Objective To further investigated the effect of minocycline on the inhibition of microglial activation and subsequent protection of nigral DA neuron.Methods 20 rats injected with LPS in the substantia nigra (SN) were randomly divided into two groups (LPS group and LPS+Minocycline group).The behavior was observed on the 7~(th) d and 14~(th) d.The immunohistoehemistry,in situ hybridization and Western-blot were used to detect the levels of positive neuron,mRNA,protein of TH and OX-42. Results The slightly rotational behavior was observed in LPS+Minoeyeline group.The majority of mieroglias were activated in the two groups.Some microglia in the SNpc remained ramified in LPS+ Minocycline group.The numbers of hypertophie microglia in LPS+Minoeyeline group were less than that in LPS group.Western-blot showed that the protein of OX-42 in two LPS groups was higher than in normal group(P

Purpose: To evaluate the use of signal intensity index (SII) of skull-base invasion in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), select a best cut-off SII value to predict the outcome of NPC. Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty-two NPC patients (92 men, 30 women) with skull-base invasion were included. All patients underwent MRI, signal intensities on T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) were measured for each invaded site and its contralateral normal counterpart. The SIIs were calculated, receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed. The optimal cut-off values were extracted. The overall survival (OS) rates of 5-year follow-up were performed. Results: Sensitivities for differentiating skull-base invasion from normal contralateral anatomy were 98.9%, 88.5% and 70.0%, and specificities were 98.9%, 96.0% and 74.4%, respectively. There were three cut-off values for differentiating invasion from normal anatomy of skull-base, 49%, 98%, and 60%. Significant difference in OS rates (84.2% vs. 57.1%, p=0.007) was seen for SII threshold values > 60% and those ≤ 60%. Conclusions: The SII might be a useful means of differentiating invasion from normal tissue at the skull-base in NPC. The cut-off value of quantitative SII at the skull-base may aid in monitoring the response to treatment of NPC patients.

Objective:To investigate the work requirement and training needs of general practitioners in Shenzhen during the outbreak of coronal virus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Methods:From February 19 to February 29, 2020, the questionnaires of "Coping with COVID-19 epidemic of genereal practitioners in Shenzhen region" were distributed to 4 002 general practitioners in Shenzhen hospitals and communities through the Questionnaire Star software. The changes of job content, education parttern, and the perception of roles before and during the epidemic were surveyed; the different roles of doctors engaged in general medicine before and after 2008 in education and community work were compared; the needs for training in epidemic prevention related knowledge for general practitioners were investigated.Results:A total of 382 questionnaires were recovered, of which 361 were valid, and the effective rate was 94.5%. The 83.1% (300/361) of general practitioners believed that the number of patients during the epidemic was significantly reduced. The main work was to screen community residents in epidemic areas (68.9%, 249/361), telephone counseling (54.0%, 195/361), and screening and follow-up of close contacts (42.9%, 155/361); 98.9% (357/361) of community doctors participated in outpatient education. Experienced doctors (starting work before 2008) were more willing to undertake management work in the epidemic (χ 2=77.370, P<0.05) . General practitioners′ needs for training were psychological interventions for residents under quarantine (80.6%, 291/361), home protection knowledge in the community (74.2%, 268/361), and isolation measures of the family with suspected patients (67.3%, 243/361), wearing and taking off protective gowns (65.1%, 235/361), collecting pharyngeal swab specimens (57.3%, 207/361) and patient referral procedures (52.4%, 189/361). The 60.6% (219/316) of general practitioners preferred information from the government press conference, expert opinion or the intranet of the organization (such as the hospital management department). Conclusion:General practitioners in Shenzhen took important screening, public education and counseling works during the COVID-19 epidemic, meanwile the training in the psychological intervention, the prevention and control knowledge related to the epidemic should be strengthend to better cope with the epidemics.

AIM To explore the clinical effects of Yiqi Huoluluo Mingmu Decoction combined with Conbercept Ophthalmic Injection on patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy.METHODS One hundred and sixty-seven patients were randomly assigned into control group(83 cases)for administration of Conbercept Ophthalmic Injection,and observation group(84 cases)for administration of both Yiqi Huoluluo Mingmu Decoction and Conbercept Ophthalmic Injection.The changes in clinical effects,miR-15b,CTGF,VEGF,hemodynamic indices(PSV,EDV,RI),visual field gray value,CMT,hemangioma count,blood spot area,BCVA,electroretinograms(amplitudes of a wave,b wave under light-dark adaptation),TCM symptom scores and incidence of adverse reactions were detected.RESULTS The observation group demonstrated higher total effective rate than the control group(P＜0.05).After the treatment,the two groups displayed increased miR-15b,PSV,EDV,BCVA,electroretinograms(P＜0.05),and increased CTGF,VEGF,RI,visual field gray value,CMT,hemangioma count,blood spot area,TCM symptom scores(P＜0.05),especially for the observation group(P＜0.05).No significant difference in incidence of adverse reactions was found between the two groups(P＞0.05).CONCLUSION For the patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy,Yiqi Huoluluo Mingmu Decoction combined with Conbercept Ophthalmic Injection can improve hemodynamics,reduce fundus lesions,and regulate miR-15b,VEGF expressions.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the quantitative relationship between white matter tract (WMT) variation resulting from cerebral tumors and shifting of the fractional anisotropy (FA) index in magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

METHODSFour female and 8 male patients aged from 21 to 62 years with brain malignancies (2 malignant lymphomas, 2 low-grade astrocytomas, and 8 high-grade cerebral gliomas) underwent conventional contrast-enhanced MR and DTI examinations before operation. Routine T(2)-weighted image, fractional anisotropic (FA) map, color-coded directional map, three-dimensional white matter tractography (WMT), and the FA index of bilateral internal capsule were obtained in every patient.

RESULTSFiber tractography derived from DTI was consistent with known white matter fiber anatomy. The DTI patterns in WMT altered by the tumor were categorized on the basis of FA1/FA2 ratio as follows: pattern 1, FA1/FA2> or =75% with normal or only slightly decreased FA; pattern 2, 50%< or =FA1/FA2<75% with WMT displacement; pattern 3, 25%< or =FA1/FA2/50% with WMT involvement; pattern 4, FA1/FA2<25% with WMT destruction.

CONCLUSIONSDTI allows for visualization of WMT and benefits surgical planning for patients with intrinsic brain tumor. There is a positive relationship between the bilateral FA ratio (FA1/FA2) variation and WMT alterations resulting from the tumor.

Adult ; Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; Brain Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Glioblastoma ; diagnosis ; Glioma ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Fibers ; diagnostic imaging ; Neural Pathways ; radiation effects ; Preoperative Care ; Radiography ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo assess the value of white matter fiber tractography based on magnetic resonance diffusion-tensor imaging (MR-DTI), a new noninvasive technique that helps estimate the structural connectivity of the brain, in understanding the anatomy of the white matter fiber tract.

METHODSSix consecutive volunteers received MR-DTI examination using a GE 1.5T Sign CV/I whole-body MR system and version 2.0 Functool software for image processing. The protocol included T1WI for localization and single-shot echo-planner diffusion tensor imaging of the entire brain in axial, sagittal, and /or coronal sections.

RESULTSWhite matter fiber tracts imaged by MR-DTI were consistent with known white matter fiber anatomy. The major fiber tracts were well observed in all the cases. The tracts visualized included the corpus callosum, anterior commissure, uncinate fasciculus superior and inferior longitudinal fascicules, inferior occipito-frontal fasciculus, internal capsule and corona radiate.

CONCLUSIONA set of detailed white matter fiber anatomy maps of the normal brain is obtained by means of single-shot echo-planner diffusion tensor imaging at high resolution. This technique allows rapid visualization of the white matter tracts in vivo, and provides a new reliable means for studying fiber connectivity in the brain.

Adult ; Brain ; anatomy & histology ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo make an attempt at the multi-element speciation in the Chinese medicinal herbs by determining the concentrations of 25 elements in different extraction solutions.

METHODFirstly, five Chinese medicinal herbs (Buddleja officinalis, Dictamnus dasycarpus, Myristica fragrans, Albizia judibrissin and Inula japonica) from the same region of China were treated to obtain water-soluble phase, lipid-soluble phase and non-soluble phase by water extraction, organic solvent extraction and acid digestion, respectively. Secondly, Phytolacca acinosa, a Chinese medicinal herb collected from 9 regions of China, was extracted by 0% EtOH, 50% EtOH, 75% EtOH, 95% EtOH, respectively, referring the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Finally, the concentrations of 25 elements, such as Be, Cr, Cu, Zn, Ge, Sr, Y, Mo, Cd, Tl, Pb and REEs, in the above three phases were determined by ICP-MS.

RESULTUnder the optimal conditions, all the 25 elements could be determined with detection limits ranged from 0.003 to 0.71 ng x g(-1). The average recoveries of the elements in P. acinosa were 88% approximately 119%, with the relative standard deviations 1.7% approximately 13.3%. It was observed that the determined 25 elements distributed in all the water-soluble, lipid-soluble and non-soluble phases, indicating that the inorganic species, organicspecies, as well as the protein bound species were coexisted in the herbs. Big differences of the element extraction rates could be found by using different ethanol solutions.

CONCLUSIONWith the aid of the obtained results, we may increase the extraction of necessary elements while decrease that of the toxic elements from the herbs by choosing a suitable solvent during the drug production.

Buddleja ; chemistry ; Cadmium ; analysis ; Copper ; analysis ; Dictamnus ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Ecosystem ; Lead ; analysis ; Metals, Heavy ; analysis ; Molybdenum ; analysis ; Myristica fragrans ; chemistry ; Phytolacca ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Solvents ; chemistry ; Trace Elements ; analysis ; Zinc ; analysis

OBJECTIVEIt is revealed that circulating fibrocytes are elevated in patients/animals with cardiac fibrosis, and this review aims to provide an introduction to circulating fibrocytes and their role in cardiac fibrosis.

DATA SOURCESThis review is based on the data from 1994 to present obtained from PubMed. The search terms were "circulating fibrocytes " and "cardiac fibrosis ".

STUDY SELECTIONArticles and critical reviews, which are related to circulating fibrocytes and cardiac fibrosis, were selected.

RESULTSCirculating fibrocytes, which are derived from hematopoietic stem cells, represent a subset of peripheral blood mononuclear cells exhibiting mixed morphological and molecular characteristics of hematopoietic and mesenchymal cells (CD34+/CD45+/collagen I+). They can produce extracellular matrix and many cytokines. It is shown that circulating fibrocytes participate in many fibrotic diseases, including cardiac fibrosis. Evidence accumulated in recent years shows that aging individuals and patients with hypertension, heart failure, coronary heart disease, and atrial fibrillation have more circulating fibrocytes in peripheral blood and/or heart tissue, and this elevation of circulating fibrocytes is correlated with the degree of fibrosis in the hearts.

CONCLUSIONSCirculating fibrocytes are effector cells in cardiac fibrosis.

Coronary Disease ; pathology ; Fibroblasts ; physiology ; Fibrosis ; pathology ; Heart Failure ; pathology ; Humans ; Hypertension ; pathology ; Myocardium ; pathology

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effecacy and safety of CHOEP mobilization regimen, and the effect and tolerance of sequential chemotherapy combined with tandem autotransplants of peripheral blood stem cells for aggressive lymphoma. The clinical data of 5 patients with recurrent, aggressive lymphoma treated with of sequential chemotherapy combined with tandem autotransplants were analyzed retrospectively. The patients included 1 HD and 4 NHL. Mobilization regimen was CHOEP combined with G-CSF 5 microg/(kg x d). The conditioning regimen for the tandem transplantation was high-dose CHOEP. The interval of the tandem autotransplantation was 9 (5 - 31) weeks. In tandem autotransplant, the cell number of MNC transfused was 3.05 (1.91 - 4.14) x 10(8)/kg and 3.55 (2.23 - 6.0) x 10(8)/kg; CD34(+) cells were 4.11 (2.59 - 4.94) x 10(6)/kg and 5.70 (2.77 - 10.6) x 10(6)/kg; CFU-GM was 2.96 (2.01 - 4.54) x 10(5)/kg and 2.44 (1.78 - 2.9) x 10(5)/kg respectively (P > 0.05). The results showed that all patients gained prompt and sustained hemotopoietic reconstitution. The interval of ANC >or= 0.5 x 10(9)/L was 10 (8 - 12) days and 10.5 (9 - 12) days; Pt >or= 2.0 x 10(9)/L was 11 (10 - 14) days and 12.5 (10 - 15) days respectively (P > 0.05). Four patients survived, three patients among them were alive in disease-free for median of 46 (9 - 88) months. The overall survival was 80%, and the disease-free survival was 60%. In conclusion, the method of sequential high-dose CHOEP chemotherapy combined with autotransplants of peripheral blood stem cells in tandem for aggressive lymphoma is probably safe and effective.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Cyclophosphamide ; therapeutic use ; Doxorubicin ; therapeutic use ; Etoposide ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Prednisolone ; therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Analysis ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Treatment Outcome ; Vincristine ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether there is an association between the expression of B7-H1 in HBV transgenic mice and the immune tolerance to HBV.

METHODST cells stimulatory capacity of DC was analyzed using mixed lymphocyte reaction. Expression of MHC-II, CD80, CD86, B7-H1 on DC was detected by Flow Cytometry. IL-2, IFNgamma, IL-10 production of T cells were determined by using ELISA. B7-H1 mRNA and protein expression in liver tissue were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting respectively.

RESULTSThe ability of DC cells from HBV transgenic mice to stimulate T cell proliferation was significantly impaired compared with DC cells from control mice (t = 16.674, 19.674, 21.712, P less than 0.01). Expression of MHC-II, CD80 on DC was markedly decreased in transgenic mice (t = 7.910, 6.413, P less than 0.05). Meanwhile, the expression of CD86 and B7-H1 on DC cells in HBV transgenic mice were not significantly different from that in control mice. The levels of IL-2, IFNgamma, IL-10 in supernatant of T cells was significantly lower compared with controls (t = 18.712, 18.712 and 11.683, P less than 0.05). There was no significant difference in B7-H1 expression at mRNA and protein levels in liver tissue compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONSFunctional defect of DC, partly due to decreased expression of MHC-II, CD80, but not related to B7-H1 expression, is the cause for immune tolerance to HBV in HBV transgenic mice.

Animals ; Antigens, CD ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cell Proliferation ; Cytokines ; biosynthesis ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; metabolism ; Flow Cytometry ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class II ; metabolism ; Immune Tolerance ; Liver ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Transgenic ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Spleen ; immunology ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; metabolism