Notch signaling pathway plays a vital role in cell fate decisions. Notch signals are transferred among adjacent cells through Notch receptors and their ligands, which can regulate differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis of many cell types including stem cells. They can also influence organ formation and morphopoiesis. Genetic mutations in the Notch signaling pathway are related to the emergence and development of many diseases. Notch signaling pathway is increasingly becoming important drug targets for cancer, hereditary disease such as CADASIL and other related diseases. It is also used to develop stem cell therapeutics to treat age or trauma related degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson disease and diabetes.

Chemokine CXCL9/Mig (monokine induced by IFN-?) belongs to the subfamily of chemotactic cytokines known as CXC-chemokines. In vivo CXCL9 is mainly induced by IFN-? in macrophages and primary glial cells. In vitro, CXCL9 can be secreted by cells such as macrophages, microvascular endothelial cells and neutrophils, in response to the synergy of IFN-? and TLR(toll-like receptor) ligands. CXCL9 is a chemoattractant for activated T lymphocytes, tumor-infiltrating T-lymphocytes, but not for neutrophils or monocytes. The receptor specific for CXCL9 is CXCR3, a G protein-coupled protein which has seven transmembrane domain. The structure and the chemical characterization of CXCL9, as well as its effects on autoimmune deseases, allograft rejection, cancer therapy were reviewed.

AIM: To investigate the relationship between NF-?B activation and intimal hyperplasia.METHODS: The protein extract from aorta was used to detect the expression of NF-?B p65,I?B?,ICAM-1 and COX-2 by Western blotting,and detection of threonine phosphorylation of p65 was performed by immunoprecipitation analysis.RESULTS: The level of p65 reached a maximum level at day 7,and then decreased significantly,which was higher than that in the control,in both cellular extract and nuclear extract at day 21 after balloon injury.The p65 level in cytoplasm had no obvious changes at different time points after balloon injury.The threonine phosphorylation of NF-?B p65 was negative correlated with the nuclear translocation of NF-?B.I?B? level showed a 15% decrease at day 1 after balloon injury,compared with control group,then returned at day 14,and reached to normal level at day 21.However,the expression of ICAM-1 and COX-2 was maximal at day 14,and then declined but higher than that in control group at day 21 after balloon injury.CONCLUSION: The activation of NF-?B p65 and the expression of ICAM-1 and COX-2 are parallel to the neointimal thickening after balloon injury.

Objective To study the effect ofTiaomai-Yin with the therapy method of clearing heat and cooling blood to treat the tachyarrhythmia with the TCM patterns of deficiency of Qi and Yin, and heat of blood stasis.MethodsA total of 60 patients with tachyarrhythmia were randomly recruited into a control group and a treatment group, 30 patients in each. The treatment group was treated withTiaomai-Yin, while the control group was treated with Metoprolol. After both groups were treated for one month, the changes of TCM symptoms, ECG and 24 h DCG were observed.Results The total effective rate of the treatment groups was significantly better than the control group(86.67%vs. 56.67%;χ2=7.957,P<0.05).Tiaomai-Yin significantly improve the symptoms of shortness of breath (1.40 ± 2.11vs. 2.10 ± 1.87;t=-3.341,P<0.01), tiredness (1.30 ± 2.33vs. 2.10 ± 1.84;t=-3.262,P<0.01), dry mouth (0.09 ± 1.34vs. 2.50 ± 2.41;t=-3.194,P<0.01), and tongue (1.90 ± 1.65vs. 3.90 ± 1.81;t=-3.217,P<0.01) and pulse (2.60 ± 1.71vs. 5.10 ± 2.55;t=-3.283,P<0.01).ConclusionTiaomai-Yin had effects in treating tachyarrhythmia with the TCM patterns of deficiency of Qi and Yin, and heat of blood stasis with improvement of symptoms and fewer side effects.

Objective To establish a newborn animal model of renal injury caused by intrauterine asphyxia and explore the mechanism of renal injury in neonate after asphyxia.Methods After two-horn uterus and vessels supplying uterus and ovary were exposed in 21-day-pregnant Wistar rats,arterial clamp occluded one side of vessels.The occluding time were 10 and 30 minutes.Then arterial clamp was taken off,and reperfusion for 30 minutes,2,6,12 and 24 hours respectively.Reaching prescribed time uterus horn was opened rapidly and pups were removed.The pups sacrificed by decapitation.Kidneys were taken out and studied by HE staining and electron microscope.Results Kidney of fetal rats in 21 gestational age was developmental and mature degree of tubules dropped behind that of glomerule.Changes of proximal tubules were early and serious compared with distal tubules during ischemia and reperfusion stages.Conclusion Ischemia and reperfusion to graded pregnant rat can supply an ideal model to study injury of kidney and other organs(intraute)-rously.

Objective To understand current situation of full-time healthcare-associated infection(HAI)manage-ment staff in hospitals in Xianyang,explore the causes of instability of HAI management team.Methods Stratified random sampling method was adopted,hospitals were divided into secondary and tertiary levels,then numbered ac-cording to different levels,surveyed hospitals were selected randomly,general condition,professionals,and causes of instability of 52 selected full-time HAI management staff members in 29 secondary and above hospitals in Xian-yang were surveyed.Results Full-time HAI management staff were mainly women,accounting for 89.13%;54.35% of staff were aged 30-50 years;47.83% had bachelor degree and above;41.30% had intermediate profes-sional titles;65.22% were nurses;91.30% engaged in HAI management for <9 years;HAI management staff were statistically different in age and education level(both P<0.05).63.04% of full-time HAI management staff engaged in nursing before engaging in HAI management work;63.04% engaged in HAI management work accord-ing to administrative arrangement,the top three causes for instability of HAI management team were heavy work-load(91.30%),lacking enough attention of leaders(78.26%),and low pay(63.04%).Conclusion Structure of HAI management full-time staff in hospitals in Xianyang is irrational,the main causes for unstable management team is heavy workload,insufficient attention paid by leaders,and low pay.

Objective To analyze morbidity and prognosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with acute leukemia after myeloablative allogenetic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).Methods Renal function and related clinical data in 66 patients receiving myeloablative alloHSCT were retrospectively analyzed.Renal function was evaluated by RIFLE criteria,which defines AKI as three grades of severity-risk (AKI-R),injury (AKI-I) and failure (AKI-F).Results Thirtyseven recipients (56.1%) developed AKI at a median of 29 days after allo-HSCT,including AKI-R(19 recipients,28.8 %),AKI-I (11 recipients,16.7 %),AKI-F (7 recipients,10.6 %).Compared with baseline value,serum creatinine level in the recipients was significantly increased at the 21st day after transplantation (P＜0.05).During 100 days after HSCT,the morbidity of AKI-F in recipients with HVOD and without HVOD were respectively (55.56 ± 22.22)% and (9.01 ± 4.75)% (P＜0.01).The morbidity of AKI in recipients with or without increased total bilirubin was respectively (68.75 ± 24.54)% and (8.38 ± 4.17)% (P＜0.01).The morbidity of AKI in recipients with or without increased CsA concentration was respectively (66.67 ± 10.29) % and (44.44 ± 8.28) % (P＜0.05).100-day survival rate in recipients after myeloablative allo-HSCT without AKI,with AKI-R,AKI-I and AKI-F was respectively (89.66 ± 5.66) %,(83.88 ± 8.54) %,(81.82 ± 11.63) % and (42.86 ± 18.7) % (P＜0.05).Conclusion AKI is one of the main complications in patients with acute leukemia after myeloablative allo-HSCT.The influence of different class AKI on the mortality was different.The earlier diagnosis,prophylaxis and treatment of AKI by the RIFLF criteria might increase the survival rate in recipients with HSCT.

Objective To explore the suitable delayed time of MSCT mesenteric venography and to probe the value of different post-processing methods.Methods 49 patients with abdominal pain (group A)underwent MSCT mesenteric venography with a delayed time of 15-20 s after the arterial phase,and the CT showed the mesenteric vein(MV)was normal.Meanwhile,other 49 ones with abdominal pain (group B)underwent conventional biphasic CT with a delay-time of 35 s after arterial phase.The CT value and diameter of superior mesenteric vein between two groups were compared,and the grading,scoring and display of mesenteric vein with different post-processingmethods were assessed.Results The diameters of SMV were (10.52±2.19)mm in group A and (9.88±2.60)mm in group B,exhibiting no statistically significant difference (P >0.05);Meanwhile the average attenuations of SMV were (1 96.55±40.59)HU in group A and (1 64.32± 28.35)HU in group B,exhibiting a statistically significant difference (P<0.05).In addition,the display ability and scoring of mesenteric vein and its branches on volume rendering (VR)in group A were better than those in group B (P <0.05).VR was better in display of the vascular space distribution than maximum intensity projection (MIP)and sliding thin slab maximum intensity projection (STS-MIP),the STS-MIP was better in display of tiny blood vessels than VR and MIP,and the curved planner reformation (CPR)was superior in display of vascular lumen and the relationship with adjacent structures.Conclusion The image quality of mesenteric vein with the delayed time of 1 5-20 s after arterial phase is superior to that with delayed time of 35 s,and different advantages of the post-processing methods are showed in display of MV.

Objective To assess the incidence,risk factors and mortality of acute kidney injury(AKI)in patients with chronic myelogeneous leukemia(CML)after myeloablative allogenetic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT). Methods Renal function in 93 CML patients undergone myeloablative allo-HSCT was retrospectively analyzed by the RIFLE criteria. Results Thirty-nine patients (41.9%) developed AKI at a median of 40 days after allo-HSCT, including 24 AKI-R patients(25.8%), 10 AKI-I patients(10.8%) and 5 AKI-F patients (5.4%). The morbidity of AKI in patients with ≥Ⅲ acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) and without ＜Ⅲ GVHD was (81.82±11.63)% and (36.59±5.32)% (P=0.0037)rospectively. The morbidity of AKI in patients with increased total bilirubin and without increased total bilirubin was (72.73±13.43)% and (37.04±5.37)%(P=0.0192) respectively. ≥Ⅲ aGVHD was peor-prognostic factor of AKI and RR was 2.773 [95%CI (1.073-7.167), P=0.035]. RR of AKI-I and AKI-F in patients with ≥Ⅲ aGVHD was 6.320195%CI (1.464-27.291), P=0.013]. The mortality within 100 days after allo-HSCT of patients with AKI was significantly different as compared to patients without AKI (P=0.001). Six-mouth survival rates of different class AKI patients after myeloablative allo-HSCT were (86.96±7.02)% (AKI-R), (70.00±14.49)% (AKI-I), 0 (AKI-F) (P=0.000)respectively. Conclusions AKI is one of the main complications in CML patients after myeloablative allo-HSCT. ≥Ⅲ aGVHD and increased total bilimbin are poor-prognostic factors of AKI, and higher morbidity of AKI-I and AKI-F can be found in patients with ≥Ⅲ aGVHD. With the deteriorated AKI, 6-month survival is decreased. RIFLE criteria is sensitive to the early diagnosis of renal function. Moreover RIFLE can monitor the progression of AKI and predict the clinical outcome.

The study aims to characterize and compare interferon reference standards from 5 manufacturers. By testing molecular mass and trypsin-digested peptide mass mapping, the amino acid sequence was verified and post-translational modifications such as disulfide bond were identified. Results show that the molecular mass and amino acid sequence were consistent with theory; the disulfide bonds of 4 lots of interferon were Cys1-Cys98/Cys29-Cys138, 1 lot was Cys29-Cys139/Cys86-Cys99; N-terminal "+Met", acetyl N-terminal and Met oxidation were identified in part of the sample. UPLC-MS can be used to characterize and compare interferon reference standards from different manufacturers.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Interferons ; standards ; Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Molecular Weight ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Peptide Mapping ; Protein Processing, Post-Translational ; Reference Standards