Objective To study the effectiveness of comprehensive rehabilitative therapy with paraplegic spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. Methods Forty patients with SCI-caused paraplegia were divided randomly into a rehabilitation group and a control group. The routine treatment was administered to both groups, and comprehensive rehabilitative therapy was also administered to patients in the rehabilitation group as an addition. Functional assessments and somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) tests were performed with the two groups pre-treatment and 30 days post-treatment. Results The rehabilitation group achieved, on average, greater improvement in their physical functions , as demonstrated by their much higher scores in terms of the Barthel index than those of the control group ( P

0.05);the body weight of 170 and 357 mg/kg 3,4-DCA exposure groups decreased significantly(P

AIM:To observe whether modified epitopes from osteosarcoma high-expressing antigen papilloma-virus-binding factor (PBF) have HLA-A2 restricted antitumor ability,and to develop peptide-based immunotherapy for os-teosarcoma. METHODS:RT-PCR and Western blot were used to determine the expression of PBF in the osteosarcoma cell lines U2OS and Saos-2. HLA-A2 epitopes from PBF protein were predicted by NetCTL 1.2, SYFPEITHI and IEDB. The modified peptides from PBF containing HLA-A2 binding anchor motifs were designed by replacing the anchor residues. The peptides were synthesized by standard solid-phase methods,and the binding affinity of the peptides to HLA-A?0201 was evaluated by T2A2 cell binding assay. ELISPOT assay was used to investigate the seretion of interferon-γ(IFN-γ) from the peptide-induced specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs). The ability of inducing T-cell response was analyzed by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay and carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) cytotoxicity assay in vitro. RE-SULTS:The expression of PBF was observed in the U2OS and Saos-2 cells. The candidate peptides P75-1Y2L,P412-1Y, P416-1Y2L9V, P107-1Y and P435-1Y2L showed moderate affinity toward HLA-A2 molecule. The modified peptides showed significantly higher affinity with HLA-A2 than the native peptide. ELISPOT assay showed that P412, P412-1Y, P416,P416-1Y2L9V and P435-1Y2L induced specific CTLs to secrete IFN-γ, and P412-1Y and P416-1Y2L9V induced more secretion of IFN-γ than the native peptide. The CTLs induced by P412, P412-1Y, P416 and P416-1Y2L9V lysed U2OS cells. P412-1Y and P416-1Y2L9V peptide-specific CTLs showed higher cytotoxicity against U2OS cells than the native peptide-specific CTLs. CONCLUSION:Compared with the native peptide,modified epitopes P412-1Y and P416-1Y2L9V have higher binding affinity with HLA-A?0201 and retain immunogenecity. In addition,the anti-tumor immunity effects of modified epitopes P412-1Y and P416-1Y2L9V are stronger than the native peptide. The peptides P412-1Y and P416-1Y2L9V is excellent HLA-A?0201 restricted CTL epitopes from tumor antigen PBF,which could serve as new can-didates towards antitumor peptide vaccines.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of shikonin on the proliferation of human keratinocytes induced by IL-17 and secretion of chemokines, in order to discuss the mechanism of Shikonin in the treatment of psoriasis.

METHODIn vitro cultured HaCaT cells were stimulated by IL-17A (200 μg x L(-1)) and mixed with different concentrations (2, 1 mg x L(-1)) of shikonin for 24 hours. The cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay. Cell secretion inflammatory factor interleukin-23 (IL-23) was detected by ELISA. The expressions of intracellular chemokines CXCL1, CXCL2, CCL20 and 6-defensin 4 (DEFB4) were detected by Real-time PCR.

RESULTShikonin (2,1 mg x L(-1)) could distinctly inhibit HaCaT cell proliferation induced by IL-17A, with statistical difference (P < 0.01). Each shikonin group showed decreases in the secretion of IL-23 and inhibition in expressions of intracellular CXCL1, CXCL2, CCL20 and DEFB4.

CONCLUSIONShikonin could inhibit HaCaT cells proliferation induced by IL-17 and secretion of relevant cytokines and recruit leukocytes by inhibiting chemokines, so as to show the effect in treating psoriasis.

Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Chemokines ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Interleukin-17 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Keratinocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Naphthoquinones ; pharmacology

Objective To investigate the molecular mechanism of As 2 O3 in suppressing metastasis of esophagus carcinoma cells.Methods The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, adhesion and invasion assay were performed to observe the inhibitory effect of As 2 O3 on proliferation and metastasis of esophagus carcinoma cells .The expressions of matrix metalloproteinases ( MMP)2, MMP9, E-cadherin, and protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor-type O ( PTPRO) were analyzed with Western blot .Results Exposure to As 2 O3 significantly presented suppressive functions on growth and metastasis of esophagus carcinoma cells in a dose-dependent manner ( P <0.01 ) .Additionally , MMP2 and MMP9 expressions were increased after treatment with casticin ( P <0.01 ) , whereas E-cadherin and PTPRO expressions were down-regulated ( P <0.01 ) .Conclusions As2 O3 had a significant function to inhibit proliferation and metastasis of esophagus carcinoma cells .

Animals ; Carbon Radioisotopes ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; genetics ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Glucose ; administration & dosage ; metabolism ; Lipid Metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Transcriptome

Objective To establish a high-performance induction culture system for Raw264.7 cells to differentiate into osteoclasts(OC)invitro by improving the cell culture program.Methods The Raw264.7 cells were cultured withα-MEM medium containing 50 μg · L-1 M-CSF, 100 μg · L-1 RANKL, and 1 × 10-8 mol · L-1 1α,25-(OH)2 D3 in 5% CO2 for 12 d at 37℃. The cells were digested transiently every time before the medium was changed after every three days. The morphologic changes of the Raw264.7 cells were observed by inverted microscope.The maturation and phagotrophic function of OC were identified by HE,TRAP,FITC-phalloidin staining and immunofluorescence.Results The cells remained to grow in single layers all the time in most areas of the well during the whole induction by the improved culture program. The observation results of inverted microscope and HE staining showed that the growth area of the polykaryotic OC reached to 70% of the well on day 1 2. FITC-phalloidin staining showed that in the maturation of the OC, the cluster-shaped podosomes in the pseudopodia gradually transformed into rings,which finally fused to form a large belt surrounding the periphery of the cytoplasm. The calcitionin receptor (CTR) expressed by OC was markedly enhanced compared with the precursor cells by immunofluroescence staining,and a large number of red granules appeared in the cytoplasm of OC with TRAP staining on day 1 2. These results comfirmed that the obtained OC were maturated and owned phagotrophic function. Conclusion A high-performance induction culture system for Raw264. 7 cells to differentiate into OC in vitro induced by combination of 50μg · L-1 M-CSF, 100 μg · L-1 RANKL,and 1 × 10-8 mol·L-1 1α,25-(OH)2 D3 is established by improving the cell culture program.

OBJECTIVETo explain the essence of pungent-hot herb property express according to in vivo and in vitro studies on its effect on calmodulin on the base of the observation of the adjustment in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis functions of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Curculiginis Rhizoma, Cinnamomi Cortex and bitter-cold herb Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex in rats under the state of yang deficiency.

METHODThe yang-deficient model was duplicated by intramuscularly injecting hydrocortisone sodium succinate powder injection. After the intervention with Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Curculiginis Rhizoma, Cinnamomi Cortex and bitter-cold herb Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex for seven days, TSH, T3, T4, 17-OHCS, COR, T, E2 of hypothalamus-pituitary-target gland axis and other relevant indexes were detected. The calmodulin expression in livers and L02 cells cultured in vitro was detected by using Western blot.

RESULTPungent-hot herbs Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Curculiginis Rhizoma, Cinnamomi Cortex can significantly correct indicators of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis and calmodulin, whereas the bitter-cold herb Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex showed no obvious effect.

CONCLUSIONThe pungent-hot herb property expression may be closely related to calmodulin.

Animals ; Calmodulin ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Gonads ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy ; metabolism

Objective:To investigate the expression of serum human phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein 4 (hPEBP4) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and its clinical significance.Methods:A total of 59 symptomatic MM patients admitted to West Branch of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital from September 2016 to September 2018 were selected as the research objects. According to the CRAB symptoms [elevated serum calcium (C), kidney injury (R), anemia (A), bone lesions (B)], all patients were divided into 2 groups, including the active group of 44 patients with CRAB symptoms, and the response group of 15 patients who achieved at least partial remission after chemotherapy and symptom relief of CRAB. According to the degree of bone lesions (BL), 30 patients with severe bone-related events were grouped as the severe bone lesions (SBL) group, and 14 patients were grouped as the non-severe bone lesions (NSBL) group. According to the revised international prognostic staging system (R-ISS), patients in the active group were divided into three subgroups: stage Ⅰ, stage Ⅱ, and stage Ⅲ, including 26, 11 and 7 patients, respectively. A total of 15 healthy examination people whose gender and age matched those of the patients were treated as the healthy control group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the expression levels of hPEBP4, tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 14 (LIGHT/TNFSF14) and activin A of patients in different groups. Pearson was used to analyze the relationship of the expressions of multiple factors in the active group. The optimal cut-off value of multiple factors diagnosing MM was determined by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and according to the cut-off value, the differences in overall survival (OS) of patients with different stratification were compared.Results:In the active group, the respond group, the healthy control group, the level of hPEBP4 was (1.48±0.64) μg/L, (1.49±0.75) μg/L, (0.31±0.10) μg/L, respectively; the level of LIGHT/TNFSF14 was (169±112) ng/L, (256±132) ng/L, (44±27) ng/L,respectively; the level of activin A was (383±266) ng/L, (223±79) ng/L, (234±85) ng/L, respectively; and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). In the active group, the level of hPEBP4 was (1.06±0.60) μg/L, (1.15±0.50) μg/L, (1.73±0.68) μg/L, respectively in patients with stage R-ISSⅠ, R-ISSⅡ and R-ISS Ⅲ, and the difference was statistically significant ( F=3.287, P=0.032). The level of activin A was (219±55) ng/L, (247±117) ng/L, (450±215) ng/L, respectively among patients in stage R-ISSⅠ, R-ISSⅡ, R-ISS Ⅲ, and the level of activin A in stage R-ISS Ⅲ was higher than that in stage R-ISSⅠand R-ISSⅡ (all P < 0.05). The levels of LIGHT/TNFSF14 and activin A of SBL patients were higher than those of NSBL patients [(174±101) ng/L vs. (98±53) ng/L; (467±238) ng/L vs. (189±71) ng/L, all P < 0.05]. The level of hPEBP4 was positively correlated with the levels of M protein ( r=0.694, P < 0.01) and activin A ( r=0.252, P < 0.01) of IgG patients in the active group. ROC curve analysis showed that the optimal cut-off value of hPEBP4, LIGHT/TNFSF14, activin A diagnosing MM was 1.04 μg/L, 97.0 μg/L, 156.2 ng/L. The median overall survival (OS) time of patients with hPEBP4 >1.04 μg/L and hPEBP4 ≤ 1.04 μg/L was 57 months (95% CI 22-92 months) and not reached, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.05); while the median OS time of patients with activin A ≥ 156.2 ng/L and activin A < 156.2 ng/L was 61 months (95% CI 24-98 months) and not reached, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:High expression level of hPEBP4 is related with the progression of MM. It is positively related with the level of M protein and negatively with the OS of MM patients. It is suggested that hPEBP4 may be used as an important marker to judge disease progression and tumor burden in MM. LIGHT/TNFSF14 and activin A cooperate with hPEBP4 to participate in the pathological processes of tumor microenvironment of MM.

Objective:To explore the effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation on silicosis fibrosis in different time windows in rats.Methods:BMSCs were isolated and cultured from male 3-week-old SD rats in vitro.Fifty healthy female SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups:control group,silicosis model group,early treatment group,middle treatment group,late treatment group(n=10).The silicosis model was made by one-time infusion of silica dust suspension using the non-exposed tracheal in-tubation(50 μg/ml),and 1 d,14 d,28 d of BMSCs were given for intervention therapy (1 ×106 ml-1 ).Rats in each group were sacrificed 14 days after treatment.The BMSCs identified by flow cytometry;the morphological changes of the lung tissues were observed by HE staining;the expression of MMP-9,collagen type Ⅰ and collagen type Ⅲ were detected by immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis.Results: BMSCs in early silicosis ( 1 d ) and the middle silicosis ( 14 d ) compared to silicosis model group can significantly alleviate the pathological process of silicosis fibrosis (P<0.05),BMSCs in late silicosis (28 d) treatment had no significant effect(P>0.05).Conclusion:Exogenous BMSCs transplantation on rat silicosis early pathological processes play a role in delaying , late treatment effect is not obvious.