Refractory childhood epilepsy refers to those cases with dififcult control of epileptic attacks after at least two formal anticonvulsants treatment. Recently, ketogenic diet (KD), a high-fat, low-carbohydrate and adequate-protein diet, becomes an important method for the treatment of refractory epilepsy in children. Before employing KD, children should be checked to exclude known metabolic diseases. Although the mechanism of KD treatment is not entirely clear, it has a certain clinical curative effect. Many factors inlfuence the curative effect of KD. Most of the adverse effects of KD treatment are transient and can be recovered through active prevention and handling, which gives a generally good prognosis.

Objective To observe the protective effects of lovastatin against lung injury and the expression changes of adiponectin in the septic rats.Methods Fifty four male Wistar rats weighting 250-300g were randomly divided into the three groups:sham operation group ( group Sham) ,sepsis group ( group CLP) and lovastatin interven tion group (group LOV).Rats were injected with lovastatin (4mg/kg) or 0.5%CMC (vehicle) for five days and then subjected to CLP.At 4h,12h and 24h after operation.BALF was collected to determine the levels of TNF-αand IL-6,lung tissue was obtained to observe histopathological changes,and to detect the content of MPO and MDA,the blood sample was obtained to detect the level of adiponectin.Results In the group Sham,at 4h,12h and 24h time points,the levels of TNF-αwere (1.80 ±0.13)pg/mL,(2.04 ±0.15)pg/mL and (1.930.19)pg/mL;the levels of IL-6 were (20.56 ±0.23)pg/mL,(18.35 ±0.15) pg/mL and (21.23 ±0.20) pg/mL;the contents of MPO were (2.82 ±0.14) U/g tissue,(2.88 ±0.07) U/g tissue and (2.76 ±0.18) U/g tissue;and the levels of MDA were (3.32 ±0.12)nmol/mg,(3.09 ±0.11)nmol/mg and (3.21 ±0.08)nmol/mg;the concentrations of adiponectin were (2.68 ±0.14)μg/mL,(2.80 ±0.07)μg/mL and (2.86 ±0.18)μg/mL.Compared with group Sham,both LOV group and CLP group had increased pulmonary damage:(1)the levels of TNF-α[4h,12h and 24h were (4.23 ± 0.18)pg/mL,(5.62 ±0.24)pg/mL and (5.14 ±0.10)pg/mL,t=28.41,30.98 and 36.62]and IL-6[4h,12h and 24h were (39.12 ±0.17) pg/mL,(47.25 ±0.21) pg/mL and (44.690.27) pg/mL,t =158.90,273.40 and 127.28] of the CLP group in BALF were both increased,and MPO[4h,12h and 24h were (4.85 ±0.13) U/g tissue, (6.17 ±0.08)U/g tissue and (7.84 ±0.10)U/g tissue,t=26.39,79.40 and 60.43]and MDA[4h,12h and 24h were (6.24 ±0.06)nmol/mg,(7.56 ±0.15)nmol/mg and (8.43 ±0.10)nmol/mg,t=53.31,58.86 and 90.06] concentrations in lung homogenate were raised with the decreased expression of serum adiponectin[4h,12h and 24h were (1.35 ±0.10)μg/mL,(1.17 ±0.07)μg/mL and (1.24 ±0.11)μg/mL,t=19.86,12.75 and 18.81](all P<0.05);(2) meanwhile the levels of TNF-α[4h,12h and 24h were (2.85 ±0.17) pg/mL,(3.720.13) pg/mL and (3.240.09)pg/mL,t=12.02、20.73 and 16.68]and IL-6[4h,12h and 24h were (30.75 ±0.22)pg/mL, (37.52 ±0.29)pg/mL and (32.43 ±0.26)pg/mL,t=78.42,68.29 and 83.67]in BALF of the LOV group were all increased,the contents of MPO[4h,12h and 24h were(3.59 ±0.05)U/g tissue,(4.67 ±0.11)U/g tissue and (5.33 ± 0.05)U/g tissue,t=12.03,33.63 and 33.70]and MDA[4h,12h and 24h were (4.45 ±0.10)nmol/mg,(5.01 ± 0.11)nmol/mg and (5.83 ±0.04) nmol/mg,t =17.72,30.23 and 71.75] were also increased with the serum adiponectin concentrations[4h,12h and 24h were (2.09 ±0.08)μg/mL,(2.07 ±0.05)μg/mL and (2.03 ± 0.10)μg/mL,t=8.96,20.79 and 6.30]dicreased(all P<0.05).There were less histopathological changes in the LOV group,and the levels of TNF-α(t=13.46,17.05 and 15.43),IL-6(t=73.70,64.10 and 80.12),MPO(t=22.16,27.01and 32.86) and MDA(t=37.59,42.72 and 59.13) were lower than those in CLP group,also the level of adiponectin(t=14.15,8.10 and 3.19) increased siginificantly(all P<0.05).Conclusion Administration of lovastatin could attenuate lung injury of the sepsis by down-regulate the level of TNF-αand IL-6,with reduced inflam-matory response and oxidative stress,and could upregulate the level of adiponectin in serums of rats with sepsis.

Objective To evaluate the effect of lovastatin on shedding of heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) and syndecan-1 (SDC-1) in the lung tissues of rats with sepsis-induced acute lung injury.Methods One-hundred and twenty male Wistar rats aged 8-12 weeks,weighing 325-425 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =40 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group S),cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) group and lovastatin group (group L).Lovastatin 4 mg/kg was injected once a day for 5 consecutive days in S and L groups,while the equal volume of 0.5％ CMC (the solvent) was given in CLP group.Sepsis was produced by CLP on 5th day of administration in CLP and L groups.The left lung was lavaged at 24 h after operation.The broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for determination of protein concentrations,white blood cell (WBC) count and percentage of neutrophils.Blood samples were collected for determination of the concentrations of HSPG and SDC-1 in serum (by ELISA).Evans blue was injected at 24 h after operation in the remaining 20 rats of each group.The lungs were removed for examination of the pathological changes and for measurement of HSPG and SDC-1 mRNA and protein expression (using Western blot and PCR),and Evans blue content (reflecting pulmonary capillary permeability) in the lung tissue.Results Compared with group S,the protein concentrations,WBC count and percentage of neutrophils in BALF,Evans blue content in lung tissues and the concentrations of HSPG and SDC-1 in serum were significantly increased,and HSPG and SDC-1 mRNA and protein expression was down-regulated in CLP and L groups.Compared with group CLP,the protein concentrations,WBC count and percentage of neutrophils in BALF,Evans blue content in lung tissues and the concentrations of HSPG and SDC-1 in serum were significantly decreased,and HSPG and SDC-1 mRNA and protein expression was up-regulated in group L.The pathological changes of lungs were significantly attenuated in group L as compared with group CLP.Conclusion The mechanism by which lovastatin attenuates acute lung injury induced by sepsis may be related to reduced shedding of HSPG and SDC-1 in lung tissues and improved function of pulmonary vascular endothelium in rats.

Objective To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on the expression of 8-Oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1 (OGG1) mRNA in rat hippocampal neurons subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation and restoration (OGD/R).Methods Hippocampal neurons isolated from pathogen-free neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats born within 3 days,were cultured primarily and seeded in 96-well plates (100 μl/well) or 6-well plates (2 ml/well) at the density of 1 × 106 cells/ml.The cells were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=30 each):control group (group C),group OGD/R,and different concentrations of dexmedetomidine groups (DEX1-3 groups).The cells were cultured in normal culture medium in group C and the cells were subjected to OGD/R in the other groups.In DEX1-3 groups,dexmedetomidine with the final concentrations of 0.1,1.0 and 10.0μmol/L were added,respetively,at 2h before OGD.At 24h of restoration,hippocampal neurons were stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H.E) for examination of pathological changes,the cell survival rate was detected by MTT method,the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and content of malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected by colorimetric method,and the expression of OGG1 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR.Results The pathological changes of neurons were obvious in group OGD/R,and the pathological changes of neurons were significantly mitigated in DEX1,DEX2 and DEX3 groups.Compared with group C,the cell survival rate and SOD activity were significantly decreased,MDA content was increased,and the expression of OGG1 mRNA was down-regulated in OGD/R,DEX1,DEX2 and DEX3 groups (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group OGD/R,the cell survival rate and SOD activity were significantly increased,MDA content was decreased,and the expression of OGG1 mRNA was up-regulated in DEX1,DEX2 and DEX3 groups (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference in the indices mentioned above between DEX1,DEX2 and DEX3 groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Dexmedetomidine may protect hippocampal neurons against oxidative stress injury by up-regulating the expression of OGG1 mRNA in rat hippocampal neurons subjected to OGD/R.

Objective To investigate and analyze the iodine nutritional status of school-age children six months after implementation of a new standard of iodized salts in northern area of Jiangsu Province,and to provide a basis for control of iodine deficiency disorders.Methods According to the water iodine content,northern area of Jiangsu Province was divided into low,moderate and high iodine areas (the water iodine contents were ＜ 10,l0-150 and ＞ 150 μg/L,respectively).Two towns were selected in each area; one elementary school was selected in each town; and 120 children aged 8-10 were selected in each school.The samples of urine,household salt,and water in each town were collected.Urinary iodine content was tested by arsenic cerium catalytic spectrophotometry;iodine content of household salt sample was determined by direct titration; iodine content of water sample was tested by cerium sulfate catalytic spectrophotometry.Results In low,moderate and high water iodine areas,240,242 and 242 urine samples of 8-10 years old children were tested; urinary iodine median was 135.49,183.62 and 448.99 μg/L,respectively,and the difference between groups was statistically significant (x2 =165.56,P ＜ 0.05).In low,moderate and high water iodine areas,100,131 and 117 household salt samples were tested,and the median of salt iodine was 21.88,22.01 and ＜ 5 mg/kg,respectively.Water samples collected in low,moderate and high iodine areas were 12,14 and 10 copies,respectively,and the median of water iodine was 8.89,38.52 and 189.25 μg/L,respectively,and the difference between groups was statistically significant (x2 =22.27,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The iodine nutritional condition of 8-10 years old children in low,moderate water iodine areas in northern area of Jiangsu Province is appropriate.The new standard is suitable for iodine nutritional needs in the area.The iodine nutritional condition in high water iodine area is excess,iodine intake should be reduced.

Objective To investigate the effect of concurrent exercise intervention in metabolic endotoxemia induced by high-fat diet in rats,and further understand the damage of liver mitochondrial ultramicrostructure.Methods Eighteen SD rats with the weight of 100g were randomly divided into 3 groups:group A (standard diet group),group B(high-fat diet group) and group C (treadmill-trained group with high-fat diet).Training (1 hour/d) initiated at the same time as the HF diet was fed.After being raised for 6 weeks,the rats was euthanized and weighed up.Blood samples were taken and the levels of serum lipid were detected.The levels of serum endotoxin were detected by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay.The membrane potentials of isolated mitochondrion were detected by flow cytometry instrument and the morphologic changes in mitochondria in liver were observed by electronic microscopy.Results In group B,the levels of endotoxin increased significantly(2.916 ± 0.761 rs 5.454 ± 1.254,t =-4.236,P ＜ 0.05),and the liver mitochondrial density and membrane potential also increased significantly compared with group A after 6 weeks (4.330 ±0.501 vs 3.507 ±0.532,t =2.759,P ＜0.05;l.660 ±0.202 vs 0.473 ±0.064,t =13.712,P ＜0.05).But there was no markedly different in serum endotoxin between group B and group C (4.972 ± 1.757 vs 5.454 ± 1.254,t =-0.547,P ＞ 0.05).Compared with group B,the liver mitochondrial density of group C decreased significantly (4.330±0.501 vs 3.581 ±0.188,t =3.426,P ＜ 0.05).The mitochondrial ultrastructurctural changes in each group were not obvious.Conclusions The rats fed with high-fat diet for 6 weeks can reach the state of metabolic endotoxemia.The increasing levels of the liver mitochondrial membrane potential caused by metabolic endotoxin may affect the happening and development of other diseases in the future.Concurrent exercise can not decrease the level of endotoxin.It also shows that metabolic disease caused by high-fat diet should be prevented by moderation in eating and drinking.

Cholestatic liver disease is caused by the damage of bile duct cells and hepatocytes due to bile duct injury, accumulation of bile acids, and persistent inflammation. If it is not treated in time, cholestasis can lead to liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, and even end-stage liver disease. Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are the two most common cholestatic liver diseases in adults, with unknown causes. Although ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) can improve the prognosis of PBC patients and prolong survival time after liver transplantation, some patients have no response to UDCA. In addition, there are still no effective pharmacotherapies for PSC. With the research advances in molecular mechanism of bile acid regulation and a deeper understanding of immune pathways in recent years, several new drugs have emerged. This article introduces the new therapeutic targets and drugs for PBC and PSC.

Objective To understand how Vibrio vulnificus hemolysin (VvhA) affects the viability of murine liver CD4+ T cells as well as its effects on the numbers of mitochondria and the expression of CD62L. Methods The primary murine liver monocytes (MNs) were isolated from C57BL/ 6 mice and then treated with recombinant VvhA (rVvhA) for 6 hours in vitro. The viability of murine liver CD4+T cells and the expression of CD62L were measured by staining with anti-mouse CD4, CD8, CD44, CD62L and cell via-bility fluorescent dye or fluorescent antibody. Moreover, the cells were simply incubated with MitoTracker or JC-1 probes to label mitochondria and mitochondrial membrane potential, which were further analyzed by using flow cytometry analysis. Results With the increase in the doses of rVvhA, the viability of murine liv-er CD4+T cells was decreased from 81. 5% to 15. 8% . The expression of CD62L on the surface of murine liver CD4+T cells was dramatically decreased. Both the murine liver na?ve and effector CD4+ T cells were sensitive to the cytotoxicity of rVvhA. Moreover, treating murine liver CD4+ T cells with rVvhA resulted in significantly decreased numbers of mitochondria and lower mitochondrial membrane potential. Conclusion The cytotoxicity of rVvhA to murine liver CD4+T cells might be achieved through inhibiting the expression of CD62L, decreasing the numbers of mitochondria and lowering mitochondrial membrane potential.

Objective To evaluate the effect of chlamydiaphage virus protein 2(Vp2) on the recombinant virus and virus screening research, and it clinical value thereof. Methods To compare the Vp2 protein sequences to get the conserva-tive region with COBALT. A phylogenetic tree was built with ProteinBlast of Distance tree. The amino acid sequence in the high conservative region was predicted by the methods of Gamier-Robson and Chou-Fasman, and its flexibe regions were predicted by Karplus method. The hydrophilicity plot was predicted by Kyte-Doolittle and Hopp-Woods method. The sur-face probability was analysed by Emini, and the antigenic index was analysed by Jameson-Wolf method. Results The six Chlamydiaphage Vp2 proteins were the highly conserved sequences. There were obvious differences between Chp1Vp2 and other 5 Vp2 proteins. There were the main structure-alpha helix and some cell epitopes in the high conserved region. Con-clusion Vp2 protein is the important component of chlamydia phage capsid with the conservative nature. Vp2 protein has complicated structures and high conservative region with strong immunogenicity, playing a practical value of research in vi-rus recombinantment and screening the wild strains of chlaymdia trachomatis phage.

Objective To evaluate the effects of adiponectin on the mitochondrial damage in septic rats with lung injury .Methods Sixty male Wistar rats ,aged 7-8 weeks ,weighing 180-220 g ,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=20 each) using a random number table :sham operation group (S group) ,sepsis group (SEP group) and adiponectin group (APN group) .The animals were anesthetized with intraperitoneal 2% pentobarbital sodium 50 mg/kg .Sepsis was produced by cecum ligation and puncture (CLP) .In APN groups ,gene recombinant adiponectin 6 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally at 12 h after CLP .At 24 h after the operation ,10 rats from each group were chosen and sacrificed ,and lungs were removed for detection of interleukin-6 (IL-6 ) and high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1 ) contents . The mitochondria of lung samples were isolated for measurement of the malondialdehyde (MDA ) content and degree of mitochondrial swelling and mitochondrial activity . The survival rates within 7 days after operation were recorded in the left 10 rats in each group .Results Compared with S group , IL-6 and HMGB1 contents in lung tissues and MDA content in the mitochondria were significantly increased ,the degree of mitochondrial swelling was increased , and the mitochondrial activity and survival rates within 7 days after operation were decreased in SEP group ( P<0.05 ) . Compared with SEP group , IL-6 and HMGB1 contents in lung tissues and MDA content in the mitochondria were significantly decreased ,the degree of mitochondrial swelling was reduced ,and the mitochondrial activity and survival rates within 7 days after operation were increased in APN groups ( P< 0.05 ) .Conclusion Adiponectin can attenuate lung injury and raise the survival rates in septic rats ,and reduction of mitochondrial damage in lung tissues is involved in the mechanism .