Objective To investigate the clinical manifestations and treatment regiment of children with juvenile dermatomyositis(JDM).Methods The clinical manifestation,changes of serum muscale enzyme,myopathic laboratory examination,treatment and prognosis of 15 children with JDM retrospectively admitted from Jan.1990 to Jan.2004 were analyzed.Results All of the children had symmetrical weakness of the proximal muscles.The most frequent features were heliotrope and Gottron's papules.Elevated muscle enzymes were noted in all cases.Electromyography revealed typical change of myopathic type and muscle biopsy was compalible with myositis in all cases.Most of patients achieved normal muscle enzymes within 1 month and had improved muscle strength with 2.5 monthes of the initiation of corticosteroid therapy.Conclusion It is very important to know the clinical features of JDM,and prompt diagnosis and treatment will result in an improved prognosis.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of interleukin-2(IL-2)on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis(EAE)mice.Methods After establishment of the EAE(experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis) mouse models with MOG35-55 polypeptides,the mice were grouped according to the neurological function score and divided into control group,EAE group and low dose IL-2 treatment group.A double blind method was used to evaluate the neuro-logical impairment in mice.On the 29th day,pathological experiments were carried out in the mice's brain and spinal cord, hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to evaluate the scoring of inflammatory cell infiltration and luxol fast blue staining was used to evaluate the scoring of demyelinating.The proportion of regulatory T cells(Treg)and NK cells(natural killer cell, NK)was detected by flow cytometry,and the immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expressions of glial fibril -lary acidic protein(GFAP)and myelin basic protein(MBP)in the spinal cord.Results Compared with the EAE group, the neurological function score, the inflammatory cell infiltration score and the demyelinating score of the low dose IL-2 treatment group were reduced.The proportion of Treg cells in the low dose IL-2 treatment group was significantly higher than that in the EAE group,and the proportion of NK cells in the low dose IL-2 treatment group was slightly higher than that in the EAE group The expression of GFAP and MBP was detected by immunohistochemistry.The expression level of GFAP in low dose IL-2 treatment group was significantly lower than that in the EAE group,while the expression level of MBP was higher than that in the EAE group.Conclusion Low dose IL-2 has significant therapeutic effect on EAE mice.

The theory that "the kidney nourishes marrow and brain is the sea of marrow" has been instructing traditional Chinese medical doctors in preventing and treating dementia in aged people for thousands of years. However, the modern biological basis of this theory has not been systemically studied. In this review, we summarized our serial pharmacological studies on the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with Chinese medicinal herbs, using multiple kinds of AD-like animal and cell models. The results show that "kidney-reinforcing" herbs of traditional Chinese medicine play a very important role in the anti-AD effects; and different "kidney-reinforcing" herbs have different effects in brain functions. The common effects of "kidney-reinforcing" herbs are improving cellular energy metabolism, increasing neurotrophic factors and the number of cholinergic neurons, and decreasing neurotoxin production. Based on above results, we propose that the essence of "brain marrow" is the neurons and neurotrophic factors in the brain; "the deficiency of brain marrow" is induced by the decrease in neurotrophic factors and the atrophy and loss of neurons in the brain, thus resulting in cognitive impairment and dementia. The modern biological basis of "reinforcing kidney to replenish marrow" by traditional Chinese medicine includes improving cellular energy metabolism and utilization, enhancing endogenous neurotrophic effects and decreasing neurotoxin production, thus reducing the cell death and increasing the survival and regeneration of neurons.
Alzheimer Disease ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Animals ; Cell Death ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Energy Metabolism ; drug effects ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Memory ; drug effects ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Nerve Growth Factors ; metabolism ; Neurons ; cytology ; drug effects ; Neurotoxins ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

OBJECTIVE To explore the antitumor effects of combined tanshinoneⅠ(TanⅠ),metformin (Met) and aspirin (Asp) on malignant melanoma in mice and the possible mechanisms. METHODS C57BL/6 mice were injected with 0.1 mL B16F10 cells(2.8×109L-1)to establish the subcutaneous trans-plantation tumor model at the right forelimbs axillary.Then,the mice were divided into 8 groups according to body mass,including model group, TanⅠgroup(20 mg·kg-1,ip),Asp group(210 mg·kg-1,orally in drinking water), Met group (70 mg·kg-1, orally in drinking water), Asp+Met group, TanⅠ+Asp group, TanⅠ+Met group and TanⅠ+Asp+Met group,10 mice in each group.Each mouse drank about 7 mL of water every day for a total of 18 d.The mouse body mass was measured every other day and the tumor diameter was calculated every day. The mice were sacrificed after treatment, the tumor mass was measured and the tumor inhibitory rates were counted. The histopathological changes of the liver and spleen were observed with HE staining. The percentage of lymphocytes in the tumor tissue such as CD8+T,CD4+T and Treg cells was detected by flow cytometry.Inflammatory factors such as interleukin-6 (IL-6),IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected by ELISA. RESULTS The body mass (including tumor mass)of mice in different groups increased during the experiment,but that of TanⅠ+Asp+Met group increased more slower than in model group(P<0.01).At the end of the experiment,no lesions were seen in any liver or spleen tissue by pathological observation,and the number of survivors was 8/10(model group),8/10(TanⅠgroup),7/10(Asp group),7/10(Met group),8/10(TanⅠ+Asp group), 8/10 (TanⅠ+Met group), 7/10 (Asp+Met group) and 5/10 (TanⅠ+Asp+ Met group), respectively. Compared with model group,there were no obvious changes in tumor volume or tumor mass in TanⅠ, Asp and Met groups and other two-two joint groups,but the tumor volume and tumor mass in TanⅠ+Asp+ Met group were significantly decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the tumor inhibitory rate in this group was 46.2%.Compared with the model group,the percentage of CD8+T cells increased(P<0.05) in TanⅠ+Asp+Met group,but there were no significant changes in other groups.The contents of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α in tumor tissue of TanⅠ+Met group were much higher than in model group(P<0.01, P<0.05,P<0.05)and the content of IL-6 increased in TanⅠ+Asp+Met group(P<0.01).CONCLUSION Combination of TanⅠ,Asp and Met can effectively inhibit the growth of melanoma in mice,which may be related to the increasing percentage of CD8+T lymphocytes and IL-6 in tumor tissue.However there are possibly some side effects.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the neuroprotective effect and possible mechanisms of lute-olin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide (LGU) against focalcerebral ischemic injury. METHODS The focal cerebral ischemic injury model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group,model group(MCAO),LGU group(0.24,0.72 and 2.16 mg·kg-1)and positive control group(Edaravone at 5 mg·kg-1).LGU was injected intravenously 30 min after MCAO.Neurological severity score,infarct volume and brain water content were detected 24 h after MCAO and the levels of Na+-K+ATPase,Ca2+ATPase,TNF-α and IL-1β were detected to explore the possible mechanisms.For the therapeutic time window test,LGU(0.72 mg·kg-1)was injected intrave-nously 0.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 h respectively after MCAO. To evaluate motion behavior, LGU were injected intravenously 30 min after MCAO and once per day during detection period. The changes of motor coordination were detected by rotating rod method and grip strength analysis, and the changes of gaits were detected using DigiGait Imaging System. RESULTS LGU improved the neurological severity score, infarct volume ratio and brain water content. The therapeutic time window of LGU for cerebral infarction and brain edema was at least 6 h and for neurological dysfunction was 12 h.LGU also prolonged the latency on rotarod, increased the forelimb tension and improved 8 gait parameters, including stance duration,stride length,stance width,paw area,paw area variability,gait symmetry,ataxia coefficient and tau propulsion.Furthermore,LGU increased Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase levels in the cortex and hippocampus in the ischemic side,reduced the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in the serum. CONCLUSION LGU has a significant neuroprotective effect against cerebral ischemic injury via improving energy metabolism and reducing inflammation.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the protective effect and mechanisms of luteolin-7-O-β-d-glucuronide (LGU) on oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced H9C2 cardiomyocytes injury. METH-ODS The protective effect of LGU on OGD-induced H9C2 cardiomyocytes death were investigated by MTT assay. The microfilament change of H9C2 cardiomyocytes was detected by phalloidin staining and the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage rate was also detected by LDH kit. In order to explore the possible mechanisms of LGU, ATP content, intracellular Ca2+fluorescent intensity and concentra-tion, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP)and the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins were detected by ATP kit,CLSM(Fluo-3/AM probe),Ca2+kit,CLSM(JC-1 probe)and western blotting meth-od, respectively. RESULTS The inhibition of H9C2 cardiomyocyte survival rate inducedby OGD was improvedby pretreated with LGU in a concentrationdependent manner. The microfilaments injury as well as the increase of LDH leakage rate were also improvedby pretreated with LGU.The ATP content was significantly decreased,intracellular Ca2+fluorescent intensity and concentration were significantly increased and the MMP was significantly decreased 4 hafter OGD. LGU significantly reversed the de-crease of intracellular ATP content,the increase of Ca2+fluorescent intensity and concentration and the decrease of MMP.The release of cytochrome C,the expressionsof caspase-9 and caspase-3 in H9C2 cardiomyocytes were increased 16 h after OGD.LGUsignificantly inhibited the changes of these apop-tosis-related proteins. CONCLUSION LGU has a significant protective effect against OGD-induced H9C2 cardiomyocytes injury through inhibiting calcium overload,increasing ATP content,improving mi-tochondrial function and inhibiting apoptosis.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical effect of acupoint puncture combined with Ilizarov technique in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis in the elderly. METHODS: From March 2015 to February 2016, 76 patients with primary knee osteoarthritis were treated with tibial osteotomy acupoint puncture grouop and Ilizarov technique anatomical puncture group, including 24 males and 52 females, aged 56 to 75 years old with an average of 61.4 years old, and a course of 3 to 17 years with an average of 5.2 years. Among them, 38 cases were treated with external fixation of acupoint puncture needle and 38 cases were treated with external fixation of anatomical puncture needle. Preoperative full-length X-ray of both lower limbs showed tibial varus deformity, narrowing of medial knee joint space and enlargement of lateral knee joint space. The force line of the affected knee and lower limb was moved inward by body surface measurement, and the KSS knee function score was decreased. Symptoms included medial knee pain, flexion and extension, and conservative treatment for more than 2 years. RESULTS: The lower limb force lines of both groups were corrected and the osteotomy ends healed well. No nonunion of osteotomy, inadequate correction of lower limbs or recurrence of deformity were found. Seventy-five patients were followed up for 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after operation. There was no significant difference in knee joint mobility between the two groups before operation and on 6, 12, 24 months after operation(=1.346, >0.05). There were significant difference in KSS pain and total score between the two groups at 3 months after operation, acupoint puncture group was better than anatomical puncture group(<0.05); there was no significant difference in KSS score at 12 months after operation(>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The acupoint puncture group formed a potential acupuncture effect in the acupoint area by continuously tightening the steel needle on Ilizarov ring external fixator during the post-operative adjustment. Within three months after wearing external fixator, the knee pain symptoms of knee osteoarthritis were relieved rapidly, continuously and effectively, which was significantly better than that of the anatomical puncture group.
Acupuncture Points ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Ilizarov Technique ; Knee Joint ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; therapy ; Punctures ; Tibia ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the association between two single nucleotide polymorphisms located in the promoter of transforming growth factor-β1 receptor 2 (TGFBR2) gene and hypertension in Han Chinese population.

METHODSThe subjects were recruited from the population of cluster sampling survey for essential hypertension (EH) in two townships of Yixing city, Jiangsu province in 2009. Overall, 2012 patients with hypertension and 2116 age (± 2 years) and sex-matched unrelated controls were selected. Epidemiological data, physical measurements results and serum glucose and lipid biomarker were collected and detected. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis were applied and two tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (tagSNP) in 5' upstream of TGFBR2 gene (rs6785358, -3779A/G; rs764522, -1444C/G) were selected for genotyping and analyzing for the association with hypertension.

RESULTSThe frequencies of AA, AG, GG in case and control of rs6785358 were 1455 (72.3%), 517 (25.7%), 40 (2.0%) and 1582 (74.8%), 490 (23.2%), 43 (2.0%) respectively, and CC, CG, GG of rs764522 were 1524 (75.7%), 464 (23.1%), 24 (1.2%) and 1654 (78.2%), 436 (20.6%), 26 (1.2%) respectively. SNP rs764522 was significantly associated with EH and OR (95%CI) were 1.17 (1.01 - 1.36) (P < 0.05) in dominant model after adjustment for confounding factors such as age, sex, glucose, lipids, smoking and alcohol drinking. Further stratification analysis by age, sex, smoking and alcohol drinking indicated that individuals carrying G allele (CG/GG genotype) of SNP rs764522 had higher susceptibility to EH than CC genotype (OR = 1.21, 95%CI: 1.01 - 1.45) (P < 0.05) in ≥ 55 years group. No statistical significance was detected in the distribution of genotypes and allele frequencies for SNP rs6785358 between cases and controls (P > 0.05). Haplotype analysis showed that no significant frequency difference of haplotype structured by rs6785358 and rs764522 was found between cases and controls (P > 0.05), and no significant blood pressure change was found between genotype variations of rs6785358 and rs764522 (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSNP rs764522 of TGFBR2 gene is associated with increased risk of EH in elderly Han Chinese population.

Aged ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics

Objective To report a new approach,endoscopic transoral approach for the resection of jugular foramen schwannoma.Methods Nine patients with jugular foramen schwannoma ( three males and six females,ranging in age from 15 to 61 years old ) were treated by direct surgery via a pure endoscopic transoral approach to the jugular foramen. Eight patients complained of hypoglossal nerve palsy with hemiatrophy of the tongue; six cases complained of vagus nerve palsy. Three cases complained of glossopharyngeal nerve palsy,one case complained of facial nerve palsy and hearing loss.Results The nerves in this area were preserved and radical intracapsular removal of the tumor was performed via endoscopic transoral approach in the nine cases.Tumor removal,as assessed by intraoperative endoscopic inspection,postoperative magnetic resonance imaging and clinical evaluation,revealed all tumors were completely removed.One patient suffered from temporary swallowing difficulties and temporary right vagus palsy Ⅰ day after surgery.There were no others intraoperative and postoperative complications.All patients were followed up for 4 -29 months,no recurrences were occured in all these patients and the muscle bulk,motor and the pre-postoperative swallowing fuction,the vagus palsy,the facial nerve palsy and hearing loss had improved in these patients.Conclusion The endoscopic transoral approach and intracapsular removal of the tumor provided for successful minimally invasive surgery in the jugular foramen schwannomas.

BACKGROUNDConsiderable evidence suggests that phosphatase of regenerating liver-3 (PRL-3) plays multiple roles in cancer metastasis; however, the molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. The aim of this study was to identify proteins associated with PRL-3-promoted colon cancer metastasis, by comparative proteomic analysis.

METHODSProteomes of human colon cancer LoVo cells transfected with PRL-3 gene (LoVo-PRL-3) or empty vector PAcGFP-C3 (LoVo-control) were compared using 2D gel electrophoresis. Proteins that varied significantly in concentration were selected and identified using mass spectrometry. Expression of translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) mRNA and protein in LoVo-PRL-3 and LoVo-control cells was detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting TCTP was used for silencing TCTP expression in LoVo-PRL-3 cells. Functional significance of TCTP in PRL-3-promoted colon cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion was investigated by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and transwell chamber.

RESULTSSeventeen proteins displaying significant and reproducible differences between LoVo-PRL-3 and LoVo-control cells were identified. Ten proteins were upregulated and seven were downregulated in LoVo-PRL-3 cells when compared with LoVo-control cells. Eight identified proteins are associated with distinct steps of tumor metastasis: ubiquitin-like protein ISG15, interleukin-18, TCTP, serpin B5, annexin A3, macrophage-capping protein, ATP-dependent RNA helicase DDX3X, and cathepsin D. Real-time PCR and Western blotting results showed that both TCTP mRNA and protein were significantly increased in LoVo-PRL-3 cells compared to LoVo-control cells. Transfection with TCTP siRNA significantly reduced the expression of both mRNA and protein levels of TCTP in LoVo-PRL-3 cells. Knockdown of TCTP by siRNA inhibited PRL-3-promoted proliferation, migration and invasion of LoVo-PRL-3 cells.

CONCLUSIONOur results imply that TCTP might be a mediator of PRL-3-promoted proliferation, migration and invasion of human colon cancer cells.

Biomarkers, Tumor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; physiology ; Cell Proliferation ; Colonic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Humans ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proteomics ; methods ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction