Novel Ge-Ga-Te-CsBr glass system with ultrahigh resolvability of halide

CO2 molecule, one of the main molecules to create new life, should be probed accurately to detect the existence of life in exoplanets. The primary signature of CO2 molecule is approximately 15 μm, and traditional S- and Se-based glass fibers are unsuitable. Thus, Te-based glass is the only ideal candidate glass for far-infrared detection. In this study, a new kind of Te-based chalcohalide glass system was discovered with relatively stable and large optical band gap. A traditional melt-quenching method was adopted to prepare a series of (Ge15Ga10Te75)100-x (CsBr)x chalcogenide glass samples. Experiment results indicate that the glass-forming ability and thermal properties of glass samples were improved when CsBr was added in the host of Ge-Ga-Te glass. Ge-Ga-Te glass could remarkably dissolve CsBr content as much as 85 at.%, which is the highest halide content in all reports for Te-based chalcohalide glasses. Moreover, ΔT values of these glass samples were all above 100 °C. The glass sample (Ge15Ga10Te75)65 (CsBr)35 with ΔT of 119 °C was the largest, which was 7 °C larger than that of Ge15Ga10Te75 host glass. The infrared transmission spectra of these glasses show that the far-infrared cut-off wavelengths of (Ge15Ga10Te75)100-x (CsBr)x chalcogenide glasses were all beyond 25 μm. In conclusion, (Ge15Ga10Te75)100-x (CsBr)x chalcogenide glasses are potential materials for far-infrared optical application.

Rapidly generating knockout mice from H19-Igf2 engineered androgenetic haploid embryonic stem cells

Haploid mammalian embryonic stem cells (ESCs) hold great promise for functional genetic studies and assisted reproduction. Recently, rodent androgenetic haploid ESCs (AG-haESCs) were generated from androgenetic blastocysts and functioned like sperm to produce viable offspring via the intracytoplasmic AG-haESCs injection into oocytes. However, the efficiency of this reproduction was very low. Most pups were growth-retarded and died shortly after birth, which is not practical for producing knockout animals. Further investigation suggested a possible link between the low birthrate and aberrant expression of imprinted genes. Here, we report the high-frequency generation of healthy, fertile mice from H19-Igf2 imprinting-locus modified AG-haESCs, which maintained normal paternal imprinting and pluripotency. Moreover, it is feasible to perform further genetic manipulations in these AG-haESCs. Our study provides a reliable and efficient tool to rapidly produce gene-modified mouse models and will benefit reproductive medicine in the future.

Protein expression levels in the medullary visceral zone of rats with subarachnoid hemorrhage

We investigated protein expression in the medullary visceral zone (MVZ) of rats with multiple-organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) caused by subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) to discuss the possible regulatory mechanism of the MVZ in the course of SAH-induced MODS. A SAH-induced MODS model was established in rats by injecting arterial blood into the Willis' circle. Protein expression in the MVZ was analyzed by immunohistochemistry assay. Protein expression in the MVZ peaked 24-36 h after SAH, and was significantly higher than in the control and sham operation groups. Organs at each time point exhibited inflammatory injuries to varying degrees after SAH, which reached a maximum at 24-36 h. Incidences of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and MODS were 100 and 71.67%, respectively, after SAH. There is a consistency between MVZ protein expression and inflammatory changes in each organ after SAH. This prompts the suggestion that the MVZ may be one of the direct regulative centers in SAH-induced MODS, and may be involved in the functional regulation of the surrounding organs after SAH.

[Suggestions on the diagnostic criteria of childhood obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the sleep architecture and hypoxia and clinical features of habitual snoring children with an obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea index (OAHI) 1 to 5.

METHOD

The polysomnographic data of 267 children aged from 2 to 16 years with habitual snoring were analyzed retrospectively, and the clinical features were analyzed in 108 of the children. The recruited children were divided into primary snoring group (PS group, OAHI≤1), obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) group (1<OAHI≤5 and obstructive apnea index≤1), lowest oxygen saturation (LSpO2≤0.92) and OSAHS group (OAHI>5 or dostructive apnea index>1, LSpO2<0.92).

RESULT

The oxygen desaturation index of the intermediate OSAHS group (3.8±0.4) was significantly higher than that of PS group (1.6±0.1) (χ2=34.5, P<0.01). The LSpO2 of intermediate OSAHS group was significantly lower than that of PS group (89(87,91) vs. 93(91,94), χ2=40.2, P<0.01). Comparing to the PS group, the non-rapid eye movement 1 ratio (N1%) was significantly higher (19.0±1.2 vs. 14.2±0.1, χ2=14.1, P<0.01), and the non-rapid eye movement 3 ratio (N3%) was significantly lower (24.4±1.0 vs. 29.0±1.1, P<0.01) in the intermediate OSAHS group. The pediatric questionnaire score intermediate OSAHS group was higher than PS (0.41±0.19 vs. 0.28±0.14, χ2=8.52, P=0.01). The adenoids-nasopharynx ratio was higher than that of PS group (0.70±0.07 vs. 0.62±0.10, χ2=8.96, P=0.01). The hypertrophy of tonsil was higher than PS group (2(1,2) vs. 1(1,2), χ2=7.95, P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Hypoxia and abnormal sleep structure are present in HS children with an OAHI of 1 to 5, and they also have the clinical features of OSAHS.

[Efficacy of acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking on the content of serum prostaglandin F2α, and plasma arginine vasopressin in patients with menstrual headache]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking for menstrual headache and to discuss its mechanism.

METHODS

Eighty-five patients with menstrual headache were randomly divided into an observation group (43 cases) and a control group (42 cases). The observation group was treated with body acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking and the control group was treated with flunarizine hydrochloride capsules orally. The treatments of 3 menstrual cycles were required. The clinical efficacy was observed in the two groups. The content of serum prostaglandin F2α, (PGF2α) and plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) in the menstrual periods of some patients randomly selected in the two groups was tested before and after treatment and was compared with that of 20 cases in a normal group. Results The total effective rate was 95.4% (41/43) in the observation group which was obviously superior to 81.0% (34/42) in the control group (P<0.01). Before treatment, the content of serum PGF2α and plasma AVP of patients in the two groups was higher than that in the normal group (all P<0.01). After treatment,the content of serum PGF2α and plasma AVP was lower than that before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). The content of serum PGF2α in the observation group was decreased significantly compared with that in the control group (P<0.05) and returned to the level of the normal group.

CONCLUSION

Body acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking achieves positive efficacy for menstrual headache and its mechanism could be related to regulating the abnormal levels of serum PGF2α and plasma AVP.

[Body acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure for menstrual headache: a randomized controlled clinical trial]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the therapeutic effect of body acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure for treatment of menstrual headache of hyperactivity of "liver fire".

METHODS

A total of 85 menstrual headache patients with hyperactivity of "liver-fire" were randomly divided into control group (n = 42) and treatment group (n = 43). Patients of the control group were treated by oral administration of Flunarizine Hydrochloride Capsules (Sibelium, 5 mg/time, twice daily) for 5 days beginning at the headache attack in the first menstrual cycle, and for two weeks (except weekends) in the second and third menstrual cycles. Patients of the treatment group were treated by manual acupuncture stimulation of body acupoints Baihui (GV 20), Fengchi (GB 20), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Taichong (LR 3), Xiaxi (GB 43), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Hanyan (GB 4), Xuanlu (GB 5) and Shuaigu (GB 8) beginning from the headache attack, and otopoint-pellet pressure of otopoints unilateral Endocrine, Ovaries, Shenmen, Cortex, Liver, Spleen and Kidney (beginning 5 days before menstrual onset) and bilateral Shenmen, Nie, Liver, Gallbladder, Subcortex and Jiaogan during headache attack. Clinical symptom scores were assessed according to the "Guiding Principles for Clinical Research on New Chinese Herbal Drugs" issued by the Chinese Ministry of Health.

RESULTS

After the treatment, of the 42 and 43 cases in the control and treatment groups, 9 (21.43%) and 20 (46.51%) were cured, 12 (28.57%) and 14 (32.56%) had a marked improvement, 13 (30.95%) and 7 (16.28%) were effective, 8 (19.05%) and 2 (4.65%) invalid, with the effective rates being 80.95% and 95.35% , respectively. The curative effect of the treatment group was significantly better than that of the control group (P<0.05). The symptom score and VAS score after the treatment and 3 months post-treatment in the treatment group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P<0.01). The headache scores and VAS scores were significantly reduced following the treatment and 3 months after the treatment in both control and treatment groups (P<0.01). After the treatment for 2-3 therapeutic courses, the headache attack duration during menstruation was markedly and gradually shortened in both groups (P<0.01), and therapeutic effect of the treatment group was significantly better than that of the control group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Body acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure treatment can effectively relieve menstrual headache in menstrual women with hyperactivity of "liver fire".

STAT3 Signaling Is Required for Optimal Regression of Large Established Tumors in Mice Treated with Anti-OX40 and TGFβ Receptor Blockade

In preclinical tumor models, αOX40 therapy is often successful at treating small tumors, but is less effective once the tumors become large. For a tumor immunotherapy to be successful to cure large tumors, it will most likely require not only an agonist to boost effector T-cell function but also inhibitors of T-cell suppression. In this study, we show that combining αOX40 antibodies with an inhibitor of the TGFβ receptor (SM16) synergizes to elicit complete regression of large established MCA205 and CT26 tumors. Evaluation of tumor-infiltrating T cells showed that SM16/αOX40 dual therapy resulted in an increase in proliferating granzyme B(+) CD8 T cells, which produced higher levels of IFNγ, compared with treatment with either agent alone. We also found that the dual treatment increased pSTAT3 expression in both CD4 and CD8 T cells isolated from tumors. Because others have published that STAT3 signaling is detrimental to T-cell function within the tumor microenvironment, we explored whether deletion of STAT3 in OX40-expressing cells would affect this potent combination therapy. Surprisingly, we found that deletion of STAT3 in OX40-expressing cells decreased the efficacy of this combination therapy, showing that the full therapeutic potential of this treatment depends on STAT3 signaling, most likely in the T cells of tumor-bearing mice.

Impact of nurse practitioners in primary healthcare fee-for-service practice settings

The Nurse Practitioner (NP) role possesses a high value to Fee-For-Service (FFS) practices in the primary healthcare system. A case study evaluation of the NP roles in three FFS clinics showed positive impacts on patient satisfaction and physician experience. Physicians' FFS expenditures increased 12% after the NP implementation. Although NP services could provide cost savings to the acute care system, financial sustainability of the NP role in FFS practice remains a challenge.

Physiological and metabolic effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid for mitigating salinity stress in creeping bentgrass

The objectives of this study were to determine whether foliar application of a chlorophyll precursor, 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), could mitigate salinity stress damages in perennial grass species by regulating photosynthetic activities, ion content, antioxidant metabolism, or metabolite accumulation. A salinity-sensitive perennial grass species, creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera), was irrigated daily with 200 mM NaCl for 28 d, which were foliar sprayed with water or ALA (0.5 mg L-1) weekly during the experiment in growth chamber. Foliar application of ALA was effective in mitigating physiological damage resulting from salinity stress, as manifested by increased turf quality, shoot growth rate, leaf relative water content, chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate. Foliar application of ALA also alleviated membrane damages, as shown by lower membrane electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation, which was associated with increases in the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Leaf content of Na+ was reduced and the ratio of K+/Na+ was increased with ALA application under salinity stress. The positive effects of ALA for salinity tolerance were also associated with the accumulation of organic acids (α-ketoglutaric acid, succinic acid, and malic acid), amino acids (alanine, 5-oxoproline, aspartic acid, and γ -aminobutyric acid), and sugars (glucose, fructose, galactose, lyxose, allose, xylose, sucrose, and maltose). ALA-mitigation of physiological damages by salinity could be due to suppression of Na+ accumulation and enhanced physiological and metabolic activities related to photosynthesis, respiration, osmotic regulation, and antioxidant defense.

Respiratory syncytial virus induces leukotriene C4 synthase expression in bronchial epithelial cells

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) results in acute wheezing in infants and is frequently associated with recurrent wheezing. Although RSV-induced wheezing clinically resembles that of asthma, corticosteroids are not equivalently effective in RSV-associated wheezing. The study sought to determine the mechanisms of RSV-induced wheezing by establishing an in vitro model of RSV-infected human bronchial epithelial cells (16-HBEC).

METHODS

Leukotriene C4 synthase (LTC4 S) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in 16-HBEC was detected using fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and the relative level of LTC4 S mRNA was expressed as quotient cycle threshold (qCt) based on the threshold cycle number value compared with that of β-actin. Cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLT) in culture supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RSV-infected 16-HBEC was incubated with gradient concentration of budesonide (BUD) to assess its effects on LTC4 S expression and CysLT secretion.

RESULTS

RSV infection resulted in increased LTC4 S mRNA expression between 48 and 96 h post-infection. High level of CysLT was detected in the supernatant of RSV-infected 16-HBEC. BUD at concentrations of 10(-10) to 10(-5) mol/L did not significantly alter LTC4 S mRNA expression.

CONCLUSIONS

RSV infection upregulated LTC4 S expression in HBEC leading to increased CysLT secretion. Such induction was not attenuated by BUD, suggesting that CysLT might contribute to the pathogenesis of RSV-induced wheezing.

Effects of nebulized high-dose budesonide on moderate-to-severe acute exacerbation of asthma in children: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in asthma exacerbation are yet to be clarified. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of nebulized ICS in children with moderate-to-severe acute exacerbation of asthma in an emergency room setting in order to elucidate the potential use of ICS as the first-line therapy in the management of acute exacerbation of asthma.

METHODS

This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Paediatric patients with moderate-to-severe acute exacerbation of asthma in emergency room were randomized to receive nebulized salbutamol and ipratropium bromide, with the addition of nebulized high-dose budesonide (BUD group, n = 60) or normal saline (control group, n = 58), three doses in the first hour.

RESULTS

The improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1 s was similar in both groups at 0 h after three doses of nebulization, but there was significantly further improvement at 1 and 2 h in the BUD group (0.095 ± 0.062 L and 0.100 ± 0.120 L, respectively) compared with the control group (0.059 ± 0.082 L and 0.021 ± 0.128 L, respectively), P = 0.013 and 0.001, respectively. Complete remission rate was significantly higher (84.7% vs 46.3%, P = 0.004) and need for oral corticosteroids was significantly lower (16.9% vs 46.3%, P = 0.011) in BUD group than in control group.

CONCLUSION

On the basis of nebulized short-acting bronchodilators, addition of nebulized high-dose budesonide resulted in clinical improvement in children with moderate-to-severe acute exacerbation of asthma, suggesting that nebulized high-dose ICS can be used as first-line therapy for non-life-threatening acute exacerbation of asthma in children.

Use of bone mesenchymal stem cells to treat rats with acute liver failure

This study aimed to isolate mesenchymal stem cells from bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), determine their therapeutic potential for treating rats with acute liver failure (ALF), further explore the factors that induce liver failure mechanisms, and elucidate the role of bone marrow stem cell therapy and BMSCs on liver homing. We found that differentiation potential was present in BMSCs expressing high levels of CD29 and CD90. These cells improved liver functioning in vivo after transplantation into rat livers with D-galactosamine damage, as evidenced by the levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase returning to normal (low levels) in recipient ALF rats. A significant improvement in the liver functional test and histological findings was observed in the transplantation group after 120 and 168 h of transplantation (P < 0.05). Histological data revealed that hepatocyte cell apoptosis was lower in the transplantation group compared to the control groups (P < 0.05), and that the transplantation of BMSCs reduced liver inflammation, decreased hepatic denaturation and necrosis, and promoted liver regeneration. These ameliorations were not recorded in the control groups. The results of in situ hybridization, immunofluorescence staining, and Western blot confirmed the presence of transplanted BMSCs in recipient rat livers. Stromal cell derived factor-1 alpha and vascular endothelial growth factor were significantly upregulated after the intraportal transplantation of BMSCs, with significantly higher levels being found in the portal vein and the tail vein groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, BMSCs have a therapeutic effect against ALF rats, evoke endogenous repair mechanisms in the liver, and may represent a novel form of therapeutic intervention for the disease. Furthermore, intraportal transplantation serves as a more effective pathway compared to tail vein transplantation.

Type III TGF-β receptor downregulation generates an immunotolerant tumor microenvironment

Cancers subvert the host immune system to facilitate disease progression. These evolved immunosuppressive mechanisms are also implicated in circumventing immunotherapeutic strategies. Emerging data indicate that local tumor-associated DC populations exhibit tolerogenic features by promoting Treg development; however, the mechanisms by which tumors manipulate DC and Treg function in the tumor microenvironment remain unclear. Type III TGF-β receptor (TGFBR3) and its shed extracellular domain (sTGFBR3) regulate TGF-β signaling and maintain epithelial homeostasis, with loss of TGFBR3 expression promoting progression early in breast cancer development. Using murine models of breast cancer and melanoma, we elucidated a tumor immunoevasion mechanism whereby loss of tumor-expressed TGFBR3/sTGFBR3 enhanced TGF-β signaling within locoregional DC populations and upregulated both the immunoregulatory enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) in plasmacytoid DCs and the CCL22 chemokine in myeloid DCs. Alterations in these DC populations mediated Treg infiltration and the suppression of antitumor immunity. Our findings provide mechanistic support for using TGF-β inhibitors to enhance the efficacy of tumor immunotherapy, indicate that sTGFBR3 levels could serve as a predictive immunotherapy biomarker, and expand the mechanisms by which TGFBR3 suppresses cancer progression to include effects on the tumor immune microenvironment.

Protective effect of salicylic acid on Hg(0) intoxication in mice

Elemental mercury (Hg(0)) is a hazardous metal with significant human exposure through diverse sources. In this study, the role of salicylic acid (SA) was assessed against Hg(0)-induced injury in mice, with the aim of screening alternative clinical drugs to prevent or treat Hg(0) poisoning. An exposure to Hg(0) (1.0 mg/m(3) in a glass box) for 2 h per day for successive 15 d significantly increased Hg accumulation in mouse brain and lung, inhibited the animal growth and altered the neurobehavior such as impairing the spatial learning and memory in the Barnes maze test. However, although oral SA (5.5 mg/kg body weight) during the Hg(0) exposure did not reduce the Hg levels in these organs, it effectively counteracted the Hg(0)-induced growth inhibition, and improved the behavioral performance, accompanied by a series of ameliorations in the antioxidative defense and anti-inflammatory response. For instance, when compared with control, Hg(0)-inhaled animals had significant decreases in the activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase, and in the levels of reduced form of glutathione and the ratio to its oxidized form, concomitantly with a high accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde in the brain and lung. However, these values in Hg(0) + SA-exposed animals were comparable with the basal levels in control. Likewise, interleukin-6 in the brain and lung of Hg(0)-exposed animals were dramatically elevated, whereas it was maintained to the basal level in Hg(0) + SA-exposed animals. These data suggested that application of SA could protect mice against Hg(0)-induced injury.

Combining anti-OX40 with an inhibitor of TGF-β signaling overcomes the immunosuppressive environment in established tumors (P2026)

OX40 (CD134, TNFRSF4), a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily is expressed on activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Engagement of OX40 with cognate ligand or soluble agonist enhances T cell proliferation, survival and cytokine production by memory T cells. Although αOX40 therapy has been effective at controlling incipient tumors in a variety of mouse tumor models, it has been less effective at eradicating large established tumors. Pervasive immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment has been implicated as a potential mechanism of immune evasion by tumor cells. Here we show that combining agonist antibody (αOX40) with an orally bioavailable small molecule inhibitor of TGF-β signaling, results in complete regression of well-established tumors in ~85% of treated mice. Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) from these dual treated mice produce increased levels of Granzyme-B and IFNγ and higher levels of the proliferation marker Ki67. Differences seen in STAT3 expression by the TIL led us to investigate the role of STAT3 in this anti-tumor effect. Using an OX40 promoter-driven CRE model to knock out the STAT3 gene in activated T-lymphocytes, we demonstrated that STAT3 is essential for the therapeutic efficacy of the combination treatment as a 50% drop in tumor cure rate was observed in STAT-3 deficient mice compared to STAT3 sufficient mice. Together these results demonstrate the anti-tumor efficacy of combining OX40 therapy with TGF-β inhibition.

Effect of the loss of the type III TGFβ receptor during tumor progression on tumor microenvironment: Preclinical development of TGFβ inhibition and TGFβ-related biomarkers to enhance immunotherapy efficacy

10563

Background: Overall, the clinical efficacy of tumor immunotherapy has been limited. Our incomplete understanding of the complex interplay between tumors and the immune microenvironment has contributed to these modest outcomes. Our work has revealed that several tumors downregulate the expression of the type III TGFβ receptor (TβRIII) with progression. TβRIII is shed from the cell surface to generate soluble TβRIII (sTβRIII) which is capable of sequestering TGFβ. Methods and Results: Using both breast cancer and melanoma tumor models we have demonstrated that the loss of TβRIII expression is associated with diminished tumor infiltrating CD8+ T cells and increased regulatory T cells (Tregs) within the tumor microenvironment. Our data implies that these alterations correlate with suppressed tumor antigen-specific T cell responses and more rapid disease progression. We show that these changes are due to enhanced TGFβ signaling within the immune compartment of the tumor microenvironment resulting in enhanced expression of the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase immunoregulatory enzyme by local plasmacytoid dendritic cells (DCs) as well as increased expression of the Treg-recruiting CCL22 chemokine by local myeloid DCs. Microarray analysis indicates that these same gene expression associations also exist in human breast cancers. Consistent with these studies, we have demonstrated that TGF-β inhibition synergistically enhances the efficacy of a Her2/neu vaccine in a breast cancer model and that plasma levels of sTβRIII correlate with clinical response and overall survival in stage III melanoma patients. Conclusions: We have elucidated a novel mechanism that tumors utilize to suppress the generation of anti-tumor immunity by establishing a link between the loss of an endogenous suppressor of tumor metastasis, TβRIII, and the generation of an immunotolerant tumor microenvironment. We are pursuing a phase I clinical trial to investigate the efficacy of combining a TGF-β inhibitor with a tumor vaccine while also determining if sTβRIII may function as a predictive biomarker for this approach.

[Effect of mild-warm moxibustion on microcirculation in the raw surface tissue of chronic refractory wound in skin ulcer rats]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effects of mild-warm moxibustion on dynamic blood flow, microvessel count (MVC)and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in the wound tissue of the chronic skin ulcer in rats, so as to reveal its underlying mechanism in promoting wound recovery.

METHODS

A total of 104 male SD rats with skin injury were randomly divided into control group (n=8), model group (n=32), TDP (far-infrared heating device) group (n=32) and moxibustion group (n=32). Chronic refractory raw surface wound model was established by muscular injection of Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate. For rats of the TDP and moxibustion groups, TDP irridiation and mild-warm moxibustion were applied to the raw surface, bilateral "Shenshu" (BL 23) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) for 15 min, once daily for 3, 7 and 14 days respectively. The healing rate and the healing time of raw surface of the wound were observed. The blood flow of the raw surface of the wound tissue was measured by laser Doppler flowmeter and the MVC in granulation tissue of chronic skin ulcer was counted under light microscope. VEGF expression was detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

In comparison with the control group, the healing rate of the wound raw surface was significantly lower and the healing time was prolonged in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the healing rates on day 3, 7, 10 and 14 were significantly higher and the healing time was strikingly faster in both TDP and moxibustion groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and the effects of the moxibustion group in increasing the healing rate and shortening the healing time were significantly better than those of TDP group (P < 0.01). In comparison with the model group, the blood flow volume, MVC and VEGF expression levels on day 3 and 7 were upregulated significantly in both TDP and moxibustion groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); while the blood flow volume, MVC and VEGF expression level in the moxibustion group and the blood flow volume and VEGF expression level in the TDP group downregulated considerably on day 14 (P < 0.01). No significant difference was found between the TDP and moxibustion groups in the MVC on day 14 after the treatment (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Mild-warm moxibustion can promote wound healing, which is closely with its effects in increasing blood flow and MVC, and upregulating VEGF expression in the wound granulation tissue of the chronic skin ulcer.

Small molecule inhibition of the TNF family cytokine CD40 ligand through a subunit fracture mechanism

BIO8898 is one of several synthetic organic molecules that have recently been reported to inhibit receptor binding and function of the constitutively trimeric tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family cytokine CD40 ligand (CD40L, aka CD154). Small molecule inhibitors of protein-protein interfaces are relatively rare, and their discovery is often very challenging. Therefore, to understand how BIO8898 achieves this feat, we characterized its mechanism of action using biochemical assays and X-ray crystallography. BIO8898 inhibited soluble CD40L binding to CD40-Ig with a potency of IC(50) = 25 μM and inhibited CD40L-dependent apoptosis in a cellular assay. A co-crystal structure of BIO8898 with CD40L revealed that one inhibitor molecule binds per protein trimer. Surprisingly, the compound binds not at the surface of the protein but by intercalating deeply between two subunits of the homotrimeric cytokine, disrupting a constitutive protein-protein interface and breaking the protein's 3-fold symmetry. The compound forms several hydrogen bonds with the protein, within an otherwise hydrophobic binding pocket. In addition to the translational splitting of the trimer, binding of BIO8898 was accompanied by additional local and longer-range conformational perturbations of the protein, both in the core and in a surface loop. Binding of BIO8898 is reversible, and the resulting complex is stable and does not lead to detectable dissociation of the protein trimer. Our results suggest that a set of core aromatic residues that are conserved across a subset of TNF family cytokines might represent a generic hot-spot for the induced-fit binding of trimer-disrupting small molecules.

[Randomized controlled clinical study on ginger-partitioned moxibustion for patients with cold-damp stagnation type primary dysmenorrhea]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of ginger-partitioned moxibustion in the treatment of patients with primary dysmenorrhea (PD) of cold-damp stagnation type.

METHODS

A total of 209 PD patients were randomized into moxibustion group (n=105) and control group (medication group, n=104). Patients of the former group were treated with ginger-partitioned moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) and Guanyuan (CV 4), once daily for 3 days in the first menstrual cycle, and 3 days before menstruation and once daily for 6 days in the 2nd and 3rd menstrual cycles, and those of control group were asked to take Yueyueshu Granules (a Chinese herbal patent drug for relieving PD). Clinical symptom scores were assessed before and after the treatment.

RESULTS

After the treatment, of the 105 and 104 cases in the moxibustion and control groups, the cured, markedly effective, effective and failed cases were 58 (55.24%) and 32 (30.77%), 37 (35.24%) and 33 (31.73%), 5 (4.76%) and 24 (23.08%), and 5 (4.76%) and 15 (14.42%), respectively. The total therapeutic effect of moxibustion group wassignificantly better than that of control group (P<0.01). The effects of moxibustion for relieving mild, moderate and severe dysmenorrhea were evidently superior to those of medication (P<0.01). The symptom scores after the treatment and 3 months of post-treatment in moxibustion group were significantly lower than those of control group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Ginger-partitioned moxibustion therapy was effective for PD of cold-damp stagnation type.

[Influence of ginger-partitioned moxibustion on serum NO and plasma endothelin-1 contents in patients with primary dysmenorrhea of cold-damp stagnation type]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the mechanism of ginger-partitioned moxibustion in the treatment of cold-damp stagnation type primary dysmenorrhea (PD) patients.

METHODS

A total of 209 PD outpatients of cold-damp stagnation type from 3 hospitals were randomized into moxibustion group (n = 105) who were treated with ginger-partitioned moxibustion, and control group (n = 104) who were asked to take Yueyue Shu Granules (an effective patent drug for PD). Ginger-partitioned moxibustion was applied to Shenque (CV 8) and Guanyuan (CV 4) from the menstrual onset on for the first course and 3 days before the onset for the second and third course, continuously for 3 days. Before and after the treatment, plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) and serum nitric oxide (NO) contents in those patients (n = 40/group) and normal women (n = 20) experiencing menstrual period were determined by radioimmunoassay and nitrate reductase method.

RESULTS

After the treatment, of the 105 and 104 cases in moxibustion and control groups, 58 and 32 cured, 37 and 33 markedly effective, 5 and 24 effective, 5 and 15 failed, with the effective rates being 95.24% and 85.58% respectively. The therapeutic effect of moxibustion group was significantly better than that of control group (P<0.05). Before treatment, in comparison with normal group, plasma ET-1 contents in both moxibustion and control groups were significantly higher (P<0.01), while serum NO contents in these two groups markedly lower (P<0.01). After the treatment, self-comparison of both moxibustion and control groups showed that plasma ET-1 decreased significantly and serum NO levels in increased considerably (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the therapeutic effect of moxibustion group was markedly superior than that of control group in lowering plasma ET-1 (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Ginger-partitioned moxibustion is effective in relieving primary dysmenorrhea patients' abdominal pain, which may be closely associated with its actions in lowering plasma ET-1 level and raising serum NO contents.

Small molecular inhibitor of transforming growth factor-beta protects against development of radiation-induced lung injury

PURPOSE

To determine whether an anti-transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) type 1 receptor inhibitor (SM16) can prevent radiation-induced lung injury.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

One fraction of 28 Gy or sham radiotherapy (RT) was administered to the right hemithorax of Sprague-Dawley rats. SM16 was administered in the rat chow (0.07 g/kg or 0.15 g/kg) beginning 7 days before RT. The rats were divided into eight groups: group 1, control chow; group 2, SM16, 0.07 g/kg; group 3, SM16, 0.15 g/kg; group 4, RT plus control chow; group 5, RT plus SM16, 0.07 g/kg; group 6, RT plus SM16, 0.15 g/kg; group 7, RT plus 3 weeks of SM16 0.07 g/kg followed by control chow; and group 8, RT plus 3 weeks of SM16 0.15 g/kg followed by control chow. The breathing frequencies, presence of inflammation/fibrosis, activation of macrophages, and expression/activation of TGF-beta were assessed.

RESULTS

The breathing frequencies in the RT plus SM16 0.15 g/kg were significantly lower than the RT plus control chow from Weeks 10-22 (p <0.05). The breathing frequencies in the RT plus SM16 0.07 g/kg group were significantly lower only at Weeks 10, 14, and 20. At 26 weeks after RT, the RT plus SM16 0.15 g/kg group experienced a significant decrease in lung fibrosis (p = 0.016), inflammatory response (p = 0.006), and TGF-beta1 activity (p = 0.011). No significant reduction was found in these measures of lung injury in the group that received SM16 0.7 g/kg nor for the short-course (3 weeks) SM16 at either dose level.

CONCLUSION

SM16 at a dose of 0.15 g/kg reduced functional lung damage, morphologic changes, inflammatory response, and activation of TGF-beta at 26 weeks after RT. The data suggest a dose response and also suggest the superiority of long-term vs. short-term dosing.

[Therapeutic efficacy and follow-up study of inhaled corticosteroids vs. oral montelukast in treatment of cough variant asthma]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and oral leukotriene modifier (LTM) montelukast on the prognosis of children with cough variant asthma (CVA), and to identify the related risk factors for the development of classic asthma in children with CVA.

METHODS

Eighty-four children with CVA (2 - 6 yrs) were randomized to receive inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate 200 microg/d through pressurized metered-dose inhaler (MDI) plus spacer with mask or oral montelukast 5 mg, once at bedtime for 6 months, then followed by 18 months observation period after the end of the study medication.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in antitussive days between the two groups (ICS group: 14 +/- 9 days, LTM group: 13 +/- 9 days, Z = 1.12, P = 0.25). Wheezing developed in 7.1% of the children in ICS group during 24 months follow-up period, which was significantly lower than that in LTM group (33.3%, chi2 = 8.92, P = 0.003). The prevalence of eczema or allergic rhinitis was higher in children who developed wheezing than those who did not develop wheezing (eczema: 47.1% vs. 19.4%, chi(2) = 4.16, P = 0.042; allergic rhinitis: 58.8% vs. 31.3%, chi2 = 4.40, P = 0.036). Logistic regression analysis confirmed that eczema and allergic rhinitis were risk factors for wheezing development in children with CVA, the odds ratio was 7.668 and 3.855 respectively (P < 0.05 for all). But administration of ICS was negatively correlated with the development of wheezing by an odds ratio of 0.128 (P = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Children with CVA may progress to classic asthma; eczema and allergic rhinitis are two risk factors for wheezing development in children with CVA. Both ICS and LTM are effective antitussive treatment, but ICS may be more effective than LTM on preventing the progression of CVA to classic asthma.

SM16, an orally active TGF-beta type I receptor inhibitor prevents myofibroblast induction and vascular fibrosis in the rat carotid injury model

OBJECTIVE

TGF-beta plays a significant role in vascular injury-induced stenosis. This study evaluates the efficacy of a novel, small molecule inhibitor of ALK5/ALK4 kinase, in the rat carotid injury model of vascular fibrosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The small molecule, SM16, was shown to bind with high affinity to ALK5 kinase ATP binding site using a competitive binding assay and biacore analysis. SM16 blocked TGF-beta and activin-induced Smad2/3 phosphorylation and TGF-beta-induced plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-luciferase activity in cells. Good overall selectivity was demonstrated in a large panel of kinase assays, but SM16 also showed nanomolar inhibition of ALK4 and weak (micromolar) inhibition of Raf and p38. In the rat carotid injury model, SM16 dosed once daily orally at 15 or 30 mg/kg SM16 for 14 days caused significant inhibition of neointimal thickening and lumenal narrowing. SM16 also prevented induction of adventitial smooth muscle alpha-actin-positive myofibroblasts and the production of intimal collagen, but did not decrease the percentage of proliferative cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These results are the first to demonstrate the efficacy of an orally active, small-molecule ALK5/ALK4 inhibitor in a vascular fibrosis model and suggest the potential therapeutic application of these inhibitors in vascular fibrosis.