Hemophagocytic Syndrome Secondary to Human Parvovirus B19 Infection in an Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Patient:Report of One Case / 中国医学科学院学报

The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients with compromised immunity are prone to hemophagocytic syndrome secondary to opportunistic infections.This paper reports a rare case of hemophagocytic syndrome secondary to human parvovirus B19 infection in an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patient,and analyzes the clinical characteristics,aiming to improve the diagnosis and treatment of the disease and prevent missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis.

Analysis on Gene Set Enrichment of Related Signaling Pathways and Immune Infiltration in Intracranial Aneurysm / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::Based on gene array technology, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and immune infiltration analysis were performed on chip data of intracranial aneurysm (IA) mRNA expression profile, in order to provide theoretical basis for understanding the formation mechanism of IA. Method::The GSE75436 raw data were obtained from the gene expression omnibus (GEO). GSEA of biological process (BP) in gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto gene and genome encyclopedia (KEGG) signaling pathways were analyzed for gene expression profile by R software. The CIBERSORT deconvolution method was used to analyze the infiltration ratio of 22 types of immune cells in the expression profile. And COREMINE database was used to predict traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), which were significant correlation with the enrichment result. Result::The GSEA results showed that the changes in gene expression of IA samples mainly involved in the regulation of cytokines, activation and differentiation of leukocyte, inflammatory immune response and other processes. The infiltration matrix analysis of immune cells showed that mast cells resting and neutrophils were significantly reduced in IA samples. The comparison of paired samples showed that mast cells and natural killer cells (NK cells) were significantly activated in the IA samples of the same individual, while neutrophils and T cells CD4 naive were significantly reduced. Through COREMINE prediction, it was found that Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix was correlated with the activation of granulocytes, Sapindi Mukorossi Semen and Pistaciae Chinensis Cortex were correlated with the activation of neutrophils, Trichosanthis Semen, Paeoniae Radix Alba and Ligustri Lucidi Fructus were correlated with the cytotoxicity mediated by NK cells. Conclusion::Activation of mast cells and NK cells are closely associated with the occurrence and development of IA. The inflammatory immune processes and pathways such as nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor (NLR) signaling pathway and cytotoxicity mediated by NK cells may be important factors in the pathogenesis of IA, and TCMs such as Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix may be the potential molecular drug sources.

Upper airway cough syndrome in 103 children / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#In China, upper airway cough syndrome (UACS) is only less frequent than cough-variant asthma and accounts for 24.71% of chronic cough. This study aimed to determine the pathogenetic constituents and factors affecting UACS in children of different age groups, and to identify clinical clues for diagnosing UACS and a method for curative effect evaluation.@*METHODS@#A total of 103 children with UACS whose chief complaint was chronic cough were studied from January to November 2013 at Children's Hospital, Capital Institute of Pediatrics. According to their age, children with UACS were divided into 3 groups: nursing children, pre-school children, and school-age children. We analyzed the differences in pathogenetic constituents and factors affecting UACS in children. The effect of UACS treatment was evaluated by the visual analog scale (VAS) and an objective examination. Chi-squared test and analysis of variance were performed with the SPSS 19.0 statistical software.@*RESULTS@#There was a high incidence of UACS in school-age children. Rhinitis with adenoid hypertrophy was the main cause of 103 suspected UACS cases. Adenoidal hypertrophy was the major cause of UACS in the pre-school children group, while rhinitis was the major reason in the nursing children and school-age children groups. Among the 103 children, there were 45 allergen-positive children, with no significant difference among different age groups. VAS scores in the different disease groups after treatment were lower than those before treatment (all P < 0.01). VAS scores in different disease groups showed significant differences, except for 12 vs. 24 weeks after treatment (P = 0.023). Different age groups had different secondary complaints.@*CONCLUSIONS@#There are different pathogeneses in different UACS age groups. Clinical treatment efficacy of children with UACS can be evaluated by the VAS combined with an objective examination. We recommend that the course of treatment should be 12 weeks.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel nitric oxide releasing dehydroandrographolide derivatives / 中国天然药物

A series of new hybrids of dehydroandrographolide (TAD), a biologically active natural product, bearing nitric oxide (NO)-releasing moieties were synthesized and designated as NO-donor dehydroandrographolide. The biological activities of target compounds were studied in human erythroleukemia K562 cells and breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Biological evaluation indicated that the most active compound I-5 produced high levels of NO and inhibited the proliferation of K562 (IC 1.55 μmol·L) and MCF-7 (IC 2.91 μmol·L) cells, which were more potent than the lead compound TAD and attenuated by an NO scavenger. In conclusion, I-5 is a novel hybrid with potent antitumor activity and may become a promising candidate for future intensive study.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel nitric oxide releasing dehydroandrographolide derivatives / 中国天然药物

A series of new hybrids of dehydroandrographolide (TAD), a biologically active natural product, bearing nitric oxide (NO)-releasing moieties were synthesized and designated as NO-donor dehydroandrographolide. The biological activities of target compounds were studied in human erythroleukemia K562 cells and breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Biological evaluation indicated that the most active compound I-5 produced high levels of NO and inhibited the proliferation of K562 (IC 1.55 μmol·L) and MCF-7 (IC 2.91 μmol·L) cells, which were more potent than the lead compound TAD and attenuated by an NO scavenger. In conclusion, I-5 is a novel hybrid with potent antitumor activity and may become a promising candidate for future intensive study.

Advances in research on tumor targeted therapy of trastuzumab / 基础医学与临床

Trastuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets at human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(Her2)proto-oncogenes,which can act on Her2 over-expression of tumor cells,inhibits tumor cells proliferation, differentiation,migration and other physiological activities,reduces the risk of tumor metastasis and extend the sur-vival time of patients.

Construction and immunocompetence of recombinant DNA E.coli ghosts expressing Treponema pallidum adhesin Tp0751 / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To construct the recombinant DNA E.coli ghosts (EBGs) expressing Treponema pallidum adhesin Tp0751 (pcD/Tp0751-BG) and determine its immunocompetence in immunized mice,and provide a potential novel method for syphilis vaccine developing.Methods:The recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1(+)/Tp0751 was constructed and loaded into empty EBGs to create pcD/Tp0751-BG.The loading rate was determined accordingly.Macrophages cell line RAW264.7 was transfected with pcD/Tp0751-BG,and the expression of recombinant Tp0751(rTp0751) protein was detected by Western blot(WB).For immuno-competence in mice,the female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 6 groups,including three control groups,A (PBS),B (EBG),C (empty pcDNA),and experimental group D(naked pcD/Tp0751),E (pcD/Tp0751-BG) and F (pcD/Tp0751-BG+rTp0751).All the mice were immunized as indicated for three times by intramuscular injection at two weeks intervals.The levels of specific IgG in sera and SIgA in genital tract lavage fluid were measured by ELISA.Levels of lymphocyte proliferation and IFN-γ secretion in spleen cells were measured by CCK-8 Cell Counting Kit and ELISA as well,respectively.Results:The loading rate of pcD/Tp0751 to EBGs was 76.1%.WB showed that the target recombinant protein pcD/Tp0751 expressed in RAW264.7 cells was active with Tp-infected rabbit sera.The titers of specific IgG and SIgA in group D,E,F gradually increased to significantly higher level as compared to the control groups (P<0. 01),which reached its peak at wk 8 after last immunization(the titers of IgG and SIgA were 1 :102 400 and 1 :12 800 in group F,respectively). Higher levels of specific IgG and SIgA were observed in groups E and F as compared to group D after first boost (P<0. 01),with groups F higher than group E after last boost(P<0. 01). At wk 8 after the last boost,the stimulation index (SI) and levels of IFN-γ in group D,E,F were all significant higher than the control groups (P<0. 01), with group E and F higher than group D (P<0. 01),and group E higher than group F (P<0. 05). Conclusion: The recombinant DNA EBGs of T. pallidum adhesin Tp0751 (pcD/ Tp0751-BG) possesses the immunocompetence to induce not only strong mucosal and systemic humoral immune response but also systemic cellular immune response in BALB/ c mice. The heterologous boost can be more efficient than homologous boost during immunization process.

Bushen Daozhuo Granules for type Ⅲ prostatitis: A multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To study the safety and efficacy of Bushen Daozhuo Granules (BDG) in the treatment of type Ⅲ prostatitis.@*METHODS@#This multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial included 478 patients with type Ⅲ prostatitis, 290 in the trial group and 188 as controls, the former treated with BDG at 200 ml bid and the latter with tamsulosin hydrochloride sustainedrelease capsules at 0.2 mg qd, both for 4 weeks. Before treatment, after 4 weeks of medication, and at 4 weeks after drug withdrawal, we obtained the NIH Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIHCPSI) scores and compared the safety and effectiveness rate between the two groups of patients.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the baseline, the NIHCPSI score was markedly decreased in the control group after 4 weeks of medication (21.42 ± 4.02 vs 15.67 ± 3.65, P 0.05), while the NIHCPSI score in the trial group was remarkably lower than the baseline both after 4 weeks of medication and at 4 weeks after drug withdrawal (10.92 ± 2.06 and 12.91 ± 2.64 vs 21.58 ± 3.67, P < 0.05). The trial group exhibited both a higher rate of total effectiveness and safety than the control (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#BDG is safe and effective for the treatment of type Ⅲ prostatitis.

Application of stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in medical research / 国际药学研究杂志

Stable isotope dilution mass spectrometry(ID-MS)is a quantitative method for determining the content of unlabeled compounds with stable isotope labeled compounds as internal standard. Stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(ID-LC-MS)has the advantages of high sensitivity, no quantitative separation of the analytes, and effective elimination of the biological matrices. The method has been widely used in quantitative analysis of biomarkers, drugs and their metabolites. In this paper, the mechanism and characteristics of ID-LC-MS are briefly introduced, and its medical applications are summarized.

A review of emotion regulation in patients with bipolar disorder / 中国心理卫生杂志

Emotion regulation is an important ability for individuals which can help them adapt to society better.The characteristics of patients with bipolar disorder are characterized by extremely unstable mood,associated with impaired emotion processing and mood dysregulation.This article reviews emotion regulation strategies of patients with bipolar disorder and their neural mechanisms.During the emotion regulation process,patients often use maladaptive regulation strategies.Their activation of the prefrontal cortex is abnormal,and the functional connectivity between prefrontal cortical regions and the amygdala is attenuated.This could also be the physiological basis of patients'difficulty in regulating emotions.

Adjuvant effect of flavored Siwu granules for phlegm and blood stasis mutual junction retinal vein occlusion / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To evaluate the effect of flavored Siwu granules in the clinical adjuvant treatment for phlegm and blood stasis mutual junction retinal vein occlusion. METHODS: Sixty patients (60 eyes) were randomly divided into treatment group and control group, both with retinal laser photocoagulation and intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide, but the treatment group used flavored siwu granules. Vision, fundus change, fundus fluorescein angiography, clinical syndrome of traditional Chinese medicine ( TCM ), hemorheology examination and safety assessment were evaluated before and 8wk after treatment. RESULTS: At 8wk after treatment, there were differences on vision improvement, retinal circulation time, whole blood low shear viscosity and total efficient rate of clinical syndrome of TCM, compared with control group(PCONCLUSION: Flavored siwu granules adjuvant for phlegm and blood stasis mutual junction retinal vein occlusion can improve visual acuity and reduce the eye complications.

Effects of Blood Activating Wind Dissipating Acupuncture on Blood Pressure of Prehypertension Patients / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of blood activating wind dissipating acupuncture (BAWDA) on blood pressure (BP) of prehypertension (PHT) patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 60 PHT patients were assigned to the control group and the acupuncture group according to random digit table, 30 in each group. All patients were intervened by life style. BAWDA was additionally performed in patients in the acupuncture group for 6 weeks (30 times). The improvement of BP after intervened by acupuncture was observed. BP success rates and the proportion of PHT progressing to hypertension (HT) were also observed after 6-week intervention of acupuncture and at 1-year follow-up.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) decreased after 6-week intervention in the acupuncture. The BP control rate was 56.7% (17/30 cases) in the acupuncture group vs.10.0% (3/30 cases) in the control group with statistical difference (chi2 = 14.70, P < 0.01). At 1-year follow-up BP success rate was 36.7% (11/30 cases) in the acupuncture group, remarkably higher than that of the control group [13.3%, (4/30 cases)] (chi2 = 4.36, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>BAWDA showed BP regulating roles in a gradually stable decreasing tendency. It also could elevate BP success rate of PHT, and reduce the risk of PHT progressing to HT.</p>

Inflammation-related signaling pathways of differently-methylated DNA from benign and malignant ;thyroid tumors in one patient / 实用医学杂志

Objective To determine the possible differences in DNA methylation of benign and malignant thyroid tumors and its role in tumorgenesis and tumor progression. Methods Infinium human methylation 450 bead chip platform was utilized to screen the whole-genome of benign and malignant thyroid tumor tissues surgically removed from a patient for the determination of their DNA methylation levels. The genes with significant differences in methylation were analyzed for their functional pathways with bioinformatics. Results There were significant differences in DNA methylation between benign and malignant thyroid tumor. The inflammation-related pathways, such as T cell, Jak-STAT and cytokine-cytokine receptor signaling pathways involved in the biological process of tumorgenesis and tumor progression. Conclusions The differences in DNA methylation between benign and malignant reveal a close relationship between inflammation and tumorgenesis and tumor progression and provide a novel method for investigation of thyroid cancer development and target drug discovery.

Evaluation on the efficacy and safety of domestic bivalirudin during percutaneous coronary intervention / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Bivalirudin was widely used as an anticoagulant during coronary interventional procedure in western countries. However, it was not available in China before this clinical trial was designed. This randomized, single-blind and multicenter clinical trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of domestic bivalirudin during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A randomized, single-blind, multicenter trial was designed. Elective PCI candidates in five centers were randomized into a bivalirudin group and a heparin group, which were treated with domestic bivalirudin and non-fractional heparin during the PCI procedure. The efficacy was evaluated by comparing the activated coagulation time (ACT), the procedural success rate (residual stenosis < 20% in target lesions without any coronary artery related adverse events within 24 hours after PCI), and the survival rate without major adverse cardiac events at 30 days after PCI between the two groups. Safety was evaluated by the major/minor bleeding rate.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 218 elective PCI patients were randomized into a bivalirudin group (n = 110) and heparin group (n = 108). Except for two patients needing additional dosing in the heparin group, the ACT values of all other patients in both groups were longer than 225 seconds at 5 minutes after the first intravenous bolus. Procedural success rates were respectively 100.0% and 98.2% in the bivalirudin group and heparin group (P > 0.05). Survival rates without major adverse cardiac events at 30 days after PCI were 100.0% in the bivalirudin group and 98.2% in the heparin group (P > 0.05). Mild bleeding rates were 0.9% and 6.9% (P < 0.05) at 24 hours, and 1.9% and 8.8% (P < 0.05) at 30 days after PCI in the bivalirudin group and heparin group respectively. There was one severe gastrointestinal bleeding case in the heparin group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Domestic bivalirudin is an effective and safe anticoagulant during elective PCI procedures. The efficacy is not inferior to heparin, but the safety is superior to heparin.</p>

Clinical analysis of abnormal acoustic admittance in preschool children with nasal and nasopharyngeal disorders / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the risk factors of related disorders, which could lead to potential otitis media by observing the abnormal configuration of drum and abnormal acoustic immittance without symptoms in preschool children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty-one cases (162 ears) received flexible pharyngorhinoscopy, skin prick test, CT examination of sinus, and were diagnosed as allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, adenoid hypertrophy. They had no complaints of ear related symptoms, but were observed to have abnormality in ear drum by physical examined. Acoustic immittance measurement were performed, so as to estimate whether they were accompany with potential otitis media. The changes of examination and tests were analyzed before and after the treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 15 cases (29 ears) with abnormal acoustic admittance among 81 cases (162 ears) who had no ear related symptoms but had different degree abnormality in ear drum. The morbidity rate of these 15 patients was 13.6% (6/44 ears) in allergic rhinitis patients, 18.2% (12/66 ears) in chronic sinusitis patients, and 21.2% (11/52 ears) in adenoid hypertrophy patients, respectively. The differences among the three diseases had statistical significance (χ² = 63.02,P < 0.05). Among 29 ears, 28 ears whose type of tympanic pressure curve were transferred from type C to type A two weeks after treatment. One ear whose type of tympanic pressure curve transferred from type B to type C four weeks after treatment. All cases had been followed up with no recurrent cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Some preschool children with nasal and nasopharyngeal disorders had abnormal configuration of drum and abnormal acoustic immittance, and had potential risk for otitis media. Among the disorders, adenoid hypertrophy impact more on middle ear function. The early intervention of related diseases could prevent the developing trend of otitis media.</p>

Preliminary study on normal aerification of paranasal sinuses in children / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the normal aerification of paranasal sinuses in Chinese children with magnetic resonance imaging.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred and eighty Chinese children aged from 17 days to 14 years without any symptoms related to sinusitis were statistically analyzed in MRI features, including counting the number of paranasal sinus pneumatization and the maximum axial and sagittal area of the left maxillary.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The pneumatization rate of maxillary sinus was 85% in children aged from 0 to 1 years. Until 3 years the pneumatization rate of maxillary sinus was 95% and there was no significant difference in boys and girls (χ(2) = 0.741, P = 0.389). The pneumatization rate of maxillary sinus reached 100% after 4 years old. The pneumatization rate of ethmoid sinus was 100% in this study. The pneumatization rate of sphenoid sinus was 0 within 1 year old, 49% within 4 years old and 100% after 7 years old. There was no significant difference in boys and girls on the pneumatization rate of sphenoid sinus (χ(2) = 2.452, P = 0.117). The pneumatization rate of frontal sinus was 0 within 5 years old, 62% within 9 years old and 95% after 10 years old. There was no significant difference in boys and girls on the pneumatization rate of frontal sinus (χ(2) = 0.124, P = 0.724). The axial and sagittal maximum area of maxillary sinus was (689.28 ± 221.79) and (659.76 ± 263.31) mm(2) in girls and (668.13 ± 206.38) and (638.60 ± 207.67) mm(2) in boys. The differences were significant (t = -19.78, P < 0.001; t = -19.89, P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The study of the development and normal aerification of paranasal sinuses of children can help radiologist make correct diagnosis of paranasal sinuses in children.</p>

Analysis of intractable cough in 128 children / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To disclose the etiological factors and to investigate the therapeutical effect on nasal disorders in 128 children with intractable cough.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty-eight children with intractable cough were consulted by ENT doctors using electronic nasopharyngoscope, for those children with nasal diseases, relevant treatment was given.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among 128 children, one hundred and sixteen had nasal disorders. Upper airway cough syndrome (UACS) was diagnosed in 92 cases (71.9%), nasal disorders without UACS was diagnosed in 24 cases (18.7%), no nasal disorders were found in 12 cases (9.4%). Among children with UACS, allergic rhinitis was diagnosed in 76 cases, rhino-sinusitis in 39 cases, adenoid hypertrophy in 54 cases, and chronic rhinitis in 8 cases. However, for those children without UACS, 10 cases had chronic rhinitis and 14 cases had allergic rhinitis. Clinical symptoms, signs and the findings of electronic nasopharyngoscope were analyzed in 92 children with UACS. The results showed that regular cough occurred in 62 cases, nasal disease in 65 cases, subjective feeling of postnasal discharge in 18 cases, mouth breathing or snoring in 32 cases, purulent secretion in nasal meatus in 61 cases, retropharyngeal folliculosis in 58 cases, purulent secretion in pharynges detected from pharynx in 41 cases, and purulent or viscosity secretion were found in 91 cases by first electronic nasopharyngoscopy. After 14 days of treatment, the children with UACS (90/92) had significant higher remission rate (chi² = 32.21, P = 0.000) in cough than those who had nasal disorders but without UACS (13/24).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The nasal disorders, especially for UACS, were common in children with intractable cough. The therapy to nasal disorders could release the chronic cough symptoms in children with intractable cough.</p>

Silencing invariant chains of dendritic cells enhances anti-tumor immunity using small-interfering RNA / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Genetic modification of dendritic cells (DCs) has been used as an effective approach to enhance anti-tumor immunity. RNA interference (RNAi), which can cause the degradation of any RNA in a sequence-specific manner, is a post-transcriptional gene silencing mechanism. In this study, small-interfering RNA (siRNA) specific for the Ii gene was transfected into DCs, and the anti-tumor immunity of Ii-silenced DCs was assessed.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The silencing effect of siRNA was evaluated by Western blotting and real-time PCR analyses. In vitro cytotoxic activity of T cells was evaluated using a Cytotox 96(®) non-radioactive cytotoxicity assay kit. The time to tumor onset and the tumor volumes were used as reliable indices to assess the anti-tumor immunity in vivo. To further examine the mechanisms underlying the anti-tumor immunity, flow cytometry analysis was used.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The Ii expression of DCs was significantly reduced after Ii siRNA transfection. Significant in vitro anti-tumor ability was exhibited when DCs were co-transfected with Ii siRNA plus endogenous tumor antigen (P < 0.05). Furthermore, tumor growth was greatly inhibited when mice were immunized with DCs transfected with Ii siRNA plus tumor antigen prior to or subsequent to tumor implantation. Flow cytometry analysis in vitro and in vivo indicated that both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells were significantly activated in the Ii siRNA group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Silencing of the Ii gene of DCs may offer a potential approach to enhance DC-based anti-tumor immunity.</p>

Analysis of the causes of pediatric rhino-source diseases / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze clinical features of pediatric rhino-source diseases for reducing missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Data of 3588 children with rhino-source diseases seen from April 2005 to May 2006 were retrospectively analyzed in this study in order to disclose the relationship of etiological factor, clinical features and diagnosis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Among all these cases, 2090 complained of nasal discomfort including nasal obstruction, discharge, rhinalgia and epistaxis. However 1498 cases (41.76%) did not, of whom 470 cases had snoring and apnea, 332 cases of otalgia and otorrhea, 145 cases had chronic cough, 138 had headache and 92 had lower respiratory infection.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A high percentage of children who suffered from pediatric rhino-source disease did not develop nasal symptoms. Pediatric rhino-source disease should be considered for patients in whom the therapeutic effect is unexpectedly poor.</p>

Protection of erythropoietin on experimental spinal cord injury by reducing the expression of thrombospondin-1 and transforming growth factor-beta / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Erythropoietin (EPO) functions as a tissue-protective cytokine in addition to its crucial hormonal role in red cell production and neuron protection. This study aimed to determine the neuron protective effect of erythropoietin on experimental rats enduring spinal cord injury (SCI) by assessing thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) level and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in the development of a rat model of SCI.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups: sham operation control group, SCI group and EPO treatment group. By using a weight-drop contusion SCI model, the rats in the SCI group and EPO treatment group were sacrificed at 24 hours and 7 days subsequently. The Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scores were examined for locomotor function. Pathological changes were observed after HE staining. The expressions of thrombospondin-2 (TSP-1) and TGF-beta were determined by immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Slighter locomotor dysfunction was discovered and it was recovered abruptly as higher BBB scores were found in the EPO treatment group than in the SCI group (P < 0.01). Pathologically, progressive disruption of the dorsal white matter and regeneration of a few neurons were also observed in SCI rats. TSP-1 and TGF-beta expression increased at 24 hours and 7 days after SCI in the injured segment, and it was higher in the SCI group than in the EPO treatment group. Spinal cord samples from the animals demonstrated a TSP-1 optical density of 112.2 +/- 6.8 and TSP-1 positive cells of 5.7 +/- 1.3 respectively. After injury, the TSP-1 optical density and cell number increased to 287.2 +/- 14.3/mm(2) and 23.2 +/- 2.6/mm(2) at 24 hours and to 232.1 +/- 13.2/mm(2) and 15.2 +/- 2.3/mm(2) at 7 days respectively. When EPO treated rats compared with the SCI rats, the TSP-1 optical density and cell number decreased to 213.1 +/- 11.6/mm(2) and 11.9 +/- 1.6/mm(2) at 24 hours and to 189.9 +/- 10.5/mm(2) and 9.3 +/- 1.5/mm(2) at 7 days, respectively (P < 0.01). In the SCI rats, the TGF-beta optical density and positive neuron number were 291.4 +/- 15.2/mm(2) and 28.8 +/- 4.9/mm(2) at 24 hours and 259.1 +/- 12.3/mm(2) and 23.9 +/- 4.1/mm(2) at 7 days respectively. They decreased in the EPO treated rats to 222.8 +/- 11.9/mm(2) and 13.7 +/- 2.1/mm(2) at 24 hours and to 196.5 +/- 9.7/mm(2) and 8.7 +/- 2.2/mm(2) at 7 days (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Increased expression of TSP-1 and TGF-beta can be found in the injured segment of the spinal cord at 24 hours and 7 days after injury. EPO treatment can effectively prevent pathological alterations from severe spinal cord injury by reduced expression of TSP-1 and TGF-beta.</p>