Objective:To assess the possible role of expression of TGFα and EGFR in nasal polyps and its re-lationship with PCNA labeling index. Method: Specimens from 20 patients of nasal polyps were studied with im-munohistochemical technique. Result: The expression of TGFα,EGFR and PCNA were increased in the epitheli-um, gland cells and inflammatory cells of nasal polyps. There was a close correlation between the intensities ofTGFα,EGFR and PCNA. Conclusion: TGFα may play a key role in epithelial cell proliferation in nasal polyps.

In order to improve the accuracy for quantitating the bovine foamy virus(BFV)in vitro,we developed a baby hamster kidney cell(BHK)-21-derived indicator cell line containing a plasmid that encodes the firefly luciferase driven by the BFV long terminal repeat promoter(LTR,from -7 to 1012). The BFV titer could be determined by detecting the luciferase expression since the viral trans-activator BTas protein activates the promoter activity of the LTR. One clone,designated BFVL,was selected from ten neomycin-resistant clones.BFVL showed a specific and inducible dose-and time-dependent luciferase activity in response to BFV infection.Although the changes in luciferase activity of BFVL peaked at 84 h post infection,it was possible to differentiate infected and uninfected cells at 48 h post infection. A linear relationship was established between the multiplicity of infection(MOI)of BFV and the activated ratio of luciferase expression in BFVL. Moreover,the sensitivity of the BFVL-based assay for detecting infectious BFV was 10,000 times higher than the conventional CPE-based assay at 48 h post infection. These findings suggest that the BFVL-based assay is rapid,easy,sensitive,quantitative and specific for detection of BFV infection.

This study examined endogenous cannabinoid (ECB)-anandamide (AEA) and its cannabinoid receptors (CBR) in mice liver with the development of schistosoma japonicum. Mice were infected with schistosoma by means of pasting the cercaria onto their abdomens. Liver fibrosis was pathologically confirmed nine weeks after the infection. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to determine the concentration of AEA in the plasma of mice. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of CBR1 and CBR2 in liver tissue. Morphological examination showed typical pathological changes, with worm tubercles of schistosoma deposited in the liver tissue, fibrosis around the worm tubercles and infiltration or soakage of inflammatory cells. Also, CBR1 and CBR2 were present in hepatocytes and hepatic sinusoids of the two groups, but they were obviously enhanced in the schistosoma-infected mice. However, the average optical density of CBR1 in the negative control and fibrosis group was 13.28+/-7.32 and 30.55+/-7.78, and CBR2 were 28.13+/-6.42 and 52.29+/-4.24 (P<0.05). The levels of AEA in the fibrosis group were significantly increased as compared with those of the control group. The concentrations of AEA were (0.37+/-0.07) and (5.67+/-1.34) ng/mL (P<0.05). It is concluded that the expression of endocannabinoids AEA and its cannabinoid receptor CBR were significantly increased in schistosoma-infected mice. Endogenous endocannabinoids may be involved in the development of schistosoma-induced liver fibrosis.
Arachidonic Acids/*metabolism ; Endocannabinoids/*metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis/etiology ; Liver Cirrhosis/*metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis/parasitology ; Polyunsaturated Alkamides/*metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/*metabolism ; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/*metabolism ; Schistosomiasis japonica/*complications ; Schistosomiasis japonica/metabolism

Objective:To explore the expression of peptidyl prolyl cis-trans isomerase (Pin1) activity in peripheral blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the value and correlation of T helper cell 17/regulatory cells (Th17/Treg) cells, and to analyze the effect and influence of all-transretinoic acid (ATRA) on it.Methods:① Comparing the difference of Pin1 expression and absolute counts of Th17 and Treg between RA patients before and after treatment and healthy control group, Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test was used for analysis. ② To analyze the correlation between the expression of Pin1 and its general data, activity indicators [such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and disease activity score 28 joints (DAS28) scores], Th17, Treg and some cytokines in RA patients, and to use Pearson and Spearman correlation tests. ③ To analyze the difference of Pin1 expression and Th17/Treg in peripheral blood of RA patients treated with low-dose all-trans retinoic acid (10 mg twice a week) and traditional immunosuppressants such as hydroxychloroquine for 3 months respectively. Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison between the two groups, and the difference was statistically significant with ( P<0.05). Results:① The activity of Pin1 in peripheral blood of the newly treated group of RA was [13.62(9.16, 19.42)] higher than that of the healthy control group [8.97(7.62, 11.45)]( Z=42.82 , P<0.05), and Th17 was [18.28(12.76, 24.08)] higher than that of the healthy control group [6.04(4.96, 4.96)]( Z=48.83 , P<0.05). Treg [11.06(5.31, 21.87). It was lower than that of healthy control group [40.41(24.33, 48.52)]( Z=42.21 , P<0.05). ② the activity of Pin1 in peripheral blood of RA patients was positively correlated with CRP, the number of involved joints, DAS28 score, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) ( r=0.396, P<0.05; r=0.683, P<0.05; r=0.466, P<0.05; r=0.315, P<0.05; r=0.416, P<0.05). ③ Compared with the newly treated RA group, the activity of Pin1 [6.94(5.96, 8.77), Z=42.82 , P<0.05] and Th17 7.38 decreased [7.38(3.85, 11.21), Z=48.83 , P<0.05], while Treg [40.41 (17.77, 33.47)] increased ( Z=42.21 , P<0.05). ④ Compared with the traditional medicine group, Treg [28.9(21.73, 37.36)] was higher in the retinoic acid group, and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=-2.683 , P<0.05). The activity of Pin1 was [6.23(5.58, 8.75)], but there was no statistical significance ( Z=-1.622 , P=0.104). Conclusion:Pin1 in peripheral blood of RA patients is over-expressed. Th17 is increased and Treg is decreased. ATRA combined with other traditional drugs can reduce Pin1 activity, promote Treg growth and improve disease activity of RApatients to a certain extent.

Objective To investigate the diagnosis and therapy of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN) and correlation to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Methods The clinical and pathological data about age, liquid-based cytology, human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA test, colposcopy,histology types and treatment in 35 patients with VAIN were reviewed to investigate the diagnosis and therapy of VAIN and correlation to CIN. Results Mean age at presentation was 43.9 years. The percentage of VAIN I, VAINⅡ and VAINⅢ were 52% (18/35), 34% (12/35) and 14% (5/35), respectively. 8% (1/13) of patients were younger than 40 years developed VAIN Ⅲ, while 18% (4/22) patients were eider than 40 years. There were 83% (29/35) cases were diagnosed from 2007 to June 2008. 69% (24/35) or 17% (6/35) cases had the history of CIN or cervical cancer, respectively. VAIN Ⅱ - Ⅲ accounted for 3/9, 53% (8/15) and 4/6 of CIN I , CIN Ⅱ - Ⅲ and cervical cancer, respectively. There were 87% (13/15) positive high risk HPV infection in VAIN Ⅰ , while 100% in VAIN Ⅱ and VAINⅢ. There were 97% (33/34) cases with abnormality for liquid-based cytology and 86% (30/35) cases of lesions were located in the upper 1/3 vagina. Among 19 cases received therapy, 14 eases (74%) were treated by surgery, 2 eases (11%) by brachytherapy, 3 cases (16%) used drug on the surface of vagina and the lesions were shown recovery in 9 cases followed up. Conclusion The clinical characteristics of VAIN are similar to CIN and the principles of diagnosis and treatment are also the same as that of CIN.

In order to quantitate the bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) infection in vitro, a BIV indicator cell line (BIVL) was established by transfecting baby hamster kidney cells with reporter plasmids containing the firefly luciferase gene driven by a BIV long terminal repeat promoter. The BIV activates promoter activity of the LTR to express luciferase upon infection. BIV infection could therefore by quantified by detection of luciferase activity. Compared to standard assays used to detect BIV infection, the BIVL-based assay is 10 times more sensitive than the the CPE-based assay, and has similar sensitivity with the viral capsid protein Western blot assay. BIV indicator cell line could detect BIV infection specifically. Luciferase activity of BIV infected BIVL cells showed a time dependent manner, and 60 h post infection is the optimal time to detect BIV infection. Luciferase activity of BIVL cells correlates with the BIV capsid protein expression. Moreover, a linear relationship was found between MOI and the activated intensity of luciferase expression. In brief, the BIV indicator cell line is an easy, robust and quantitive method for monitoring BIV infection.

Viruses (e.g. Human immunodeficiency virus, Human simplex virus and Prototype foamy virus) are obligate intracellular parasites and therefore depend on the cellular machinery for cellular trafficking. Bovine foamy virus (BFV) is a member of the Spumaretrovirinae subfamily of Retroviruses, however, details of its cellular trafficking remain unknown. In this study, we cloned the BFV gag gene into prokaryotic expression vector pET28a and purified the denaturalized Gag protein. The protein was used to immunize BALB/c mouse to produce antiserum, which could specifically recognize the BFV Gag protein in BFV-infected cells through western blot assay. Additionally, these results demonstrated that both the optimal and suboptimal cleavage of Gag protein occur in BFV-infected cells. Subsequently, the Gag antiserum was used to investigate subcellular localization of BFV. In immunofluorescence microscopy assays, colocalization microtubules (MTs) and assembling viral particles were clearly observed, which implied that BFV may transport along cellular MTs in host cells. Furthermore, MTs-depolymerizing assay indicated MTs were required for the efficient replication of BFV. In conclusion, our study suggests that BFV has evolved the mechanism to hijack the cellular cytoskeleton for its replication.

Objective To explore the clinical value of prospective electrocardiography-triggering high-pitch spiral acquisition by dual-source CT (HP mode ) in children with congenital heart diseases (CHD).MethodsThirty-six patients ( mean age:0.67 years,range:1 month to 2 years and 6 months; 25 males;mean weight:7.7 kg)underwent prospective ECG-triggering high-pitch spiral acquisition.The dose length product (DLP) was recorded to calculate effective dose ( ED ).Two experienced radiologists made diagnosis and assessed the overall image quality by a five-point scale independently.The consistency of their judgment was determined by Kappa statistics.Surgeries were performed in 29 patients,and conventional cardiac angiography(CCA) was performed in 7 patients.The accuracy,sensitivity and specificity of HP mode were calculated based on the surgical or CCA findings.ResultsThe DLP was (5.12 ± 1.64) mGy.cm with a range of 2.4 mGy · cm to 9.2 mGy · cm and ED was (0.125 ± 0.027 ) mSv ranging from 0.078 mSv to 0.179 mSv.The average subjective image quality score was 4.2 ± 0.7.All images were diagnosable.Two radiologists made good agreement ( K =0.774,P ＜ 0.05 ).The accuracy,sensitivity and specificity of HP mode were 98.9％,94.2％ and 99.8％,respectively.ConclusionLow radiation dose with the accurate diagnosis of anomalies makes HP mode a new choice for children with CHD.

Objective To explore the potential mechanism of abnormal behavior resulted from maternal separation in neo-natal period in rat. Methods Neonatal rats were equally and randomly divided into maternal separation group and control group. The rats in maternal separation group were separated from the dam for 3h per day on postnatal days (PND) 2 to 21, nothing was done to the rats in the control group. The brain tissues were taken out after being killed on PND 7, 14, and 21. The expressions of Caveolin-l, BDNF and GFAP in hippocampal formation were detected by immunohistochemistry. Semiquantitative assessment of immunohistochemical images was performed by Image-Pro Plus software. Results Compared with control groups, the expres-sion of Caveolin-l on PND 7 had no signiifcant change, while BDNF and GFAP were signiifcantly increased in maternal separa-tion group (P<0.05). On PND 14 and 21, the expressions of Caveolin-l, BDNF and GFAP were signiifcantly decreased in maternal separation group (P<0.05). Conclusions Decreased expressions of Caveolin-l, BDNF and GFAP caused by maternal separation in neonatal period may be associated with abnormal behaviors in adulthood in rat.

Objective To evaluate the different methods of blood purification for acute septic renal injury (AKI) in respect of outcome by using RIFLE(risk,injury,failure,loss and end-stage renal disease)criteria and A-PACHE Ⅱ score. MethodData of 96 patients with ASRI admired to ICU of Tianhe Hospital, Tianjin, from March 2004 to September 2006 were analyzed. Including criteria: 2001 International Sepsis Definitions Conference and 2004 RIFLE criteria of AKI. The methods of blood purification used continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT, n=54) and imermittent hemodialysis (IHD, n=42).The patients of CRRT group could be classified into stages Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ referred to RIFLE criteria. Excel was evaluated to set up clinical data base from documented material. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 11. 5 software. Physical signs, laboratory findings, variation of APACHE Ⅱ score and outcomes of patients were documented evaluated. Data of two groups compared using indepent samples T test, before and after the treatment compared using paired-samples T test, rate compared using chi-square test. Results①There were no statistical differences in APACHE Ⅱ score and creatinine (Cr) between CRRT group and IHD group before treatment (P>0.05). The mortalities of CRRT group and IHD group were 51.9％ and 52.4％, respectively (P>0.05), but the recovery rates of renal function in CRRT group and IHD group were 92.3％ and 65.0％ ,respectively (P< 0.05).②Mean arterial pressure (MAP),oxygen saturation (SpO2) of CRRT group were lower than those of IHD group (P<0.05) and they increased to some extent after treatment (P< 0.05). ③In the patients of stag Ⅰ ,the survival rate was 78.6％, APACHE Ⅱ score was 25.4± 2.5 before treatment, renal function recovery rate was 90.9％ ,and APACHE Ⅱ changed - 13.6 ± 4.3, while those relevant markers in the patients of stage Ⅲ were 38.1％, 36.1 ± 5.7,62.5 ％ and - 7.1 ± 4.2, respectively (P<0.05). ConclusionsThe RIFLE criteria has guiding significance for the early diagnosis and prognosis of ASRI,and the RIFLE and APACHE Ⅲ score may help to choose the optimum opportunity of treatment and the early CRRT as soon as possible after diagnosis can improve the outcome of patients with acute septic renal injury.