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PURPOSE The pathogenic mechanisms of antrochoanal polyps (ACPs) remain largely unknown. This study aimed to characterize inflammatory patterns and tissue remodeling features in ACPs. METHODS Inflammatory cell infiltration and tissue edema severity as well as fibrin deposition in ACPs and bilateral eosinophilic and noneosinophilic nasal polyps (NPs) were studied with immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining. Cytokine levels in sinonasal tissues were detected with the Bio-Plex assay. The expression of coagulation and fibrinolytic markers was measured using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS Compared to control tissues and bilateral eosinophilic and noneosinophilic NPs, ACPs had higher levels of neutrophil infiltration and expression of myeloperoxidase (MPO), interleukin (IL)-8 and interferon (IFN)-γ. In total, 94.4% of ACPs demonstrated an eosinophil cationic protein/MPO ratio of < 1, compared to 79.0% of noneosinophilic and 26% of eosinophilic NPs. Principle component and multiple correspondence analyses revealed a neutrophilic and type 1 inflammation pattern in ACPs. Compared to control tissues, edema scores and fibrin deposition were increased, whereas d-dimer and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) levels were decreased in ACPs and bilateral NPs, with more prominent changes in ACPs even than in eosinophilic NPs. The tPA levels were negatively correlated with IFN-γ, IL-8, and MPO levels in ACPs. Neutrophils were the major cellular source of IFN-γ in ACPs, and the number of IFN-γ+ neutrophils was elevated in ACPs than in control tissues and bilateral eosinophilic and noneosinophilic NPs. CONCLUSIONS ACPs are characterized by the neutrophilic and type 1 inflammation endotype. Neutrophil-derived IFN-γ is associated with reduced tPA production in ACPs.

Objective. Neural crest stem cells (NCSCs) are prototypically migratory cells immigrating from the dorsal neural tube to specific embryonic sites where they generate a variety of cell types. A lot of biomarkers for NCSCs have been identified. However, which biomarkers are the most specific is still unclear.Methods. The rat embryos harvested in embryonic day 9 (E9), E9.5, E10, E10.5, E11, E12, E13, and E14 were paraffin-embedded and sectioned in transverse. NCSCs were spatiotemporally demonstrated by immunohistochemical staining with RET, p75NTR, Pax7, and Sox10. NCSCs were isolated, cultured, and stained with RET, p75NTR, Pax7, and Sox10.Results. In the paraffin sections of rat embryos, the immunohistochemical staining of RET, p75NTR, and Sox10 can all be used in demonstrating NCSCs. Sox10 was positive mainly in NCSCs while RET and p75NTR were positive not only in NCSCs but also in other tissue cells. In primary culture cells, Sox10 was mainly in the nucleus of NCSCs, RET was mainly in the membrane, and p75NTR was positive in cytoplasm and membrane.Conclusions. Sox10 is the specific marker for immunohistochemical staining of NCSCs in paraffin sections. In cultured cells, Sox10, p75NTR, and RET presented a similar staining effect.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Scutellaria baicalensis stem-leaf total flavonoid (SSTF) on the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease (PD). The mouse model was established by intravenous injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). SSTF (5 mg/kg) was administered to the mice before or after MPTP injection, and the effects of SSTF on the behavior of the mice and the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra were assessed. In addition, the level of serum malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured. Following injection of MPTP, the number of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra was decreased and the neurons appeared atrophic. In addition, the level of serum MDA in the MPTP mice increased. The mean behavioral scores and the number of dopaminergic neurons in the SSTF treatment groups were significantly higher than in the MPTP group (P

Objective Observational studies, to date, have provided inconsistent findings on whether inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with an increased risk of stroke. We therefore performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the association of IBD and its specific subtypes with risk of stroke. Design We searched electronic databases for studies through May 13, 2015 assessing risk of stroke in patients with IBD. Cohort and case–control studies that reported incident cases of stroke in patients with IBD and a non-IBD control population were eligible. We calculated pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results A total of 8 articles (126,493 IBD patients and 4748 cases of stroke) were included in this meta-analysis. The presence of IBD revealed a trend toward a modest increase in the risk of stroke incidence (HR = 1.29; 95% CI, 1.16-1.43). After subgroup analysis, Crohn's disease showed an increased risk of stroke incidence (7 studies: HR = 1.32; 95% CI, 1.13-1.56), and a significant association was also identified in ulcerative colitis (6 studies: HR = 1.18; 95% CI, 1.06-1.31). In addition, this risk is higher in women (6 studies: HR = 1.49; 95% CI, 1.24-1.79) than in men (HR = 1.22; 95% CI, 1.12-1.32). In the overall analysis we found considerable heterogeneity. Conclusion Our results show a positive association between IBD and the risk of stroke.

Although most of patients do well after surgery for Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), there are complications in some instances that impact social aspects and quality of life. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence, risk factors, and prognosis of these complications, providing guidance for surgeons and healthcare personnel. A cohort of patients (N = 229) was retrospectively reviewed in the aftermath of surgery for HSCR. All medical data and operative notes were assessed. Early and late postoperative complications were solicited by questionnaire, using logistic regression and the Cox proportional hazards regression model for analysis. A total of 181 patients qualified for the study. Enterocolitis and soiling/incontinence constituted the most frequent complications, whether early or late in the postoperative period. Risk factors for developing enterocolitis included low weight, low-level IgA, preoperative enterocolitis, and lengthy aganglionic segment in the early term; whereas preoperative enterocolitis and diet control impacted complications emerging later. Risk factors in early soiling/incontinence were low weight, operative age of

Background: Growth hormone (GH) is used as an adjuvant therapy in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) for poor ovarian responders, but findings for its effects on outcomes of IVF have been conflicting. The aim of the study was to compare IVF-ET outcomes among women with poor ovarian responders, and find which subgroup can benefit from the GH addition. Methods: We searched the databases, using the terms “growth hormone,” “GH,” “IVF,” “in vitro fertilization.” Randomized controlled trials (RCT) were included if they assessed pregnancy rate, live birth rate, collected oocytes, fertilization rate, and implantation rate. Extracted the data from the corresponding articles, Mantel–Haenszel random-effects model, or fixed-effects model was used. Eleven studies were included. Results: Clinical pregnancy rate (RR 1.65, 95% CI 1.23–2.22), live birth rate (RR1.73, 1.25–2.40), collected oocytes number (SMD 1.09, 95% CI 0.54–1.64), MII oocytes number (SMD 1.48, 0.84–2.13), and E2 on human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) day (SMD 1.03, 0.18–1.89) were significantly increased in the GH group. The cancelled cycles rate (RR 0.65, 0.45–0.94) and the dose of gonadotropin (Gn) (SMD –0.83, –1.47, –0.19) were significantly lower in patients who received GH. Subgroup analysis indicated that the GH addition with Gn significantly increased the clinical pregnancy rate (RR 1.76, 1.25–2.48) and the live birth rate (RR 1.91, 1.29–2.83). Conclusion: The GH addition can significantly improve the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate. Furthermore, the GH addition time and collocation of medications may affect the pregnancy outcome.

Phlorizin exists in a number of fruits and foods and exhibits many bioactivities. The mechanism of its antidiabetic effect has been known as it can competitively inhibit sodium-glucose symporters (SGLTs). However, phlorizin has a wide range of two-phase metabolism in systemic circulation and shows poor oral bioavailability. An alternative mechanism may involve gut microbiota in intestine. Sixteen obese mice with type 2 diabetes (db/db) and eight age-matched control mice (db/+) were divided into three groups: diabetic group treated with phlorizin (DMT group), vehicle-treated diabetic group (DM group), and normal control group (CC group). Phlorizin was given in normal saline solution by intragastric administration for 10 weeks. After the last treatment course, body weight, energy intake, serum lipopolysaccharides (LPS), insulin resistance, and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were compared. 16S rRNA gene denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and quantitative PCR were used to determine the changes in microbiome composition. Coadministration of phlorizin significantly prevented metabolic syndrome by decreasing weight gain, energy intake, serum lipopolysaccharides, and insulin resistance, and the fecal level of total SCFAs was dramatically increased, especially butyric acid. DGGE and quantitative PCR demonstrated that phlorizin coadministration increased the gut microbial diversity and the growth of Akkermansia muciniphila and Prevotella. Meanwhile, the gut microbiota structure of db/db mice after phlorizin treatment was improved and approached the normal group. The mechanism of the hypoglycemic action of phlorizin is associated with LPS decrease and gut microbiota changes; briefly, it acts in the intestine to modify gut microbial community structure, resulting in lower LPS load in the host and higher SCFAs producing beneficial bacteria.

This study was designed to investigate the frequency of estrogen receptor (ER) gene polymorphism in Chinese patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were used to detect the ER gene polymorphisms in 158 PD patients and 146 healthy controls. In the PD and control groups, “x” accounted for 83.5% and 80.8%, respectively (P > 0.05). “xx” was found in 77.2% of the PD group and in 69.9% of the control group (P > 0.05). The frequency of “p” in the PD and control group was 67.7% and 64.0%, respectively (P > 0.05). “pp” was 51.9% in the PD group and 43.8% in the control group (P > 0.05). “ppxx” was found in 49.4% of the PD and 43.0% of the control subjects (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the “x”, “xx”, “p”, “pp” or “ppxx” between males and females within the PD or control groups. In conclusion, we found no significant differences in the genotype or allele frequencies between patients with Parkinson's disease and healthy subjects. These findings suggest that the estrogen receptor gene polymorphism may not play a key role in the pathogenesis PD in Chinese patients.

The expression of heat-shock protein 60 (also known as chaperonin 60, Cpn60) in experimental acute pancreatitis (AP) is considered to play an active role in the prevention of abnormal enzyme accumulation and activation in pancreatic acinar cells. However, there are controversial results in the literature regarding the relationship between the abnormality of Cpn60 expression and AP onset and development. The purpose of this study was to investigate the alternations of Cpn60 expression and the relationship between the abnormal expression of Cpn60 and AP progression in rat severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) models. In this report, we induced SAP in Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats by reverse injection of sodium deoxycholate into the pancreatic duct, and examined the dynamic changes of Cpn60 expression in pancreatic tissues from different time points and at different levels with techniques of real-time PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. At 1 h after SAP induction, the expression of Cpn60 mRNA in the AP pancreatic tissues was higher than those in the sham-operation group and normal control group, but decreased sharply as the time period was extended, and there was a significant difference between 1 h and 10 h after SAP induction (p

Previous studies have shown that estrogen may reduce neurological damages in Parkinson's disease but the mechanisms of this protective effect are unclear. This study was designed to investigate the effect of isoflavone, a plant-derived estrogen, on the apoptosis of an in vitro cell model for Parkinson's disease. This cell model was based on 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+)-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells. PC12 cells were divided into four groups: control (vehicle), MPP+ (250 μmol/L) only, isoflavone (10 μM) + MPP+ (250 μmol/L), and isoflavone (10 μM) only group. Bax protein in PC12 cells was measured with Western-blot. The expression of Bax gene was analysed by in situ hybridization assay. The apoptosis ratio in the isoflavone + MPP+ group (30.9%) and the control group (30.7%) was similar (P > 0.05), but it was lower than in the MPP+ group (67.9%, P < 0.05). Optical density in the Bax positive cells in the isoflavone + MPP+ group was lower than in the MPP+ group (0.28 ± 0.03 vs 0.45 ± 0.06, P < 0.05). Bax mRNA in the isoflavone + MPP+ group was lower than in the MPP+ group (0.23 ± 0.02 vs 0.47 ± 0.04, P < 0.01). The Bax protein in the isoflavone + MPP+ group was also lower than in the MPP+ group (89 ± 12 vs 131 ± 19, P < 0.01). In conclusion, soflavone suppressed MPP+-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells. The apoptosis suppression is associated with a decreased level of proapoptotic Bax gene and Bax protein. Further studies are warranted to investigate the clinical effect of isoflavone on Parkinson's disease.

Alzheimer disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorder, and the incidence is increasing. Many epidemiologic studies have considered the association between blood pressure and Alzheimer disease, yet the relationship is still controversial. The objective of this study was to validate whether or not blood pressure is indeed associated with AD. We compared different prospective studies and ultimately found that it is also a controversial issue. Large prospective double-blinded and placebo-controlled studies conducted with the use of standardized outcome measures in different levels are necessary to assess the association of blood pressure and Alzheimer disease.

Endoscopic techniques have been used to treat variceal hemorrhage for > 50 years, and are now accepted as first line treatment for this type of esophageal bleeding. While injective sclerotherapy can control hemorrhage in 90% of cases, bleeding reoccurs and complications occur in up to 55%[1] and 40%[2] of cases, respectively. As a result of these problems, better methods for endoscopic treatment of variceal hemorrhage have been continuously studied. Banding ligation was first reported in humans in 1990[3], and has since become an important method used in endoscopic therapy. Moreover, this method has shown reliable effects when used to manage esophageal varices. Based on such reports, we used banding ligation to resect polyps and early stage cancers of the upper digestive tract, and achieved satisfactory results.

Objectives: The protective effect of estrogen on the neurons in Parkinson’s disease (PD) is unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of estrogen on the apoptosis and dopaminergic function on a cultured cell model of PD. Methods: The PD model was established by addition of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) to PC12 cell culture. Estrogen was added to cell groups with MPP+ (Estrogen+MPP+), and without MPP+ (Estrogen only group). Cell viability, content of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), apoptosis ratio, expression of apoptosis-suppression protein Bcl-x and apoptosis-acceleration protein IL-1 beta converting enzyme (ICE) were measured. Results: Cell viability in the Estrogen+MPP+ group was similar to the control group but was higher than in the MPP+ group (P < 0.05). The apoptosis ratios in the Estrogen+MPP+ group (33.6%), and the control group (31.3%), were also similar, but it was lower than in the MPP+ group (63.5%, P < 0.05). Concentrations of Bcl-x were higher in the Estrogen+MPP+ group, whereas ICE concentrations were lower than in the MPP+ group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Estrogen suppresses apoptosis and improves cell viability in MPP+ induced injuries in the PC12 cells. The beneficial effects of estrogen on the PD model are due to the suppression of pro-apoptotic protein ICE, and stimulation of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-x.

Available experimental evidence from both clinical and animal models shows that both Chinese medicines tetrandine (Tet) and Qing Yi Tong (QYT) have positive treatment effects on acute pancreatitis (AP). This investigation was conducted to explore the treatment mechanisms of Tet and QYT on AP at the molecular level and thereby explain their therapeutic affects. It included an investigation of the effects of these drugs on gene expression of both intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD and Cu, Zn-SOD) in a rat model with AP.AP in the test rats was induced by subjecting them to laparotomy followed by a retrograde injection of 4 % sodium taurocholate into the bilio-pancreatic duct. The test rats with AP were divided into three groups. One was treated with Tet, one with QYT, and one with normal saline solution. The sham-operated control group (SO) rats were only subjected to laparotomy. They were given no further treatment. For the Tet group, Tet was injected intraperitoneally, and for the QYT group, QYT was given with a nose-gastric catheter. These procedures were done at both 10 min and 5 h after AP induction. The levels of ICAM-1 mRNA expression and of SOD (Mn-SOD and Cu, Zn-SOD) mRNA expression in the pancreas and liver tissues were measured by RT-PCR at 1, 5, and 10 h after AP induction.When compared with the SO group during the observation time, rats with AP showed a higher expression of ICAM and a lower expression of Mn-SOD in both pancreas and liver tissues, and a lower expression of Cu, Zn-SOD in the pancreas. Tet treatment attenuated changes in the expression of both ICAM-1, and SOD (Mn-SOD and Cu, Zn-SOD) to a significant degree. A similar effect on the expression of SOD (Mn-SOD and Cu, Zn-SOD) was also found in the QYT group, but no obvious suppressive effect on ICAM-1 expression was observed.The results of this study suggest that one of the main mechanisms of Tet and QYT in treating AP is to enhance anti-oxidation of the body. The results also suggest that the anti-inflammatory effect of Tet is involved in the reduction of ICAM-1 expression. This explains why Tet and QYT are beneficial in treating AP.