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OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the expression and clinical significance of soluble B7-H3 (sB7-H3) in patients with secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH).@*METHODS@#The plasma samples of 85 newly diagnosed sHLH patients from December 2012 to April 2018 were collected. The patients were divided into lymphoma-related HLH（LHLH）group and infection-related HLH（IHLH）group. The expression of sB7-H3 in plasma was detected by ELISA, and the clinical data were collected for analysis. Fifteen healthy people were chosen as control group.@*RESULTS@#The expression level of sB7-H3 in lymphoma-related HLH and infection-related HLH group significant increased as compared with the control group, (P＜0.05), and the expression level of sB7-H3 in lymphoma-related HLH group was significant higher than that in infection-related HLH group [(35.75± 9.90) vs (28.70±8.95) ng/ml)] (P＜0.001). There were no significant statistical difference in the expression of some clinical factors (including age, fever, splenomegaly, ANC, Plt, FIB, calcium ion, serum albumin, LDH, serum ferritin, sCD25) in lymphoma-related HLH and infection-related HLH group (P＞0.05). The evaluation of expression and significance of sB7-H3 in sHLH by using ROC curve, showed that the area under ROC curve comparison of patients in lymphoma-related HLH group and infection-related HLH group was 0.718 (95% CI 0.610-0.810) (P=0.0002), and predicting the sensitivity and specificity of the lymphoma-related HLH patients were 77.36% and 59.38%, respectively. The best cut-off value of patients in sB7-H3 was 29.81 ng/ml, the overall survival time of sB7-H3 high-expression group (≥29.81 ng/ml) was significant shorter than that in low-expression group (＜29.81 ng/ml) (24 vs 440 d) (P＜0.001). The clinical factors affecting the survival status of sHLH patients were neutrophils, albumin, serum ferritin, serum calcium ions and sB7-H3 levels.@*CONCLUSION@#sB7-H3 associates with poor prognosis of sHLH patients, and may be involved in disease progression.
Subject(s)
Humans , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic , Lymphoma , ROC CurveABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To assess the feasibility and efficacy of simvastatin-collagen composite sponge as a novel, direct pulp capping material.@*METHODS@#A total of 120 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: the simvastatin-collagen composite sponge group (SIM group), the collagen sponge group (CS group), and the Ca(OH)2 group (CH group). An endodontic entry cavity was prepared on the occlusion of the first molar on the left maxillary of each rat. The contralateral teeth were utilized as the normal control group. The rats were experimented after 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days. X-ray observations were conducted and the specimens underwent hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson's Thichrome staining. Dentin bridge formations and pulpal biology reactions were evaluated histopathologically.@*RESULTS@#X-ray results: high-density images could be observed on the pulp exposure sites in the CH group on the 28th day. In the SIM group, high-density images could be observed after 14 and 28 days, whereas in the CS group, high-density images were not observable in the exposed area. HE and Masson's Thichrome staining results: different degrees of inflammation under the cavity were detected in the three groups at different time points. The inflammatory reaction of the CS group was the most serious. The degree of the inflammatory reaction varied significantly between the SIM and the CS groups on the 14th and 28th days (P<0.01). The inflammatory reaction in the SIM group was lighter than in the CH group. There was a statistical difference between the SIM and the CH groups on the 14th day (P<0.05). During the observation period, the SIM group induced the best and fastest formation of reparative dentin. As for dentin bridge formation, a significantly higher complete bridge rate was observed in the SIM group than in the CH and in the CS groups on the 14th day (P<0.05) and for the SIM and the CH groups compared with the CS group on the 28th day (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The simvastatin-collagen composite sponge exhibited satisfactory biocompatibility with the pulp tissue and promoted the formation of reparative dentin. The application of simvastatin-collagen composite sponge as a pulp-capping material has satisfactory potential.
Subject(s)
Animals , Rats , Calcium Hydroxide , Collagen , Dental Pulp , Dental Pulp Capping , Dental Pulp Exposure , Dentin, Secondary , Molar , Random Allocation , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , SimvastatinABSTRACT
<p><b>Background</b>Treatment of myoclonic seizures in myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRFs) has been empirical and ineffective. Guideline on this disease is not available. Additional trials must be conducted to find more suitable treatments for it. In this study, the antimyoclonic effects of monotherapies, including levetiracetam (LEV), clonazepam (CZP), valproic acid (VPA), and topiramate (TPM) compared to combination therapy group with LEV and CZP on MERRF, were evaluated to find a more advantageous approach on the treatment of myoclonic seizures.</p><p><b>Methods</b>Treatments of myoclonic seizures with VPA, LEV, CZP, and TPM were reported as monotherapies in 17 MERRF patients from Qilu Hospital between 2003 and 2016, who were diagnosed through clinical data and genetic testing. After 1-4 months of follow-up (mean: 82.9 ± 28.1 days), 12 patients that exhibited poor responses to monotherapy were given a combined treatment consisting of LEV and CZP subsequently. The follow-up period was 4-144 months (mean: 66.3 ± 45.3 months), the effective rates of monotherapy group (17 patients) and combination therapy group (12 patients) were analyzed by Chi-square test.</p><p><b>Results</b>The m.8344 A>G mutation was detected in all patients. There were four patients with partial response (4/17, two in the CZP group and two in the LEV group), ten patients with stable disease (10/17, six in the CZP group, three in the LEV group, and one in the TPM group), and three patients with progressive disease (3/18, two in the VPA group and one in the TPM group). Twelve of the patients with LEV combined with CZP showed a positive effect and good tolerance (12/12), eight of them demonstrated improved cognition and coordination. There was a significant difference between the monotherapy group and combination therapy group in the efficacy of antimyoclonic seizures (χ = 13.7, P < 0.001).</p><p><b>Conclusions</b>LEV in combination with CZP is an efficient and safe treatment for myoclonic seizures in patients with this disease exhibiting the m.8344A>G mutation.</p>
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Objective:To investigate the role of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17 involved in the pathogenesis of cytomegalovirus hepatitis in vivo.Methods:First of all,disseminated infection model was established.Then,mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:normal control group,MCMV-infected control group,IL-17 blockade group,and isotype control group.Mice were sacrificed on day 7 after infection.The levels of IL-17 protein were detected by Western blot.Hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining was performed to evaluate the pathologic change of the liver.Serum ALT levels were detected by a Roche DPPI biochemical analyzer.The level of serum IL-17 was measured by double antibody sandwich ELISA.The expressions of mRNA of IL-17R,IFN-γand IL-10 in liver were detected by RT-PCR.Results:Compared with MCMV-infected mice and isotype control,the blockade of IL-17 inhibited the expression of IL-17 protein in liver (P＜0.05).The degree of liver damage reduced obviously.The serum ALT was significantly lower [(146±15)vs (102±11)vs (37±12),P＜0.05].The level of serum IL-17 was relatively reduced[(719.76±6.06)vs (722.1±4.62) vs (707.53 ±8.58),P＜0.05].The expression of IFN-γmRNA [(0.56± 0.06)vs (0.55±0.13)vs (0.96±0.2),P＜0.05] and IL-10 mRNA[(0.55±0.073) vs (0.51 ±0.07) vs (0.903 ±0.18),P＜0.05] increased significantly,while that of IL-17R did not change apparently[(0.81±0.16)vs (0.89±0.38) vs (0.87±0.23),P＞0.05].Conclusion:The increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17 is involved in the pathogenesis of immune injury in cytomegalovirus hepatitis.The blockade of IL-17 is helpful to relieve the liver damage and improve the liver function.
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BACKGROUND: The lack of visual field in the visual center of older adults with aged-related macular degeneration (AMD) will have a serious impact on the activities of daily living. There are atrophic and exudative AMD according to the pathological manifestations. Patients with advanced stage of exudative AMD will develop aged-related degeneration in the macular area. Ranibizumab combined with photodynamic therapy is mainly used for current treatment of exudative AMD, but more attention is paid to patients with early exudative AMD. OBJECTIVE: To analyze vision recovery, retinal thickness, and leakage of choroidal neovascular lesions in patients with advanced stage of exudative AMD after treatment with ranibizumab plus photodynamic therapy, and further explore the therapeutic efficacy of the combined therapy. METHODS: The prospective self-controlled trial will be completed in the Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University in China. The study population will comprise 113 patients with advanced exudative AMD who are eligible for inclusion and exclusion criteria. Photodynamic therapy combined with intravitreal injection of ranibizumab will be given as the interventional therapy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The primary outcome measure of the trial is to investigate the visual improvement in patients 12 months after treatment. Secondary outcome measures include logarithmic visual acuity chart scores, retinal thickness, and leakage of choroidal neovascular lesions assessed monthly at 1-12 months after treatment, and adverse events during follow-up. Preliminary results showed that at 12 months after treatment, visual acuity in 43 affected eyes was increased by ≥ 2 lines, and the average retinal thickness decreased by 111.21 μm as compared with before treatment. Leakage of choroidal neovascular lesions in most affected eyes stopped or the lesions were contracted. Findings from the trial are expected to provide reliable data on the efficacy of ranibizumab combined with photodynamic therapy in the treatment of advanced exudative AMD, thereby providing a basis for the rational use of this combined therapy in the treatment of advanced exudative AMD. This trial was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration number: ChiCTR1800015410). Protocol version (1.0).
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the short-term and long-term outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between transradial intervention (TRI) and transfemoral intervention (TFI) in elderly patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2005 to December 2010, 488 consecutive elderly patients ( ≥ 80 years old) were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into TRI group (n = 235, PCIs were performed trans-radial approach) and TFI group (n = 253, PCIs were performed trans-femoral approach). Efficacy and safety data were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were no differences in success rate of stenting, procedure time, contrast amount, rates of contrast-induced nephropathy, major adverse cardiovascular events during hospitalization, at one year follow up and at two years follow up. Lower vascular complications were associated with TRI approach[ 17.9% (42/253) vs. 26.9% (68/253) , P < 0.05], especially in TIMI major bleeding ratio [1.3% (3/235) vs. 4.7% (12/253) , P < 0.05], TIMI minor bleeding [5.1% (12/235) vs. 15.8% (40/253) , P < 0.01], and time lying in bed [3.6 (2.8-4.2)h vs. 24.4 (24.0-25.1)h, P < 0.01] and hospitalization [3.0 (3.0-4.0)d vs. 5.0 (5.0-6.0)d, P < 0.01], and higher rates of crossover approach were associated with TRI [11.5% (27/235) vs. 2.0(5/253) , P < 0.01].</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TRI is as feasible, safe and effective as TFI in elderly patients during short-term and long-term follow up, and TRI is associated with higher rates of crossover approach.</p>
Subject(s)
Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Coronary Artery Disease , Therapeutics , Femoral Artery , Percutaneous Coronary Intervention , Methods , Radial Artery , Retrospective Studies , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
The purpose was to compare the difference between transgene expressions driven by homologous duplicated carbonic anhydrase (DCA) promoter and foreign CaMV35S promoter in the unicellular green alga, Dunaliella salina(D.salina).The CaMV35S promoter-bar construct and DCA promoter-bar construct into D.salina by a Backon 2000 electroporation system were introduced. After the repeated selections with the phosphinothricin (PPT) of 3mg/L, 3 PPT-resistant phenotype transformants were isolated from the CaMV-bar and DCA-bar pools of transformants of D. salina, respectively. The results of PCR and sequencing showed that bar genes were stably integrated into the genome of D.salina, and Southern bolts showed the number of transgene copy had no significant difference between both promoters. Semi-quantitive RT-PCR indicated that the mRNA levels of bar gene were higher in DCA-bar transformants than the CaMV-bar transformants, and could be increased under the induction of high salt in DCA-bar transformants but not in the CaMV-bar transformants. Analysis of growth rate of transformants showed DCA-bar transformants achieved the log stage faster than the CaMV-bar transformants. It is concluded that the homologous promoters have more advantages than the foreign promoters in the transgenic D.salina.