Abstract: TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway has a wide range of biological activities and plays an important roles in regulating cell growth, adhesion, differentiation, cell dynamic balance, and immune responses. The higher activity of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway may promote scar formation, organ fibrosis, immunosuppression, and late-stage cancer progression, while low activity may lead to inflammation, dysplasia, poor healing and oncogenesis. The function of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway is extremely complex and can exhibit inhibitory or enhancing effects on immunity and inflammation under different circumstances, but immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects are dominant. During HIV infection, the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway interacts with HIV in a complex manner as HIV proteins tat and gp120 can induce TGF-β expression. Meanwhile, this signaling pathway may also play a role in HIV infection and replication, latent virus reservoir, host immune deficiency and HIV-related inflammation. It is worth noting that even though TGF-β, which mainly exhibits anti-inflammatory effects, is induced by HIV, high levels of TGF-β do not seem to inhibit HIV-related inflammation. So far, the relationship between TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and HIV infection has not been elucidated, and its role and mechanism in HIV infection and related illnesses need further exploration and validation. This review summarizes the relevant research progress on the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and HIV infection, and provides a reference for further understanding of HIV pathogenesis and exploring strategies of AIDS treatment.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effects of platelet-rich plasma in treatment of DeepⅡburn wounds. Methods Sixty eight cases of inpatients with Deep Ⅱburns were selected, whose age were from 1 to 65 years and their burn areas were between 5%~62%of total body surface area (TBSA). Deep gradeⅡburn of each sample was divided into two parts. Part A was the treatment group and part B was the control group.The burn wounds in the treatment group were treated with platelet-rich plasma and the counterpart in the control group were treated with SD-Ag. Healing time ,recovering rate and the frequency of dressing changes,frequency of changing the most innerlayer gauze and the rate of wound infection were also analyzed. Finally the laboratory abnormalities and adverse effect were monitored regularly. Results The healing time of the treatment group (16.5±3.1 ) d was shorter than that of the control group (19.5±3.8 ) d. The recovering rate of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group on the 14th and 17th day after treatment. There were statistically sig?nificant differences between these two groups (P<0.05). After two weeks’treatment, the internal and external dressing per?meability into wet gauze layers were 20.6 ± 1.7, which were significantly decreased than that in the control group 23.3 ± 5.9. The frequency of dressing changes was(7.2±1.1)times in treatment group versus(9.2±1.4)times in control group and the frequency of changing the inner most layer gauze was( 2.3±0.6)times in the treatment group versus(5.3±1.3)times in con?trol group. There were 5 inflammation reaction cases in the treatment group, but 13 cases in the control group. However, there was no statistic significance between the two group in the outcomes of bacterial culture, the laboratory abnormalities and the adverse effect. Conclusion Platelet-rich plasma can remarkably shorten the healing time,improve healing rate,re?duce frequency of dressing change and promote wound healing for deepⅡburn wound. PRP is a potential safety reagent in treating deepⅡburn wound.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of the cognitive impairment about attentional network among amphetamine-induced psychiatric disorders. Methods Amphetamine-induced psychiatric disorders ( n = 100) and normal controls ( n = 100) were assessed with Attentional Network Test(ANT) in the first week and the fourth week. Results Compared with the control group, the first ANT's response time was significantly increased, and the correct rate, orienting and executive control network were significantly reduced in Amphetamineinduced psychiatric disorders( eg:response time ( 867. 37 ± 272.24 ) ms vs ( 668.56 ± 136. 20 ) ms, correct rate (0.88 ±0.06 ) ms vs (0.88 ±0.06) ms ,orienting( - 217.86 ± 198.00 ) ms vs ( -59.67 ± 85.07 ) ms and executive control network ( 184.74 ± 66.61 ) ms vs ( 74.71 ± 50.77 ) ms, P ＜ 0.01 ), but the alerting network was higher ( ( 151.17 ± 198.27 ) ms vs (50.60 ± 67.47 ) ms). In the second ANT results, there was no significant difference between two groups. Compared with the first ANT results of amphetamine-induced psychiatric disorders, the second ANT had shorten response time ,that the correct rate, orienting and executive control network were significantly increased(P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusion These results suggest that amphetamine-induced psychiatric disorders have impairment in cognitive function, but these impairment can be recovered within one month.

One hundred and seventy-two strains of endophytic fungi were isolated from Taxus mairei,Cephalotaxus fortunei and Torreya grandis cv.merrillia.The result of the antifungal assay shows that ninety strains of the fungi have antagonism against one or more botanical pathogenic fungi,such as Neurospora sp.,Trichoderma sp.,Fusarium sp.etc.The percentage of antifungal strains to tested strains are as follows:40% Cephalotaxus fortunei,54.2% Taxus mairei,57.1% Torreya grandis cv.merrillia.Thirty-five strains have high antifungal activities,and their inhibition zone diameter is at least 15mm.The active endophytic fungi were identified as 18 genera,most of which belong to Paecilomyces and Fusarium etc.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Dust ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mental Health ; statistics & numerical data ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; Steel ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of domestic Sirolimus-eluting stents (Firebird) and imported Zotalimus-eluting stents ( Resolute) in the treatment of patients with unprotected left main coronary artery disease ( ULMCA) . Methods We retrospectively enrolled 76 patients with ULMCA treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) under the guidance of IVUS in our hospital. According to the different stents used in the procedure, the patients were divided into two groups: Domestic Sirolimus-Eluting Stents group (Firebird group, n = 42) and Imported Zotarolimus-Eluting Stents group (Resolute group, n = 34) . We analyzed the baseline characteristics, coronary artery lesion characteristics, stenting strategies and any changes in left ventricular ejection fraction ( LVEF) in both groups and investigated the long-term clinical outcomes. Results There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics, the SYNTAX scores of the coronary artery lesion and the rate of complete revascularization between the two groups. Compared with that in Firebird group, there were more cases involving the distal left main (79. 4% vs. 45. 2% , P ﹤ 0. 05) and more patients using two stents strategies (29. 4% vs. 7. 1% , P ﹤ 0. 05) in the Resolute group. The change in LVEF post-PCI had no difference between the two groups. The patients were followed up for a mean of (23. 3 ± 10. 7) months. During the follow-up period, the occurrence of MACCE had no significant difference between the two groups. In the Firebird group, there were one sudden cardiac death, one nonfatal myocardial infarction, one stroke and five patients with recurrence of angina pectoris. In the Resolute group there were one sudden cardiac death, one target lesion revascularization and four patients with recurrence of angina pectoris. Conclusions Compared with the imported Zotalimus-Eluting Stents, the domestic Sirolimus-Eluting Stents are safe and effective in the treatment of patients with unprotected left main lesions under the guidance of IVUS. The two kinds of stent showed similar long-term clinical outcomes.

Objective To probe the value of ultrasound in detection of malignant foci among multiple thyroid nodules. Methods Ultrasonograms of 83 patients with pathologically confirmed thyroid cancer combined with benign nodules were analyzed.Results Among 83 patients of thyroid carcinoma, 89 malignant and 87 benign nodules were detected with ultrasound. Significant differences of two-dimensional ultrasounic signs including low echoes, border fuzzy, micro-calcification and rear echo attenuation were found bteween malignant and benign nodules (P<0.01). There were significant differences in the grade Ⅱ, Ⅲ blood flow between malignant and benign ones (P<0.01). Of 89 malignant nodules, small thyroid carcinoma with diameter ≤1 cm accounted for 52.81% (47/89), and ultrasound diagnostic rate of all cancer nodules was 67.42% (60/89).Conclusion Ultrasounic characteristics including low echoes, border fuzzy, micro-calcification, rear echo attenuation and internal rich blood flow contribute to differentiate the thyroid microcarcinoma from multinodules.In particular, the microcarcinoma should not be ignored.

Aim Toresearchthemolecularmecha-nisms of DADS-induced apoptosis in human leukemia K562cells.Methods Cellviabilitywasmeasuredby MTT. Levels of DADS-induced ROS were measured by 2ˊ, 7ˊ-dichlorofluorescein diacetate ( DCFH-DA) fluo-rescence. DADS-induced mRNA levels of components of the NADPH oxidase were detected by Real-time PCR. The combination of protein Rac2 and p67phox was measured by immunoprecipitation assays. Flow cy-tometry methods were used to determine the percentage of apoptosis cells. DADS-induced Rac2 levels were measuredbyWesternblot.Results TheDADS-trea-ted K562 cells showed a dose-and time-dependent de-crease in cell viability and proliferation. There was sig-nificant up-regulation of the mRNA level of components of the NADPH oxidase complex in K562 cells after treatment with 6 mg·L-1 DADS for 6 h. Western blot results revealed that, compared with the control group, there was a significant up-regulation of Rac2 protein in K562 cells treated with 5. 0 and 10. 0 mg·L-1 DADS for 24h. And Rac2 combined with p67phox in DADS-induced apoptosis in K562 cells. PMA markedly in-creased the percentage of apoptotic cells, and DPI re-duced the percentage of apoptotic cells in DADS-in-duced K562 cells. Levels of DADS-induced ROS, also showed enhancement when exposed in PMA, but there was no DADS-induced ROS production evident when exposed in DPI in DADS induced K562 cells. Conclu-sions TheseresultsindicatethatNADPHoxidaseis the main source of DADS-induced ROS production. Diallyl disulfide induces apoptosis in human leukemia K562 cells through activation of NADPH oxidase.

Objective To summarize the experience of establishing the stable rat model of chronic allograft nephropathy. Methods We used Fisher rats as donors and Lewis rats as recipients.After the left kidney of the donor perfused in situ under hypothermic condition, the left renal vein,abdominal aorta and bladder flap of the donor was anastomosed with the left renal vein, renal artery and bladder of the recipient, respectively. The recipients were given cyclosporin oral solution 10 mg/kg every day by gavage for 10 days after transplantation. The blood and urine samples were collected 1 month, 2 months and 4 months after transplantation and renal function and total urine protein were examined. The pathological changes of the renal allograft were observed 2 and 4 months after transplantation. Results Forty-five rats received operation and achievement ratio was 85%. The renal transplantations were finished in 120 ± 20 min. The Scr, BUN, Cycs and total urine protein demonstrated a significant increase one month after transplantation. On the second and fourth month,with the exception of urine protein continued to increase, the other indicators did not change significantly. Two months after transplantation renal pathology demonstrated light to moderate interstitial fibrosis, infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells. At 4th month the renal allografts showed extensive interstitial fibrosis, a large number of infiltrating interstitial cells, thickening,hardening, occlusion of glomerular basement membrane, and renal tubular atrophy that were consistent with pathological changes of chronic allograft nephropathy. Conclusion Through adequate surgical training and improvement, and specification for rat nephrectomy, transplantation surgery,and postoperative management in every detail, the model with high success rate and stability can be achieved.

Through scale-up cultivation of Eriobotrya japonica suspension cells using WAVE bioreactor, the cell growth and ursolic acid (UA) accumulation were studied. The comparison test was carried out in the flask and the reactor with cell dry weight (DW) and UA content as evaluation indexes. The culture medium, DW and UA content were compared in 1 L and 5 L working volumes of bioreactor. The orthogonal test with main actors of inoculation amount, speed and angle of rotation was developed to find the optimal combination, in 1 L working volume of bioreactor. DW of the cell growth and the UA content in bioreactor were higher than those of the shaker by 105.5% and 27.65% respectively. In bioreactor, the dynamic changes of elements in the fluid culture, the dry weight of the cell growth and the UA content in 1 L and 5 L working volumes were similar. Inoculation of 80 g, rotational speed of 26 r · min(-1), and angle of 6 ° was the optimal combination, and the cell biomass of 19.01 g · L(-1) and the UA content of 27.750 mg · g(-1) were achieved after 100 h cultivation in 1 L working volume of bioreactor. WAVE Bioreactor is more suitable than flasks for the E. japonica cell suspension culture, and culture parameters can be achieved from 1 L to 5 L amplification.
Biomass ; Bioreactors ; Cell Culture Techniques ; instrumentation ; methods ; Culture Media ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Eriobotrya ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Triterpenes ; analysis ; metabolism