BACKGROUND: CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) is a type of highly effective immune adjuvant with low toxicity, which has an extensive application in gene therapy for many diseases. However, the specificity for species and cells leading to low uptake by cells and degradation by nuclease blocks its clinical application. OBJECTIVE: To explore the specific delivery and its immunologic efficacy of CpG ODN targeting B lymphocytes of umbilical cord blood by CD40 ligand-receptor-mediated carrier system. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: An observation and control experiment was performed at the Department of Hematology, and Department of Pediatric, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University from April 2004 to October 2007. MATERIALS: Fresh umbilical cord blood with heparin was obtained from healthy, natal infant. Informed consent was obtained from his parents, and the experiment was approved by the hospital Ethics Committee. METHODS: CD40 ligand (CD40L)-EDC-PLL-CpG ODN conjugated complex was prepared. Mononuclear cells (MNCs) from umbilical cord blood were co-cultured with conjugated complexes. Uptake rate, mean fluorescence intensity of FAM marked CpG ODN, expressions of MNCs, proliferations of lymphocytes and the IgG levels of culture supematants were detected by flow cytometry, fluorescence techniques, MTT assay and ELISA, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The uptake rate, the mean fluorescence intensity of CpG ODN by MNCs, subgroups and proliferations of lymphocytes, and IgG levels of culture supematants. RESULTS: Compared to the pure CpG ODN group, the uptake rate of the conjugated complexes group was higher (98%), the peak level of up-taking occurred earlier, and intracellular fluorescence intensity maintained much more stable. Expressions of CD19+, CD22+, and CD20+ was increased, A value and IgG levels in supematants were all higher than that of the control group. CONCLUSION: CD40 tigand-receptor-mediated carrier system is helpful for CpG ODN delivery targeting to B lymphocyte, enhancing its immunological efficiency.

Carbon nanotubes/Au nanoparticles ( CNT/AuNP ) composite film was fabricated on glassy carbon electrode ( GCE) by first dropping CNTs on the electrode surface and then electrodeposition of AuNPs by multi-potential step. The antibody of microcystin-( leucine-arginine ) ( anti-MCLR ) was immobilized on the modified electrode surface through adsorption on AuNPs. Subsequently, bovine serum albumin ( BSA) was used to block the non-specific adsorption to obtain the immunosensor for MCLR assay. The immunosensor could effectively capture MCLR by the specific immunoreaction between the electrode surface-confined antibody and MCLR, followed by the attachment of the anti-MCLR HRP-labeled to form a sandwich-type system. The analysis of MCLR was performed based on the catalytic reaction of HRP toward the oxidation of hydroquinone ( QH2 ) by H2 O2 . Under the optimal experimental conditions, the peak current response increased linearly with the concentration of MCLR in the range of 0 . 50-12 μg/L with a detection limit of 0. 30 μg/L (S/N=3). The developed immunosensor was used to determine MCLR in real water samples, and the recoveries of standard addition experiments were in the range of 93 . 0%-108 . 5%, with the relative standard deviation of 3 . 8%-5 . 0%.

Objective To compare the value of assessment with DWI and contrast-enhanced MRI (CE-MRI) in activity of sacroiliitis of patients with ankylosing spondylitis(AS).Methods Ninety-six patients conforming to modified New York criteria were prospectively collectedas the AS group, and twenty-one healthy volunteers were enrolled into the control group. According to the Bath AS disease activity index (BASDAI), erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reaction protein, AS patients were divided into the active AS group (n=60) and the chronic AS group (n=36) . All subjects were performed with conventional MRI, DWI and CE-MRI of bilateral sacroiliac joints. The MRI manifestations were reviewed and the ADC values and signal intensity enhancement rate (ΔSI) were measured.ANOVA was performed for the comparison ofΔSI and ADC values among active AS group, chronic AS group and control group with BASDAI and lab test results as the gold standards. ROC was analyzed with ΔSI and ADC values for activity of AS and paired
samples t test was obtained to comparethe areas under the ROC ofΔSI and ADC values.Results Among 96 cases of AS patients, MRI of sacroiliac jointsshowed that 62 cases had subchondral bone edema (57 cases of active group, 5 cases of chronic group), that 11 cases had bone surface erosion(4 cases of active group, 7 cases of chronic group), that 15 cases had bone sclerosis(6 cases of active group, 9 cases of chronic group) and that 58 cases had fat deposition on the sacroiliac joints (27 cases of active group, 31 cases of chronic group). The ΔSI values of the active group, the chronic group and control group were respectively (2.51 ± 1.69)%,(1.19 ± 0.67)%and(0.75 ± 0.21)%, and the ADCvalues were(1.33 ± 0.33)× 10-3,(1.00 ± 0.43)× 10-3 and(0.38±0.13)×10-3mm2/s. There were significant differences forΔSI and ADC values among three groups (F=18.375, 16.366. P<0.01), and statistical significance ofΔSI and ADC values were found between every two groups of three(P< 0.05).The area under the ROC between ΔSI and ADC to determine activity of AS patients were respectively 0.814 and 0.730, which had nostatistical significance(t=1.632, P=0.103). The sensitivity and specificity to determine activity of AS patients byΔSI=1.44%were 81.67%and 80.00%.The sensitivity and specificity to determine activity of AS patients by ADC=1.15 × 10-3/mm2 were 76.67% and 71.43%.Conclusion DWI and CE-MRI performed equally in detecting activity of AS patients.