Inflammasomes are multi-protein complexes that trigger the activation of caspase-1 and the maturation of interleukin-1β ( IL-1β) , which are critical for inflammation and control of pathogen infection. Inflammasomes are involved in and regulate diversified diseases due to its capability to sense multiple danger signals. In this review, we present the activation and regulation mechanisms for different inflammasomes and discuss how genetic mutations in inflammasome-related genes or abnormal activity of in-flammasomes lead to diseases. Insights into the role of inflammasome in various human diseases will provide sound theoretical basis and effective treatment strategy for these disease.

Mantle cell lymphoma(MCL)is one of the most frustrating diseases because it exhibits the worst features of both aggressive non-Hodgkin Lymphoma(NHL)and indolent NHL.It develops rapidly like the former,and it is incurable and lacks of better therapeutic options like the latter.Clinical researchs confirm the activity of rituximab as a single agent and combination regimens(R-Chemo)in the treatment of MCL. Bortezomab is also active in treating patients with MCL and requires further study in combination regiments. The usages of mTOR inhibitor and radioimmunotherapy represents a novel therapeutic approaches in the treatment of MCL.It is also deserved to study.

OBJECTIVE:To observe the clinical curative effect of Danshen and Chuanxiongqin injetion for frequent attacks of transient cerebral ischemia. METHODS: A total of 78 patients with frequent attacks of transient cerebral ischemia were enrolled:40(treatment group) were assigned to receive Danshen and Chuanxiongqin injection 10 mL with 0.9% physionlogical saline 200 mL iv gtt q.d, 38 (control group) to receive Xuesaitong injection 10 mL with 0.9% physiological saline 200 mL iv gtt q.d for 14 days(for both group).RESULTS: There were significant differences between the treatment group and the control group in effective rate (95.00% vs.57.89% respectively) (P

Objective To evaluate the variability of calculating thyroid volume by SPECT imaging at different time postinjection. Methods A total of 40 patients with Graves disease were enrolled in this prospective study using simple random sampling method. After intravenous injection of Na99TcmO4, all patients underwent planar and tomographic scintigraphy at different time points (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45 and 60 min), and the planar or tomographic integral method were used to estimate thyroid volume. Data were analyzed by one?way analysis of variance, paired t test or linear correlation analysis. Results For thyroid volume esti?mated by planar imaging, the correlation coefficients between the different time points and 20 min were 0?717-0?819 (all P<0.05), and the CV was (18.38±5.31)%. For thyroid volume estimated by tomographic integral method, the correlation coefficients were 0.913-0.961 (all P<0.05), and the CV was (8.05± 3?19)%. Both the correlation coefficient and CV were statistically significant between the two methods ( t=-13.59, -11.29, both P<0.05) . Conclusions Tomographic integral method has better correlation and re?producibility in calculating thyroid volume compared with planar method.

Objective To evaluate the MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) diagnosis for cholangitis caused by clonorchis sinensis. Methods Fifty-four cases with cholangitis caused by clonorchis sinensis were examined by MRCP (3D FASE-Heavy T 2WI sequence). The results of MRCP were compared with that of ERCP, laparoscopy, and pathology. Results The diagnostic accuracy for the cause of the disease was 88.9%. Main findings on MRCP included slight dilation of the intra-hepatic biliary duct ( n =46), small cystiform dilation of peripheral biliary ending ( n =43), extra-hepatic biliary dilations ( n =15) and strictures ( n =19), and low signal intensity filling defect in the common bile duct and gallbladder ( n =6). Conclusion MRCP of biliary tree images can be obtained with 3D FASE Heavy T 2WI sequence in considerable details. The characteristic of the cholangitis caused by clonorchis sinensis on MRCP was the slight dilation or stricture of extensive intra-hepatic biliary duct, combined with small cystiform dilation of peripheral biliary ending. MRCP was an ideal technique in diagnosing the disease.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of muscle stimulating instrument on patients with spasticity of lower limbs after surgical treatment.Methods49 adults with spasticity of lower limbs after surgical treatment were divided into the treatment group (21 cases) and the control group (28 cases). Patients of two groups were treated with routien rehabilitation training, but muscle stimulating instruments treatment was added to patients of the treatment group. The muscle strength and motor ability of patients of two groups were followed up and compared.ResultsThe muscle strength and motor ability of the treatment group were better than that of the control group during follow-up period (P<0.05,P<0.01).ConclusionMuscle stimulating instrument can accelerate the recovery of muscle strength and motor ability in adults with spasticity of lower limbs after surgical treatment.

AIM:To detect the changes of cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) expression in the brain following ischemia-reperfusion of hind limbs in the rats and to elucidate their significance .METHODS:Hind limb ischemia was in-duced by clamping infrarenal aorta with a microvascular clip and brain injury was made by following reperfusion .The brain tissue was obtained from the animals subjected to sham operation , 4 h of ischemia without reperfusion and 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h of reperfusion following 4 h of ischemia .The expression of CBS at mRNA and protein levels was measured at different time points by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction ( RT-PCR) and Western blotting .The CBS activity and hy-drogen sulfide ( H2 S) concentration in the brain were determined by a universal microplate reader .The observation of path-ologic changes of the brain was made following the inhibition of CBS by hydroxylamine .RESULTS:The relative expression of CBS at mRNA and protein levels in IR group significantly increased compared with sham group .It reached a peak at 12 h (P<0.01), and returned to baseline at 24 h (P>0.05).This time course correlated with increased CBS activity and H2 S concentration .No statistically significant difference in the above indexes between sham operation group and ischemia group was observed (P>0.05).Inhibition of CBS activity induced more severe brain injury in IR group .CONCLUSION:Up-regulation of CBS/H2 S pathway is involved in the protection for neurons during the ischemia-reperfusion of hind limbs .

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study is to establish a transgenic mouse model for cleft palate relevant gene thyroid transcription factor-2 (TTF-2), which can be used to study palatal shelf development when the expression pattern and regular activation of TTF-2 is altered.

METHODSThe C57BL/6J mouse TTF-2 gene was cloned through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from the mouse genomic DNA. The TTF-2 gene was inserted into the expression vector pBROAD3-mcs to construct the recombinant expression vector pBROAD3-TTF-2. This expression vector was then microinjected into the male pronuclei of the fertilized mouse ovum. Thus, the TTF-2 transgenic mice model was established. The genotype of the transgenic mice was identified by PCR and Southern blot analysis. Immunohistochemistry identified the consistent expression of TTF-2 gene during its palatal shelf development.

RESULTSTTF-2 genes were microinjected into 982 fertilized ova. A total of 580 two-cell-stage embryos cultured and transplanted into the oviducts of 48 pseudopregnant female mice. Overall, 68 embryos were obtained for analysis. The genotype of the mice was determined through PCR and Southern blot analysis using genomic DNA extracted from tail biopsies of the transgenic fetus. A total of 13 TTF-2 transgenic mice were detected. The expression of TTF-2 gene during the palatal shelf development of the transgenic mice was consistently detected by immunohistochemistry.

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant expression vector pBROAD3-TTF-2 was integrated into mouse genome through microinjection. The transgenic mouse in the palatal shelf that consistently expressed TTF-2 was successfully established and displayed a cleft palate phenotype.

Animals ; Cleft Palate ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; Genotype ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Transgenic ; Thyroid Gland

Objective To evaluate common carotid arterial intima-media thickness (IMT) and elasticity using ultrasound radio-frequency data (RF-data) technology, the normal values of the related parameters were determined in healthy adults for their potential clinical applications.Methods One hundred and sixty healthy adults were included and divided into 4 age groups with 20 males and 20 females in each group.The quantitative parameters of common carotid arterial IMT, common carotid arterial distensibility (CD),local pulse wave velocity(PWVβ) and stiffness(β) were calculated automatically.The correlations that the IMT, PWVβ and β were correlated positively with aging and CD was correlated negatively with between IMT and PWVβ or β, while no correlation between IMT and CD.The positive correlation was found correlation between IMT and age ( P＜0.05) ;In 30～39 and 40～49 years old groups,PWVβ increased and CD decreased with aging;In 50～59 years old group,PWVβ and β increased with aging;But in 60～69 years these parameters changed with aging in subjects＜60 years old.Conclusions RF-data technology could quantitativly evaluate common carotid arterial IMT and elasticity, the normal values of the related parameters were determined with aging,it may be a promising modality to assess the arterial condition.

According to the correlative analyses on Chinese medicine essence, dosage forms and quality control level, it expounds the precise concept of Chinese medicine, and its quality advantages and characteristics in this paper, furthermore discusses how to achieve the ideal drugs and Chinese medicine quality precision in expectation. Base on the Chinese medicine essence, using the concept of nature medicine and its drug system to construct Chinese medicine effective material basis and its drugs, with the correlative analyses of whole view and reductionism, the problems of uncertainty quality of original natural medicinal resources and preparations may well be solved, and further with the macroscopic to microcosmic construction of drug system, the precision in expectations of Chinese medicine quality and higher production lever may well be achieved.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; standards ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Precision Medicine ; Quality Control