Clinical efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine formula for Graves' hyperthyroidism: A multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, Graves' disease (GD) is called 'Ying Bing', which is a kind of goiter. Haizao Yuhu decoction, originated from the medical book of the Ming Dynasty 'Waikezhengzong', is a classic Chinese herbal formula for the treatment of 'Ying Bing' for more than 400 years. Pingkang granules, modified from the Chinese herbal formula Haizao Yuhu decoction specialized in GD, has shown effectiveness in several single-centre studies.

Interleukin-1β Protection Against Experimental Sepsis in Mice.

The inflammatory response involving interleukin-1β (IL-1β) has been thought to play an important role in the development of late-phase sepsis. However, in this study, we wanted to explore the possibility of using IL-1β to improve the prognosis of sepsis by triggering local differentiation of bone marrow cells (BMCs) into regulatory dendritic cells (DCs) in vivo, thereby reversing the immune paralysis in late-phase sepsis. Sepsis mouse models were induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and lethal Escherichia coli O18 infection.

Dietary fiber metabolites regulate innate lymphoid cell responses.

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) rapidly undergo expansion in population size and functional maturation in response to cytokines that signal infection, tissue damage, or changes in physiology. Optimal ILC responses are shaped, in part, by the microbiota but the mechanisms remain unclear. We report that short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), produced by the commensal microbiota from dietary fibers, support optimal expansion of ILCs, including ILC1, ILC2, and ILC3 in the intestines through their G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).

Occurrence, source, and risk assessment of atmospheric parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the coastal cities of the Bohai and Yellow Seas, China.

Parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PPAHs) in the ambient air of the coastal cities near the Bohai and Yellow Seas were measured over a full year. The range and geometric average of total PPAH (29 species) were 5.16-1.

Oxidative potential of ambient PM in the coastal cities of the Bohai Sea, northern China: Seasonal variation and source apportionment.

Emissions of air pollutants from primary and secondary sources in China are considerably higher than those in developed countries, and exposure to air pollution is main risk of public health. Identifying specific particulate matter (PM) compositions and sources are essential for policy makers to propose effective control measures for pollutant emissions. Ambient PM samples covered a whole year were collected from three coastal cities of the Bohai Sea.

Polysaccharides from Bupleurum Induce Immune Reversal in Late Sepsis.

Background: Bupleurum chinense, a well-known Traditional Chinese Medicine, has been used for thousands of years in China. In this study, we would suggest that Bupleurum polysaccharides (BPS) could improve the prognosis of sepsis through its impact on redistribution of BMCs, which triggers immune reversal in late sepsis.

Methods: BALB/c mice were divided into five groups: sham burn group, burn plus P aeruginosa group, burn plus P aeruginosa with BPS (40 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 250 mg/kg) treatment group, and they were sacrificed at post-burn day (PBD) 0, 3, 5, and 7.

Lentinan ameliorates burn sepsis by attenuating CD4 CD25 Tregs.

Aim: The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of lentinan on regulatory T cells (Tregs) in sepsis, especially on the generation of interleukin (IL)-10 via regulation of Erk-FoxO1 signaling.

Methods: BalB/c mice were randomized into five groups: sham group, the group with burns plus Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, and the groups with burns plus P. aeruginosa infection administered 40, 100, and 250mg/kg of lentinan.

Clinical patterns and characteristics of uveitis in a secondary hospital in southern China.

Aim: To investigate the characteristics of uveitis in a secondary hospital in southern China.

Methods: We reviewed all records of patients with uveitis at Hengli Hospital from January 2008 to December 2011. Demographic data, past history, ophthalmic examinations and other laboratory tests were analyzed.

[Chemical characteristics in airborne particulate matter (PM10) during a high pollution spring dust storm episode in Beijing, Tianjin and Zhangjiakou, China].

Atmospheric particulate matter (PM10) was collected at sampling locations of Beijing, Tianjin and Zhangjiakou from April 1st to May 24th, 2012. The mass concentration of PM10 and concentrations of ions, elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC) in PM10 were determined. The results showed that average mass concentration of PM10 were 233.

Astragalus polysaccharides attenuate postburn sepsis via inhibiting negative immunoregulation of CD4+ CD25(high) T cells.

Background: Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) isolated from one of the Chinese herbs, Astragalus mongholicus, are known to have a variety of immunomodulatory activities. However, it is not yet clear whether APS can exert an effect on the immune functions of regulatory T cells (Tregs). This study was carried out to investigate the effect of APS on the immune function of peripheral blood Tregs in postburn sepsis.

[The regulatory effect and mechanism of Astragalus polysaccharides on CD11c(high)CD45RB(low) dendritic cell].

Objective: To investigate immunomodulatory effect of Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) on IL-12-secreting dendritic cell (DC) subset CD11c(high)CD45RB(low) DC.

Methods: Spleen CD11c(high)CD45RB(low) DC and CD4(+)T lymphocytes in BALB/c mice were purified by magnetic beads sorting, and were treated with 0 (as control), 50, 100, 200 µg/mL APS. Immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry were used to determine expressions of CD11c(high)CD45RB(low) DC surface molecules, including CD40, CD80, CD86, I-A/E, and Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4.

High mobility group box 1 protein suppresses T cell-mediated immunity via CD11c(low)CD45RB(high) dendritic cell differentiation.

Aim: High mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) has been identified as a late proinflammatory cytokine and plays a key role in immune regulation. However, it is not yet clear whether HMGB1 can induce the activation and differentiation of dendritic cell (DC) subsets and subsequently modulate immune function of T cells. This study was performed to investigate the effect of HMGB1 on the differentiation of splenic DCs and its influence on T cell-mediated immunity in terms of DC subsets CD11c(low)CD45RB(high) DCs and CD11c(high)CD45RB(low) DCs in male BALB/c mice spleens in vitro.

Astragalus polysaccharides regulate T cell-mediated immunity via CD11c(high)CD45RB(low) DCs in vitro.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) isolated from one of the Chinese herbs, Astragalus mongholicus, are known to have a variety of immunomodulatory activities. However, it is not yet clear whether APS can induce the activation and differentiation of dendritic cells (DCs) and subsequently activate T cells.

Aim Of The Study: This study was carried out to investigate the effect of APS on the differentiation of splenic DCs and its influence on T cell-mediated immunity through interleukin (IL)-12-producing CD11c(high)CD45RB(low) DCs in vitro.

Naturally existing CD11c(low)CD45RB(high) dendritic cells protect mice from acute severe inflammatory response induced by thermal injury.

Despite a good understanding of the process that initiates and promotes host inflammation induced by acute injury, little is known about the host immune cells responsible for the inhibition of inflammatory response to thermal injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential effect of naturally existing CD11c(low)CD45RB(high) dendritic cells (CD11c(low)CD45RB(high) DCs) on acute severe inflammatory response and mortality rate in burned mice. Changes in the percentage of distinct subsets of splenic DCs and production of cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, CCL-2) as well as CC chemokine (CCL)-2 were measured by FACS at various time points.

Inflammatory response and immune regulation of high mobility group box-1 protein in treatment of sepsis.

Sepsis is an infection induced systemic inflammatory response syndrome and is a major cause of morbidity as well as mortality in intensive care units. A growing body of evidence suggests that the activation of a proinflammatory cascade is responsible for the development of immune dysfunction, susceptibility to severe sepsis and septic shock. The present theories of sepsis as a dysregulated inflammatory response and immune function, as manifested by excessive release of inflammatory mediators such as high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), are supported by increasing studies employing animal models and clinical observations of sepsis.

Combined fascial flap and expanded skin flap for enveloping Medpor framework in microtia reconstruction.

The Medpor implant is another choice for a new auricular framework besides autogenous costal cartilage. However, its relatively frequent exposure and less-matching skin coverage discourage surgeons from using it. In this article, we present a new two-flap method, a combination of the temporoparietal fascial flap and the expanded skin flap, for wrapping the Medpor implant in microtia reconstruction.

Aesthetic rhinoplasty of the Asian nasal tip: a brief review.

Tip surgery, the most important part of the rhinoplasty procedure, has entered a new era in the past few decades. Various treatment protocols have been attempted. To date, however, opinions on the management of the Asian tip have not been solidified.

[Application of both expanded cutaneous flap and temporoparietal fascia flap in ear reconstruction with Medpor framework].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and results of application of both expanded cutaneous flap and temporoparietal fascia flap in total ear reconstruction with Medpor framework.

Methods: The main procedure consists of two stages: Stage I-skin expansion; Stage II -auricle formation consists of orientation of Medpor implant and creation of coverage for the implant by both expanded skin flap and temporoparietal fascia flap.

Results: Twenty-two ears in 22 unilateral microtia patients were constructed using Medpor implants covered with both expanded cutaneous flap and temporoparietal fascia flap over the last three years, they were accepted as pleasing by the patients.

[Influence of the escharectomy during stock stage on the peripheral lymphocyte apoptosis and the antigen presentation function of monocytes in peripheral blood of scalded rats].

Objective: To investigate the influence of escharectomy at different time-points after burn injury on the lymphocyte apoptosis and the antigen presentation function of monocytes in peripheral blood of scalded rats.

Methods: One hundred and thirty-six Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control ( C,n = 8 ), scald ( S, n = 64,without treatment after scald) , A ( n = 40, with escharectomy at 36 post-burn hour( PSH) ) , B ( n = 24, with escharectomy at 72 PSH ) groups. The rats in A , B, S groups were inflicted with 30% TBSA full-thickness scald.