Serum concentrations of TSH, total and free thyroxine, and total and free triiodothyronine in 592 healthy children aged 2-6 years were determined by means of ADVIA Centaur. The normal reference ranges were calculated. The reference ranges of TSH, T3, T4, FT3, and FT4 were 1.09-4.60 mIU/L, 1.17-1.95 μg/L,57.43-99.60 μg/L, 5.35-7.50 pmol/L, 13.96-19.70 pmol/L, respectively. There was no significant difference in the interval of thyroid hormones between males and females as well as among different age groups.

Objective To study the function of immunocytes in synovial fluid and the mechanisms of immune function disorder in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA).Methods The synovial fluid of 20 patients with RA and 10 healthy amputees because of traumatism in the affiliated hospital of Zhejiang university were collected in this syudy.Monoclonal antibodies against CD28,CD154(CD40L),CD80,CD86,CD40,CD69,CD25,HLA-DR,CD71 were used for flow cytometry and the expressions of costimulatory molecule CD28,CD154,CD80,CD86,CD40 on immunocytes and lymphocyte activation markers CD69,CD25,HLA-DR,CD71 in synovial fliud were studied in these patients.We also used enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) to detect the cytokines level of Th1 cell including interleukine 2(IL-2),interferon-gamma(IFN-?) and those of Th2 cell including interleukine 6(IL-6),interleukine 10(IL-10) in the synovial fliud.Results Compared with control group,the expressions of CD80[(2.09?0.59)%vs(0.67?0.57)%,P

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of laparoscope, choledochoscope and duodenoscope in the treatment of extrahepatic bile duct stones. Methods The clinical data of 610 patients with extrahepatic bile duct stones who had received the treatment with laparoscope, choledochoscope and duodenoscope in our hospital from September 1997 to January 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with bile duct stones received ERCP or EST, and patients with cholecystolithiasis + choledocholithiasis underwent the treatment with laparoscope+ duodenoscope, or laparoscope + choledochoscope, or laparoscope + duodenoscope + choledochoscope. Results The operation was successful in 589 patients, with the successful rate of 96.6%. The duration of hospital stay was 7-28 days (mean, 13 days). No severe complications such as bile leakage, duodenal leakage, duodenal papilla bleeding, acute cholangitis occurred. Four hundred and eleven patients had been followed up for 1 to 3 years (mean, 13 months), and no bile duct stone recurrence or other complications occurred. Conclusions For patients with bile duct stones, the treatment with ERCP or EST is appropriate. Laparoscope + endoscopes in the treatment of cholecystolithiasis combined with choledocholithiasis is safe and effective.

Objective To explore the expression changes of C/EBP homologous binding protein (CHOP)in intermittent hypoxic rats with cognitive function decline and clinical significance.Methods We randomly divided 75 adult male Wistar rats into normal group (NC group),5% intermittent hypoxia group (5% CIH group)and 10%intermittent hypoxia group (10% CIH group),with 25 rats in each.Then the three groups were further divided into 3 d,7 d,14 d,21 d and 28 d subgroups,and each time a subgroup had 5 rats.The control group was exposed to the air while 10% CIH group and 5% CIH group were exposed to CIH for eight hours from 8:00 to 1 6:00 each day. After exposure for 3 d,7 d,14 d,21 d and 28 d,the cognitive function of rats was assessed with Morris water maze, the expression of CHOP in the hippocampus was assayed qualitatively by immunohistochemical technique,and the apoptosis of neurons was detected by TUNEL method.Results ① With prolonged hypoxia,the time of escape latency obviously prolonged,the time spent crossing the target quadrant shortened (P < 0.05 ),and the apoptosis index of hippocampal neurons in the CIH groups was increased gradually compared with those in control group (P <0.05).The above-mentioned indexes changed more significantly in 5% CIH group than in 10% CIH group (P <0.05).②.The expression of CHOP protein at each time point was increased (P <0.05 ).In 10% CIH group it reached the peak at 28 d while in 5% CIH group it decreased after it peaked at 21 d.③ The expression of CHOP in the two CIH groups was positively correlated with apoptosis index and animal escape latency time,but negatively correlated with the target quadrant time.Conclusion Intermittent hypoxia,which is likely to induce the high expression of CHOP and activation of neural CHOP mediated apoptosis,causes cognitive impairment of various degrees.

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) is a kind of serine/threonine protein kinase. As a key downstream protein in RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling pathway, its abnormal activation plays an important role in the development of tumors. Selective ERK1/2 inhibitors can block ERK signaling pathway while overcoming drug resistance caused by upstream target mutation. In this paper, the components of MAPK signaling pathway, the structure and functions of ERK and the role of ERK signaling pathway in tumor development are summarized, and some representative ERK inhibitors in clinical or preclinical studies are emphasized.

BACKGROUND:Operative approaches of lumbar interbody fusion include anterior (ALIF),posterior (PLIF) and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF).The resected structures and cage implantation sites are different,and the initial stability of lumbar spine is varied.OBJECTIVE:To compare the initial stability of lumbar spine following ALIF,PLIF or TLIF in combination with bilateral pedicle screw fixation.DESIGN:Comparative observation.MATERIALS:Fifteen samples of fresh calf lumbar spine were used.METHODS:Models ofALIE PLIF and TLIF were simulated.After examination as normal group,the samples were randomly divided into three groups (n=5).Besides anterior,posterior and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion include anterior,bilateral pedicle screw fixation was performed.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Biomechanical characteristics of the lumbar spine before and after ALIF,PLIF or TLIF in combination with bilateral pedicle screw fixation.RESULTS:Following three approaches of lumbar interbody fusion,the stability of lumbar spine was significantly reduced,which was enhanced after bilateral pedicle screw fixation (torsion indexes were also increased).In addition,rigidity of the lumbar spine was enhanced.The stability indexes of lumbar spine following TLIF were significantly greater than the other approaches,indicating the initial stability of TLIF was the best.The rigidity,stress,and swain of lumbar spine following PLIF were greater than ALIE but torsion indexes were smaller than ALIE CONCLUSION:The stability of lumbar spine following lumbar interbody fusion was significantly reduced compared with normal sample.But bilateral pedicle screw fixation greatly increases the stability.Among three types of lumbar interbody fusion,the initial stability of lumbar spine following TLIF is the best.

Objective A recombinant adenoviral vector containing mIL-18BP and mIL-4 fusion gene(AdmIL-18BP/mIL-4) was constructed and used to investigate the role of mIL-18BP and mIL-4 in medula-ring the expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) and their inducing products PGE2, NO in murine collagen-induced arthritis. Methods Male DBA-1/BOM mice were used in this study. Mice with CIA were intra-articularly injected with 107 pfu/6μl of AdmIL-18BP/mIL-4.Intra-articular injections of AdLacZ or PBS were used as controls. The mRNA expression of COX-2, iNOS in synovial tissue was analyzed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Expression of COX-2 and iNOS protein was estimated by Western blot method. The production of PGE2 and NO in synovia was detected by competitive ELISA and enzyme reduction of nitrate. Results The expression of COX-2, iNOS mRNA in routine synovial tissue of AdmIL-18BP/mIL-4 treatment group was significantly lower than that of AdLacZ group (0.15 vs 0.42,P<0.01 ; 0.05 vs 0.77, P<0.01) and PBS group (0.15 vs 0.65, P<0.01; 0.05 vs 0.64, P<0.01 ). And the protein expression of COX-2, iNOS from AdmIL-18BP/mIL-4 treatment group was also obviously lower than that of AdLacZ group (0.08 vs 0.92, P<0.01; 0.11 vs 1.00, P<0.01) and PBS group (0.08 vs 0.77, P<0.01; 0.11 vs 0.84, P<0.01 ). The PGE2 and NO production in synovia of AdmIL-18BP/mIL-4 treatment group was significantly lower than that of AdLacZ group [(0.68x0.06) vs (2.58±0.21)ng/mL, P<0.01; (23.4+2.5) vs (60.0±11.3)μmol/L, P<0.01 ] and PBS group [(0.68±0.06) vs (2.57±0.20)ng/mL, P<0.01; (23.4+2.5) vs (60.3±13.4)μmol/L, P<0.01]. Conclusion These data indicat that local over-expre-ssion of mIL-18BP and mIL-4 can down-regulate COX-2, iNOS and their induced product PGE2, NO in CIA mice. The combination treatment with mIL-18BP and mIL-4 is a promising therapeutic target for RA.

0.1 ?mol?L-1), inducing differentiation through enhancement of melanogenesis and increase of the activity of tyrosinase at lower doses(

Objective To evaluate the expression of WWOX gene in breast cancer and its relation to hypermethylation of WWOX gene CpG island. Methods The expression of WWOX protein was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining in breast cancer cell line and breast cancer tissues.Methylation specific PCR(MSP)was used to check whether it Was methylated in the promoter and exon 1 of WWOX.Results Deletion in the WWOX expression was observed more frequently in invasive breast tumors,(32.2%)than normal breasttissues(5.4%)(P＜0.01).20.3% of premenopause eases were completely negative for WWOX expression compared to 57.2% of postmenopause breast carcinomas(P＜0.01).Furthermore,23.1% of Stage Ⅰ(6/26),28.6%of Stage Ⅱ(10/35),46.2%of Stage Ⅲ(12/26)tunlors showed negative WWOX protein expression.In breast cancer specimens.methylation rate of promoter and exon 1 CpG island of WWOX gene was 55%and 45%respectively.Whereas.WWOX CpG islands of normal mammary tissues were completely unmethylated in all cases.CpG islands of WWOX promoter and exon 1 were methylated in MDA-MB-231 cell line but not MCF-7 cell.Conclusions Some deletion in WWOX expression is common in breast cancer and methylation of WWOX DNA CpG islands plays a crucial role in the silence of WWOX.WWOX may play a role in the carcinogenesis and development of breast cancer.

Objective To prepare a novel monoclonal antibody (mAb) that specifically against Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture filtrate protein 10 (CFP-10).Methods The BALB/c mice were immunized by a peptide with 14 amino acids (aa residues 53 to 66) of CFP-10,and then the splenocytes of mice were fused with myeloma cell line SP2/0.The resultant fused cells were subjected to screening culture,enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay and subcloning by limited dilution to establish hybridoma cell lines of stable secreting anti-the peptide of CFP-10 antibody.The antibody was purified,and its isotypes were analyzed.Then,the antibody was further evaluated by Western blotting,immunoprecipitation and ELISA in 38 culture supernatant samples of Mycobacterium tuberculosis,20 culture supernatant samples of non-Mycobacterium tuberculosis,32 samples of tuberculous pleural effusion,24 samples of non-tuberculous pleural effusion,and 20 serum samples from healthy controls.Results The isotype of the mAb against the specific peptide of CFP-10 was an IgG1 with κ chain,and it was applicable for Western blotting and immunoprecipitation analysis.ELISA quantitative test showed that the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were 78.6％ (55/70) and 92.2％ (59/64),respectively.Conclusion The mAb generated against the specific peptide of CFP-10 is high in sensitivity and specificity,and it might be used in the early diagnosis of tuberculosis.