Objective To study the differential diagnostic value of interferon-γ inducible protein 10 (IP-10),macrophage inflammatory protein-1 α (MIP-1 α) and monocyte chemoattractant-1 (MCP-1) level in the tuberculous,malignant pleural effusion.Methods Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the level of IP-10,MIP-1 α and MCP-1 in tuberculous pleural fluid (tuberculous pleural fluid group,43 cases) and malignant pleural fluid (malignant pleural fluid group,45 cases).The level of IP-10,MIP-1 α and MCP-1 and the significance were analyzed by ROC curve.Results The level of IP-10,MIP-1 α and MCP-1 were significantly higher in tuberculous pleural fluid group than those in malignant pleural fluid group,and there were significant differences(t =4.931,3.106,2.385 ; P =0.000,0.004,0.041).ROC curve analysis showed that the critical value of IP-10,MIP-1 α and MCP-1 in diagnosis of pleural effusion was respectively 1 589.73,213.50,1 452.63 ng/L.The sensitivity and specificity of IP-10,MIP-1 α and MCP-1 in pleural fluid were 68.8％,81.3％,87.5％ and 87.5％,68.8％,56.3％,respectively.Conclusion The level of IP-10,MIP-1 α and MCP-1 in tuberculous and malignant pleural fluid are significant for the early diagnosis and differential diagnosis.

Objective To explore the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the improve?ment of depressive behavior and the hippocampus brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in chronic stress-induced depression rats. To further investigate the possible molecular mechanism of rTMS treatment for depres?sion. Methods Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into the blank control group (n=8) and the stress-induced group (n=30). Singly housing and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) were used to induce the depression model in stress-induced group. Twenty-four model rats were divided into three groups:model group (with no further treatment), rTMS group (receiving 10 Hz rTMS intervention for 3 weeks) and shame group (receiving pseudo TMS treatments for 3 weeks). Weight measurement, sucrose consumption test and open-field test were used to assess the behavior changes. The rat hippocampal CA3 area of BDNF positive staining cell number and expression levels of BDNF mRNA in hippocampus were examined after intervention. Results The weight reduction rate, score of sucrose consump?tion test and the score of open field test were significantly higher in rTMS group than in model group (P<0.05). The num? ber of BDNF staining positive cells in the hippocampal CA3 area was lower in model group and shame group than in the blank control group whereas was higher in the rTMS group than in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the BDNF mRNA relative expression was significantly increased in the hippocampus of rTMS group (P<0.01). Conclusion rTMS can improve depressive behaviors of CUMS rats probably through the increase in expression of BDNF in the hippocampal neurons and neuronal regeneration.

The objective of the present study was to establish a method based on principal component analysis (PCA) for the study of transdermal delivery of Chinese medicinal formulae, and to choose the best penetration enhancers for Qingfei Xiaocuo gel depend on this method. Using improved Franz type diffusion cell and excised rat skin in vitro as transdermal barrier, the receptive solution fingerprint was established by HPLC, harvesting the areas of the common peaks in the fingerprint, then the total factor scores of the concentrations at different times were calculated using PCA and were employed instead of the concentrations to compute the cumulative amounts (Q12) and enhancement ratio (ER), the latter of which were considered as the indexes for optimizing penetration enhancers. Compare to the control group, the ER of the other groups increased significantly and furthermore, 2.5% azone with 2.5% menthol manifested the best effect. PCA represent most information in the receptive solution, the method above could choose the best penetration enhancers, it could be a reference for the study of transdermal delivery of Chinese medicinal formulae.
Administration, Cutaneous ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; pharmacokinetics ; Gels ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mice ; Principal Component Analysis ; Skin ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the role of Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1/mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Rac 1/MAPK/ERK) signal pathway in rats with ventilator induced lung injury (VILI) and its mechanism.Methods Thirty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into spontaneous respiration group,normal tidal volume (VT) group and high VT group with 10 rats in each group.The rats in spontaneous respiration group were kept their spontaneous breathing.The rats in normal VT group and high VT group were performed tracheal intubation after tracheostomy,and underwent mechanical ventilation on bilateral lungs with 6 mL/kg and 40 mL/kg VT respectively with maintenance anesthesia.After 4-hour ventilation,heart blood,bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissues were harvested.The levels of interleukins (IL-1β,IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),myeloperoxidase (MPO) and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) in serum and BALF were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Lung wet/dry radio (W/D) was determined.The lung tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE),and pathological changes were observed,and pathological scores were evaluated.The ultra structure changes in type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells (AEC Ⅱ)were observed with transmission electron microscope.The positive expressions of phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) were determined by immunohistochemistry,and those of Racl and F-actin were determined by immunofluorescence.The mRNA expressions of ERK and Rac1 were determined by real-time fluorescent quantitation reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR),and protein expressions of Rac-1,p-ERK and F-actin were determined by Western Blot.Results ① Compared with spontaneous breathing group,lung W/D in both mechanical ventilation groups was significantly increased,with more significant increase in the high VT group (6.64 ± 0.88 vs.1.79 ± 0.36,P ＜ 0.01).② There was no obvious pathological changes in the lung tissue and AEC Ⅱ of the spontaneously breathing group.In the normal VT group,there was slight edema and infiltration of inflammatory cells;AEC Ⅱ had less lamellar bodies and uniform distribution of the villi of the alveolar epithelium.In the high VT group,the edema of the lung tissue,the widening of the pulmonary septum,the alveolus congestion,the infiltration of inflammatory cells,and alveolar structure disorder were found;and AEC Ⅱ was irregular,the number of lamellar bodies in the plastids was decreased and was unevenly distributed.The pulmonary histopathological score in the high VT group was significantly higher than that in the spontaneous breathing group and the normal VT group (12.00 ± 2.00 vs.6.00 ± 1.51,8.50 ± 0.53,both P ＜ 0.01).③ Compared with spontaneous breathing group,IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,MPO,and MIP-2in serum and BALF in both mechanical ventilation groups were significantly increased,with more siguificant increase in the high VT group [serum IL-1 β (ng/L):104.2 ± 15.1 vs.20.3 ± 8.3,IL-6 (ng/L):46.6 ± 11.5 vs.22.7 ± 7.5,TNF-α (ng/L):39.4±6.5 vs.5.4± 1.9,MPO (ng/L):0.66±0.24 vs.0.06±0.03,MIP-2 (ng/L):109.2±25.8 vs.22.8±8.4;BALF IL-1 β (ng/L):121.5 ± 25.6 vs.24.0 ± 7.5,IL-6 (ng/L):136.7 ± 32.7 vs.31.4 ± 10.5,TNF-α (ng/L):98.0 ± 14.8vs.10.1 ±2.6,MPO (ng/L):0.80±0.31 vs.0.08±0.04,MIP-2 (ng/L):144.4±28.9 vs.41.2±20.7;all P ＜ 0.01].④ There were only a few p-ERK,Rac1 and F-actin positive expressions in the spontaneous breathing group.The positive expressions in normal VT group were increased.In high VT group,the positive expression of p-ERK was significantly increased;Rac1 and F-actin were mainly distributed in the cell membrane and cytoplasm respectively,the positive expressions were further enhanced.⑤ The gene expressions of ERK and Rac1,and protein expressions of p-ERK,Rac1 and F-actin in the high VT group were significantly higher than those in the spontaneous breathing group and normal VT group [ERK mRNA (2-△△Ct):8.23±2.83 vs.1,3.02± 1.38,p-ERK protein (gray value):1.15±0.36 vs.0.61 ±0.23,0.88±0.22;Rac1 mRNA (2-△△Ct):4.45 ±2.26 vs.1,1.22±0.39,Rac1 protein (gray value):0.91 ±0.16 vs.0.48±0.11,0.55 ± 0.10;F-actin protein (gray value):0.70± 0.09 vs.0.49 ± 0.08,0.55 ± 0.04;all P ＜ 0.01].Conclusion F-actin expression in lung tissue was up-regulated in rats with VILI,which resulted in reconstruction of AEC Ⅱ cyto-skeleton,and variation of cell membrane permeability through Rac 1 /MAPK/ERK sigualing pathway during VILI.

BACKGROUND:Studies have reported that the superfamily of transforming growth factors exert a role in the mineralization of various stem cells, but the combination effects of transforming growth factorβ3 and heparin on proliferation and mineralization ability of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth remains to be studied. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of transforming growth factorβ3 on odontoblast-like differentiation of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth. METHODS:Human deciduous teeth were col ected using enzyme digestion. The 3rd cells were incubated with 25μg/L recombinant human transforming growth factorβ3, 10 U/mL heparin or their combination. The dentin sialophosphoprotein mRNA and dentinsialoprotein expressions were detected by Q-PCR and western blot assay. Alkaline phosphatase activity was determined using alkaline phosphatase kit. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth grew wel after induction. The activity of alkaline phosphatase in the combination group was significantly higher than that in the transforming growth factorβ3, heparin and control groups (P<0.01). After combination induction, the cells were strongly positive for alizarin red staining. Results fromα-PCR and western blot assay showed that the expressions of dentin sialophosphoprotein were both remarkably increased at mRNA and protein levels. In summary, stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth can differentiate into odontoblast-like cells under the induction of transforming growth factorβ3 plus heparin.

BACKGROUND:The role of transforming growth factorβsuperfamily has been reported in bone mineralization of various types of stem cells, but the effects of transforming growth factorβ3 (TGF-β3) combined with heparin on proliferation and mineralization of dental pulp stem cells from human deciduous teeth remains to be studied. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effects of TGF-β3 on the proliferation and mineralization of dental pulp stem cells from human deciduous teeth. METHODS:The enzyme digestion method was utilized to separately culture dental pulp stem cells from human deciduous teeth. The cellcolony forming efficiency was determined. Flow cytometry was utilized to identify cellsurface marker CD146. Immunochemistry for Vimentin and STRO1 was performed to measure dental pulp stem cells from human deciduous teeth. The third passage dental pulp stem cells from human deciduous teeth cultured in vitro were intervened with heparin and TGF-β3 of 1, 5, 25μg/L mass concentration. The MTS method was applied to measure cellgrowth curves. Alizarin red staining was carried out. The changes in alkaline phosphatase activity were determined with alkaline phosphatase kit. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The cellcolony forming efficiency was high. cells were positive for CD146, and strongly positive for Vimentin and STRO1. Dental pulp stem cells from human deciduous teeth were identified. MTS assay indicated that there was no obvious effect on promoting proliferation of dental pulp stem cells from human deciduous teeth after stimulation of TGF-β3. Detection results of alkaline phosphatase activity demonstrated that the combination of TGF-β3 and heparin could strengthen the alkaline phosphatase activity of dental pulp stem cells from human deciduous teeth with increased concentration. Alkaline phosphatase activities were significantly higher in the TGF-β3+heparin group, TGF-β3 group and heparin group than in the control group (P<0.01). Alizarin red staining was positive in the TGF-β3+heparin group, and the staining was strongest in the 5μg/L TGF-β3+heparin group. Results indicated that TGF-β3 combined with heparin promoted mineralization of dental pulp stem cells from human deciduous teeth.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play a crucial role in T cell dysfunction, which is related to poor outcome in patients with severe trauma. Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) contributes to immune disorder in trauma and infection via production of prostaglandin E2. However, the role of Cox-2 in the accumulation and function of MDSCs after traumatic stress has not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we treated murine trauma model with NS398, a selective Cox-2 inhibitor. Then the percentages of CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells, proliferation and apoptosis of CD4+ T cells were determined. Arginase activity and arginase-1 (Arg-1) protein expression of splenic CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells, and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response were analyzed. The results showed that Cox-2 blockade significantly decreased the percentages of CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells in the spleen and bone marrow 48 and 72 h after traumatic stress. NS398 inhibited arginase activity and down-regulated the Arg-1 expression of splenic CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells. Moreover, NS398 could promote proliferation and inhibit apoptosis of CD4+ T cells. It also restored DTH response of traumatic mice. Taken together, our data revealed that Cox-2 might play a pivotal role in the accumulation and function of MDSC after traumatic stress.

Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T_RFLP) analysis is a culture- independent approach for analyzing microbial community in environment. It bases on PCR technology, and its process includes DNA extraction of environmental samples, amplification of genes encoding the 16S rRNA, 18S rRNA or enzymes with fluorescently labeled primers, the restriction enzyme digestion of PCR products, cap- illary electrophoresis and the analysis of T_RFLP profile. It has been proved to be powerful applied on mi- crobial community in environment since developed in 1997. Currently, T_RFLP rarely applied in China, and it has no applications on microbial community analysis of nitrifying bacteria. In this article, the fundamental principle of this technique and the recent applications of T_RFLP on microbial community are summarized; in addition, it illustrates the confinements of conventional culture-dependent of nitrifying bacteria and the foreground of T_RFLP applying on microbial community structure analysis of nitrifying bacteria.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the correlation between CKLF-like marvel transmembrane domain containing member (CMTM5) gene and the risk of in-stent restenosis (ISR) with coronary artery disease (CAD) patients and to detect the effects and mechanisms of CMTM5-stimulated genes on human vascular endothelial cells (ECs) proliferation and migration. METHODS: A total of 124 hospitalized patients in Shijitan Hospital were enrolled in this study. All the CAD patients were detected with platelet reactivity and grouped into two groups according to platelet reactivity; ISR was conformed by coronary angiography; RT-PCR method was used to detect CMTM5 gene expression; The CMTM5 over expression, reduction and control EC lines were established; Cell count, MTT, Brdu and flow cytometry methods were used to detect the proliferation of ECs, scratch and transwell experiments to test the migration of ECs, Western blot was used to detect signal path expressions. RESULTS: CMTM5 gene expression in HAPR (High on aspirin platelet reactivity) group was 1.72 times compared with No-HAPR group, which was significantly higher than No-HAPR group. HAPR group ISR rate was 25.8% (8 cases), the incidence of No-HAPR ISR group was 9.7% (9 cases), and the results showed that in HAPR group, the incidence of ISR was significantly higher than that in No-HAPR group (P=0.04, OR=0.04, 95%CI=1.16－7.52), which showed that CMTM5 gene was significantly correlated with the risk of ISR. In HAPR group ISR rate was 25.8% (8 cases), the incidence of ISR in No-HAPR group was 9.7% (9 cases), and the results showed that the risk of ISR in HAPR group was significantly higher than that in No-HAPR group. All the results showed that CMTM5 was significantly correlated with the risk of ISR in CAD patients (P < 0.05). CMTM5 overexpression inhibited the proliferation and migration ability of ECs (P < 0.05), PI3K/Akt signaling pathways were involved in the role of regulation on ECs. CONCLUSION Our results revealed that CMTM5 gene was closely related with ISR, CMTM5 overexpression may repress ECs proliferation and migration through regulating PI3K-Akt signaling.
Chemokines ; Coronary Artery Disease/surgery* ; Coronary Restenosis ; Drug-Eluting Stents/adverse effects* ; Endothelial Cells ; Humans ; MARVEL Domain-Containing Proteins ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the correlation between CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain containing member 5 (CMTM5) gene and the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), and to detect the effects of CMTM5 gene expression changes on the ability of adhesion and migration of THP-1 cells. METHODS: Using case-control method, a total of 700 hospitalized patients in Shijitan Hospital were enrolled in this study. CAD were diagnosed by coronary angiography, which was defined as at least one blood vessel diameter stenosis ≥50% according to the result of coronary angiography. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method was used to detect CMTM5 gene expression; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method to detect the plasma level of CMTM5; and Logistic regression to analyze CMTM5 genes and the risk of CAD. Human vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and THP-1 cells were cultivated, adhesion and Transwells experiments were used to evaluate the chemotactic capabi-lity of CMTM5 gene on THP-1 cells. RESULTS: In this study, 350 CAD patients matched with 350 control patients were included. RT-PCR results revealed CMTM5 mRNA expression in CAD group was 3.45 times compared with control group, which was significantly higher than that in control group (P < 0.05). The levels of CMTM5 plasma protein in CAD group was (206.1±26.9) μg/L, which was significantly higher than that in control group (125.3±15.2) μg/L (P < 0.05). After adjusted for the risk factors of age, gender, BMI, smoking, hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia, Logistic regression analysis results indicated that CMTM5 was the susceptibility factors of CAD, which still had significant correlation with CAD (P < 0.05). Adhesion and Transwells experiments results revealed that the numbers of adhesion and migration of THP-1 cells in CMTM5 overexpression ECs group (EO group) were significantly higher than that in lenti-mock infected ECs group (EO-MOCK group), non-infected ECs group (EN group), lenti-mock infected ECs group (ES-MOCK group), and CMTM5 suppression ECs group (ES group). On the contrary, the numbers of adhesion and migration of THP-1 cells in ES group were significantly lower than that in the other four groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION CMTM5 gene was closely related to the development of CAD. CMTM5 overexpression promoted the adhesion and migration of THP-1, which might play a part in the mechanisms of atherosclerosis and CAD.
Chemokines ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease/genetics* ; Endothelial Cells ; Humans ; MARVEL Domain-Containing Proteins ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins