Advances in mesenchymal stem cells therapy for tendinopathies / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Tendinopathies are chronic diseases of an unknown etiology and associated with inflammation. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a viable therapeutic option to combat the pathological progression of tendinopathies, not only because of their potential for multidirectional differentiation and self-renewal, but also their excellent immunomodulatory properties. The immunomodulatory effects of MSCs are increasingly being recognized as playing a crucial role in the treatment of tendinopathies, with MSCs being pivotal in regulating the inflammatory microenvironment by modulating the immune response, ultimately contributing to improved tissue repair. This review will discuss the current knowledge regarding the application of MSCs in tendinopathy treatments through the modulation of the immune response.

Curcumin improves endothelial function and plays a cardio-protective effect by reducing level of circulating microparticles in pressure overload-induced myocardial hypertrophy in rats / 中国药理学通报

Aim To observe the cardio-protective effects of curcumin on rats with myocardial hypertrophy, and to further explore the mechanism. Methods Abdominal aorta was constricted in SD rats to establish a pressure overload-induced myocardial hypertrophy model. Rats were divided into sham group, AAC group and curcumin group. They were treated by intragastric administration. Twenty weeks after the operation, cardiac function was evaluated using echocardiogram. The heart rate was recorded using biological function experiment system. The blood pressure and left ventricular pressure were measured by a cannulation into right common carotid artery and left ventricular respectively. Circulating blood MPs level in rats was detected by BCA. Effects of MPs on the viability of human umbilical vein endothelial cell were measured by CCK-8. Results Twenty weeks after surgery, only two rats in AAC group died. The results of echocardiography showed that compared with sham group, left ventricular internal dimension at systole (LVIDs), left ventricular internal diastolic dimension (LVIDd), left ventricular posterior wall diameter (LVPWd), heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) all significantly increased in AAC group, whereas ejection fraction (EF), fractional shortening (FS), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), maximum upstroke velocity of left ventricular pressure (+ dp/dt

Effect of Suanzaoren Tang on Learning-memory Function and NLRP3 Pathway in Sleep-deprived Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the mechanism of Suanzaoren Tang in improving learning-memory of sleep-deprived rats based on Nod-like receptor 3 （NLRP3） inflammatome pathway. Method:The rats were randomly divided into normal control group， model group， Eszolam group（5.4×10^-4 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， low-dose Suanzaoren Tang group（4.59 g·kg^-1·d^-1）and high-dose Suanzaoren Tang group （18.36 g·kg^-1·d^-1）. In addition to normal control group， other groups were used to constructed sleep-deprived model， which was concurrent with 30-day continuous drug administration. Water maze was used to evaluate the learning-memory function of rats； The mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3， apoptosis-related speckle proteins （ASC）， aspartic acid-specific cysteine protease-1 （Caspase-1）， interleukin-1（IL-1） and IL-18 in the hippocampus of rats were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot. Result:Compared with control group， the incubation period of the platform， the total distance of swimming and the duration of first reaching the platform in model group were significantly increased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， while the number of platform crossings and the target quadrant time were decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group， the incubation period， total swimming distance and the duration of first reaching the platform in low-dose Suanzaoren Tang group and high-dose Suanzaoren Tang group were decreased to different degrees （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）， while the number of platform crossings and the target quadrant time were increased significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01），but with no significant change in estazolam group. Compared with normal control group， mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， IL-1<italic>β</italic>， IL-18 in the hippocampus of the model group were significantly increased （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with model group， mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， IL-1<italic>β</italic> and IL-18 in the hippocampus of the rats in low-dose Suanzaoren Tang group and high-dose Suanzaoren Tang group were all decreased to different degrees （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. The mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， IL-1<italic>β</italic> and IL-18 in the hippocampus of Suanzaoren group also decreased， but with no significant change. Conclusion:Suanzaoren Tang can improve the learning-memory function of sleep-deprived rats， and its mechanism is related to the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammatome pathway in hippocampus and the alleviation of neuroinflammation.

Incidence and risk factors for cardiovascular events in patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To explore the incidence, risk factors of cardiovascular events (CVE) and their impact on 30-day mortality in patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Methods: This is a multicenter, retrospective study. Patients hospitalized with CAP from 5 teaching hospitals in Beijing, Shandong and Yunnan provinces during 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2015 were included and clinical data were retrieved from the Hospital Information System (HIS), and patients were divided into CVE group and non-CVE group. Age, sex, comorbidities, pneumonia severity index(PSI)/CURB-65 score, routine blood test, biochemical examinations, radiological findings on admission and mortality on 30-day after admission were analyzed. The primary endpoint was acute CVE during hospitalization, the secondary endpoint was 30-day death after admission. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to explore the risk factors for CVE. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to compare the difference on 30-day mortality between CVE patients and non-CVE patients by Log-rank test. Multivariate Cox regression model was used to assess the impact of CVE on the 30-day mortality among CAP patients after adjustment with age, sex, comorbidities, PSI/CURB-65 score. Results: A total of 3 561 CAP patients were included into the final analysis, including 210 (5.9%) patients in CVE group and 3 351 (94.1%) patients in non-CVE group. Compared with patients in non-CVE group, patients in CVE group were older (P<0.001), prevalence of hypertension, coronary heart disease, chronic heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, aspiration risk and bedrid were significantly higher (all P<0.001); prevalence of CURB-65 score 3-5 and PSI risk class Ⅳ/Ⅴ were also significantly higher (both P<0.001). The proportion of axillary temperature<36 ℃, respiratory rate≥30 beats/minutes, confusion, leukocytes>10×10(9)/L, hemoglobin<100 g/L, platelets>300×10(9)/L, albumin<35 g/L, blood urea nitrogen>7 mmol/L, fasting blood glucose>11 mmol/L, serum C-reaction protein>100 mg/L, serum procalcitonin≥2 μg/L, arterial pH<7.35, arterial PO(2)/FiO(2)≤300 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), and multilobar infiltrates and pleural effusion on chest X-ray or CT scan were significantly higher in CVE group than in non-CVE group(all P<0.05); the 30-day mortality was significantly higher in CVE group than in non-CVE group(P<0.001). The incidence of CVE was significantly higher in patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease(CVD) than in patients without CVD (13.9%(150/1 079) vs. 2.4%(60/2 482), χ(2)=178.737, P<0.001). Meanwhile, the incidence of CVE increased with PSI in patients with Ⅰ/Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ/Ⅴ class, respectively(χ(2)=228.350, P<0.001); and CURB-65 score 0-1, 2 and 3-5, respectively (χ(2)=387.154, P<0.001). Cox regression analysis revealed that age (HR=1.05, 95%CI 1.02-1.09, P=0.002), coronary heart disease (HR=1.88, 95%CI 1.01-3.51, P=0.048), chronic heart failure (HR=4.25, 95%CI 1.89-9.52, P<0.001), PSI risk class (HR=1.66, 95%CI 1.50-2.62, P=0.029) and serum procalcitonin≥ 2 μg/L (HR=3.72, 95%CI 1.60-8.66, P=0.002) were independent risk factors for CVE in CAP patients. Kaplan-Meier curve showed that the survival probability of patients with CVE was significantly lower than patients without CVE (P<0.001). After adjustment for age, sex, comorbidities and PSI/CURB-65 score, Cox regression model showed that CVE was associated with increased 30-day mortality in CAP patients (HR=6.05, 95%CI 3.11-11.76, P<0.001). Conclusions: Although the incidence of CVE is not high in Chinese patients hospitalized with CAP, CVE is common in patients with severe pneumonia and in patients with CVD. Age, cardiovascular disease, PSI risk class and serum procalcitonin are the risk factors for CVE in this patient cohort. CVE is related to increased 30-day mortality in CAP patients.

The clinical characteristics of community-acquired pneumonia patients with aspiration risk factors / 医学研究生学报

Objective　By now, there is no unified definition of aspiration pneumonia. However, patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) often have aspiration risk factors. The aims of our study is to explore the clinical characteristics and outcomes of CAP patients with aspiration risk factors.　Methods　Cases data of all patients hospitalized with CAP in 5 teaching hospitals in Beijing, Shandong Province and Yunnan Province from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2015 were collected. Data from patients with (AR-CAP) and without (non AR-CAP) aspiration risk factors were compared, including demographic features, clinical and radiologic findings and outcomes. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to determine the impact of aspiration risk factors on the 30-day mortality in CAP patients. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROCs) was performed to verify the accuracy of CURB-65 score and PSI risk classification as 30-day mortality predictors in AR-CAP patients.　Results　Totally, 3561 CAP cases were entered into the final analysis. AR-CAP cases accounted for 5.1% (180/3561), who showed older age [78.0 yrs (M1,M3: 70.0 yrs, 85.0 yrs) vs 63.0 yrs (M1,M3: 52.0 yrs, 77.0 yrs), P < 0.001), more underlying diseases (91.1% vs 71.3%, P < 0.001), more frequently classified as CURB-65 score ≥ 3 (13.3% vs 1.5%, P < 0.001) and PSI risk classification ≥ Ⅳ (53.7% vs 17.0%，P< 0.001), and higher 30-day mortality (10.0% vs 1.8%, P < 0.001). Adjusted for age, sex, comorbidities and CURB-65/PSI score, aspiration risk factors were associated with increased 30-day mortality of CAP patients (HR 2.844, 95% CI 1.331~6.078, P = 0.007). The area under the ROC curve for predicting 30-day mortality in AR-CAP patients by PSI risk class was 0.716, which was higher than CURB-65 score (AUC=0.518, P = 0.019). The difference was statistically significant.　Conclusion　AR-CAP is a distinctive pneumonia phenotype with unique clinical characteristics, which shows more illness severity and worsen outcomes.

Advance in milk fat globule membrane in infants and middle⁃aged and elderly population / 医学研究生学报

Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is a thin, dense membrane that packages outside the milk fat droplets during mammary gland lactating.MFGM is mainly composed of phospholipids, sphingolipids and a variety of specific membrane proteins. In recent years, due to the potential health benefits of MFGM, it has become a hot spot for research. In this paper, the structure and composition , the role of the main components and their applications in infants, middle⁃aged and elderly population of MFGM are reviewed.

Impact of Prior Use of Inhaled Corticosteroids on the Clinical Outcomes of Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients Hospitalised with Community-Acquired Pneumonia / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

@#【Objective】To evaluate the impact of prior use of inhaled corticosteroids（IC）on the clinical outcomes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients hospitalised with community- acquired pneumonia （COPD- CAP）. 【Methods】This was a multicenter，retrospective study. Data of COPD-CAP patients from five teaching hospitals in Beijing，Shandong and Yunnan Provinces during 1st January 2013 through 31th December 2016 were reviewed. The patients with and without prior use of IC were compared，including demographic characteristics，clinical and radiologic features， and outcomes. A logistic regression model was conducted to explore the impact of prior IC use on the clinical outcomes of COPD-CAP patients. 【Results】Of 725 patients included in the study，13.9%（101/725）were prior IC users. Compared with no-IC users，IC users showed higher frequency of cardiovascular comorbidity（19.8% vs 12.7%）and a CAP history in the last year（20.8% vs 11.2%）；lower occurrence of pleural effusion（13.9% vs 23.7%）；more often classified in Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease（GOLD）stage 3（35.1% vs 22.9%）and GOLD 4 stage（51.9% vs 21.8%），less often in GOLD 2 stage（10.4% vs 51.0%）. Adjusted by age，gender，underlying diseases，PSI/CURB-65 score and GOLD stage，logistic regression analysis confirmed prior IC use was associated with decreased risk for noninvasive ventilation［OR = 0.220，95% CI（0.052，0.926），P = 0.029］，but not with invasive ventilation［OR = 0.290，95% CI（0.068，1.236），P = 0.094］，needing vasopressor use［OR = 1.261，95% CI（0.456，3.485），P = 0.655］，ICU admission［OR = 1.455，95% CI（0.638，3.320），P = 0.373］and 30-day mortality［OR = 1.650，95% CI（0.575，2.838）， P = 0.352］.【Conclusion】Previous IC use has no major impact on the clinical outcomes of COPD-CAP patients.

Application and prospects of butylphthalide for the treatment of neurologic diseases / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Objective@#The 3-N-butylphthalide (NBP) comprises one of the chemical constituents of celery oil. It has a series of pharmacologic mechanisms including reconstructing microcirculation, protecting mitochondrial function, inhibiting oxidative stress, inhibiting neuronal apoptosis, etc. Based on the complex multi-targets of pharmacologic mechanisms of NBP, the clinical application of NBP is increasing and more clinical researches and animal experiments are also focused on NBP. The aim of this review was to comprehensively and systematically summarize the application of NBP on neurologic diseases and briefly summarize its application to non-neurologic diseases. Moreover, recent progress in experimental models of NBP on animals was summarized.@*Data sources@#Literature was collected from PubMed and Wangfang database until November 2018, using the search terms including "3-N-butylphthalide," "microcirculation," "mitochondria," "ischemic stroke," "Alzheimer disease," "vascular dementia," "Parkinson disease," "brain edema," "CO poisoning," "traumatic central nervous system injury," "autoimmune disease," "amyotrophic lateral sclerosis," "seizures," "diabetes," "diabetic cataract," and "atherosclerosis."@*Study selection@#Literature was mainly derived from English articles or articles that could be obtained with English abstracts and partly derived from Chinese articles. Article type was not limited. References were also identified from the bibliographies of identified articles and the authors’ files.@*Results@#NBP has become an important adjunct for ischemic stroke. In vascular dementia, the clinical application of NBP to treat severe cognitive dysfunction syndrome caused by the hypoperfusion of brain tissue during cerebrovascular disease is also increasing. Evidence also suggests that NBP has a therapeutic effect for neurodegenerative diseases. Many animal experiments have found that it can also improve symptoms in other neurologic diseases such as epilepsy, cerebral edema, and decreased cognitive function caused by severe acute carbon monoxide poisoning. Moreover, NBP has therapeutic effects for diabetes, diabetes-induced cataracts, and non-neurologic diseases such as atherosclerosis. Mechanistically, NBP mainly improves microcirculation and protects mitochondria. Its broad pharmacologic effects also include inhibiting oxidative stress, nerve cell apoptosis, inflammatory responses, and anti-platelet and anti-thrombotic effects.@*Conclusions@#The varied pharmacologic mechanisms of NBP involve many complex molecular mechanisms; however, there many unknown pharmacologic effects await further study.

Application and prospects of butylphthalide for the treatment of neurologic diseases / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

OBJECTIVE@#The 3-N-butylphthalide (NBP) comprises one of the chemical constituents of celery oil. It has a series of pharmacologic mechanisms including reconstructing microcirculation, protecting mitochondrial function, inhibiting oxidative stress, inhibiting neuronal apoptosis, etc. Based on the complex multi-targets of pharmacologic mechanisms of NBP, the clinical application of NBP is increasing and more clinical researches and animal experiments are also focused on NBP. The aim of this review was to comprehensively and systematically summarize the application of NBP on neurologic diseases and briefly summarize its application to non-neurologic diseases. Moreover, recent progress in experimental models of NBP on animals was summarized.@*DATA SOURCES@#Literature was collected from PubMed and Wangfang database until November 2018, using the search terms including "3-N-butylphthalide," "microcirculation," "mitochondria," "ischemic stroke," "Alzheimer disease," "vascular dementia," "Parkinson disease," "brain edema," "CO poisoning," "traumatic central nervous system injury," "autoimmune disease," "amyotrophic lateral sclerosis," "seizures," "diabetes," "diabetic cataract," and "atherosclerosis."@*STUDY SELECTION@#Literature was mainly derived from English articles or articles that could be obtained with English abstracts and partly derived from Chinese articles. Article type was not limited. References were also identified from the bibliographies of identified articles and the authors' files.@*RESULTS@#NBP has become an important adjunct for ischemic stroke. In vascular dementia, the clinical application of NBP to treat severe cognitive dysfunction syndrome caused by the hypoperfusion of brain tissue during cerebrovascular disease is also increasing. Evidence also suggests that NBP has a therapeutic effect for neurodegenerative diseases. Many animal experiments have found that it can also improve symptoms in other neurologic diseases such as epilepsy, cerebral edema, and decreased cognitive function caused by severe acute carbon monoxide poisoning. Moreover, NBP has therapeutic effects for diabetes, diabetes-induced cataracts, and non-neurologic diseases such as atherosclerosis. Mechanistically, NBP mainly improves microcirculation and protects mitochondria. Its broad pharmacologic effects also include inhibiting oxidative stress, nerve cell apoptosis, inflammatory responses, and anti-platelet and anti-thrombotic effects.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The varied pharmacologic mechanisms of NBP involve many complex molecular mechanisms; however, there many unknown pharmacologic effects await further study.

The correlation between liver fibrosis inflammatory infiltration and postoperative cholangitis after Kasai operation for children with biliary atresia / 天津医药

@# To analyze the relationship between the degree of hepatic fibrosis, the inflammatory cell infiltrationandthepostoperativecholangitisafterKasaioperationinchildrenwithbiliaryatresia(BA).Methods Atotalof 92childrendiagnosedasBAinourhospitalfromJanuary2015toDecember2016wereselectedinthisstudy.Patientswere dividedintohepaticfibrosisgradeⅠgroup(n=8),hepaticfibrosisgradeⅡgroup(n=31),hepaticfibrosisgradeⅢgroup(n= 35)andhepaticfibrosisgradeⅣgroup(n=18),accordingtoJapan’sOhkuma’shepaticfibrosisgradingcriteria.Combined with Kasai age, the relationship between hepatic fibrosis and surgical age was analyzed. Samples of liver tissues were evaluatedbyhematoxylin/eosin(HE)andMassonstaining.Theexpressionsofspecificinflammatorycellmarkerantibody LCA,CD4,CD8andCD68inliverwereobservedbyIHCstaining.Combinedwiththepostoperativefollow-updataofKasai, the relationship between the degree of inflammatory infiltration of liver tissue, the degree of hepatic fibrosis and the postoperative cholangitis of Kasai in BA children was analyzed. Results Routine pathological staining showed that lymphocytesinfiltratedmainlyinlivertissue.TheexpressionlevelsofLCAandCD4werehigheringroupⅠandgroupⅣ comparedwiththoseofgroupⅡandgroupⅢ.TherewasnosignificantdifferenceintheCD8expressionbetweenfour groups.All92childrenwithBAwerefollowedup.Itwasfoundthatcholangitisoccurredin 50cases,earlycholangitis occurredin38cases,andfrequentcholangitisoccurredin23cases.Theincidenceofcholangitis,earlycholangitis,and frequentcholangitisafterKasaisurgerywasstatisticallysignificantinBApatientswithdifferentgradesofhepaticfibrosis (P＜0.05). The incidence of cholangitis was higher in the groupⅠand group Ⅳ than that in groupⅡand group Ⅲ. Conclusion TheoccurrenceofcholangitisafterKasaioperationinchildrenwithBAiscorrelatedwiththehepaticfibrosis andliverinflammatorycells,especiallyTlymphocytesubgroups.

Research advances in molecular genetics and treatment of familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis / 中国当代儿科杂志

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening syndrome characterized by pancytopenia and multiple organ infiltrations of lymphocytes and histiocytes with proliferation and hemohpagocytic activity. HLH is classified as primary (or familial) and secondary. Familial HLH is common in infants and young children, and is related to genetic defects. This article aims to review research advances on PRF1, UNC13D, STX11 and STXBP2, as well as the other 5 genes associated with familial HLH based on molecular genetics, and to summarize diagnosis and treatment methods for this disease.

Effect of arctigenin on apoptosis of mouse erythroleukemia FBL-3 cells and its mechanism / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of arctigenin on the apoptosis of FBL-3 cells and its mechanisms.Methods The mouse erythroleukemia FBL-3 cells were taken as subjects.The untreated FBL-3 parental cells were taken as the control group,and the FBL-3 cells treated with 20 mg/L arctigenin for 24 h were taken as the experimental group.The effects of arctigenin on the apoptosis of the mouse erythroleukemia FBL-3 cells were determined by agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry assay.The changes of apoptosis-related genes were analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results The agarose gel electrophoresis results revealed that the " DNA ladder" was displayed in the experimental group compared to the control group.The flow cytometry data demonstrated that the apoptosis number of FBL-3 cells in the experimental group was markedly increased compared to that in the control group (t =60.681,P =0.000).The RT-PCR assay results suggested that the expressions of Bcl-2 and IAP-1 gene were down-regulated in the experimental group compared to the control group (t =14.732,29.702,all P =0.000),while the expressions of Bax and Smac gene were up-regulated(t =6.721,8.499;P =0.003,0.001),but the expression of Bcl-XL did not change(t =0.209,P =0.844).Conclusions Arctigenin can induce the apoptosis of the mouse erythrolenkemia FBL-3 cells.Apoptosis of the mouse erythrolenkemia FBL-3 cells induced by arctigenin may be correlated to the down-regulation of Bcl-2 and IAP-1 and up-regulation of Bax as well as Smac.

Optimizing expression of the capsid protein VP2 from human Bocavirus and establish it's seroepidemiology assying methord / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To obtain sufficient recombinant VP2 protein of human Bocavirus and establish it's seroepidemiology assying metbord. METHORD: Tbe capsid protein VP2 DNA genes of HBoV1 and 2 were optimized in accordance with tbe usage of the favorite codons in K coil so as to enhance its protein expression in prokaryotic expressing system. The protein was purified by Ni-NTA column, and its antigenicity was determined by Western Blot. Then establish ELISA to detect the specific anti-VP2 IgG antibodies against HBoV1 and 2 in healthy children aged 3-6 years in Nanjing, China.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The recombinant protein 6 x His-VP2 was produced in a larger quantity at 25 degrees C induced by IPTG (1 mmol/L) over night and purified by Ni-NTA column. Seropositive rates of HBoV1 and 2 were 62.2% and 55.5% and their mixed seropositivity was 37%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The optimizing expression of the capsid protein VP2 from human Bocavirus constructed successfully and get a high yield under certain conditions. The established ELISA could be used to further analyze seroepidemiology of HBoV in China.</p>

Randomized and controlled clinical study of modified prescriptions of Simiao Pill in the treatment of acute gouty arthritis / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the compatibility of a modified prescription of Simiao Pill in the treatment of acute gouty arthritis and to verify the clinical efficacy and safety of the drug through a clinical trial.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A randomized and controlled clinical trial was designed based on clinical epidemiological principles. A total of 107 patients with acute gouty arthritis were enrolled and randomly assigned to four groups. The first group (Group I) included 27 patients taking gout prescription I; the second group (Group II) included 27 patients taking gout prescription II; the third group (Group III) included 28 patients taking gout prescription III; and the fourth group (control group) included 25 patients taking indomethacin and Benzobromarone as a control group. The duration of the treatment in all 4 groups was two weeks. After the treatment, the index of blood uric acid, blood leukocyte count, score of clinical symptoms, etc. were observed and measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total clinical effective rate of the three different modified prescriptions of the Simiao Pill was above 96%, significantly superior to that of the control group (68%, P<0.05). In terms of the improvement of main symptoms, the scores of four symptoms in all TCM treatment and control groups decreased after treatment, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Moreover, the scores markedly fell more so in the three Chinese herb groups than in the control group, and especially in Group III (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in blood uric acid values before and after the treatment in the same group but no significant inter-group difference was seen.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The modified prescriptions, based on the clinical research, clinical experience and traditional Chinese medicine theory, did show a better effect than Western medicine in this clinical study. Moreover, the prescriptions were precise, with the herbs inexpensive and readily available. The patients had good compliance with less adverse reactions noted. The modified prescription has a favorable prospect for future development and is worthy of further blind trials with larger samples.</p>

Effect of external retinoic acid on Tbx1 gene during zebrafish embryogenesis / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>DiGeorge/del22q11 syndrome is one of the most common genetic causes of outflow tract and aortic arch defects in human. DiGeorge/del22q11 is thought to involve an embryonic defect restricted to the pharyngeal arches and the corresponding pharyngeal pouches. Previous studies have evidenced that retinoic acid (RA) signaling is definitely indispensable for the development of the pharyngeal arches. Tbx1, one of the T-box containing genes, is proved to be the most attractive candidate gene for DiGeorge/del22q11 syndrome. However, the interaction between RA and Tbx1 has not been fully investigated. Exploring the interaction will contribute to discover the molecular pathways disrupted in DiGeorge/del22q11 syndrome, and will also be essential for understanding genetic basis for congenital heart disease. It now seems possible that genes and molecular pathways disrupted in DiGeorge syndrome will also account for some isolated cases of congenital heart disease. Accordingly, the present study aimed to extensively study the effects of external RA on the cardiac development and Tbx1 expression during zebrafish embryogenesis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The chemical genetics approach was applied by treating zebrafish embryos with 5 x 10(-8) mol/L RA and 10(-7) mol/L RA at 12.5 hour post fertilization (hpf). The expression patterns of Tbx1 were monitored by whole-mount in situ hybridization and quantitative real-time RT-PCR, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The zebrafish embryos treated with 5 x 10(-8) mol/L RA and 10(-7) mol/L RA for 1.5 h at 12.5 hpf exhibited selective defects of abnormal heart tube. The results of whole-mount in situ hybridization with Tbx1 RNA probe showed that Tbx1 was expressed in cardiac region, pharyngeal arches and otic vesicle during zebrafish embryogenesis. RA treatment led to a distinct spatio-temporal expression pattern for Tbx1 from that in wild type embryo. The real-time PCR analysis showed that Tbx1 expression levels were markedly reduced by RA treatment. Tbx1 expression in the pharyngeal arches and heart were obviously down regulated compared to the wild type embryos. In contrast to 5 x 10(-8) mol/L RA-treated groups, 10(-7) mol/L RA caused a more severe effect on the Tbx1 expression level.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These results suggested that there was a genetic link between RA and Tbx1 during development of zebrafish embryo. RA could produce an altered Tbx1 expression pattern in zebrafish. RA may regulate the Tbx1 expression in a dose-dependant manner. RA could represent a major epigenetic factor to cause abnormal expression of Tbx1, secondarily, disrupt the pharyngeal arch and heart development.</p>

Effect of dihydrofolate reductase gene knock-down on the expression of heart and neural crest derivatives expressed transcript 2 in zebrafish cardiac development / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Folic acid is very important for embryonic development and dihydrofolate reductase is one of the key enzymes in the process of folic acid performing its biological function. Therefore, the dysfunction of dihydrofolate reductase can inhibit the function of folic acid and finally cause the developmental malformations. In this study, we observed the abnormal cardiac phenotypes in dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene knock-down zebrafish embryos, investigated the effect of DHFR on the expression of heart and neural crest derivatives expressed transcript 2 (HAND2) and explored the possible mechanism of DHFR knock-down inducing zebrafish cardiac malformations.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Morpholino oligonucleotides were microinjected into fertilized eggs to knock down the functions of DHFR or HAND2. Full length of HAND2 mRNA which was transcribed in vitro was microinjected into fertilized eggs to overexpress HAND2. The cardiac morphologies, the heart rates and the ventricular shortening fraction were observed and recorded under the microscope at 48 hours post fertilization. Whole-mount in situ hybridization and real-time PCR were performed to detect HAND2 expression.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>DHFR or HAND2 knock-down caused the cardiac malformation in zebrafish. The expression of HAND2 was obviously reduced in DHFR knock-down embryos (P < 0.05). Microinjecting HAND2 mRNA into fertilized eggs can induce HAND2 overexpression. HAND2 overexpression rescued the cardiac malformation phenotypes of DHFR knock-down embryos.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>DHFR plays a crucial role in cardiac development. The down-regulation of HAND2 caused by DHFR knock-down is the possible mechanism of DHFR knock-down inducing the cardiac malformation.</p>

Co-culture of human extravillous cytotrophoblasts and decidual stromal cells in vitro / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop a convenient method for isolation and purification of human extravillous cytotrophoblasts (EVCTs) and decidual stromal cells (DSCs) and establish a co-culture system.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The DSCs were digested with trypsin and purified by Percoll gradient. The EVCTs were digested with trypsin and purified by BSA gradient. Immunohischemistry and immunofluorescent study are performed to characterize these isolated cells. The EVCTs and DSCs were placed in Matrigel-coated Transwell upper and lower chamber, respectively, to study the invasive ability of the EVCTs.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Immunohischemistry revealed that the purity of EVCTs and DSC exceeded 95%. Cultured EVCTs retained their capacity to invade Matrigel-coated Transwell filters with the invasion index of 3.22-/+0.04.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This co-culture model established by isolating highly purified EVCTs and DSCs in vitro can be useful for studying the trophoblast invasion mechanisms.</p>

Present situation and prospects of artificial heart pumps in Jiangsu University / 中国医疗器械杂志

Since 1995, four different types of artificial heart pumps and artificial valvo-pumps have been developed in Jiangsu University of China. Three types of heart pumps and valvo-pumps have been applied in animal experiments in University Texas, Medical Branch, USA and in Zhenjiang No.1 People's Hospital of China. The recently-developed UJS-IV pump is a totally implantable trans-ventricular and cross-valvular pump for emergercy treatments.

PRELIMINARY STUDY ON AN ANTIBIOTIC-PRODUCING BACTERIUM / 微生物学通报

An antibiotic-producing bacterium, which was numbered as 20 #-5, was separated from the soil in Chongqing. It was identified as the member of pseudomonas. Gram positive bacteria are badly suppressed by it. The antibiotic secreted by 20 #-5 can endure 100℃ for half an hour, and it can also go through the ultrafiltration membrane with pores of 0.22?m.