Biofilms are communities of surface-associated bacteria or fungi embedded in a self-produced extracellular polymeric matrix that are notoriously difficult to be eradicated and are sources of many recalcitrant infections. Treatment for biofilm infection with any individual drug is always less effective, while the combinations of different types of drugs are superior to monotherapy concerning the removing of biofilms. This paper focus on research progress in recent years for synergistic effect of drugs in combination against biofilms formed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans.

Object To study the effect of pH on callus tissue growth and paclitaxel content of Taxus cuspidata Sieb. et Zucc. and Taxus chinensis var. mairei (Lemee et Le ′vl.) Cheng et L. K. Fu Methods The callus tissues were cultured on B5 medium with defferent pH values, and the growth rate, PAL activity and paclitaxel content were determined. Results Different callus tissues of taxus need different optimum pH values. The pH values, which could promote callus growth significantly, were all inhabitory to PAL activity and accumulation of paxlitaxel. Conclusion pH had great influences on the growth of the callus and the level of secondary metabolism, thereby the synthesis and accumulation of paclitaxel were affected.

Objective To investigate the impact on ovarian reserve function by different hemostasis methods during laparoscopic surgery in treatment of ovarian endometrioma.Methods From September 2008 to February 2010,162 cases with ovarian endometrioma undergoing laparoscopic surgery in Shandong Provincial Hospital were enrolled in this study.At the 3rd day of the menstrual cycle before surgery and the 1 st,3rd,6th and 12th cycle after surgery,serum FSH and anti-mullerian hormone(AMH) and ultrasound basal antral follicle count (AFC) and peak systolic velocity (PSV) were examined and compared.Based on hemostasis method,those patients were divided into 3 groups,including 54 cases in bipolar hemostasis,54 cases in ultrasonic scalpel hemostasis and suture after excision of endometrioma.Results (1) Before surgery:no significant different factors among three groups before surgery were observed,including age,size of endometrioma,the level of FSH,AMH,AFC,PSV (P ＞ 0.05).(2) Ovarian reserve function after surgery:①FSH:at the 1st,3rd,6th and 12th month follow-up,the FSH in the bipolar group was (11.7 ±4.0),(9.9 ± 4.0),(9.5 ± 4.3),(9.5 ± 3.9) U/L,and the FSH in ultrasonic scalpel group was (11.4 ±4.3),(9.7 ± 4.0),(9.2 ± 3.7),(9.9 ± 4.6) U/L,were significantly higher than (9.3 ± 3.8),(6.7 ±3.0),(6.5 ± 3.2),(6.4 ± 2.2) U/L in suture group respectively (all P ＜ 0.05).()AMH:at the 1 st,3rd,6th and 12th month follow-up,the AMH in the bipolar group was (1.8 ±0.9),(1.8 ± 1.0),(1.9 ±1.0),(2.0 ± 1.0) μg/L,and the AMH in the ultrasonic scalpel group was (1.6 ±± 0.8),(1.8 ± 1.0),(2.0 ± 1.1),(2.1 ± 1.0) μg/L,which were significantly lower than (2.8 ± 1.7),(2.9 ± 1.6),(3.0 ±1.3),(3.2 ± 1.5) μg/L in suture group,respectively (all P ＜ 0.05).③AFC:there was no significant difference of APC among the three groups in the 1st month after surgery.However,at the 3rd,6th and 12th month follow-up,the AFC of 4.8 ± 1.4,5.9 ± 1.5,6.1 ± 1.5 in the suture group was significant higher than 3.7 ± 1.4,4.1 ± 1.4,4.0 ± 1.5 in bipolar group and 3.6 ± 1.3,4.0 ± 1.1,3.9 ± 1.5 in ultrasonic group,respectively (all P ＜ 0.05).④PSV:at the 1 st,3rd,6th and 12th month follow-up,the PSV of the bipolar group(7.9 ±3.5),(8.1 ±3.3),(8.4 ±3.1),(8.6±3.0) cm/s in bipolar group and (8.1 ±3.5),(8.0 ± 3.0),(7.9 ± 3.2),(8.0 ± 2.9) cm/s in ultrasonic group were significant lower than (10.9 ± 3.3),(12.0 ± 3.2),(11.8 ± 3.0),(12.1 ± 4.1) cm/s in suture group,respectively.(allP＜0.05).Conclusions Bipolar or ultrasonic scalpel hemostasis during laparoscopic excision of ovarian endometrioma is associated with a significant reduction in ovarian reserve.Electrocoagulation of the ovarian tissue should be avoided.

Objective To investigate whether the expression of sterile alpha motif and histidine/aspartic acid domain containing protein 1 ( SAMHD1 ) could be induced by IFN-α and mediated by microRNA-181a (miR-181a). Methods THP-1 and Jurkat cells were treated with different doses of IFN-α(200 IU/ml and 1 000 IU/ml) for 24 h. The expression of miR-181a and SAMHD1 at mRNA level were de-tected by quantitative PCR. Western blot assay was performed to measure the expression of SAMHD1 at pro-tein level. THP-1 and Jurkat cells were transfected with p-181a, an over-expression vector of miR-181a, and then treated with 200 IU/ml of IFN-α. Changes in the expression of SAMHD1 in those cells were analyzed. Results IFN-α significantly enhanced the expression of SAMHD1 at mRNA and protein levels, but inhibi-ted the expression of miR-181a, especially in Jurkat cells. The expression of SAMHD induced by IFN-αwas inhibited in cells over-expressing miR-181a. Conclusion This study suggests that IFN-α could induce the expression of SAMHD1 by down-regulating the level of miR-181a.

Objective To investigate the changes of NF-κB p65, IL-6 and cell apoptosis in sec-ondary brain injury after traumatic brain injury and the influence of fenofibrate on these parameters in rats. Methods Ninety-eight male Sprague-Dawley ( SD) rats were randomly divided into two groups:fenofibrate group ( n =49) and control group ( n =49) .The fenofibrate group was induced with the improved Feeney method and received intragastrica of lipanthyl 60 mg/(kg? d) immediately after injury.The control group were received intragastrica of sodium chloride injection 2 ml/( kg? d) immediately after injury and twice everyday until rats were killed.Each group was divided into seven subgroups by sacrificed time after injury, those were 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 3 d, and 7 d, and each subgroup got 7 rats.Each subgroup was ran-domly selected three rats after being killed to detect expressions of NF-κB p65 and IL-6 of rat contusion peri tissues brain tissues with immunohistochemical method.While using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling ( TUNEL) method was used to observe the peri cell apoptosis after brain contusion.Results The expressions of NF-κB p65 and the IL-6 in each fenofibrate group were significantly decreased relative to the control group ( P <0.05),and a significant positive correlation between both pa-rameters in two groups ( P <0.01) .At the same time, the number of apoptotic cells was decreased ( P <0.05).Conclusions Fenofibrate was probably through the route of relieving inflammation response to re-duce the change of secondary brain injury after traumatic brain injury and decrease neural cell apoptosis, and then provide protection of neurocytes.

Objective To investigate the effect of high dose mifepristone and high dose progesterone in the treatment of patients with endometrial carcinoma and to explore the possible mechanisms associating with them Methods Thirty untreated patients diagnosed as endometrial carcinoma through dilation and curettage of the uteri were divided into 3 groups at random Each group was given medroxyprogesterone acetate(MPA),(500 mg/day) or mifepristone(MIF),(100 mg/day)or MIF(100 mg/day)+ MPA(500 mg/day)for 5 days respectively On the sixth day, hysterectomy was performed on these patients The endometrial cancer specimen of post hysterectomy was compared with the one of pre administrating The morphologic changes of the endometrial cancer cells were observed through light microscope Immunohistochemistry assay (SP method) was applied to determine the localization and immunoreactive intensity of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), B cell leukemia lymphoma 2 (bcl 2), bcl 2 associated X protein(bax) and CD 44 v6 Results Better differentiation degree and active excretion were observed in all of the post hysterectomy endometrial specimen In the same time, apoptosis of carcinoma cells was observed The most significant changes were seen in the MIF+MPA group In the MPA group,the pre treatment and post treatment expression of PR(2 9?1 1,1 6?0 8),ER(2 8?0 9,1 4?0 9),PCNA(0 84?0 10,0 60?0 12),bcl 2(0 236?0 089,0 157?0 981) and CD 44 v6 (4 6?1 8,2 5?1 9) were all decreased(all P 0 05) In the MIF+MPA group, the expression of PR(3 2?1 0,0 8?0 8),ER(2 7?0 9,0 7 ?0 9 ),PCNA(0 81?0 09,0 25?0 09),bcl 2(0 225?0 091,0 066?0 009)and CD 44 v6(4 5?1 9,2 7?1 6) were all decreased(all P

Objective To detect the signal pathways through which IL-4 regulates expression of DC-SIGN in THP-1 cells.Methods We used phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate(PMA) differentiated THP-1 cells as the in vitro model of monocyte/macrophage cells to study the signal pathways involved in IL-4 regulated expression of DC-SIGN.DC-SIGN mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR.Cytoplasmic DC-SIGN protein was tested by Western blot.Flow cytometry was used to detect cell surface expression of DC-SIGN.Cytoplasm and nuclear protein of PMA stimulated THP-1 cells induced by IL-4 for 0,10,20,30,60 and 120 min was extracted and detected by Western blot for signal pathway signaling protein and phosphoprotein.Results We found that a high expression of DC-SIGN could be induced by IL-4 at the levels of mRNA and cell surface protein.Up-regulated expression of DC-SIGN was almost completely blocked by the specific inhibitor of ERK pathway,and partly reduced by the specific inhibitors of JAK-STAT and NF-κB pathways.The activation of the three signaling pathways was directly confirmed by testing the phosphorylation of protein kinase within the cytoplasm and nucleus over time.Conclusion Multiple signaling pathways are involved in IL-4 induced high expression of DC-SIGN on THP-1 cells,in which ERK pathway is the main signal pathway.

BACKGROUND: There are a lot of researches on the protective action of calcium channel blocker(CCB) on diabetic peripheral neuropathy, but the dosage and the effect on injured nerve need to investigate further in clinical application.OBJECTIVE: To observe the results of electrophysiologic assessment of the effect of CCB flunarizine at different dosages on Bell' s palsy after 1-month treatment.DESIGN: Randomized grouping, blank control and l-month follow up.SETTING: Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University.PARTICIPANTS: Totally 35 patients with Bell' s palsy, including 19males and 16 females aged from 16 to 58 and the mean age of 32. 8, were selected from Outpatients of the Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital to Nanjing Medical University from November 1999 to May 2001. The course of disease was ≤ 3 days. Patients were without any treatment, and all of the facial nerve palsy was complete. According to random samplings, all patients were divided randomly into control group (basic treatment group) with 12 cases and treatment groups with 10 cases in first subgroup and 13 in second subgroup.METHODS: Basic treatment: 1 mg/kg per day prednisone(the maximal dosage ≤ 60 mg/day) was taken once every day and reducing dosage by half every 5 days, with a course of therapy for 15 days. 500 μg methycobal was taken orally three times a day and 25 mg fursulthiamine also orally three times a day. Ultrashort wave physiotherapy was taken once a day for 15 days. On the basis of the basic treatment, patients in the first subgroup accepted 5 mg flunarizine once every night, and 10 mg flunarizine once every night was given to the patients in the second subgroup. The latency and amplitude of Blink response were checked before treatment and after 1-month treatment.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The latency and amplitude of Blink response in every group after 1-month treatment.RESULTS: According to the imagery analysis, 35 patients entered the resulting analysis. Before treatment, the 3 groups of blink responses were all efferential blocking in facioplegic side, and in addition, R1 and R2 all disappeared. After treatment for 1 month, Blink response of R1, R2 appeared. The latency of R1 and R2 in the second treatment group was better than that in control group[ (9. 608 ± 0. 575) ms, (31. 869 ± 2. 934) ms,(11.208±1.490) ms and (37. 583 ±5. 408) ms, P ＜0.01], but there were no differences in this respect between the first treatment group and the control group. The ipsilateral amplitudes of Blind response in the three groups were not different after 1-month treatment.CONCLUSION: After 1-month treatment with flunarizine(10 mg/day),the recovery of facial nerve function can be promoted, but the protective effect of flunarizine(5 mg/day) on peripheral nerve is not superior to that with normal treatment. The mechanism and the proper dosage are not observed further in this study.

Objective To observe the inhibitory effects of sub-MIC matrine alone and in combination with erythromycin on Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms and their influences on morphological changes of the biofilms.Methods Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of matrine and erythromycin against Staphylococcus epidermidis were determined by the serial dilution method,antibacterial activity of matrine combined with erythromycin against planktonic S.epidermidis was evaluated by the checkerboard method.S.epidermidis biofilms were constructed in vitro,XTT reduction assay was used to evaluate influences of sub-MIC matrine alone and in combination with erythromycin on metabolism and adhesion of S.epidermidis biofilms,and scanning electronic microscope(SEM) was applied to observe the morphological and the structural changes of the biofilms.Results The MIC of erythromycin to S.epidermidis was 7.8125 μg/ml,while the MIC of matrine was greater than 1000 μg/ml,besides,a synergistic effect between erythronmycin and matrine on planktonic S.epidermidis was shown (FIC＜0.5).The sub-MIC matrine had no significant inhibitory effect on adhesion of S.epidermidis,and also the combination of the two agents was better than was used alone.However,the sub-MIC matrine had inhibitory effects on metabolism and morphology of S.epidermidis biofilms,and the combination of the two agents was weaker than was used alone.Conclusion Both the sub-MIC matrine and erythromycin had a significant inhibitory effect on S.epidermidis biofilm formation.Combination of the two agents showed synergistic effects on plankton and adhesion of S.epidermidis,but showed no synergistic effect on metabolism and morphology of the biofilms.

Objective To explore the effects of signaling pathways inducing activation of DC-SIGN promoter on the activity of HIV-1 5'LTR.Methods The sequences of DC-SIGN promoter and HIV-1 5'LTR were amplified by PCR and then cloned into pGL-3/Basic plasmid to constructluciferase reporter plasmids for DC-SIGN promoter and HIV-1 5'LTR.Differentiated THP-1 cells stimulated by PMA (phorbol myristate acetate) were used as the in vitro model of DCs.The activaties of DC-SIGN promoter and HIV-1 5'LTR induced by IL-4 in differentiated THP-1 cells were studied using luciferase reporter plasmids.The signaling pathways were identified by using specific inhibitors.Results IL-4 induced signaling pathways could increase the activities of HIV-1 5'LTR and DC-SIGN promoter for more than two times in THP-1 cells transfected with luciferase reporter plasmids.However,the activity of HIV-1 5'LTR was weaker than that of DCSIGN promoter.ERK/JAK-STAT/NF-κB signal pathway blockers could inhibit the luciferase activity driven by DC-SIGN promoter,of which ERKI/2 blocker showed the strongest inhibitory effect that almost completely blocked IL-4 induction.NF-κB blocker had a significant inhibitory effect on HIV-1 5'LTR activity at a rate of 52.32％,followed by the ERK blocker at a rate of 43.31％.Conclusion This study suggested that IL-4-induced signaling pathways mediate the activation of DC-SIGN promoter and HIV-1 5'LTR through NFκB and ERK.