Survivin has been identified recently as a unique member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family. It is expressed during fetal development and in all common human cancers, but not in normal tissues. It can inhibit apoptosis induced by a variety of factors and play an important role during angiogenesis. Being a universal tumor-specific antiapoptosis inhibitor, survivin may serve as a potential target for gene-protein-based therapy of tumor.

AIM:To detect the changes of cardiac functions of septic mice in the early stage of sepsis. METHODS:Health male Kunming mice were used in the study. The techniques of 2D,Mmode and Doppler echocardiography were applied to evaluate the cardiac functions before cecal ligation and puncture(CLP) as baseline and at time points of 12 h,24 h,36 h,48 h and 168 h after CLP. The mice survived for 168 h(7 d) were considered as survivals. RESULTS:Compared to the baseline at the time point of 24 h after CLP,the blood volumes of heart return decreased significantly in the early stage of sepsis induced by CLP. LVEDV reduced by 46%. Notable compensatory responses of the hearts in septic mice were observed,especially the systolic functions,in which LVEF and LVFS increased by 27% and 39% ,respectively. However,the compensatory responses of diastolic function were weaker than the systoles. E/A ratio and EDT decreased by 30% and 25% respectively at the time point of 24 h. CONCLUSION:The strong compensatory cardiac functions are one of the factors for supporting the septic animal to survive. Protection of the cardiac functions especially the diastoles is important in the treatment of septic patients.

Objective To observe the effects of atorvastatin calcium on serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF)-α and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI), so as to approach the mechanism of atorvastatin calcium inhibiting ACI inflammatory injury. Methods Eighty-four patients with ACI were randomly divided into 2 groups: group B (42 cases, treated with antiplatelet therapy and improving cerebral circulation), group A(42 cases, treated with atorvastatin calcium 20 mg/d after the onset of ACI for 28 days on the base of group B). TNF- α and CRP were detected before treatment and in the 3rd,7th day after treatment. The European stroke scale (ESS) was evaluated on the same time. A healthy control group (group C, 16 cases) was also included in the study. Results The peak of CRP and TNF-α levels were observed in the 3rd and 7th day after treatment respectively, and the levels of group A were lower than those of group B [(13.00 ± 2.45) mg/L vs (19.21 ± 3.67) mg/L,(19.79 ± 11.01) ng/L vs (30.69 ± 18.47) ng/L, P < 0.05]. In the 7th day after treatment, the scores of ESS was higher in group A than that in group B [(79.19 ± 30.59) scores vs (63.91 ± 27.87) scores, P < 0.05]. Conclusions Atorvastatin calcium can prevent the increase of serum TNF-α and CRP, and it has anti-inflammatory effect. Atorvastatin calcium may have the role of neuroprotection besides lipid-lowering.

Objective To investigate the value of low-pressure laparoscopic technique for appendicitis surgery during early and mid-term pregnancy.Methods The clinical data of 13 pregnant women underwent low-pressure laparoscopic appendectomy from July 2007 to December 2010 were analyzed retrospectively.Results All the 13 cases were performed laparoscopic appendectomy successfully without laparotomy and cured completely before discharged from hospital No intestinal fistula,wound infection,abortion and other complications occurred.During follow-up,9 cases of full-term pregnancy patients gave birth to healthy babies,and there was no abortion and premature delivery on 4 patients still in their pregnancy.Conclusion For women at early or mid-term pregnancy with acute appendicitis,low-pressure laparoscopic appendectomy could reduce the stimulus of surgical operation on uterus and decrease the risk of abortion.

Objective To prepare recombinant plasminogen activator(Pla) protein in E.coli BL21 cells that can be used in studying interactions between Yersinia pestis proteins and immunologic diagnosis of plague.Methods The pla gene was amplified by PCR and cloned into the pET28a expression vector.E.coli BL21 competent cells were transformed with the recombinant vectors, and isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside ( IPTG) was added to induce expression of Pla protein. The expressed protein was detected by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis.The inclusion bodies of Pla protein were denatured in 8 mol/L urea, and then refolded using gradient urea solutions.The purified protein was identified by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and Western blot.Results and Conclusion The constructed expression vector was demonstrated to be correct through agarose gel electrophoresis and sequencing.The recombinant Pla protein was accumulated as an inclusion body in E.coli, and the overexpression product was mainly a target protein, the yield of which was very high.SDS-PAGE purity of the bioactive Pla protein was obtained by denaturing and refolding the inclusion bodies.This study provides a simple and quick method for highly efficient preparation of biologically active Pla protein.

ObjectiveTo analyze the risk factors of nosocomial infection of patients with spinal cord injury.MethodsRetrospective surveys of nosocomial infection including risk factors, pathogen analysis and drug sensitivity tests were carried out for 88 cases with spinal cord injury in our hospital from 1996 to 2002.ResultsIt showed that the rate of nosocomial infection was 90.91% with 46.59% of urinary tract infection and 32.95% of respiratory tract infection. Nosocomial infection was closely related with such factors as the disease of spinal cord, the use of antibiotics, invasive operation, age and disturbance of disease.ConclusionReducing risk factors and using antibiotics reasonably are effective measures to reduce nosocomial infection of patients with spinal cord injury.

Objective To establish a simple and quick loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)method for detection of Yersinia pestis.Methods LAMP Primers were designed based on the specific sequence 3a in Y.pestis chromosome.LAMP reaction results were detected using turbidity meter or visual method.The specificity of the constructed method was evaluated by detecting Y.pestis and its closely-related bacteria.The different dilution DNA template was detected with LAMP and PCR to evaluate the sensitivity of the method.Results Thirty strains of bacteria closely related to Y.pestis were detected by the constructed LAMP,and all the results were negative,indicating that the method had a very high specificity.The detection sensitivity of this LAMP assay was 20 pg of DNA per reaction,which was ten-fold that of the regular PCR.The detection reaction was completed in 25 min.Conclusion This LAMP method is quick,sensitive, specific and simple,which is expecked to become an effective method for rapid detection of Y.pestis on the scene.

The ways of treating diabetes mellitus with depression by using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) include internal treatment, external treatment and combining internal and externalmethod, mostly based on the viscera syndrome differentiation and Qi blood phlegm stasis syndrome differentiation, focusing on soothing the liver qi and regulating, liver and spleen. The internal treatments mainly include self-made prescriptions or classic prescriptions, such as Jiawei-Xiaoyao Powder, Danggui-Shaoyao Decoction, Wendan Decoction, etc; External treatments mainly include common acupuncture, ear acupuncture, scalp acupuncture, abdominal acupuncture, acupoint application, etc. The above treatments can improve the symptoms of depression, and control the blood glucose level.

{L-End}Objective To explore the suitable methods for individual occupational stress examination and evaluation for workers in China based on the electronics industry. {L-End}Methods A total of 1 164 workers from four electronics enterprises in Beijing City were selected as the research subjects using a convenient sampling method. The Occupational Stress Measurement Scale, which was developed based on the Japanese Brief Job Stress Questionnaire, was used to assess the occupational stress of the research subjects, and test the reliability and validity of the scale. Percentile norms and T-score norms were established, and the T-scores of the three dimensions of stress reaction (psychological reaction and physical symptoms), stress factors, and social support were divided into five stages using the normal distribution method with x¯±0.5 s and x¯±1.5 s, which was used to explore a proposed standard for assessing individual stress levels. {L-End}Results The revised scale consisted of 57 items, which could explain 64.0% of the total variation of occupational stress based on the result of item analysis and exploratory factor analysis. The results of confirmatory factor analysis showed that the model fitted well, with root mean square error of approximation of 0.052, standardized root mean square residual of 0.070, comparative fit index of 0.960, and Tucker-Lewis index of 0.958. The Cronbach's α coefficient of the scale was 0.951, and the Spearman-Brown coefficient was 0.837. Cronbach's α coefficients of the three dimensions ranged from 0.794 to 0.952, and the Spearman-Brown coefficients ranged from 0.737 to 0.850. The scores of the three dimensions of stress reaction, stress factors, and social support were (49.1±13.0), (44.9±7.7), and (18.1±3.6), respectively. Workers in the electronics industry met one of the following items were identified as the high level of occupational stress individuals: i) a score of stress reaction dimension ≥72.0 points; ii) a sum of stress factor and social support dimension scores ≥81.0 points, and a stress reaction dimension score ≥58.0 points. {L-End}Conclusion The Occupational Stress Measurement Scale and the criteria for determining high level of occupational stress can be used to assess the individual occupational stress levels of workers in the electronics industry in China. This method can provide a theoretical basis for the formulation of occupational stress examination and assessment for Chinese workers.

Objective:To explore the effect of Olmesartan on the antigen presenting function of dendritic cells (DCs) in rats.Methods:Bone marrow-derived dendritic cells of female Lewis rats were obtained. Bone marrow-derived dendritic cells were cultured with Olmesartan (final concentration 10 μmol/L; OLM-DCs) or equal volume of DMSO (Con-DCs). Mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of the surface costimulatory molecule CD80, CD86 and MHCⅡ on DCs and the levels of IL-10 and TGF-β of DCs were analyzed by flow cytometry. DCs and CD4 +T lymphocytes were cocultured. T lymphocytes proliferation was analyzed by flow cytometry. IFN-γ in the supernatants were determined by ELISA. Results:The expression of MHC Ⅱ on DCs was inhibited by Olmesartan. The level of intracellular IL-10 in DCs was up-regulated by Olmesartan. Compared with Con-DCs, T lymphocytes proliferation and the level of IFN-γ were inhibited by OLM-DCs.Conclusions:Olmesartan could induce tolerogenic DCs in vitro. These tolerogenic DCs could inhibit T lymphocytes proliferation and the production of Th1 cytokine.