0.05).Conclusion The increasing of IL-15 in peripheral blood after MP infection may play a role in bronchitic asthma pathogenesis.

AIM　To investigated the effect and mechanism of Houttuynium (HOU) on splenectomy animals. METHODS　The models of splenectomy mice and splenectomy rats were made and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction, ANAE (+) cell percentage of peripheral blood lymphocytes, Con A-induced thymus and groin lymph node lymphocyte proliferation, the amount of lymphocytes of groin lymph node,and T cell subpopulation in peripheral blood were measured. RESULTS　HOU ig (60 mg*kg-1, 120 mg*kg-1) can strikingly enhanced delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction, ANAE(+) cell percentage of peripheral blood lymphocytes. strengthened Con A-induced groin lymph node lymphocyte proliferation, raised the amount of lymphocytes of groin lymph node in splenectomy mice. But the effects of them on Con A-induced thymus lymphocyte proliferation were not apparent. HOU ig (40 mg*kg-1, 80 mg*kg-1) improved Th subset, reduced Ts subset, and then modulated the rate of Th/Ts in splenectomy rats. CONCLUSION　HOU strengthened the cellar immune function of splenectomy animals by promoting the compensating capability of lymph node and regulating T cell subpopulation.

Objective To compare the image quality of renal artery in-flow inversion recovery MR angiography (IFIR MRA), CTA and contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA) and to assess the value of renal artery IFIR MRA. Methods Thirty five patients were prospectively included in this study.Renal artery CTA was performed in 19 patients and renal artery CE-MRA was performed in 16 patients. In addition to renal artery CTA or CE-MRA, all patients underwent renal artery IFIR MRA. Two radiologists separately graded renal artery image quality, renal venous artifact and the visualization of renal artery branches regarding these three different techniques. Wilcoxon signed rank test of paired samples was used to compare the grading results, t test of paired samples was applied to compare the results of renal artery (accessory renal artery) trunk diameter. The consistency evaluation of renal artery image quality and renal venous artifact grades between two radiologists employed Kappa analysis. Results There was no significant difference between IFIR MRA and CTA with renal artery image quality and renal venous artifact (P>0.05). There was significant difference between IFIR MRA and CE-MRA with renal artery image quality and renal venous artifact (P<0.05). The consistency evaluation results of renal artery image quality and renal venous artifact grades between two radiologists were both good. Kappa value were 0.425 to 1.000. CTA of 19 cases depicted 48 renal arteries (38 renal arteries, 10 accessory renal arteries), IFIR MRA depicted them all. The grades of visualization of renal artery branches about IFIR MRA and CTA were (3.7 ± 0.7) and (3.8 ± 0.6) respectively, renal artery trunk diameter of IFIR MRA and CTA were (4.9 ± 1.3) and (5.0 ± 1.4) mm respectively, there was no significant difference between IFIR MRA and CTA (P>0.05).CE-MRA of 16 cases depicted 38 renal arteries (32 renal arteries, 6 accessory renal arteries), IFIR MRA depicted them all. The grades of visualization of renal artery branches about IFIR MRA and CE-MRA were (3.4±0.8) and (2.5±0.9) respectively, and there was significant difference between IFIR MRA and CE-MRA (Z=-4.040, P<0.01). Renal artery trunk diameter of IFIR MRA and CE-MRA were (4.7±1.3) and (4.7±1.2) mm respectively, there was no significant difference between IFIR MRA and CE-MRA (P>0.05). Conclusions The image quality of renal artery IFIR MRA was equal to CTA and superior to CE-MRA. It could be considered as an alternative technique for renal artery angiography.

The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of terpene penetration enhancers on membrane fluidity and membrane potential using HaCaT keratinocytes, and study the potential mechanisms of these terpene compounds using as natural transdermal penetration enhancer. Six terpene compounds, namely menthol, limonene, 1,8-cineole, menthone, terpinen-4-ol and pulegone, were chosen in this study on account of their good penetration-enhancement activities. The cytotoxicity of these terpene compounds was measured using an MTT assay. The fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) technique was employed to measure the change of membrane fluidity of HaCaT cells. The flow cytometer was used to study the alteration of membrane fluidity of HaCaT cells, and investigate the effect of terpene compounds on intracellular Ca2+. It was found that 6 terpene compounds possessed low cytotoxicity in comparison to the well-established and standard penetration enhancer azone. Those terpene compounds could significantly enhance HaCaT cells membrane fluidity and decrease HaCaT cells membrane potentials. Meanwhile, after treated with various terpene compounds, the Ca2(+)-ATPase activity and intracellular Ca2+ of HaCaT cells was decreased significantly. Terpene penetration enhancers perhaps changed the membrane fluidity and potentials of HaCaT cells by altering the Ca2+ balance of the cell inside and outside, resulting in the low skin permeability to increase the drug transdermal absorption.
Cell Line ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacokinetics ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Membrane Fluidity ; drug effects ; Skin Absorption ; drug effects ; Terpenes ; pharmacokinetics

Background Although remarkable progress has been made in microsurgery, surgery of intracranial aneurysm still encounters various complications. Cerebral ischemia and postoperative disorders of nervous system could be induced by various specific operation procedures. To improve the outcomes in intracranial aneurysm surgery and to minimize the occurrence of postoperative ischemic complications, it is necessary to perform real-time monitoring on ischemic damages for the corresponding functional areas. To elevate the sensitivity of Eps changes for the detection of cerebral ischemia induced by operation, we monitored Motion Evoked Potential ( MEPs), Somatosensory Evoked Potential (SSEPs)and Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential (BAEPs) in microsurgical operations of intracranial aneurysms. And then the correlation between Eps changes and clinical outcome was investigated.Methods MEPs, SSEPs, and BAEPs were recorded intra-operatively for 25 cases in intracranial aneurysms. Monitored results and clinical outcome were analyzed in a prospective observational design.Results The MEPs in 5 of 21 cases, the SSEPs in 5 of 25 cases and the BAEPs in 1 of 3 cases showed inadequate temporary clipping, inadvertent occlusion, inadequate retraction, vasospasm, or compromise to perforating vessels. 3 patients developed advanced weakness, which showed abnormal SSEPs in only one patient while showed abnormal MEPs in all 3 cases.Conclusions The MEPs is more sensitive than SSEPs in monitoring the motor ischemic impairments. The monitoring results were correlated to the clinical outcome closely. Monitoring Eps in keyhole microsurgery of intracranial aneurysms could improve the sensitivity in detecting insufficient distal collateral flow. And then successful completion of potentially hazardous maneuvers would be attained.

Objective To localize the sinoatrial node (SAN) of the newborn rabbits in vivo and cut it for purifying cultivation and study the morophologic characters of primary cultured pacemaker cells of SAN under light microscope and transmissional electron microscope. Methods Hearts of the newborn rabbits were embedded in paraffin for HE-staining and observed the location, form of SAN under optical microscope; SAN cells isolated from neonatal rabbits cultured and purified with the method of differential attachment and BrdU-treatment.Results SAN localized in the anterior wall of the superior vena cava and the posterior-lateral atrial wall.There was about 0.32 mm between its lowest point and sulcus terminalis. Three distinctly different types of cells were observed among the cultured cells of SAN: spindle, araneiform and polygon. The spindle cells covered the greatest proportion of the cultured cells of SAN (59.6%?7.3%). The frequency of spontaneous contraction of spindle cells was the highest among the constrcting cells (145 ?9)time/min. The results of ultrastructure observation showed that myofibrils and other organelles in spindle cells were poorly organized and significantly decreased in number compared with araneiform cells. There was no significant difference between araneiform cells isolated from SAN and from atrial muscle.Conclusion Among the cultured cells from neonatal rabbits SAN, the spindle cells are the pacemaker cells of SAN.

Objective To assessed the expression of inducible costimulator(ICOS)on peripheral blood and joint fluid CD4,CDS,CD45RO T cells and B cells in rheumatoid arthritis(RA).Methods Expression of ICOS and ICOS/CD45RO on peripheral blood and joint fluid CD4~+CD8~+T cells and ICOS ligand(ICOSL)on CD19 B cells from RA patients and healthy volunteers were determind by three-color flow cytometry.Compar- ision with active and inactive RA,initial and relapsed RA had been done.Results Joint fluid CD4 and CD8 T cells expressing ICOS,ICOS/CD45RO were significantly increased than peripheral blood in RA patients and healthy subjects.Joint fluid B cells expressing ICOSL were significantly reduced than peripheral blood in RA patients.Meanwhile,peripheral blood B cells expressing ICOSL were significantly reduced in active RA than inactive RA patients.Conclusion Hyperexpression of ICOS and ICOS/CD45RO on joint fluid CD4 and CD8 T cells and lowexpression of ICOSL in B cells from RA patients,expecially in active RA may contribute to the local immunopathological roles and joint destructions in the pathogenesis of RA.

Heterokaryon incompatibility is a widespread phenomenon among fungi,controlled by specific loci termed het (for heterokaryon incompatibility).This review focuses on recent developments in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of nonself recognition and the relationship between the death progresses of heterokaryon incompatibility and associated proteins in fungi.The deep research of heterokaryon incompatibility mechanism will hopefully reveal underlying principles of the evolution of nonself recognition systems and will find some effective method for settling the instability of protoplast fusant of fungi.

Background Dyslipidemia is one of the major causes of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).At present,the study of the preventive and treating methods of A MD is still a hot spot.Objective The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of tonifying the spleen and promoting blood circulation on the retina and Bruch membrane in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice with dyslipidemia.Methods Thirty-six ApoE-/-mice aged 2 months were randomly divided into the normal diet group,high fat diet group and medicine group.A diet with a higher content of fat was given for 5 consecutive months to the mice of the high fat diet group and medicine group,and in the last month,a concoction that tonifies the spleen and promotes blood circulation was gavagely administered in the medicine group,and an equivalent volumes of normal saline solution was administered in the same way in the normal diet group and high fat diet group.Total plasma cholesterol (TC),low density lipoprotein (LDL)and triglyceride (TG) were detected by (ELISA? Name of assay?) using the 7170 Hitachi automatic biochemical analyzer,and morphological changes of the retina and Bruch membrane were examined by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.The number of outer nuclear layer (ONL) cells,retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and the thickness of the Bruch membrane were examined by semi-quantitative histopathology with the Mias 2000 Imaging Analyzer System.Results The concentrations of TC,LDL and TG were (6.47 ±0.49) mmol/L,(1.46 ±0.10)mmol/L and (0.62 ±0.21) mmol/L,respectively,in 7-month-old mice of the medicine group,showing a significant reduction in comparison with (10.53 ±0.30) mmol/L,(1.90±0.13) mmol/L,(1.15±0.29) mmol/L of the high fat diet group,and (9.63 ± 0.18) mmol/L,(1.12 ± 0.15) mmol/L,(0.88 ± 0.21) mmol/L in the normal diet group (P＜0.05-0.01).The disorder and atrophy of ONL and RPE cells,divergence of fiber of the Bruch membranes were found in both the high fat diet group and normal diet control group under the light microscope,and drusen formed in some of the mice in the high fat diet group.However,ONL and RPE were well organized in the medicine group.The cell numbers in the ONL and RPE layer in the 7-month-old mice were (23 124.00±755.18) and (10.75±0.59),respectively,in the medicine group,(19 107.00 ± 1436.82) and (8.55 ± 1.11),respectively,in the high fat diet group,(21 663.00± 1073.27) and (9.75 ±0.58),respectively,in the normal diet group,with significant differences among them (P＜0.05-0.001).Thickness of the Bruch membrane in the medicine group extensively reduced in high fat diet group and normal diet control group (P＜0.01).The ultrastructures of the RPE and Bruch membrane were much more improved in the mdedicine group.Conclusions Tonifying the spleen and promoting blood circulation can attenuate hyperlipemia in ApoE-/-mouse;furthermore,it lessens the pathological abnormalities in the ONL,RPE and Bruch membrane.

AlM:To investigate the changes of retinal histology and oxidative stress in diabetic retinopathy and its reversal by pyruvate in diabetic rats.
METHODS: Eighty Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups:control group ( 20 rats ) , model group ( 30 rats ) and treatment group ( 30 rats ) . After streptozotocin ( STZ) induced diabetes mellitus in the model group and the treatment group, the treatment group received 2%pyruvate in diet and drinking. The changes of body weight and blood glucose were observed and the changes of glutathione peroxidase ( GSH-PX ) , malonie dialdehyde ( MDA) , and Na+-K+-ATPase levels of retinal tissue and retinal ultrastructure were investigated in three groups at 12wk after occurrence of diabetes.
RESULTS: Compared with control group, the body weight of the model group were significantly decreased, the activities of GSH-PX and ATP in the retina of diabetic rats were significantly lower, the MDA was signigicantly higher and significant changes occurred in retinal ultrastructure. Compared with model group, the blood glucose of the treatment group had no significant changes. However, the activities of GSH and ATP in the retina of diabetic rats were higher, the MDA was lower and the retinal ultrastructure was comparatively mild.
CONCLUSlON:Pyruvate can alleviate oxidatie stress reaction, improve the energy metabolism of retina, and delay the development of retinopathy.