0.05). Conclusions The gap junction formed by CX43 should be an important role in switching and developing the epilepsy. The synthetic polypeptide corresponding to amino acid sequence of CX43 would be a kind of new type antiepileptic drug, which might have less side effects and more potent pertinency.

Objective To investigate the proliferation and identification of dendritic cells(DC)de- rived from peripheral blood of patients with bladder cancer in vitro.Methods The mononuclear cells were prepared from peripheral blood of patients with bladder cancer by Ficoll-Hypaque centrifugation method,and were induced by the recombinant cytokines hGM-CSF(50 ng/ml),hlL-4(10 ng/ml)and hTNF-?(50 ng/ ml)for 2 weeks.The growth and morphology of DC were observed through the phase contrast or electron mi- croscope,and their pheuotypes were determined by flow cytometry.The capacity of DC to activate T cell-de- pendent anti-tumor immune responses was tested by MTT method.Results The DC cultured in vitro turned into suspensive growth from adhesive situation on the 6th day,then the number of DC increased con- tinuously and the cells showed the irregular morphologic appearance of DC with veiled edges on the 8th day. Flow cytometry showed that the mature DC expressed high levels of specific markers such as CD_(1a),CD_(83), CD_(86)and HLA-DR.T cells activated by DC showed strong cytotoxicity to bladder cancer cell line BIU87 with a killing rate of(48.8?3.7)%,while the killing rate of T cells which were not activated by DC was(25.7?1.5)%;the difference of the rate between them was significant(P＜0.01). Conclusions The DC can be cultured from peripheral blood of patients with bladder cancer by induction of rhGM-CSF,rhIL-4 and hT- NF-?in vitro.This may lay an experimental foundation for further research on DC vaccine.

Diabetic retinopathy is a series of typical pathological changes in retinal microvasculature caused by diabetes,which seriously affects the visual acuity and quality of life of patients.The development of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography provides a new approach to elucidate the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy,and this paper will give a brief review on the latest progress in the relationship between choroidal thickness measured by optical coherence tomography and diagnosis-treatment of diabetic retinopathy.

Objective To investigate effects of dendritic cells (DC) vaccine on immune function in postoperative gastric cancer patients Methods DCs were extracted and pulsed with self tumor antigens in vitro Fifty patients with gastric cancer were divided into 2 groups randomly Four times of DC vaccinations were administered at 7 days intervals to the postoperative patients in treatment group after they underwent chemotherapy The control group were treated with chemotherapy only The level of IL 12 、 IFN ? and IL 4 in peripheral blood were analysed Results In DCs group, the levels of IL 12 were 37?4、 68?6、 96?12 and 59?9 pg/ml, the levels of IFN ? were 61?12、 134?19、 145?20 and 111?15 pg/ml, and levels of IL 4 were 55?7、 49?6、 46?5 and 50?8 pg/ml before and 2, 4 and 8 weeks after vaccination, respectively In control group, the levels of IL 12 were 39?7、 45?9、 44?10 and 44?6 pg/ml, the levels of IFN ? were 63?10、 61?13、 62?11、 61?7 pg/ml, and levels of IL 4 were 52?11、 55?9、 53?10、 55?8 pg/ml before and 2, 4 and 8 weeks after vaccination, respectively The levels of IL 12 and IFN ? increased significantly in DCs group No severe side effects were found during treatment Conclusion DC vaccine improves immune function of posroprative patients with gastric cancer

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of serum soluble CD 163 (sCD 163) level, to assess the severity of critical illness and to evaluate the immune status of sepsis or severe sepsis in children.

METHODA prospective study was conducted. The sCD 163 was determined in 50 cases with sepsis or severe sepsis in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and 23 cases of age- and gender-matched healthy children were enrolled as control during the period from April 2010 to March 2011. Double-antibody sandwich ELISA was used for sCD 163 measurement. The relationship with sCD 163 level and disease severity score (pediatric critical illness score, PCIS; and pediatric risk of mortality III, PRISM III), lymphocyte subsets, C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) were analyzed.

RESULTThe sCD 163 in sepsis/severe sepsis groups (171.04 ± 177.85) mg/L was significantly higher than that in control group (44.19 ± 86.48) mg/L (P < 0.01).sCD 163 in sepsis group [(105.32 ± 145.87) mg/L] was significantly lower than that of severe sepsis group [(233.32 ± 171.78) mg/L] (P < 0.05). sCD 163 level was significantly higher in lower PCIS score patients. (P < 0.01). The sCD 163 levels was higher in PRISM III ≥ 10 than the PRISM III < 10 group. The sCD 163 levels were higher in death group than the survival group. The sCD 163 was negatively correlated with CD4 +, CD4 +/CD8 + (R = -0.820, P < 0.05; R = -0.839, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONDetection of sCD 163 was helpful in predicting the severity of sepsis and severe sepsis, and sCD 163 may reflect the immune status of critically ill children with sepsis.

Adolescent ; Antigens, CD ; blood ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; blood ; Biomarkers ; blood ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Critical Illness ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Intensive Care Units, Pediatric ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology ; Male ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; blood ; Sepsis ; blood ; immunology ; mortality ; Severity of Illness Index ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

OBJECTIVEConditioned taste preference (CTP) is a taste learning reflex by which an animal learns to prefer a substance which tastes not well and has been studied with much interest in recent years. However, the neural substrates of CTP are less known. This study aimed to determine the possible neural path- ways of CTP and whether serum leptin level and the leptin receptor (OB-Rb) in the hind brain are involved following CTP formation.

METHODSWe established CTP of quinine in rats with a 2-bottle preference test. The serum leptin concentrations were detected, the expression of c-fos in the rat brain was tested to determine the nuclei in relation with establishment of CTR Finally, the OB-Rb mRNA expression was examined by RT-qPCR assay in parabrachial nucleus (PBN) and the nucleus of the solitary tract (NST) of the hind brain.

RESULTSCompared with control group, the level of serum leptin was higher in the CTP group (4.58 ± 0.52 vs 1.67 ± 0.25 µg/L, P < 0.01); increased c-fos positive cells were found in the anterior hypothalamus (AH, 221.75 ± 4.96 vs. 178.50 ± 6.63 cells/mm², P < 0.05), the basal lateral amygdala (BLA, 70.75 ± 6.17 vs 56.50 ± 3.62 cells/ mm², P < 0.05) and the nucleus of the solitary tract (NST, 41.25 ± 1.32 vs 32.50 ± 1.02 cells/mm², P < 0.05). But in ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH, 20.75 ± 2.73 vs 38.5 ± 1.54 per 1 mm², P < 005), PBN (21.50 ± 2.24 vs 36.25 ± 1.49 cells/mm², P < 0.05) and the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA, 22.25 ± 1.53 vs 35.50 ± 2.11 cells/mm², P < 0.05), the number of c-fos positive cells was decreased in the CTP group. In addition, we found OB-Rb mRNA expression in PBN of CTP group rats was higher than that of control group (0.95 ± 0.055 vs 0.57 ± 0.034, P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference of OB-Rb mRNA expression in NST between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONNuclei AH, BLA, NST, VMH, PBN and CeA participate in the formation of CTP. Leptin and its receptor in PBN may be involved in the formation and maintenance of CTP.

Animals ; Conditioning (Psychology) ; Leptin ; blood ; Rats ; Receptors, Leptin ; physiology ; Rhombencephalon ; physiology ; Taste ; physiology

OBJECTIVE:To establish the quality standard for Compound Lavandula angustifolia ointment. METHODS:TLC was used for the qualitative identification of ethanol extract from Scutellaria baicalensis and volatile oil of L. angustifolia. GC method was used for qualitative identification of dementholized peppermint oil. GC method was used to determine the content of menthol. The determination was performed on Agilent DB-WAX capillary column,with temperature programming. The injector temperature was 250℃,and the temperature of detector was 250℃.The injection volume was 1 μL and the split ratio was 5:1 by split sampling. RESULTS:TLC spots of ethanol extract of S. baicalensis and volatile oil of L. angustifolia were clear and well-repeated without interference from negative control. The chromatographic peaks in TLC of test samples of dementholized peppermint oil had same retention time as that of substance control.The linear range of menthol injection amount was 0.113 4-1.133 5μg (r=0.999 4). RSDs of precision,intra-day precision,stability and reproducibility tests were not higher than 2.0%. The recoveries were 95.40%-99.82%(RSD=1.61%,n=6). CONCLUSIONS:Established quality standard can be used for the quality control of Compound L.angustifolia ointment.

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences in intrapulmonary shunt (Qs/Qt) and arterial oxygenation between selective left lower lobar blockade by Coopdech endobronchial blocker tubes (BB) and one lung ventilation (OLV) by left-sided double-lumen endobronchial tubes (DLT) in patients with normal pulmonary function.

METHODSThirty-six patients (aged 32-64 years) scheduled for lower esophageal surgery were allocated randomly into BB and DLT groups (n=18). Anesthesia was induced and maintained with Propofol by target controlled infusion with intravenous administration of sufentanil and cisatracurium if needed. A 35 to 39 French tube was placed in the DLT group, and an 8.0-mm (internal diameter) single-lumen endotracheal tube was used in the BB group where a 9 French Coopdech BB was advanced into the left lower lobar bronchus guided by a fiberoptic bronchoscope. The variables recorded were blood gas analysis data from the venous and arterial blood samples at 20 min after two-lung ventilation in supine position (T(1)), 20 min after initiation of one-lung ventilation or selective left lower lobar blockade by inflating BB balloons in the right lateral decubitus position (T(2)), total collapse of the left lung or the left lower lobe after the pleura was opened (T(3)), and before tracheal extubation (T(4)). Qs/Qt was calculated using a standard formula based on the three-compartment model. Upon pleura opening, the effectiveness of lung collapse was evaluated by the surgeon who performed the surgery. Chest radiograph and arterial blood gas analyses were performed the day after the operation.

RESULTSBoth of the groups were similar with regard to rank of the surgical exposure, pH, PaCO(2), hemoglobin from T(1) to T(4), Qs/Qt, PaO(2), PO(2), and oxygenation index at T1. In BB group, a significant reduction of Qs/Qt and greater improvements in PaO(2), PO(2), oxygenation index at T(2), T(3) and T(4) were observed in comparison with those in DLT group (P<0.05 or <0.01). No lobe collapse was observed postoperatively in BB group, but 2 patients in DLT group showed left lower lobe atelectasis. The patients in BB group showed better postoperative arterial oxygenation and shorter postoperative hospital stay (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSelective left lower lobar blockade by Coopdech endobronchial blocker tube during lower esophageal surgery provides a lower intraoperative intrapulmonary shunt and a better intra- and postoperative arterial oxygenation..

Adult ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Bronchoscopes ; Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ; instrumentation ; methods ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Female ; Fiber Optic Technology ; Humans ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; methods ; Lung ; physiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oxygen ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacology ; Pulmonary Ventilation ; Thoracic Surgical Procedures ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the regulatory effect of IFN-gamma on recognition of target cells by human natural killer (NK) cells.

METHODSThe cytotoxic activity of human NK cell lines (NK92, NKL) was detected by MTT method. Expression of NK cell receptors (NKG2D, NKG2A/B, KIR2DL1 and KIR2DS1) and MICA on target cells (the ligand of NKG2D) was measured by RT-PCR.

RESULTSBoth NK92 and NKL cells exerted higher cytotoxicity to tumor cells with MICA expression, while tumors without MICA expression could resist NK cell lysis. IFN-gamma (> 1000 U/ml) inhibited NK lysis of tumor cells with MICA expression through down-regulating the expression of NKG2D, but up-regulating the expression of NKG2A/B and KIR2DL1.

CONCLUSIONIFN-gamma has a negative effect on activation and cytotoxicity of human NK cells by altering the balance between the expression of activating and inhibitory receptors on NK cells in favor of inhibition. This may serve to limit NK cell over-activation in vivo.

Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; drug effects ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; analysis ; physiology ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; pharmacology ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily C ; NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K ; Receptors, Immunologic ; metabolism ; Receptors, KIR2DL1 ; Receptors, Natural Killer Cell ; Recombinant Proteins ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors are mainly used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The inhibitory effect of icariin on the activity of AChE was investigated by inhibition kinetics. The binding interaction and binding sites between icariin and AChE were also studied by using fluorimetry and molecular docking, respectively. The results showed that icariin could potently inhibit the activity of AChE, the IC50 value was determined to be 3.50 x 10(-8) mol x L(-1), and the determined IC50 value to tacrine was 0.75 x 10(-8) mol x L(-1). Kinetic analyses showed that icariin is a reversible and mixed type AChE inhibitor. The inhibition constants K1 and K(IS) were determined to be 2.67 x 10(-8) and 4.43 x 10(-8) mol x L(-1), respectively. Icariin binds selectively to the AChE peripheral anionic site via hydrogen bonds and Van der Waals forces.
Acetylcholinesterase ; metabolism ; Binding Sites ; Cholinesterase Inhibitors ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Hydrogen Bonding ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Kinetics ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry