Objective To describe the pathogenic and serological test results of the plague in China from 2001 to 2009, and human and animal plague distribution. Methods Through access to information of the plague surveillance report in China from 2002 to 2010, national plague pathogenic and serological test results and the epidemic situation were analyzed from 2001 to 2009. Results From 2001 to 2009, 2966 strains of Yersinia pestis were isolated in the seven provinces which were Guizhou, Guangxi, Yunnan, Qinghai, Tibet, Gansu and Inner Mongolia. Of these, 1 138 000 animals were detected by bacteriological method, 1998 strains of Yersinia pestis were isolated;379 227 groups of intermediary animals were detected, 927 strains of Yersinia pestis were isolated;41 strains of Yersinia pestis were isolated from human body. Animal serums of 1 169 702 were detected by indirect hemagglutination assay(IHA), of these 3177 animal serums were positive, 168 human serums were positive;53 323 animal samples were detected by reverse indirect hemagglutination assay(RIHA), of these 500 were positive. There were outbreak or epidemic of plague in 9 types of plague foci, 2925 strains of Yersinia pestis were isolated. Two animals and 6 fleas were judged as new reservoir and new vector. There were 23 counties of 6 provinces were judged as plague new natural foci counties. Conclusions The plague epidemic in China is still serious between 2001 and 2009. There are nine types of foci in the active state.

Objective To summarize the imaging characteristics of the hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE).Methods The clinical data of 6 patients with hepatic EHE who were admitted to the Yantaishan Hospital (3 patients), Zhangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2 patients) and Zhangqiu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (1 patient) between March 2007 and June 2014 were retrospectively analyzed.All the patients underwent plain scan and dynamic enhanced scan of computed tomography (CT), and the number,shape, size, location, density or signal, level and method of enhancement of the lesions were observed and analyzed.Six patients were followed up by outpatient imaging examination up to June 2014, and the changes of lesions were observed.Results Among the 6 patients, 1 solitary lesion and 5 multiple lesions were detected, and the total lesions were 125 including 1 patient with 75 lesions.The lesions were round or round-like and originated commonly from the right lobe of liver and hepatic subcapsular with a maximum diameter of 0.5-3.5 cm.Plain scan of CT showed that the lesions in 6 patients had low density with the clear boundary.MRI showed that low T1 WI signal and high or slightly high T2WI signal of the lesions were detected in 4 patients.Two patients had liver capsular retraction sign.The ring-like enhancement of 1 lesion and homogeneous enhancement of 5 lesions were found by dynamic enhanced scan of CT in 6 patients and enhanced scan of MRI in 4 patients.Enhanced signal in all the lesions was detected in the delayed phase.Veins into or through lesions were found in 3 lesions, with normal or narrowing vascular cavity.One patient had visible lollipop sign.Of the 6 patients, 5 were confirmed as with metastatic carcinoma of liver, and 1 was suggested as with cholangiocarcinoma.Six patients were diagnosed with hepatic EHE by pathological examination using hepatic biopsy technique.Among the 2 patients with hepatic EHE who didn't receive antineoplastic treatment after the diagnosis, 1 patient received CT examination at year 2 after first visit, which showed capsular retraction sign, and then was diagnosed as with secondary hepatic cirrhosis by MRI at 4 years after first visit.Another patient was diagnosed as with hepatic cirrhosis by CT examination at year 6.5 after first visit.One patient was diagnosed with tumor recurrence of hepatic left lobe by CT reexamination at postoperative year 4, and underwent ultrasound-guided radio frequency ablation (RFA) treatment based on no enlargement of tumor during 1-year follow-up, and then returned a normal condition after half year follow-up.Other 3 patients undergoing operation were followed up at postoperative year 1 , 4, 5 with no recurrence and metastasis.Conclusions Intrahepatic single or multiple nodules and delayed reinforcement by dynamic enhanced scan of CT and MRI are the typical imaging performances of hepatic EHE.There are certain characteristics in the liver the lollipop sign, capsular retraction sign and veins into or through the lesions.Mutual fusion and fibrosis of lesions leading ultimately to secondary liver cirrhosis may be characteristics of EHE growth.

AIM: To investigate in vitro effects of cholecystokinin octapeptide(CCK-8) on the expressions of B7.1 and B7.2 and the costimulatory activity of T lymphocytes in unstimulated macrophages.METHODS: Mouse peritoneal macrophages were isolated and incubated with CCK-8(10-12-10-6 mol/L) for indicated time.The B7.1 and B7.2 expressions of murine peritoneal macrophages were analyzed by flow cytometry.CD4+T cells were isolated from mouse spleen using immunomagnetic beads,and cultured with 1/4 numbers of macrophages which were pretreated with CCK-8 and/or anti-B7.1 antibody,anti-B7.2 antibody,CCK1R antagonist CR1409,CCK2R antagonist CR2945 for 24 h.ConA was added into the culture medium to stimulate CD4+T cell proliferation.The proliferation was determined by measuring -TdR incorporation in a ?-scintillation counter.RESULTS: B7.1 and B7.2 expressions and costimulatory activity of peritoneal macrophages were enhanced by CCK-8 in a dose-dependent manner,and the maximal effects occurred at the concentrations of 10-9 mol/L to 10-7 mol/L.Anti-B7.2 antibody,but not anti-B7.1 antibody,reduced the modulatory role of CCK-8 on costimulatory activity.Both CR1409 and CR2945 reversed the effect of CCK-8 on costimulation,and the role of CR1409 was more significant.CONCLUSION: CCK-8 enhances macrophage costimulatory activity by upregulating B7.2 expression,which is mediated by CCK1R and CCK2R.CCK1R might be the major receptor responsible for the modulation of CCK-8 on costimulation.

AIM: To study the effects of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) on T-lymphocyte subsets in keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH)-immunized mice.METHODS: Female BALB/c mice were immunized with KLH and injected with different dosages of CCK-8 or saline simultaneously. Positive CD4+and CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood or splenocytes were measured by flow cytometry. The production and mRNA level of Th1 cytokine, IFN-? and Th2 cytokine, IL-4 in the splenocytes were evaluated by ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. In addition, lung tissue sections were made with HE staining.RESULTS: CCK-8 downregulated the positive CD4+and CD8+ T lymphocytes both in peripheral blood and in splenocytes in KLH-immunized mice, resulting in the reduction of CD4+/CD8+ ratio.CCK-8 improved the production of IFN-?, elevated IFN-? gene transcription, whereas cut down the production of IL-4, decreased IL-4 gene transcription. CCK-8 lightened the pulmonary inflammation induced by KLH.CONCLUSION: CCK-8 inhibits CD4+T lymphocytes activation, Th2 cytokine mRNA expression and protein production in KLH-immunized mice, indicating that CCK-8 modulates adaptive immune response.

Aim To investigate the role of GC in indu-cing apoptosis of amygdaloid neurons.Methods Cul-turing primary neurons of amygdala,the neurons were identified by immunefluorescence techniques with anti-body against microtubule associated protein-2 (MAP2 ) and antibody against GC receptor.Using flow cytome-try to detect the effects of different concentrations of dexamethasone on the amygdala neuron apoptosis. Then the experiment was divided into four groups:CON ,DEX ,DEX +MIF and MIF .The rate of apopto-sis of the four groups was detected by TUNEL tech-nique and the expressions of BAX mRNA of four groups by Real-time PCR technique.Results (1 )Compared with the control group, the percentage of apoptotic cells increased significantly with DEX(10 -8 mol·L-1~10 -6 mol · L-1 )treatment in a concentration-de-pendent manner.(2)the TUNEL test showed that the percentage of apoptotic cells of DEX group increased significantly,compared with control group.While it decreased significantly in DEX+MIF group,compared with DEX group.There was no difference between MIF group and control group.(3 )Compared with control group,the expressions of BAX mRNA of DEX group increased significantly.While the expressions of BAX mRNA of DEX +MIF group decreased significantly, compared with the DEX group.There was no difference between MIF group and control group.Conclusion GC can independently induce the apoptosis of primary cultured neurons in the amygdala by combining with GC receptor.

AIM: To investigate the inhibitory effect s of a synthetic CRE-transcription factor decoy oligodeoxynucleotide (CRE-decoy ODN) on the upregulation of the expression of cholecystokinin (CCK) and fosB mRN A induced by chronic morphine administration in SK-N-SH cells. METHODS: The CRE cis-element, TGACGTCA, was palindromic, a sy nthetic single-stranded phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide composed of the CR E sequence self-hybridizes to form a duplex/hairpin. The CRE-palindromic decoy a nd control oligodeoxynucleotides were added to the medium (1 h before exposure t o morphine) at 150 nmol/L in the presence of cationic lipid DOTAP. After the cel ls were treated with 100 ?mol/L morphine for 48 h, 10 ?mol/L naloxone was use d for 15 min. The effects of CRE-decoy ODN on the DNA-binding activity of CREB, the expression of CCK and fosB mRNA were detected by electrophoresis mobi lity shift assay (EMSA) and RT-PCR, respectively. The stability of cell-incorpo rated [ 32P]-labeled CRE-decoy ODN was extracted with phenol:chloroform a nd then subjected to 20% nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and au toradiography. RESULTS: Chronic morphine administration and acute naloxone-prec ipitated withdrawal significantly activated the DNA-binding activity of CREB and the expression of CCK and fosB mRNA in SK-N-SH cells. The CRE-decoy ODN pen etrated into the cells, specifically downregulated these indexes. CONCLUSIONS: CRE-decoy ODN can significantly downregulates the e xpre ssion of CCK and fosB mRNA through specifically suppressing the DNA-binding activity of CREB activated by chronic morphine administration in SK-N-SH cells.

Objective To detect the Yersinia pestis plasmid and molecular weight along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.Methods Yersinia pestis plasmids molecular weight detected and analyzed using alkaline lysis,phenol-chloroform extraction of Yersinia pestis plasmid by agarose gel electrophoresis.Results The 18 Yersinia pestis strains of Qinghai-Tibet Railway contained 6×106,45×106,52×106,65×106,92×106plasmid,varing in the range of the 52×106-92×106.Conclusions The Yersinia pestis of Qinghai-Tibet Railway has a standardplasmid graphics,with the biggest Yersinia pestis plasmid changing in a certain regular degree,which providessignificance in the study of plague natural foci of the spatial structure and the genetic.characteristics of Yersiniapestis.

Aim To investigate the effects of cholecystokinin-octopeptide on IL-12 secreted in murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells induced by lipopolysaccharide.Methods The CCK receptor subtypes were investigated by immunofluorescence in murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot were used to estimate the contents of IL-12 and p38MAPK activity.Results CCK-1R and CCK-2R were detected in BM-DC;CCK-8(at concentrations of 10-10,10-8,10-6 mol?L-1)could significantly increase the secretion of IL-12 in the LPS-induced DC, and LPS-activated p38MAPK activity in a dose-dependent manner.The effect of CCK-8 was reduced partially by CR1409(a CCK-1R antagonist) and CR2945(a CCK-2R antagonist).Conclusion CCK-8 could dose-dependently increase the expressions of IL-12 in LPS-induced DC,probably by promoting p38MAPK activity and the effect was mediated by CCK1 and CCK2 receptors.

Objective Background and objective The Cox maze Ⅲ procedure has been considered the gold standard for the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) and the modified Cox maze use bipolar radiofrequency ablation instead of the cut-and-sew technique,while also reducing the connecting lines in left atrium.This study was to understand whether completely isolation the posterior left atrium by increasing left atrium ablation lines can enhance the survival after modified Cox maze procedure.Methods From Jan 2009 to Dec 2009,all the patients underwent the Cox maze procedure,following the same examination,were divided into two groups (case-control): box lesion group (n =60),which is means the right and lefi pulmonary vein lesions were connected inferiorly by adding ablation lines,thereby completely isolating the posterior left atrium and the non-box lesion group (n =60).Similar interventions were given during the perioperative periods.Comparing the risk factors before surgeries,then follow-up was 100％ complete,and the mean follow-up was 9 ± 8.4 months.Results Except the box lesion had long time of extracorporeal circulation,the characteristics of the 2 groups were similar because there were no differences in age,AF duration,left atrial diameter,left ventricular ejection fraction or homochronous operation between the groups and there was no operative death.No patient was lost to follow-up.In the mean follow-up duration,a patient was died of intracerebral hemorrhage at 2 months postoperationly in the box lesion group and a patient suffered from stroke at 12 months postoperationly in the non-box lesion.The overall freedom from AF recurrence was higher in the box lesion group at 1 (70％ vs 51.2％,P =0.039) and 3 (78.3％ vs 60％,P =0.030) months.While it was 80％ vs 71.7％ (P =0.286) at 6 months.Eight patients wrere readmitted because of the recurrence of AF,4 and 2 patients underwent catheter ablation in box and non-box group respectively,one patient in each group underwent electrical conversion.After treatment,all of the patients were recovered to sinus rhythm and continued to take cordarone.Conclusion Compared to the single connecting between right and left pulmonary vein,isolating the entire posterior left atrium by creating a box lesion showed higher freedom from AF in the earlier months (1-3months).However,half a year after the surgery,there were no significant differences between the two groups.

Bacillus subtilis ZC-7 was obtained by implantation with N+ ions beam to B.subtilis AS1.398,and compared with the AS1.398 neutral protease,the enzyme activity of ZC-7 neutral protease was about 1 timeshigher in previous research.A neutral protease was purified from the culture of B.Subtilis ZC-7 by the procedures including amoninium sulfate precipitation,ultrafiltration,DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow chromatography and Sephadex G-75 chromatography.By multi-step purification,the ZC-7 neutral protease was purified to 78.5 folds and its yield was 27.7%,at last,the specific activity of ZC-7 neutral protease was up to 4.1?105U/mg.Analysed by SDS-PAGE,the purified protease has shown a molecular mass of about 42kDa.The Km for casein hydrolysis was 3.67?10-3?g/ml and the Vmax was 12.21?g/min.The optimum pH and temperature forhydrolysis of casein were 7.0 and 55℃,respectively.This protease was stable up to 40℃ within the pH range of 6.5 and 8.0.EDTA,isopropanol and alcohol nearly inhibited its activity while some ions such as Ca2+,Mg2+,Fe3+ can improve its activity.In addition,it could resist 1 mol/L H2O2.