Effects of astragaloside Ⅳ on inflammatory response and percentage of peripheral blood Th17 cells in mice with ulcerative colitis / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of astragaloside Ⅳ in mice with ulcerative colitis(UC) and its effect on the percentage of peripheral blood T helper(Th17) cells. Following the establishment of UC mouse model with 2% sodium dextran sulfate(DSS), mice in the positive control group and low-and high-dose astragaloside Ⅳ groups were treated with corresponding drugs by gavage. Disease activity index(DAI) was calculated, and serum interleukin-17(IL-17), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β) levels were assayed by ELISA. The pathological changes in colon tissue were observed by HE staining, and Th17/regulatory T cells(Treg) ratio in the peripheral blood was determined by flow cytometry. Western blot was conducted for detecting the relative protein expression levels of forkhead box protein P3(Foxp3) and retinoic acid-related orphan nuclear receptor γT(ROR-γt). The findings demonstrated that in normal mice, the colonic structure was intact. The goblet cells were not reduced and the glands were neatly arranged, with no mucosal erosion, bleeding, or positive cell infiltration. In the model group, the colonic mucosal structure was seriously damaged, manifested as disordered arrangement or missing of glands, vascular dilatation, congestion, and massive inflammatory cell infiltration. The pathological injury of colon tissue was alleviated to varying degrees in drug treatment groups. Compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited elevated percentage of Th17 cells, increased IL-17 and TNF-α content, up-regulated relative ROR-γt protein expression, lowered TGF-β, reduced percentage of Treg cells, and down-regulated relative Foxp3 protein expression. The comparison with the model group showed that DAI score, pathological score, percentage of Th17 cells, IL-17 and TNF-α content, and relative ROR-γt protein expression in the positive control group, low-dose astragaloside Ⅳ group, and high-dose astragaloside Ⅳ group were decreased, while TGF-β content, percentage of Treg cells, and relative Foxp3 protein expression were increased. The DAI score, pathological score, percentage of Th17 cells, IL-17 and TNF-α content, and relative ROR-γt protein expression in the low-dose astragaloside Ⅳ group were higher than those in the positive control group, whereas the content of TGF-β, percentage of Treg cells, and relative Foxp3 protein expression were lower. DAI score, pathological score, percentage of Th17 cells, IL-17 and TNF-α content, relative ROR-γt protein expression in the high-dose astragaloside Ⅳ group declined in contrast to those in the low-dose astragaloside Ⅳ group, while the TGF-β content, percentage of Treg cells, and relative Foxp3 protein expression rose. There was no significant difference between the positive control group and the high-dose astragaloside Ⅳ group. Astragaloside Ⅳ is able to inhibit inflammatory response and diminish the percentage of Th17 cells in mice with UC.

Establishment of the craniofacial three-dimensional finite element models with the sutures defined alone / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop a child craniofacial three-dimensional (3D) finite element model (FEM) with sutures defined alone.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The CT data for this study was developed from sequential computed tomography scan images taken at 0.625 mm intervals of an 8 years children skull. Data set was imported into Mimics 10.0 and processed with Geomagic 9.0, and exported as initial graphics exchange specification(IGES) files. The IGES files were then imported into Ansys 13.0 to set up two FEM with or without the median palatine suture being opened. The FEM contained nine craniofacial sutures and eight teeth which were defined alone.For simulating orthopedic maxillary protraction, three forces (F1-F2) were loaded on FEM.F1(1 N) was loaded at 1 cm above the geison. F2(1 N) was loaded at articular fossa of temporal bone. F3(2 N) was directed anteriorly and paralleled with occlusal plane near the canine. The stress distribution and the values distributed in each point gained in the two models were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Two craniofacial 3D FEM of the child were developed with the median palatine suture opened or not .With median palatine suture being opened or not, the two models showed the similar von Mises stresses (VMS). The distribution of the VMS was in the bridge of the nose and dextro-ala nasi.When the median palatine suture was opened, the max VMS value was 18916.00×10(-4) MPa which appeared in the nose point and the min VMS value was 1.61×10(-4) MPa which appeared in the maxillary central incisor point. At the same time, the max stress value at the direction Y was -3985.30×10(-4) MPa and appeared in the frontomaxillary suture point, and the min Y value was 0.08×10(-4) MPa which appeared in the maxillary central incisor point. When the median palatine suture was not opened, the max VMS value was 19 244.00×10(-4) MPa and appeared in the nose point. The min VMS value was 1.62×10(-4) MPa and appeared in the maxillary central incisor point. At the same time, the max stress value at the direction Y was -4258.20×10(-4) MPa and appeared in the frontomaxillary suture point, and the min Y value was 0.08×10(-4) MPa which appeared in the maxillary central incisor point.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>To define the sutures as entities alone contributed to develop child craniofacial 3D FEM which consist nine sutures. There was tiny difference in stress distribution in both the VMS and in Y direction with the median palatine suture being opened or not.</p>

Expression and clinical significance of caudal type homeobox transcription factor-2 in adult acute lymphocytic leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to investigate the expression and clinical significance of CDX1, CDX2 and CDX4 genes in acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Expressions of CDX1, CDX2, and CDX4 in 51 adult acute lymphocytic leukemia patients and 14 healthy subjects were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results indicated that CDX1, CDX2 and CDX4 were not expressed in 14 healthy persons and 15 CR ALL patients, the positive expression rate of CDX2 gene in de novo ALL patients was 60.8%, while it obviously decreased in patients with complete remission (CR) (p < 0.05); the expression of CDX2 was increased again in relapsed patients (81.8%). When the expression of CDX2 was analyzed in different risk groups of ALL patients, the CDX2 expression rate in high risk (HR) patients was 91.7%, and that in the standard risk (SR) group was 45.7%. Furthermore, analyses of CDX1 and CDX4 expression in series of ALL samples did not show the expression of these genes. In patients with adult ALL at diagnosis and relapse, the CR rate of patients with CDX2 positive expression was lower than that of patients with CDX2 negative expression (p < 0.05). The median survival time in CDX2 positive expression patients was shorter than that in negative expression patient. It is concluded that expression of CDX2 may correlated with pathogenesis and relapse of adult ALL, but the expression of CDX1 and CDX4 don' t associated with pathogenesis and relapse of adult ALL; the CR rate and prognosis of patients with CDX2 positive expression is lower and poor. The expression of CDX2 may be used as a marker for occurrence, relapse and poor prognosis of adult ALL patients.

Suppression of tumor growth in renal cancer treatment with tumor vaccination after haploidentical bone marrow cell reconstitution / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate whether whole tumor cell vaccination strategies in combination with bone marrow transplantation (BMT) can stimulate graft-versus-tumor effect (GVT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-six BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: BMT group (group A, n = 10), BMT + vaccination group (group B, n = 10), control group (group C, n = 6). (BALB/c × C57BL/6) F1 mice [CB6F1, H-2K(b/d)] were used as donors. BALB/c mice of group C were only inoculated with Renca cell (2.6 × 10(6)). Mice of group A and B were conditioned with 8 Gy irradiation, followed by infusion by bone marrow cell of CB6F1 mice on day 1, then inoculated with Renca cell (2.6 × 10(6)) on day 8. All mice of group B were immunized subcutaneous on the back with 5 × 10(5) irradiated Renca tumor cells on day 9 and day 16. All mice of group C were inoculated with Renca cell (2.6 × 10(6)) on day 8. In group A and B, all mice were analyzed by fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) on day 14, and 28 day after BMT. Mice were killed on day 32 after inoculation with tumor cell and collected blood sample. All tumors were taken out to be weighed and then fixed in 10% buffered formalin, embedded in paraffin, and cut into 5 µm slices. The slices were stained with HE and examined by TdT mediated-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). Liver, skin, intestine, and spleen were biopsied for histopathological examination.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results of chimera showed that engraftments of group A, B were full donor chimerism, and the chimerism of those remained above 90% and preserved even after 28 days. The tumor weight, tumor volume increment in the group B was lower than group A and C (P < 0.05). The tumor suppressing rates of the group A and B were 54%, 60% respectively. The area ratio of tumor necrosis and apoptosis index (AI) of the tumor in the group B were higher than group A and C (P < 0.05). Graft-versus-host disease was not observed in each group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The mechanism of GVT after haploidentical allogeneic bone marrow transplantation with tumor vaccination may be the promotion of tumor necrosis and apoptosis.</p>

Effect of maxillary protraction with or without rapid palatal expansion in treating early skeletal Class III malocclusion / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effectiveness of treatment with maxillary protraction with or without rapid palatal expansion (RPE) for skeletal Class III malocclusion in mixed dentition.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 31 children with Class III malocclusion in mixed dentition were selected, and 15 (group A) received maxillary protraction treatment with RPE, the other 16 (group B) received maxillary protraction without RPE. Cephalometric films were taken before and after treatment, and traditional and Pancherz analysis were used.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average duration of treatment was 10.14 months in group A and 9.77 months in group B respectively (P>0.05). According to Pancherz analysis, maxillary basal bone moved forwards by 2.99 mm in group A and 3.33 mm in group B respectively (P>0.05), mandibular basal bone moved backwards by 0.07 mm in group A, while forwards by 0.80 mm in group B (P>0.05), the overjet increased by 4.51 mm in group A and 6.37 mm in group B respectively (P<0.05), and the molar relationship improved by 4.97 mm in group A and 4.73 mm in group B respectively (P>0.05). The effects were clinically satisfactory in the both groups. Lower molar moved forwards by 1.18 mm in basal bone in group A, while backwards by 1.20 mm in group B (P<0.05). Traditional cephalometric analysis showed no statistic differences between the two groups except that upper incisior showed greater procline in group B than in group A (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The study shows that maxillary protraction treatment, with or without RPE, is clinically satisfactory to correct early skeletal Class III malocclusion.</p>

Study on effect of snore guard to upper airway structure of normal occlusion people by magnetic resonance imaging / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the imagery changes of the upper airway and the surrounding soft tissues of local adults with non-apnea who used snore guard and to provide experimental data for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty students with non-apnea from Hebei medical university were chosen, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure the changes of the upper airway and the surrounding soft tissues after snore guards were used. SPSS 105 software was used to analyze statistically.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After the snore guard was put into oral cavity, the change of the average section and volume of the nasopharynx, the palatopharynx, the hypopharynx and the glossopharynx were statistically significant. The average sagittal size, the average horizontal size of the nasopharynx, the palatopharynx, the hypopharynx and the glossopharynx were increased statistically. The ratio of sagittal size, the horizontal sizand the in the hypopharynx and the glossopharynx changed statistically important. There was a decrease of the soft palate, the shape, the height, and the length of the tongue, the difference was statistically significant. The results demonstrated that snore guard affected the upper airway mainly by changing the volume and the shape of the upper airway, there was an obvious increase of the pharynx. The results also showed that snore guard could increase the width (both sagittal and horizontal) of the upper airway and could change the shape of the surrounding soft tissues, which caused air way more smooth. Snore guard could make the indexes of soft palate and tongue change decreasingly, resulted in the straight stand up of the tongue and the forwardness of the soft palate.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Snore guard is an effective and convenient instrument for treating the patients with OSAS.</p>

Experimental studies on the treatment of colon cancer by cytosine deaminase gene and 5-fluorocytosine / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of cytosine deaminase (CD) gene plus 5-fluorocytosine (5-Fc) on the growth of human colon cancer xenograftin nude mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Retroviral vector expressing CD gene was transfected into human colon cancer SW1116 cells. Expression of the transfected CD gene in SW1116 (SWCD(2)) was confirmed by RT-PCR. The cytotoxicity of 5-Fc on SW1116 was determined by MTT assay in vitro. In vivo, the CD gene expression vector was injected intratumorally and 5-Fc was given by ip injections.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In vitro, SWCD(2) cells were killed by 5-Fc with an IC(50) of 66 micromol/L while the nontrasfected SW1116 cells needed an IC(50) of 16 000 micromol/L to be killed. The growth of SWCD(2) xenografts was significantly inhibited by systemic administration of 5-Fc.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CD gene/5-Fc system is a potential gene therapy strategy for human colon cancer.</p>

Effect of early treatment with the Twin-block appliance / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effectiveness of early treatment with the Twin-block appliance for the developing Class II division 1 malocclusion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A Total of 30 children with Class II division 1 malocclusion, 18 (8 male, 10 female) out of which received treatment with the Twin-block appliance, the other 12 cases (6 male, 6 female) without treatment served as control group. Cephalometric data were collected at the start and the end of the study and statistical analysis were applied.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Except the factor of growth, treatment with the Twin-block appliance resulted in reduction of ANB (1.55 degrees), overjet (5.46 mm) and correction of molar relationship (4.07 mm). These changes were due to the change of Pg/OLp, Co/OLp and mandibular length. The change of A/OLp was not significant. The skeletal effect contributing to the change on overjet and molar relation were 58% and 78% respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Early treatment with the Twin-block appliance was effective in reducing ANB angle, overjet and correction of molar relationship. The changes were mainly profit from the favorable skeletal change of mandible, especially from its length, while the effect on maxillary was not significant.</p>

Structures and pharmacological activities of beesiosides O and P / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the chemical constituents of the rhizomes of Beesia calthaefolia native to China in order to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of its effective components.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Compounds were isolated by column chromatography with silica gel. Their structures were elucidated by spectral analysis and chemical evidence. Compounds identified were subjected to pharmacological evaluation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Two novel compounds were isolated and identified as (20S, 24S)-15 alpha-acetoxy-16 beta, 24; 20, 24-diepoxy-9, 19-cyclolanostane-3 beta, 25-diol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside (I) and (20S, 24R)-15 alpha-acetoxy-9, 19-cyclolanostane-3 beta, 16 beta, 20, 24, 25-pentaol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside (II), named beesioside O and beesioside P.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compounds I and II are new compounds. Compounds I exhibited immunosuppressive activity and could inhibit angiogenesis as well as inhibit the proliferation of osteoblast. Compound II displayed remarkable inhibition activity against calcium channel receptor.</p>