatory cytokines including IL-4, IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β were not altered in the two lymphoid tissues or serum of PD mice. In addition, expression of T-box in T cells (T-bet), the specific transcription factor of helper T (Th) 1 cells, was downregulated, but expression of transcription factor forkhead box p3 (Foxp3), the transcription factor of regulatory T (Treg) cells, was upregulated. In support of the results, the numbers of IFN-γ-producing CD4+ cells (Th1 cells) were reduced but CD4+CD25+ cells (Treg cells) were elevated in both the lymphoid tissues of PD mice.

CONCLUSIONPD has a dysfunction of peripheral immune system. It manifests enhancement of proinflammatory response and CD4+ T cell differentiation bias towards Treg cells away from Th1 cells.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine ; Animals ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; pathology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cytokines ; blood ; Disease Models, Animal ; Flow Cytometry ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-17 ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Interleukins ; blood ; Lymph Nodes ; cytology ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Mice ; Parkinson Disease ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Spleen ; cytology ; T-Box Domain Proteins ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; Th1 Cells ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; blood

OBJECTIVEWe used an animal model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) to study changes and roles of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expressed by CD4+ T cell subsets, and then explore the relationship between CD4+ T cell subset-derived catecholamines and inflammatory responses in CIA.

METHODSThirty-six male DBA/1 mice were randomly divided into control group, CIA model group (day 35) and CIA model group (day 55) (n = 12). CIA model was induced by type II collagen (CII) in DBA/1 mice. On the 35th and 55th day following primary immunization, the joints of the mice were observed for clinical score of swelling and the level of anti-CII IgG antibody in serum was examined. Expression of specific transcription factors and cytokines of Th1, Th17, Th2 and Treg cells and TH in mesenteric lymph nodes was measured by means of Western blot. The changes of TH expressed by CD4+ T cell subsets in mesenteric lymph nodes were determined by flow cytometry.

RESULTSClinical score and anti-CII antibody level increased in CIA compared with that in intact mice. Specific transcription factors and cytokines expressed by Th1 and Th17 cells were upregulated and cytokines expressed by Th2 and Treg cells were downregulated in mesenteric lymph nodes in CIA mice. Expression of TH was upregulated and the increased expression of TH in CD4+ T cells was attributed to Th1 and Th17 cells in mesenteric lymph nodes of CIA.

CONCLUSIONThe increase in catecholamines from CD4+ T cell subsets in mesenteric lymph nodes of CIA may be related to inflammatory alleviation in CIA progression.

Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; immunology ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; enzymology ; Collagen Type II ; adverse effects ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Lymph Nodes ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred DBA ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the quality of Radix et Caulis Ilicis Asprellae from Pingyuan planting base and Chinese herbal medicine market. Methods The water- and alcohol-soluble extracts from 19 batches of Radix et Caulis Ilicis Asprellae medicinal materials were detected according to Appendix ⅨH, ⅩA of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia ( 2010 edition). And the quality of the medicinal materials was evaluated by microscopic identification technology according to the method for Radix et Caulis Ilicis Asprellae recorded in Guangdong Provincial Chinese Medicine Standard, and then thin layer chromatography ( TLC) was optimized to establish the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint. The HPLC was performed on Waters XBridgeTM C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5μm) with acetonitrile(A)-0.2% (v/v) phosphorus acid (B) as the mobile phase by gradient elution, flow rate was 1.0 mL/min, and detection wavelength was 220 nm. Results The results of sample characters, TLC and microscopic identification showed that the samples of Radix et Caulis Ilicis Asprellae in Chinese herbal medicine markets were certified products, but stems and roots were blended. Seven common peaks were showed by HPLC and confirmed by similarity analytical software. The similarity of 15 batches of planting base samples was all above 0.9. Of 19 batches of the commercial samples, the similarity of 11 batches was above 0.9. The alcohol-soluble extract contents were in the range of 64.55 mg/g to 186.18 mg/g. Conclusion The medicinal materials of Radix et Caulis Ilicis Asprellae from Chinese herbal medicine market are certified products, but the qualities vary greatly for the blending of stems and roots and inadequate growth years. The quality of materials from planting base is better. The established method is helpful for the quality evaluation and control of Radix et Caulis Ilicis Asprellae.

Objective To evaluate the application value of X-ray,echocardiogram,pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy,EBCT,Magnetic resonance Pulmonary angiography in diagnosis of PTE.Methods Twenty-five consecutive patients clinically diagnosed of having PTE were examined from july 2003 through March 2004. Patients underwent X-ray chest plain film, echoeardiogram, electronic beam computed tomographie (EBCT)angiography,ventilation-perfusion (V-P)seintigraphy,Magnetic resonance Pulmonary angiography (MRPA)and puhnonary angiography according to a strict diagnostic protocol.Two of the independent readers reviewed the pulmonary angiography and record all of the lobe and segmental involved in PTE and compared with other image method.Results Pulmonary angiography:all of the patients success underwent the technique,the pulmonary artery branch with PTE was in 556 of 775 branches (71.7%). Chest radiography had hints of diagnosis in 12 of 25 patients.Nine patients diagnosed with echocardiogram. Right heart enlargement was in 21,and pulmonary hypertension in 18.V-P scintigraphy revealed 247 segmental involved with PTE of 500 (52.0% ),and the sensitivity was 64.66% compare with the pulmonary angiography.There were 523 pulmonary branches involved PTE with EBCT pulmonary angiograpy of 775 branches,and the sensitivity was 94.06%.MRPA: 8 of 10 patients succeed in the technique, 155 branches of 248 were detected with PTE(62.5% ),the sensitivity was 81.29%.Conclusions EBCT is a high sensitivity method in diagnosis of PTE.Chest radiography and echocardiogram are the first-line modality of PTE.V-P scintigrapby is the valid compensation in diagnosis subsegmental pulmonary artery with PTE when EBCT miss diagnosis.Gd-CE-MRPA may be the second-line modality in diagnosis of PTE.

The effect of obesity on idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) girls is still under discussion.The relationship between body mass index (BMI) and sexual hormone levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test in ICPP girls is controversial and the underlying mechanism is unclear.This study aims to further explore the independent effect of excess adiposity on peak luteinizing hormone (LH) level of stimulation test in ICPP girls and the role of other related factors.A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed on 618 girls diagnosed as having ICPP,including 355 cases of normal weight,99 cases of overweight and 164 cases of obese.The results showed that obese group had more progressed Tanner stage and no significant difference (P=0.28) in LH peak was found as basal LH value was used as a covariate.The obese group had higher total testosterone (TT),adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH),17-α hydroxyprogesterone (17-αOHP) and androstendione (AN),with significantly increased fasting insulin (FIN) and homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR).Stratified analysis showed inconsistency of the relationship between BMI-standard deviation score (BMI-SDS) and LH peak in different Tanner stages (P for interaction=0.017).Further smoothing plot showed linear and non-linear relationship between BMI-SDS and LH peak in three Tanner stages.Then linear regression model was used to analyze the relationship between BMI-SDS and LH peak in different Tanner stages,with and without different confounding factors being adjusted.In B2 stage,BMI-SDS was negatively associated with LH peak.In B3 stage,when BMI-SDS ＜1.5,as BMI-SDS increased,the level of LH peak decreased (model Ⅰ:β=-1.8,95％ CI=-4.7 to 1.1,P=0.214).When BMI-SDS ≥1.5,BMI-SDS was significantly positively associated with LH peak (model Ⅰ:β=4.5,95％ CI=1.7 to 7.4,P=0.002).In B4 stage,when BMI-SDS ＜1.5,BMI-SDS was negatively associated with LH peak (model Ⅰ:β=-11.6,95％ CI=-22.7 to-4.5,P=0.049).When BMI-SDS ≥1.5,BMI-SDS was positively associated with LH peak (model Ⅰ:β=-4.2,95％ CI=-3.3 to 11.7,P=0.28).It is concluded that there is an independent correlation between BMI-SDS and LH peak of stimulation test in ICPP girls,their relationships are different in different Tanner stages,and the effect of BMI-SDS can be affected by adrenal androgens,estradiol and glucose metabolism parameters.

Adult ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; pathology ; surgery ; Cerebellar Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Cystadenoma, Papillary ; pathology ; surgery ; Diseases in Twins ; pathology ; surgery ; Epididymis ; pathology ; surgery ; Genital Neoplasms, Male ; pathology ; surgery ; Hemangioblastoma ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; von Hippel-Lindau Disease ; pathology ; surgery

Adult ; Female ; Hepatic Encephalopathy ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; therapy ; Humans ; Liver Failure, Acute ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Liver, Artificial ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Organ Failure ; complications ; therapy ; Prognosis ; Sorption Detoxification