0.05),that of AR 84.21% and 50.00% (P0.05). Conclusions: The pathogenesis of SS salivary glands appears to be linked to decrease or loss of topical action of androgens.Sex hormones act on epithelial cells of salivary glands through corresponding receptors.

BACKGROUND:As the potent, specific immunosuppressants emerge, the survival rate after intestinal transplantation is improved to some extent. However, the adverse effects of immunosuppressants and expensive treatment costs are not tolerable for many patients. Therefore, it is clinical y meaningful to choose traditional Chinese medicine which presents immunosuppressive effects. Artesunate has immune suppression effect, reduces acute rejection fol owing smal intestine transplantation, and improves the success rate of smal intestine transplantation.
OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect and action mechanism of artesunate in acute rejection after smal intestine transplantation in rats.
METHODS:Al ogeneic smal intestine transplantation models were established in the closed group of
Sprague-Dawley rats and Wistar rats, and then were randomly divided into three groups, syngenic transplantation group (SD→SD), al ogeneic transplantation group (Wistar→SD), and artesunate treatment group (Wistar→SD+artesunate 60 mg/kg per day, intraperitoneal injection).
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Rats in syngenic transplantation group survived for more than 10 days and they were al kil ed on day 10. The average survival of rats in al ogeneic transplantation group and artesunate treatment group was respectively (6.73±0.58) days and (8.50±0.74) days, with significant differences between the two groups (P<0.01). Histopathological examination showed that, there was no apparent rejection in syngenic transplantation group specimens, but mild, moderate and severe rejections in al ogeneic transplantation group on days 3, 5, 7. In treatment group, some specimens had mild rejection, but appeared relatively late to a low degree. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay results revealed that, serum interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma expression levels in al ogeneic transplantation group were significantly higher than other two groups after surgery (P<0.01), serum interleukin-2 gene expression level in treatment group was also higher than syngenic transplantation group, but there was no significant difference (P>0.05), serum interferon-gamma expression level in treatment group was higher than syngenic transplantation group (P<0.05). Artesunate can inhibit acute rejection after rat smal intestine transplantation, and its mechanism may be related to inhibition effect on the secretion and expression of interleukin-2, interferon-gamma and other cytokines.

BACKGROUND: Distraction osteogenesis is an effective method for large bone defects, bone tumors and osteomyelitis. However, there is a lack of a standard model in the basic research concerning distraction osteogenesis. OBJECTIVE: To establish a rabbit femoral model of distraction osteogenesis and to assess its osteogenic effect. METHODS: Twenty male New Zealand rabbits were enrolled to establish the rabbit femoral model of distraction osteogenesis using a novel distractor. Subsequently, the gross observation and X-ray examination of the specimens were performed to assess the osteogenic effect. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Gross observation: on day 14 after fixation, there were light-colored and dense newborn bones distributing evenly in the distraction gap, and appeared with a columnar connection with the broken ends; the boundary with normal bones became vague. On day 35, the surface of newborn bones in the distraction gap showed the same color and texture with the normal ones, the boundary between the newborn and normal bones was difficult to distinguish, and the bone mineral density was increased notably. Radiology results: on day 14 after fixation, the stent was fixed stably, the broken ends got good reduction, and cloudy shallows connecting the two ends of the normal bones in the distraction gap and increased bone mineral density were detectable. Completely calcified new-born bones, intact bone cortex and open medullary canal were further visible on day 35. These results suggest that the rabbit femoral model of distraction osteogenesis is established successfully using the self-designed single-arm distractor based on rational surgical procedures and standard operations.

Objective To evaluate the effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) combined with methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS),compared to MPSS alone,in the treatment of neurological function of patients with acute spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods Twenty-one patients presenting in hospital within less than 8 hours after acute SCI were randomly divided into two groups,the control group (10 cases) and the intervention group (11 cases).The control group was treated by MPSS combined with placebo,while the intervention group received MPSS with rhEPO.Both groups received MPSS 30 mg/kg within the first hour,and if the patient was admitted within 4 hours,MPSS would be applied in the treatment with 5.4 mg/kg per hour in the subsequent 23 hours and till 47 hours if the patient was admitted within 4-8 hours after injury.The intervention group received 500 U/kg rhEPO on admission and another 500 U/kg in the next 24 hours,compared with the control group where placebo was used.The evaluation on neurologic function recovery was made on admission,24 h,72 h,one week,2 months and 6 months later,and statistical analysis was performed.Results The change in ASIA score: in the control group,the increase was seen from admission to 6 months after injury in terms of exercise,algesia and tactile sensation ((31.2±6.6) points vs.(57.8±9.8) points,(41.4±9.5) points vs.(64.3±10.6) points, (39.2±6.8) points vs,(61.5±11.3) points),the increase also took place in the intervention group ((29.5±7.2) points vs.(77.4±10.3) points,(39.7±7.2) points vs.(82.3±12.1) points,(37.4±6.2) points vs.(78.6±12.4) points).As time went on,the increase range in the intervention group became larger,compared with the control group.The difference between the two groups in ASLA score was statistically significant (P<0.05).There was no significant difference in red blood cell count and hemoglobin content of routine blood test between the two groups (P>0.05).Conclusion The application of MPSS combined with rhEPO within 8 hours after acute spinal injury may be more effective than MPSS with placebo in the neurologic dysfunction recovery.

Objective To investigate the expression and relationship of TIP30(HIV-1 Tat interactive protein 2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and MVD (detected by CD34) in the angiogenesis of human brain astrocytomas. Methods Expression of TIP30, VEGF and CD34 in 19 cases of normal brain tissue and 71 cases of astrocytoma were immunohistochemically examined with Elivision plus two-step method. Results The positive expression of TIP30 could be seen in cytoplasm of neuroglial cells and neurons of 19 normal brain tissues. The positive expression rate of TIP30 in 71 cases of astrocytoma was 33.80 % (24/ 71). The positive expression rate of TIP30 in astrocytoma of different grades was 52 % for grade Ⅱ, 34.78 % for grade Ⅲ and 13.04 % for grade Ⅳ. The positive expression rate of TIP30 in high grade (Ⅲ+Ⅳ) of astrocytoma was found significantly lower than that in low grade(Ⅱ) (χ2=5.71, P <0.05); The expression of VEGF and MVD detected by CD34 in astrocytomas were higher than that in normal brain tissue and increased as the tumor grade increased; In astrocytoma, the negtive correlation was found between the expression of TIP30 and VEGF (r=-0.428, P<0.05); no correlation was found between TIP30 and MVD(r=-0.065, P 0.05); the positive correlation was found between VEGF and MVD(r=0.684, P<0.01). Conclusion The positive expression rate of TIP30 in normal brain tissue is significantly higher than that in astrocytoma. The positive expression rate of TIP30 significantly decreases as the pathological grade of the astrocytoma increases; The expression of TIP30 and VEGF is negatively correlated in astrocytoma.

Objective To evaluate effects of interleukin-36α (IL-36α) on psoriasiform skin lesions and C-C motif chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20) expression in mice.Methods Totally,30 BALB/c female mice were randomly and equally divided into 3 groups:control group treated with topical vaseline cream on the shaved back and intracutaneous injection with phosphate buffer saline (PBS),model group treated with topical imiquimod cream on the shaved back and intracutaneous injection with PBS,experimental group treated with topical imiquimod cream on the shaved back and intracutaneous injection with IL-36α solution.Psoriasis area severity index (PASI) was used to evaluate changes of psoriasiform skin lesions in mice,and light microscopy to observe morphological changes of skin lesions and to measure the thickness of the epidermis.Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analysis were performed to determine the expression of IL-36α in skin lesions in the control group and model group,and qRT-PCR,Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical study to evaluate changes of CCL20 levels in skin lesions.Results The model group showed significantly increased mRNA (△ Ct value:0.0195 ± 0.0059) and protein expression (3.922 ± 0.248) of IL-36α compared with the control group (mRNA:0.0012 ± 0.0004,P ＜ 0.05;protein:0.690 ± 0.025,P ＜ 0.05).The mRNA and protein expression of CCL20 were significantly higher in the experimental group than those in the model group (mRNA:2.152 ± 0.793 vs.0.999 ± 0.178;protein:0.397 ± 0.033 vs.0.145 ± 0.030;both P ＜ 0.05),and higher in the model group than those in the control group (mRNA:0.378 ± 0.075;protein:0.025 ± 0.009;both P ＜ 0.05).Immunohistochemical study showed that the expression intensity of CCL20 in skin lesions significantly increased in the experimental group compared with that in the model group (Z =2.294,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion IL-36α may aggravate psoriasiform skin inflammation in mice by promoting CCL20 expression.

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of pulmonary rehabilitation therapy including respiratory exercise and vibration expectoration on patients with pulmonary infection after abdominal surgery.Methods A retrospective case control study was conducted.Seventy-six patients with pulmonary infection after abdominal surgery admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University from September 2015 to September 2016 were enrolled.According to whether accept the pulmonary rehabilitation therapy or not,the patients were divided into two groups.In the control group (n =35),the convemional expectoration method was adopted.The patients in pulmonary rehabilitation group (n =41) received both methods of the control group and pulmonary rehabilitation treatment,including respiratory exercise (effective cough,lip reduction breathing),respiratory exercise device (respiratory exerciser tri-ball),and vibrated expectoration.The 24-hour sputum volume,degree of comfort,inflammatory and pulmonary function parameters,and recovery situation were recorded in the two groups.Results ① There were no significant differences in the parameters of inflammation and pulmonary function before treatment between the two groups.After treatment,the white blood cell (WBC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in both groups were significantly decreased,and the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) were significantly increased.The above changes in pulmonary rehabilitation group were more significant than those of the control group [WBC (× 109/L):11.12 ± 2.88 vs.13.42 ± 2.62 at 3 days,8.22 ± 1.48 vs.9.27 ± 1.92 at 5 days;CRP (mg/L):13.47 ± 4.77vs.16.03±4.94 at 3 days,9.69±1.56 vs.11.77±1.41 at 5 days;FEV1 (L):2.48±0.14 vs.2.29±0.16 at 3 days,FEV1/FVC:0.78±0.04 vs.0.75±0.04 at 3 days;all P ＜ 0.05].② The 24-hour sputum volume within 3 days of pulmonary rehabilitation group were significantly higher than that of the control group (mL:30.51 ± 4.15 vs.18.30 ± 3.64at 1 day,31.08±3.22 vs.20.37±3.20 at 2 days,29.03±2.55 vs.19.03±2.51 at 3 days,all P ＜ 0.01].③ In the pulmonary rehabilitation group,the recovery time of pulmonary infection symptoms (days:5.44 ± 1.45 vs.6.20 ± 1.55),the days of antibiotic use (days:12.61 ± 3.15 vs.15.03 ± 3.78),the time of getting out of the bed (days:4.05 ± 0.74vs.4.51±0.89),and the hospital days (days:19.95±3.90 vs.22.00±4.42) were significantly shorter than those of the control group (all P ＜ 0.05),and the degree of comfort was significantly better than that of the control group (comfort score:2.71 ±0.90 vs.2.14±0.91,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion The application of pulmonary rehabilitation including respiratory exercise and vibration expectoration in abdominal surgery patients with pulmonary infection can promote recovery,and it has a good clinical and practical application value.

Objective To knockout Rag2 and IL2rg genes and construct severe combined immunodeficiency mice based on CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Method Design and synthesis of 25 bp sgRNA were made according to the Rag2 and IL2rg sequences in Genbank. After annealing, sgRNA was cloned into pX330 vector. Recombination plasmid Rag2?sgRNA, IL2rg?sgRN and Cas9 were then transcribed into RNA, these RNA were microinjected into zygotes and the zygotes were transplanted into recipient ICR mice. F0 founders were born and mutated F0 founders mated with wild type mice to obtain F1 generation heterozygous mice. Mutated F1 mice were crossed and got F2 generation homozygous mice. Genotype and phenotype of the knockout mice were identified by sequencing, flow cytometry and xenograft model. Results Rag2?sgRNA and IL2rg?sgRNA recombination plasmids were constructed and transcribed into RNA. After microinjection and mat? ing, F0 founders were born and F2 homozygous mice were obtained. The results of sequencing showed that there were two types of genotype in IL2rg gene, 10 bp or 11 bp deletion;however, there was only one genotype in Rag2 gene, which was 8 bp deletion. Compared with wild?type BALB/c mice, the number of CD3 +, B220 + and NKp46 + cells in peripheral blood of the knockout mice was reduced significantly. After inoculation of human breast cancer cell line SKBR?2HL cells, tumor size in the xenograft mouse model was increased gradually along with time extension. Conclusion CRISPR/Cas9 is an efficient way to mutate Rag2 and IL2rg gene in mice in vivo, leading to aberrant T cells, B cells and NK cells.

Objective To construct miRNA-29b1 gene knockout mice based on CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Methods To design and synthesize sgRNA according to the miRNA-29b1 sequence in Genbank .sgRNA and Cas9 were transcribed to RNA in vitro, these RNA were then microinjected into zygotes of C 57BL/6 mice.After mouse birth, the genome DNA was extracted and sequenced to identify its genotype; meanwhile , real-time PCR was used to assay the expression of miRNA-29b1 in the heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney of mutated mice .Result A 20 bp sgRNA targeted on miRNA-29b1 was synthesized and transcribed to RNA with Cas 9.After microinjection, miRNA-29b1 gene-mutated mice were obtained.The sequencing results showed that there were two types of genotype for the mutated mice , one was 10 bp deletion, and another was 23 bp deletion accompanied with a 3 bp insertion.Compared with the wild-type mice, the expression of miRNA-29b1 in the heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney was reduced significantly .Conclusions miRNA-29b1 gene knockout mice are constructed successfully by using CRISPR /Cas9 technology.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the optimal separation of the total flavones from Herba Epimedii by macroporous adsorption resin.

METHODNine types of macroporous adsorption were evaluated for separating efficiency by measuring the adsorption ratio, eluting ratio of total flavones.

RESULTThe D-101 macroporous adsorption resin had the best separating efficiency. After enrichment and purification with it, the product purity of total flavones was up to 63.8%.

CONCLUSIONThis method is simple, feasible and fit for industry production.