Objective To explore the possible relationship between the expression of CD14 and HLA-DR on peripheral blood monocytes and progress of the illness in neonatal infection. Methods To measure the expression of CD14 and HLA-DR on peripheral blood monocytes in the 1st, 5th and 7th days after the neonates were diagnosed as infectious diseases by flow cytometry of dual stai-ning techniques. Thirtyfour uninfected neonates were served as controls. Outcomes were analyzed. Results Neonates with infectious diseases had signi-ficantly lower serum CD14(P

Objective To investigate immune changes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during exacerbations(ECOPD).Methods A randomized,prospective clinical trial was done in 65 patients with ECOPD from Feb.2004 to Oct.2004.They were divided into two groups:one group with general treatment and another with general treatment plus Pidotimod which was given 800mg orally twice daily for 15 days and then 800mg orally once daily for 15 days.Twenty healthy individuals sevred as the control.Levels of CD_ 14 、CD_ 158b 、CD~+_3、CD~+_4、CD~+_8、CD~+_4/CD~+_8 in peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometry at baseline(D1)and then again at(D15)and at the end of treatments(D30),in the meanwhile clinical picture was observed to evaluate patients' conditions.Results Totally 60 patients completed the trial correctly(30 in pidotimod group and 30 in control group).The two groups were satistically homogeneous.The positive rate of sputum bacteriological examination was 42.67%.On D1,the percentage of CD_ 14 、CD_ 158b in two groups was not different from healthy volunteers.On D15,the above immunologic parameters of the control group was decreased compared with pidotimod group,and CD_ 14 was satistically low(P

Objective To investigate the adaptive immune responses in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during acute exacerbations (ECOPD) and effects of the immunostimulating agent Pidotimod in ECOPD patients. Methods A randomized, prospective clinical trial was held, and 103 patients with ECOPD were recruited into the study. Seventy-five patients aged 65 years and over were divided into two groups: 38 patients with general treatment as a control group and 37 patients with general treatment plus pidotimod as an experimental group. Another non-elderly groups comprised 28 patients younger than 65, and 20 healthy individuals served as the healthy elderly control. Levels of CD3+ , CD4+ , CD8+ , CD4+ /CD8+ in peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometry at baseline (the 1st day) and at the 15th and 30th treatment day, meanwhile, the clinical conditions were evaluated. Results Ninety-one patients completed the trial (32 in experimental group,34 in control group and 25 in non-eldely group). The experimental group and control group were statistically homogeneous. The aged COPD intervention group and aged COPD control had a more decreased CD4+ level, CD4+/CD8+ ratio and more increased CD8+ level, while compared with aged health control and non-elderly COPD control (all P

0.05).Conclusions The patients with sepsis lasting more than 7 days had high mortality (50%). While percentage of CD14 and CD14MFI of peripheral blood are increased,the total scores of SOFA and numbers of MOF are decreased.The improvement of monocytes function indicates good prognosis. The changes of expression of ICAM-1,serum TNF-? and IL-10 can not reflect prognosis in septic patients.

AIM: To establish a guinea pig asthma model and to evaluate the effect of airway remodeling on airway responsiveness. METHODS: The guinea pig asthma model was established by ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and challenge repeatedly. Bronchial provocation tests were conducted through intravenous injection of acetylcholine. The airway morphologic parameters were measured by computer image analysis system. White blood cells and the differential count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were examined. RESULTS: The resistance of airway was increased significantly after 4 weeks of OVA exposure, but the increase disappeared upon prolonged exposure. After 8 weeks of OVA exposure, fiber tissue in large airway was increased, and the thickness of smooth muscle layer of small airway was enlarged, as compared with that in control animals. CONCLUSION: Airway responsiveness has changed after prolonged OVA exposure in guinea pigs. This change is related to airway remodeling. [

AIM: To investigate the effects of chronic hy poxia and antagonistic effects of aminophylline on airway inflammation and oxida tive lung damage in rats. METHODS: Thirty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal control group (n=10); hypoxia group (n=12); aminop hlline-treated group (n=12). The last two groups were both exposed to hypoxi a 7 hours per day for 21 days. The third group was treated with aminophlline (1 00 mg?kg -1?d -1) before exposed to hypoxia. The level of tumor ne c rosis factor (TNF) -?, interleukin (IL)-10, lipid peroxide (LPO) and the activi ty of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined in blood and homogenates of lung tissue. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the levels of TNF-?, IL -10 and LPO were significantly increased (P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the frequency of p16 and p15 gene methylation in multiple myeloma (MM), and its relationship with bone marrow cell apoptosis and clinical outcome.

METHODSTwenty-two patients with MM were studied to detect p16 and p15 gene methylation. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) was used to detect gene methylation, and terminal transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) was used to detect cell apoptosis.

RESULTSp16 and/or p15 gene methylatoin was detected in 10 of 22 patients (45.4%). There were 3 patients with p16 gene methylation, 9 patients with p15 gene methylation, and 2 patients with both genes methylation. The incidence of methylation of p15 gene was higher than that of p16 gene (P < 0.05). The patients with p16 and/or p15 gene methylation had a delayed cell apoptosis, poor response to chemotherapy, and a short over-all survival (OS).

CONCLUSIONThe methylation of p16 and/or p15 gene plays a key role in MM apoptosis pathogenesis. The patients with both p16 and p15 gene methylation had a poor prognosis.

Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p15 ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 ; genetics ; DNA Methylation ; DNA, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Gene Silencing ; Genes, p16 ; Humans ; Multiple Myeloma ; genetics ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins