Lipopolysaccharide(LPS) can induce cell inflammation through interacting with TLR4. Recent studies have revealed that MD-2 participate in the process of LPS induced signal transduction pathway by forming a complex with TLR4. After binding to the MD-2 of the TLR4/MD-2 complex, LPS can induce TLR4- oligomerization and activate the downstream signal pathway. After being synthesized, most MD-2 can bind to TLR4 at the endoplasmic reticulum /Golgi apparatus and expresse as TLR4/MD-2 complex at the cellular surface. Therefore MD-2 not only can regulate the distribution of TLR4 in the cytoplasm, but also help TLR4 to recognize LPS. Another part of MD-2 can be released into plasma as soluble MD-2(sMD-2). With the help of CD14, sMD-2 would interact with LPS in the plasma to constitute LPS-sMD-2 complex, helping cell who express only TLR4, to recognize LPS, however excessive expressed sMD-2 would repress the LPS signal transduction pathway. In conclusion, MD-2 plays a crucially modulating role in the process of TLR4 mediated endotoxin recognition and signal transduction.

Objective To investigate the expression of LOXL2 protein (lysyl oxidase like-2 protein) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) related markers in cholangiocarcinoma tissues and its relation with the malignant features. Methods The expression of LOXL2、E-cadherin and Vimentin protein in 48 cases of cholangiocarcinoma tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry and compared with the clinicopathological data of cholangiocarcinoma. Results The positive expression rate in cholangiocarcinoma was 71% ( 34/48 ) for LOXL2 and 46% ( 22/48 ) for Vimentin, the absent expression rate was 52% (25/48) for E-cadherin. The positive expression rate of LOXL2 was significantly associated with the absent expression of epithelium markers E-cadherin ( r = 0. 394, P < 0. 05 ) and the positive expression of fibroblast markers Vimentin ( r = 0. 406, P < 0. 05 ). There was no correlation between the expression of LOXL2 and patients gender, age, and cancer differentiation, but a significant correlation with tumor metastasis was found ( P < 0. 05 ). Conclusions LOXL2 protein overexpression in cholangiocarcinoma may accelerate invasion of cholangiocarcinoma through induced EMT.

Objective To investigate the correlation of the expression of KAI1/CD82 and laminin receptor (LNR) in cholangiocarcinoma, and study its role in the invasion and metastasis of cholangiocarcinoma. Methods The expressions of KAI1/CD82 and LNR in 48 cholangiocarcinoma tissue samples were detected by SP immunohistochemistry, and their relationships with clinicopathological factors were analyzed. Results The positive expression rates of KAI1/CD82 and LNR in cholangiocarcinoma were 31% (15/48) and 54% (26/48), respectively. In highly differentiated cholangiocarcinoma, the positive expression rate of KAI1/CD82 was high (χ2=3.911, P<0.05), while that of the LNR was low (χ2=6.970, P<0.05). The positive expression rate of KAI1/CD82 in cholangiocarcinoma with metastasis was significantly lower than that in cholangiocarcinoma without metastasis (χ2=5.765, P<0.05), while the positive expression rate of LNR in cholangiocarcinoma with metastasis was significantly higher than that in cholangiocarcinoma without metastasis (χ2= 9.952, P<0.05). The expression level of KAI1/CD82 was negatively correlated with that of the LNR ( r = -0.462, P < 0.01 ). Conclusions The up-regulated expression of LNR in cholangiocarcinoma correlates with the decreased expression of KAI1/CD82, and plays an important role in the invasion and metastasis of cholangio-carcinoma.

Objective To assess the therapeutic effect and safety of radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.Methods We analyzed the clinical data of 47 patients with atrial fibrillation who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation between March 2013 and January 2008,in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University.In the average 32 months’follow-up,Holter monitering and echocardiography were reviewed for the left atrial diameter.Results The immediate success rate of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation was 82.6%.The long-term success rate was 65%,the rate of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was 69.7%,and the rate of longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation was 42.9%.After ablation,the left atrial diameter were markedly reduced compared with that before treatment [(36.3 ± 4.3 )mm vs .(38.1 ± 5.9 )mm)(P < 0.001 ).The patients with recurrent atrial fibrillation were older than those without recurrence,their left atrial diameter was bigger,and the prevalence rate of hypertension was higher (P <0.05).The average atrial fibrillation load was 14.9% after ablation compared with 46.1% before (P <0.05).Conclusion Radiofrequency catheter ablation is an effective and safe treatment of atrial fibrillation,especially for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.The left atrial diameter was significantly decreased after radiofrequency catheter ablation compared with that before the ablation.

Objective Using serum pharmacology method to assess the optimal dose of Rhodiolasachalinensis extract (RSE)and Codonopsispilosula extract (CPE)combination as well as the effects of the combination on the immune function of mice.Methods Using the 3×3 facterial design,nine medicated serum of CPE and RSE mixture were made to assess the optimum combinational dose of CPE and RSE by detecting the T,B lymphocyte proliferation abilities and NK cell activity in vitro .Using the optimum combinational dose and reducing 2.5,5 and 10 times as high,middle and low doses of RSE+CPE groups,and the T,B lymphocyte proliferation abilities and the activity of NK cells in the mice were detected in vivo .Results The result of serum pharmacology indicates that compared with control group,the proliferation abilities of T,B lymphocytes and the activity of NK cells inducing by ConA and LPS in 200 mg· kg-1 RSE + 790 mg· kg-1 CPE group were increased (P < 0.05).The result of in vivo experiment indicated that compared with cyclophosphamide group,the spleen indexes (SI)in middle and high doses of RSE+CPE groups were significantly increased (P <0.05);compared with low dose of RSE+CPE group,the WBC number in middle dose of RSE + CPEgroup was significantly increased (P < 0.05 ). Compared with cyclophosphamide group,the T and B cell proliferation abilities induced with ConA and LPS and killing activities of NK cells in low,middle and high doses of RSE+CPE groups and positive drug CVT-200 group were significantly increased (P <0.05).Compared with CVT-200 group,low and high doses of RSE+CPE groups,the T and B cell proliferation abilities induced with ConA and LPS and the activity of NK cells in middle dose of RSE+CPE group were significantly increased (P <0.05).Conclusion RSE and CPE mixture can enhance the immune function of mice;RES 200 mg·kg-1 and CPE 790 mg·kg-1 are the optimal doses.

Objective To evaluate the usefulness of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) as a noninvasive method in recording the activities of the human brain as excited by low frequency current(LFC) stimulator. Methods The right common peroneal nerves of 6 healthy volunteers were stimulated with LFC (NMR-II stimulator). The activities of the brain were then recorded and evaluated during the scanning by the fMRI technique. Data obtained during the study were dealt with with the software SPM99. Results In both cerebral hemispheres, the area where the postcentral and superior temporal gyrus, inferior parietal lobule met were excited, and so were the operculum at both sides. Postcentral gyrus, superior parietal and paracentral lobule, and the precuneus in the left cerebral hemisphere, as well as the superior occipital gyrus and the superior parietal lobule in the right hemisphere,were involved as the excited areas. Conclusion fMRI is a useful tool for recording and evaluating the brain activities excited by LFC.

Objective To study the effects neuromuscular electrotherapy and kinesitherapy on brachial plexus palsy. Methods 20 patients with brachial plexus palsy accepted neuromuscular electrical stimulation on involved muscles, and were followed up for 18～58 months. Other 17 patients accepted neurolysis alone were as control. Results The function of shoulder and elbow in electric stimulation group was significantly superior to that of control (P<0.01). Conclusion Neuromuscular electrotherapy combined with kinestherapy is effective on the brachial plexus palsy.

Objective To examine the test-retest reliability of 5 pain intensity assessment scales, i.e., Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Verbal Descriptor Scale (VDS), Facial Pain Scale - Revised (FPS-R), and Mix Scale (MIX) in older adults with low back pain. Methods 30 older patients with low back pain volunteered in this study, and rated their pains with VAS, NRS, VDS, FPS-R, and MIX twice within 24 h. Test-retest reliability was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results ICC was in range of 0.543~ 0.754, and ranked as NRS, FPS-R, MIX, VAS, VDS from more to less. Conclusion All the assessments were appropriate to evaluate the intensity of back pain among elderly, recommending NRS and FPS-R.

Objective To evaluate the concurrent validity and preference of pain intensity assessment scales in elderly with back pain. Methods 30 elderly with back pain were asked to rate their pains by using Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Verbal Descriptor Scale (VDS), Facial Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R), and Mix scale (MIX). Concurrent validity was assessed using the Spearman correlations. The preference for using scales were collected. Results FPS-R、MIX、VAS and VDS correlated with NRS (r=0.753~0.957, P<0.001). The preference for using scales was ranked by FPS-R, NRS, VDS, MIX, VAS. Conclusion FPS-R、MIX、VAS and VDS show good concurrent validity, and they were appropriated to evaluate the back pain among elderly. FPS-R had the highest scale preference.

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