OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Tetramethyl pyrazine (TMP) on the cytokines and inflammatory mediators in the serum and the synovial fluid of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA)rats, and further to investigate its possible mechanisms for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODSType II CIA rat model was established. Rats in the TMP group were administered with TMP at 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, once daily. Dexamethasone at 2.0 mg/kg was intramuscularly injected to those in the Dexamethasone treated group, once daily. Normal saline at 2 mL/kg was given to those in the normal control group and the model group, once daily. All medication was started from the 7th day, lasting to the 35th day. CIA rats' foot swelling degree was observed. Contents of serum IL-1, IL-6, IL-2, NO and PGE2in the synovial fluid were detected by radioimmunoassay and nitrate reduction method.

RESULTSCompared with the normal group, the foot swelling obviously increased, contents of NO and PGE2 in the synovial fluid were obviously elevated in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the foot swelling could be obviously inhibited by 100 mg/kg TMP and Dexamethasone; serum levels of IL-1 and IL-6 obviously decreased, serum IL-2 level obviously increased, contents of NO and PGE, decreased (P < 0.01). TMP 50 mg/kg could obviously inhibit the foot swelling of CIA rats (P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in other indices (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTMP at 100 mg/kg showed obvious inhibition on CIA rats. Its inhibitory effect might be correlated to inhibiting activities of endogenous cytokines and the generation of inflammatory mediators in inflammation local regions, improving contents of anti-inflammation cytokines, and inducing the balance of the inflammatory cytokine network.

Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; blood ; metabolism ; Dinoprostone ; metabolism ; Female ; Interleukin-1beta ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Synovial Fluid ; metabolism

This study was aimed to analyze the medication and herbal prescription rules in the treatment of nephrotic syndrome (NS) by Prof. Huang Chunlin with Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance Support System ( TCMISS ) . Prescriptions used for NS treatment were collected and the data was entered into the TCMISS . The commonly used herbs and herbal prescription rules in NS treatment by Prof. Huang were summarized through the association rules, revised mutual information, complex system entropy cluster and other unsupervised hierarchical clustering methods. The results showed that based on the analysis of 280 prescriptions from 68 patients, the fre-quency of each herb and association rules among herbs included in the database were identified. And the basic NS treatment prescription by Prof. Huang Chunlin and 8 new prescriptions were mined from the database. It was concluded that data mining is of great practical value to the summarization of clinical experiences of well-known TCM doctors.

ObjectiveTo identify the framework for assessing health related quality of life(HRQOL) of Kaschin-Beck disease(KBD),in order to reflect the impact of KBD on quality of life in patients with the disease.MethodsQualitative descriptive research was adopted.Semi-open ended questions were developed by using the World Health Organization(WHO) definitions of health and quality of life.Group interview and face to face interviews were conducted on 48 patients with KBD and 29 health care experts on KBD in Linyou and Yongshou counties,Shaanxi province,which were higher prevalence areas of KBD.Content template analysis was conducted and the template was based on the WHOQOL-100's framework.ResultsThe framework of HRQOL for KBD included four domains:physical activity,familial/social support,economic and psychological state.There were also eleven facets which were:pain and discomfort,physical function and activity limitation,diet and sleeping,social relationship,concerns of family responsibilities,social support,economic,housing and the surrounding environment,appearance concerns,mental health,and general state of health.The total entries were 69.ConclusionsThe framework for assessing HRQOL of KBD is established.The framework highlights the impact of KBD on the patients' quality of life with higher specificity.

OBJECTIVETo assess the application of IS6110-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), Spoligotyping and mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit (MIRU) in epidemiological studies of tuberculosis and to discuss the characteristics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains in different regions in China.

METHODSMycobacterium tuberculosis strains, with a total number of 158 isolates, were subjected to IS6110-RFLP, Spoligotyping and MIRU.

RESULTSThe numbers of patterns produced by IS6110-RFLP, Spoligotyping, and MIRU typing were 118, 20 and 105 respectively. The discriminatory power of IS6110-RFLP was higher than that of Spoligotyping. However, when the copies of IS6110 were lower than 10, the discriminatory power of Spoligotyping improved obviously. The discriminatory power of MIRU typing was close to that of IS6110-RFLP for typing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In MIRU loci, there were four loci (loci 4, 10, 26, 40) with higher diversity. Significant differences among the Mycobacterium tuberculosis between Guangdong and other regions in clustered rate and the proportion of Beijing genotype (P < 0.05) were found. The clustered rates and the proportion of Beijing genotype in Guangdong were lower than that in other regions.

CONCLUSIONThe results of this study indicated that either IS6110-RFLP, Spoligotyping or MIRU technique was useful for epidemiological studies on tuberculosis in China and the strains in different regions had different characterishes in China.

China ; epidemiology ; DNA Fingerprinting ; methods ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; Humans ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Tuberculosis ; epidemiology ; microbiology

OBJECTIVEAngiotensin II is an important pro inflammation factor in the cardiovascular system. This experiment is aimed to study the effects of angiotensin II on inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in human umbilical endothelial cells.

METHODSHuman umbilical endothelial cells were cultured in vitro and treated with angiotensin II alone or in combination with AT1, AT2 and NF-kappaB inhibitors respectively. The inducible nitric oxide synthase expressions at protein and mRNA levels were measured with Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the activity of NF-kappaB was analyzed with EMSA.

RESULTSAngiotensin II up-regulated inducible nitric oxide synthase expressions at the protein and mRNA levels at 5 h (P < 0.05), the activity of NF-kappaB was enhanced at 2 h (P < 0.05). These effects could be blocked by AT1 and NF-kappaB inhibitors but not by AT2 inhibitor.

CONCLUSIONAngiotensin II can upregulate the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase through NF-kappaB pathway in human umbilical endothelial cells. AT1, other than AT2, play a key role in this process.

Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers ; pharmacology ; Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Blockers ; Cell Line ; Endothelial Cells ; chemistry ; drug effects ; Heart Failure ; metabolism ; Humans ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; biosynthesis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology ; Up-Regulation

[Objective]To study the intervention effect of mild hypotherrnia on cerebral edema in rats after cerebral infarction.[Methods]Twelve male SD rats were randomized into control group (n--6) and mild hypotherma treatment group (n=6).The rat models of focal cerebral infarction were established with obstructing the middle cerebral artery of rats by suture emboli.Rats of the mild hypotherma treatment group were treated by mild hypotherm for 3 h after the models were established.MRI was performed at 6 h,and 1,3,5 and 7 d after the success of model making.Cerebral infarction volume,absorption rate of edema,and signal intensity ratios (SIRs) ofTIWl,T2WI,FLAIR and DWI sequencas in the infarction zones,and relative variance ratio of SIR (△SIR) were measured and calculated.[Results] In the mild hypotherma treatment group,the cerebral infarction volumes 3,5 and 7 d after the models were established were significantly decreased as compared with those in the control group (P＜0.05);the absorption rate of edema (the 7th d against the 3th d of infarction) in the the mild hypotherma treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P＜0.05).Three,5 and 7 d after infarction,the SIRs of TIWI were all obviously higher than those in the control group,and the SIRs of T2WI and FLAIR were all significantly lower than those in the control group (P＜0.05).The SIR of DWI in the mild hypotherma treatment group was obviously lower than that in the control group 7 d after infarction (P＜0.05).The △SIRs of T2Wl,FLAIR and DWI in the mild hypotherma treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P＜0.05).[Conclusion] Mild hypothermia has a significant inhibition effect on cerebral edema in rats after cerebral infarction.

The aim of this study was to explore the regulatory function of interleukin-6(IL-6) on human Th17 cells. Human peripheral blood CD4(+) T cells were purified from healthy donors by anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) conjugated microbeads. The experiment was divided into 2 groups. Test group in which CD4(+) T cells (1 × 10(6)/ml) were stimulated by human recombined IL-6 (20 ng/ml) for 4 days; control group in which CD4(+) T cells did not stimulated by IL-6. The concentrations of IL-17 protein in the supernatants were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and quantity of Th17 cells were detected by flow cytometry. The results showed that as compared to control group, IL-17 protein level in the supernatants of CD4(+) T cells significantly increased in IL-6 stimulated group: (337.05 ± 189.09 pg/ml; vs 15.07 ± 12.70 pg/ml) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the percentage of Th17 cells in cultures of CD4(+) T cells stimulated by IL-6 was significantly higher than that in control group (4.05% ± 0.30% vs. 2.81% ± 0.44%)(p < 0.01). It is concluded that IL-6 promotes the expansion of Th17 cells in vitro.
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; immunology ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; pharmacology ; Lymphocyte Activation ; immunology ; Th17 Cells ; drug effects ; immunology

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitor PTK787 on cell proliferation, cell cycle and the expression of fak mRNA of human chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cell line K562, and to explore the mechanism of PTK787 against acute myeloid leukemia. The MTT method was used to detect the effects of PTK787 in various concentrations and at different time points on proliferation of K562 cells; the flow cytometry was used to determine the effects of PTK787 in different concentrations on cell cycle of K562 cells; the RT-PCR was used to assay the expression of fak mRNA in K562 cells treated with PTK787 for 48 hours. The results showed that along with increasing of the concentration and prolonging of time, the inhibitory rate of PTK787 on K562 proliferation was gradually enhanced. The comparison between various concentration groups at same time or comparison between various time groups in same concentration showed significant differences (p < 0.05), in which the effect of 320 micromol/L PTK787 on cells was strongest, while the continuous increase of PTK787 concentration or prolong of action time did not enhance the inhibitory rate on K562 proliferation. With increasing of drug concentration, the cell proportion in G(1) phase gradually increased, the cell proportion in S phase gradually decreased, the comparison between various groups revealed significant differences (p < 0.05), however the continuous increase of drug concentration from 160 micromol/L did not obviously change the cell proportion in phases of cell cycle. With increasing of drug concentration, the expression of fak mRNA in K562 cells gradually reduced with significant differences between various groups (p < 0.05), but with continuous increase of drug concentration from 160 micromol/L, the effect of PTK787 on the expression of fak mRNA in K562 cells also did not obviously change. It is concluded that the PTK787 shows effect of anti-leukemia cells through inhibiting transformation of the K562 cells from G(1) phase into S phase and decreasing the expression of fak mRNA in cells.
Cell Cycle ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Focal Adhesion Kinase 1 ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Phthalazines ; pharmacology ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo establish a model of human monocytic leukemia with CNS infiltration in BALB/c nude mice.

METHODSBALB/c nu/nu mice pre-treated by splenectomy, cytoxan intraperitoneal injection, and sublethal irradiation (SCI), were transplanted intravenously with 1 x 10(7) of human monocytic leukemic SHI-1 cells. The leukemic cells engrafted in the mice were detected by RT-PCR, histopathological examination, immunohistochemistry and FCM.

RESULTSThe survival time of SCI-nu/nu mice was 33-46 d. Paraplegia occurred in some of the mice. 5 weeks after transplantation, SHI-1 cells engrafted in SCI-nu/nu mice, multi-organs were involved and green solid neoplasms were formed in some organs. Histopathological examination found that SHI-1 cells infiltrated in liver, lung, kidney and testis of the mice and vertebral and skull bone marrow was replaced by leukemic cells. Leukemic cell penetrated through the surface of vertebrae, formed neoplasm, and entered the subdural space, but seldom involved the spinal parenchyma. In brain leukemia cells were filled in the subdural space and pia-arachnoid, covered the surface of cerebrum, cerebellum, spread along the virchow-robin space on the surface of pia mater, and eventually invaded the brain parenchyma.

CONCLUSIONSHI-1 cells could engrafted in the SCI-nu/nu mice, form an efficient and reproducible experimental model of CNSL and systematic leukemia. This model may be useful for studying the pathogenesis of CNSL.

Adult ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms ; Humans ; Leukemia, Experimental ; pathology ; Leukemia, Monocytic, Acute ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Rats ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; methods

OBJECTIVETo summarize our experiences in the treatment of type C3 (AO/OTA) distal radius fractures fixed with AO 2.4 mm locking plates combined with percutaneous pinning after manipulative reduction.

METHODSFrom May 2009 to March 2012, 19 patients (2 cases of both sides) with type C3 (AO/OTA) distal radius fractures were treated with volar locking plates combined with percutaneous pinning for distal radius after manipulative reduction. Among the patients, the average age was (45.3 ± 17.4) years old (ranged, 31 to 66 years old). The fracture were complicated with ulnar styloid fracture in 14 wrists and 6 wrists had distal radioulnar joint instability. All the patients had closed fracture and the mean duration was (6.7 ± 3.5) days (4.5 to 9 days). The Henry approach was applied to expose the fracture site. Joint capsule and ligaments were retained for indirect reduction. After indirect reduction, the poking reduction technique was used to correct the residual compression, and congruence of distal ulnar radial joint was verified under fluorscopic guidance. Styloid process was first pinned percutaneously and then AO 2.4 mm volar locking plate was used to support rigid fixation. The fractures complicated with distal radioulnar joint instability and ulnar styloid fracture were treated with forearm plaster support in supination for 6 weeks.

RESULTSNineteen patients (21 wrists) were followed up for an average duration of 10.5 months (ranged, 7 to 17 months). Radiographic bone union of distal radius was achieved in all cases, nonunion of the ulnar styloid occurred in 3 cases, and no distal radioulnar joint instability occurred. Tendon irritation was found in 2 cases and disappeared after the internal fixation was removed. The volar tilt, radial angle, radial length, incongruence of articular surface and distal radioulnar joint were observed at the follow-up. According to Batra and Gupta scoring system, 13 wrists were assessed to have a score of more than 80, 5 wrists 70 to 90, 3 wrists less than 70. Meanwhile, the subjective and objective evaluation was executed,range of motion of wrist, residual deformity and complications were observed. According to Sarmiento's modification of the system of Gartland and Werley, 17 wrists got an excellent result, 3 good and 1 fair.

CONCLUSIONType C3 (AO/OTA) distal radius fractures could be managed with manipulative reduction. Locking plate internal fixation combined with percutaneous pinning can offer enough support for early mobilization and rehabilitation, resulting in a better clinical outcome and satisfactory prognosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Plates ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Manipulation, Orthopedic ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Radius Fractures ; complications ; surgery