Objective To investigate the effects of ketamine on the renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in rats and the underlying mechanism. Methods Twenty-four male Wistur rats weighing 220-250 g were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=6 each): sham operation group (group S), IR group, ketumine 2 mg/kg group (group K_1), ketamine 10 mg/kg group (group K_2). The rats were anesthetized with intraperitoneal chloral hydrate 300 mg/kg. Renal ischemia was induced by clamping the left renal artery for 45 min followed by 6 h of repednsion using an atraumatic clamp. In group K_1 and K_2, ketaminc 2 and 10 mg/kg were injected via the caudal vein 5 min before the repedusion respectively. The rats were killed at 6 h of reperfusion, and blood samples were collected from the right auricle for measurement of serum creatiniue (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations. Pathological changes in renal tissues were observed with light and electron microscopes. The expression of Fas and Caspsse-3 in the renal tubular epithelial cell was determined by immuno-histochemistry. The apeptosis in the renal tubular epithelial cell was detected by TUNEL assay. Apeptotic index (AI) was calculated. Results Compared with group S, the levels of serum Cr and BUN, expression of Fas and Caspase-3 and AI were significantly increased in group IR, K_1 and K_2 (P < 0.01). The levels of serum Cr and BUN, expression of Fas and Caspase-3 and AI were significantly lower in group K_(1,2) than in group IR and in group K2 than in group K_1 (P<0.01). The microscopic examination showed that the renal IR injury was obviously attenuated in group K_2 compared with group K_1. Conclusion Ketamine can attenuate the renal injury induced by IR in a dose-dependent manner in rats. The underlying mechanism may be related to the inhibition of apoptosis in the renal tubular epithelial cell.

Objective To investignte the effects of ambroxol on lung injury in children undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).Methods Thirty-six ASA Ⅱ or Ⅲ children of both sexes aged≤8 yr,weighing≤25 kg undergoing repair of ventricular septal defect (VSD) under CPB were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=12 each):I control group (C);II low dose ambroxol group (2.25 mg/kg) (A,) and III moderate dose ambroxol group (4.50 mg/kg) (A2).Ambrexol was diluted with normal saline 10 ml and infused slowly after skin incision in group A1 and A2.In group C equal volume of normal saline(10 ml) was infused instead of ambroxol.Blood samples were taken from radial artery before skin incision,at 20 rain of CPB,20 rain after aortic unclamping,2 h and 6 h after temtination of CPB and 12 h after operation for determination of plasma MDA concentration and SOD activity and blood gas analysis.Respiratory index (RI) and pulmonary compliance (CL)were calculated.Results The plasma MDA concentration and RI were significantly lower while plasma SOD activity was significantly higher in group A2 than in group C and A1·CL was significantly higher in group A2 than in group C.Conclusion Ambroxol 4.50 mg/kg can attenuate lung injury in children undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB by decreasing lipid peroxidation.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of intrasplenically transplanted interferon ? (IFN ?) gene modified hepatocytes on murine implanted liver carcinoma. Methods Murine fetal hepatocytes (BNL?CL2) were transfected with recombinant adenovirus expressing IFN ?. Two cell lines BNL?Lac Z and BNL?CL2 were taken as control. One week after intrasplenically injected C26 cells(colon carcinoma line), sixty tumor bearing syngeneic mice were intrasplenically transplanted IFN ? gene modified hepatocytes and were divided into treated group (BNL?IFN ?) and two control groups (BNL?Lac Z and BNL?CL2), two weeks later, levels of IFN ?, tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF ?) and nitric oxide(NO) in the serum of liver implanted carcinoma bearing mice were assayed, the cytotoxicity of murine splenic cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) was measured. Mophology of hepatic tumors were studied. The therapeutic effects on the mice with the implanted liver carcinoma were also evaluated. Results In treated group (compared with control groups), the levels of IFN ?, TNF ? and NO in the serum increased significantly ( P

Objective To understand the status of schistosomiasis of staff in the Hydrology Bureau of Yangtze Water Re-sources Committee and the Oncomelania hupensis snail condition of their work areas in 2013 so as to provide the evidences for the schistosomiasis control in the industry. Methods The physical examination data about schistosomiasis of the staff from 2006 to 2013 were collected and analyzed to understand the schistosomiasis prevalence condition of the staff and the changes of their liver parenchyma. Meanwhile the snail status in the work areas was surveyed. Results There were 1 393 staff involved in the physical examinations of schistosomiasis in 2003 197 of them were schistosomiasis patients the prevalence rate was 14.14% and no new acute schistosomiasis case occurred. The cases whose liver parenchyma were classified as Grade 0 ⅠⅡ Ⅲoccupied 28.9% 67.0% 3.05%and 1.02% respectively. A total of 24 work areas were involved in the snail survey and 71 snails were captured. Among the whole snails captured 39 were living snails but no schistosome infected snails were found. Conclusions The prevalence rate of schistosomiasis in staff of the Hydrology Bureau of Yangtze Water Resources Com-mittee is relatively high so the schistosomiasis surveillance as well as the snail survey and control still should be carried out con-sistently.

Objective: To explore the mechanism of moxibustion for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by observing the metabolite changes in urine using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based metabolomic analysis. Methods: Twenty-four rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, and a moxibustion group. Rats in the model and moxibustion groups were established as collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) models. The control and model groups did not receive any intervention; rats in the moxibustion group received moxibustion at Shenshu (BL23) and Zusanli (ST36). After three weeks of intervention, ankle joint, serum, and urine samples were collected for pathological examinations and metabolomic tests. Results: After moxibustion treatment, the CIA rats showed increased body mass, reduced swelling of the hind paws and arthritis score, decreased serum cytokine levels, and improved histopathological evaluation of the ankle joint. Twenty-four significantly altered metabolites were found, mainly involved in alanine metabolism, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, tricarboxylic acid cycle, phenylalanine metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, and primary bile acid biosynthesis. These metabolites may serve as potential biomarkers for RA. Conclusion: Moxibustion can effectively resist inflammation in CIA rats. The potential biomarkers and the abnormal metabolic pathways of RA can be identified by LC-MS-based metabolomics. Metabolomics may be an effective way to explain the mechanism of moxibustion in treating RA.

Objective A recombinant adenoviral vector containing mIL-18BP and mIL-4 fusion gene(AdmIL-18BP/mIL-4) was constructed and used to investigate the role of mIL-18BP and mIL-4 in medula-ring the expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) and their inducing products PGE2, NO in murine collagen-induced arthritis. Methods Male DBA-1/BOM mice were used in this study. Mice with CIA were intra-articularly injected with 107 pfu/6μl of AdmIL-18BP/mIL-4.Intra-articular injections of AdLacZ or PBS were used as controls. The mRNA expression of COX-2, iNOS in synovial tissue was analyzed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Expression of COX-2 and iNOS protein was estimated by Western blot method. The production of PGE2 and NO in synovia was detected by competitive ELISA and enzyme reduction of nitrate. Results The expression of COX-2, iNOS mRNA in routine synovial tissue of AdmIL-18BP/mIL-4 treatment group was significantly lower than that of AdLacZ group (0.15 vs 0.42,P<0.01 ; 0.05 vs 0.77, P<0.01) and PBS group (0.15 vs 0.65, P<0.01; 0.05 vs 0.64, P<0.01 ). And the protein expression of COX-2, iNOS from AdmIL-18BP/mIL-4 treatment group was also obviously lower than that of AdLacZ group (0.08 vs 0.92, P<0.01; 0.11 vs 1.00, P<0.01) and PBS group (0.08 vs 0.77, P<0.01; 0.11 vs 0.84, P<0.01 ). The PGE2 and NO production in synovia of AdmIL-18BP/mIL-4 treatment group was significantly lower than that of AdLacZ group [(0.68x0.06) vs (2.58±0.21)ng/mL, P<0.01; (23.4+2.5) vs (60.0±11.3)μmol/L, P<0.01 ] and PBS group [(0.68±0.06) vs (2.57±0.20)ng/mL, P<0.01; (23.4+2.5) vs (60.3±13.4)μmol/L, P<0.01]. Conclusion These data indicat that local over-expre-ssion of mIL-18BP and mIL-4 can down-regulate COX-2, iNOS and their induced product PGE2, NO in CIA mice. The combination treatment with mIL-18BP and mIL-4 is a promising therapeutic target for RA.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the antitumor effects of intrasplenically transplanted interleukin-18 (IL-18) gene-modified hepatocytes on murine implanted liver carcinoma.

METHODSEmbryonic murine hepatocyte cell line (BNL-CL2) was transfected with a recombinant adenovirus encoding IL-18 and used as delivery cells for IL-18 gene transfer. Two cell lines, BNL-LacZ and BNL-CL2, were used as controls. One week after intrasplenic injection of C26 cells (colon carcinoma line), tumor-bearing syngeneic mice underwent the intrasplenic transplantation of IL-18 gene-modified hepatocyte cell line and were divided into treatment group (BNL IL-18) and control groups (BNL-LacZ and BNL-CL2). Two weeks later, the serum levels of IL-18, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and nitric oxide (NO) in the implanted liver carcinoma-bearing mice were assayed, the cytotoxicity of murine splenic cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) was measured, and the morphology of the hepatic tumors was studied to evaluate the antitumor effects of the approach.

RESULTSIn the treatment group, the serum levels of IL-18, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and NO increased significantly. The splenic CTL activity increased markedly (P < 0.01), accompanied by a substantial decrease in tumor volume and the percentage of tumor area and prolonged survival of liver carcinomo-being mice.

CONCLUSIONSIn vivo IL-18 expression by ex vivo manipulated cells with IL-18 recombinant adenovirus is able to exert potent antitumor effects by inducing a predominantly T-cell-helper type 1 (Th1) immune response. Intrasplenic transplantation of adenovirus-mediated IL-18 gene-modified hepatocytes could be used as a targeting treatment for implanted liver carcinoma.

Adenoviridae ; Animals ; Cell Line ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Genetic Vectors ; Hepatocytes ; Interleukin-18 ; genetics ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; therapy ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer ; immunology ; Transfection

Objective: To analyze the influencing factors for the 20-69-year-old residents in Anhui Province with substandard physiques, so as to provide a basis for improving the physiques of population. Methods : The 2014 physical fitness survey data of residents aged 20-69 years in Anhui Province were collected, including demographic information, physical exercise status and physical indicators ( height, weight, vital capacity, blood pressure and so on ). The physiques of residents was rated according to the "National Fitness Standards" ( 2003 edition ) . The multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors for substandard physiques in different age groups. Results: Among 39 803 residents recruited, 5 081 were rated as substandard physiques and the rate was 12.77%. The rates of substandard physiques in the residents aged 20-<40, 40-<60 and 60-69 years were 11.08%, 13.11% and 16.74%, respectively. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, gender, household registration, education level, occupation and time spent each exercise were the influencing factors for substandard physiques among the residents aged 20-<40 years ( P<0.05 ); age, household registration, education level, occupation and physical exercise were the influencing factors for substandard physiques among the residents aged 40-<60 years ( P<0.05 ); age, gender, education level, occupation, physical exercise and time spent each exercise were the influencing factors for substandard physiques among the residents aged 60-69 years ( P<0.05 ). Conclusions The residents aged 20-69 years in Anhui Province have higher rate of substandard physiques in the 2014 survey. Age, education level, occupation and physical exercise may affect physical fitness and vary in different age groups, thus interventions should be carried out according to age.

Aged ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; blood ; therapy ; Emergency Treatment ; Female ; Hemoperfusion ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; poisoning ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Serum ; chemistry

BACKGROUND:Embryonic stem cel s have the capacity of multi-differentiation potential, and have been utilized for the therapy of acute liver injury. However, the migration and proliferation of embryonic stem cel s after transplantation remains not wel characterized.
OBJECTIVE:To track the transplanted embryonic stem cel s in repairing acute liver injury by bioluminescence imaging technology.
METHODS:Murine embryonic stem cel s (D3) were transducted with a construct composed of firefly luciferase, monomeric red fluorescence protein and herpes simplex virus truncated thymidine kinase triple fusion reporter genes by lentivirus system. Stable D3 embryonic stem cel s integrating three report genes were screened. The undifferentiated embryonic stem cel s or differentiated embryonic stem cel s from the 6-day-old embryoid body were transplanted into acute liver injury model of SV129 mouse through spleen, and the transplanted cel s were monitored by bioluminescence imaging technology.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Reverse transcription PCR results showed that the expression level of Oct-4 and Nanog was not affected in embryonic stem cel s transducted with triple fusion reporter gene compared with wild-type embryonic stem cel s. The migration process of transplanted cel s was visualized by bioluminescence imaging technology. Teratomas were found in both triple fusion-embryonic stem cel s treatment group and triple fusion-embryoid body cel s treatment group at liver, and the teratoma formation could be suppressed by ganciclovir administration because ganciclovir can react with herpes simplex virus truncated thymidine kinase and trigger cel necrosis process. Histological analysis showed that teratomas comprised tissues from al three germ layers. These results demonstrate that triple gene fusion does not affect differentiation potential of embryonic stem cel s and it is risky to utilize embryonic stem cel s for cel therapy, because it affects repair of liver injury. The therapy strategy requires further improvement and real-time visualizing of embryonic stem cel s in vivo is absolutely necessary.