Objective To update the knowledge on the sensitizing drugs and clinical features of drug eruption. Methods The clinical data on 138 patients hospitalized for drug eruption in the Department of Dermatology, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from January 2005 to June 2007, were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Results Totally, 178 episodes of drug eruption were observed in these patients during the tested period. The major sensitizing drugs included antibacterial agents (31.46%), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (28.09%), traditional Chinese medicines (15.73%). Amoxicillin triggered 20 episodes of drug eruption and was the most common causative drug. Oral administration was the predominant sensitizing route of administration (54.17%). Of all the drug eruptions, 33.71% manifested by erythema multiforme, 28.09% by fixed drug eruption, 22.47% by exanthematous drug eruption. Severe types of drug eruption were mainly caused by traditional Chinese medicines and anti-gout drugs. Conclusions Antibacterial agents and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have become the major sensitizing drugs of drug eruption, especially amoxicillin. The frequency of traditional Chinese medicine-induced eruptions are increasing. Furthermore, caution is warranted for the drug eruption caused by oral administration.

Objective To investigate the role of Th17 cells in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) pathogenesis. Methods 33 CML patients [15 newly diagnosed (ND)- and 18 chronic-phase (CP)- CML patients] and 15 healthy controls were enrolled. The percentage of Th17 cells in the peripheral blood (PB) of CML and controls were evaluated by flow cytometry. RORC mRNA expressions were examined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The levels of IL-17 in PB of CML and controls were measured by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA). The relationships between Th17 cells and clinical characteristics in CML were analyzed. Results The percentage of Th17 cells in PB of ND-CML patients [(0.71±0.41) %] was significantly lower than that of CP-CML patients [(4.08±0.74) %, P<0.05] and healthy controls [(3.18±1.32) %, P<0.05]. The mRNA level of RORC in PB of ND-CML patients (0.043 3±0.040 5) was significantly decreased compared with that in CP-CML patients (0.086 1±0.052 3, P<0.05) and healthy controls (0.091 0±0.058 4, P<0.05). The levels of IL-17 in PB of ND-CML patients [(1.43±0.22) pg/ml] and CP-CML patients [(1.36±0.19) pg/ml] were slightly higher than that of healthy controls [(1.23±0.14) pg/ml, P< 0.05]. The percentage of Th17 cells had significantly negative correlations with white blood cell counts in PB or bcr-abl (IS). Conclusion Th17 cells may play an important role in CML pathogenesis, which has potential implication for immunotherapy of this malignancy.

Objective To investigate the effects of ulinastatin on the number of peripheral blood lymphocyte and the percentage of its subsets in patients with severe sepsis. Methods The scores of APECHE II and SOFA, the number of lymphocyte and the percentage of different subsets in these sepsis patients at different treatment time were measured. Results After treatment, the scores of APECHE II and SOFA of severe sepsis patients were decreased, the number of lymphocyte elevated and the percentages of different subset were corrected. Sepsis caused by Gram- positive pathogens had stronger suppression of peripheral blood lymphocyte and subsets compared with Gram - negative pathogens. Conclusion Patients with severe sepsis had less peripheral blood lymphocyte and abnormal subsets. Ulinastatin could help to correct such abnormality.

This study examined the current changes of human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) mutation derived from a LQT2 Chinese family with a highly penetrating phenotype. Mutation was identified and site-directed mutagenesis was performed to induce the mutation in wild-type (WT) hERG. WT hERG and mutated V535M were cloned and transiently expressed in HEK293 cells. At the 48th and 72nd h after transfection, membrane currents were recorded using whole cell patch-clamp procedures. An A>G transition at 1605 resulting in replacement of V535M was identified. Compared to WT, V535M mutation significantly decreased tail currents of hERG. At test potential of -40 mV after depolarizing at +50 mV, tail current densities were 83.35±7.06 pA/pF in WT and 50.38±7.74 pA/pF in V535M respectively (n=20, P<0.01). Gating kinetics of hERG revealed that V (1/2) of steady-state inactivation shifted to negative potential in the mutant (V (1/2,V535M): -61.81±1.7 mV vs. V (1/2, WT): -43.1±0.71 mV). The time constant of recovery from inactivation was markedly prolonged in the mutant compared to WT among test potentials. V535M hERG mutation demonstrated markedly decreased tail current densities, which suggests that V535M is a new loss-of-function mutation of hERG channel responsible for LQT2.

Objective To explore the expression of peripheral T cell subgroup (CD3+,CD4+,CD8+,CD4+CD25 high regulatory T cells) and the level and significance of serum cytokines in patients with silicosis.Methods One hundred and six cases patients with silicosis were collected in the Fifth People''s Hospital of Suzhou as study subjects and 56 healthy subjects as control group.Flow cytometry was used to detect the peripheral CD3+,CD4+,CD8+ and CD4+CD25 high regulatory T cells (Treg) of the patients and the control group,while chemiluminescence immunoassay was utilized to measure the peripheral serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R),interleukin 6 (IL-6),interleukin 8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α).Results (1) The percentages of peripheral CD3+,CD4+ and CD8+ in the silicosis group were all lower than those in the control group (t=3.755,3.828,2.347,P<0.05);the percentage of Treg cells was higher in the silicosis group than in the control group,the difference was statistically significant (t=-8.345,P<0.05).Compared with the control group,based on the one-way analysis of variance,the differences in CD3+,CD4+,CD8+ and CD4+CD25 high cells were all statistically significant (F=5.620,8.007,26.71,P<0.05);in the silicosis group,the percentage of CD4+ T cells was lower in stage III than in stage I (t=3.424,P<0.05);compared with the control group,the percentages of Treg cells in the silicosis group were lower in all stages (t=-7.934,-9.445,-5.096,P<0.05).(2) The levels of peripheral sIL-2R,IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-α in the silicosis group were higher than those in the control group,the difference were statistically significant(t=-6.952,-4.506,-2.551,-5.670,P<0.05);compared with the control group,based on the one-way analysis of variance,the differences in sIL-2R,IL-6 and TNF-α in all stages were statistically significant (F=11.03,11.31,13.22,P<0.0001);the sIL-2R was higher in patients with stage III silicosis than that of stage I (t=-2.882,P<0.05);IL-6 was significantly higher in stage II and III silicosis group than that of stage I group (t=-3.022,-2.632,P<0.05),and TNF-α was higher in patients with stage II silicosis than patients with stage I silicosis (t=-2.322,P<0.05).(3) The level of peripheral Treg cells was negatively correlated with the percentages of CD3+ and CD8+ cells in patients with silicosis (r=-0.357,-0.508,P<0.05);sIL-R2 was positively correlated with IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-α,respectively (r=0.483,0.199,0.392,P<0.05);TNF-α was positively correlated with IL-6 and IL-8,respectively (r=0.338,0.338,P<0.05).Conclusion Patients with silicosis have abnormal expression in peripheral T cell subgroups,significantly increased Treg cell and dysfunctional cytokines,which may be associated with the pathogenesis of silicosis,the detection of these indicators may have significance of diagnosis,staging,disease monitoring and prognosis of the diseases.

Objective To investigate the effects of exercise on expression of microtube associated protein-2 (MAP-2) and MAP-2 mRNA in neuronal cells after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in rats. Methods Ninety-six male Sprague-Dawley rats (weighing 270 to 300 g) were divided into 3 groups, a trial group (ICH-induction and ex-ercise, n=32), a control group (ICH-induction only, n=32) and a sham-operated group (no ICH and no exercise, n=32). The brains of the rats were sampled at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after the operation for establishing ICH mod-el. Another 64 rats were divided into 8 groups (6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 7 d after ICH, no ICH group and nor-mal group). MAP-2 and MAP-2 mRNA activity were measured by immunohistochemical methods and RT-PCR. The rats in the trial group began cage-running exercise 72 h after the operation. The others were reared in the standard ca-ges. Results ①MAP-2-positive cells appeared around the hematoma in the cortex. The number of MAP-2-positive cells was very small in the sham-operation group. There was an up-regulation of MAP-2 from 24 h to 7 d after ICH, and significant difference was found between the non-ICH group and the normal group. The expression of MAP-2 showed an up-regulation trend in the trial and control groups. There was a significant difference compared with the sham operated group, and the trial group had significantly higher expression levels than the control group. ②RT-PCR showed up-ragulation of MAP-2 mRNA 12 to 24 h after ICH. There was a significant difference between the no ICH and normal groups. The trial and control groups showed up-regulation of MAP-2 mRNA at 14 to 28 d after ICH, with was significantly different from that of the sham group, and the trial group had significantly higher levels than the con-trol group. Conclusion MAP-2 might participated in neural cells plasticity after ICH, and exercise training (cage-running) can up-regulate MAP-2 and MAP-2-mRNA expression.

Objective To explore the endogenesis metabolizer character of kidney-yang insufficiency syndrome model rats caused by hydrocortisoni natrii succinas with metabolomics technology. Methods Twenty four Sprague-Dawley(SD)male rats were divided randomly into a normal group, a kidney-yang insufficiency model group, and a oral administration group, eight rats in each group. After producing kidney-yang insufficiency model by injecting hydrocortisoni natrii succinas intramuscularly, oral administration group rats were administered orally with white prepared lateral root of aconite every day for two weeks. After twenty-four hour the last oral administration, the blood plasm were prepared and used for testing endogenesis metabolism with the liquid phase color spectrum-mass spectra (LC/MS) metabolomics technology. Results Apices shape change of lysophosphatidyl choline (LPC) and lysophosphatidyl ethanolamine(LPE) and 468.4m/z unbeknown chemical compound of normal rats were distinct from those of model rats. Above-mentioned chemical compound as chief material symbols of kidney-yang insufficiency syndrome might be farther studied. Conclusion Finding out differential symbol from endogenesis metabolizer with metabolomics technology was redounded to deep exploring the biology essence of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome.

Objective:To construct a specific small hairpin RNA (shRNA) expressing vectors against human receptor for advanced glycation end product (RAGE) gene and study its inhibitory effect on the proliferation of androgen-independent prostate cancer cells DU145. Methods:Four RAGE specific oligonucleotides were designed and synthesized. These oligonucleotides were annealed to forill double strand DNA fragments and this fragment was cloned into psi-U6 plasmid. The recombinants were transfected into RAGE-overexpressing sub DU145-2C1 cells. Cellular morphology and transfection efficiency were observed under fluorescence microscope. The inhibitory effect of RAGE shRNA construct on RAGE mRNA and protein expression was examined with semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. The cellular proliferation was detected with cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). Scratch test was used to observe the migration of DU145 cells.Results:RAGE shRNA expression plasmids were successfully constructed and transfected into sub DU145-2C1 cells. It can effectively inhibit the expression of RAGE mRNA (P<0.05). The inhibitory effects of shRNA RAGE-1 (R1) was the most stronger. The RAGE mRNA expression was inhibited by 84% and RAGE protein expression was inhibited by 27%. Compared with negative control, the proliferation potential was significantly decreased in shRNA RAGE-transfected cells. The cell migration capability had no significant changes. Conclusion:RAGE shRNA effectively inhibited the expression of RAGE mRNA and protein and suppressed the proliferation of DU145 cells in vitro.

Objective To investigate diagnostic efficiency of vascular parameters in the diagnosis of BI-RADS Ⅳ breast masses using three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound (3D-PDUS).Methods After adjusting the ultrasonic instrument under property conditions,3D-PDUS were applied to scan BI-RADS Ⅳ breast masses before surgery with QLab software,the following parameters of breast masses were obtained:total tumor volume,vascularization index (VI),flow index (FI),and vascularization flow index (VFI).According to the pathological results,the diagnostic value of vascular parameters from 3D-PDUS were assessed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve,and the diagnostic efficiency were analyzed by best cut-off limits of various vascular parameters.Results The volume and vascular parameters of benign group were remarkably lower than those of malignant group (all P ＜0.001).The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of VI (0.873) ＞VFI (0.866) ＞FI (0.778).AUC of FI was significantly smaller than that of VI (P =0.016) and of VFI (P =0.039),while no statistical difference between that of VI and of VFI (P =0.294).The diagnostic accuracies of VI (cut-point:1.2,sensitivity:84.1％,specificity:83.3 ％,accuracy:83.8 ％) and of VFI (cut-point:0.5,sensitivity:82.5 ％,specificity:85.2％,accuracy:82.9％) were higher than that of FI (cut-point:35.3,sensitivity:74.6％,specificity:70.4 ％,accuracy:72.6 ％).AUC of VI (P =0.001) and of VFI (P =0.033) in small-volume group (＜2cm3) were both larger than those of large-volume group (≥2 cm3),no significant difference in AUC of FI between these two groups (P =0.09).Conclusions Vascular parameters obtained using 3D-PDUS have affirmative value in the diagnosis of BI-RADS Ⅳ breast masses,especially in masses less than 2 cm3 in volume.

Objective In order to evaluate the possible effects of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) on graft versus host disease (aGVHD) development and clinical outcomes,this study systematically detected the dynamic changes of MDSCs accumulation in patients during the first 100 days after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).Methods Peripheral blood was obtained from 30 patients and 10 healthy volunteers with heparin anticoagulant tubes for 6 mL.For patients,peripheral blood was collected during the first 100 days after allo-HSCT and MDSCs levels were detected by flow cytometry.For measuring the serum concentrations of IL-6,IL-10,IL-1β,TNF-α,Arg-1,HO-1 and iNOS,samples were analyzed using ELISA kits.Results Patients developing aGVHD were infused with significantly less number of MDSCs [(39.94 ± 8.383) 106/kg]than in those not developing aGVHD [(209.0 ± 57.68) 106/kg,P =0.002 6];Patients developing aGVHD Ⅰ-Ⅱ and patients without aGVHD received significantly greater number of MDSCs [(61.96 ± 13.67) 106/kg and (209.0 ± 57.68) 106/kg] than in those developing aGVHD Ⅲ-Ⅳ [(20.37 ±4.304) 106/kg,P =0.013 9].After allo-HSCT,the mean percentage of MDSCs increased markedly in patients developing aGVHD [(7.725 ± 1.460)％] as compared with those not developing aGVHD [(3.423± 1.044)％,P =0.021 3].The high MDSCs group (＞53.712 × 106/kg) showed more favorable clinical outcomes than in the low MDSCs group (≤53.712 × 106/kg).The 2-year overall survival rate as 100％ in high MDSCs group,and 50％ in low MDSCs group (P =0.001 3).The cumulative incidence of 2-year relapse was 6.250％ and 29.252％ in high MDSCs group and low MDSCs group respectively (P =0.112 3).The cumulative incidence of NRM was significantly lower in high MDSCs group (0％) than in low MDSCs group (49.519％,P=0.001 8).MDSCs frequencies significantly increased in patients developing aGVHD after allo-HSCT.After allo-HSCT,the concentrations of IL-6,IL-10,TNF-α,Arg-1,iNOS and HO-1 were significantly elevated in patients developing aGVHD.Conclusion The number of MDSCs when engraftment may be used as a predictor for the development and severity of aGVHD.MDSCs might be considered as a potential new approach to regulate transplant rejection and achieve long-term survival.