Objective To explore the effects of hyperbaric oxygen on cervical spinal cord injury. Methods 48 postoperative patients with cervical spinal cord injury received hyperbaric oxygen therapy in addition to conventional treatment. Neural function was accessed with International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (American Spinal Injury Association, ASIA) before and after hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Results After hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the total efficiency of patients with course ≤ 30 d was higher than that of patients with course >30 d (P<0.05). The total efficiency of patients accepted more than 3 courses of treatments was higher than that of patients accepted less than 2 courses of treatments (P<0.05). Conclusion Patients with cervical spinal cord injury should receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy for more than 3 courses as soon as possible after surgery.

To analysis the differences between Tripterygium wilfordii and T. hypoglaucum, specimens of their leaves were collected from five production regions and analyzed by ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). The data were analyzed by multivariate statistical method, such as hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal signal correction partial least square discrimination (OPLS-DA). Potential markers with VIP values above 5.0 and corresponding r values above 0.85, were selected and further tested by combining mann-Whitney nonparametric. Those with P < 0.001 and AUC = 1 were confirmed as metabolite markers to discriminate them from each other. Results revealed that the two species were obviously different in their leaf metabolites. Based on their mass spectra, 23 potential metabolite markers were identified to distinguish T. wilfordii from T. hypoglaucum.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Tripterygium ; chemistry ; classification ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between collgen (Col) IV, VEGF secreted by the tumor cells and vasculogenic mimicry (VM).

METHODS158 bi-phase differential malignant tumor specimens were alloted and made into tissue microarray. These tissue microarray sections were stained with CD31, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Col IV. Subsequently, distributive trait of Col IV and the difference of VEGF expression were analyzed.

RESULTSThe basement membrane of VM was PAS and Col IV positive. The expression of VEGF in bi-phase differential malignant tumor with VM was less than that in those without VM. The difference of VEGF expression in malignant melanoma and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma was significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCollgen IV and periodic acid-Schiff positive material take part in constructing the basement membrane of vasculogenic mimicry. The difference of the VEGF expression proves that vasculogenic mimicry can sustain the tumor blood supply.

Collagen Type IV ; analysis ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Neoplasms ; blood supply ; chemistry ; pathology ; Periodic Acid-Schiff Reaction ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; analysis

OBJECTIVEIn order to provide scientific basis for introduction breeding and production regionalization of Panax notoginseng, the environment of producing area, agronomic traits and medicinal material output were investigated.

METHODUsing field survey sampling at harvest time, agronomic traits indicators of leaf segment, stem segment and roots segment etc. of commodity P. notoginseng, longitude and latitude, elevation, soil type, landform of producing area were measured and observed.

RESULTThe P. notogiseng cultivation was expanding from traditional area like Wenshang to new areas as Honghe, Kunming, Qujing at large scale. Comparing with traditional cultivated fields, the elevation of new fields, which are red soil of moderate or low mountain slopes and gentle hills between 1 800-2 130 m, increases markedly. The agronomic traits of new cultivated fields such as plant height, stem diameter, the ground and underground biomass were better than those of traditional cultivated fields in varying degree. Furthermore, the root weight, taproot weight, taproot length and other agronomic index augmented more than 20%. Comparison among different cultivated fields showed P. notoginseng of Honghe Shiping Niujie, Kunming Shilin Guishan, Honghe Jiangshui Guanting etc. had better agronomic traits, the plant were thick and tall, the taproot and the top of reed were large, the number of root was more. Inversely, P. notoginseng of Kunming Guandu Xiaoshao, Guangxi Jingxi Lutong, Wenshang Yanshan Jiangna were thin and small. Cluster analysis showed that cultivated fields of P. notoginseng which was across clustered by traditional and new cultivated fields can be divided into three groups, including a high-yielding region insist of three new cultivated fields Honghe Shiping Niujie, Kunming Shilin Guishan, Honghe Jiangshui Guanting and one traditional cultivated field Wenshan Yanshan Jiangna. Correlation analysis indicated that the size and weight of taproot and top of reed were significantly positive correlated with plant height, stem diameter, leaf size, leaf weight and stem weight. Regression analysis pointed out that stem diameter, leaf width, leaf length/width, leaf weight were the main factors affecting the dry weight of taproot, and the main factors influencing the dry weight of top of reed were plant height, petiole, leaf length, leaf width and other agronomic traits.

CONCLUSIONFrom agronomic traits, P. notoginseng in new cultivated fields were more robust than that in traditional fields, but besides the length of taproot, the difference of rest agronomic traits didn't reach the significant level. It is suggested that, in the west and the north of traditional area, the red soil land of moderate or low mountain slopes and gentle hills where the elevation is between 1 800-2 130 m is suitable for cultivating P. notoginseng. Honghe Shiping Niujie, Honghe Jianshui Guanting, Kuming Shilin Gongshan can be used as vital development area for commodity P. notoginseng.

Agriculture ; methods ; Breeding ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; growth & development ; Quality Control ; Quantitative Trait Loci ; Soil ; chemistry

Abstract: Objective　To analyze the emergency response and long-term intervention effects after the detection of infectious snails epidemic by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays in Hannan District, Wuhan City, and to explore the application of LAMP in early surveillance and early-warning of schistosomiasis transmission. Methods Snails picked up by the risk monitoring system in Hannan District were examined by anatomical microscopy and LAMP technology to identify the schistosomiasis infection. Emergency response and intensive intervention were initiated in the environment where positive snails appeared, and the long-term effects were evaluated. Results In May 2018, the infectious snails were detected by LAMP technology in Hannan District, and the positive snails were located in Zhujiacha, Dongzhuang Village, Obstacles and weeds were removed and buried by machine in Zhujiacha. 12 700 m2 of snails were killed by drugs, and the mortality rate of snails was more than 80%; no new seropositive persons were found in the emergency examination within 500 m of the positive snail sites. 506 people were examined in Dong Zhuang Village at the end of the year, and 30 positive IHA cases were detected with a blood positive rate of 5.93%, no positive fecal test was found, and all positive blood test patients took preventive medication. The monitoring results of sentinel rats and wild feces were all negative. Health education was carried out, 7 warning signs were deployed and refreshed, and 500 publicity brochures were distributed. After nearly three years of intensified intervention and monitoring in the villages where the positive environment is located, and the density of snails on the stubborn snail has dropped from 0.094/frame to 0.027/frame, and the positive rate of blood test in Dongzhuang Village has steadily dropped from 5.93% to 3.74%. Conclusions The infected snails missed by microscopy were detected by LAMP in Hannan District, which created conditions for the rapid emergency treatment of environment and elimination of positive snail and improved the sensitivity of the surveillance and early warning system in transmission-interrupted areas.

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea(AAD)in children is a type of diarrhea that occurs after the use of antibiotics in children,and its pathogenesis is closely related to the intestinal flora.The medication of antibiotics can affect the metabolic function of the intestinal flora and the immune function of the body,and then leads to the occurrence of AAD.In the view of Chinese medicine,AAD in children is mainly involved the spleen,and the etiology of the disease is due to the weakness of the spleen and stomach of the body constitution together with the attack of the pestilential pathogen and the accumulation of drug toxin.The pathogenesis of ADD in children is characterized by spleen deficiency with predominant dampness,deficiency of spleen qi,and insufficiency of spleen yang.Spleen deficiency is the root cause of pediatric AAD,and spleen and intestinal flora have commonality,so the treatment of pediatric AAD can be performed from the perspective of the spleen.The treatment of pediatric ADD from the spleen follows the principle of strengthening and activating the spleen,and the regulation of the spleen for achieving the purpose of treating the disease from the root can be achieved by the methods of strengthening spleen and draining dampness,strengthening spleen and replenishing qi,and strengthening spleen and warming yang separately with the fundamental prescriptions of Shenlin Baizhu Powder,Sijunzi Decoction,and Fuzi Lizhong Pills.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mode of angiogenesis between highly invasive malignant melanoma and poorly invasive malignant melanoma by immunohistochemistry and periodic acid-Schiff stain (PAS) and to discuss whether the tumor cells in highly invasive malignant melanoma carry vasculogenic mimicry through self-metamorphosis, thus acquiring blood supply to sustain their growth.

METHODSThirty cases of highly invasive malignant melanoma and 30 cases of poorly invasive malignant melanoma were retrieved and reprocessed as tissue microarray for further investigations. The tissue microarray sections were then stained with CD34 and PAS; and the positivity rates were compared.

RESULTSThere was a significant difference between CD34 and PAS staining in highly invasive malignant melanoma (P < 0.01). The difference was not statistically significant in poorly invasive malignant melanoma (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONVasculogenic mimicry exists in some cases of highly invasive malignant melanoma. It is possible that the tumor cells can acquire blood supply to sustain growth and metastasize via this mechanism.

Antigens, CD34 ; analysis ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratins ; analysis ; Melanoma ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Melanoma-Specific Antigens ; Neoplasm Proteins ; analysis ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; metabolism ; pathology

Vascular endothelial growth factor-D (VEGF-D) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2, -3 (VEGFR-2, -3) with their corresponding signaling pathway play significant roles in the development of the embryonic vascular system and pathological lymphangiogenesis. The study was aimed to express and purify the GST-VEGF-D fusion protein, and to explore the angiogenesis effect of VEGF-D. The total RNA was extracted from human fetal lung tissue, and the mature form of VEGF-D was expanded by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), then the plasmid pGEX-5X-1/VEGF-D was reconstructed and the GST-VEGF-D fusion protein expressed in transformed E.coli BL21-DE3. The results showed that the molecular mass of this fusion protein was 38 kD and compassed more than 15% of the total bacteria proteins. The fusion protein was recognized by anti-GST and anti-VEGF-D antibodies. The soluble GST-VEGF-D fusion protein could interact with VEGFR-3/Fc and was able to stimulate the proliferation of human erythroleukemia cell line (HEL) cells. The data of chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) experiments indicated that GST-VEGF-D could induce the CAM angiogenesis. It is concluded that the GST-VEGF-D fusion protein with biological activity was successfully expressed, and which may provide an experimental model for the investigation of the VEGF-D-induced angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis.
Animals ; Chick Embryo ; Chorioallantoic Membrane ; blood supply ; Humans ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology

Objective To observe the effect of iodine excess(HI),polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid[Poly(I:C),Poly]and thyroglobulin(TG)on the thyroid of mice by the expression of Toll-like receptor 3(TLR3)to reveal the functional role of TLR3 in autoimmune thyroiditis.Methods Forty-two non-obese diabetic mice,body weight (20±3)g,were divided into six groups:control group,HI group,Poly group,TG group,HI+TG group,HI+Poly group. Fed with deionized water and injected intraperitoneally with physiological saline 0.1 ml each day for a week, the mice in control group were injected with physiological saline every other day at the same dose for 1 week before they were sacrificed; HI group drank 0.05% NaI water and were injected intraperitoneally with physiological saline same as control group; Poly group drank deionized water and were injected intraperitoneally with poly 0.1 ml (1 g/L)each day of the week, then the mice were injected with Poly every other day at the same dose for 1 week before they were sacrificed; TG group drank deionized water and were injected intraperitoneally with physiological saline same as control group, immunized with 0.1 mg TG by subcutaneously injecting and the immunization was enhanced after they were fed half dose for 4 and 8 weeks separately. In HI + Poly group, the treatment was the same as HI group and Poly group; HI + TG group: the treatment was the same as HI group and TG group. Eight weeks later, mice were sacrificed and thyroids were taken to make frozen sections, Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining was employed to observe the morphological change of the thyroids. The expression of TLR3 of thyroids was observed under fluorescence microscope after Immumofluorescence using TLR3 antibody and TR3-positive cells were analyzed in the thyroid density. Results HE staining showed thyroids of Poly group had no inflammation under microscope.There were different degrees of inflammatory cell infiltration in HI group and TG group. The inflammatory cell infiltration and the damage of follicular thyroid of HI + TG group and HI + Poly group were serious, and the degrees of inflammation were higher over "++". Thyroid follicular epithelial cell with TLR3 expression could be seen in Poly group and HI group, meanwhile, there were TLR3 strong positive inflammatory cells in HI group under fluorescent microscope. Using stereological analysis of TLR3-positive cell density in the thyroid, the difference between groups was statistically significant(F=7.870, P<0.01 ). TLR3-positive cell density in the thyroid of HI + Poly group was higher[ (9.287 ± 0.522)mm2] than control group[ (0.062 ± 0.025)mm2, P < 0.01] significantly, meanwhile, the density in HI + Poly group was higher than HI group [ (2.574 ± 0.257 )mm2] and Poly group[ (1.361 ± 0.148 )mm2, all P < 0.01]. The density in HI + TG group[ (4.843±0.405)mm2] was higher than HI group and TG group[(1.601 ±0.268)mm2, all P < 0.01 )]. Conclusions Excessive iodine and thyroglobulin can induce thyroiditis, and stimulate the expression of TLR3 in the thyroid follicular epithelial, Poly aggravated thyroiditis induced by iodine excess in NOD mice; TLR3 positive inflammatory cells also appeared in inflammatory region, suggesting that TLR3 is involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroiditis

OBJECTIVETo establish a method of SYT-SSX fusion gene detection by FISH and to explore its diagnostic value for synovial sarcoma.

METHODSThe presence of SYT-SSX fusion gene was determined by FISH using a tissue microarray containing 62 known synovial sarcomas, 60 non-synovial sarcomas and 133 equivocal synovial sarcomas. FISH results were compared with those of RT-PCR published previously.

RESULTSOverall, 96.9% (247/255) of the cases were successfully analyzed by FISH. The sensitivity of FISH for known synovial sarcomas was 96.7% (58/60), and the specificity for the non-synovial sarcoma was 100% (59/59). Moreover, SYT-SSX gene fusion was detected in 78.1% (100/128) of the equivocal synovial sarcomas. The concordance rate between FISH and RT-PCR was 83.6% (102/122) in those equivocal synovial sarcomas, and overall 79.7% (106/133) of these cases were confirmed as synovial sarcomas either by RT-PCR or by FISH.

CONCLUSIONSThe sensitivity and specificity of FISH detection of SYT-SSX fusion gene are high. FISH and RT-PCR are complementary to each other in the confirmation of synovial sarcomas, particularly those questionable cases.

Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; genetics ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; methods ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization ; methods ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Pathology, Molecular ; methods ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sarcoma, Synovial ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; genetics