Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of the recombinant protein Sj_Ts4 in immunodiagnosis of Schistosomiasis japonica.Methods Seventy-four blood samples of schistosomiasis japonica patients(acute, chronic and advanced)were used for evaluating the sensitivity.Blood samples from 24 Clonorchiasis patients,8 patients with hookworm infections and 30 normal persons from the areas without Schistosomiasis were used ror patients.Results The positivity rates were 97.1%(33/34),100.0%(16/16),87.5%(21/24)in rSj-Ts4-ELISA and 100%(34/34),100.0%(16/16),75.0%(18/24)in SjAWA-ELISA in acute,chmnic and advanced Schistosomiasis. respectively.Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in sensitivity(X2=1.23,P＞0.05)between both recombinant and crude antigens.The false positive reaction was found to be 6.7%(2/30)in rSj-Ts4-ELISA and 3.3%(1/30)in SjAWA-ELISA when detected in 30 cases of normal control sera.but no statisticallv significant difference was noted(x2=0.35,P＞0.05).Twelve point five percent(3/24),20.8%(5/24)and 12.5%(1/8),37.5% (3/8),of cross-reactions were observed between rSj-Ts4-ELISA and SjAWA-ELISA for detecting the sera of patients with clonorehiasis and hookworms.There was no significant difference of cross-reaction in two parasitic infections (x2=0.60,1.33,P＞0.05)with the two tests.Conclusions The rSj-Ts4 antigen shows higher sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of Schistosomiasis japonica,which is helpful in the serological diagnosis of Schistosomiasis japonica in endemic areas.

Objective To explore the characteristics of ischemia-reperfusion induced infant lung damage and the potential mechanisms of the injuried.Methods Both infant (15-21 days old) and adult (5-6 months old) rabbits were subjected to either ischemia-reperfusion or sham operation.Ischemia-reperfusion was induced by clamping the right pulmonary hilum for 1 hour and then removal of the clamp for 4 hours under anesthesia.The lung tissue were sampled for histological examination by light and electron microcopies and for biological evaluation of mitochondrial alterations.Production and expression of free radical species-hydroxyl radical (ROS-HR),malondialdehyde (MDA),superoxide dismutase (SOD),glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX),myeloid differentiation factor-88 (MyD-88),and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the lung tissue were also examined.In addition,circulating levels of interleukin-β and tumor necrosis factor-α were measured during the ischemia-reperfusion process.Results In comparison to adult lungs,the infant lungs had more increased neutrophil infiltration,edema,swelled alveolar epithelial and endothelial cells,and severer mitochondrial impairment reflected by damage of the inner membrane as well as decrease in the membrane potential after ischemia-reperfusion.The lungs in infant animals subjected to sham operation displayed higher levels of ROS-HR and MDA and lower levels of SOD and GSH-PX than those in adult controls.The lungs in infants with ischemia-reperfusion were found to further produce more ROS-HR,and MDA,and less SOD and GSH-PX than the ischemia-reperfused adult lungs.Moreover,the circulating levels of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α were elevated during the period of ischemia-reperfusion,particularly in the infant animals,which appeared to be associated with the expression of MyD-88 and NF-κB in the lungs.Conclusion Lung ischemia-reperfusion causes more severe lung damage in infants than in adults,probably due to combination of low antioxidant capacity and overproduction of ROS in infants.

To develop different methods for determining siRNA content and the entrapment efficiency of siRNA loaded liposomes, SYBR Gold electrophoresis method and Ribogreen fluorospectrophotometry method were used respectively. SYBR Gold electrophoresis method has a good linear relation in a range at 0.2-2.0 micromol x L(-1) (R = 0.9930), and the recovery at the high, middle and low concentrations were 96.35%, 96.92%, and 100.74%, respectively (n = 3). The intra-day and inter-day RSD were far below 5% (n = 5). Ribogreen fluorospectrophotometry method has a good linear relation in a range at 10-50 nmol x L(-1) (R = 0.9971), and the recovery at the high, middle and low concentrations were 98.22%, 99.88% and 99.64%, respectively (n = 3). The intra-day and inter-day RSD were far below 5% (n = 5). The content and the entrapment efficiency of three batches of siRNA cationic liposomes were 98.52%, 97.85% and 99.20%, 96.45%, respectively, with these two methods. And there is no significant difference by ANOVA. Both of the two methods are accurate, sensitive, convenient method for determination of the siRNA content and the entrapment efficiency of siRNA loaded cationic liposomes.
Drug Carriers ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Electrophoresis ; Liposomes ; chemistry ; RNA, Small Interfering ; analysis ; Spectrometry, Fluorescence

This paper is to introduce our experiences in treating 2 batches of 13 burn victims transferred from remote areas on postburn days 3 and 4. Methods Thirteen burn victims of 2 mass casualties were transferred to our burns institute from remote areas on postburn days 3 and 4 on June 27, 2001 and June 2, 2002, respectively. There were 4 males and 9 females, age ranged from 20 to 43 years, with a mean age of 31.1±6.2 years. The mean total burn area was 74.3%±24.7% TBSA (range, 25% to 97%). Among them, 10 patients suffered from serious burn with mean total burn area involving 86.0%±11.5% TBSA (range, 60% to 97%), and mean full-thickness burn of 63.9%±26.3% TBSA. Four patients also manifested signs of severe inhalation injury, and 6 patients with moderate inhalation injury. In three patients with mean total burn area covering 35.5%±10.0% TBSA (range, 25% to 45%), with mean full-thickness burn of 15.3%±5.0%, were al having moderate inhalation injuries. Among these 13 patients, 3 were having high body temperature (39℃), while 3 manifested hypothermia. The heart rate was 140-160/min, and respiratory rate 26 to 32/min in 6 patients. Abdominal distension or loss of bowel sound were found in 4 patients. Low white cell and platelet count were found in some patients. In 13 cases, liver function, renal function, myocardiac enzyme, and coagulation function were abnormal. Results Among 13 burn victims, one patient died of myocarditis on postburn day 29, and another one died of hepatic failure (history of chronic hepatitis B) on postburn day 45 with only 2% TBSA of burn wound remained open. Conclusion Burns victims occurred in mass casualties who were transferred from remote areas to our Burns Institute were all in critical condition, usually with multiple complications, demanding most meticulous care. Our strategies in this regard consisted of dispatch of experienced surgeons and nurses to the referring hospitals and the airport to receive the patients to offer appropriate care to them during the journey,organization of the medical staff so that each of them was ordained specific function, thus conditions of the patients were evaluated immediately and appropriate treatment started expeditiously for those lethal complications on arrival. Timely and exact comprehensive treatments were prerequisite to save the patients’ life. Adequate metabolic support should be emphasized, and coagulant of anticoagulant treatment should be carried out when indicated.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy of the application of transosseous osteosynthesis with annular external fixator for the treatment of traumatic large bone defects of the tibia.

METHODSFrom 2002 to 2011,17 cases of traumatic tibial long bone defect were treated by transosseous osteosynthesis with annular external fixator including 11 males and 6 females with an average age of (31.00+/-2.35) years old ranging from 22 to 45 years. The length of defect was from 5 to 13.1 cm with an average of (7.50+/-1.01) cm. The fixed time,bone healing time and the extend length of the affected limb were observed, and the degree of recovery of limb function after surgery were assessed ccording to the Paley's limb function evaluation.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 12 to 48 months with an average of (30.00+/-2.35) months, the bone defects of 17 patients achieved bone healing. The average bone healing time was (10.10+/-0.59) months (8 to 15 months); the average time of fixed time was (14.10+/-0.65) months (12 to 16 months); the average extend length of the affected limb was (7.50+/-1.01) cm. The results of Paley's functional evaluation was excellent in 9 cases,good in 6,fair in 2.

CONCLUSIONTransosseous osteosynthesis with annular external fixator is an effective method for treatment of large bone defects of the tibia. It is successful reconstruction of limb length, simple operation, less soft tissue injury,and is clinical worthy of promotion.

Adult ; External Fixators ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tibia ; injuries ; surgery ; Wound Healing

In this study, indomethacin (IND) loaded solidified-polymeric micelles (IND-SPM) were prepared. Their in vitro characteristics were investigated. Methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol) poly(D, L-lactide) copolymer (mPEG-PDLLA) was used as IND carrier. The preparation of IND-SPM was conducted by solution-absorption method and evaporation by rotary evaporator. Polyplasdone XL-10 was used as adsorbent. The solution-absorption method was conducted by the following procedure; IND and mPEG-PDLLA were dissolved in acetone, followed by addition of polyplasdone XL-10 and stirred to obtain a suspension. The powder of IND-SPM was simply obtained after the organic solvent was completely evaporated. More than 90% (w/w) of IND (20 mg) in the powder was dissolved in 250 mL PBS within 30 min. DSC, 1H NMR and SEM results proved that IND was encapsulated within mPEG-PDLLA. The solubility of IND in the system increased 4.6 times with the highest amount of copolymer. The solidified particles were found to be suitable for the formulation of tablets or capsules.
Administration, Oral ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Drug Compounding ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Indomethacin ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Micelles ; Polyesters ; chemistry ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Povidone ; chemistry ; Solubility

Objective Combination immunotherapy strategies targeting OX40,a co-stimulatory molecule that can enhance antitumor immunity by modulating the proliferation,differentiation,and effector function of tumor-infiltrating T cells,have attracted much attention for their excellent therapeutic effects.In this study,we aimed to evaluate the antitumor efficacy of combined anti-OX40 and hepatitis B core virus-like particles(HBc VLPs)therapy using a mouse colon cancer model. Methods Humanized B-hOX40 mice were injected subcutaneously with MC38 colon tumor cells and treated with HBc VLPs+anti-hOX40 antibody.Tumor growth was monitored.Flow cytometric analysis was performed to evaluate the populations of T cell subsets in the tumors. Results The combination of anti-OX40 with HBc VLPs resulted in a significant delay in tumor growth,suggesting that a potent antitumor immunity was induced by the combination therapy.Further studies revealed that HBc VLPs+anti-OX40 treatment induced a significant increase in effector T cells(Teffs)and a significant decrease in regulatory T cells(Tregs)in the tumor microenvironment(TME),which accounted for the synergistic antitumor effect of anti-OX40 in combination with HBc VLPs. Conclusion Combination therapy of anti-hOX40 and HBc VLPs provides synergistic antitumor activity in colon cancer-bearing mice,which may represent a potential design strategy for cancer immunotherapy.

BACKGROUNDRenal sympathetic nerves are involved in the reflective activation of the sympathetic nervous system in circulatory control. Catheter-based renal denervation (RDN) ameliorated treatment-resistant hypertension safely, but 10%-20% of treated patients are nonresponders to radiofrequency denervation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety and efficiency of cryoablation for sympathetic denervation in a swine model and to explore a new way of RDN.

METHODSSeven swines randomly assigned to two groups: Renal cryoablation (CR) group and control group. The control group underwent renal angiogram only. The CR group underwent renal angiogram plus bilateral renal cryoablation. Renal angiograms via femoral were performed before denervation, after denervation and prior to the sacrifice to access the diameter of renal arterial and the pressure of aorta abdominalis. Euthanasia of the swine was performed on 28-day to access norepinephrine (NE) changes of the renal cortex and the changes of renal nerves.

RESULTSCryoablation did not induce severe complications at any time point. There was no significant change in diameter of renal artery. CR reduced systolic blood pressure (BP) from 145.50 ± 9.95 mmHg at baseline to 119.00 ± 14.09 mmHg. There was a slight but insignificant decrease in diastolic BP. The main nerve changes at 28-day consisted of necrosis with perineurial fibrosis at the site of CR exposure in conjunction with the nerve vacuolation. Compared with the control group, renal tissue NE of CR group decreased by 89.85%.

CONCLUSIONSPercutaneous catheter-based cryoablation of the renal artery is safe. CR could effectively reduce NE storing in the renal cortex, and the efficiency could be maintained 28-day at least.

Animals ; Cryosurgery ; methods ; Female ; Kidney ; innervation ; Male ; Swine ; Sympathectomy ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDIt was still rare for the quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) research of regional changes in hippocampus sclerosis (HS) in Chinese patients with epilepsy. This study aimed to study the hippocampal volumes (HVs) with quantitative MRI measurement in Chinese patients with epilepsy.

METHODSForty-six Chinese patients with epilepsy (intractable epilepsy (IE), n = 21; non-intractable epilepsy (NIE), n = 25) and 25 normal controls were collected between July 2007 and March 2008. All of the subjects underwent a 3T high-resolution MRI with oblique coronal thin sections oriented perpendicular to the hippocampal long axis. Hippocampal structures were assessed by visual detection, and HVs were quantitatively studied with a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS).

RESULTSOur study suggested that there was no significant difference in gender (P > 0.05) while the right hippocampal head volume (HHV), hippocampal body volume (HBV), and the whole hippocampal volume (HCV) were greater than the left one (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found in bilateral hippocampal tail volume (HTV) (P > 0.05) in normal controls. That unilateral/diffuse (64%/21%) and bilateral/focal (86%/20%) hippocampal atrophy (HA) were significant in IE and NIE patients, respectively. Anterior hippocampus, especially HHV (26% in IE and 20% in NIE) and HBV (29% in IE and 12% in NIE), had more significant atrophy than the HTV (5% in IE and 0% in NIE) in patients with epilepsy.

CONCLUSIONBy assessing the volumes of the regional hippocampus with 3T MRI, we could better define the range and distribution of HS, since regional or subtle changes in HVs could be detected earlier with 3T MRI.

Adult ; Epilepsy ; diagnosis ; Female ; Hippocampus ; pathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of insulin on the proteolysis of cultured rabbit skeletal muscular myotubes in vitro, and their possible mechanisms.

METHODSMuscles of lower limbs of juvenile rabbits were isolated for tissue-block culture. After passage, myoblasts were formed and fused into myotubes. Then the protein in myotubes was radiolabelled with L-[ 3,5-3H] tyrosine. The myotubes were cultured in DMEM medium containing 100 nmol/L insulin (n = 24, group B) , 100 nmol/L dexamethasone (n = 24, group C) , 100 nmol/L insulin and 100 nmol/L dexamethasone (n = 24, group D) , no insulin or dexamethasone (n =24, group A), respectively. Twenty-four hours after culture, the L-[3,5-3H] tyrosine content in culture medium and cells were determined, and the degradation rates of protein were calculated. The mRNA expressions of ubiquitin and protease C2 subunit were determined by Northern blot.

RESULTSThe degradation rates of myotube protein in group A(0. 38+/-0.04) was obviously lower than that in group C (0.50+/-0.03, P <0.01), but it was obviously higher than that in group B(0. 35+/-0.03, P <0.05). Though the degradation rates of myotube protein in group D (0.41+/-0. 03) was evidently lower than that in group C ( P < 0.01) , it was still higher than that in group A( P < 0.05 ). The mRNA expressions of ubiquitin and protease C2 subunit in group A ( the scale: 2. 4 kb ubiquitin was 0. 82+/-0. 15, 1. 2 kb ubiquitin was 0. 60+/-0. 10, C2 subunit was 0. 75+/-0. 16) was obviously lower than that in group C ( the scale: 2.4 kb ubiquitin was 2. 15+/-0. 23, 1.2 kb ubiquitin was 1.50+/-0. 14,C2 subunit was 1.50+/-0. 13 , P <0. 01) , but it in group D was lower than that in group C (the scale: 2. 4 kb ubiquitin was 1. 25+/-0. 17, 1. 2 kb ubiquitin was 0. 85+/-0. 09, C2 subunit was 0. 90+/-0. 15, P <0. 01) , and it was similar to that in group B (the scale: 2.4 kb ubiquitin was 0. 85+/-0.07, 1.2 kb ubiquitin was 0. 65+/- 0. 12, C2 subunit was 0. 76 +/-0. 09, P > 0. 05).

CONCLUSIONThe effects of insulin on the activity of ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and the proteolytic rate in normal myotubes were relatively weak. However, insulin can significantly inhibit the effects of dexamethasone on the gene expressions of ubiquitin system and the proteolytic rate in myotubes, but the mechanism needs further research.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; In Vitro Techniques ; Insulin ; pharmacology ; Male ; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Muscle Proteins ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Ubiquitin ; metabolism