OBJECTIVETo explore the intervention of baicalin on signal transduction and activating transcription factor expression of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients.

METHODSRecruited were UC patients at Outpatient Department of Digestive Disease, Inpatient Department of Digestive Disease, Center for Digestive Endoscopy of College City Branch, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Southern Hospital affiliated to Southern Medical University from June 2010 to January 2011. They were assigned to the UC group (33 cases) and the diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) group (30 cases). Another 30 healthy subjects were recruited as a healthy control group. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in vitro intervened by different concentrations baicalin were taken from UC patients. IL23R gene expressions in vitro intervened by different concentrations baicalin were detected using Q-PCR. Expressions of signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) , STAT6, phosphorylated-STAT4 (p-STAT4), and p-STAT6 were detected using Western blot. Serum levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 were measured by ELISA. Effects of different concentrations baicalin on expressions of PBMCs, and levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 of UC patients were also detected.

RESULTSCompared with the negative control group, 40 µmol baicalin obviously decreased IL23R gene expression of UC patients (P <0. 01). Compared with the healthy control group and the IBS-D group, p-STAT4/STAT4 ratios increased, p-STAT6/STAT6 ratios decreased, levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 all increased in the US group (all P <0. 05). Compared with the negative control, 5 and 10 µmol baicalin groups, 20 and 40 moL baicalin obviously decreased p-STAT4/STAT4 ratios (all P <0. 05); 20 and 40 µmoL baicalin obviously increased p-STAT6/STAT6 ratios (all P <0. 05); 20 and 40 µmoL baicalin obviously lowered levels of IFN-γ and IL-4, and elevated IL-10 levels (all P <0. 05).

CONCLUSION40 µmoL baicalin could in vitro inhibit p-STAT4/STAT4 ratios, adjust p-STAT6/STAT6 ratios and related cytokines, thereby balancing the immunity and relieving inflammatory reactions of UC.

Activating Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; therapeutic use ; Blotting, Western ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Flavonoids ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phosphorylation ; STAT6 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

Recombinant human BMP-2 was compounded with chitosan/gelatin/hydroxyapatite(HCG) scaffold and the complex was sterilized by 60Co radiating. Osteoblast isolated from cranial bones of newborn rat was primary cultured and seeded onto the complexes. 3 days after culturing, scanning electron microscope(SEM) was applied to detect the compatibility of the cell with the complex. SEM showed osteoblast attached closely with the complex and grew well in its pores. Then the complexes with osteoblast modification were implanted into athymic nude mice subcutaneously. 8 weeks after implantation, X-ray photograph and histological observation were applied to detect the bone formation of the complexes. Under X-ray a high-density areas consistent with the shape of the implanted complex could be seen. Histological observation also proved there was bone formation in the interspace of the complex. A conclusion was drawn that rhBMP-2 compounded HCG scaffold had good osteogenesis ability in vivo.

The study was aimed to investigate the effective therapeutic method for patients with multiple myeloma accompanied with amyloidosis. A 58-year-old patient diagnosed as multiple myeloma accompanied with amyloidosis in four limbs was enrolled in this study. The various clinical and laboratorial examinations were performed, including bone marrow smear, immunologic test, radiography and so on. Patient received chemotherapeutic drugs and then autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT). The result showed that hematopoietic reconstitution was achieved at 23 days after auto-HSCT. Immunofixation electrophoresis was normal. There was only 0.6% plasma cells in the bone marrow. In conclusion, the auto-HSCT may be an effective treatment for multiple myeloma accompanied with amyloidosis in four limbs.
Amyloidosis ; complications ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; complications ; surgery ; Transplantation, Autologous

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relations between anti-myelin basic protein antibody (anti-MBP) variation and myelinoclasis in the brain stem following brain trauma.

METHODSIn rat models of brain trauma, MBP content and anti-MBP titer in the blood were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at different time points after brain trauma, and the degree of myelinoclasis in the brain stem slices was assessed with osmic acid staining.

RESULTSEarly after brain trauma, MBP content in the blood increased followed by significant reduction 10 days later. Four days after the trauma, anti-MBP titer was markedly increased, accompanied by obvious exacerbation of myelinoclasis in the brain stem, both reaching the highest levels on day 10, at the point of which anti-MBP titer increased by 4 folds and the number of myelinoclasis by 10 folds compared with the control group. Anti-MBP titer and brain stem myelinolysis both lowered 30 days later. Correlation analysis showed an intimate positive correlation between anti-MBP titer and the degree of myelinoclasis.

CONCLUSIONAfter brain trauma, MBP is released as a specific antigen into the blood to stimulate the immune system for anti-MBP production, and the antibody is intimately related to the brain stem myelinoclasis.

Animals ; Antibodies ; metabolism ; Brain Injuries ; complications ; Brain Stem ; immunology ; pathology ; Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS ; etiology ; immunology ; Female ; Male ; Myelin Basic Protein ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; blood ; immunology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transcription Factors ; blood ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the practical value and the advantages of globe geographical positioning with wireless communication monitoring and supervision system in the field survey.

METHODSSpots which were randomly sampled by the National Ministry of Health for the investigation were chosen in the endemic areas for schistosomiasis in Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Anhui, Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. Portable GPS CEC9680 was used for collecting relevant waypoints and track, recording on-the-spot geographical positions. The positioning data package was sent back synchronously in the form of short message of SMS to the monitoring service center, and the moving routes of the terminal receiver monitored were displayed on the GIS map to achieve real-time supervision and staff scheduling.

RESULTSWith globe geographical positioning with wireless communication monitoring and supervision system, accurate positioning of 12 spots in the provinces of Jiangsu and 3 trial spots for schistosomiasis control with comprehensive treatment designated by the State Council has been established with real-time communicating recording, and monitoring systems.

CONCLUSIONThe globe geographical positioning with wireless communication monitoring and supervision system has provided a technical platform for the survey of schistosomiasis and other infectious diseases.

Animals ; China ; Environmental Monitoring ; methods ; Epidemiological Monitoring ; Geographic Information Systems ; Humans ; Schistosomiasis ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of arthroscopy-assisted minimally invasive management of bunion and hallux valgus deformities.

METHODSTotal 50 patients (53 feet) with bunion and hallux valgus deformities were treated under arthroscopy from July 2008 to July 2011, with an average age of 42.3 years old (ranging from 30 to 65 years old) involving 19 left feet, 28 right feet and 3 both feet. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hallux metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal(MP-IP) Scale Score was used to evaluate the therapeutic effect.

RESULTSThere were no complications such as hallux varus, hallux rigid and nerve or blood vessel injury. Clinically, AOFAS MP-IP Scale Score was increased from 62.19 ± 6.01 preoperatively to 88.26 ± 6.81 postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONArthroscopy-assisted minimally invasive management appears to be a good procedure with advantages of less complication, little trauma and early rehabilitation for bunion and hallux valugs deformities.

Adult ; Aged ; Arthroscopy ; methods ; Female ; Hallux Valgus ; surgery ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of verapamil and hypothermia on the spermatogenesis of rats after testicular torsion.

METHODSSixty healthy pubertal male Sprague-Dawley rats were equally divided into 5 groups: A (testis torsion), B (testis torsion + verapamil), C (testis torsion + hypothermia), D (testis torsion + verapamil + hypothermia) and E (control). After treatment, the left testis was removed for the observation of the histological changes under the microscope and measurement of the percentage of apoptotic cells by flow cytometry.

RESULTSHE staining showed disordered arrangement, reduced layers and decreased number of spermatogenic cells, apoptotic bodies, necrosis and partial invasion of inflammatory cells in all the groups but E, most obvious in Group A. The apoptosis rates of germ cells in Groups A, B, C, D and E were (32.11 +/- 2.20)%, (20.18 +/- 1.50)%, (20.02 +/- 1.90)%, (13.75 +/- 1.40)% and (8.56 +/- 0.90)%, respectively, and the Makler scores in the 5 groups were (14.47 +/- 1.35), (15.45 +/- 0.75), (15.48 +/- 0.75), (16.22 +/- 0.72) and (19.60 +/- 0.56), respectively, both with statistically significant differences (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe increased apoptosis of germ cells after testicular torsion-and-reposition may reduce the spermatogenesis of the testis. Either verapamil or local hypothermia can enhance testicular resistance against injuries, and the combination of the two can more efficiently prevent the germ cells from apoptosis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Hypothermia, Induced ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Spermatic Cord Torsion ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Spermatogenesis ; Verapamil ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the impact of preoperative biliary drainage on surgical morbidity in hilar cholangiocarcinoma patients underwent surgery.

METHODSOne hundred and eleven consecutive patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma whose serum total bilirubin (TBIL) level > 85 micromol/L and underwent surgery in the period from June 1998 to August 2007 were enrolled. There were 67 male and 44 female patients, aged from 26 to 82 years old with a mean of 56 years old.

RESULTSFifty-five patients underwent preoperative biliary drainage with a mean of 11.4 d of drainage period (drainage group), the other (n = 56) were the non-drainage group. The preoperative TBIL level of drainage group was (154 +/- 69) micromol/L, which was significantly lower than the value of pre-drainage (256 +/- 136) micromol/L (P = 0.000) and the value of non-drainage group (268 +/- 174) micromol/L (P = 0.005). ALT and GGT levels could be lowered by preoperative biliary drainage. The postoperative complications of these two groups were comparable (36.3% vs. 28.6%, P = 0.381). Four patients in drainage group and 5 patients in non-drainage group died of liver failure. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that hepatectomy (OR = 0.284, P = 0.003) was the independent risk factor associated with postoperative morbidity. Bismuth-Corlette classification (OR = 0.211, P = 0.028) was the independent risk factor linked to postoperative mortality.

CONCLUSIONSPreoperative biliary drainage could alleviate liver injury due to hyperbilirubin, but it could not decrease the surgical morbidity and postoperative mortality. Concomitant hepatectomy and Bismuth-Corlette classification were independent risk factors linked to surgical risks.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bile Duct Neoplasms ; surgery ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; surgery ; Drainage ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Preoperative Care ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical significance of serum free light chain (sFLC) levels in nonsecretory multiple myeloma (NSMM).

METHODSNine NSMM patients were hospitalized in our department from Feb 2002 to Sep 2006 and no M-components was found in their serum and urine by immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE). sFLC was assayed by immuno-nephelometry. The clonality of sFLC was estimated by serum kappa:lambda sFLC ratio. Meanwhile, serum immunoglobulin, total kappa and lambda light chain level were also determined in these patients.

RESULTSIncreased serum concentrations of either kappa or lambda sFLC (and abnormal kappa/lambda ratios) were detected in 6 of 9 patients with NSMM although their serum immunoglobulin levels were not elevated and total kappa:lambda light chain ratios (1.32 - 2.20) were in the reference range. All the 9 patients had clonal IgH gene rearrangements.

CONCLUSIONQuantification of sFLC by immuno-nephelometry is more sensitive than that of serum total light chain measurement and is helpful in estimating the clonality of the light chain in patients with NSMM.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Light Chains ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; blood ; Nephelometry and Turbidimetry ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical and laboratory features and risk factors of multiple myeloma (MM) with extramedullary disease (EM) and its extraosseous localizations at diagnosis and during the course of MM.

METHODSThe clinical features, survival rate and prognostic factors were retrospectively analyzed in 40 patients having EM from a total of 418 MM patients hospitalized in Changzheng Hospital from 1993 to 2006.

RESULTSAmong the 40 patients, the first three localizations of EM involved soft tissue, pleura or peritoneum and central nervous system (CNS). Median duration of follow-up was 30 months. The median overall survival (OS) was 28 months. Twenty-five patients (6%) were found to have EM at diagnosis (group A), and their median OS was 16 months and 15 patients (3.6%) developed EM during the course of the disease (group B), and their expected median OS was 72 months. There was a significant difference between group A and B (P = 0.0045) for OS. Compared with those in group A, patients in group B had a higher percentage of plasmacytes (P = 0.022) and plasmablasts (P = 0.029) in bone marrow, and less advanced stage for international staging system (ISS) (P = 0.027). Log-rank univariate analysis showed that higher CRP level, higher serum LDH, Stage II and III for ISS, Hb < 110 g/L at diagnosis were poor prognostic factors. However, multivariate analysis with COX model showed none of them were statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONEM tumors are not a rare manifestation of MM. Soft tissue in the commonest area involved. Higher serum CRP and LDH level, more advanced stage for ISS, anemia and having EM are poor prognostic factors of MM.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; complications ; pathology ; therapy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Survival Analysis