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 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 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 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.

This study examined the current changes of human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) mutation derived from a LQT2 Chinese family with a highly penetrating phenotype. Mutation was identified and site-directed mutagenesis was performed to induce the mutation in wild-type (WT) hERG. WT hERG and mutated V535M were cloned and transiently expressed in HEK293 cells. At the 48th and 72nd h after transfection, membrane currents were recorded using whole cell patch-clamp procedures. An A>G transition at 1605 resulting in replacement of V535M was identified. Compared to WT, V535M mutation significantly decreased tail currents of hERG. At test potential of -40 mV after depolarizing at +50 mV, tail current densities were 83.35±7.06 pA/pF in WT and 50.38±7.74 pA/pF in V535M respectively (n=20, P<0.01). Gating kinetics of hERG revealed that V (1/2) of steady-state inactivation shifted to negative potential in the mutant (V (1/2,V535M): -61.81±1.7 mV vs. V (1/2, WT): -43.1±0.71 mV). The time constant of recovery from inactivation was markedly prolonged in the mutant compared to WT among test potentials. V535M hERG mutation demonstrated markedly decreased tail current densities, which suggests that V535M is a new loss-of-function mutation of hERG channel responsible for LQT2.

We review the safety and efficacy of antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) in different pregnant populations at risk of preterm birth. According to the current evidence, attention should be paid to the following aspects: Pregnant women with fetal growth restriction exposuring to ACS are more likely to deliver a low birth weight infant, repeated administration without indications is not recommended; Though ACS is beneficial to pregnant women with premature rupture of membranes complicated by chorionic amniotic inflammation, it is not recommended to use uterine inhibitors for completing the treatment of ACS. For those with acute chorionic amniotic inflammation, pregnancy should be terminated as soon as possible; For twin/multiple pregnancies, the ACS therapy is the same as for singletons, but the efficacy is controversial.

Objective In order to evaluate the possible effects of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) on graft versus host disease (aGVHD) development and clinical outcomes,this study systematically detected the dynamic changes of MDSCs accumulation in patients during the first 100 days after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).Methods Peripheral blood was obtained from 30 patients and 10 healthy volunteers with heparin anticoagulant tubes for 6 mL.For patients,peripheral blood was collected during the first 100 days after allo-HSCT and MDSCs levels were detected by flow cytometry.For measuring the serum concentrations of IL-6,IL-10,IL-1β,TNF-α,Arg-1,HO-1 and iNOS,samples were analyzed using ELISA kits.Results Patients developing aGVHD were infused with significantly less number of MDSCs [(39.94 ± 8.383) 106/kg]than in those not developing aGVHD [(209.0 ± 57.68) 106/kg,P =0.002 6];Patients developing aGVHD Ⅰ-Ⅱ and patients without aGVHD received significantly greater number of MDSCs [(61.96 ± 13.67) 106/kg and (209.0 ± 57.68) 106/kg] than in those developing aGVHD Ⅲ-Ⅳ [(20.37 ±4.304) 106/kg,P =0.013 9].After allo-HSCT,the mean percentage of MDSCs increased markedly in patients developing aGVHD [(7.725 ± 1.460)％] as compared with those not developing aGVHD [(3.423± 1.044)％,P =0.021 3].The high MDSCs group (＞53.712 × 106/kg) showed more favorable clinical outcomes than in the low MDSCs group (≤53.712 × 106/kg).The 2-year overall survival rate as 100％ in high MDSCs group,and 50％ in low MDSCs group (P =0.001 3).The cumulative incidence of 2-year relapse was 6.250％ and 29.252％ in high MDSCs group and low MDSCs group respectively (P =0.112 3).The cumulative incidence of NRM was significantly lower in high MDSCs group (0％) than in low MDSCs group (49.519％,P=0.001 8).MDSCs frequencies significantly increased in patients developing aGVHD after allo-HSCT.After allo-HSCT,the concentrations of IL-6,IL-10,TNF-α,Arg-1,iNOS and HO-1 were significantly elevated in patients developing aGVHD.Conclusion The number of MDSCs when engraftment may be used as a predictor for the development and severity of aGVHD.MDSCs might be considered as a potential new approach to regulate transplant rejection and achieve long-term survival.

Objective To measure volume of breast cancer , calculate tumor volume doubling time (TVDT), and analyze the correlated factors affecting TVDT using three-dimensional ultrasound (3D-US). Methods We applied 3D-US to measure the volume of breast cancer of BI-RADS-US 4A classified by conventional ultrasound. The breast cancer case scanned by 3D-US at least twice (the interval is 3 months at least) without any medical intervention were included in the study. We calculated TVDT according to the formula, and analyzed the affecting factors of TVDT using multiple linear regression. Results Sixty-nine cases were enrolled in the study. The TVDT of breast cancer were from 66 to 521 days , in an average of 185 ± 126 days and the median time of 164 days. We found that: ① there were no statistics significances in TVDT between different breast cancer pattern , smoothing border lines , speculated sign , hyperechoic halo , microcalcification and different rear echo (P > 0.05). ② TVDT of different age groups, lymph node metastasis, pathological grade and NPI score were significantly different (P < 0.05), while menstrual cycle, family history of breast cancer and molecular typing showed no difference (P > 0.05). ③ TVDT of patients with different expression of ER, PR and Ki-67, molecular typing showed statistically difference (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between different level of HER2 (P >0.05). ④ multi-factor analysis showed that the NPI score, lymph node metastasis, Ki-67 and molecular typing of breast cancer were relative factors in TVDT (P < 0.05). Conclusions The NPI score , lymph node metastasis , Ki-67 and molecular typing significantly correlate with TVDT of breast cancer. Triple-negative breast cancer in molecular typing has the fastest growth rate.

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.