Aim To study the effects of extracellular acidosis on articular chondrocytes pyroptosis and its possible mechanisms. Methods Primary articular chondrocytes were incubated in different pH and NAC. The expression of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-18, ASC, NLRP3, caspase-1 were detected by Western blot and real-time PCR. The state of pyropto-sis was identified by AO/EB staining and LDH con-tents. The expression of ROS was observed by DCFH-DA, and ELISA was used to detect the IL-1β,IL-18 in cultured supernatants. Results Compared with the normal cell, extracellular acidosis could increase the expression of IL-1β, IL-18, ASC, NLRP3 and caspase-1 , upregulate the fluorescence intensity of in-tercellular ROS, accompanied with the promoted release of LDH. Moreover, it is observed that extra-cellular acidosis could also induce chondrocytes death by AO/EB staining. NAC,the scavenger of ROS could inhibit these effects of extracellular acidosis on chon-drocytes. Conclusion Extracellular acidosis may in-duce chondrocyte pyroptosis via upregulating the intra-cellular ROS content.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate how different concentrations of dextran sulfate sodi-um ( DSS) influence the establishment of mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease ( IBD) and the effect of DSS on the expression of colitis-associated immune factors.Methods The DSS solution in different concentrations (3%, 5%, 7%) were given to male C57BL/6J mice to generate mouse inflammatory bowel disease model.The IBD mice were observed by defecation characteristics, body weight, and survival time.The animals were sacrificed at 6 days after the start of DSS drinking.The general appearance of colons was observed and scored.Moreover, the pathological changes of the colon were examined and analyzed by routine histology.The expression of immune factors in the spleen was detected by real-time PCR.Results The mice in the 3%, 5%, 7% DSS groups developed murine colitis.In addition, the incidence of IBD and mouse mortality rate was directly proportional to the increase of DSS concentration.Furthermore, the higher concentra-tion of DSS induced the expression of proinflammatory factors including TNF-α, IFN-γand IL-17A, but cause a decrease of anti-inflammatory factors such as IL-4, IL-10 and Treg-related transcription factor Foxp3.Conclusions Our data suggest that giving 5%DSS solution to C57BL/6J mouse is appropriate to efficiently establish a murine IBD model.This laid an important foundation for further studies of the pathogenesis of IBD, biological characteristics, and intervention factors.

OBJECTIVETo study DNA damages of liver cells in rats exposed to vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), and the expressions of DNA damage repair enzymes including O(6)-methyl guanine-DNA methyl transferase (MGMT), X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) and X-ray repair cross-complementing group 3 (XRCC3); and to explore the repair mechanism of DNA damage induced by VCM.

METHODSRats were exposed to VCM by intraperitoneal injection. DNA damages were detected by single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay). The expressions of DNA damage repair enzymes were measured by immunohistochemical methods.

RESULTSThe percentages of comet cells in low, moderate, and high dose groups (11.75%, 12.38%, and 17.63%, respectively) were greater than that of control (5.67%). The latter two groups were significantly different from that of control (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The expressions of MGMT and XRCC1 decreased, and XRCC3 increased with the dose of VCM increased. DNA damage was correlated with the expression of XRCC3 (r = 0.438, P = 0.067).

CONCLUSIONVCM can cause DNA damage of liver cells with dose-response relationship. DNA damage repair enzymes take part in the repairing of DNA damage induced by VCM.

Animals ; Carcinogens ; toxicity ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; DNA Repair ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Liver ; cytology ; metabolism ; Male ; O(6)-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vinyl Chloride ; toxicity ; X-ray Repair Cross Complementing Protein 1

0.05).There was significant difference in the 3-year survival rate between A and C group. Conclusions The 3-year survival rate was dramatically increased with combined therapy mainly by cisplatin, the dose of 60～80mg is tolerant for the elderly aged above seventy years, and perioperation complications can be cured.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of detection of IgM antibodies to EV71-infection patients,and compared characterisation of RT-PCR,IgM capture ELISA and neutralization test.Methods Virus RNA,neutralization titer and IgM antibody in 115 EV71-infection patients were detected by EV71 real-time RT-PCR kit( EV71-PCR kit),neutralization test,and EV71 IgM-capture ELISA kit (EV71-IgM kit),respectively.Results Using EV71-IgM kit,the detection rate was 80.9％ (93/115,95％ CI:72.5-87.6) among the 115 EV71-infection patients,and was 2.6％ among the 228 healthy children.Simultaneously,sera collected after 1-2 day of disease onset showed an IgM positivity of 70.4％ (38/ 54).The positive rate of EV71-PCR among these patients was 82.6％ (95/115,95％ CI:74.4-89.0),so there was no statistically significant differences between it and EV71-IgM kit.In addition,the detection rate in EV71-infection patients could increase to 92.2％ by combined detection of EV71-PCR and EV71-IgM kit.Conclusion EV71-IgM kit was a rapid and valuable way for the early diagnosis of EV71 infection,and could significantly improve detection rate for EV71 infection by combining with EV71-PCR kit.

We revisited the "Xiao Chaihu Decoction event (XCHDE)" occurred in late 1980s in Japan and the Bupleuri Radix related adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports in China After careful review, comparison, analysis and evaluation, we think the interstitial pneumonitis, drug induced Liver injury (DILI) and other severe adverse drug envents (ADEs) including death happened in Japan is probably results from multiple factors, including combinatory use of XCHDE with interferon, Kampo usage under modern medicine theory guidance, and use of XCHD on the basis of disease diagnosis instead of traditional Chinese syndrome complex differentiation. There are less ADE case reports related to XCHD preparation in China compared to Japan, mostly manifest with hypersensitivity responses of skin and perfuse perspiration. The symptoms of Radix Bupleuri injection related ADEs mainly manifest hypersensitivity-like response, 2 cases of intravenous infusion instead of intramuscular injection developed hypokalemia and renal failure. One case died from severe hypersensitivity shock. In Chinese literatures, there is no report of the interstitial pneumonitis and DILI associated with XCHDG in Japan. So far, there is no voluntary monitoring data and large sample clinical research data available. The author elaborated the classification of "reevaluation" and clarified "re-evaluation upon events" included the reaction to the suspected safety and efficacy events. Based on the current status of the clinical research on the Radix Bupleuri preparations, the author points out that post-marketing "re-evaluation upon suspected event" is not only a necessity of continuous evaluation of the safety, efficacy of drugs, it is also a necessity for providing objective clinical research data to share with the international and domestic drug administrations in the risk-benefit evaluation. It is also the unavoidable pathway to culture and push the excellent species and famous brands of TCM to the international market, in that it enhances the pharmaceutical manufactures the ability to control enterprise risk and eliminate the negative impact on traditional Chinese medicine. With the widely used and ADR report concentrated Radix Bupleuri injection as an example, the author provide a new approach to post-marketing clinical research.
Bupleurum ; chemistry ; Drug Compounding ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; etiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Product Surveillance, Postmarketing ; methods ; Safety

OBJECTIVETo analyze the incidence rate, animal hosts, and human inapparent infection rate from surveillance data collected in Jiangsu province from 1996 to 2000 and the risk factors of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).

METHODSData on the incidence rate was collected from the whole province to describe the epidemiologic characteristics of HFRS. Data on the density of rats, proportion of rats with virus, index of rats with virus and the human inapparent infection rate were collected in special areas according to the standardised protocol in the project.

RESULTSThe incidence rate of HFRS reduced continuously in Jiangsu province, with a 42.17% reduction from 1996 to 2000. The ratio between the incidence rate of autumn-winter peak and spring peak had also reduced. The main host in spring was Rattus norvegicus (with a density of 3.07%), while that in autumn was Apodemus agrarius (with a density of 4.64%). The density of main hosts and mixed species of rats had all reduced during the five years of observation. The proportions of Rattus norvegicus, Apodemus agrarius, Mus musculus with virus were relatively high in spring and autumn. The index of Rattus norvegicus and Mus musculus with virus in spring were 0.025 5 and 0.028 4 respectively, while that of Apodemus agrarius with virus in autumn was 0.030 2. The average human inapparent infection rate was 4.73% in the five years.

CONCLUSIONThe incidence rate of HFRS in Jiangsu reduced significantly from 1996 to 2000, but the risk factors still widely existed. Suggesting that the surveillance program needs to be carried out steadily in Jiangsu.

Adult ; Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; China ; epidemiology ; Disease Reservoirs ; Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome ; epidemiology ; transmission ; Humans ; Incidence ; Middle Aged ; Muridae ; virology ; Rats ; virology ; Risk Factors ; Seasons ; Time Factors

[Objective] To investigate the environmental pollution status and infectious diseases in kindergartens and nurseries in 2012 in Baoshan District . [ Methods] The questionaire was used in com-bination with data from monitoring of the disinfection effect of environment , monitoring analysis of routine infectious disease and others . [ Results] The overall pass rate was 97.91% for environmental disinfec-tion in kindergartens and nurseries , and it was higher in public kindergartens and nurseries than in private ones.The conventional infectious disease in kindergartens and nurseries was mainly hane-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD), whose incidence was higher in private kindergartens and nurseries than in public ones . And in terms of regional distribution , the incidence of HFMD was higher in streets and towns with more in-floating population than those with less .And the pass rate for the disinfection effect on the kindergartens nurseries and the incidence rate of HFMD were negatively correlated . [ Conclusion] Kindergartens and nurseries in our district should strengthen the complete configuration of hardware and software , establish standardized system of disinfection and isolation , and develop daily disinfection system , so as to reduce in-fectious disease .

Adenovirus vectors are one of the most promising gene transfer systems. They are of great value for gene therapy because these vectors achieve temporal high-level transgene expression and high gene transfer efficiency. To meet increasing needs of adenovirus vectors for gene therapy programs, parallel development of efficient, scalable and reproducible production processes is required. Perfusion cultivation of 293 cells is one of the most commonly used methods to produce adenovirus vectors and it is suitable for industrialized production specially. Experimental studies had been carried out to produce recombinant adenovirus containing the green fluorescent protein gene (Ad-GFP) by perfusion cultivation of HEK-293 N3S cells in a 5L stirring bioreactors. Perfusion rate was 1-2 volume/day. To infect the 293 N3S cells with Ad-GFP at the density of (2-4) x 10(6) cells/ ml. The time of collecting cells was 48 hours post infection. After three rounds of freeze/thaw and centrifugation, the crude viral lysates were stored at--80 degrees C until use. Then to get the Ad-GFP products by 2 x CsCl-gradient purification. The purity of the products was determined by the A260/A280 ratio and a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay. The infective titer was determined by a TCID50 assay. The culture term was 10-12 days. The infectious titer, the number of virus particle and the ratio of infectious titer to virus particle for the product were 1.0 x 10(11) IU/mL, 1.68 x 10(12) VP/mL and 6.0% IU/VP respectively. The A260/A280 ratio was 1.33, and the purity determined by HPLC was 99.2%. The cell specific productivity was around 1000 IU/cell. By perfusion cultivation of 293 N3S cells in a 5L stirring bioreactors, we established the production process for Ad-GFP, which paves a way to produce other recombinant adenovirus for gene therapy.
Adenoviridae ; genetics ; growth & development ; isolation & purification ; Bioreactors ; microbiology ; Cell Line ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Vectors ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Kidney ; cytology ; virology ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Recombination, Genetic ; Virus Cultivation ; instrumentation ; methods

OBJECTIVESOrthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is an accepted therapy for selected patients with advanced liver diseases. However, the early mortality rate after OLT remains relatively high due to the poor selection of candidates with various serious conditions. The aim of this study is to assess the value of pretransplantation artificial liver support treatment in reducing the pre-operation risk factors relating to early mortality after OLT.

METHODS50 adult patients in various stages of different etiologies who underwent OLT procedures had been treated with molecular adsorbent recycling system (MARS) preoperatively. The study was designed in two parts: the first one was to evaluate the effectiveness of a single MARS therapy by using some clinical and laboratory parameters which were supposed to be therapeutical pretransplantation risk factors. The second part was to study the patients undergoing OLT by using the regression analysis on preoperation risk factors relating to early (within 30 d after OLT) mortality rate.

RESULTSAmong the 50 patients, a statistically significant improvement of the biochemical parameters was observed (pretreatment vs posttreatment). 8 patients cancelled their scheduled LTXs due to significant improvements in their clinical conditions or recovery of their failing liver functions. 8 patients died and 34 patients successfully underwent LTX. The immediate outcome (within 30 postoperative days) of these 34 patients was that 28 were kept alive and 6 died.

CONCLUSIONSPreoperation sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), level of creatinine, INR, TNFalpha, and IL-10 are the main preoperative risk factors relating to early death after an operation. MARS treatment before a transplant operation can relieve these factors significantly, hence improve survival rate of liver transplantation or even make the transplantation unnecessary.

Aged ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Liver Cirrhosis ; surgery ; Liver Neoplasms ; surgery ; Liver Transplantation ; methods ; Liver, Artificial ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Preoperative Care ; Risk Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood