Inhibition of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate on transforming growth factor-beta 2 induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human lens epithelial cells / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To investigate the mechanism of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate(PDTC)on transforming growth factor-beta 2(TGF-β2)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)in human lens epithelial cells(LECs).METHODS: LECs were treated with various doses of PDTC chemicals following TGF-β2 caused EMT on these cells. Cell proliferation and lateral migration were discovered using the CCK-8 and cell scratch test. The markers of EMT, including E-cadherin, α-SMA and nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway-related expression, were tested by Western Blot as well as the changes in the expression of the apoptosis-related proteins BAX, BCL-2, Caspase-3, and Cyclin D1.RESULTS: The proliferation and migration viability of cells in the TGF-β2 treated group was increased compared to the group without TGF-β2, and the expression of α-SMA increased whereas the E-cadherin expression decreased. With the effect of TGF-β2, NF-κB p65 and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 expression increased, the concentration of TGF-β2 that had the greatest capacity for proliferation and migration was 10 ng/mL(P<0.05). Mechanism study of PDTC-induced EMT reversal and apoptosis showed that cell viability and migratory capability were both significantly reduced after PDTC intervention; PDTC prevents IκB phosphorylation, thus inhibiting NF-κB nuclear translocation. Protein associated to the NF-κB signaling pathway, and protein expression of NF-κB/IκBα/p-IκBα/Iκκ-α/p-Iκκ-α was decreased(P<0.05), PDTC increased the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein BAX/Caspase-3, expression of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein BCL-2 and the cell cycle protein Cyclin D1 was reduced. The expression of NF-κB/IκB mRNA was reduced, expression of the apoptosis-related mRNA BAX increased, while BCL-2 reduced.CONCLUSION: The EMT in LECs cells induced by TGF-β2 can be significantly reversed by PDTC, which may be related to the decreased expression of NF-κB p65/IκB/Iκκ-α and activation of apoptosis-related protein. PDTC can reverse EMT by inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway and induce apoptosis of abnormally proliferated cells, which will provide new potential therapeutic agents for posterior capsular opacification(PCO)treatment.

MiR⁃31 Promotes the Proliferation and Migration of Human Dental Pulp Mesenchymal Stem Cells / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

Pulpitis and periapical inflammation are two common diseases in stomatology today. Existing treatment options primarily include root canal therapy and pulp revascularization, which can effectively control inflammation and preserve the affected tooth while also causing permanent deactivation of the pulp tissue, structural failure, and secondary infection. In recent years, research on dental pulp regeneration has progressively entered the public consciousness because of tissue engineering technology that combines stem cells and biomaterials. Due to their multi⁃differentiation and high proliferation, dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) isolated from permanent or deciduous teeth have emerged as a significant stem cell source for dentin or pulp tissue regeneration. However, the number and survival time of live cells in the dam⁃ aged area are impacted, which significantly limits the efficacy of stem cells since they are unable to efficiently be recruited to the injured area. The ability of DPSCs to migrate and multiply must therefore be enhanced. This study sought to determine if miR⁃31 (miR⁃31) may significantly enhance the proliferative and migratory capacities of DPSCs. The tissue block enzyme digestion method was used to successfully separate and culture DPSCs from dental pulp tissues, and the miR⁃31 levels in dental pulp tissues and DPSCs from normal and inflammatory teeth were compared. The results of real⁃time fluorescence quanti⁃ tative PCR (RT⁃qPCR) revealed that the expression level of miR⁃31 in dental pulp tissues and DPSCs from inflammatory teeth was significantly lower when compared to the control group (P<0. 05). Interfer⁃ ence and over⁃expression of miR⁃31 expressions in DPSCs were specifically divided into three groups: the NC group, the miR⁃31 agomir (over⁃expressed) group and the miR⁃31 antagomir (inhibitor) group. RTq⁃PCR results showed that the transfection was successful (P<0. 001). The results of CCK⁃8, wound⁃ healing, and Transwell migration experiments showed that overexpression of miR⁃31 successfully improved the proliferation and migration abilities of DPSCs compared with the control group (P<0. 05). Further⁃ more, Western blotting analysis revealed that miR⁃31 overexpression increased the expression of important migratory proteins, including CXC chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) and matrix metalloproteinase2 (MMP2), as well as key proliferation proteins Ki67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) (P< 0. 05). This study demonstrates that miR⁃31 can effectively boost the proliferation and migratory ability of DPSCs, providing strong theoretical support for the increased use of DPSCs in regenerative medicine.

Analysis of the risk factors for poor prognosis and recurrence in patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis / 中华预防医学杂志

To investigate the risk factors of poor prognosis and recurrence in patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis. A single center, observational cohort study was used to retrospectively analyze 44 patients with anti NMDAR encephalitis hospitalized in the Department of Neurology of Beijing Tong Ren Hospital from January 2014 to October 2020. The results showed that the interval from onset to immunotherapy in the poor prognosis group was significantly longer than that in the good prognosis group (t=2.045,P=0.047), and the course of disease in the poor prognosis group was significantly longer than that in the good prognosis group (t=4.127,P=0.000 2). The number of patients with clinical manifestations of dyskinesia was significantly increased (Fisher exact test: P=0.014). The patients with abnormal brain MRI in the poor prognosis group were significantly more than those in the good prognosis group (Fisher exact test: P=0.017), and the patients with slow wave>50% in the poor prognosis group were significantly more than those with slow wave <50% (Fisher exact test: P<0.001). Patients with the first onset of immunotherapy time <3 months, long course of disease, high intracranial pressure, and high cerebrospinal fluid protein are prone to relapse. Bivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients with dyskinesia, abnormal brain MRI, and slow wave EEG more than 50% were risk factors for poor prognosis (OR values were 4.687, 4.978, and 24.500, respectively; P values were 0.018, 0.016, and 0.000, respectively). The time of first-line immunotherapy for the first onset<3 months was the risk factor for recurrence (OR 17.231, P=0.010). In conclusion, dyskinesia, abnormal brain MRI and slow wave of EEG more than 50% may be the risk factors for poor prognosis of patients. The duration of immunotherapy less than 3 months after the first onset might be the risk factor for recurrence.

The analysis of features of first-onset neuromyelitis optica spectrum disease within 1 year after delivery / 中华预防医学杂志

To explore the clinical features and influencing factors of first-onset neuromyelitis optica spectrum disease (NMOSD) within 1 year after delivery. A single center, observational cohort study was used to retrospectively analyze 12 patients with first-onset NMOSD within 1 year after delivery hospitalized in the Department of Neurology of Beijing Tong Ren Hospital from June 2015 to June 2018(short as the postpartum onset group). 12 patients with first-onset NMOSD without 1 year after delivery hospitalized in our department during the same period were selected (short as the control group). The results showed the next recurrence interval in the postpartum onset group was longer than the control group [the postpartum onset group: (6.1±3.5) years, the control group: (1.6±1.5) years, t=3.622,P=0.005], the times of relapses were less than the control group [the postpartum onset group: (1.8±1.4) times, the control group:4.0 (3.0, 7.3) times, Z=-3.122,P=0.002], and expanded disability status scale (EDSS) of the last follow-up was lower than the control group [the postpartum onset group: 3.0(2.3, 3.9), the control group: 4.5(4.0, 6.0), Z=-3.358,P=0.001] with statistically significant differences. The recurrence rates of 1 year, 3 years and 5 years in the postpartum onset group (0%, 16.7%, 33.3%) were lower than control group (58.3%, 83.3%, 91.7%) with statistically significant differences (χ2=8.000,P=0.014;χ2=10.667,P=0.003; χ2=8.711,P=0.009). After the second delivery, the recurrence rate in postpartum onset group was 100% (n=3) and in control group was 50%(n=2), but the difference was not statistically significant (χ2=2.100,P=0.429). In the postpartum onset group, combination of autoimmune disease was consistent with positive in serum AQP-4 antibody moderately (Kappa=0.5, P=0.046). Positive in other autoimmune antibodies were consistent with positive in serum AQP-4 antibody moderately (Kappa=0.5, P=0.046). Combination of autoimmune disease were consistent with positive in serum other autoimmune antibodies well (Kappa=0.667, P=0.021). In conclusion, the first-onset NMOSD within 1 year after delivery have longer next recurrence interval, less times of relapses, lower relapse rate, better long-term prognosis of central nervous system, and they have trend to suffering from recurrent after the second delivery. For the females, combined with autoimmune disease or autoimmune antibody, who are ready for pregnancy, could detect serum AQP-4; if serum AQP-4 positive, they are recommended to prevent the occurrence of NMOSD after delivery.

The analysis of features of first-onset neuromyelitis optica spectrum disease within 1 year after delivery / 中华预防医学杂志

To explore the clinical features and influencing factors of first-onset neuromyelitis optica spectrum disease (NMOSD) within 1 year after delivery. A single center, observational cohort study was used to retrospectively analyze 12 patients with first-onset NMOSD within 1 year after delivery hospitalized in the Department of Neurology of Beijing Tong Ren Hospital from June 2015 to June 2018(short as the postpartum onset group). 12 patients with first-onset NMOSD without 1 year after delivery hospitalized in our department during the same period were selected (short as the control group). The results showed the next recurrence interval in the postpartum onset group was longer than the control group [the postpartum onset group: (6.1±3.5) years, the control group: (1.6±1.5) years, t=3.622,P=0.005], the times of relapses were less than the control group [the postpartum onset group: (1.8±1.4) times, the control group:4.0 (3.0, 7.3) times, Z=-3.122,P=0.002], and expanded disability status scale (EDSS) of the last follow-up was lower than the control group [the postpartum onset group: 3.0(2.3, 3.9), the control group: 4.5(4.0, 6.0), Z=-3.358,P=0.001] with statistically significant differences. The recurrence rates of 1 year, 3 years and 5 years in the postpartum onset group (0%, 16.7%, 33.3%) were lower than control group (58.3%, 83.3%, 91.7%) with statistically significant differences (χ2=8.000,P=0.014;χ2=10.667,P=0.003; χ2=8.711,P=0.009). After the second delivery, the recurrence rate in postpartum onset group was 100% (n=3) and in control group was 50%(n=2), but the difference was not statistically significant (χ2=2.100,P=0.429). In the postpartum onset group, combination of autoimmune disease was consistent with positive in serum AQP-4 antibody moderately (Kappa=0.5, P=0.046). Positive in other autoimmune antibodies were consistent with positive in serum AQP-4 antibody moderately (Kappa=0.5, P=0.046). Combination of autoimmune disease were consistent with positive in serum other autoimmune antibodies well (Kappa=0.667, P=0.021). In conclusion, the first-onset NMOSD within 1 year after delivery have longer next recurrence interval, less times of relapses, lower relapse rate, better long-term prognosis of central nervous system, and they have trend to suffering from recurrent after the second delivery. For the females, combined with autoimmune disease or autoimmune antibody, who are ready for pregnancy, could detect serum AQP-4; if serum AQP-4 positive, they are recommended to prevent the occurrence of NMOSD after delivery.

Research progress on the correlation between autoimmune diseases of the nervous system and intestinal flora / 中华预防医学杂志

With people's understanding and development of autoimmune-related diseases of the nervous system, the level of diagnosis and treatment has improved significantly. However, the etiology of some autoimmune diseases of the nervous system is still unknown. There is a close relationship between gut microbiota and nervous system immunity. The research and discussion on the flora will help clarify the pathogenesis and prevent the progress of diseases in the field of preventive medicine. This article summarizes the latest research progress in order to provide new ideas.

Effect of Fufang Zhenzhu Tiaozhi capsule on serum lipids and inflamma-tory factors in rabbit abdominal aortic restenosis model / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To investigate the effect of Fufang Zhenzhu Tiaozhi capsule(FTZ)on serum lipids and in-flammatory factors in rabbits with abdorminal aortic restenosis after balloon angioplasty.METHODS: New Zealand white rabbits(n=30)were divided into 5 groups.Except blank control group,the rabbits in other groups were used to establish abdominal aortic endothelium exfoliative vascular stenosis model.After 4 weeks of high-fat diet feeding,the animals in rest-enosis model group and drug treatment groups underwent percutaneous balloon dilatation in the stenosis.The angiographic stenosis was analyzed by a two-dimensional quantitative coronary angiography workstation with a digital subtraction X -ray machine.Blood samples were taken during angiography and the profiles of serum lipids and cytokines were measured.The expression of nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)in the blood vessels was determined by immunohistochemistry.RESULTS:An-giography confirmed that the rates of area stenosis and diameter stenosis were significantly decreased in treatment groups compared with restenosis model group(P<0.01).Compared with restenosis model group,the serum lipid profiles and cy-tokine concentrations in drug treatment groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Immunohistochemistry showed the expression of NF-κB in restenosis model group was significantly higher than that in blank control group and drug treatment groups(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: FTZ significantly reduces the blood lipids and inflammatory factors in abdominal aortic restenosis model,and the anti-inflammatory effect may be related to the regulation of NF-κB pathway to inhibit the production of various inflammatory factors.

Evaluation of neuroactive effects of ethanol extract of Schisandra chinensis, Schisandrin, and Schisandrin B and determination of underlying mechanisms by zebrafish behavioral profiling / 中国天然药物

Schisandra chinensis, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been used to treat sleep disorders. Zebrafish sleep/wake behavioral profiling provides a high-throughput platform to screen chemicals, but has never been used to study extracts and components from TCM. In the present study, the ethanol extract of Schisandra chinensis and its two main lignin components, schisandrin and schisandrin B, were studied in zebrafish. We found that the ethanol extract had bidirectional improvement in rest and activity in zebrafish. Schisandrin and schisandrin B were both sedative and active components. We predicted that schisandrin was related to serotonin pathway and the enthanol extract of Schisandra chinensis was related to seoronin and domapine pathways using a database of zebrafish behaviors. These predictions were confirmed in experiments using Caenorhabditis elegans. In conclusion, zebrafish behavior profiling could be used as a high-throughput platform to screen neuroactive effects and predict molecular pathways of extracts and components from TCM.

Evaluation of neuroactive effects of ethanol extract of Schisandra chinensis, Schisandrin, and Schisandrin B and determination of underlying mechanisms by zebrafish behavioral profiling / 中国天然药物

Schisandra chinensis, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been used to treat sleep disorders. Zebrafish sleep/wake behavioral profiling provides a high-throughput platform to screen chemicals, but has never been used to study extracts and components from TCM. In the present study, the ethanol extract of Schisandra chinensis and its two main lignin components, schisandrin and schisandrin B, were studied in zebrafish. We found that the ethanol extract had bidirectional improvement in rest and activity in zebrafish. Schisandrin and schisandrin B were both sedative and active components. We predicted that schisandrin was related to serotonin pathway and the enthanol extract of Schisandra chinensis was related to seoronin and domapine pathways using a database of zebrafish behaviors. These predictions were confirmed in experiments using Caenorhabditis elegans. In conclusion, zebrafish behavior profiling could be used as a high-throughput platform to screen neuroactive effects and predict molecular pathways of extracts and components from TCM.

Comparison of early-warning ability of five different detection systems for erroneous glycosylated hemoglobin results from compand heterozygotes of hemoglobulin NewYork acompainying β-thalassemia / 临床检验杂志

Objective To analyze the HbA1c results of double heterozygotes of hemoglobin(Hb) NewYork and β-thalassemia detected by five different HbA1c detection systems,and compare the early-warning abilities of erroneous glycosylated hemoglobin results for Hb NewYork and β-thalassemia heterozygotes.Methods Peripheral blood samples from 40 patients without hemoglobinopathies with different range of HbA1c levels were collected to evaluate the consistency of the detected results.Variant Ⅱ system was used as the reference system which successfully completed NGSP Level Ⅰ laboratory certification.Variant Ⅱ Turbo 2.0 (V Ⅱ-T),Capillary 2 Flex Piercing(2FP),Primus Ultra2 (Ultra2)and Roche Modular PPI(PPI) 800 were used as the comparative systems.The HbA1 c in 2 sera from the patients with compand heterozygotes of Hb NewYork was detected by the above systems.Hemoglobin electrophoresis was performed.Gentypes of á-and β-globin genes were analyzed by GAP-PCR,hybridization and dideoxy chain termination method.Results The HbA1c values in non-hemoglobinophthy samples obtained using V Ⅱ-T 2.0,Ultra2,C2FP and PPI systems were well correlated with that of VⅡ system.The hemoglobin genotypes of the two cases of compand heterozygotes were aa/aa,βIVS-2-654/βNewYork and aa/aa,β41-42/βNewYork,respectively.The proportions of HbA were all 0 while the proportions of Hb NewYork were 93.5％ and 94.0％ respectively.The HbA1c results of the two cases detected were 4.3％ (23 mmol/mol)and 4.5％ (26 mmol/mol)by V Ⅱ,4.5 ％ (26 mmol/mol) and 4.6％ (27 mmol/mol) by VⅡ-T 2.0,no values and no values by C2FP,4.1％ (21 mmol/mol) and 4.3 ％ (23 mmol/mol) by Ultra2 and 4.2％ (22 mmol/mol) and 4.8 ％ (29 mmol/mol) by PPI systems,respectively.All the systems did not send warning for abnormal signs in profiles and results.Conclusion The five systems presented different early-warning ability for the double heterozygotes of Hb NewYork and β-thalassemia.The compand heterozygotes should theoretically not contain HbA1 c,but the systems V Ⅱ,V Ⅱ-T,Ultra2 and PPI showed detectable results of HbA1 c indicating all the four systems were not able to provide with early-warning.C2FP system did not report HbA1c result so it exhibited early-warning ability for the double heterozygote.

Targeted Genes Sequencing Identified a Novel 15 bp Deletion on GJA8 in a Chinese Family with Autosomal Dominant Congenital Cataracts / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Congenital cataract (CC) is the leading cause of visual impairment or blindness in children worldwide. Because of highly genetic and clinical heterogeneity, a molecular diagnosis of the lens disease remains a challenge.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this study, we tested a three-generation Chinese family with autosomal dominant CCs by targeted sequencing of 45 CC genes on next generation sequencing and evaluated the pathogenicity of the detected mutation by protein structure, pedigree validation, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A novel 15 bp deletion on GJA8 (c.426_440delGCTGGAGGGGACCCT or p. 143_147delLEGTL) was detected in the family. The deletion, concerned with an in-frame deletion of 5 amino acid residues in a highly evolutionarily conserved region within the cytoplasmic loop domain of the gap junction channel protein connexin 50 (Cx50), was in full cosegregation with the cataract phenotypes in the family but not found in 1100 control exomes. MD simulation revealed that the introduction of the deletion destabilized the Cx50 gap junction channel, indicating the deletion as a dominant-negative mutation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The above results support the pathogenic role of the 15 bp deletion on GJA8 in the Chinese family and demonstrate targeted genes sequencing as a resolution to molecular diagnosis of CCs.</p>

TURP plus endocrine therapy (ET) versus α1A-blockers plus ET for bladder outlet obstruction in advanced prostate cancer / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the effect of transurethral resection of the prostate combined with endocrine therapy (TURP + ET) with that of αlA-blockers combined with ET ((αlA-b + ET) in the treatment of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) in patients with advanced prostate cancer (PCa), and to investigate the safety of the TURP + ET for the treatment of PCa with BOO.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed 63 cases of PCa with BOO, 28 treated by αlA-b + ET and the other 35 by TURP + ET. We obtained the residual urine volume (RV), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and quality of life score (QoL) before and after treatment along with the overall survival rate of the patients, followed by comparison of the parameters between the two methods.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At 3 months after treatment, RV, IPSS, and QoL in the TURP + ET group were significantly decreased from (137.8 ± 27.6) ml, (22.3 ± 3.6), and (4.2 ± 0.8) to (29 ± 13.6) ml, (7.8 ± 2.1), and (1.6 ± 0.5) respectively (P < 0.05), while Qmax increased from (5.6 ± 2.1) ml/s to (17.6 ± 2.7) ml/s (P < 0.05); the former three parameters in the αlA-b + ET group decreased from (133.6 ± 24.9) ml, (21.5 ± 3.2), and (4.7 ± 1.1) to (42 ± 18.3) ml, (12.8 ± 2.6), and (2.5 ± 0.7) respectively (P < 0.05), while the latter one increased from (6.3 ± 2.4) ml/s to (11.7 ± 2.3) ml/s (P < 0.05), all with statistically significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05). The overall survival rate of the TURP + ET group was not significantly different from that of the αlA-b + ET group (51.4% vs 46.4% , P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TURP + ET is preferable to αlA-b + ET for its advantage of relieving BOO symptoms in advanced PCa without affecting the overall survival rate of the patients.</p>

Changes and analysis of peripheral white blood cells and lymphocyte subsets for patients with influenza B virus infection / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the characters and changes of peripheral white blood cells and lymphocyte subsets of patients with influenza B virus infection and to provide evidences for diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of influenza B virus infection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Peripheral white blood cell parameters and the percentages of lymphocyte subsets in acute and recovery phases of 47 cases of influenza B virus infection patients(32 mild cases and 15 severe cases)were investigated and analyzed,and compared respectively with those of 38 cases of healthy people using whole blood cell analysis and flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Peripheral white blood cell counts of mild cases decreased greatly but peripheral white blood cell counts and the neutrophils of severe cases increased significantly in acute phase; the peripheral lymphocytes, CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD19 of all patients with influenza B virus infection decreased greatly in acute phase and quickly recovered in recovery phase;there were similar characteristics of change in NK cells between patients with influenza B virus and healthy people. NK cells absolute counts of severe cases decreased significantly in acute phase.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Peripheral white blood cell counts and the neutrophils of increased significantly in acute phase and the great decrease of NK cells absolute counts of patients with influenza B virus infection may suggest the severe tendency of diseases.</p>

Development of EV71, CA16 and other enterovirus vrial real-time qualitative PCR diagnostic kit / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>A novel multiplex real-time RT-PCR kit was developed to detect EV71, CoxA16 and other human enteroviruses simultaneously with an internal amplification control to avoids false negatives, which used for hand, foot and mouth disease in the clinical diagnosis and epidemiological surveillance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Design specific primers and probes of EV71, CA16, other intestinal virus and internal amplification control, improve the extraction method of virus nucleic acid. Optimization the detection system of real-time quantitative PCR. Research the products of the accuracy, stability, precision, amplification efficiency and detection of linear range.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The primers and probes had high spicificity. The Viral RNA extraction effect of this Kit is as same as that of QIAamp Viral RNA mini Kit (QIAGEN company), but less reagent cost. The optimal concentrations of primers and probes are 0.2 micromol/L for all the upstream and downstream primers, 0.06 micromol/L for probes of other human enteroviruse, 0.08 micromol/L for probes of EV71 and CA16 respectively. The kit has good stability, accuracy and precision. The amplification efficiencies of EV71, CoxA16 and other human enteroviruses are 106% ,101% and 105% and the detection of linear range is from 10(9) copies/microl-10(2) copies/microl.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The novel multiplex real-time RT-PCR kit for detecting EV71, CoxA16 and other human enteroviruses simultaneously with an internal amplification control has good stability, accuracy, precision and amplification efficiencies. So it has great value in clinical application.</p>

Effects of puerarin on the vascular active factor related to cerebral vasospasm after aneurysm subarachnoid hemorrhage / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects and possible mechanisms of puerarin on the vascular active factors correlated to cerebral vasospasm (CVS) after aneurysm subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-four patients with aSAH were randomly assigned to the puerarin group (30 cases) and the control group (24 cases) by lot. On the basis of routine treatment, the patients in the puerarin group were intravenously dripped with 0.5 g puerarin by adding in 250 mL glucose injection once daily. The injection was given starting from the 3rd day of the disease course, for 14 successive days. The plasma levels of nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1), thromboxane B, (TXB2), 6-Keto-prostaglandin F1alpha (6-K-PGF1alpha) were compared between the two groups pre- and post-therapy. The incidence of cerebral vasospasm (CVS) was observed using transcranial Doppler (TCD). The Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) were compared at discharge between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, the plasma levels of NO, ET-1, and 6-K-PGF1alpha increased in the puerarin group (P < 0. 05), the TXB2 level decreased (P < 0.05), the incidence of CVS decreased (P < 0.05), the mean MCA velocity increased (P < 0.05), and the GOS at discharge increased (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Puerarin is an effective agent for the prophylaxis and treatment of the CVS in patients after aSAH. Moreover, it can improve the prognosis. The mechanism might be correlated with improving the levels of the vascular active factors, i.e., increasing the plasma levels of NO and PGl2, decreasing TXA, in plasma, increasing the cerebral blood flow, and improving cerebral perfusion.</p>

Microcystic/reticular schwannoma occurring in cervical spine: report of a case with literature review / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the morphologic characteristics, immunophenotype and differential diagnosis of a case of microcystic/reticular schwannoma occurring in cervical spine.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The pathologic features and immunophenotypic profile of a case of microcystic/reticular schwannoma were studied. Immunohistochemistry was performed using EnVision two-step method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The patient was a 35-year-old male and presented with a bump over the fifth cervical spine on radiologic check up. Grossly, the bump was gray-white in color, soft, well-circumscribed but non-encapsulated. The tumor measured 3.5 cm × 3.0 cm × 1.8 cm in size. Histologically, it was composed of two distinctive components. One component resembled the conventional schwannoma but showed focally nuclear pleomorphism, reminiscent of changes in degenerating schwannoma. The other component consisted of epithelial-like cells arranged in a reticular or lace-like pattern, amongst a myxoid matrix. Immunohistochemical study showed that the tumor cells were strongly positive for vimentin, S-100 protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein and neuron-specific enolase, focally positive for CD68, CD10 and Ki-67, and negative for pan-cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen, neurofilament, carcinoembryonic antigen, smooth muscle actin, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and p53.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Microcystic/reticular schwannoma is a novel variant of schwannoma, arising mainly in internal viscera but seldom in bone. Awareness of this entity is helpful in distinction from chordoma, other mucoid tumors or sarcomas.</p>

Preliminary study on the validity of whole body diffusion-weighted imaging for the detection of malignant lesions / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the validity of whole body diffusion-weighted imaging (WBDWI) for the detection of malignant lesions.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Nine healthy volunteers, 4 postoperative cases of malignant tumor and 16 malignant tumor cases were included in this study. 29 cases underwent whole body diffusion-weighted imaging on GE Signa Excite HD MR scanner within one week after or before PET examination. The images were double-blindly evaluated by two radiologists without the knowledge of the original PET results. Clinical diagnoses of malignant lesions were mainly based on PET results taken as gold standard. The malignant lesions were evaluated according to nine locations: lymph node; central nervous system; lung; liver, gallbladder, pancreas and spleen; digestive tract; kidney and adrenal gland; pelvic; skeleton, and soft tissue of each subject. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predicative value, negative predicative value, Youden's index and likelihood ratio of WBDWI were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The images of all the 9 healthy volunteers were normal. 57 malignant lesions were found in the 20 malignant cases by PET, among whom 48 lesions were detected by WBDWI including 2 false positive lesions. Among the 261 locations of 29 cases, the WBDWI examination showed 21 true positive locations, 2 false positive locations and 3 false negative locations. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predicative value, negative predicative value, Youden's index and likelihood ratio of WBDWI were 87.5%, 99.2%, 91.3%, 98.7%, 86.7%, and 103.7, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The validity of WBDWI is high, and it could be a new whole body imaging technique for staging of malignant tumors.</p>

Fluvastatin's effect on atherogenesis in apolipoprotein-E knockout mice infected by cytomegalovirus / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The goal of this study was to investigate whether murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) is able to exacerbate the atherosclerotic process in apolipoprotein E knockout (apoE -/-) mice, and the effect of fluvastatin on the atherogenesis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The apoE-/- mice kept on a west diet were given low dosage of MCMV. At 14,18 and 24 weeks post infection, AS lesion were measured on aorta. The fluvastatin was administered, and AS lesion were measured accordingly above.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>We observed that in the chronic phase of the infection, AS lesion area was significantly increased. MCMV gB mRNA was not amplified by real-time PCR from the arterial wall. The IgG antibody level of MCMV in blood plasma and the content of virus DNA in salivary gland were not correlated with AS lesions. After the administration of fluvastatin, there was no significant difference of AS lesions between MCMV infected group and mock-infected group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MCMV may aggravate the AS lesion in apoE -/- mice in the chronic phase of infection, and promote more severe type of AS lesions. But it might not be the direct effects of mechanism of MCMV on the local lesion of AS. Fluvastatin could meliorate the progression of AS after MCMV infection, but this was not accomplished by decreasing MCMV duplication.</p>

Analysis of 62 adult patients with viral meningitis / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical manifestation, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and auxiliary examination findings of adult viral meningitis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>62 adult patients with viral meningitis were retrospectively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Headache occurred in all the 62 (100%) patients, fever occurred in 61 (98%) patients, meningeal irritation sign occurred in 48 (77%) patients. The abduction of left eye was limited in one patient. Seizure occurred in 2 patients. The mean duration time was 17 days, 93% patients less than 30 days. The pressure of CSF increased in 80% patients, leukocyte counts increased in 91% patients, protein level increased in 81% patients, chloride level was normal in 35% patients and slightly lower in 65% patients, glucose level was normal in 94% patients. 7 patients had positive IgM antibody of Coxackievirus B group both in serum and CSF, one patient had positive IgM antibody of EB virus in CSF. Cranial CT scan had no special findings in all patients. 23 patients performed MRI examination, meningeal enhancement occurred in 9 patients. 52% patients had abnormal EEG, mainly increased local or diffuse slow waves.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Adult viral meningitis was a kind of self-limited disease, chloride level was slightly lower in more than half patients, meningeal enhancement was detected in MRI in part patients.</p>

Degradation of electrodeposited calcium phosphate and calcium phosphate-chitosan coatings in vitro / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the degradation of electrodeposited calcium phosphate (ECP) coating and calcium phosphate/chitosan (ECPC) coating in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Osteoclasts were isolated from neonatal rabbit long bone cavities and incubated with ECP and ECPC coatings. Calcium ion concentrations in the culture medium were analyzed at 3 days and 6 days. The osteoclastic resorption was observed with scanning electron microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both coatings demonstrated osteoclastic resorption lacunae. The calcium ion concentrations of the culture mediums were decreased when incubated with calcium phosphate coatings (P < 0.05). Compared with coatings cultured with osteoclasts, the calcium ion concentrations of those cultured without osteoclasts were higher on day 3 (P > 0.05) but lower on day 6 (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Both ECP and ECPC coatings can be resorbed by osteoclasts in vitro and can dissolve in the culture medium.</p>