Objective To investigate the changes of CD4~+ T cell subset in the role of immuno-pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM). Methods Real-time PCR was used to evaluate the ex-pression levels of transcriptional factors (T-bet, GATA-3, Foxp3, ROR-γt), cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, IL-17A) and negative regulatory factors (CTLA-4, GITR) mRNA from CD4~+ T cells. The proportions of Th1, Th2, Tr and Th17 cells in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometric analysis. Plasma cyto-kine (IFN-γ, IL-4, TGF-β and IL-6) concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results (1) The proportions of Th1 cells in peripheral blood from children with T1DM were siguificanfly increased than that of healthy controls, and proportions of Th2 were decreased (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences between diabetic patients and healthy controls regarding the proportions of Tr cells and Th17 cells(P >0.05). (2) Transcription levels of T-bet and IFN-γ mRNA were significantly up-regulated, while GATA3 and IL-4 were significantly down-regulated in children with T1DM. The mRNA expression levels of Tr negativity regulatory factors such as IL-10, CTLA-4 and GITR were lower in CD4~+ T cells from children with TIDM compared with the controls(P <0.01). There were no statistically differences to be observed in mRNA expression levels of ROR-γt and IL-17A genes between two groups(P > 0.05).(3) In comparison with controls, serum concentrations of IFN-γ or IL-4 were remarkable increased or de-creased respectively (P < 0. 01), while TGF-β and IL-6 did not change in children with T1DM (P > 0.05). Conclusion The Th1/Th2 imbalance might be play an important role in immunopathogenesis of T1DM. Functional deficiency of Tr cell might further exacerbate Th1/Th2 imbalance and lead to disturbance of cellu-lar immune response.

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of moxibustion therapy plus Liu's pediatric massage (tuina) for children with recurrent respiratory tract infections due to qi deficiency of spleen and lung. Methods: A total of 60 children who met the inclusion criteria were divided into an observation group and a control group according to the visiting sequence, with 30 cases in each group. Children in the observation group were treated with moxibustion therapy plus Liu's pediatric massage, and those in the control group were treated with Liu's pediatric massage alone. The incidence of respiratory tract infections and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms score were observed and recorded in both groups before and after treatment. And the clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups. Results: The total effective rate of the observation group was 93.3％, and that of the control group was 83.3％. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). After treatment, the TCM symptoms score and total times of infections in both groups were all statistically different from those before treatment (all P<0.05). The differences in TCM symptoms score and infection frequency before and after treatment in the observation group were statistically different from those in the control group (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Moxibustion therapy plus Liu's pediatric massage has a better effect in improving the clinical symptoms and reducing the frequency of respiratory tract infections for children with recurrent respiratory tract infections due to qi deficiency of spleen and lung than the pediatric massage alone.

Objective To observe the effects of iodine excess on thyroid morphology,the expression of thyroid peroxidase and sodium iodide symporter mRNA and to explore their mechanisms.Methods One-month SD rats were divided into three groups:control iodine(CI),high iodine Ⅰ(HI Ⅰ)and high iodineⅡ(HI Ⅱ)and were fed with water containing iodine in different concentrations by adding K103(5,5000,10 000μg/L)respectively.Rats were sacrificed after being fed for six months.The morphology of thyroid was investigated under light microscopy and electron microscopy,the serum thyroid hormones and ratio of TPO/β-actin and NIS/β-actin were measured by radio-immunoassay and RT-PCR method.Results The major changes were increased follicles with colloid accumulation in HI groups.The levels of serum thyroid hormones TT3 and TT4 were decreased gradually from CI[(75.68±13.99,1.45±0.49)nmol/L]to HI Ⅰ[(73.82±16.48,1.34±0.31)nmol/L]and HIⅡ groups[(70.65±11.43,1.15±0.39)nmol/L],but there were no significant differences among three groups(F=O.371,l.163,P＞0.05).The TPO and NIS mRNA expressions in HI Ⅰ(1.28±0.10,0.56±O.17)and HI Ⅱ(1.14±0.04,0.39±0.06)were significantly lower(F=30.863,62.62.675,P＜O.05)than those of control group(1.39±0.08,0.71±0.13).Conclusions Chronic iodine excess leads to definite histological changes in rat thyroid,and inhibits the expressions of TPO and NIS mRNA as well as thyroid hormone synthesis,which in turn acts as a protective mechanism against iodine excess.

OBJECTIVETo study the molecular mechanism of Yangjing Zhongyu Decoction (YZD) n-butanol extracts (ZDC) and ethyl acetate extracts (YSYZ) in reducing androgen in porcine granulose cells by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway.

METHODSPorcine granulose cells were isolated and cultured. They were inoculated by MAPK inhibitor PD98059 at different concentrations, and then they were divided into the blank control group (0), 1, 3, 10, and 25 micromol/L groups. After 24-h culture the cytochrome P450c17a (CYP17) mRNA expression level was detected using Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. Contents of androgen (testosterone) in the supernate were detected using RIA and optimal PD98059 concentration screened. After intervened by 10 micromol/L PD98059 for 24 h, the culture solution was intervened by effective ingredients of with or without YZD or YSYZ at various concentrations (0, 1 , 5, 25, 50 mg/mL) at various time points (3, 6, 18, 24 h). Expression levels of p-ERK1/2, c-Fos and CYP17 were detected by Western blot. Testosterone content in the supernate was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA).

RESULTSTen pLmol/L PD98059 could obviously decrease p-ERK1/2 protein expression and increase CYP17 mRMA expression, and elevate testosterone content in the supernate (P < 0.05). ZDC and YSYZ at 25 ng/mL could increase p-ERK1/2 protein expression and c-Fos levels, and reduce CYP17 protein expression, and lower testosterone content in the supernate after 6-h intervention (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONEffective ingredients of YZD could reduce androgen production in porcine granulose cells through increasing activities of MAPK.

Androgens ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Flavonoids ; Granulosa Cells ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; Swine

OBJECTIVETo assess the methodological quality of systematic reviews or Meta-analysis of traditional Chinese medicine published in China, and to validate the applicability of OQAQ (Overview Quality Assessment Questionnaire) and AMSTAR (a measurement tool to assess systematic reviews) in traditional Chinese medicine (Chinese Medical).

METHODSComprehensive literature retrieve was performed in CBM, CNKI, VIP as well as hand searching in Chinese Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine. The retrieve was started from January 1, 1999 and terminated by December 2008. The methodological quality of traditional Chinese medicine correlated systematic reviews was evaluated using OQAQ and AMSTAR simultaneously.

RESULTSA total of 115 systematic reviews involved 17 types of diseases, of which, the cardio-/cerebrovascular diseases was dominant (36 papers, 31.30%). The mean OQAQ score was 2.50 (95% CI: 2.22, 2.76). No significant correlation was found in OQAQ score with publication year (P = 0.35) and different disease types (P = 0.28). High consistency was observed in evaluations of systematic reviews by using OQAQ and AMSTAR (both Kappa values > 0.75). Compared with the OQAQ, AMSTAR incorporated 3 additional items: the topics, publication bias, and conflict of interest, etc. Although 98.26% of systematic reviews proposed protocols in prior, 53.04% failed to analyze the publication bias. Besides, 57.39% neglected to address the potential conflict of interest.

CONCLUSIONSPoor methodological quality in systematic reviews of Chinese Medical published in China needs to be improved and emphasized. It is necessary to integrate the special characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine itself when choosing topics of systematic reviews. It is essential to establish quality assessment tools targeting systematic reviews of traditional Chinese medicine.

Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Publication Bias ; Quality Control

Objective To investigate and analyze the related factors influencing the quality of life in patients with epilepsy, and provide a theoretical basis for taking appropriate measures to improve the quality of life in patients with epilepsy. Methods Sixty-five patients with epilepsy visiting our hospital from July 2007 to December 2008 were chosen in our study. The table-31 for quality of life in patients with epilepsy (Chinese version) was performed on them. The age, gender, education degree,seizure types, course of disease, cognitive function, medication compliance and fear of attack were considered as the independent variable; related factors in the table-31 for quality of life were adopted as dependent variable; multiple linear regression analysis was performed on these 2 variables. Results Education degree and course of disease could affect the memory of patients with epilepsy (standardized regression coefficients were 0.380 and 0.264, respectively). Age could affect the social activities of the patients (standardized regression coefficient was -0.303). Gender could affect the attack of the patients (standardized regression coefficient was 0.332). Conclusion The influencing factors of quality of life in patients with epilepsy are age, gender, education degree, course of disease; and education degree and course of disease enjoy the greatest influence.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of interferon (IFN)-γ on biological characteristics and immunomodulatory property of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSC). hUC-MSC were treated with IFN-γ 10 ng/ml (IFN-γ group) or without IFN-γ (control group). The phenotype of hUC-MSC was detected by flow cytometry. The proliferation status was detected by CCK-8 method, and its differentiation ability was assessed by oil red O and von Kossa staining. The production of PGE-2 was measured by ELISA, and the mRNA expression levels of COX-2, IDO-1 and IDO-2 in hUC-MSC were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. Furthermore, the proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMNC) was evaluated after co-culture with hUC-MSC, IFN-γ pretreatment or not. The results showed that after IFN-γ stimulation, the expression of SSEA-4 on hUC-MSC decreased significantly [(8.15 ± 2.94) vs (16.42 ± 8.5), P < 0.05], and the expression of CD54 increased [(96.64 ± 3.29) vs (84.12 ± 10.73), P = 0.051]. The immunomodulatory property of hUC-MSC on the proliferation of hPBMNC was enhanced (P < 0.05). All the above mentioned effects were IFN-γ concentration-dependent. When hUC-MSC were stimulated by IFN-γ for 24 h, the production of PGE-2 secreted by hUC-MSC decreased significantly (P < 0.01). The mRNA expression level of COX-2 also decreased though the difference did not reach to statistically significant level. Compared with control group, IDO-1 expression level in IFN-γ group increased significantly (P < 0.01), and the mRNA expression level of IDO-2 remained unchanged. It is concluded that IFN-γ can influence the phenotype of hUC-MSC and enhance the immunomodulatory property of hUC-MSC.
Cells, Cultured ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase ; metabolism ; Interferon-gamma ; pharmacology ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology

[Objective] To explore whether the triglyceride level is associated with incidence of acute kidney injury in patients with acute pancreatitis. [Methods] From Jan 2015 to March 2017, 184 patients with acute pancreatitis were selected and divided in to 3 groups based on different triglyceride levels: ideal triglyceride group (n = 89) , mild high triglyceride group (n = 53) and severe high triglyceride group (n =42). The incidence of acute kidney injury and its severity were compared between the three groups.[Results]The incidence of acute kidney injury in severe high triglyceride group was 33.3％, significantly higher than that in ideal triglyceride group (12.3％). The surgical treatment (16.7％ vs 4.5％) , average hospitalization days (20 days vs 14 days) and systemic inflammatory response syndrome score (3.0 vs2.3) in severe high triglyceride group were higher than those in ideal triglyceride group, and all differences between the two groups were significant. After adjusting for factors such as age, sex, body mass index and other confounders, the risk of acute kidney injury occurring in severe high triglyceride group was 2.35 times that in ideal triglyceride group (95％CI: 1.32-4.29). [Conclusion] High triglyceride level proves to be associated with high risk of acute kidney injury in patients with acute pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effect of hemiplegic muscle spasticity treated with acupuncture on different acupoints in combination with rehabilitation.

METHODSNinety cases of post-stroke muscle spasticity were randomized into a corresponding and central axis acupuncture group (group A), a conventional acupuncture group (group B) and a rehabilitation group (group C), 30 cases in each one. In group A, the acupoints on the Governor Vessel were mainly selected, as well as those on Hand-Shaoyang meridian and Foot-Taiyang meridian. In group B, the conventional needling and rehabilitation training were applied in combination, of which, the acupoints were mainly from Hand and Foot-Yangming meridians, associated with the acupoints of Shaoyang meridian. In group C, only rehabilitation training was applied. The assessments according to modified Ashworth scale and CSS score were performed before treatment, after 2 weeks and 4 weeks treatment respectively.

RESULTSThe level of modified Ashworth scale of the flexor of elbow and wrist was reduced apparently after treatment in group A as compared with that before treatment (P < 0.01). The level of modified Ashworth scale of the flexor of elbow was reduced apparently after treatment in group C as compared with that before treatment (P < 0.05). There was significant difference on the level change in modified Ashworth scale for the flexor of elbow between group A and group C after 4 weeks treatment (P < 0.05). CSS score decreased significantly in group A as compared with that before treatment (P < 0.01), the improvement after treatment in group A was apparent as compared with the other two groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe corresponding and central axis acupuncture can improve muscle tone of hemiplegic limb, which is superior to the effect achieved by the conventional acupuncture in combination with rehabilitation training and the simple rehabilitation training.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Hemiplegia ; rehabilitation ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Spasticity ; rehabilitation ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDParoxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) is the most common subtype of paroxysmal dyskinesias and is caused by mutations in PRRT2 gene. The majority of familial PKD was identified to harbor PRRT2 mutations. However, over two-third of sporadic PKD patients did not carry anyPRRT2 mutation, suggesting an existence of additional genetic mutations or possible misdiagnosis due to clinical overlap.

METHODSA cohort of 28 Chinese patients clinically diagnosed with sporadic PKD and excluded PRRT2 mutations were recruited. Clinical features were evaluated, and all subjects were screened for MR-1, SLC2A1, and CLCN1 genes, which are the causative genes of paroxysmal nonkinesigenic dyskinesia (PNKD), paroxysmal exertion-induced dyskinesia, and myotonia congenita (MC), respectively. In addition, 200 genetically matched healthy individuals were recruited as controls.

RESULTSA total of 16 genetic variants including 4 in MR-1 gene, 8 in SLC2A1 gene, and 4 in CLCN1 gene were detected. Among them, SLC2A1 c.363G>A mutation was detected in one case, and CLCN1 c.1205C>T mutation was detected in other two cases. Neither of them was found in 200 controls as well as 1000 Genomes database and ExAC database. Both mutations were predicted to be pathogenic by SIFT and PolyPhen2. The SLC2A1 c.363G>A mutation was novel.

CONCLUSIONSThe phenotypic overlap may lead to the difficulty in distinguishing PKD from PNKD and MC. For those PRRT2- negative PKD cases, screening of SLC2A1 and CLCN1 genes are useful in confirming the diagnosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Chloride Channels ; genetics ; Chorea ; genetics ; Dystonia ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Female ; Glucose Transporter Type 1 ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Muscle Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; Myotonia Congenita ; genetics ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; genetics