AIM:To investigate whether hydrogen sulfide ( H2 S) protects the hearts against inflammatory re-sponses induced by acute myocardial ischemia in isolated rat hearts .METHODS: Rat acute myocardial ischemia injury was induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 4 h, and the normal perfusate was replaced with NaHS (5 μmol/L, 10μmol/L and 20 μmol/L) perfusate accordingly in NaHS groups 2 h after ischemia.The changes of cardiac function in the myocardial ischemic injury rats were observed .The mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and ICAM-1 was detected by real-time PCR.The protein level of nuclear factor-κB ( NF-κB) in the myocardial tissues was detected by Western blotting .RESULTS:The cardiac function in ischemia group was lower than that in sham group (P<0.01).Compared with ischemia group, perfusion of NaHS resulted in the improvement of the cardiac function (P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared with sham group, the mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and ICAM-1 in the cardiac tissues was significantly increased , and the mRNA expression of IL-10 in the cardiac tissues was significantly decreased in ischemia group (P<0.01).Compared with ischemia group , the perfusion of NaHS significantly decreased the mRNA ex-pression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and ICAM-1 ( P<0.05 or P<0.01 ) .The perfusion of NaHS at concentrations of 10μmol/L and 20μmol/L significantly increased the mRNA expression of IL-10 (P<0.01).The protein level of NF-κB in ischemia group was markedly higher than that in sham group (P<0.01).Compared with ischemia group, the perfusion of NaHS at concentrations of 10 μmol/L and 20 μmol/L significantly decreased the expression of NF-κB ( P<0.05 or P<0.01).CONCLUSION:H2S protects the hearts against acute ischemia injury through inhibition of NF-κB activation and subsequent down-regulation of NF-κB-dependent inflammatory gene expression .

Objective To investigate the effects of simvastatin on the production of interleukin (IL)-17and B-cell activating transcription factor (BATF) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and healthy individuals.Methods PBMCs were isolated from heparinized blood of healthy donors or RA patients using Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient centrifugation.The cells were stimulated by PMA and ionomycin in the absence or presence of simvastatin or MVA at 37 ℃ 5％CO2.The mRAN level of IL-17,BATF and GAPDH was detected by RT-PCR; the protein level of IL-17 in supernatants was assayed by ELISA kit; and the protein level of BATF was detected by Western Blotting.The comparison between the two groups was carried out by paired-t test and Chi-square test was used for muhi-group comparison.Results PBMCs of healthy donors [(69.2±12.2) vs (8.1±2.2) pg/ml,P＜0.05; (76.6±14.7) vs (10.2±7.2) pg/ml,P＜0.05] and RA patients [(79.6±12.7) vs (15.8±5.8) pg/ml,P＜0.05; (90.3±9.7) vs (12.9±7.9) pg/ml,P＜0.05] were stimulated with PMA and ionomycin to produce high levels of IL-17.After treatment with simvastatin,the expression and secretion level of IL-17 in healthy controls and RA PBMCs were markedly decreased.The inhibition of simvastatin on the production of IL-17 was reversed by mevalonic acid (MVA),but no significant changes of BATF after treating with simvastatin.Conclusion Simvastatin inhibits the production of IL-17 in the PBMCs at gene and protein levels,which is not targeted at suppressing the expression of IL-17 transcription factor BATF.

Aims To observe the changes of endoge-nous hydrogen sulfide/cystathionine-γ-lyase (H2 S/CSE)system and to study the effects of H2 S on cardiac function,H2 S/CSE and myocardial infarct volumes in acute myocardial ischemic injury in isolated hearts of rats.Methods The myocardial ischemic injury model was established by the ligation of coronary artery.The hemodynamic parameters,such as the left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP),±dp/dtmax and coronary arterial flow(CF),were respectively recorded to evalu-ate the cardiac function.The content of H2 S and the activity of CSE in cardiac tissue were detected respec-tively at each time point after ischemia.Infarct vol-umes in isolated rat hearts were determined by dual staining with Evans-blue and TTC.Results (1 )Com-pared with those of the sham group,LVDP,±dp/dtmax and CF were significantly decreased at 30 min,1,2,3, 4 h after ischemia(P<0.01),there were no statistical-ly significant differences in the content of H2 S and the activity of CSE in cardiac tissue at 3 0 min after ische-mia.But during the periods from 1 h to 4h after ische-mia,the content of H2 S and the activity of CSE in car-diac tissue were significantly decreased,the infarct volumes were greatly increased compared with those of the sham control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01 ).(2) Compared with those of the ischemia 4h group,LVDP, ±dp/dtmax and CF were significantly increased in the NaHS low,middle and high dose groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01),the content of H2S and the activity of CSE in cardiac tissue were significantly increased in the NaHS low,middle and high dose groups(P<0.05 or P<0.01 ),and the infarct volumes were significantly decreased in NaHS middle and high dose groups(P<0.01 ).Conclusion H2S and CSE are involved in myocardial ischemic injury in isolated hearts of rats. Administration of NaHS could enhance the activity of CSE,increase the content of H2 S,and reduce infarct volumes.It could be suggested that H2 S has cardiopro-tective effects on acute myocardial ischemic injury.

Aim To investigate whether hydrogen sul-fide ( H2 S ) inhibits cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by acute myocardial ischemia in isolated perfused rat heart. Methods The myocardial ischemia injury model was replicated with Langendorff isolated perfused rat heart, and the left anterior descending coronary ar-tery was ligated for 4 h. 40 male SD rats were divided into five groups randomly: sham group, ischemia group, and NaHS groups (5,10,20μmol·L-1). The segmental heart samples were used for HE staining. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected with TUNEL as-say. The expressions of caspase-3 and Cyt-C in hearts were determined with Western blot analysis. Results Myocardial cells were found to show serious disorder and coagulated zonal necrosis under light microscope, the apoptotic rate of cardiomyocytes and the expression of caspase-3 and Cyt-C were significantly increased af-ter ischemia for 4h. Perfusion of NaHS resulted in more clear cell morphology and milder pathologic chan-ges of myocardiocytes according to the HE staining a-nalysis, and the significant decrease of expression of Cyt-C. After perfusion of 10,20 μmol·L-1 NaHS,the apoptotic rate of cardiomyocytes and the expression of caspase-3 were significantly decreased. Conclusion H2 S has certain protective effects on acute myocardial ischemic injury in isolated perfused rat heart via inhibi-ting cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

Objective To investigate the effect of different concentrations of methotrexate (MTX) on IL-17 from peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) and To clarify the active mechanisms of MTX on RA. Methods PBMCs were isolated from heparinized blood of healthy donors or patients with RA using Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient centrifugation. The cells were pretreated with various concentrations of MTX and then stimulated by anti-human CD3/anti-human CD28 at 37℃5%CO2. The IL-17 mRAN level was detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The supernatants were harvested and the protein level of IL-17 was tested by ELISA kit. The percentage of CD4+IL-17+cells in PBMCs was detected by flow cytometry. Results For the four different concentrations of MTX groups (0.1,1.0, 5, 25μg/ml), the IL-17 mRNA/GAPDH ratio(0.58±0.09,0.48±0.11, 0.50±0.09, 0.51±0.14) were lower than those of the non-drug group(0.76±0.08). Paired-t test or independent-samplet test showed significant difference between the MTX treatment group and the non-drug group(P＜0.01). The level of IL-17 of the four MTX groups was(121±54)pg/ml and(104±45)pg/ml and(90±36)pg/ml and(115±41)pg/ml, which was lower than the non-drug group(370±187)pg/ml(P＜0.01). The average C D4+IL-17+cell ratio was reduced, but had no statistically signficant differences(P＞0.05). Conclusion MTX can decrease Th17 cells differentiation and suppress IL-17 production of PBMCs, but no association can be found between its effect on the expression of IL-17 and the concentration of MTX.

Objective To investigate the influence of two different mechanical ventilation modes of bi-level positive airway pressure ventilation(BIPAP)and synchronized intermittent ventilation (SIMV)on the respiratory function and clinical curative effect in children patients with severe hand foot and mouth disease(HFMD)complicating neurogenic pulmonary edema.Methods Thirty children patients with severe HFMD complicating neurogenic pulmonary edema receiving mechanical ventilation were divided into the SIMV group (control group)and BIPAP group (experimental group).The lung protective ventilation strategy was applied in both groups.After 30 min use of SIMV and positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP)ventilation,the experimental group changed to use the BIPAP ventilation mode,while the control group still used the initial parameters.The airway peak pressure,alveolar plat-form (Pplat)pressure,lung compliance,pH value,arterial blood CO2 partial pressure (PaCO2 )and oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2 )at 0 h (baseline value),24,48,72 h after mechanical ventilation were monitored.Besides,the duration of mechanical ventila-tion,28 d mortality rate and the length of ICU stay were observed.Results Thirty children patients smoothly spent their acute re-spiratory failure period.One case in each group during the later period of treatment was transferred to the other hospital for contin-uous therapy.Among them the transferred case in the control group finally died due to give up treatment.The rest 28 cases all were cured and discharged from hospital.The 28 d mortality rates in the two groups were 6.67% and 0% respectively,with no statistical difference (P >0.05).Compared with the control group,the airway peak pressure,Pplat and PaCO2 after mechanical ventilation for 24,48,72 h in the experimental group were significantly decreased(P <0.05);the lung compliance and PaO2/ FiO2 improvement was significantly higher than that in the control group(P <0.05);meanwhile the duration of mechanical ventilation and the length of ICU stay in the experimental group were shorter than those in the control group (P <0.05).Conclusion The BIPAP mode used in the mechanical ventilation therapy of the children patients with severe HFMD complicating neurogenic pulmonary edema can pro-vide better effective ventilation,improve oxygenation and respiratory function,and shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation.

Chromatography of fingerprint as an important tool has been used in identification and quality control of herbal medicines, and it is gaining more and more attention. Among the various methods, chromatography gradually becomes the mainstream for its characteristics. This paper describes the techniques of chromatography of fingerprint including pretreatments for sample data set, the establishment of chromatographic fingerprint and fingerprint visualization. It emphasizes several analysis methods and their scope of application. Visualization technology combined with fingerprint makes analysis more intuitive. Finally, existing key problems and future works were also discussed.
Chromatography ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; chemistry ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Quality Control ; Spectrum Analysis ; methods ; X-Ray Diffraction

Feature selection (FS) techniques have become an important tool in bioinformatics field. The core algorithm of it is to select the hidden significant data with low-dimension from high-dimensional data space, and thus to analyse the basic built-in rule of the data. The data of bioinformatics fields are always with high-dimension and small samples, so the research of FS algorithm in the bioinformatics fields has great foreground. In this article, we make the interested reader aware of the possibilities of feature selection, provide basic properties of feature selection techniques, and discuss their uses in the sequence analysis, microarray analysis, mass spectra analysis etc. Finally, the current problems and the prospects of feature selection algorithm in the application of bioinformatics is also discussed.
Algorithms ; Artificial Intelligence ; Computational Biology ; methods ; Computer Simulation ; Models, Biological ; Pattern Recognition, Automated ; methods

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mediating effect of experiential avoidance on neurosis and posttraumatic stress response in firefighters. METHODS: A cluster random sampling method was used to select 275 male firefighters from 26 Fire Alarm squadrons in a province of China.The Neuroticism subscale of Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Short Scale, the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-Second Edition, and the Impact of Event Scale were used to investigate the relationship of neurosis, experiential avoidance and posttraumatic stress response. RESULTS: The median score of neurosis, experiential avoidance and posttraumatic stress response was 5, 21 and 15, respectively. Both neurosis and experiential avoidance were positively correlated with posttraumatic stress syndromes(Spearman correlation coefficient were 0.45 and 0.45, P<0.01). The total effect of neurosis on posttraumatic stress response in firefighters was 0.57. The intermediary role of experiential avoidance on neurosis and posttraumatic stress response was 0.19, accounting for 33.33% of the total effect. CONCLUSION: Experiential avoidance plays a partial positive mediating role between neurosis and posttraumatic stress response in firefighters.

AIM:To improve the success rate of experimental modeling of non-alcoholic fatty liver(NAFLD)in rats by high-fat diet through comparing three different formulations of high-fat diets in con-structing non-alcoholic fatty liver rats model,so as to provide a reliable animal model for the study of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.METHODS:SPF-grade male SD rats were divided into four groups randomly:control group,high-fat diet group1(HFD1),high-fat diet group2(HFD2),high-fat diet group3(HFD3).Each group was given the corre-sponding feed for 8 weeks while modeling.The da-ta on general observation,body weight changes,and ingestion of the rats were recorded during the modeling period.After 8 weeks'feeding,liver ultra-sound,CT and MRI examination were performed for the rats of each group to check the status.Blood and liver samples were collected.Changes in liver function(ALT,AST),blood lipids(TC,TG,HDL-C,LDL-C),and inflammatory indexes(IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α)were detected.The morphology of the liv-ers was observed with the naked eyes,and the liv-er index and Lee's index were calculated at the end of 8 weeks.The effects of different high-fat diets on the establishment of NAFLD model in SD rats were comprehensively evaluated by comparing the difference of above indexes among the groups.RE-SULTS:Compared with the control group,rats in the HFD1,HFD2 and HFD3 groups showed poor mental deterioration,decreased activity,severe hair loss,decreased food intake,increased body weights,and significantly increased liver index and Lee's in-dex,along with increased liver volume,blunt edge,steatosis and lipid deposition,and the trend was even more pronounced in the HFD3 group.Com-pared with the control group,the serum levels of ALT,AST,TC,TG,LDL-C,IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly increased,while the contents of HDL-C was significantly decreased in the HFD1,HFD2 and HFD3 group,especially in the HFD3 group.Com-pared with the control group,the B ultrasonogra-phy showed an enlarged liver with enhanced paren-chymal echo and pipe unsharpness,CT showed that the liver and spleen CT ratio decreased obvi-ously,and the MRI images showed obvious differ-ence of liver signal intensity between in/out of phase image in the HFD1,HFD2 and HFD3 group,and the most significant imaging changes was ob-served in the HFD3 group.CONCLUSION:The above three kinds of high-fat diets can establish NAFLD model in SD rats after 8 weeks'feeding,the models induced by HFD3 was better than those in-duced by the other two groups.NAFLD lesion is rel-atively serious and expected to last longer in HFD3 group,which are more suitable for investigating the underlying mechanisms of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and development of lipid-lowering drugs.