Objective To investigate the effect of Artesunate (Art) on experimental immune myositis (EIM) animal model. Methods Guinea pigs were immunized with rabbit muscle homogenate in Freund′s adjuvant, and a generalized myositis fundamentally similar to human polymyositis was established. These animals were divided into two groups: the control group (injected intraperitoneally with normal saline everyday) and the treatment group (injected intraperitoneally with Art everyday). Results The serum levels of CPK, AST and LDH were significantly lower in the treatment group than those in the control group. EMG demonstrated that the treatment group kept improving along with the elapse of time. Histological findings revealed that the damage of muscle in the treatment group was less severe than that of the control group. Conclusion Art is effective in therapy of EIM guinea pigs. The result of this study provides a reliable evidence that Art might be used for the treatment of PM/DM and other immune diseases.

Background Prevalence of dry eye is significantly inceasing in postmenopausal women than that in men,suggesting that sex hormone plays a role in the pathogenesis of dry eye.In addition,dry eye might become worse following estrogen therapy in postmenopausal women.However,whether application of androgen can ameliorate dry eye is being concerned.Objective This study was to investigate the effect of androgen on tear film of ovariectomized female rats.Methods Forty-eight 3-month-old sexually mature female Wistar rats were randomized into the normal control group,sham group,ovariectomy (OVX) model group and testosterone-injected group.OVX models were established by bilateral ovaries enucleation in the rats of the model group and testosterone-injected group,and then androgen (3.75 mg/kg) was intramuscularly injected since 5 months after OVX at 3-day interval for 6 weeks.Only intraperitoneal fat was cut off in the sham group.In 6 weeks after injection of androgen,serum androgen concentration detected and Schirmer Ⅰ test (S Ⅰ t),tear film break-up time (BUT) were performed.The rats were sacrificed to prepare the corneal and conjunctival samples.The expression of MUC5AC in conjunctival tissue was examined by immunofluorescence staining,and the microstructure of corneal cellular surface was observed under the scanning electron microscope before and 6 weeks after application of androgen.Animals in this study were treated in accordance with Animal Experimentation Ethic Committee Guidelines of Southern Medical University and the study protocol was approved by Ethic Committee of this University.Results The mean serum testosterone concentration was (1.83 ±0.12) ng/ml,and S Ⅰ t or BUT was (3.63-±0.26)mm/5 minutes or (3.73-0.38) seconds,respectively,in the OVX model group,which was significantly declined in comparison with (2.56 ±0.14) ng/ml,(7.47±0.66) mm/5 minutes or (9.57 ±0.76) seconds in the normal control group (all at P =0.000).However,the serum testosterone concentration was (3.38±0.24) ng/ml,S Ⅰ t was (6.37 ±0.45) mm/5 minutes and BUT was (7.54±0.55) seconds in the testosterone-injected group,which was significantly higher than that in the OVX model group (all at P =0.000).The positive staining of MUC5AC in rat conjunctival tissue weakened in the OVX model group compared with the normal control group,and the fluorescence intensity in the testosterone-injected group was stronger than that in the OVX model group.Regularly arranged microvilli and cell metabolism hiatus on the surface of corneal cells were seen in the normal control group and the sham group;while the microvilli were shorter and irregularly arranged,and the cell metabolism hiatus were disappeared in the OVX model group.However,microvilli and cell metabolism hiatus were close to normal ones in the testosterone-injected group.Conclusions Deterioration of tear secretion and instability of tear film are are probably associated with the lower serum androgen levels in castrated female rats.Systemic supplement of androgen can promote tear secretion,improve tear film stability and alleviate ocular surface damage.

Objective To discuss the efficacy of fiberoptic ductoscopy(FDS)in the treatment of mammary duct diseases with nipple discharge.Methods Fiberoptic ductoscopy was utilized for diagnosing and treating exudative lesions in the mammary duct in 72 cases(80 sides).After the lesion was detected under ductoscope,repeated irrigation using normal saline was performed until the flocculent discharge disappeared.Intraductal drug administration(dexamethasone 5 mg and gentamycin 40 000 U)was given during the retreat of ductoscope.Results There were 57 sides of galactophoritis and 23 sides of mammary duct ectasia.A complete recovery was achieved in 65 sides(nipple discharge disappeared completely and no relapse occurred in 6 months),in which a follow-up for 1～2 years showed no recurrence.A remarkable improvement was obtained in 15 sides(nipple discharge significantly reduced,or progressively decreased within 6 months,or underwear wetted occasionally).Conclusions Fiberoptic ductoscopy in the treatment of mammary duct lesions with abnormal nipple discharge is effective.

OBJECTIVE To choose a better disinfection method with quickness,credible effect,innocuity and no stimulation from the KangaKing glutaraldehyde fumigation disinfection cabinet(KangaKing cabinet) and the traditional formaldehyde fumigation box.METHODS The samples were collected and the bacteria were cultivated at different time after use of KangaKing cabinet or formaldehyde fumigation box.Their sterile effect was analyzed.The sterile effect of the upper chamber and the different layers of KangaKing cabinet was analyzed too.RESULTS The positive rate of the sample was 100% before disinfection;the sterile effect after 2h disinfection by KangaKing cabinet was obviously better than that of formaldehyde fumigation box(P

To improve the anesthesia skills of younger anesthesiologists ,department of anes-thesiology of the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University formed the tutorial system based on tutori-al team. Through enhancing the selection of tutors,establishing of tutorial team and conducting clini-cal skill guidance and scientific research ability training,department of anesthesiology aimed to devel-op personal quality,clinical and scientific research ability of younger anesthesiologists in the process of clinical completion and application of scientific research subject.

Bioactive natural products are the material bases of Chinese materia medica resources. With successful applications of synthetic biology strategies to the researches and productions of taxol, artemisinin and tanshinone, etc, the potential ability of synthetic biology in the sustainable utilization of Chinese materia medica resources has been attracted by many researchers. This paper reviews the development of synthetic biology, the opportunities of sustainable utilization of Chinese materia medica resources, and the progress of synthetic biology applied to the researches of bioactive natural products. Furthermore, this paper also analyzes how to apply synthetic biology to sustainable utilization of Chinese materia medica resources and what the crucial factors are. Production of bioactive natural products with synthetic biology strategies will become a significant approach for the sustainable utilization of Chinese materia medica resources.
Artemisinins ; metabolism ; Biosynthetic Pathways ; Biotechnology ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; metabolism ; Escherichia coli ; metabolism ; Ginsenosides ; genetics ; metabolism ; Metabolic Engineering ; methods ; Paclitaxel ; metabolism ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae ; genetics ; metabolism ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; genetics ; metabolism ; Synthetic Biology

Objective To investigate the expression patterns of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) in osteoblast and its responses to calcium, phosphate, exogenous PTH and 1,25(OH)_2D~3. Methods The primary rat calvarial osteoblasts were cultured in MEM medium which containing 10% FBS, then were harvested when cells were in half-confluence, confluence, osteoid deposition and osteoid mineralization stages respectively. The procedure was monitored under microscopy. Total RNA was extracted from cells according to the Trizol procedure. FGF23 mRNA levels were determined by Real-time PCR. Further, the confluent osteoblasts were treated with 3.2 mmol/L CaCl_2, 4.4 mmol/L β-glycerophosphate, 10~(-9) mol/L rhPTH(1-34) and 10~(-8) mol/L 1,25(OH)_2D_3 respectively for 3 days, and same volume of the medium was added as the control. The gene expressions were determined by Real-time PCR. Results FGF23 expression was transiently up-regulated at cell confluent stage and down-regulated after that. The FGF23 mRNA levels were 7.5-fold higher in confluent cells compared with that in half-confluent cells (P<0.001). The markedlly stimulating effect (about 16 times) on FGF23 expression was stimulated by exogenous 1,25(OH)_2D_3 treatment while no significant effect was found on FGF23 mRNA levels by CaCl_2,β-glycerophosphate, and rhPTH(1-34) treatments when compared with the control. Conclusions The FGF23 expression in osteoblast is developmental stage-related and its powerful stimulator is 1,25(OH)_2D.

Objective To investigate the effects of multiple doses of propefol on long-term cognitive function in neonatal rats.Methods Twenty-four 7-day old SD rats weighing 12-16 g were randomly divided into 3 groups(n=8 each):group Ⅰ control(C)received intraperitoneal(IP)normal saline(NS)7.5 ml/kg once a day × 7 days:groupⅡ propofol 1(P1)received NS 7.5 ml/kg IP once a day×6 days+propofol 75 mg/kg IP on the 7 th day and group Ⅲ propofol 2(P2)received propefol 75 mg/kg IP once a day × 7 days.Learning and memory function were assessed using Morris water maze when the rats were 4 weeks old.The animals were decapitated immediately after the tests.The cortex and hippocampus were isolated for determination of aspartate (Asp),glutamic acid(Glu),glycine(Gly)and γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA)contents using high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC).Results Long-term learning and memory function significantly declined in group P2 as compared with group C and P1.The content of Asp in hippocampus and the Glu content and Glu/GABA ratio in cortex and hippocampus were significantly lower in group P2 than in group C and P1.There was no significant difference in Gly and GABA content in cortex and hippocampus among the 3 groups.Conclusion Multiple doses of propefol decreases long-term cognitive function by decreasing the levels of excitatory amino acid transmitters in the brain in neonatal rats.

Objective To explore the relevance between lymphatic metastasis and CT findings in colorectal cancer,and to estab-lish the logistic regression model to realize CT prediction for N staging in colorectal cancer.Methods Take 53 patients with complete data and colorectal cancer confirmed by pathology,and conduct correlation and regression analysis on pathological results based on the size,shape,density,edge and distribution characteristics of the regional lymph nodes that were expressed on CT images.Results It was predicted that patients with colorectal cancer showed lymph node metastasis,a number of lymph nodes with the minor axis≥ 8 mm and the irregular margin were selected in Logistic stepwise regression,the sensitivity of probabilistic model was predicted to be 85.7 %,specificity was 91.7 % and accuracy was 88.9 %;predict whether it had N2 stage,a number of lymph nodes with the heterogeneous density and the fuzzy margin were selected in Logistic stepwise regression,the sensitivity of probabilistic model was predicted to be 60.0 %,specificity 94.3 % and accuracy 86.7 %.Conclusion Lymph nodes with minor axis ≥ 8 mm,irregular margin,and heterogeneous density were the most important indicators for N staging in colorectal cancer,the combination and weigh-ting of these indicators can improve the accuracy of N staging in colorectal cancer.

Objective To study the CT signs of bronchotracheal transparent foreign body and its diagnostic value.Methods The X-ray and CT findings of bronchotracheal trasparent foreign body in 46 cases were analysed comparativly.Results Among 46 cases,9 cases of trachea foreign body,13 cases of right bronchial foreign body,7 cases of left bronchial foreign body,2 cases of both sides of bronchial foreign body were showed directly by CT,and 8 cases of right bronchia foreign body,6 cases of left bronchia foreign body,1 case of both sides of bronchia foreign body showed indirectly on CT,the sensitivity was 100 percent,while the foreign body and its anatomical location could not be showed on X-ray film,but the indirect signs just like pulmonary emphysema,obstructive pulmonitis and drowned lung etc,could be showed by X-ray films in 34 cases.In another 12 cases were negative,the sensitivity was 73.9 percent.Conclusion The transparent foreign body can not be showed but indrect signs by X-ray film;While CT scan can not only shows the anatomical location of foreign body,but also the shape and size of the foreign body,it offers more information than X-ray films and has important refering value to clinicians to take out the foreign body.