Objective:To identify the function of extracellular soluble vimentin that promotes proliferation, activation and chemotaxis of inflammatory cells. Methods: The proliferation of rat splenocytes stimulated with vimentin was evaluated in vitro. The lymphocyte counts and vimentin-antibody levels of peripheral blood in mice immunized with vimentin were detected in vivo. Peritoneal macrophages were collected and cultured with different concentrations of vimentin to detect the effect on phagocytosing chicken red blood cells. The chemotaxis of NIH3T3 fibroblast towards vimentin was observed in transwell chamber. Results:In vitro vimentin dose dependently promoted the proliferation of splenocytes. The proliferation indexes of primed and naive splenocytes cultured with 16μg/ml vimentin were reached up to ( 196. 0 ± 9. 7 )% and ( 208. 9 ± 4. 6 )% respectively without significant difference. In vivo vimentin significantly enhanced the lymphocytes number(109 L-1)of peripheral blood(5. 74±0. 51 vs. 1. 69±0. 13)and the levels of vimentin specific antibody( OD value 2. 31 ± 0. 06 vs. 0. 19 ± 0. 08 ) that shown no significant difference from immunization with vimentin plus CFA. In vitro vimentin dose dependently stimulated phagocytic ability of macrophages and performed the chemotactic effects on NIH3T3 fibroblasts. Conclusion:Extracellular soluble vimentin promotes the proliferation,activation and chemotaxis of concerned inflammatory cells and possesses the functions as an alarmin.

Background The dosage of verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) for central exudative chorioretinopathy(CEC) depends on the calculation formula of Treatment of Age-related Macular Degeneration with Photodynamic Therapy Study Group(TAP)and Verteporfin in Photodynamic Therapy Study Group(VIP).Some local adverse responses or normal tissue damage have been noted under the standard dose of verteporfin during the treatment of CEC.So it is necessary to explore an appropriate therapeutic dosage of verteporfin.Objective This clinical study aimed to observe and compare the clinical efficacy and safety of different doses of verteporfin PDT for CEC.Methods Ninety eyes of 90 patients with CEC were enrolled in this study with the approval of the Ethic Commission of Affiliated Second Hospital of Nanchang University.Written informed consent was obtained before PDT.The patients were randomly divided into standard dose group,half dose group and 1/3 dose group.All of the patients received PDT.Standard dose(6 mg/m2),3 mg/m2 or 2 mg/m2 of verteporfin was applied in the three groups respectively,with the laser intensity 50 J/cm2.The patients were followed-up for 3 months.Repeat treating regimen was performed in the same way in the patient with fundus fluorescein leakage after initial PDT.Results The BCVA(logMAR) value was 0.44±0.36 after PDT in the standard dose group.Visual acuity improved in 20 patients (66.67％),stabilized in 8 patients(26.67％)and decreased in 2 patients (6.67％).The BCVA showed a significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative BCVA (t =6.719,P =0.000).CNV disappeared in 19 patients (63.33％),obviously improved in 7 patients (23.33％),partially disappeared in 3 patients (10.00％) and unchanged in 1 patient (3.33％).The central fovea thickness (CFT)value was significantly declined in postoperation compared with preoperation (t =5.758,P =0.000).Eight patients received secondary PDT with the recurrence rate 26.67％.In the half dose group,visual acuity improved in 18 patients(60.00％),stabilized in 11 patients(36.67％)and decreased in 1 patient (3.33％).CNV disappeared in 16 patients (53.33％),obviously improved in 8 patients (26.67％),partially disappeared in 5 patients (16.67％) and unchanged in 1 patient (3.33 ％).Significant difference was seen between the preoperative BCVA and postoperative BCVA(t=8.294,P =0.000).The decrease of C FT was significant in postoperation(t =8.493,P =0.000).Ten patients received secondary treatment with the recurrence rate 33.33％.In 1/3 dose group,visual acuity improved in 8 patients (26.67 ％),stabilized in 12 patients (40.00％),decreased in 10 patient (33.3％).CNV disappeared in 8 patients (26.67％),obviously improved in 8 patients (26.67％),partially disappeared in 6 patients (20.00％) and unchanged in 8 patient (26.67％).There was no significant difference between the preoperative BCVA and postoperative BCVA (t =0.536,P =0.596).The difference between preoperative CFT and postoperative CFT was insignificant(t =0.942,P=0.354).Fourteen patients received secondary PDT and 8 patients received three times with the recurrence rate 73.33％.Conclusions 3 mg/m2 verteporfin PDT for CEC shows a similar clinical efficiency and safety to 6 mg/m2 verteporfin.3 mg/m2 verteporfin PDT can decrease cost,but the effect of 2 mg/m2verteporfin PDT is not satisfacted.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of treating infantile diarrhea due to spleen deficiency with five-step pediatric tuina of Huxiang school. Methods:Using a randomized controlled trial design, sixty eligible kids with diarrhea due to spleen deficiency were randomized into an observation group and a control group, with 30 cases in each group. The observation group was intervened by the five-step pediatric tuina method of Huxiang school, and the control group received conventional tuina treatment. The intervention was conducted once a day, consecutive 5-day treatment as 1 course, at a 2-day interval between courses, successively for a total of 4 courses. Changes in the primary and secondary symptoms of diarrhea due to spleen deficiency were observed, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated. Results: After treatment, the scores of primary and secondary symptoms and the general score of diarrhea due to spleen deficiency were improved; the improvements in fecal form and frequency, decreased appetite, bloating after meals and fatigue and sluggishness were more significant in the observation group than in the control group. Conclusion: The five-step pediatric tuina method of Huxiang school and conventional tuina both can improve the primary and secondary symptoms in infantile diarrhea due to spleen deficiency, while the former one can produce more significant efficacy.

Re-evaluation of bioequivalence of generic drugs is one of the key research focus currently. As a means to ensure consistency of the therapeutic effectiveness of drug products, clinical bioequivalence has been widely accepted as a gold standard test. In vitro dissolution testing based on the theory of the BCS is the best alternative to in vivo bioequivalence study. In this article, the conventional dissolution method and flow-through cell method were used to investigate the dissolution profiles of domestic amoxicillin capsules in different dissolution media, and the absorption behavior of the drugs with different release rates (t85% = 15-180 min) in the gastrointestinal tract was predicted by Gastro Plus. The flow-through cell method was thought better to reflect the release characteristics in vivo, and amoxicillin capsules with regard to the release rates up to 45 min (t85% = 45 min) were having a satisfied bioequivalence with the oral solution according to the C(max) and AUC. Although two different dissolution profiles of domestic amoxicillin capsules were found by flow-through cell methods, prediction results revealed that domestic capsules were probably bioequivalent to each other.
Amoxicillin ; pharmacokinetics ; Capsules ; Computer Simulation ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Software ; Solubility ; Therapeutic Equivalency

Objective To study the effects of five different kinds of Chinese medicine materials on dissolution of pills; To evaluate their in vitro - in vivo correlation.Methods Five different types of traditional Chinese medicine materials, such as starch, fiber, protein, grease and polysaccharide materials, were selected by uniform design to the proposed 8 model formulation and preparation of pills, and the cumulative release rate and in vivo plasma concentration of berberine hydrochloride were determined by HPLC. The effects of Chinese medicine materials on the drug release behavior of pills in vitro - in vivo were investigated. And the in vitro - in vivo correlation of the pills was evaluated.Results Starch and fiber materials could promote the release of the pills, and protein and grease materials has a blocking effect on the pills dissolution. Polysaccharide materials have no significant effect on the dissolution of the pills. Pills in vitro - in vivo correlation was significant.Conclusion Chinese medicine materials have the characteristics of medicine-assisted unity, which can control the dissolution and bioavailability of pills by adjusting the proportion of powder in the prescription. And the pills have good correlation in vitro - in vivo.

Objective To study the CT and MRI findings of osteosarcoma in paranasal sinus and evaluate their clinical value.Methods All 9 cases of osteosarcoma were verified by histopathology.Imaging data were analyzed retrospectively.Results The lesion occurred in maxillary sinus in 5 cases,in ethmoid sinus in 3 cases and in sphenoid sinus in one case.Primary osteosarcoma was found in 7 cases.Secondary osteosarcoma occurred from fibrous dysplasia and ossifying fibroma each in one case.On CT,the involved areas revealed bony destruction associated with ill-defined and irregular soft tissue mass.The lesion showed heterogeneous density with minimal or massive tumor bone formation,cloud-like in 3 cases,ivory-like in 2 cases,spicule-like in 2 cases,cloud- and spicule -like in one case and spicule- and ivory-like in one case.Postcontrast CT showed mild to moderate inhomogeneous enhancement in 3 cases.On MR T_1 WI,the lesions showed hypointensity compared to brain in 5 cases and iso-intensity in 2 cases.On T_2WI,the lesions showed heterogeneous hyperintensity in 4 cases and isointensity in 3 cases with marked hypointense foci which corresponded to tumor bone on CT.Postcontrast MR imaging demonstrated moderate to marked inhomogeneous enhancement in these cases.MRI showed accurately the extent and associated changes of the lesions.The lesions invaded the orbit,pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossae,skull base and extensive craniofacial structures in 5,4,3 cases and 1 case,respectively.Conclusion CT is the optimal modality in showing tumor bone of osteosareoma in paranasal sinus.MRI can demonstrate optimally the invading extent of the lesions.Combined imaging modalities can provide more comprehensive information for diagnosis and therapy of osteosarcoma in paranasal sinus.

Objective: To detect early subclinical signs of autonomic dysfunction in the cardiovascular system and explore the mechanism of orthostatic hypotension (OH) in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA). Methods: Eighteen male patients with possible MSA and 10 healthy men were recruited. The hemodynamic responses to head-up tilt and tilt-reversal were studied by an electrically-powered tilt table and a non-invasive cardiac output measurement (NICOM) system. Results: At supine, there was no signifi cant difference in blood pressure, heart rate (HR), stroke volume, cardiac output and total peripheral resistance between MSA patients and healthy controls. During tilting upright, OH developed in 5 MSA patients, with a 23.7±4.8 mmHg drop in systolic blood pressure. Patients with OH were older and exhibited higher scores in unifi ed Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale part I than patients without OH. The stroke volume, cardiac output and total peripheral resistance did not differ between groups. The controls had the most signifi cant HR elevation (6.5±2.5 bpm) during tiltup, followed by patients without OH (2.8±1.6 bpm) and those with OH (-0.2±2.2 bpm). A similar trend of HR decrease was observed during return to supine posture. The process of tilt-reversal altered HR more signifi cantly than head-up tilt in controls (8.0±2.9 vs 6.5±2.5 bpm; P=0.031) and patients without OH (4.2±2.1 vs 2.8±1.6 bpm; P=0.032), but not in patients with OH (1.2±1.5 vs -0.2±2.2 bpm; P=0.380). Conclusions: The HR change during postural challenge showed signifi cant difference between MSA patients and healthy controls. Impaired HR responsiveness contributed to OH in MSA. Monitoring HR during the tilt table test may be a practical and useful method to detect early autonomic dysfunction in patients with MSA.

OBJECTIVEIBS-D rat model was established to assess the effect of Shen warming Pi strengthening method (SWPSM) for intervening diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) by observing rats' general state, stool properties, AWR ranking, and histopathological changes.

METHODSTotally 72 rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, i.e. the normal group, the model group, the high, middle, low dose SWPSM groups, and the control group, 12 in each group. The IBS-D rat model was successfully established referring to AL-Chaer ED's modeling method. After modeling high, middle, and low dose SWPS Recipe boil-free granules were given by gastrogavage to rats in corresponding treatment groups. Sishen Pill boil-free granule was given by gastrogavage to those in the control group. Equal volume of normal saline was given by gastrogavage to rats in the model group. The medication lasted for 2 weeks. Rats' general state, stool properties, abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) ranking, and histopathological changes were observed.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the general state of all rats got im- provement to various degrees. The improvement in the high and middle dose SWPS Recipe groups were superior to that in the low dose SWPS Recipe group and the control group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the growth rate between after and before treatment in each group (P > 0.05). Compared with the model group and the low dose SWPS Recipe group, the defecation amount within 4 h was less in the high and middle dose SWPS Recipe groups and the control group (P < 0.05). The Bristol ranking score, average ranking of loose stool, ratio of dry stool and wet stool were lower in the high and middle dose SWPS Recipe groups than in the control group and the low dose SWPS Recipe group (P < 0.05). The AWR ranking score was lower in the high and middle dose SWPS Recipe groups than in the control group when the volume of balloon dilation was 1.5 mL. There was no organic change of histological or morphological observation.

CONCLUSIONSHigh sensitive IBS-D model was proved to be reliable. SWPSM could reduce the quantity of stools, lower Bristol ranking score, average ranking of loose stools as well as ratios of dry stool and wet stool, contributing to reducing the high sensitivity of rats' visceral organs to some extent.

Animals ; Diarrhea ; drug therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; drug therapy ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

UNLABELLEDOBJECTIVE To observe the morphology and proliferation of epithelial cell rests of Malassez (ECRM) during tooth emergence and occlusal function, and to evaluate its roles.

METHODSCytokeratin 14 (CK14) was applied as special marker of ECRM cells. The morphology and distribution of ECRM were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. PV two-step immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of CK14 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in ECRM.

RESULTSECRM experienced instinct morphological changes during tooth emergence and occlusal function. They were observed as network of epithelial cells labeled by CK14, especially in furcation level regions of mouse molars and active cell proliferation during occlusion found period. Cell apoptosis was observed in many ECRM by transmission electron microscopy during late stage of the progess.

CONCLUSIONECRM may not only an accidental left-over of early embryonic development but rather play significant roles in occlusion found period.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Epithelial Cells ; Mice ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Molar ; Periodontal Ligament ; Rest ; Tooth

In this study,we compared the serum levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1),interleukin-10 (IL-10),and arginase-1 in long-term survival kidney transplant recipients (LTSKTRs) with those in short-term survival kidney transplant recipients (STSKTRs).We then evaluated the relationship between these levels and graft function.Blood samples were collected from 50 adult LTSKTRs and 20 STSKTRs (graft survival approximately 1-3 years post-transplantation).All patients had stable kidney function.The samples were collected at our institution during the patients' follow-up examinations between March 2017 and September 2017.The plasma levels of TGF-β1,IL-10,and arginase-1 were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).The levels of TGF-β1 and arginase-1 were significantly higher in the LTSKTRs than in the STSKTRs.The time elapsed since transplantation was positively correlated with the levels of TGF-β 1 and arginase-1 in the LTSKTRs.The estimated glomerular filtration rate was positively correlated with the TGF-β1 level,and the serum creatinine level was negatively correlated with the TGF-β1 level.Higher serum levels of TGF-β1 and arginase-1 were found in LTSKTRs than in STSKTRs,and we found that TGF-β1 was positively correlated with long-term graft survival and function.Additionally,TGF-β1 and arginase-1 levels were positively correlated with the time elapsed since transplantation.On the basis of these findings,TGF-β1 and arginase-1 may play important roles in determining long-term graft survival.Thus,we propose that TGF-β1 and arginase-1 may potentially be used as predictive markers for evaluating long-term graft survival.