Objective: To investigate the expression of aquaporin 5 (AQP5) and MUC5AC in lung of bronchial asthmatic murine model and the regulatory effect of dexamethasone on the expression. Methods: Forty-eight female C57BL/6 mice were evenly randomized into control group, asthma group and dexamethasone group. The pathological changes of the lungs and the wet/dry weight ratios of the lungs were determined in mice of each group. The expression of AQP5 and MUC5AC mRNA in the lung was determined by real-time poly-merase chain reaction (real-time PCR); the AQP5 protein was examined by Western blotting assay; the distribution of AQP5 protein in the pulmonary tissue was studied immunohistochemically; and the content of MUC5AC in the bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was determined by ELISA. Results: Compared with the control group, the pulmonary expression of AQP5 in asthma group was obviously decreased (mRNA by[42.5 ± 3.6]%, protein by [64.3 ± 8.2]%), while the expression of MUC5AC was increased (mRNA by[93.3±8.1]%,protein by[98.3%±7.2]%). Dexamethasone significantly decreased the pulmonary expression of AQP5 and MUC5AC compared with the asthma group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The decreased pulmonary expression of AQP5 in asthmatic mice might be related to the elevation of MUC5AC expression in the airway; dexamethasone can decrease AQP5 expression and therefore alleviate the overproduction of airway mucus, pulmonary inflammation and lung edema.

OBJECTIVETo observe preventive and therapeutic effect of Yifei Jianpi Recipe (YJR) on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) model rats and to explore its mechanism from the way of airway inflammation and airway mucus hypersecretion.

METHODSThe COPD rat model was established by using cigarette smoking combined with intratracheal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Male SD rats were randomly divided into the blank control group (control group), the model group, the YJR group, 6 in each group. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 0. 1 second (FEV0. 1), FEVO. 1/FVC, peak expiratory flow (PEF) was tested by lung function device. Pathological changes of bronchi and lung tissues were observed by HE staining. Airway Goblet cells were observed using AB-PAS staining. Contents of IL-8, IL-17, and TNF-α in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Protein expressions of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), nuclear factor KB (NF-KB), mucin 5AC (Muc5AC), and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in rat airway were detected by immunohistochemical assay. mRNA expressions of TLR4 and Muc5AC in bronchi and lung tissues were detected by real-time quantitative PCR (RT qPCR).

RESULTSChanges of bronchi and lung tissues in the model group rats were consistent with typical pathological manifestations of COPD. Compared with the model group, the degree of lung injury was significantly alleviated in the YJR group. Compared with the control group, FVC, FEV0. 1, FEVO. I/FVC, and PEF were decreased (P <0. 01), contents of IL-8, IL-17, and TNF-α in BALF were significantly increased (P <0. 01), protein expressions of ICAM-1, NF-KB, Muc5AC, and TLR4, mRNA expression levels of Muc5AC and TLR4 in bronchi and lung tissues were also significantly increased in the model group (P <0. 01). Compared with the model group, FVC, FEV0. 1, FEV0. 1/FVC, and PEF were significantly increased in the YJR group (P <0. 01, P <0. 05), but the rest indices were significantly lowered (P <0. 01, P <0. 05).

CONCLUSIONYJR could decrease contents of IL-8, IL-17, and TNF-α in BALF of COPD model rats, inhibit protein expression levels of ICAM-1, NF-κB, Muc5AC, and TLR4.in airway and lung tissues, thus playing preventive and therapeutic roles by reducing airway inflammation and airway mucus hypersecretion.

Animals ; Bronchi ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Inflammation ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-17 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-8 ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Lung ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Mucin 5AC ; metabolism ; Mucus ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; drug therapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDCoronary artery lesions (CALs) are known to be the main complication in children with Kawasaki disease (KD). Instead of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), corticosteroid therapy has been accepted to be used for children with KD who are unresponsive to IVIG. This study aimed to evaluate risk factors for CALs in children with KD.

METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 2331 children with KD from January 2005 to December 2014. To identify the independent risk factors for CALs, multivariable logistic regression models were constructed using significant variables identified from univariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSThe incidence of CALs was 36.0% (840 of 2331), including 625 (26.8%) coronary artery dilations and 215 (9.2%) coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified that male, incomplete KD, longer fever duration, and C-reactive protein (CRP) >100 mg/L were independent risk factors for coronary artery dilatations. On the other hand, male, incomplete KD, longer fever duration, prolonged days of illness at the initial treatment, corticosteroid therapy, sodium ≤133 mmol/L, and albumin <35 g/L were the independent risk factors for CAAs. In addition, corticosteroid therapy, prolonged days of illness at the initial treatment, and albumin <35 g/L were the independent risk factors for giant CAAs.

CONCLUSIONSCALs might be associated with male sex, incomplete KD, longer fever duration, prolonged days of illness at the initial treatment, albumin <35 g/L, sodium ≤133 mmol/L, CRP >100 mg/L, and corticosteroid therapy. Corticosteroid therapy was an independent risk factor for CAAs and giant CAAs. Thus, corticosteroids should be used with caution in the treatment of KD with the risk for CALs.

Adolescent ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; adverse effects ; Child, Preschool ; Coronary Aneurysm ; chemically induced ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; drug therapy ; Retrospective Studies

SMART-RACE was performed after isolating the total RNA of Armillariella tabescens to amplify the full-length cDNA of arabinosidase (GenBank Accession No. AJ620046). Bioinformatics analysis was used to analyze the code frame of arabinosidase, to predict its structure and function. Recombinant plasmid pPIC9-AF was constructed and then electroporated into methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris GS115. The secreted 6 ? His fusion protein was purified to analyze its enzymology property. This arabinosidase had high activity at 30-35℃ under acid condition, and was stable within wide range of pH and temperature. It maintained about 80% activity at the range of pH4. 0-8.0 and 20-40℃,wider than many other cloned arabinosidase. So it was worthy to go step further to study this enzyme, and recombinant expression provided a chance of highly expressing arabinosidase.

Armillariella tabescens EJLY2098 was capable of secreting p-mannanase by konjac inducement. A 34 orthogonal design was applied to determine the optimum medium of inducing mannanase by Armillariella tabescens EJLY2098. The results suggested that Armillariella tabescens EJLY2098 secreted the high-activity enzyme in the optimum medium, which was composed of 2% konjac, 1% peptone, 25% potato juice,0.3% KH2PO4,15% MgSO4?7H2O, 0.01% VitB1. Purified by DEAE-anion exchange chromatography, two eluting peaks (P1 and P2) with the p-mannanase activity were obtained, and one of them (named?-mannanase P2) was a single band by the SDS-PAGE, and the molecular weight of?-mannanase P2 was 78. 9kDa. The isoelectric point of?-mannanase P2 was estimated to be 4.0-4. 1. The optimum activity for the enzyme was found at 60℃and pH4. 0 - 6. 0, and the enzyme was stable between pH4. 5 - 6. 0. The activity of?-mannanase P2 were enhanced by Na+ and Ba2+ . This?-mannanase can be used in feed industy. a new fungi secreting?-mannanase was obtained, providing an important base for cloning mannanase gene and constructing recombin microbe expressing?-mannanase .

Objective To observe the effects of recruitment maneuver (RM) and tidal volume with different amount of gas after RM ventilation on lung diastole function in rats with acute lung injury (ALI). Method ALI rat models were induced by intravenous infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in dose of 6 mg/kg. Twenty-five rats were randomly(random number) divided into control group ( n = 5), ALI group ( n = 5), low tidal volume group (LV group,VT= 6 mL/kg, n = 5), sustained inflation (SI) with low tidal volume (SI+ LV group, VT=6 mL/kg, n = 5), and SI with moderate tidal volume group (SI+ MV group, VT= 12 mL/kg, n = 5). The RM carried out by using SI with airway pressure 30 cmH-2O for 30 seconds, and the positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)was set at 5 cmH2O. Lung tissue was taken after mechanical ventilation for 5 hours. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) was monitored throughout the entire course of experiment. Endothelin-1 ( ET-1 ), endothelial nitricoxide synthase (eNOS), and acetylcholine-(Ach-) induced endothelium-dependent relaxation response of isolated pulmonary artery rings were investigated after mechanical ventilation for 5 hours. Results The LPS increased the ET-1 level in lung tissue, decreased the level of eNOS in lung tissue, and impaired the Ach-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation response in pulmonary vassals, without obvious influence on systemic hemodynamics. SI + LV significantly reduced LPS-induced elevation of ET-1 level, and increased the level of eNOS, and significantly lessened endothelial dysfunction and ameliorated dysfunction od endothelium-dependent relaxation in pulmonary vas sals. Conclusions RM with high tidal volume or lowtidal volume ventilation could improve the lung vascular endothelial function of rats with acute lung injury, and RM with low tidal volume ventilation could lessen more the injury of lung vascular endothelial diastole function in rats with acute lung injury.

Objective To study the sources and the relationship between the management and the outcome of hemorrhage after cephalic pancreatoduodenectomy.Methods The clinical data of 370 patients who underwent pancreatic resection at the Lihuili Hospital and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University were retrospectively analyzed.Results Postoperative bleeding occurred in 35 patients with 11 deaths.Among those intraabominal bleeding occurred in 14 cases and gastrointestinal hemorrhage occurred in 22,with one case suffering from both.Bleediug developing within 72 hours after operation in 12 cases (early-stage group),which was caused by improper intraoperative homeostasis.In other 23 cases,bleeding 72 hours after operation(later stage group)was caused by the erosion following pancreatic and/or bile leakage.Relaparotomy was performed in 13 cases and endoscopic homeostasis was performed in 3. Relaparotomy or endoscopic homeostasis was superior to that of conservative therapy in the early-stage group (P0.05).Pancreatic or bile leakage was identified as the significant risk factors for the postoperative bleeding.Conclusions In order to prevent the postoperative hemorrhage and to reduce the mortality of pancreatic resection,skillful techniques,expeditious homeostasis,proper management of stump pancreas and the prevention of pancreatic and bile leakage are essential.

Objective To explore the activation and function of Janus protein-tyrosine kinase (JAK)/ signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT1) signal transduction pathway in kidney,lung and brain of MRL/lpr mice.Methods MRL/lpr mice with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were studied at the age of 12 weeks up.Non-SLE MRL/lpr mice were used as controls.We used phosphospecific antibodies to detect STAT1 activation in kidney,lung and brain by immunohistochemistry and Western blots.Gene expression of the STAT induced feedback inhibitors of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS-1) was investigated by SYBR green I real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Results Phosphorylation of STAT1 protein was markedly activated in these three organs,although renal and pulmonary STAT1 activation were much more evidently activated.SOCS-1 gene expression increased in all three organs,while renal SOCS-1 gene expres- sion increased less than lung and brain.Conclusion The activation of JAK/STATI signal transduction path- way may be pathogenic in the organ involvement and progression of SLE.The pathogenesis of lupus nephritis may also be associated with the down-regulation of SOCS-1 feedback inhibition.

The expression cDNA library of A. tabescens was constructed by SMART technique, which useλTriplEx2 as a vector. The titer and the percentage of the constructed library were about 1.0 × 106pfu/mland 98.3% respectively, and the titer and the capacity of the amplified library were about 3.1 × 108pfu/mland 4.2 × 1010. The library was used to provide expressed sequence tags (ESTs). 147 Expressed SequenceTaqs (ESTs) were gained from 176 clones, which were selected randomly and sequenced at the 5'end. Thesequences were submitted to the EMBL database. Blasting the sequences in the GenBank, 43 of them werefound that they have significant similarity with data in GenBank. EST AJ620046 was has significantsimilarity with the arabinosidase of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron. Using SMART-RACE a full-length cDNA ofAJ620046 was successfully obtained. In order to initially characterize the biochemical properties ofAJ620046, the ORF of AJ620046 named AF was cloned and expressed in Pichia Pastoris yeast.Recombinant pHIL-S1-AF constructed by inserting AF into pHIL-S1 was transformed into Pichia PastorisGS115. Preliminary experiments indicated that AJ620046 was expressed as a 32 kDa protein in recombinantyeast.

This study is designed to explore the possible effects of Hemerocallis citrina baroni flavonids (HCBF) on liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 in rats. The liver fibrosis model was induced by CCl4, and HCBF were administered by gastric perfusion at 25 and 50 mg x kg(-1) qd for 50 days, while the contents of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), maleic dialdehyde (MDA) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were measured and the contents of PINP were measured in liver tissue, and the expression of TGF-β1 were observed by immunohistochemisty and Western blot. The pathological changes of liver tissue were examined by HE. The results showed that HCBF (25, 50 mg x kg(-1)) improved the liver function significantly through reducing the level of ALT, AST, GGT and ALP (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and increasing the content of SOD (P < 0.01), while reducing the content of MDA (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), the expression of TGF-β1 (P < 0.05) and the content of PINP (P < 0.05). The results suggest that HCBF (25, 50 mg x kg(-1)) may inhibit the liver injury induced by CCl4 by decreasing the oxidative stress.
Alanine Transaminase ; metabolism ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; metabolism ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Hemerocallis ; chemistry ; Liver Cirrhosis ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; gamma-Glutamyltransferase ; metabolism