Objective To investigate the changes in the expression of connexin 43 ( Cx43) in astrocytes in the spinal dorsal horn in a rat model of chronic neuropathic pain. Methods Twenty male SD rats weighing 200-250 g were randomly divided into 2 groups : (A) chronic constriction injury group (CCI) received 4 loose ligatures placed on the right sciatic nerve according to Xie[5] (n = 10) and (B) sham operation group in which the right sciatic nerve was exprosed but not ligated ( n = 10) . The pain behavior was evaluated and the paw withdrawal thermal latency (PWTL) and paw withdrawal electric threshold (PWET) were measured the day before operation (D0 baseline) and on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 14th day after operation (T1 , T3, T5, T7, T14 ) . On the 14th postoperative day the animals were sacrificed and the L4-5 segment of spinal cord was removed for detection of the expression of Cx43 and glial fibrillary acid protein ( GFAP) in the spinal dorsal horn by immuno-histochemistry. Results In CCI group the rats displayed pain behavior after operation and only 2 of them recovered normal behavior on D14 and their PWTL was shortened and PWET lowered after operation compared to the baseline values (D0), while in the sham operation group PWTL and PWET returned to the baseline after D7. The GFAP positively stained area was significantly larger in the right spinal dorsal horn in CCI group (29?7% ) than in sham operation group (19?5% ). The Cx43 positively stained area was 17?3% in CCI group and 4?1 % in sham operation group. Conclusion Cx43 and GFAP expression increase in the astrocytes in the spinal dorsal hom of the affected side in rats with chronic neuropathic pain, suggesting that the astrocytic gap junction may play an important role in chronic neuropathic pain.

Objective To investigate the effect of gemcitabine, paclitaxel combined with nedaplatin in treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods 40 patients diagnosed as locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma from May 2012 to August 2014 were randomly divided into observation group and control group. Patients in the observation group received gemcitabine plus nedaplatin chemotherapy, while those in the control group received paclitaxel plus nedaplatin chemotherapy. Then chemotherapy effect, adverse reactions, survival time and tumor marker contents were compared. Results The effective rate of the observation group was 65 % (13/20), which was higher than that (30 %, 6/20) of the control group (χ2 = 4.912, P< 0.05), however, there were no statistically differences in gastrointestinal reactions, bone marrow suppression, liver damage, kidney damage between groups (P> 0.05). Before chemotherapy, the SCCAg and CYFRA21-1 content of the control group were (2.30 ±0.31) ng/L and (18.27±2.19)μg/L, and the observation group were (2.34±0.27) ng/L and (18.48±2.25)μg/L, and there was no significant difference between the groups (P>0.05). After chemotherapy, the SCCAg and CYFRA21-1 content of the control group were (1.92±0.22) ng/L and (13.72±1.74) μg/L, and the observation group were (1.20 ±0.15) ng/L and (8.49 ±0.91) μg/L (P= 0.000). Conclusion Gemcitabine combined with nedaplatin chemotherapy can improve the chemotherapy effect and reduce tumor marker content, without increasing more adverse reactions, which is an ideal chemotherapy regimen for advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the Periostin and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition(EMT) markers(E-cadheirn and N-cadheirn) in colorectal cancer(CRC),and analyze the relationship between the expression of Periostin and clinicopathological parameters.Methods The expression of Periostin,Ecadheirn and N-cadheirn in 106 cases with primary CRC tumors and corresponding normal tissues were detected by Immunohistoehemistry and the results were analyzed.Results The expression of Periostin,E-cadheirn and N-cad-heirn in tumors were significantly high expression than those in corresponding normal tissues(62/106 vs 21/106,x2 =34.027,P ＜ 0.05 ;43/106 vs 89/106,x2 =42.480,P ＜ 0.05 ; 66/106 vs 19/106,x2 =43.382,P ＜ 0.05).The expression of Periostin in tumors was associated significantly with tumor differentiation,tumor invasion,lymph node metastasis and distance metastasis (x2 =7.752,P =0.007; x2 =5.008,P =0.031 ; x2 =10.227,P =0.002;x2 =8.001,P =0.006).It was negatively correlated with E-cadherin expression (r =-0.435,P ＜ 0.001),but positively correlated with N-cadherin expression (r =0.213,P =0.028).Conclusion Periostin may promote the occurrence and development of CRC by participating in EMT program.

Objective To investigate the relationships between aspirin resistance (AR) and laboratory indexes and different types of traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)syndrome in patients with acute cerebral infarction. Methods Two hundred and eight different types of TCM syndromes of patients with acute cerebral infarction admitted from January 2012 to November 2013 in the Neurology Department of Shanghai Seventh People's Hospital were divided into AR group and aspirin sensitive(AS)group according to the rate of AR. Simultaneously,28 healthy volunteers in the same period were assigned in a healthy control group. The changes of red blood cell volume distribution width coefficient of variation(RDW-CV),platelet count(PLT)and homocysteine(Hcy)levels were observed in the three groups. The correlation between different types of TCM syndromes and AR,PLT,RDW-CV,and Hcy was analyzed by non-conditional logistic regression. Results The total incidence of AR was 29.32%(61/208)in 208 patients with acute cerebral infarction. There were 165 cases with Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome,the incidence of AR being 26.06%(43/165);32 cases with wind phlegm obstructing channel syndrome,the incidence of AR, 43.75%(14/32);11 cases with liver yang hyperactivity syndrome,the incidence of AR,36.36%(4/11);in the comparisons,the incidence rates of AR among the above types of syndromes had no statistical significant differences (P>0.05). Compared with the healthy control group,the levels of PLT,RDW-CV,Hcy in AR group and AS group of various types of TCM syndrome were increased,the PLT and RDW-CV levels in patients with Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome in AR group were more significantly elevated in the comparisons between AR and AS groups, there were statistical significant differences〔PLT (×109/L):212.16±66.48 vs. 187.54±56.85, RDW-CV:(14.34±3.16)% vs.(13.20±2.16)%,both P<0.05〕;the level of Hcy in patients with wind phlegm obstructing channel syndrome in AR group was increased more significantly than that in AS group,the difference between the two groups being statistically significant(μmol/L:27.29±18.64 vs. 21.36±14.61,P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed,increased PLT〔odds ratio(OR)=1.007 2,95%confidence interval(CI):1.001 2-1.013 2,P=0.018 5〕and RDW-CV〔OR=1.165 4,95%CI:1.007 9-1.347 4,P=0.038 8)was independence risk factor of AS development. Conclusion The elevation of RDW-CV,PLT,Hcy in level reflects the index of AR production, especially in patients with acute cerebral infarction accompanied by Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome and wind phlegm obstructing channel syndrome.

Objective:To explore whether sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus affect the senescence of MSCs, and which signaling pathway might be involved in.Methods: Human sera were collected from sex-matched,age-matched active SLE patients (n=6) and healthy volunteers (n=6).Then the complement was inactivated at 56℃ for 30 min.MSCs were cultured in DMEM/F12 containing 10% SLE or normal serum.Three days later MSCs were stained with SA-β-gal.The percentages of SA-β-gal positive cells were evaluated.The mRNA levels of p53 and p21 were detected by Real time PCR.The protein levels of p53/p21 and NF-κB ( p65) were examined by Western blot.Cell proliferation was evaluated by CCK8 assay.Results: Compared with normal serum, MSCs from either healthy controls or SLE patients showed more SA-β-gal positive cells in SLE serum,as well as higher levels of p53/p21.In addition,SLE serum also inhibited the capacity of MSC proliferation.In MSCs treated with SLE serum, the level of NF-κB (p65) protein was significantly upregulated.Conclusion:SLE serum can promote the senescence of bone marrow MSCs,which might be mediated by NF-κB signaling pathway.

60 curved root canals of permanent teeth with angles of curvature ranging from 15°to 40°(Schneider's methodology)were prepared using the instruments of Hyflex CM(HC) and ProTaper(PT) Universal respectively(n=30).Using standardized pre-and post-instrumentation paralleling periapical radiographs,canal curvature was determined by image analysis software and the clinical shaping effect of Hyflex CM and ProTaper rotary NiTi files were compared.The canal curvature in group HC and PT decreased by 4.54°±3.25° and 5.63°±3.84° respectively(between pre-and post-treatment in both groups,P<0.05;between groups,P>0.05).Hyflex CM can meet the clinical necessity for the instrumentation of curved root canals.

Objective To explore the preventive effect of early umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) transplantation on MRL/lpr mice and the underly mechanisms.Methods Fourteen 10-week-old MRL/lpr mice were labeled and numbered.They were randomly divided into 2 groups by using random number table and injected with 1 ×106 UC-MSCs or PBS via tail vein respectively.Proteinuria was measured with Bradford method every 4 weeks.All mice were sacrificed at the age of 28 weeks, with the level of serum antidsDNA antibody and IL-17 detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Splenic Th17 cells, as well as regulatory T cells (Treg) were examined by flow cytometry.Data were analyzed with t test and Pearson's correlation test.Results The onset of proteinuria was delayed for 4 weeks in UC-MSC-treated group compared with that in the control group.At the age of 28 weeks, the 24 hour proteinuria [(1.78±0.17) mg vs (4.77±0.98)mg, t=2.99, P＜0.05] and the spleen weight [(0.149±0.009) g vs (0.273±0.052) g, t=2.33, P＜0.05] in UC-MSCtreated group were significantly lower than those in the control group.There was also a trend of the decline of serum anti-dsDNA antibody and IL-17 level after UC-MSCs transplantation.Compared with those in the control group, both the percentage and the absolute number of Th17 cells were significantly decreased in UC-MSC-treated group [(0.90±0.19)％ vs (2.81±0.50)％, t=3.54, P＜0.01 and (3.7±0.8)×105 vs (19.3±3.7)×105, t=4.12,P＜0.01].Meanwhile, the percentage of Treg elevated after UC-MSCs treatment.The ratio of Th17/Treg was significantly lower in UC-MSC-treated group than that in the control group (0.11±0.03 vs 0.50±0.09, t=4.23,P＜0.01).Both the ratio of Th17/Treg (r=0.73, P＜0.01;r=0.59, P＜0.05) and serum IL-17 level (r=0.78, P＜0.01;r=0.56, P＜0.05) was positively correlated with the level of 24 hour proteinuria and anti-dsDNA antibody respectively in MRL/lpr mice.Conclusion Early UC-MSCs transplantation helps to delay disease onset and ameliorate disease progression in MRL/lpr mice, which may act through the modulation of Th17/Treg balance.

Objective:To report a Chinese family with a novel ABCD1 gene mutation at c.332T>G (p.V111G) site and discuss its clinical characteristics and molecular mechanism.Methods:The clinical data, laboratory examination, and imaging examination results were analyzed to make the clinical diagnosis of a middle-aged onset patient from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in May 2017. High-throughput sequencing was used to discover a novel ABCD1 gene mutation. Sanger sequencing was used to find out whether other family members contain the same ABCD1 gene mutation. The pathogenicity of this mutation was explored by protein structure prediction and pathogenicity analysis. Adrenoleukodystrophy protein-green fluorescent protein (ALDP-GFP) and ALDP-GFP (V111G) plasmids were constructed and human embryonic kidney 293 cells were transfected, then immunofluorescence and Western blotting were used to explore the molecular mechanism of this mutation (completed in Henan Provincial People′s Hospital).Results:The proband (a 39-year-old male) was diagnosed as adrenomyeloneuropathy, a subset of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, with a novel heterozygous missense mutation in the ABCD1 gene at c.332T>G (p.V111G) site, and his mother and two daughters were all carriers. Protein structure prediction and pathogenicity results suggested that this mutation is pathogenic. Overexpression of ALDP-GFP (V111G) in the human embryonic kidney 293 cells resulted in a significant decrease in the expression levels of ALDP and the abnormal localization from the peroxisomal membrane to the cytoplasm, accompanied by significant down-regulation of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ and beclin-1.Conclusion:c.332T>G (p.V111G) is a novel pathogenic mutation in the ABCD1 gene, which causes adrenomyeloneuropathy by impairing autophagy.

Objective To explore the effect of low replacement plasma exchange(LPE)combined with double plasma molecular adsorption(DPMAS)in the treatment of patients with chronic acute liver failure(ACLF)and its influence on liver function,inflammatory cytokines and short-term prognosis.Methods One hundred patients with ACLF were randomly divided into the observation group and the control group by envelope method,with 50 cases in each group.On basis of routine symptomatic treatments(liver protection,removing jaundice,reducing enzymes,anti-viruses,bleeding prevention),the control group and the observation group were treated with plasma exchange(PE)and LPE plus DPMAS,respectively.The liver function,coagulation function,the levels of inflammatory cytokines,incidence of adverse reactions,and 90-day survival rate were compared between the two groups after treatment.Results After treatment,the liver function and coagulation function in the observation group were significantly improved(P＜0.05)and the levels of inflammatory cytokines were significantly lowered than those in the control group(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the 90-day survival rate and the total incidence of adverse reactions between the groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion LPE combined with DPMAS can effectively improve liver function and coagulation function,and reduce levels of inflammatory cyto-kines in ACLF patients,with high safety.

Objective: To assess the diagnostic rate, safety and clinical application of percutaneous renal masses biopsy for advanced renal cell carcinoma patients.Methods: In this retrospective study, we collected the data of renal masses from the patients who underwent renal masses biopsy under ultrasound from April 2001 to December 2014 in Peking University First Hospital.A total of 75 patients who were undiagnosed or diagnosed with advanced renal cell carcinoma by the imageological method were enrolled in this study.The patient and lesion characteristics such as tumor size, pathology of tumor, histologic subtype, pathological grade, biopsied location and biopsied cores were recorded and analyzed.Results: Among all the 75 patients, biopsy was diagnostic in 64 cases (85.3%) and non-diagnostic in 11 cases (14.7%).Of the 64 diagnostic biopsies, 60 were malignant, including 37 (61.7%) renal cell carcinoma (RCC), 13 (21.7%) urothelial carcinoma and 10 (16.7%) other malignant masses.Of all the RCC subjects, 24 suffered from clear cell RCC, 5 papillary RCC, 3 collecting duct carcinomas, 1 unclassified RCC and 4 unknown subtypes.The 11 non-diagnostic biopsied samplings included inflammatory, blood and extrarenal tissue and normal renal tissue.The proportion of collecting duct carcinoma in RCC was 10.8% and the proportion of squamous carcinoma in urothelial carcinoma was 23.1%, which were both higher than the previous research findings.For the male and female groups, non-diagnostic yields were 6.5% and 30.4%, respectively (P=0.022).Of all the 75 patients, 13 renal cell carcinoma patients underwent the surgical treatment and got the results of postoperative pathology.Comparing preoperative biopsy pathological diagnosis with postoperative pathological diagnosis, we found the diagnostic correct rates for benign and malignant lesions, pathological subtype and pathological grade were 100%, 81.8% and 60%, respectively.Mild macroscopic hematuria occurred in 1 case after RMB and there were no serious complications in all the cases.Conclusion: Percutaneous renal masses biopsy under ultrasound with a high diagnostic rate which can define the histologic subtype of renal cell carcinoma.With targeted therapy, more and more patients whose evaluation suggests local advanced disease or metastatic tumors adopt renal tumor biopsy to define the histologic subtype, which could avoid unnecessary surgical treatment.