Anti-inflammatory Effect of Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Transplantation and Quercetin Treatment in a Rat Model of Experimental Cerebral Ischemia.

Here, we have investigated the synergistic effect of quercetin administration and transplantation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells (HUMSCs) following middle cerebral artery occlusion in rat. Combining quercetin treatment with delayed transplantation of HUMSCs after local cerebral ischemia significantly (i) improved neurological functional recovery; (ii) reduced proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin(IL)-1ß and IL-6), increased anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, and transforming growth factor-ß1), and reduced ED-1 positive areas; (iii) inhibited cell apoptosis (caspase-3 expression); and (iv) improved the survival rate of HUMSCs in the injury site. Altogether, our results demonstrate that combined HUMSC transplantation and quercetin treatment is a potential strategy for reducing secondary damage and promoting functional recovery following cerebral ischemia.

[Effect of 2Me, DTT, ZAAP and Enzyme on JMH Antigen on the Surface of Human Erythrocytes].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the the effects of 2-Me, DTT, papain, pineapple protease and ZZAP on the antigenicity of JMH antigen of human red blood cells (RBC) surface. METHODS: Firstly, human RBC were treated with 2-Me, DTT, pineapple protease, papain and ZZAP reagents, respectively. The antigenicity of JMH antigen on human RBC surface was detected and analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Flow cytometric analysis found that compared with level before treatment, the antigenicity of JMH antigen on RBC surface was significantly reduced after 2-Me treatment, the positive rate of JMH antigen: 69.5%±4.5% vs 56.5%±3.4% (t=12.44, P＜0.01); fluorescence intensity: 4906±317 vs 3003±165 (t=11.84, P＜0.01). The antigenicity of JMH antigen on RBC surface significantly increased after DTT treatment, showing the positive rate of JMH antigen: 61.7%±3.8% vs 75.5±4.9% (t=16.57, P＜0.01), fluorescence intensity: 4044±294 vs 4854±319 (t=15.46, P＜0.01). However, both bromelain and papain could significantly reduce the antigenicity of JMH antigen on the RBC surface, Bromelain: the positive rate of JMH antigen: 62.2%±3.8% vs 8.8%±1.2% (t=26.44, P＜0.01), fluorescence intensity: 4263±273 vs 1444±212 (t=19.27, P＜0.01); Papain: the positive rate of JMH antigen: 62.8%±3.6% vs 8.8%±1.5% (t=21.38, P＜0.01), fluorescence intensity: 4389±284 vs 1458±230 (t=17.49, P＜0.01). The flow cytometric analysis revealed that ZZAP treatment significantly reduced the antigenicity of JMH antigen on the RBC surface, the positive rate of JMH antigen: 62.2%±4.4% vs 48.2%±4.1% (t=14.87, P＜0.01), fluorescence intensity: 4106±263 vs 2063±175 (t=17.49, P＜0.01). CONCLUSION: The treatment with 2-Me can reduce the antigenicity of JMH antigen on human RBC surface. The antigenicity of JMH antigen on human RBC surface increased after DTT treatment. The antigenicity of JMH antigen on human RBC surface significantly reduces after the treatment with pineapple protease or papain. ZZAP treatment can reduce the antigenicity of JMH antigen on the RBC surface.

Epidemiology of hand, foot, and mouth disease and genotype characterization of Enterovirus 71 in Jiangsu, China.

BACKGROUND: In the spring of 2008, an EV71-caused hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) outbreak occurred in Fuyang city, Anhui Province, China. Jiangsu Province that borders Auhui to the east is presumed as a key station for the spread of EV71 to other regions of the Yangtze River Delta. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the HFMD prevalence in Zhenjiang city of Jiangsu from May 2008 to October 2009, and the epidemic origin of EV71 circulating in Jiangsu. STUDY DESIGN: During May 2008 and October 2009, a total of 6324 HFMD cases in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, were investigated. Sixty throat specimens were randomly selected from different patients, and 28 nucleotide sequences of EV71 VP1 regions were successfully determined by RT-nested-PCR and sequencing. EV71 genotypes were characterized by phylogenetic analyses. RESULTS: The incidence rate of HFMD was highest in the period of March-July and in the 1-4 years old age groups. Intriguingly, there was a slight predominance for boys and for children living in rural areas in HFMD infection. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that all Jiangsu EV71 strains and most China strains belonged to subgenotype C4a. CONCLUSION: The C4a was the most prominent EV71 subgenotype circulating in China. Routine HFMD surveillance should be focused on the period of March-July, and more prevention efforts should be aimed at 1-4 years old children. Moreover, government efforts are urgently needed to improve public health condition and medical service quality in rural areas.