Objective To update the knowledge on the sensitizing drugs and clinical features of drug eruption. Methods The clinical data on 138 patients hospitalized for drug eruption in the Department of Dermatology, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from January 2005 to June 2007, were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Results Totally, 178 episodes of drug eruption were observed in these patients during the tested period. The major sensitizing drugs included antibacterial agents (31.46%), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (28.09%), traditional Chinese medicines (15.73%). Amoxicillin triggered 20 episodes of drug eruption and was the most common causative drug. Oral administration was the predominant sensitizing route of administration (54.17%). Of all the drug eruptions, 33.71% manifested by erythema multiforme, 28.09% by fixed drug eruption, 22.47% by exanthematous drug eruption. Severe types of drug eruption were mainly caused by traditional Chinese medicines and anti-gout drugs. Conclusions Antibacterial agents and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have become the major sensitizing drugs of drug eruption, especially amoxicillin. The frequency of traditional Chinese medicine-induced eruptions are increasing. Furthermore, caution is warranted for the drug eruption caused by oral administration.

Objective To investigate the effects of ulinastatin on the number of peripheral blood lymphocyte and the percentage of its subsets in patients with severe sepsis. Methods The scores of APECHE II and SOFA, the number of lymphocyte and the percentage of different subsets in these sepsis patients at different treatment time were measured. Results After treatment, the scores of APECHE II and SOFA of severe sepsis patients were decreased, the number of lymphocyte elevated and the percentages of different subset were corrected. Sepsis caused by Gram- positive pathogens had stronger suppression of peripheral blood lymphocyte and subsets compared with Gram - negative pathogens. Conclusion Patients with severe sepsis had less peripheral blood lymphocyte and abnormal subsets. Ulinastatin could help to correct such abnormality.

Objective To investigate the role of Th17 cells in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) pathogenesis. Methods 33 CML patients [15 newly diagnosed (ND)- and 18 chronic-phase (CP)- CML patients] and 15 healthy controls were enrolled. The percentage of Th17 cells in the peripheral blood (PB) of CML and controls were evaluated by flow cytometry. RORC mRNA expressions were examined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The levels of IL-17 in PB of CML and controls were measured by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA). The relationships between Th17 cells and clinical characteristics in CML were analyzed. Results The percentage of Th17 cells in PB of ND-CML patients [(0.71±0.41) %] was significantly lower than that of CP-CML patients [(4.08±0.74) %, P<0.05] and healthy controls [(3.18±1.32) %, P<0.05]. The mRNA level of RORC in PB of ND-CML patients (0.043 3±0.040 5) was significantly decreased compared with that in CP-CML patients (0.086 1±0.052 3, P<0.05) and healthy controls (0.091 0±0.058 4, P<0.05). The levels of IL-17 in PB of ND-CML patients [(1.43±0.22) pg/ml] and CP-CML patients [(1.36±0.19) pg/ml] were slightly higher than that of healthy controls [(1.23±0.14) pg/ml, P< 0.05]. The percentage of Th17 cells had significantly negative correlations with white blood cell counts in PB or bcr-abl (IS). Conclusion Th17 cells may play an important role in CML pathogenesis, which has potential implication for immunotherapy of this malignancy.

Sugarcane bagasse modified by polyethylenimine (PEI) and glutaraldehyde (GA) was used as a carrier to immobilize Clostridium acetobutylicum XY16 in the process of butanol production. The effects of chemically modified sugarcane bagasse on batch and repeat-batch fermentations were investigated. Batch fermentation was conducted with an addition of 10 g/L modified sugarcane bagasse and 60 g/L glucose, resulting in a high solvent concentration of 21.67 g/L and productivity of 0.60 g/(L x h) with the treatment of 4 g/L PEI and 1 g/L GA. Compared to the fermentations by free cells and immobilized cells on unmodified sugarcane bagasse, the productivity increased 130.8% and 66.7%, respectively. The fibrous-bed bioreactor also maintained a stable butanol production during repeat-batch fermentations, achieving a maximum productivity of 0.83 g/(L x h) with a high yield of 0.42 g/g.
Batch Cell Culture Techniques ; Bioreactors ; Butanols ; metabolism ; Cells, Immobilized ; Cellulose ; metabolism ; Clostridium acetobutylicum ; metabolism ; Fermentation ; Saccharum ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the effects of exercise on expression of microtube associated protein-2 (MAP-2) and MAP-2 mRNA in neuronal cells after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in rats. Methods Ninety-six male Sprague-Dawley rats (weighing 270 to 300 g) were divided into 3 groups, a trial group (ICH-induction and ex-ercise, n=32), a control group (ICH-induction only, n=32) and a sham-operated group (no ICH and no exercise, n=32). The brains of the rats were sampled at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after the operation for establishing ICH mod-el. Another 64 rats were divided into 8 groups (6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 7 d after ICH, no ICH group and nor-mal group). MAP-2 and MAP-2 mRNA activity were measured by immunohistochemical methods and RT-PCR. The rats in the trial group began cage-running exercise 72 h after the operation. The others were reared in the standard ca-ges. Results ①MAP-2-positive cells appeared around the hematoma in the cortex. The number of MAP-2-positive cells was very small in the sham-operation group. There was an up-regulation of MAP-2 from 24 h to 7 d after ICH, and significant difference was found between the non-ICH group and the normal group. The expression of MAP-2 showed an up-regulation trend in the trial and control groups. There was a significant difference compared with the sham operated group, and the trial group had significantly higher expression levels than the control group. ②RT-PCR showed up-ragulation of MAP-2 mRNA 12 to 24 h after ICH. There was a significant difference between the no ICH and normal groups. The trial and control groups showed up-regulation of MAP-2 mRNA at 14 to 28 d after ICH, with was significantly different from that of the sham group, and the trial group had significantly higher levels than the con-trol group. Conclusion MAP-2 might participated in neural cells plasticity after ICH, and exercise training (cage-running) can up-regulate MAP-2 and MAP-2-mRNA expression.

Objective To explore the endogenesis metabolizer character of kidney-yang insufficiency syndrome model rats caused by hydrocortisoni natrii succinas with metabolomics technology. Methods Twenty four Sprague-Dawley(SD)male rats were divided randomly into a normal group, a kidney-yang insufficiency model group, and a oral administration group, eight rats in each group. After producing kidney-yang insufficiency model by injecting hydrocortisoni natrii succinas intramuscularly, oral administration group rats were administered orally with white prepared lateral root of aconite every day for two weeks. After twenty-four hour the last oral administration, the blood plasm were prepared and used for testing endogenesis metabolism with the liquid phase color spectrum-mass spectra (LC/MS) metabolomics technology. Results Apices shape change of lysophosphatidyl choline (LPC) and lysophosphatidyl ethanolamine(LPE) and 468.4m/z unbeknown chemical compound of normal rats were distinct from those of model rats. Above-mentioned chemical compound as chief material symbols of kidney-yang insufficiency syndrome might be farther studied. Conclusion Finding out differential symbol from endogenesis metabolizer with metabolomics technology was redounded to deep exploring the biology essence of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome.

Objective To explore the expression of peripheral T cell subgroup (CD3+,CD4+,CD8+,CD4+CD25 high regulatory T cells) and the level and significance of serum cytokines in patients with silicosis.Methods One hundred and six cases patients with silicosis were collected in the Fifth People''s Hospital of Suzhou as study subjects and 56 healthy subjects as control group.Flow cytometry was used to detect the peripheral CD3+,CD4+,CD8+ and CD4+CD25 high regulatory T cells (Treg) of the patients and the control group,while chemiluminescence immunoassay was utilized to measure the peripheral serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R),interleukin 6 (IL-6),interleukin 8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α).Results (1) The percentages of peripheral CD3+,CD4+ and CD8+ in the silicosis group were all lower than those in the control group (t=3.755,3.828,2.347,P<0.05);the percentage of Treg cells was higher in the silicosis group than in the control group,the difference was statistically significant (t=-8.345,P<0.05).Compared with the control group,based on the one-way analysis of variance,the differences in CD3+,CD4+,CD8+ and CD4+CD25 high cells were all statistically significant (F=5.620,8.007,26.71,P<0.05);in the silicosis group,the percentage of CD4+ T cells was lower in stage III than in stage I (t=3.424,P<0.05);compared with the control group,the percentages of Treg cells in the silicosis group were lower in all stages (t=-7.934,-9.445,-5.096,P<0.05).(2) The levels of peripheral sIL-2R,IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-α in the silicosis group were higher than those in the control group,the difference were statistically significant(t=-6.952,-4.506,-2.551,-5.670,P<0.05);compared with the control group,based on the one-way analysis of variance,the differences in sIL-2R,IL-6 and TNF-α in all stages were statistically significant (F=11.03,11.31,13.22,P<0.0001);the sIL-2R was higher in patients with stage III silicosis than that of stage I (t=-2.882,P<0.05);IL-6 was significantly higher in stage II and III silicosis group than that of stage I group (t=-3.022,-2.632,P<0.05),and TNF-α was higher in patients with stage II silicosis than patients with stage I silicosis (t=-2.322,P<0.05).(3) The level of peripheral Treg cells was negatively correlated with the percentages of CD3+ and CD8+ cells in patients with silicosis (r=-0.357,-0.508,P<0.05);sIL-R2 was positively correlated with IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-α,respectively (r=0.483,0.199,0.392,P<0.05);TNF-α was positively correlated with IL-6 and IL-8,respectively (r=0.338,0.338,P<0.05).Conclusion Patients with silicosis have abnormal expression in peripheral T cell subgroups,significantly increased Treg cell and dysfunctional cytokines,which may be associated with the pathogenesis of silicosis,the detection of these indicators may have significance of diagnosis,staging,disease monitoring and prognosis of the diseases.

Objective:To construct a specific small hairpin RNA (shRNA) expressing vectors against human receptor for advanced glycation end product (RAGE) gene and study its inhibitory effect on the proliferation of androgen-independent prostate cancer cells DU145. Methods:Four RAGE specific oligonucleotides were designed and synthesized. These oligonucleotides were annealed to forill double strand DNA fragments and this fragment was cloned into psi-U6 plasmid. The recombinants were transfected into RAGE-overexpressing sub DU145-2C1 cells. Cellular morphology and transfection efficiency were observed under fluorescence microscope. The inhibitory effect of RAGE shRNA construct on RAGE mRNA and protein expression was examined with semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. The cellular proliferation was detected with cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). Scratch test was used to observe the migration of DU145 cells.Results:RAGE shRNA expression plasmids were successfully constructed and transfected into sub DU145-2C1 cells. It can effectively inhibit the expression of RAGE mRNA (P<0.05). The inhibitory effects of shRNA RAGE-1 (R1) was the most stronger. The RAGE mRNA expression was inhibited by 84% and RAGE protein expression was inhibited by 27%. Compared with negative control, the proliferation potential was significantly decreased in shRNA RAGE-transfected cells. The cell migration capability had no significant changes. Conclusion:RAGE shRNA effectively inhibited the expression of RAGE mRNA and protein and suppressed the proliferation of DU145 cells in vitro.

Objective To investigate the possible mechanism of natural killer cells(NK cells)in immune dysfunction in sepsis by monitoring the phenotype and function of periphery NK cells in patients with sepsis. Methods A retrospective study was conducted. The patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome(SIRS,n=59)or sepsis(n=65)admitted to Department of Critical Care Medicine of Anhui Provincial Hospital from August 2011 to August 2013 were enrolled. Blood samples were collected within 48 hours after intensive care unit(ICU)admission,the phenotype and function of periphery NK cells were determined by flow cytometry. Twenty-eight healthy people served as controls. Results The proportion and number of peripheral blood CD3-CD56+NK cells in SIRS and sepsis groups were normal,and no statistical difference was found when compared with those of the healthy control group〔cell proportion:0.102±0.019,0.102±0.108 vs. 0.106±0.018,F=0.018,P=0.982;cell number(×106/L):182.46±65.98, 172.97±63.51 vs. 179.25±60.44,F=0.349,P=0.706〕. It was shown by NK cell degranulation detection that there was no significant difference in the expression of CD107 and interferon-γ(IFN-γ)secretion〔CD107:0.135±0.050,0.140±0.058,0.128±0.070,F=0.583,P=0.560;IFN-γ(kU/L):14.36±4.74,12.49±4.21, 13.45±5.04,F=1.616,P=0.202〕among healthy control group,SIRS group,and sepsis group. It was shown by antibody dependent cytotoxic effect(ADCC)test that there was no difference in the expression of CD107 among healthy control group,SIRS group,and sepsis group(0.574±0.166,0.643±0.165,0.581±0.157,F=0.808,P=0.448). When compared with healthy controls,the secretion of IFN-γwas increased in SIRS patients(kU/L:40.5±13.2 vs. 28.4±9.6,P=0.001),while reduced in sepsis patients(kU/L:19.8±6.7 vs. 28.4±9.6,P<0.01). Compared with SIRS group,only NK cell surface inhibitory receptors CD158e(KIR 3DL1)expression in sepsis group was significantly increased(0.203±0.057 vs. 0.079±0.021,t=15.762,P<0.001),and there were no significant differences in the other phenotype between the two groups. Compared with SIRS group,the IFN-γproduction of the sepsis group was significantly lowered(kU/L:0.280±0.040 vs. 0.310±0.038,t=3.390,P=0.009),and the level of IL-12 was also significantly decreased(ng/L:0.15±0.03 vs. 0.30±0.08,t=32.832,P<0.001). Conclusion It was showed by NK cell phenotype and function assay that the function of NK cells in patients with sepsis was impaired and led to a poor production of IFN-γ. The IFN-γmediated immune dysfunction may be a main reason for the disorder of NK cell function,which laid the foundation of the clinical immune intervention practice to improve to NK cell function.

Objective To investigate the incidence and major risk factors of preterm birth in urban hospitals in China so as to provide evidence for effective interventions to reduce preterm birth.Methods Postpartum women delivered between 22 and 37 weeks of gestation were selected from 15 urban hospitals in Beijing,and Guangdong,Hu'nan,Hubei,Sichuan and Shaan'xi Province.Between April 2012 and March 2013,data of 10 days were collected every 3 months.Questionnaire was obtained under informed consent from 9 143 cases,including 958 cases of preterm birth and 8 185 cases of term birth.Demographics,history of pregnancy,prenatal care,and incidences of complication and/or comorbidities,lifestyle and dietary habit during pregnancy were included in the questionnaire.Chi-square test for univariate analysis and logistic regression multivariate analysis were used for statistics.Results The incidence ofpreterm birth was 9.9％(10 986/111 095) in the 15 hospitals.Among the 958 preterm birth cases,2.3％(22/958) were in gestational weeks ＜28,22.7％(217/958) in ≥ 28-＜34 gestational weeks,and 75.1％(719/958) in ≥ 34-＜37 gestational weeks.Univariate analysis showed that the influencing factors related to preterm birth included(preterm birth groups vs term birth group):maternal age ＞40 years or ＜18 years[1.6％(15/958) vs 1.2％(100/8 185),0.6％(6/958) vs 0.1％(7/8 185),22=18.515,P=0.000],ethnic Han [97.7％(919/941) vs 96.3％(7 811/8 115),22=4.819,P=0.028],less educated (lower than junior middle school) [27.1％(257/950) vs 14.9％(1 215/8 132),22=91.879,P=0.000],unmarried status[2.8％(27/955) vs 1.3％(110/8 154),22=12.609,P=0.000],family income ＜5 000 yuan(RMB)/ month [40.5％(380/939) vs 30.8％(2 479/8 060),22=40.457,P=0.000],being preterm born [14.2％(134/942) vs 2.6％(211/8 099),22=349.801,P=0.000],adverse obstetric history [12.9％(72/958) vs 8.5％(346/8 185),22=12.009,P=0.001],previous preterm delivery [50.0％(36/72) vs 17.1％(59/346),x2=36.840,P=0.000],fetal malformation history[4.2％(3/72) vs 18.8％(65/346),22=9.351,P=0.002],reproductive technology assisted conception [7.7％(72/930) vs 2.1％(172/8 037),x22=98.816,P=0.000],antenatal visits ＜5 times [21.0％(195/930) vs 12.0％(966/8 037),22=68.634,P=0.000],second hand smoking [24.5％(235/958) vs 19.6％(1 603/8 185),x2=13.573,P=0.000],unpleasant events during pregnancy [27.6％(264/958) vs 22.0％(1 802/8 185),x2=15.213,P=0.000],folic acid supplementation before and during pregnancy [before pregnancy:39.1％(375/958) vs 49.0％(4 007/8 185);during pregnancy:61.2％(586/958) vs 67.0％(5 485/8 185),x2=31.842,11.667,P=0.000,0.001],multivitamin supplementation during pregnancy [43.4％(416/958) vs 48.1％(3 937/8 185),x2=7.393,P=0.007],and pregnant complications,including anemia,premature rupture of membranes,intrauterine infection,pregnancy complication heart diseases,oligohydramnios,placental abruption,placental previa,fetal distress,multiple gestation,etc [59.9％(574/958) vs 38.9％(3 184/8 185),x2=156.47l,P=0.000].Logistic regression multivariate analysis showed that the following factors were significantly associated with preterm birth:antenatal visits ＜5 times (OR=1.916,95％CI:1.060-3.462),intrauterine infection (OR=5.441,95％CI:1.723-17.176),severe preeclampsia during pregnancy (OR=11.220,95％CI:1.041-2.149),premature rupture of membranes (OR=3.188,95％CI:1.916-5.305) and placenta previa (OR=6.607,95％CI:2.919-14.801).Conclusions There are multiple factors for preterm birth in urban hospitals in east-northern part of China,and quality of antenatal care should be improved and pregnant complications should be closely monitored and managed timely.