OBJECTIVETo observe monocyte (Mo) development in wild type C57BL/6 mice and apoE gene knockout (apoE(-/-)) mice, and to evaluate the immuno-regulatory effect of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction (HJD) on peripheral Mo development in apoE(-/-) mice.

METHODSFour, 8, 12, and 16 weeks old female C57BL/6 mice were set up as control groups of different ages, while 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks old female apoE(-/-) mice were set up as hyperlipidemia groups of different ages. Four-week old female C57BL/6 mice were recruited as a blank group. Four-week old female apoE(-/-) mice were randomly divided into the control group, the Western medicine group, and the Chinese medicine group by paired comparison, 5 in each group. Equivalent clinical dose was administered to mice according to body weight. Mice in the Western medicine group were administered with Atrovastatin at the daily dose of 10 mg/kg by gastrogavage, while those in the Chinese medicine group were administered with HJD at the daily dose of 5 g/kg by gastrogavage. Body weight was detected each week. After 4 weeks blood lipids levels (such as TG, TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C), and the proportions of Mo and Ly6c(hi) were detected.

RESULTSCompared with 4-week-old homogenic mice, the proportion of Mo decreased in 16-week-old C57BL/6 mice (P < 0.05). Levels of TC and TG, and the proportion of Ly6c(hi) subtype increased, but the proportion of Mo de- creased in 8-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P <0. 05). Levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C increased in 12-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05). Levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C increased in 16-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with 8-week-old homogenic mice, the proportion of Mo decreased in 16-week-old C57BL/6 mice (P < 0.05); levels of TC and LDL-C increased in 12-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05); levels of TC and HDL-C increased in 16-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with C57BL/6 mice of the same age, TC and TG increased, HDL-C decreased (P < 0.01) in 4-and 8-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.01); levels of TC, TG, LDL-C increased, and HDL-C level decreased in 12- and 16-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); the proportion of Mo increased in 4-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05); proportions of Mo and Ly6c(hi) increased in 8-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05). Compared with the blank control group, levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C, proportions of Mo and Ly6c(hi) increased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), but HDL-C level decreased (P <0. 01) in the control group after intervention. Compared with the control group, body weight gained less in the Western medicine group and the Chinese medicine group (P < 0.05); the proportion of Ly6c(hi) subtype decreased in the Chinese medicine group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIn development process blood lipids levels in apoE(-/-) mice are not only associated with age. Blood lipids levels induced growth changes in natural immune system are also correlated with age. In early stage of lipids development HJD intervention could correct this special immune disorder in apoE(-/-) mice.

Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gene Knockout Techniques ; Hyperlipidemias ; Lipids ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Monocytes ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between cerebral white matter fraction anisotropy (FA) in normal human adults using the diffusion tensor magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (DTI).

METHODSForty-five adults with normal cerebral white matter MRI findings in 3 age groups (n=15), namely 25 approximately 35 years (young), 45 approximately 55 years (middle-aged) and 65 years or above (elderly), underwent conventional MRI and diffusion tensor MR imaging. FA was measured in different regions of interest (ROIs) including the genu and splenium of the corpus callosum, posterior limb and anterior limb of the internal capsule, centrum semiovale, frontal white matter, thalamus and head of the caudate nucleus.

RESULTSThe FA values of the corresponding regions were similar between the left and right hemispheres. The FA value in the genu of the corpus callosum, centrum semiovale and the frontal white matter decreased with age, showing significant differences between the 3 age groups (P<0.05). The FA value in the splenium of the corpus callosum decreased significantly with age, with significant differences between the elderly and young groups and between the elderly and middle-aged groups (P<0.05). The values in the posterior limb and anterior limb of the internal capsule also decreased significantly with age as shown by comparison between the elderly and young groups (P<0.05). No significant difference was found in the FA value of the thalamus and head of the caudate nucleus between the three groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe FA values decrease with age, especially in the genu of corpus callosum, centrum semiovale and frontal white matter. The patient's age and age-related white matter degradation must be considered in DTI-based diagnosis of cerebral diseases.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Anisotropy ; Cerebrum ; chemistry ; diagnostic imaging ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography

Objective :To explore influence of small and dense low density lipoprotein (sdLDL) on in-stent restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods : A total of 631 CHD inpatients ,who received PCI in our department from Feb 2015 to Feb 2017were followed up for 12 months ,and 240 cases were successfully followed up . According to coronary angiography (CAG) results ,the vascular diameter stenosis ≥50% regard as in-stent resteno-sis ,all patients were divided into restenosis group (n＝105) and no stenosis group (n＝135).Another 35 healthy volunteers undergoing physical examination simultaneously were treated as healthy control groups .Serum levels of sdLDL ,serum lipid TC ,TG ,HDL-C and LDL-C were measured and compared among all groups .Correlation be-tween serum sdLDL level and Gensini score was analyzed in CHD patients .Results : There were no significant difference in levels of serumlipids between restenosis group and no stenosis group , P＞ 0. 05 all.Compared with healthy control group ,there was significant rise in serum sdLDL level [ (0.451 ± 0.135) mmol/Lvs .(0.673 ± 0.281) mmol/L] in CHD group , P＝0.001 ;compared with no stenosis group ,there were significant rise in serum sdLDL level [(0.606 ± 0.276) mmol/L vs.(0.695 ± 0.304) mmol/L] and Gensini score [(40.23 ± 9.24) scores vs. (58.42 ± 10.37) scores] in restenosis group (P＝0.019 ,0.001) respectively.Linear correlation analysis indicated that serum sdLDL level was significant positively correlated with Gensini score in CHD patients ( r＝ 0.514 , P＝ 0.032).Conclusion :Elevated serum sdLDL level suggests high risk of in-stent restenosis in CHD patients .It can provide reference for disease condition assessment and adverse event prevention after PCI .

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction (HLJDD) in in vivo regulating differentiation of monocytes in an apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE(-/-)) mouse model, and to observe the effect of HLJDD-containing serum in in vitro regulating differentiation of macrophages and foam cells.

METHODSFifteen apoE(-/-) mice were randomly divided into the common diet group, the hyperlipidemia group, and the hyperlipidemia +HLJDD treatment group, 5 in each group. Mice in the common diet group were fed with a chow diet. Mice in the hyperlipidemia group were fed with high cholesterol wild diet (WD). Those in the hyperlipidemia +HLJDD treatment group were fed with high cholesterol WD supplemented with HLJDD. All mice were fed for 4 weeks. Five C57BL/6 wild types were recruited as the wild common diet control group. HLJDD was administered to mice in the hyperlipidemia + HLJDD treatment group by gastrogavage at the daily dose of 5 g/kg. Equal volume of purified water was given by gastrogavage to mice in the rest 3 groups. Four weeks later, subtypes of monocytes in the peripheral blood were detected by FACS. HLJDD administered to another 30 SD rats by gastrogavage at the daily dose of 5 g/kg, once for every 12 h for 5 times in total, thereby preparing 5% HLJDD containing serum to intervene the differentiation of in vitro primary bone marrow-derived macrophage (BMDM) and foam cells. The M2 subtype surface receptor CD206 of macrophages and foam cells were detected by FACS. The expression of Nos2 and Arg1 genes were assayed by Real-time PCR.

RESULTSThe ratio of inflammatory subset of monocytes (Ly6C(high)) increased in the peripheral blood after ApoE(-/-) mice were fed with high fat diet for 4 weeks. HLJDD significantly decreased the ratio of inflammatory subset of monocytes (P < 0.05). Compared with the vehicle serum, 5% HLJDD containing serum significantly increased differentiation of CD206 + M2 BMDM (P = 0.034). Results of real-time quantitative PCR showed that the expression level of Arg1 mRNA could be up-regulated by HLJDD containing serum (P < 0.05), and that of Nos2 mRNA down-regulated (P = 0.017). ox-LDL induced the differentiation of M2 subtype foam cells from BMDM, and HLJDD containing serum could further elevate the ratio of CD206 + M2 foam cells and increase the Arg1 mRNA expression level (both P < 0.01). HLJDD containing serum could inhibit the inversion of M2 subtype of foam cells to M1 subtype induced by Th1 factors, significantly elevate the Arg1 mRNA expression level, and decrease the Nos2 mRNA expression level (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSHLJDD could lower hyperlipidemia induced inflammatory monocyte subtype ratios in the peripheral blood of ApoE(-/-) mice. HLJDD containing serum promoted in vitro differentiation of M2 macrophages and foam cells. HLJDD attenuated and inhibited the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis induced by hyperlipidemia possibly through regulating the functional differentiation of monocytes, macrophages, and foam cells.

Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Foam Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Macrophages ; cytology ; drug effects ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Monocytes ; cytology ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the proper time of cryo-preserving tracheal allograft so as to minimize its antigenicity.

METHODSOn a dog model, this study was carried out by allografting a tracheal into a muscular flap formed with sternocephalic muscle and sternohyoid--sternothyroid muscle. The tracheal was treated with cryopreservation in defferent intervals. The viability of the graft was evaluated by the examination of fiberoptic bronchoscopy, histopathology and microangiography. The blood flow of the tracheal mucous was measured with a blood flowmeter and the survival area was decided in the calculation of the percentage.

RESULTSThere are no significant differences in the mucous membrane appearance and the mucosal blood flow one week after the surgery among the non-cryopreservation group and the groups treated with cryopreservation in 1 day, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks and 8 weeks. The graft was found to start necrosis 2 weeks after the transplantation with the infiltration of mononuclear cells examined under light microscope in almost all of the groups, especially in the non-cryopreservation group and the groups treated with cryopreservation in 1 day, 2 weeks. However, there was no significant difference among the autograft group and the allograft groups cryopreservated in 6 weeks and 8 weeks, and the infiltration of the mononuclear cells was not found in these groups either.

CONCLUSIONThe antigenicity of the tracheal allografts could be significantly decreased by the treatment of cryopreservation over 6 weeks.

Animals ; Bronchoscopes ; Cryopreservation ; methods ; Dogs ; Flowmeters ; Models, Animal ; Respiratory Mucosa ; blood supply ; pathology ; Trachea ; immunology ; pathology ; transplantation ; Transplantation, Homologous

BACKGROUNDThe prevalence of malnutrition is very high in patients with cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not a nutrition support team (NST) could benefit esophageal cancer patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

METHODSBetween June 2012 and April 2014, 50 esophageal cancer patients undergoing concurrent CRT were randomly assigned into two groups: The NST group and the control group. The nutritional statuses of 25 patients in the NST group were managed by the NST. The other 25 patients in the control group underwent the supervision of radiotherapy practitioners. At the end of the CRT, nutritional status, the incidence of complications, and completion rate of radiotherapy were evaluated. Besides, the length of hospital stay (LOS) and the in-patient cost were also compared between these two groups.

RESULTSAt the completion of CRF, the nutritional status in the NST group were much better than those in the control group, as evidenced by prealbumin (ALB), transferrin, and ALB parameters (P = 0.001, 0.000, and 0.000, respectively). The complication incidences, including bone marrow suppression (20% vs. 48%, P = 0.037) and complications related infections (12% vs. 44%, P = 0.012), in the NST group were lower and significantly different from the control group. In addition, only one patient in the NST group did not complete the planned radiotherapy while 6 patients in the control group had interrupted or delayed radiotherapy (96% vs. 76%, P = 0.103). Furthermore, the average LOS was decreased by 4.5 days (P = 0.001) and in-patient cost was reduced to 1.26 ± 0.75 thousand US dollars person-times (P > 0.05) in the NST group.

CONCLUSIONSA NST could provide positive effects in esophageal cancer patients during concurrent CRT on maintaining their nutrition status and improving the compliance of CRF. Moreover, the NST could be helpful on reducing LOS and in-patient costs.

Adult ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nutritional Status ; Nutritional Support ; methods ; Patient Care Team ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possibility of tracheas transplantation by wrapping it in a muscle flap.

METHODSWith a dog model, a number of tracheas were separately wrapped in the unilateral sternocephalic muscle flap and the bilateral sternohyoid-sternothyroid muscle flap, and placed in the original site. The tracheas autografting was used as a control. The viability was evaluated by the examination of fiberoptic bronchoscopy, histopathology and microangiography, the measurement of tracheal mucosal blood flow and the calculation of survival rate and percentage of patency.

RESULTSThe submucosal blood flow of the transplanted tracheas was detected in the unilateral sternocephalic muscle flap group and the bilateral sternohyoid-sternothyroid muscle flap group 1 week after the surgery and gradually reached the level close to the normal in 4 weeks, while the vascular ingrowth was also shown from the wrapped muscle flap into the transplanted tracheas by using a microangiography technique. The histopathological examination demonstrated that the structure of the transplanted tracheas was quite same as the original one and its inner surface was also covered with pseudostratified columnar ciliary epithelia. However, in the control group, the mucous membranes turned black one week after the transplantation and all dogs died from the graft necrosis.

CONCLUSIONThe tracheas wrapped in a muscular flap could survive well for a long time.

Animals ; Dogs ; Epithelium ; Graft Survival ; physiology ; Necrosis ; mortality ; Regional Blood Flow ; physiology ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; pathology ; Time Factors ; Trachea ; blood supply ; pathology ; transplantation ; Transplantation, Autologous