The bioavailability of zinc in normal and zinc deficient LACA mice was investigated using isotope zinc-65. The intestinal absorption of Zn in the zinc-deficient mice (71.913.6%) was significantly higher than that in the normal mice (38.8?6.8%). No difference on Zn distribution in the body was observed. Specific activity of zinc-65 in liver, spleen, kindey and muscle in the zinc-deficient mice was significantly higher than that in the normal mice. The retention curve of zinc-65 in mice was properly fitted into two exponential functions. The biological half-times of zinc in blood, spleen, lung, femur and muscle attached to femur in the zinc-deficient mice was slower and ration ratio in the slower clearance component in the zinc-deficient mice, was larger than that in the normal mice.

ObjectiveTo study the effects of small-dose glucocorticoid (GC) on glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and cellular immune function in critical patients.MethodsForty ICU critical patients admitted in Shanghai Changzheng Hospital from March 2007 to March 2009 were enrolled in the study and were divided into GC group and non-GC group according to the use or absence of GC.Blood samples were collected at days 1,7 and 10 after GC treatment to detect GR binding affinity of mononuclear leukocytes (MNLs) and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMLs) in the peripheral blood and the CD4/CD8 ratio in the T lymphocytes.The method of GC use was that the hydrocortisone was given intravenously at a dose of 100 mg every eight hours.ResultsGR binding capacity of MNLs at day 1 and 7 showed no statistical difference between the GC and non-GC groups.GR binding capacity of MNLs in the GC group was lower at day 1 and was much lower at day 7 (P ＜ 0.05 ).However,in the non-GC group,it was lower at day 1,but showed significant improvement at day 7 ( P ＜ 0.05 ).The change of GR binding capacity of PMLs was similar to that of MNLs.There was no significant difference of CD4/CD8 ratio between the GC and non-GC group at day 1.The ratio of CD4/CD8 in the non-GC group was significantly higher than that in the GC group at day 10 (P ＜0.05).CD4/CD8 ratio in the GC group showed a slight reduction at day 10,with no significant difference from that at day 1.While,the non-GC group showed a significant increase of CD4/CD8 ratio at day 10 as compared with that at day 1 (P ＜ 0.05 ).ConclusionLow-dose GC plays some role in the negative feedback regulation of GR binding capacity of peripheral blood leukocytes and in the inhibition of cellular immune function.

Objective To investigate the effects of rhubarb on the expression of glucocorticoids receptor (GR)and peripheral blood lymphocytes in burning-induced septic rats. Methods Sixty-six male healthy Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into sham operated control group(n=18),sepsis model group(n=24) and rhubarb treatment group(n=24),each group was further randomly divided into 12,24 and 72 hours subgroups according to different time points. The model of scald sepsis was replicated by scald injury induced by boiling water at the rat back accounting for 30% total body surface area(Ⅲ grade of scald),and administration of endotoxin (5 mg/kg)into the peritoneal cavity 12 hours after scald injury. After the successful establishment of septic models, the rats in the rhubarb treatment group were immediately infused with 50 mg/kg rhubarb powder dissolved in 1 mL saline through a gastric tube,while the rats in sham operated control group and sepsis model group received saline by the same way as a substitute for rhubarb. The the binding capacity of GR of peripheral blood leucocyte and binding activity of GR of hepatocyte were analyzed by radiation ligands binding assay. The CD4+,CD8+as well as CD4+/CD8+ ratio in peripheral blood lymphocytes were detected by flow cytometer. Results The binding capacity of GR of peripheral blood leucocyte and binding activity of GR of hepatocyte were significantly decreased in a time-dependent manner in sepsis model group compared to those of the sham operated control group,while in the rhubarb treatment group they were increased in a time-dependent manner after interference of rhubarb, and they were higher than those in the model group at the same time points〔leukocyte GR binding capacity (locus/cell)at 12,24,72 hours :1 515.38±300.44,1 859.63±258.26,1 890.50±307.88 vs. 1 122.63±225.39, 1 008.88±150.41,724.38±91.19;hepatocyte GR binding capacity(fmol/mg):210.19±26.26,258.01±20.98, 283.38±38.21 vs. 153.11±30.07, 129.83±26.89, 94.08±14.30, all P<0.01〕. Compared with the sham operated control group,the CD4+ and CD8+ were decreased in various degrees at 12 hours and 24 hours in the septic group, at 24 hours the differences being statistically significant (P<0.01 and P<0.05). CD4+/CD8+ratios were decreased significantly at all time points,the differences were statistically significant at 24 hours and 72 hours(both P<0.01). The CD4+ T cell and CD4+/CD8+ ratio at all the time points were increased at various degrees in the rhubarb treatment group,and the differences from those in the sepsis model group at 24 hours and 72 hours were statistically significant (1.58±0.69, 1.56±0.49 vs. 1.02±0.41, 1.01±1.68, both P<0.01). Conclusion Rhubarb can modulate the binding capacity of GR of peripheral blood leucocyte and the binding activity of GR of hepatocyte,and via its influence on the number of peripheral leucocytes,the immune dysfunction in the sepsis processes is improved.

Objective To study protein variation between PtenL/LMEFs and Pten△/△MEFs cells.Methods Two-dimensional electrophoresis(2-DE) was employed to compare the differential expression proteins between PtenL/LMEFs and Pten△/△MEFs cells.Six differential expression proteins were digested in gel by enzyme and the mass of generated peptides was measured by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF-MS).The data obtained from peptide mass fingerprinting(PMF) were searched using the Internet available database and five proteins were identified.Results Compared with that of PtenL/LMEFs,expression level of proteins including phosphoglycerate mutase 1(PGAM1) and peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase C(PPIC) was up-regulated,whereas expression level of Transgelin 2 was down-regulated in Pten△/△MEFs cells.B and F proteins were both identified to be peroxiredoxin-6.They had similar molecular weight but different PI which might be caused by post-translation modification.B protein was only expressed in Pten△/△MEFs cells.Conclusion The protein profile of Pten△/△MEFs cells displayed obvious difference compared to that of PtenL/LMEFs cells.The results implied that various distinct different proteins might lead to cancer.

Objective To estimate the validity of Charlson' s weighted index of comorbidities (WIC) used to predicting 28-day mortality among ICU pneumonia patients with underlying diseases.Methods Aretrospective analysis of 160 adult patients with pneumonia admitted to a multi-discipline ICU of Shanghai Changzheng hospital between October 2010 and February 2012 was carried out.Clinical data were collected including age,gender,community acquired pneumonia (CAP) or hospital acquired pneumonia (HAP),underlying diseases,severity-of-sepsis,and 28-day mortality.WIC scores,acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) Ⅱ,and sepsis related organ failure assessment (SOFA) were assessed within the first 24 hours after admission.Logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the predictors for outcome.The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to compare the performance of these scores between different methods.Results Of 160 enrolled patients,76 (48.8％) were CAP,82 (51.2％) HAP,and 106 (66.3％) male,54 (33.7％) female,and 99 (61.9％) patients survived and 61 (38.1％) died.The average age was (62.4 ± 17.3) years old.Compared with survivors,WIC,APACHE Ⅱ and SOFA scores were significantly higher in death group (P ＜ 0.05).The multivariate logistic regression revealed that risk of death depends predominantly on age (OR =1.049,95％ CI:1.011-1.088,P =0.011),WIC (OR =1.725,95％ CI:1.194-2.492,P =0.004),APACHE Ⅱ score (OR =1.175,95％CI:1.058-1.305,P =0.003),SOFA score (OR =1.277,95％ CI:1.048-1.556,P =0.015),presence of ARDS (OR =0.081,95％ CI:0.008-0.829,P =0.034),and complicated with severe sepsis (OR =0.149,95％ CI:0.232-0.622,P =0.004).The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve in predicting mortality was 0.639 (0.547-0.730) for the WIC,0.782 (0.709-0.856) for APACHE Ⅱ score,0.79 (0.714-0.866) for SOFA score and 0.842 (0.777-0.907) for the merger of three.Conclusions In pneumonia patients of ICU,WIC is a useful approach to predicting 28-day mortality,and the risk of death significantly depends on co-morbidities.

Objective To enhance the cognition about the adult contagious atypical pneumonia for an expectation of earlier diagnosis, prevention and treatment.Methods We analyzed and summarized X-ray lung and clinical characteristics of 34 patients with contagious atypical pneumonias who were admitted to our hospital from Feb to April. 2003.Results X-ray findings of lung were characterized by mostly involving unilateral and presenting ill defined cloud or patches-form opacities. These lesions progressed and varied rapidly. The clinical manifestations were characterized by the onset of fever (34/34), mostly associated with systemic and joint aching pains (29/34) and dry coughs (29/34). Leucocyte counts showed normal or lower than normal. Patient with a continuing high fever might tend to develop ARDS (2/34). All the 34 patients recovered after combined therapies (anti-inflammation, anti-virus and promoting immunity ) and were discharged from hospital. The average in-hospital days were (10.6?4.2) days. Conclusion X-ray examination is the main method for the early diagnosis and observing state-variation. The predominant clinical features of this disease are fever, dry cough, aching pain in extremities, unconspicuous pulmonary signs as well as hemogram not rising, a continuing high fever may lead to the tendency of ARDS.

Objective:To isolate genes related to benflumetol resistance in the rodent malaria P.berghei K173 strain.Methods:The mRNA differential display technique was used to identify differentially expressed genes between drug-sensitive P.berghei K173 strain and benflumetol-resistant strain selected under benflumetol pressure.Northern blot was performed in order to determine the genes actually derived from maternal strains.Results:PCR reactions were prepared respectively with twenty-four pairs of primers in each of the strains.Thirty-three differentially displayed genes fragments were cloned and eight of them were sequenced. The eight sequences were novel ESTs and were submitted to GenBank. Homology searching revealed that clone CB52 was slightly homologous to P.falciparum cyclophilin gene. Hybridization confirmed that the gene fragment CB52 was upregulated in the benflumetol-resistant parasite strain, while downregulated in the chloroquine-resistant strain.Conclusions:CB52 fragment was involved in the benflumetol resistance in P.berghei and the genetic mechanisms of drug-resistance to benflumetol and chloroquine were different.

Objective To discuss the clinical diagnostic and guiding treatment value of changed positions of hyoid bonein the upper airway of patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome. Methods 128-slice computed tomography was performed for 52 patients with severe OSAHS and 32normal healthy people to measure thehyoid bone in the upper airway in sober state and Muller maneuver. The correlationsbetweenthese indexes were analyzed under linear relation. Results (1)In comparison of the Muller maneuver with sober state , chinnodules and palatal plane to the hyoid in the OSAHS group were statistically higher than the healthy controlgroup (P < 0.001). (2)The distance of hyoid to chinnodules in the OSAHS group was significantlylonger and greater than that of the healthy control group (P < 0.001).(3)The distance of palatal plane to the hyoid was positively correlated with AHI , while thedistances of palatal plane andchinnodules to the hyoidwere both negatively correlated with MSaO2. Conclusion The changes ofhyoid positionare indicative for the clinical diagnosis and is helpful for the guidance of clinical treatment of OSAHS.

Objective To improve our understanding of localized Castleman's disease ( Localized Castleman's disease, LCD) ,and to improve its diagnosis and treatment. Methods Clinical characteristics and treatment of 26 LCD cases were retrospectively analyzed, and its clinical features and treatment strategies were reviewed. Results Among the 26 cases, there were 10 cases with clinical symptoms, which mainly showed local pain induced by the compression of the tumors, and 3 in the 10 cases associated with paraneoplastic pemphigus. The swollen lymph node was at a localized area, which was mostly at retroperitoneal (10 cases) and mediastinum (7 cases). The CT scan of LCD had its special characters including local calcification and necrosis. 22 cases were of hyaline vascular type, and the other 4 cases were of plasma type based on histopathologic examination. Twenty-five patients received complete tumor resection and 2 cases of them recurred after a follow-up of 5 to 206 months averaging at 48 ± 13 months. In one case the tumor adjoining vital organs deep in the mediastinum couldn't be completely resected. This patient and another with complete tumor resection recurred and received combined chemotherapy with complete tumor disappearance and were all alive without recurrence as found by follow up to May, 2010. The other patient with recurrent tumor after tumor resection didn't receive chemotherapy and died 11 years later. Conclusions LCD patients mainly have isolated lymphadenectasis, and some patients may have systemic symptom and show abnormal laboratory results. CT scan is helpful in establishing a diagnosis of LCD.Complete surgical resection offers a favorite result for this disease.

Clinical features and related information on diagnosis and treatment of 45 cases of Castleman's disease (CD) were retrospectively analyzed.Based on the clinical classification, localized CD (LCD) was found in 26 cases, multicentric CD (MCD) was found in 19 cases.Most cases of LCD presented the symptoms of compression, while MCD had complicated and non-specific clinical manifestations, making the early diagnosis more difficult.All 26 cases with LCD underwent surgery, among which only 2 cases relapsed.Sixteen out of 19 patients with MCD were treated with glucocorticoids or combined chemotherapy, and 14 cases achieved complete or partial remission.The results show that patients with CD have variant manifestation and the diagnosis depend on CT scan or histopathology examination.Most LCD can be cured by complete surgical resection, and MCD can achieve remission by the treatment with glucocorticoids or combined chemotherapy.