In this paper, we describe a highly sensitive, modified assay which takes advantage of the capacity of a mouse thymoma cell line EL4 subclone to produce high concentration of IL-2 upon stimulation by interleukin I (IL-1).The assay was generally performed in 2 stages which included IL-1-dependent IL-2 production and IL-2 biological activity assay, and took about 40 hours to complete. The sensitivity of this assay was got to be 10~(-2) ～10~(-4)U/ml (2.5～25?10~(-4)pg/ml, about 10~2～10~3 times more sensitive than that of the mouse thymocyte co-stimulated assay) by selecting the optimal serum concentration, EL 4 cell density, IL-1-induced time and EL4 supernatant dilution. The rapid one step assay was performed by co-culturing the EL4 cells with CTLL-2 cells. This rapid assay could be completed within 30 hours with sensitivity of 10~(-1)U/ml. The assay was not affected by high concentrations of rHuTNF- ?, rHuTNF- ? or rHuIL-6,and was only slightly affected by high concentrations of rHuIL-2, ConA, PHA,LPS and SEB, and much affected by A23187.

Based on the high level of human granulocyte—macrophage colony—stimulating factor(HGM—CSF)re-ceptor of HL60 cell line upon induction by DMSO,we developed a hioassay method for HGM—CSF with ahigher specificity and sensitivity.The sensitivity of this assay reached to 0.3ng/ml by selecting the optimalHL60 cell—induced time,cell density and GM—CSF—stimulated time.With this assay,we are able to quantifythe level of rHuGM—CSF as well as conditioned media from human bladder carcinoma cell line U5637 screatinga high level of GM—CSF.

Objective To observe the incidence of acute radiation pneumonitis (RP)after intensity modulated radiation therapy,and to explore the relationship between the incidence of RP and the parameters from dose-volume histogram (DVH)in the patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods By Pinnacle 7.6c TPS, 46 patients with NSCLC were treated by IMRT.The values of the percentages of the lung volumes receieved 5, 10,20,and 30 Gy radition to the total lung volumes (V5 ,V10 ,V20 ,V30 )and mean lung dose (MLD)were observed,and its correlation with acute RP was analyzed.Results The incidence of acute RP of the patients with NSCLC was 37.0% (17/46),among then there were 29 cases (63.0%)of Grade 0 (non-pneumonitis group), 12 cases (26.1%)of Grade 1,5 cases (10.9%)of Grade 2,and there were no Grade 4 and 5 RP.The values of V5,V10,V20,V30,and MLD of lung were 53.34 %,43.12%,24.15%,15.36 %,and 16.02 Gy.The values of V5,V10,V20,V30,and MLD in pneumonitis group were 57.81%,48.91%,31.34%,17.83%, 21.71 Gy,and they were 49. 81%,39.78%,21.82%,13.12%,and 13.71 Gy in non-pneumonitis group, there were significant differences between two groups (P<0.05).Conclusion The intensity modulated radiation therapy in treatment of NSCLC can protect the lung tissue,and the parameters of DVH such as V5 ,V10 ,V20 , V30 and MLD can predict the occurrence of RP.

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of Tanreqing Injection in treatment of acute irradiation oropharyngeal mucositis in the patients with head and neck cancer, and to provide reference for its clinical application.Methods Fifty patients with head and neck cancer were randomly divided into treatment group and control group(n=25).The patients in treatment group received concurrently intravenous infusion of Tanreqing Inj ection during irradiation course.The patients in control group received daily regular oral nursing;oropharyngeal mucositis was evaluated according to the protocol proposed by RTOG.Results The patients in treatment group with Ⅰ and Ⅱ oropharyngeal mucosal injury accounted for 76%,and the patients in control group with Ⅲ,Ⅳoropharyngeal mucosal injury accounted for 60%,there was statistically significant difference between two groups (P<0.05).The scores of the patients with oropharyngeal pain in treatment group were 0-3 (mild),in control group they were 4- 6 (moderate).The patients with mild,moderate,and severe oropharyngeal pain in treatment group and control group after radiotherapy accounted for 72%,24%,4% and 12%,64%,24%;there were statistically significant differences between two groups (P<0.05).Conclusion Tanreqing Injection has a good therapeutic effect on acute radiation stomatitis and layngopharyngitis, and it has the effects of relieving oral and pharyngeal mucosa inj ury,anti-inflammatory and analgesic and accelerating wound healing.

Objective To analyze the MSCT manifestations of septic pulmonary embolism(SPE)to explore the diagnosis value of MSCT.Methods The MSCT findings of eight patients with SPE were analyzed retrospectively.Results ① Of all 177 lesions,84 lesions located in both upper lobes,25 lesions located in right middle lobe and 68 lesions located in both lower lobes.② There were 106 nodules and 44 wedge shaped opacities in all the 8 cases,of which the 88 nodules (83.0%)and all of the wedge shaped opacities located in sub-pleural zones of the lung and the 18 nodules (1 7.0%)located in the inner and middle lung fields.In 6 cases,the 26 nodules (24.5%)and the 1 6 wedge shaped lesions (38.1%)had “feeding vessels”.③ There were 27 patchy shadows in 6 patients,of which 12 patchy shadows (44.4%)had air bronchogram.④ There were 18 cavities in 6 patients,of which 14 cavities (13.2%)located in nodules and 4 cavities (9.1%) in the wedge shaped lesions.There were 8 cysts in 4 patients,of which 6 cysts located in nodules (5.7%)and 2 cysts in the wedge shaped lesions (4.5%).⑤ The nodules and the wedge shaped lesions were enhanced slightly.⑥ Pleural effusion and pericardial effusion were found in 4 and 3 patients,repectively.⑦ Of 6 patients the follow-up MSCT scan in a short period showed the disease progressions. Conclusion SPE has characteristic manifestations in MSCT,and MSCT can provide valuable information for the diagnosis of SPE.

Neutrophilic granule protein (NGP) was previously reported as a granular protein of neutrophils in mouse, but the function has not been known clearly. We found the presence of the possible signal peptide in NGP and validated this protein is circulating in the bloodstream. In our findings, NGP is being modified post-translationally in Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum, which is a universal character of secretory molecules with a signal peptide. The secreted NGP protein could be detected both in vitro and in vivo. NGP has sequence similarity with an antimicrobial protein cathelicidin, and we observed the aspect of inflammation of NGP. Interestingly, NGP interacts with the complex of LPS and LPS binding protein (LBP). This interaction blocks the binding of the complex of LPS and LBP to TLR4 and the downstream inflammatory signals. Furthermore, the inhibitory function of NGP against the inflammatory effect of LPS could be observed in both in vitro and in vivo. With these findings, we report NGP is a novel secretory protein to mask LPS and inhibit its function.
Animals ; Carrier Proteins ; Cytokines ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; Golgi Apparatus ; In Vitro Techniques ; Inflammation ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Masks ; Mice ; Neutrophils ; Protein Binding ; Protein Sorting Signals