Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a lysophospholipid signaling molecule that regulates important biological functions in both intracellular and extracellular compartments. It interacts with five G protein-coupled receptors subtypes (S1PR(1-5)) to generate multiple downstream signaling. Activation of S1PR1 has been validated to be involved in the process of immune modulation. Fingolimod (FTY720), the novel S1PR1 agonist, has been approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis in clinical trials. The study towards discovery of selective S1PR1 agonists has become hot spot for immunological diseases. This article summarized the research progress of S1PR1 agonists, emphasizing their structure types, structure-activity relationship and direction of development.

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of puncturing Renying (ST 9) in the treatment of poststroke dysphagia. Methods: Sixty cases of poststroke dysphagia were randomized into two groups, a control group in which 30 cases were given rehabilitation training, and a treatment group in which 30 cases were treated by puncturing Renying (ST 9) and rehabilitation training, with a course of four weeks. Results: The total effective rate for dysphagia was higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Puncturing Renying (ST 9) is quite effective for poststroke dysphagia.

Combined antiretroviral therapy ( cART) is widely used for infections of human immune deficiency virus ( HIV) .However , some antiviral drugs can not reach the effective concentrations in central nervous system due to the hinder of blood-brain barrier ( BBB) , resulting in the formation of viral reservoir in central nervous system .BBB is formed by human brain microvascular endothelial cells ( HBMVECs ) , which are connected by tight junction and a thick basement membrane , and astrocytic end-feet.This paper reviews possible mechanisms of BBB hindrance and anti-HIV drug efflux by transport proteins , as well as effective methods to deliver antiretroviral drugs into brain , including the application of nano technology .

Objective To explore the changes of serum IL‐6 ,IL‐10 ,PLA2 on intracranial infection and its prognosis .Methods Totallly 100 patients with intracranial infection during February 2011 to December 2013 were selected as the research object .In 100 cases of intracranial infection patients ,30 cases were cured (group A) and 52 cases improved (group B) ,18 cases of illness or death as poor prognosis group (group C) .Serum IL‐6 ,IL‐10 ,PLA2 content of the subjects in different time point were detected .Results One day After infection ,serum IL‐6 ,IL‐10 ,PLA2 levels in intracranial infection group were obviously higher than that of healthy control group (P< 0 .01) ;7 d after infection ,IL‐6 ,IL‐10 average level among 3 groups had obvious changed(P< 0 .05) ,7 d after in‐fection ,IL‐6 ,IL‐10 level of group B and group C was significantly higher than group A (P< 0 .05) ;and in group C ,IL‐6 ,IL‐10 was higher than group B (P< 0 .05) .7 d after infection ,the IL‐6 IL‐ 10 level of group A declined ,the IL‐6 ,IL‐ 10 levels of group B be‐gan decreasing 14 d after infection ,and the IL‐6 ,IL‐10 levels of group C had been in a rising trend .3 d after infection ,the PLA2 leves among 3 groups had obvious changed(P< 0 .05) ,7 d after infection ,the change rate increased ,7 d after infection ,PLA2 level of group B and group C was significantly higher than group A (P< 0 .05) ,and in group C ,PLA2 was higher than group B (P< 0 . 05) .7 d after infection ,the PLA2 level of group A declined ,in group B and group C ,PLA2 level began to decline significantly 14 d after infection .Conclusion IL‐6 ,IL‐10 ,PLA2 are closely related to the occurrence and prognosis of intracranial infection .

Objective To isolate,cultivate and identify the human embryonic fibroblasts(hEFs) derived from the gonadal ridges and dorsal mesenteries of human embryos,and to detect the expression by hEFs of cytokines crucial for the growth of human embryonic germ cells(hEG) in vitro.Methods The hEFs were isolated by enzyme digestion from gonadal ridges and dorsal mesenteries of 5-to 9-week old human embryos.The cells were then cultivated.The biologic characteristics(morphology,growth characteristics and cell cycle) of these cells were also studied.The reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was used to seek the expressions of a specific fibroblast marker,prolyl 4-hydroxylase ?,and a specific marker of epithelial cells,cytokeratin-4,in the cells.The expressions of cytokines essential for the growth of hEG,namely basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF) and leukemia inhibitory factor(LIF),were also examined by RT-PCR.Results The hEFs were successfully isolated and cultivated from gonadal ridges and dorsal mesenteries of human embryos.They could be passaged beyond the 25th generation.The biologic characteristics of the cells did not change,even in high-passage cells or frozen-thawed cells.The cells expressed prolyl 4-hydroxylase ?, but not cytokeratin-4,which was similar to the fibroblasts.The cultured cells expressed bFGF and LIF.Conclusion The hEFs derived from gonadal ridges and dorsal mesenteries of human embryos are successfully isolated and cultivated,and the cells express the cytokines essential for the growth of hEG in vitro.

Objective To construct, express and identify the anti-idiotypic antibody single chain variable fragment (scFv) against Edwardsiella tarda. Methods By using RT-PCR method, the variable regions of the heavy and light chain of the anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody (mAb) 1E11 against Edwardsiella tarda were cloned and joined with a (Gly_4ser)_3 linker, and the scFv in the orientation of V_L-linker-V_H was constructed. It was then cloned into vector plasmid pET-28a, expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3), and confirmed by SDS-PAGE, Western blot and ELISA. Results The recombinant scFv could be expressed in E.coli BL21 (DE3) in a fusion protein pattern. The expression product was in the form of an inclusion body and the purified fusion protein was obtained after being purified and refolded. The SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis showed that the molecular had the binding activity to the antigen. Conclusion The recombinant anti-idiotype scFv has been successfully constructed and expressed in E.coli BL21 (DE3), providing the basis and potential for preparation of genetically engineered vaccine against Edwardsiella tarda.

Objective To explore the syphilis epidemiological characteristics of blood recipients in Xinyang ,reduce medical dis‐putes and prevent hospital infection .Methods The gender ,age ,occupation ,education and other data of 16 429 blood recipients in our hospital were collected .Then we performed statistical analysis on the test results of syphilis antibodies to all kinds of people . Results Out of 16 429 samples ,137 cases were detected positive ,the prevalence was 0 .83% .Among them ,there were 70 males ,ac‐counting for 0 .74% male patients ,67 females ,accounting for 0 .96% female patients ,and there was no significant difference be‐tween the male and female patients(P>0 .05) .Syphilis infection in different age groups had significant difference(P<0 .05) .Mean‐while ,linear trend test suggested that syphilis infection rate increased with age(P<0 .01) .Different cultural level also had different infection rate of syphilis ,the higher cultural level ,the lower infection rate .Among non‐employed persons and farmers the prevalence of syphilis was highest .In contrast ,the prevalence was lowest among students .Conclusion Syphilis infection rates were not the same among different kinds of people ,and the syphilis test should be strengthened to blood recipients .

BACKGROUND:microRNA-17 is confirmed to play an important role in the development of pulmonary hypertension. Some research has shown that hypoxia-induced proliferation in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle celldepends on the induction of arginase II. There is no report about whether there is some interaction between microRNA-17 and arginase II in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the possible interactions between microRNA-17 and arginase II in hypoxic human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells.
METHODS:Passage 4 human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells were cultured in 21%O 2 and 5%CO 2 (normoxia) or 1%O 2 and 5%CO 2 (hypoxia), and then transfected with mimic or inhibitor of microRNA-17 or arginase II-smal interfering RNA. RNA, microRNA and protein were isolated separately. Expression of microRNA-17 and arginase II was detected with real-time quantitative PCR and western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The level of microRNA-17 was significantly increased in cultured human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells exposed to 1%O 2 hypoxia, as was arginase II mRNA and protein expression. Furthermore, inhibition of microRNA-17 expression decreased the mRNA and protein levels of arginase II in the human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells under hypoxia. Conversely, over-expression of microRNA-17 increased the mRNA and protein levels of arginase II in the human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells under normoxia and hypoxia. Knockdown of arginase II by siRNA abolished the hypoxia-induced up-regulation of microRNA-17 expression. These findings indicate that arginase II is a target gene of microRNA-17 and can regulate the expression of microRNA-17 in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells.

Objective To explore the relationship between peripheral Th17 cell number and chronic gastritis in Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)-infected children.Methods Children were diagnosed as chronic gastritis by endoscopy.The degree and activity of inflammation were graded by histopathology examinations.The patients with both 13C urea breath test and urease test positive were diagnosed as H.pylori infection.The peripheral Th17 cell number was measured by flow cytometry and expressed as a ratio to total T cell.Results The Th17 cell number in HP group (chronic gastritis with H.pylori infection,n =33),non-HP group (chronic gastritis without H.pylori infection,n =24) and normal controls (n =15) were (1.55 ±0.30)％,(1.06 ±0.33)％,and (1.04 ±0.35)％,respectively.HP group included a statistically higher Th17 cell number than the other groups (all P ＜ 0.05),while no obvious difference was found between non-HP group and controls (P ＞ 0.05).According to the degree of inflammation,the chronic gastritis with H.pylori infection was categorized into non-apparent (n =10),mild (n =8),moderate (n =9) and severe (n =6) subgroups.The Th17 cell number in each subgroup was (1.64 ± 0.21)％ (non-apparent),(1.61 ± 0.23)％(mild),(1.25 ± 0.29) ％ (moderate) and (1.75 ± 0.20) ％ (severe),respectively.The moderate group had a lowest Th17 cell number among 4 groups (P ＜ 0.05).And significant differences did not exit in the other 3 groups (P ＞ 0.05).The HP group patients with different inflammatory activity had a Th17 cell number of (1.23 ±0.25)％ in nonapparent (n=15),(1.53 ±0.15)％ in mild (n=6),(1.55 ±0.32)％ in moderate (n=6) and (1.71 ±0.35)％ in severe (n =6) subgroup,respectively.However,there were no significant differences among 4 subgroups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions In the progress of chronic gastritis with H.pylori infection,Th17 cells may play a role as a double-edged sword by protecting and fighting against H.pylori infection and immunopathologic insults.This would provide more insights into the treatment of H.pylori infection.

Objective To construct,express and identify the anti-idiotypic antibody single chain variable fragment(scFv) against Edwardsiella tarda.Methods By using RT-PCR method,the variable regions of the heavy and light chain of the anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody(mAb) 1E11 against Edwardsiella tarda were cloned and joined with a(Gly4Ser)3 linker,and the scFv in the orientation of VL-linker-VH was constructed.It was then cloned into vector plasmid pET-28a,expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3),and confirmed by SDS-PAGE,Western blot and ELISA.Results The recombinant scFv could be expressed in E.coli BL21(DE3) in a fusion protein pattern.The expression product was in the form of an inclusion body and the purified fusion protein was obtained after being purified and refolded.The SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis showed that the molecular weight of scFv protein was 27 ku.Indirect ELISA confirmed that the scFv had the binding activity to the antigen.Conclusion The recombinant anti-idiotype scFv has been successfully constructed and expressed in E.coli BL21(DE3),providing the basis and potential for preparation of genetically engineered vaccine against Edwardsiella tarda.