· AIM: To explore the effects of C3F8 tamponade on hypotony on or after primary operation and the prognosis of severe ocular trauma.· METHODS: Twenty-six cases (26 eyes) of severe ocular trauma were treated with pure C3F8 tamponade on or after primary operation. IOP was observed, and the curative effect of C3F8 tamponade was observed on secondary operation with prognosis evaluated.· RESULTS: Hypotony improved in 23 eyes postoperatively,in which 18 eyes with edematous and cloudy cornea, 15 eyes had clear cornea after gas tamponade. Retina was reattached under the gas action in 21 eyes during the secondary operation. Visual acuity improved in 22 eyes, remained unchanged in 3 eyes and decreased in 1 eye during the follow-up of 3-12months.· CONCLUSION: Application of pure C3F8 tamponade on or after primary operation can effectively improve hypotony after severe ocular trauma and benefit a better prognosis.

Apoptosis ; Cyclophosphamide ; Interferon-gamma ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells

DNA barcoding method was conducted for the authentication of pollen materials due to difficulty of discriminating pollen materials bearing morphological similarity. In this study, a specific focus was to identify cattail pollen (Puhuang) and pine pollen (Songhuafen) samples from their adulterants which are frequently mixed-together. Regions of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) from 60 samples were sequenced, and new primers for cattail pollen were designed according to the sequence information. The results from the NJ trees showed that the species of pine pollen, Puhuang and their adulterants can be classified as obvious monophyly. Therefore, we propose to adapt DNA barcoding methodology to accurately distinguish cattail pollen, pine pollen and their adulterant materials. It is a great help for drug regulatory agency to supervise the quality of medicinal materials.
China ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Drug Contamination ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; classification ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Pinus ; classification ; genetics ; Pollen ; classification ; genetics ; Quality Control ; Typhaceae ; classification ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of 17-β estradiol (E(2)) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) W83 on the expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 in human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLC).

METHODSPrimary cultures of hPDLC were established and the cells of passage four were treated with 10(-10) mol/L E(2), 10(-7) mol/L E(2) or PgW83 individually or E(2) combined with PgW83. The expression levels of IL-6 and IL-8 protein at 12 h and 24 h were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the levels of mRNA at 24 h were detected with real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTSThe expression level of IL-6 reached (2482.88 ± 26.53) ng/L in hPDLC treated with Pg at multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 100 for 24 h, which was significantly higher than that in hPDLC treated with Pg at MOI of 10:1 [(734.09 ± 87.90) ng/L, P = 0.000], the controls [(425.8 ± 77.25) ng/L, P = 0.000] and that in hPDLC treated with Pg at MOI of 100 for 12 h [(1157.50 ± 234.65) ng/L, P = 0.000]. The expression level of IL-8 reached (4965.81 ± 1072.55) ng/L in hPDLC treated with Pg at MOI of 100 for 24 h, which was significantly higher than that in hPDLC treated with Pg at MOI of 10 [(803.51 ± 162.08) ng/L, P = 0.007], the controls [(400.75 ± 2.27) ng/L, P = 0.005] and that in hPDLC treated with Pg at MOI of 100 for 12 h [(1431.12 ± 82.78) ng/L, P = 0.001]. E(2) did not show remarkable effect on the expressions of IL-6 and IL-8. E(2) combined with Pg (MOI = 100:1) significantly promoted the expression levels of IL-6 at 24 h while did not influence those of IL-8. The relative mRNA level of IL-6 in hPDLC treated with 10(-10) mol/L E(2) or 10(-7) mol/L E(2) combined with Pg were 0.49 ± 0.15 (P = 0.021)and 0.53 ± 0.16 (P = 0.036) individually, which were significantly higher than that treated with Pg alone, 0.19 ± 0.06. The protein level of IL-6 in hPDLC treated with 10(-10) mol/L E(2) or 10(-7) mol/L E(2) combined with Pg were (5512.66 ± 1022.07) ng/L (P = 0.012) and (6988.78 ± 2279.13) ng/L (P = 0.000) individually, which were significantly higher than that treated with Pg alone, (3138.46 ± 183.72) ng/L.

CONCLUSIONSPgW83 significantly increased the expression levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in hPDLC in a dose-and time-dependent manner. Without the infection of periodontal pathogens, estrogen may exert no effect on the expression of IL-6 and IL-8 while it may promote the expression of IL-6 in hPDLC when combined with Pg, which may in turn promote the process of periodontal inflammation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cells, Cultured ; Estradiol ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Interleukin-8 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Periodontal Ligament ; cytology ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic effect of prostaglandin E1 (PGEl) on diabetic nephropathy (DN) after a one-year treatment.

METHODSAccording to Mogensen DN diagnostic criteria, the patients were divided into DN stages III, IV and V groups. Patients in stage IV nephropathy were subdivided into three groups according to the proteinuria, namely early stage IV (protienuria less than 1.5 g/day), mid-stage IV (protienuria between 1.5 and 2.5 g/day) and late stage IV (protienuria above 2.5 g/day). The patients were randomly given PGEl, PGEl plus angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), ACEI mono-therapy or basal treatment (control group). Proteinuria and albuminuria were measured before and at 15 days and 1 year of the treatment.

RESULTSIn the patients in DN stages III and early stage IV, proteinuria and albuminuria decreased significantly after 15 days and 1 year of treatment with PGEl+ACEI and PGEl (P<0.01), and the decrements were greater than that in patients receiving ACEI only (P<0.01 or P<0.05). In the patients in mid- and late stage IV nephropathy, proteinuria and albuminuria decreased significantly in PGEl+ACEI group after 15 days and 1 year of treatment (P<0.01), showing greater decrement than in ACEI group (P<0.01 ). Proteinuria and albuminuria decreased significantly in PGEl group after 15 days of treatment (P<0.01), but remained higher than that in ACEI group at one year (P<0.05). In the patients with stage V nephropathy, significant proteinuria and albuminuria reduction occurred in PGEl+ACEI and PGEl groups at 15 days (P<0.01) with a greater decrement than that in ACEI group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). In PGEl+ACEI group, proteinuria and albuminuria showed no significant changes at one year but were lower than those in ACEI group (P<0.05). Proteinuria and albuminuria increased significantly in ACEI and PGEl group after the treatment but were comparable between the two groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe therapeutic effects are much better in patients with stage III nephropathy than in those in stage V. The combination of PGEl and ACEI produces stronger therapeutic effects than PGE1 or ACEI alone even at the one-year follow up.

Adult ; Aged ; Albuminuria ; urine ; Alprostadil ; therapeutic use ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

Objective: To observe the effects of herb-partitioned moxibustion and ginger-partitioned moxibustion on the growth of colon tumors in rats with colitis-associated colon cancer (CACC), and explore the mechanism of moxibustion intervening CACC through the purinergic receptor P2X ligand-gated ion channel 7 (P2X7R)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway. Methods: A total of 26 male Sprague-Dawley rats were selected. According to the random number table method, 6 rats were selected as the normal group. The remaining 20 rats were injected intraperitoneally with azoxymethane (AOM) combined with oral dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) to prepare the CACC model. After the model was successfully established, 2 rats were randomly selected for model identification. The remaining 18 rats which were successfully modeled were randomly divided into a model group, a herb-partitioned moxibustion group and a ginger-partitioned moxibustion group, with 6 rats in each group. Moxibustion intervention was performed in the herb-partitioned moxibustion group and the ginger-partitioned moxibustion group at Qihai (CV 6) and bilateral Tianshu (ST 25). Moxibustion was performed twice at each point each time, once a day, at a 1-day interval after 6 consecutive interventions, for a total of 30 interventions. After intervention, the colon tumor load, pathological change and histopathological score were observed. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of VEGF, P2X7R, phospho-STAT3 (p-STAT3), and nuclear factor-kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65) proteins in rat colon tissue. Western blot was used to detect the levels of p-STAT3 and NF-κB p65 proteins in rat colon tissue. Results: Compared with the normal group, the colon tumor load and histopathological score in the model group were significantly increased (both P<0.001), and different grades of dysplasia were observed in colon tissue from the model group, reaching the degree of adenocarcinoma; the expression level of P2X7R protein in colon tissue was significantly decreased (P<0.001), and the expression levels of p-STAT3, NF-κB p65 and VEGF proteins were significantly increased (all P<0.001) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the colon tumor load, colon histopathological score and the levels of p-STAT3, NF-κB p65 and VEGF proteins in colon tissue were significantly decreased (all P<0.05) in the herb-partitioned moxibustion group and the ginger-partitioned moxibustion group while the expression levels of P2X7R protein in colon tissue were significantly increased (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Both herb-partitioned moxibustion and ginger-partitioned moxibustion can reduce the colon tumor load in CACC rats and delay the progression of colon adenomas. The mechanism may be mediated by the P2X7R/STAT3 pathway to inhibit STAT3 phosphorylation, thereby reducing VEGF protein expression.

BACKGROUNDA monoclonal antibody would be an effective tool for the detection of circulating antigens in the serum of patients with schistosomiasis, but the traditional way of producing monoclonal antibodies is not cost-effective. The objective of this study was to find a new method for the large-scale production of monoclonal antibodies against Schistosoma japonicum (Sj).

METHODSA phage display antibody library for Sj was constructed. To obtain a single-chain variable fragment antibody (scFv) against Sj, the library was screened with metabolic antigens from adult Sj worms (Sj-MAg) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The soluble scFvs selected were used to detect Sj antigens in the serum of acute and chronic schistosomiasis patients.

RESULTSSix positive clones with good reactivity to Sj-MAg were obtained from the phage display antibody library of about 1.07 x 10(6) individual clones. Only two of these six clones bound specifically to Sj-MAg and were chosen for further analysis. Specific soluble anti-Sj-MAg scFvs were produced by inducing the 2 clones with isopropyl-D-thiogalactopyranoside. The characteristics of the scFvs were then determined. The results of Western blot showed that these scFvs could bind to Sj-MAg specifically and had a molecular weight of about 31 kD. When testing serum from schistosomiasis patients with one of the two specific scFvs, its sensitivity was found to be 60% and 37% in acute and chronic patients, respectively, with a specificity of 90%. When the two specific scFvs were combined, their sensitivity was found to be 75% and 57% in acute and chronic patients, respectively, with a specificity of 85%.

CONCLUSIONSThe results indicate that the scFvs are potentially useful for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis. The library construction also provides a useful tool for the further screening of other antibodies for both diagnostic and immunotherapeutic applications and for epitope analysis and vaccine design.

Animals ; Antibodies, Helminth ; immunology ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; immunology ; Antigens, Helminth ; blood ; Base Sequence ; Immunoglobulin Fragments ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Peptide Library ; Rabbits ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; diagnosis ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Serologic Tests

OBJECTIVETo detect the expressions of IL-17, IL-23, IL-22 and IL-11 in the intestinal mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and analyze their prognostic values.

METHODSForty patients with active UC, 15 with UC in remission and 15 healthy subjects were examined for the expressions and distribution of IL-17, IL-23, IL-22, and IL-11 in the colorectal mucosausing immunohistochemistry. We further collected the data from 40 patients with routine therapy and regular follow-up and compared the expressions of those cytokines according to the condition of mucosal healing.

RESULTSThe expressions of cytokines in patients with active UC were significantly higher than those in patients with remittent UC and healthy control subjects (IL-17: 0.0727∓0.0037 vs 0.0354∓0.0243 vs 0.0330∓0.0045; IL-23: 0.1407∓0.0068 vs 0.0865∓0.0051 vs 0.0442∓0.0137; IL-22: 0.0522∓0.0045 vs 0.0259∓0.0063 vs 0.0115∓0.0061; IL-11: 0.0479∓0.0022 vs 0.0365∓0.0024 vs 0.0232∓0.0009, P<0.05). The expression levels of IL-17, IL-23, and IL-22 increased significantly with the increase of the disease activity (IL-17: 0.0545∓0.0072 vs 0.0786∓ 0.0051 vs 0.0847∓0.0197; IL-23: 0.1112∓0.0046 vs 0.1480∓0.0089 vs 0.1644∓0.0190; IL-22: 0.0307∓0.0063 vs 0.0548∓ 0.0071 vs 0.0719∓0.0056, P<0.05). In patients with active UC, the expression levels of the 4 cytokines in the intestinal mucosa were positively correlated with the endoscopic activity grade (P<0.05), and IL-17 and IL-22 expression levels were also positively correlated with the histological grade (P<0.05). All the 4 cytokines were positively intercorrelated. The patients with low IL-17 expression (25.00%) showed a significantly lower rate of poor mucosal healing than those with high IL-17 expressions (25% vs 67%, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe cytokines IL-17, IL-23, IL-22, and IL-11 all participate in the pathogenesis of UC and may serve as indicators for evaluating the inflammatory activity. The expression level of IL-17 can be a valuable indicator for predicting mucosal healing in UC patients after a short-term treatment.

BACKGROUNDTo determine if the attenuated Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus SA14-14-2 vaccine strain interacts efficiently with Culex tritaeniorhynchus and Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus, and further to acquire a new knowledge of its characteristics and safety for human beings.

METHODSLaboratory colonies of the two species of mosquitoes were set up and were inoculated intrathoracically with the attenuated vaccine virus and wild JE virus (Nak), both of which were used with different dilution from 10(-1) to 10(-9). Subsequently, the virus titers in the mosquitoes were detected by the plaque assay.

RESULTSInoculated with the vaccine strain, two species of mosquitoes were infected with the titers ranged from 10(0)-10(-3), and the maximum titers in Culex tritaeniorhynchus and Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus were 4.48 logPFU/ml and 5.63 logPFU/ml, respectively. Inoculated with wild JE virus, Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus was infected with titers ranged from 10(0)-10(-5), and the maximum titer in the mosquitoes was 6.59; Culex tritaeniorhynchus was infected with titers ranged from 10(0)-10(-4) and the maximum titer was 5.74 logPFU/ml.

CONCLUSIONBy intrathoracic infection, the attenuated JE virus SA14-14-2 vaccine strain can replicate in both species of mosquitoes.

Animals ; Culex ; classification ; virology ; Encephalitis Virus, Japanese ; genetics ; growth & development ; immunology ; Encephalitis, Japanese ; virology ; Humans ; Insect Vectors ; virology ; Japanese Encephalitis Vaccines ; immunology ; Species Specificity ; Vaccines, Attenuated ; immunology ; Viral Plaque Assay

Food addiction refers to the individual dependence on certain specific foods (high-calorie foods) to the extent that it becomes difficult to control and manifests a series of addictive-like behavioral changes. Food addiction is an important factor in the development of human obesity and is also a core factor that most people cannot maintain weight loss or adhere to restrictive diets to maintain a healthy weight. A deeper understanding of food addiction and its neurobiological mechanisms will provide accurate targets for intervening in food addiction to improve obesity. Food addiction is characterized by compulsive, chronic and repetitive nature. The Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS), a scale specifically designed to assess food addiction, was developed in 2009 by modeling all the DSM-IV for substance dependence to be applicable to eating behavior. In 2016, Gearhardt developed the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0, which contains 35 survey questions, to align the YFAS scale with the diagnostic criteria for addictive disorders in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. One of the most valid and used animal models for food addiction is the mouse food self-administration model. The mouse food self-administration model was modified according to the rat cocaine addiction model, and the food addiction status of the animals was evaluated based on three behaviors: persistence of feeding response, feeding motivation, and compulsive feeding. Studies have shown that the neural circuits of the lateral hypothalamus-ventral tegmental area-nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area-prelimbic-nucleus accumbens are key neurobiological mechanisms that regulate food addiction. Dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area project to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) to facilitate food reinforcement, food reward, and food addiction. The corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) secreted by the hypothalamus may mediate chronic stress-induced VTA-nucleus accumbens reward system dysfunction and promote food addiction in mice. Meanwhile, the nucleus accumbens receives glutamatergic projections from the prelimbic cortex, an integral part of the reward system. Specific inhibition of the PL-NAc neural circuit develops a food addiction-susceptible phenotype in mice. Furthermore, dopaminergic projections from the ventral tegmental area to the prelimbic cortex specifically inhibited the PL-NAc neural circuit to promote a food-addicted phenotype in mice. Additionally, neurotensin-positive neurons in the lateral septum (LS^Nts) project to the tuberal nucleus (TU) via GABA signaling to suppress hedonic feeding.