Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disease with unclear etiology and limited treatment options. The median survival time for IPF patients is approximately 2-3 years and there is no effective intervention to treat IPF other than lung transplantation. As important components of lung tissue, endothelial cells (ECs) are associated with pulmonary diseases. However, the role of endothelial dysfunction in pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is incompletely understood. Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) is a G protein-coupled receptor highly expressed in lung ECs. Its expression is markedly reduced in patients with IPF. Herein, we generated an endothelial-conditional S1pr1 knockout mouse model which exhibited inflammation and fibrosis with or without bleomycin (BLM) challenge. Selective activation of S1PR1 with an S1PR1 agonist, IMMH002, exerted a potent therapeutic effect in mice with bleomycin-induced fibrosis by protecting the integrity of the endothelial barrier. These results suggest that S1PR1 might be a promising drug target for IPF therapy.

The chigger mite Leptotrombidium sialkotense is one of the 6 main vectors of scrub typhus in China. Before present study, L. sialkotense was found in some parts of Hunan province, China with a narrow geographical distribution. During field investigation 2016-2017, we found L. sialkotense in Jingha, southern Yunnan, China. Of 15 small mammal host species, L. sialkotense were collected from 6 species of the hosts. Rattus brunneusculus was a dominant host of L. sialkotense, from which 98.3% of the mites were collected. The chigger mite showed a relatively high infestation prevalence (PM=11.7%) and mean abundance (MA=0.5) in comparison with the rest 5 host species. These results reveal a certain host specificity of L. sialkotense to a rat R. brunneusculus. The mite L. sialkotense showed an aggregated distribution on the host (P<0.05). A positive correlation observed between L. sialkotense and the body length of hosts. There was a positive interspecific association between L. sialkotense and 2 other dominant vectors, L. deliense and L. scutellare.

Objective To investigate the biofilm formation rate of Candida albicans strain and its sensitivity to antifungal agents.Methods Candida albicans strains were isolated from 165 patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) or recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) in our hospital.The sensitivity of C.albicans strains to antifungal agents was evaluated by drug sensitivity test.And C54 strains for subsequent experiments in vivo and vitro were selected.Biofilms of single microbe or polymicrobial combination were induced in vitro,and their minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined in free and biofilm patterns,respectively.C.albicans and mixed microbe suspensions were injected into mice to establish a model of VVC.Using ELIASA,OD595 values were determined to observe biofilm growth rates across groups.Results The largest number of itraconazole-resistant on C.albicans strains (4.20％).MIC values of all groups were higher in a free pattern than in a biofilm pattern.The polymicrobial biofilms formed by co-culture of fugal and bacterial strains were markedly resistant to various antifungal agents.Mter induction in the biofilm pattern,for C54 + Escherichia coli group,MIC values of resistance to amphotericin B,itraconazole,5-flucytosine and fluconazole were 512,＞256,＞512,and ＞ 1024 μg · mL-1;for C54 + Streptococcus agalactiae group,MIC values of resistance to above antifungal agents were ＞512,＞256,＞512,and ＞ 1024 μg · mL-1.The biofilm formation rate was significantly higher in vaginal samples isolated from the mice who were injected with mixed microbe suspension than those who were injected with standard C.albicans suspension (P ＜ 0.05).For ATCC14053 group,OD595 values were 0.20 ± 0.11,0.24 ± 0.024,0.25 ± 0.06 at 24,48 and 72 h,respectively;for C54 + E.coli group,OD595 values were 0.69 ±0.88,0.79 ±0.65,1.10 ±0.64 respectively;for C54 +S.agalactiae group,OD595 values were 0.68 ±0.42,0.81 ± 0.77,1.10 ± 0.10,respectively.Conclusion Polymicrobial biofilm formation can improve the biofilm formation rate of C.albicans and its resistance to antifungal agents and will enhance vaginal injury in patients with RVVC.

Objective To study the influence of nasal irrigations on the postoperative curative effect of patients with chronic sinusitis.Methods Total of 357 patients who suffered from chronic sinusitis received transnasal endoscopic surgery from 2008 to 2010 with 184 patients selecting nasal irrigations for the following treatments.Patients were followed up at two weeks,six weeks and four months after the surgeries via telephone.The symptoms of nasal obstruction,nasal discharge and headache were recorded and SNOT-20 was used to measure the quality of life.Results Symptoms of patients were improved,but improvement in nasal irrigations group was better than that in non-nasal irrigations group.Four months later,the average symptom score of nasal obstruction in nasal irrigations group was [0(0,1 )] which was significantly lower than [ 0( 0,1 )] in non-nasal irrigations group ( Z =- 3.176,P ＜ 0.05).The average symptom score of nasal discharge in nasal irrigations group was [0(0,2)] which was significantly lower than [0(0,2)] in non-nasal irrigations group (Z =- 4.403,P ＜ 0.05 ).The average score of headache was [ 0 ( 0,1 ) ] in nasal irrigations group and [ 0 (0,2) ] in non-nasal irrigations group,and the difference was statistically significant ( Z =- 4.539,P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions Nasal irrigations can improve symptoms of patients with chronic sinusitis and reduce the rectrrence.

OBJECTIVETo explore characteristics of the myelin-like bodies in the hepatocytes of patients with Dubin-Johnson syndrome (DJS) complicated with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

METHODS11 cases of DJS complicated with CHB and 5 cases DJS without CHB were studied clinicopathologically. The hepatocyte ultrastructure was observed with transmission electron microscope and taken photos. The data were compared and analyzed using Fisher's Exact Test.

RESULTSDeposition of myelin-like bodies can be observed in the hepatocytes of DJS patients with CHB but can not in DJS patients without CHB. The morphology of pigment varys. The electron density and volume of pigment in DJS patients with CHB can be classified into five types: brights (2/11,18.2%), reticulation (1/11, 9.1%), punctiform (6/11, 54.5%), abnormity (1/11, 9.1%) and primary type (1/11, 9.1%). The myelin-like bodies in the hepatocytes of patients with DJS are high density and round with membrance (we named it as primary type) (5/5, 100%).

CONCLUSIONSThe myelin-like bodies in the hepatocytes of DJS patients with CHB possess special pleomorphism and may have important diagnostic value.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; pathology ; Hepatocytes ; chemistry ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Jaundice, Chronic Idiopathic ; complications ; pathology ; Male ; Myelin Sheath ; ultrastructure ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Huganjiexian decoction on rat hepatic fibrosis and the creation of cytokines.

METHODSRat hepatic fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneally injection of carbon tetrachloride. At the same time, these rats were treated with different dosages of Huganjiexian decoction. Sho-saiko-to compound treating group and Fufangbiejiarangan Tablets treating group were used as positive controls. After twelve weeks, all rats were executed. Histopathologic changes were observed after H.E and Masson stainings. The expression of collagen type I, collagen type III, TGF-beta 1 and PDGF-BB in liver were detected by immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTSCompared with fibrotic group, hepatic fibrosis in decoction groups was significantly improved. In decoction groups, levels of collagen type I, collagen type III, TGFbeta1 and PDGF-BB were decreased, especially in the low-dose curcumin group. The TGF-beta 1 positive percentage were 7.56%+/-2.18%, 29.25%+/-7.84%, 13.54%+/-4.15%, 21.82%+/-6.64%, 20.06%+/-7.14%, 13.78%+/-4.35%, 12.75%+/-3.98% in liver tissues from normal group, model group, low, middle, high curcumin, Sho-saiko-to compound and Fufangbiejiarangan Tablets treating groups respectively (P less than 0.05); while the PDGF-BB positive percentage were 1.68%+/-0.41%, 11.70%+/-2.28%, 3.65%+/-0.76%, 5.24%+/-1.04%, 6.37%+/-1.12%, 4.16%+/-0.61%, 3.38%+/-0.56% in liver tissues from those groups respectively (P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHuganjiexian decoction can improve rat hepatic fibrosis, possibly via inhibiting the expression of collagen type I, collagen type III, TGFbeta1 and PDGF-BB.

Animals ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Collagen Type III ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phytotherapy ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumoconiosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Radiography, Thoracic ; methods ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

OBJECTIVETo investigate the properties of screw-bone interface of expansive pedicle screw (EPS) in osteoporotic sheep by micro-CT and histological observation.

METHODSSix female sheep with bilateral ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis were employed in this experiment. After EPS insertion in each femoral condyle, the sheep were randomly divided into two groups: 3 sheep were bred for 3 months (Group A), while the other 3 were bred for 6 months (Group B). After the animals being killed, the femoral condyles with EPS were obtained, which were three-dimensionally-imaged and reconstructed by micro-CT. Histological evaluation was made thereafter.

RESULTSThe trabecular microstructure was denser at the screw-bone interface than in the distant parts in expansive section, especially within the spiral marking. In the non-expansive section, however, there was no significant difference between the interface and the distant parts. The regions of interest (ROI) adjacent to EPS were reconstructed and analyzed by micro-CT with the same thresholds. The three-dimensional (3-D) parameters, including tissue mineral density (TMD), bone volume fraction (BVF, BV/TV), bone surface/bone volume (BS/BV) ratio, trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), were significantly better in expansive sections than non-expansive sections (P less than 0.05). Histologically, newly-formed bony trabeculae crawled along the expansive fissures and into the center of EPS. The newly-formed bones, as well as the bones at the bone-screw interface, closely contacted with the EPS and constructed four compartments.

CONCLUSIONSThe findings of the current study, based on micro-CT and histological evaluation, suggest that EPS can significantly provide stabilization in osteoporotic cancellous bones.

Animals ; Bone Screws ; Bone and Bones ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Osteoporosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Sheep ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo study the regulating effects of a novel CpG oligodeoxynuleotide and the synergistic effect of chitosan-nanoparticles (CNP) with CpG on immune responses of mice, which were used to develop a novel immunoadjuvant to boost immune response to conventional vaccines.

METHODSA novel CpG ODN containing 11 CpG motifs was synthesized and its bioactivities to stimulate the proliferation of lymphocytes of pig in vitro were detected. Then it was entrapped with CNP prepared in our laboratory by the method of ionic cross linkage, and immunized Kunming mice were co-inoculated with paratyphoid vaccine. The peripheral blood was collected weekly from the tail vein of inoculated mice to detect the contents of IgG, IgA, IgM, and specific antibody against salmonella as well as the levels of interleukin-2 (IL2), IL-4, and IL-6 by SABC-ELISA assay. The numbers of leucocytes, monocytes, granuloytes, and lymphocytes were calculated separately using the routine method. The experimental mice were orally challenged with virulent salmonella 35 days after inoculation.

RESULTSThis CpG ODN could remarkably provoke the proliferation of lymphocytes of pig in vitro in contrast with the control (P < 0.05). Compared with those of the control, immunoglobulins, including IgG, IgA, IgM, and specific antibodies to paratyphoid vaccine, increased significantly in sera from the CpG or CpG-CNP-vaccinated mice (P < 0.05). IL-2, IL-4, and IL-6 increased remarkably in sera from immunized mice (P < 0.05). The leucocytes, monocytes, granuloytes, and lymphocytes of the mice immunized with CpG or CpG-CNP were also increased in number (P < 0.05). After the challenge, these immunity values were elevated in the mice vaccinated with CpG or CpG-CNP. The immunized mice all survived, while the control mice fell ill with evident lesions with diffuse hemorrhage in stomach, small intestine, and peritoneum.

CONCLUSIONSCpG ODN entrapped with CNP is a promising effective immunoadjuvant for vaccination, which promotes humoral and cellular immune responses, enhances immunity and resistance against salmonella by co-administration with paratyphoid vaccine.

Adjuvants, Immunologic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Antibodies, Bacterial ; blood ; Cell Proliferation ; Chitosan ; chemistry ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Immunoglobulin Isotypes ; blood ; Interleukins ; blood ; Lymphocyte Activation ; drug effects ; Lymphocytes ; cytology ; Mice ; Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Paratyphoid Fever ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Salmonella ; physiology ; Salmonella Infections, Animal ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Swine ; immunology ; Typhoid-Paratyphoid Vaccines ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo implement simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy(SIB-IMRT) plans for upper esophageal carcinoma and investigate the dose profiles of tumor and electively treated region and the dose to organs at risk (OARs).

METHODSSIB-IMRT plans were designed for two patients with upper esophageal carcinoma. Two target volumes were predefined: PTV1, the target volume of the primary lesion, which was given to 67.2 Gy, and PTV2, the target volume of electively treated region, which was given to 50.4 Gy. With the same dose-volume constraints, but different beams arrangements (3, 5, 7, or 9 equispaced coplanar beams), four plans were generated. Indices, including dose distribution, dose volume histogram (DVH) and conformity index, were used for comparison of these plans.

RESULTSThe plan with three intensity-modulated beams could produce good dose distribution for the two target volumes. The dose conformity to targets and the dose to OARs were improved as the beam number increased. The dose distributions in targets changed little when the beam number increased from 7 to 9.

CONCLUSIONSFive to seven intensity-modulated beams can produce desirable dose distributions for simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) treatment for upper esophageal carcinoma. The primary tumor can get higher equivalent dose by SIB treatments. It is easier and more efficient to design plans with equispaced coplanar beams. The efficacy of SIB-IMRT remains to be determined by the clinical outcome.

Aged ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Radiation Dosage ; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted ; methods