Objective To investigate the effect of astragalus polysaccharide,a component of an aqueous extract of Astragalus Membranaceus roots,on differentiation and maturation of dendritic cells in vitro. Methods 30 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups,normal control group,100,200 mg/kg APS intraperitoneal injection groups. After one week,weight the mouse spleen,account the splenetic index. Collect the mouse bone marrow cell,induced and cultured with rmGM-CSF and rmIL-4. With inverted microscope to investigate the morphous of DC cell. The phenotypes of DC were detected by flow cytometry and the expression of the GM-CSF protein in serum was tested by ELISA. Results Astragalus polysaccharide injection had obvious effects on the spleen weight of mice. The degree of CD11c and MHC-Ⅱ expression in 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg groups on flow cytometry were advanced significantly compared with that in normal control group,but the degree of CD80 and CD86 was not increased. And the expression of the GM-CSF protein in serum in 100 mg/kg group and 200 mg/kg group were both not increased significantly compared with nomal control group. Conclusion The intraperitoneal injection of astragalus polysaccharide could stimulate the proliferation of the pre DC in bone marrow. The angtigen presentation of DC might be enhanced,but this effects was not positive correlation with concentration of GM-CSF.

Objective To explore the neuroprotective role of propylene glycol alginate sodium sulfate(PSS) following cerebral ischemic reperfusion in rats.Methods Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and reperfusion models were made using an intraluminal filament method.The rats in PSS treatment group were injected intraperitoneally with PSS(18.75 mg/kg) at 0,24 and 48 h after reperfusion,same quantity of normal saline was used in control group,sham-operation group and normal group.We studied neurological scores,infarct size,histological and ultrastructure changes of neurons and cell apoptosis.Results(1) The neurological score was(1.83?)0.75 in treatment group and(2.83?)0.75 in control group,the infarct size was((107.9?)12.1) mm~3 in treatment group and((150.3?)30.5)mm~3 in control group.The differences were significant between the two groups(all(P)0.05),and obviously decreased 6,12,24,48 and 72 h after reperfusion((P

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Esophagus ; Female ; Foreign Bodies ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Humans ; Laryngoscopes ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Objective:To evaluate the effects of surface modification with different concentration silica sol through sol-gel processing on bond strength between dental zirconia ceramic and resin cement. Methods:Silica coating was prepared by colloidal silica sol with concentrations of 20%,30%,40% on dental Zirconia ceramic. 32 discs zirconia ceramic specimens were fabricated and randomly divided into four groups respectively after polishing and sandblasting.The ceramic surfaces of different groups were received different treatments:(1)silane couple agent;(2)20% silica coating and silane couple agent;(3)30%silica coating and silane couple agent;(4) 40% silica coating and silane couple agent. Each ceramic block was bonded to light curing composite resin. All samples were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees for 24 h before a shear bond test to measure the bond strength of the resin cement to the ceramic surface. Scanning electrical microscopy (SEM) and energy depressive spectrum (EDS) were used to analyze the silica coating. Results:Contents of surface silicon increased after modification with silica coating prepared by sol-gel method. Bond strengths of groups with silica coating were significantly higher(P

Objective: To investigate Fuzhengzhiqiu Granules' effect on ICAM-1(Intercellular adhesion molecule-1) and VCAM-1(Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1) expression in nasal mucosa of experimental allergic rhinitis. Methods: SD rats (n=64) were immunized by intraperitoneal injection of 200?g Ovalbumin (OVA) (1ml OVA-Al[OH] 3-saline suspension) on 1st, 2ed and eleven day. Normal control group rats A (n=16) were treated with the same methods except injecting OVA. 19th day, 0.1 ml of saline containing 10 mg of OVA was instilled into nasal cavity for 7 consecutive days. Normal control group followed by intranasal administration only with saline. The rats challenged into allergic rhinitis (n=64) were randomly divided into four groups: allergic rhinitis model group B (n=16); Fu zhengzhiqiu Granules treated group C (n=16); Fu zhengzhiqiu Granules treated group D (n=16, three times dosage used in group C); Xinqin Granules treated group E (n=16). All animals were treated for 15 days. The nasal mucosa of them were studied by immunohistochemical staining to observe the ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression. Results: Animal model of allergic rhinitis was established by using ovalbumin intraperitoneal immunization and nasal challenge. The number of positive immunoreactive cells (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) was increased significantly in all the groups compared with normal controls. VCAM-1 expression was inhibited by giving with Fuzhengzhiqiu Granules (especially in group D) and Xinqin Granules (P0.05). Conclusion: Fuzhengzhiqiu Granules can decrease the expression of VCAM-1 in nasal mucosa of experimental allergic rhinitis, but no effect on ICAM-1.

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on the pain caused by soft tissue injury.MethodsThere were 63 cases with tennis elbow, 106 cases with frozen shoulder, and 45 cases with the pain syndrome. All the 214 cases were divide into study group and control group, 107 cases in each group. The study group received extracorporeal shock wave therapy around the pain point; the control group recieved partial closure, massage, and drugs treatment. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were assessed before and 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks after treatment.ResultsThe scores of VAS showed no difference between the two groups before and 4 weeks after the treatment (P＞0.05). The study group improved in VAS 8 weeks and 12 weeks after the treatment compared to the control group (P＜0.01); the overall efficacy rate was higher in the study group than in the control group (P＜0.01).ConclusionExtracorporeal shock wave therapy is effective to treat the pain caused by soft tissue injury.

Objective To determine the level of ieptin (LEP) and soluable leptin receptor (sLEP-R) in the peripheral blood of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The change of LEP/sLEP-R in patients with RA and the relationship between LEP/sLEP-R with osteoporosis is also investigated. Methods Sixty-four patients with RA and 60 normal controls were involved. Levels of LEP and sLEP-R were measured by ELISA. Bone mineral density (BMD) of non-dominant forearm, lumbar vertebrae(L_(1～4)) and hip were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results ① Compared with normal controls, the level of LEP in RA increased significantly,but the level of sLEP-R in RA decreased significantly (P<0.01). ② BMD of all detected regions in RA were significantly reduced than those in the normal controls (P<0.01). There was a higher incidence of osteoporosis in patients with RA (35.9%) than in normal controls (15.0%)(P<0.01). ③ There was a positive lineary correlation between age and the level of LEP in the peripheral blood of RA (P<0.01). There was negative lineary correlations between BMD and level of LEP in the peripheral blood of RA (P<0.05). There was a negative lineary correlation between age and level of sLEP-R in the peripheral blood of RA (P<0.01). There was positive lineary correlation between BMD and level of sLEP-R in the peripheral blood of RA (P<0.05). There was no correlations between clinical or laboratory parameters and level of LEP/sLEP-R in the peripheral blood of RA. ④ Analysis of Logistic Regression showed that the level of sLEP-R in the peripheral blood of RA was an independent protective factor for the occurrence of osteoporosis in RA (OR=3.089, P=0.017, 95%CI: 0.017-7.108). Conclusion The level of LEP in RA increases significantly, while the level of sLEP-R decreases significantly. There is a closely correlation between bone metabolism status and the level of LEP or sLEP-R in RA. The level of sLEP-R in the peripheral blood of RA is an independent protective factor for the occurrence of osteoporosis in RA.

Objective To observe the effects of PTD-hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) induced murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs) maturation on T lymphocyte proliferation in vitro.Methods Bone marrow derived DCs isolated from BALB/c mice were cultured with recombinant granu|ocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rGM-CSF) and recombinant interleutin-4 (rIL-4)for 5 days.Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a,HBcAg and PTD-HBcAg were added to induce DCs maturation.The distribution and localization of intracellular immunofluorescence were observed by confocal microscopy,and DCs phenotypes were analyzed by flow cytometry.The level of IL-12 p70 in the supernatant was detected by enzyme linked immunosorhent assay (ELISA).The proliferation of T lymphocytes was performed by using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8).All data were analyzed using t test.Results DCs were cultured and identified successfully.Recombinant PTD-HBcAg could penetrate into DCs cytoplasm while recombinant HBcAg was detected on the surface of cells.DCs surface molecules,such as CD80,CD86 and major histocompability complex (MHC) II were upregulated by PTDHBcAg;IL-12 p70 levels induced by 50 mg/L and 100 mg/L recombinant PTD-HBcAg were (142.50±18.31) ng/L and (124.30±15.12) ng/L,respectively,which were significantly higher than those induced by recombinant HBcAg [(42.31±4.21 ) ng/L,t = 9.234 and 9.045,respectively,P＜0.05].The proliferation of T lymphocytes induced by PTD-HBcAg was much higher than that in HBcAg group or positive control TNF-a group.Conclusions PTD-HBcAg could penetrate membrane of DCs and promote the differentiation and maturation of DCs.PTD-HBcAg could up-regulate the expressions of costimulatory molecules on cell surface of DCs,and enhance the ability of DCs on stimulating T lymphocytes proliferation and IL-12 p70 production.

AIM: To investigate the effects of poly (I:C) as virus mimics on iodine excess-induced chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis in NOD mouse. METHODS: Female, 32 NOD mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: (1) control;(2) high iodine;(3) poly (I:C);(4) high iodine+poly (I:C). Nine weeks after administration, mice were sacrificed. The following parameters were determined: body weight, thyroid weight and anatomic form. Thyroid hormone (T_4) in serum was measured by radioimmunoassay, the thyroid morphology was observed through HE staining, apoptosis was detected by TUNEL, the mRNA expression levels of TRAIL, TRAIL-sR1, ICAM-1 and CXCL10 were determined by the method of real time RT-PCR. RESULTS: Compared to control group and poly (I:C) group, the thyroid absolute weight and relative weight in high iodine group were increased (P<0.01), the level of total T_4 in serum was decreased (P<0.05), inflammation and apoptosis were obviously observed, the mRNA expressions of TRAIL, TRAIL-sR1, CXCL10 and ICAM-1 were upregulated (P<0.05). Compared to high iodine group, thyroid absolute weight and relative weight in high iodine+poly (I:C) group were further increased, the level of total T_4 in serum was further decreased (P<0.05), the ratio of inflammatory degree Ⅳ increased to 50.0%, the numbers of apoptosis cells were further enhanced, the mRNA expressions of TRAIL, TRAIL-sR1, ICAM-1 and CXCL10 were further upregulated (P<0.05). Otherwise, the tendency of all parameters in poly (I:C) group was similar to that in control group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Poly (I:C) aggravates chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis induced by excess of iodine associated with increase in infiltration of lymphocytes and induction of apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: Traditional anterior release followed by posterior correction and fusion is frequently used to treat severe and rigid adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, which is considered as Cobb angle of the major curve > 65° and flexibility < 34.5%; however, there are a great majority of complications. Whether isolated posterior correction using pedicle screw fixation combining with bone grafting and fusion may provide better effects on severe and rigid adolescent idiopathic scoliosis needs to be further studied.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate isolated posterior correction using pedicle screw fixation combining with bone grafting and fusion for the treatment of severe and rigid adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. DESIGN: Case analysis.SETTING: Department of Orthopaedics, Renji Hospital, Medical College of Shanghai Jiao Tong University.PARTICIPANTS: Twenty patients with severe and rigid adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, including 8 males and 12 females, were selected from Department of Orthopaedics, Renji Hospital, Medical College of Shanghai Jiaotong University from June 1999 to August 2005. They were 12-18 years old, and the mean age was 14.6 years. All patients were finally diagnosed as X-ray of whole spine. According to King-Moe criteria, patients were classified into type Ⅰ(n =4), type Ⅱ(n =6), type Ⅲ (n =5), type Ⅳ(n =3) and type Ⅴ(n =2). Before surgery, mean Cobb angle of the major curve was 82° (75°-92°), mean flexibility was 30% (20%-40%), and mean shoulder height difference was 15 mm (5-35 mm). Moreover, according to Risser syndrome, patients were classified into degree 1 (n =3), degree 2 (n =5), degree 3 (n =6), degree 4 (n =5) and degree 5 (n =1). All patients and their relatives provided the informed consents, and the experiment was approved by the local ethical committee. Artificial bone was Osteoset provided by Wright Company, USA.METHODS: Patients underwent isolated posterior correction using pedicle screw fixation combining with bone grafting and fusion, and spinous process, lamina of vertebra, zygapophysial joints and transverse process were exposed in a preconcerted fusion area. Pedicle screw was inserted into strategy vertebra using free hand technique according to the anatomic landmark of entry point. Six patients underwent fixation with TSRH system, and the other patients with CDH M8 system. Operative time and blood loss were evaluated after surgery. At 7 days after operation, Cobb angle was measured with X-ray, and correction rate of major curve was calculated. While shoulder height difference and admission duration were evaluated simultaneously. Complications and recovery states were followed up in the next 4 years.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Operative time and blood loss; ② Cobb angle and correction rate of major curve; ③ shoulder height difference and admission duration; ④ follow-up results.RESULTS: All 20 patients were included in the final analysis. ① Operative time and blood loss: Operative time lasted from 3.2 to 4.3 hours, and the mean time was 3.5 hours. Blood loss ranged from 660 to 1 070 mL, and the mean loss was 865 mL. ② Cobb angle and correction rate of major curve: Cobb angle of the major curve ranged from 82° (75°-92°) before surgery to 31° (22°-37°) after surgery, and the mean correction rate was 62%. ③ Shoulder height difference and admission duration: Mean should height difference before surgery was 15 mm (5-35 mm). Postoperative lateral film of spine indicated that thoracic and lumbar vertebra generally suffered from normal posterior and anterior convexity, and mean shoulder height difference after surgery was 7.5 mm (0-11 mm). The admission duration lasted from 8 to 11 days, and the mean duration was 9 days. ④ Follow-up results: All patients were followed up in the next 4 years after surgery. The cobb angle correction of major curve remained unchanged, and the instrumented segments were completely fused without instrumentation failure.CONCLUSION: Isolated posterior correction using pedicle screw fixation combining with bone grafting and fusion may effectively cure severe and rigid adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, which is considered as Cobb angle of the major curve between 75° and 92° and flexibility ≥ 20%.