Objective To study the immune protection of Schistosoma japonicum fatty acid binding protein (Sj14FABP) DNA vaccine enhanced by IL-12. Methods The recombinant plasmids pVIVO2-Sj14FABP and pVIVO2-IL12-Sj14FABP were constructed respectively, and were prepared on a large scale after identification. 48 male BALB/c mice were divided into 4 groups randomly. In group A, B, C, and D, each mouse was injected intramuscularly with 100 ?l 0.9% NaCl, 100?g pVIVO2, 100?g pVIVO2-Sj14FABP and 100 ?g pVIVO2-IL12-Sj14FABP respectively. 30 days after immunization each mouse was challenged with 40?2 cercariae of S. japonicum. On day 45 after challenge, all mice were sacrificed to count the number of recovered adult worms and the hepatic eggs. Sera from mice were used to detect IgG antibody. The production of IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-? in the supernatant of spleen cells was observed by means of sandwich ABC-ELISA. Results The recombinant plasmids pVIVO2-Sj14FABP and pVIVO2-IL12-Sj14FABP were constructed. The worm reduction rate in group C and D was 24.11% and 39.4%, as well as liver egg reduction rate of 27.2% and 32.8% respectively. The level of IL-2 and IFN-? in group D increased significantly, while IL-4 secretion decreased(P0.05). Conclusion Sj14FABP DNA vaccine induces partial protective immunity in BALB/c mice. IL-12 drives the immune response toward a Th1 direction, and enhances the protective immune effect of the vaccine. [

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Qingdan Capsule (QDC) and Yanggan Lidan Granule (YGLDG), two kinds of compound traditional Chinese herbal medicines, on biochemical parameters in guinea-pigs with pigment gallstones. METHODS: An animal model of pigment gallstones was established in male guinea-pigs by hypodermic injection of lincomycin. The guinea-pigs were randomly divided into blank control group, untreated group, QDC group and YGLDG group. There were 8 guinea-pigs in each group. After ten-day treatment, animals were sacrificed and sampled to calculate the rate of stone formation, total bilirubin (TB), unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) and Ca2+ density in bile of the four groups. RESULTS: In comparison with the untreated group, the rates of stone formation in the QDC and YGLDG groups were significantly decreased (P<0.01). TBIL, UCB and Ca2+ content of bile in both QDC and YGLD groups was also significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: QDC and YGLD have good effects on biochemical changes of animal model of pigment gallstone in reversing the lithogenesity of bile by reducing the content of TB, UCB and Ca2+, hence resulting in clinical treatment and prevention of pigment gallstone disease.

Objective To evaluate the effect of emulsified isoflurane on cognitive function in rats.Methods Seventy-two adult male SD rats,aged 8 weeks,weighing 250-300 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups:normal control group (group C,n =12),intralipid group(group E,n =12),and 8％ emulsified isoflurane group ( group EI,n =48).Morris water maze test was performed at 2 h after administration in group E and at 2 h,1,7,14 d after administration in 12 rats at each time point in group EI.The escape latency,staying time at the original platform quadrant,frequency of crossing the original platform and swimming speed were recorded.Orbital blood samples were taken from 6 rats in each group after water maze test for determination of the plasma corticosterone concentration,and then the animals were sacrificed and their hippocampi were removed for determination of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) contents.Brains were removed from another 6 rats in each group after water maze test for determination of the expression of BDNF and NGF in DG,CA3,CA2,CA1 of hippocampus.Results Compared with group C,in group EI the escape latency at 2 h after administration was prolonged,staying time at the original platform quadrant was shortened,the expression of BDNF in DG and CA3 of hippocampus was down-regulated and the BDNF content in hippocampus was decreased at 2 h and 1 d after administration( P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01).The escape latency was shortened and staying time at the original platform quadrant was prolonged at 7 and 14 d after administration,the content of NGF in hippocampus was increased at 1,7 and 14 d after administration and the expression of BDNF in DG and CA3 of hippocampus was up-regulated at 1d after administration as compared with those at 2 h after administration in group E1( P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01).There was no significant difference in the variables mentioned above between groups E and C( P ＞ 0.05 ).There was no significant difference in plasma corticosterone concentration among the 3 groups ( P ＞ 0.01 ).Conclusion The mechanism by which emulsified isoflurane results in transient cognitive impairment in rats is related to down-regulating the expression of BDNF in hippocampus,but not related to corticosterone and NGF.

Objective To evaluate the security and efficacy of combination of epristeride and terazosin for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Method One hundred and eighty-four patients with BPH were treated by epristeride for 6 months and terazosin for 1 month, the efficacy and complication were observed. Results After 6 months treated, compared with before treated, the common symptoms improved, the residual urine decreased 20.74ml, maximum flow rate increased 3.76 ml/s, prostate volume grown downwards 6.70cm3 and the quality of life raised apparently(Pall＜0.05 ). Condusion Combinationof epristeride and terazosin for treatment of BPH is safe and effective.

Objective To investigate the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine interferon (IFN)-γand anti-inflammatory cytokine interlenkin (IL)-10 in expressed prostatic secretions (EPS) of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) and their clinical significance. Methods The levels of IFN-γ and IL-10 in EPS of 20 patients with CP (type Ⅲ A, group A ), 20 patients with CPPS (type Ⅲ B,group B) and 10 healthy men (control group) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results were analyzed comparatively with NIH-chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI).Results The levels of IFN-γ in EPS of group A and group B were ( 14.92 ± 7.85 ), ( 13.74 ± 5.96) ng/L respectively, which were higher than that in control group [(7.47 ± 1.40) ng/L] (P ＜ 0.05 ). And the levels of IL-10 in EPS of group A and group B were (216.40 ± 33.65 ), (223.70 ± 45.21 ) ng/L respectively, which were higher than that in control group [( 162.10 ± 43.81 ) ng/L] ( P ＜ 0.05 ). There was no statistically significant difference between group A and group B. No correlation between NIH-CPSI and IFN- γ,IL-10 levels in EPS(P ＞ 0.05 ). Conclusion IFN-γ and IL-10 have a very important role in etiology of CP/CPPS and they can be the objective parameters in the diagnosis of CP/CPPS.

AIM:Discoid meniscus is named because its width and height are abnormally increased like a disc.In this study,we observed the injury classification and special features of discoid meniscus and natural meniscus,and compare the postoperative outcome of arthroscopy comparatively.METHODS:①360 cases of meniscus injury in knee joint were selected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from June 2001 to September 2006.They were divided into natural meniscus injury group(n =300),and discoid lateral meniscus injury(n =60).People with complete clinical data before operation and following data,confirmed by arthroscopy were selected.The written informed consent was obtained from them.②Meniscus injury in 360 cases was examined by arthroscopy,and plasty,or partial excision or incomplete resection or full resection was performed according to the injury types and surgical circumstance.③All subjects were followed for 6 months to 2 years.The knee function was evaluated by the criteria of Ikeuchi.RESULTS:300 cases of natural meniscus injury and 60 of discoid lateral meniscus injury were all included in the result analysis.①Five tear types of natural meniscus were as follows:43.7% longitudinal,30% radial,12.3% horizontal,7.5% transverse,and 6.5% complex.Four tear types of discoid meniscus were as follows:68.3% horizontal,6.7% radial,3.3% longitudinal,and 21.7% complex tear.②The surgical pattern was determined by the injury types,and all patients were followed up.In 300 cases of natural meniscus,there were 62 knees with excellent function,190 with good,34 with fair and 14 with poor.The excellent and good rate was 85%.In 60 cases of discoid meniscus,there were 19 knees with excellent function,34 with good,5 with fair and 2 with poor.The excellent and good rate was 90% approximately.CONCLUSION:Discoid meniscus is different in anatomical feature and histological structure from natural meniscus;therefore the arthroscopic surgery for discoid meniscus is also different.

Objective In this paper,we selected the ultrasound features of the malignant thyroid nodules to evaluate the preoperative diagnostic value of ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy ( US-FNAB )in the preoperative evaluation of thyroid nodules.Methods Thirty-nine patients with thyroid nodules managed in the department of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery,Beijing Tongren Hospital,Captial Medical University from Dec.2010 to Aug.2011 were studied.All of them were undertaken the ultrasonic examination,ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy and surgical treatment subsequently.The ultrasonic features,fine needle aspiration biopsy results and postoperative pathological results were analyzed to draw out the characteristics of sonographic features of thyroid malignant nodules.Results The sensitivity,specificity,misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis of fine needle aspiration biopsy were 80.0％,89.4％,11.0％ and 20.0％ respectively.Solid nodules,shape/dimension ratio ≥ 1,calcifications ＜ 2 mm,irregular shape,blurred margins,type Ⅲ vascularity were correlated significantly with the malignant nodules of thyroid.The specificity of shape to dimension ratio and outline of the nodules were relatively higher than others (90.5％and 85.7％ respectively).But there were no single ultrasound feature that could carry a high sensitivity and positive predictive value in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules.Conclusions Two ultrasonographic characteristics could be used together as a select indicator to screen malignant nodules which can reduce the chance of undertaking the fine needle aspiration biopsy in thyroid nodules.

Objective To evaluate the effects of isoflurane anesthesia on NR1 expression and neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus and cortex of adult rats .Methods Thirty-six adult male Sprague-Dawley rats , weighing 250-280 g ,were randomly assigned into 3 groups using a random number table :control group (group C , n=6 ) ,O2 inhalation group (group O , n=6 ) and isoflurane anesthesia group (group I , n=24 ) .The rats were exposed to 2% isoflurane (group I) ,to pure oxygen (group O) ,or to air (group C) for 2 h .At 2 h ,and 1 ,7 and 14 days after the rats were awake (T1-4 ) ,Morris water maze test was performed .The rats were then sacrificed and brains were removed for isolation of the hippocampus and cortex .NR1 expression was detected using SABC immuno-histochemical technique and neuronal apoptosis was determined using TUNEL .Results Compared with group C , the escape latency at T2 and total swimming distance at T1 ,2 were significantly prolonged , and the expression of NR1 in hippocampi was down-regulated at T1 ,2 in group I ,and the expression of NR1 in the cortex was down-regulated in O and I groups ( P<0.05) .There was no significant difference in the apoptosis index between the three groups ( P> 0.05 ) .Conclusion Isoflurane anesthesia can decrease the cognitive function transiently ,which is related to inhibition of up-regulation of NR1 expression in the hippocampi ,but not related to neuronal apoptosis in adult rats .

OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanisms of Shengqing Capsules, a compound Chinese herbal medicine for dispersing stagnated liver qi and promoting bile flow, in prevention and treatment of pigment gallstone. METHODS: Liver cells from guinea pigs with pigment gallstone were primarily cultured in vitro. The serums containing different concentrations of Shengqing Capsules were prepared by serum pharmacological method. The primary cultured hepatocytes with excessive expression of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) were stimulated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and the effects of the drug-containing serums on the NF-kappaB expression were detected by Western-blotting. RESULTS: Shengqing Capsules down-regulated the NF-kappaB expression increased by LPS stimulation. The effect is dose-dependent. CONCLUSION: Shengqing Capsules can down-regulate the NF-kappaB expression increased by LPS stimulation. It may be one of the important mechanisms of this Chinese herbal medicine in prevention and treatment for pigment gallstone formation and the inflammatory reaction in biliary tract.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of antipyretic and purgative herbs on intestinal mucosal barrier and inflammatory response in the treatment of acute cholangitis. METHODS: Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into group A (untreated group, acute cholangitis was induced, n=20), group B (treatment group, acute cholangitis was induced and treated with antipyretic and purgative herbs, n=20) and group C (sham operation group, n=20). At the third or fifth day after operation, the rats were sacrificed and sampled. The serum endotoxin, cytokines and inflammatory mediators were tested and the numbers of labeled bacteria in the liver, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes translocated from the gut were assayed. RESULTS: As compared with group A, the serum content of endotoxin, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, CRP and NO was significantly lower and that of IL-2 was significantly higher, and the translocated numbers of labeled bacteria from gut were reduced in both group B and group C (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Antipyretic and purgative herbs can play therapeutic roles in the treatment of acute biliary tract infections, including the protection of intestinal mucosal barrier from bacterial translocation, reduction of serum endotoxin content and regulation of inflammatory response.