OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy difference in treatment of depression in breast cancer between the combined therapy of acupuncture and auricular acupressure and western medication.

METHODSSixty patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. In the observation group, the combined therapy of acupuncture and auricular acupressure was adopted. The main acupoints of acupuncture were Hegu (LI 4), Tai-chong (LR 3), Baihui (GV 20), Zusanli (ST 36), Qihai (CV 6), etc. The supplementary acupoints were combined according to the syndrome differentiation. The treatment was given once every day, 5 treatments a week, at the interval of 2 days among weeks. The auricular acupressure was applied to gan (CO12, liver), pi (CO13, spleen), neifenmi (CO18, endocrine), etc., once every 4 days, on each side in one treatment. In the control group, fluoxetine hydrochloride capsules were prescribed for oral administration, 20 mg, once a day. The Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD) was used to assess the disease severity and efficacy before treatment, in 4 and 8 weeks of treatment separately. HAMD factor changes were observed before treatment and at the end of the 8th week. The Asberg antidepressants scale (SERS) was applied to safety assessment.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 86.7% (26/30) in the observation group, better than 63.3% (19/30) in the control group (P<0.05). At the end of the 4th and 8th weeks, HAMD scores were all reduced apparently in the two groups (all P<0.01). At the end of the 8th week, the scores of the HAMD factor 1 (anxiety/somatic system), factor 5 (retardation) and factor 6 (sleep disturbance) were all reduced as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all P<0.01); the results in the observation group were better than those in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). SERS score in the observation group was lower obviously than that in the control group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe combined therapy of acupuncture and auricular acupressure achieves the antidepression effect in treatment of depression in breast cancer and has less side effects and high safety. The efficacy is superior to fluoxetine hydrochloride capsules.

Acupressure ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Breast Neoplasms ; complications ; Depression ; etiology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

Background:Damage of intestinal mucosal barrier is a key factor in the development and progress of acute pancreatitis(AP),and is closely related with the prognosis of the disease. Aims:To investigate the protective effect and possible mechanism of mucoprotective agent teprenone on intestinal mucosal barrier in rats with experimental AP. Methods:Forty-five adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group(n = 5),AP model group(n = 20)and teprenone treated group(n = 20). AP model was established by subcutaneous injection of cerulein at abdominal wall. Rats in treated group were intervened with teprenone intragastrically before and after model establishment. ELISA was used for measurement of serum interleukin-1(IL-1),IL-6,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and amylase;histopathological and ultrastructural changes of small intestinal mucosa were observed by light microscope and transmission electron microscope;Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of tight junction protein occludin and ZO-1. Results:Serum levels of IL-1,IL-6,TNF-α and amylase in AP model group were significantly higher than those in normal control group(P < 0. 05),accompanied by necrosis and exfoliation of small intestinal villus,widening of intercellular tight junctions and downregulation of occludin and ZO-1 expression. While in teprenone treated group,serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines and amylase were significantly decreased as compared with AP model group(P < 0. 05),the villus of small intestine remained intact,and dense tight junctions were observed. Expressions of occludin and ZO-1 in teprenone treated group were upregulated. Conclusions:Teprenone may protect against intestinal mucosal barrier injury in AP model rats by upregulating tight junction protein expression.

Objective To observe the changes of zymophagy during experimental acute pancreatitis (AP) induced by caerulein.Methods Pancreatic acinar cell line AR42J cells were cultured in 6-well plates till 90％ confluent and then divided into AP group and control group.Caerulein (1 × 10-8 mol/L) was added into AP group to establish AP cell model,and 1640 cell culture medium was added into control group.After caerulein treated for one,four,six,eight,12 and 24 hours,cells and cell culture supernatant were collected.The levels of cytokine interleukin (IL)-1,tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α,trypsinogen activation (TAP) and amylase were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.The expression of LC3 and Beclin1 at mRNA of each group were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).The LC3B protein level of each group were detected by Western blotting.The changes of autophagosome and zymophagosome were observed by transmission electron microscopy.The difference between AP group and control group was analyzed by analysis of variance.Results The level of IL-1,TNFα,amylase and TAP in cell culture supernatant of control group was (18.83±7.10) pg/mL,(14.20±3.79) pg/mL,(10.03±2.85) U/L and (39.48±8.62) pg/mL,respectively.Those of AP group significantly increased at first hour ((62.13±11.25) pg/mL,F=3.32,P＜0.01 ; (30.98±7.11) pg/mL,F=3.05,P＜0.05; (25.06±6.82) U/L,F=2.90,P＜0.05 and (128.51± 18.30) pg/mL),F=2.62,P＜0.01,at fourth or sixth hour reached peak (IL-1 at fourth hour:(71.96± 15.82) pg/mL,F=7.25,P＜0.01;TNFα at sixth hour:(39.92±8.94) pg/mL,F=4.93,P＜0.05; amylase at fourth hour:(28.83 ± 8.31) U/L,F=2.06,P＜0.05; TAP at fourth hour:(146.29± 29.36) pg/mL,F=0.14,P＜0.01) and then gradually decreased.At fourth and sixth hour,the expression of LC3 at mRNA level in AP group was 3.18±0.82,1.71±0.14,respectively,while the expression of Beclin-1 rnRNA at first,fourth hour was 2.44±0.34 and 4.13±0.30,all of them were significantly increased compared with those of control group (0.21±0.04 and 0.30±0.08,LC3 mRNA F=0.79、0.06; Beclin mRNA F=2.31、0.36,all P＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences at other time points.The numbers of autophagosome and zymophagosome of AP group were significantly higher than those of control group under transmission electron microscopy.Conclusion Zymophagy occurred during AP cell model induced by caerulein,which suggested that zymophagy might involve in the mechanism of AP.

Objective To analyze the concentration of epithelial cell derived neutrophil-activating protein 78(CXCL-5) in the sy-(novial) fluid(SF) and peripheral blood in children with rheumatoid arthritis(RA) and evaluate its clinical relevance to the disease development.Methods SF and peripheral sera were taken from 26 children with RA and 16 healthy controls,and CXCL-5 was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).CXCL-5 in SF was also measured in RA children after receiving steroid treatment.Results The levels of CXCL-5 was significantly higher than that in the SF of RA children compared with healthy controls(P0.05).Interestingly,CXCL-5 markedly decreased in RA children after steroid treatment(P

OBJECTIVEParkinson's disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disorder, has been reported to be associated with brain neuroinflammation in its pathogenesis. Herein, changes in peripheral immune system were determined to better understand PD pathogenesis and provide possible target for treatment of PD through improvement of immune disorder.

METHODS1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) was intraperitoneally injected into mice to prepare PD model. Expression levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and transcription factors of CD4+ T lymphocyte subsets in spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes and concentrations of the cytokines in serum were examined on day 7 after MPTP injection. Percentages of CD4+ T lymphocyte subsets were measured by flow cytometry.

RESULTSMPTP induced PD-like changes such as motor and behavioral deficits and nigrostriatal impairment. Expression levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines including interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-17 and IL-22, in spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes were upregulated and their concentrations in serum were elevated in PD progression. But, the concentrations of the anti-inflammatory cytokines including IL-4, IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β were not altered in the two lymphoid tissues or serum of PD mice. In addition, expression of T-box in T cells (T-bet), the specific transcription factor of helper T (Th) 1 cells, was downregulated, but expression of transcription factor forkhead box p3 (Foxp3), the transcription factor of regulatory T (Treg) cells, was upregulated. In support of the results, the numbers of IFN-γ-producing CD4+ cells (Th1 cells) were reduced but CD4+CD25+ cells (Treg cells) were elevated in both the lymphoid tissues of PD mice.

CONCLUSIONPD has a dysfunction of peripheral immune system. It manifests enhancement of proinflammatory response and CD4+ T cell differentiation bias towards Treg cells away from Th1 cells.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine ; Animals ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; pathology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cytokines ; blood ; Disease Models, Animal ; Flow Cytometry ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-17 ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Interleukins ; blood ; Lymph Nodes ; cytology ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Mice ; Parkinson Disease ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Spleen ; cytology ; T-Box Domain Proteins ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; Th1 Cells ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; blood

OBJECTIVEWe used an animal model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) to study changes and roles of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expressed by CD4+ T cell subsets, and then explore the relationship between CD4+ T cell subset-derived catecholamines and inflammatory responses in CIA.

METHODSThirty-six male DBA/1 mice were randomly divided into control group, CIA model group (day 35) and CIA model group (day 55) (n = 12). CIA model was induced by type II collagen (CII) in DBA/1 mice. On the 35th and 55th day following primary immunization, the joints of the mice were observed for clinical score of swelling and the level of anti-CII IgG antibody in serum was examined. Expression of specific transcription factors and cytokines of Th1, Th17, Th2 and Treg cells and TH in mesenteric lymph nodes was measured by means of Western blot. The changes of TH expressed by CD4+ T cell subsets in mesenteric lymph nodes were determined by flow cytometry.

RESULTSClinical score and anti-CII antibody level increased in CIA compared with that in intact mice. Specific transcription factors and cytokines expressed by Th1 and Th17 cells were upregulated and cytokines expressed by Th2 and Treg cells were downregulated in mesenteric lymph nodes in CIA mice. Expression of TH was upregulated and the increased expression of TH in CD4+ T cells was attributed to Th1 and Th17 cells in mesenteric lymph nodes of CIA.

CONCLUSIONThe increase in catecholamines from CD4+ T cell subsets in mesenteric lymph nodes of CIA may be related to inflammatory alleviation in CIA progression.

Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; immunology ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; enzymology ; Collagen Type II ; adverse effects ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Lymph Nodes ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred DBA ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; metabolism

Objective To establish a stable AR42J cell line expressing EGFP LC3.Methods The EGFP LC3 overexpressed Lentivirus was constructed and transfected into pancreatic acinar cells (AR42J) of rats.The rats with Lentiviral EGFP transfection were treated as negative control.The transfection efficiency was detected by inverted fluorescence microscope and flow cytometry.The EGFP LC3 protein expression in the stable cell lines were analyzed by Western blot.The cells were treated with thapsigargin to establish endoplasmic reticulum stress model,and the LC3,PERK protein expressions were detected by Western blot.Results The transfection efficiency of Lentiviral EGFP LC3 of AR42J cell was ＞ 85％,which could achieve stable passage.The expression of LC3 mRNA of AR42J cells transfected with Lentiviral EGFP LC3 was 9.14 ±0.32 folds higher than that of negative control,which had no expression of LC3 protein,only EGFP expression.However,compared with non-transfection group,the LC3 mRNA expression in EGFP group was not significantly different.Conclusions A pancreatic acinar cell line (AR42J) of rat stably expressing EGFP LC3 protein is successfully constructed.And it may provide a new model for further research of the relationship between acute pancreatitis and autophagy.

Objective To study the correlation between serum homocysteine ( Hcy ) level and C677T polymorphism of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase ( MTHFR ) gene C677T polymorphism ( rs1801133) in patients with cerebral infarction, and feature of rs1801133 polymorphism and serum Hcy level in cerebral infarction patients with or without diabetes mellitus.Methods Case-control study.Five hundred and fifty six patients with cerebral infarction admitted to China-Japan Friendship Hospital from January 2014 to January 2015 were included as the case group while 275 subjects from medical examination center without cerebral infarction and diabetes mellitus matched with the case group.MTHFR C677T polymorphism was determined by pyrosequencing and serum Hcy was determined by circulating enzymatic.Chi-square test was used to analyze the distribution of genotype in different group; ANVOA was used to analyze the Hcy level with different genotype in patients with cerebral infarction, and LSD-t was used to pairwise comparison.Results Among the 556 patients with cerebral infarction ,TT genotype were 202 cases (36.33%), CT genotype were 257 cases(46.22%), CC genotype were 97 cases(17.45%).The T allele 44%, higher than the control group T allele frequencies 46.91%(χ2 =23.385,P<0.001).The level of TT genotype serum Hcy level (21.31 ±17.31) μmol/L were higher than CT genotype (14.88 ±7.71) μmol/L(P<0.001)and CC genotype(14.48 ±7.78) μmol/L(P<0.001).There is no significant statistics different in TT genotype frequency between Cerebral infarction patients with diabetes mellitus(36.77%) and without diabetes mellitus(36.44%) (χ2 =0.031,P>0.05), while the level of serum Hcy in Cerebral infarction patients with diabetes mellitus ( 18.16 ±12.90 )μmol/L is lower than Cerebral infarction patients without diabetes mellitus(23.47 ±19.53) μmol/L in TT genotype( F=4.652, P<0.05).Conclusions MTHFR TT genotype was related to serum hyperhomocysteine, and maybe save as the risk of cerebral infarction.The Hcy level in TT genotype cerebral infarction patients with DM is lower than the same genotype patients without DM.(Chin J Lab Med, 2016, 39:205-209 )

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of Multislice CT scanning in patients with acute thoracic trauma. Methods151 patients with chest wound admitted after Multislice CT scanning were reviewed and analyzed. ResultsThis group of 151 patients with chest wound after X-ray and CT inspection were as follows:lungs were damaged in 139 cases including 52 cases with traumatic wet lung,94 cases with lung rip,28 cases with lacerated wound and 7 cases with tracheal bronchial tube damage.Damages outside the lungs were found in 108 patients including 83 patients with trauma in pleural membrane(hemothorax 27 cases,pneumothorax 32 cases and blood pneumothorax 24 cases),mediastinum damage in 9 cases(vertical mediastinal pneumatosis 6 cases,hematocele 4 cases and traumatic disphragmatic hernia 2 cases),thoracic wall damage in 76 cases(rib bone fracture 59 cases,breast bone fracture 18 cases and costal cartilages damage 5 cases).Clavicle and scapula fracture in 31 cases. ConclusionMultislice CT scanning was principal method for the diagnosis of chest wound,it had the advantages of scanning range,quick scanning and characteristics of high sensitivity,and it would certainly play a vital role in first aid process in emergency medical treatment of wound.

Objective To investigate the changes and significance of autophagy in rats with experimental acute necrosis pancreatitis (ANP).Methods According to method of random number,18 rats were randomly divided into control group,ANP group,ANP+rapamycin (RAP) group.The ANP rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 20％ L-arginine.The rats of ANP+RAP group were intraperitoneal injected with RAP 1.2 mg/kg at 30 minutes before modeling.The rats of control group were intraperitoneal injected with 0.9％ NaCl solution.The blood was drawed from the hearts nine hours after modeling for subsequent experiments.Serum levels of trypsinogen activation peptide (TAP),interleukin (IL-1),IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The pancreatic tissues were pathologically scored.Autophagy-related structures in rat pancreatic acinar cells were observed by transmition electron microscopy.The expression of autophagy marker microtuble assciated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)-Ⅱ and Beclin-1 at mRNA and protein level were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR),Western bloting and immunohistochemistry.The single factor analysis of variance was used for mean comparison among groups.Results A rat model of ANP was successfully established.Histopathological score of pancreas acinar cell necrosis of ANP+RAP group (2.19±1.38) was higher than that of ANP group (0.97±0.68),and the difference was statistically significant(F=33.75,P＜0.05).The results of Western blotting indicated that the protein expression of LC3-Ⅱ and Beclin-1 in ANP group (35.25±2.68 and 49.40±5.28)were higher than those in control group (1.54±0.16 and 0.78±0.06),furthermore the expressions in ANP+RAP group(123.53±3.21 and 76.41±3.80) were higher than those in ANP group,and the differences were statistically significant(F=2 045.54,326.87,both P＜0.01).Immunohistochemistry results also indicated that the LC3Ⅱ and Beclin-1 expression at protein level of ANP+RAP group (7 570.63±4 357.67 and 3 418.09±2 035.78) were higher than those of ANP group (1 926.53±1 414.44 and 536.11±403.10),and the differences were statistically significant (F=39.83,41.58,both P＜0.01).The expression of Beclin-1 at mRNA level of ANP group (107.12±29.10) was statistically higher than that of control group(7.01 ±3.39),and the difference was statistically significant (F=3.61,P＜0.05),but the expression of ANP+RAP group (97.63 ± 65.38)was no significant difference compared with ANP group.However,the expression of LC3-Ⅱ at mRNA level of ANP+ RAP group (4.37 ± 1.67) was statistically higher than that of ANP group (1.76 ± 1.59),and the difference was statistically significant(F=16.10,P＜0.05),but the expression of ANP group was no significant difference compared with control group (1.51 ±0.95).The result of electron microscopy showed that autophagy related structures increased in ANP group compared with that of control group,which of ANP+RAP group was more.The serum levels of TAP,IL-1 and IL-6 of ANP + RAP group were (36.47 ± 1.71) pmol/L,(122.88± 26.67) pg/mL and (107.39±13.95) pg/mL,which were all higher than those of ANP group ((25.63 ± 6.05) pmol/L,(98.06 ±9.29) pg/mL and (86.16± 7.20) pg/mL),and the differences were statistically significant (F=116.71,50.45,79.67; all P＜0.01).There was no significant difference in TNFα between ANP+ RAP group ((140.80±60.82) pg/mL) and ANP group ((105.23±6.95) pg/mL,F=14.76,P＞0.05).Conclusions Autophagy increased in rats with ANP.Promoting autophagy could significantly activate trypsinogen,aggravate pancreatic injury and increase inflammation reaction,which indicated that autophagy might involve in the pathogenesis of ANP through trypsinogen activation.